ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

82^nd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TONGE C.C.

9^th DECEMBER 2013

Apologies: Karen Knott.

Minutes Silence: The Committee stood in memory of all who had died during the previous year, including Graham Waterworth, a serving Co-Opted member.

Minutes of the 81^st AGM: These had been circulated previously. There were no matters arising.

Chairman’s Report: Mr hall referred back to the Presentation where he had covered the activities of all 14 clubs.

All clubs and officers were thanked including Treasurer Chris Monks, Secretary Ray Taylor, former Chairman Warwick Milne, Vice Chairman Derek Kay, Co-Opted members Karen Knott, John Hutchinson and the late Graham Waterworth, Mike Buckley Junior Secretary and Ron Fallows Registration Secretary.

Special mention was made of the umpires and the individuals from clubs who had supported the sub committees.

There had been some great cricket played, helped by the good weather.

Disciplinary Review: Mr Hutchinson said the Committee had met on 6 occasions to discuss nine reports involving 7 clubs. This compared favourably with 12 cases in 2012 and 23 in 2011. All bans have been served.

Junior Report: Mike Hall said he had been surprised at the outcome of some of the votes, and felt there could be a problem with the flexibility of the fixtures in the under 11s. Mr Hutchinson said there was no change to under 18s cricket. The high standard of females playing cricket in the Bolton League was noted and Ron Fallows informed the Committee that a girls’ team playing in a Cheshire League were using Astley Bridge’s ground.

Statement of Accounts: Mr Monks presented the income and expenditure and balance sheet. These were approved by the Committee.

It was agreed that insurance and security for the silver trophies wood be looked into.

Clubs were reminded their Handbook entries are required urgently.

Ratification of Junior Amendments: The Secretary proposed that these be ratified but cautioned that he knew from experience that a competitive league combined with flexible fixtures had not worked in the past and could lead to ill feeling between clubs. The Committee approved the amendments with the proviso that the under 11 arrangements are referred back to the junior committee for further consideration.

Amendments to Rules: The following were successful;

1. Formation of Management Committee. 
2. Distribution of £6500 sponsorship. 
3. Rule 10 (Committee’s Power and Rule Changes). 
Add “Proposed rule changes affecting the number of clubs 
in the League (Rule 3) may only be voted on by the clubs, with the Chairman having the casting vote if voting is equal at the first vote and with a two thirds majority required at the AGM. Clubs must produce documentary evidence that the proposal has been voted on by the cricket club’s or cricket section’s governing committee. It is acceptable for a club to abstain if their committee wishes to do so.” 
4. Rule 23(h) (Entry into the Lancs KO) 
Replace with “The League will enter the Hamer Cup winners 
along with the leading teams in the season’s final league table according to the competition rules.” 
5. Rule 13(b) Replace with "Only players who have played 
for a club's second team earlier in the season can play 
for the second team in the last six matches of the 
season. This rule is to be waived for Under 15 players who 
were registered before the start of the season." 
6. Rule 13(c) Replace with "Clubs may register any player who was born 
in the UK, who was on the electoral register on 1st September the previous year or is a junior player in full time education in the UK. 
Additionally clubs may also register one player who is 
eligible to play in the regional finals of the ECB competitions." 
7. Hamer / Birtwistle Cup "The 50th over must commence 
within 3 hours 15 minutes of the start. Overs not bowled after this time will be deducted from the team's allocation in their innings. In the second innings five runs will be deducted from the total of the 
side batting first for every over commenced after completion of the over in progress at 3 hours 15 minutes." 
8. Rule 26k Add the word “Competent” in front of scorer. 
9. Rule 28(a) add “In the Hamer Cup should the umpire 
call a front foot no ball against a bowler then a free hit will be signalled and field changes will not be allowed unless the batsmen have changed ends.” 
10. Umpires and Scorers New Rule 7 
Proposals for the use of play cricket. 
11. Umpires and Scorers New Rule 8 "Anyone new to scoring 
is requested to take a scorers' course."

Election of Officers: The Chairman said there would be eight people on the Management Committee with voting rights plus an Umpires’ Representative and Junior Representative. Meeting would be held on a regular basis and the Committee would be held to account on an annual basis. There would be full League Committee meeting at least three times a year. Voting members of the Management Committee are not representatives of any club or body and are there to manage the League and take it forward. The Sub-Committee structure will still be in place and clubs will be asked to provide support.

The following were elected unopposed; M Hall (Chairman), R Taylor (Secretary), C Monks (Treasurer) and D Kay (Vice Chairman).

Four other embers were to be elected from M Buckley, R Fallows, W Halton, F Hinks, M Hodgkiss, J Hutchinson, K Knott, W Milne and D Morris.

As has been custom and practice the absent Mrs Knott was allowed to vote. After a discussion it was decided clubs should have two votes. In response to comments about the number of candidates with a Bradshaw connection the Secretary suggested their votes be scrutinised separately by the Treasurer to check there had been no collusion. This was not taken up.

A ballot was taken with each member o the Committee allowed a maximum of 4 votes. The following were elected; M Buckley, J Hutchinson, K Knott and W Milne.