REED CRICKET CLUB

Minutes of the 58th Annual General Meeting of Reed Cricket Club held in the Pavilion on
27th November 2014 starting at 2000hrs.

Present:
Andrew Emms, (Club President), Chairman of AGM,
Peter Baker, (Minute Taker), Marcus Baker, Roger Bowcock, Matt Bowles, Lloyd Bowman, Clive Collins, Keith Collins, Jonathan Fynn, Tom Greaves, Neil Haslam, James Heslam, John Heslam, Howard Marshall, Marcus Martin, Peter McMeekin, Richard Robertson, Cilla Robertson, Michael Robertson, Bethan Smith, Graham Smith, Stuart Smith, Peter Tidey, Sean Tidey, Tim Tidey, Paul Watts, Rob Willoughby.

Apologies for absence:
Chris Baker, Ben Bowles, Mitchell Cooper, Michael Curtis, Steve Dunn, Dennis Easley, William Heslam, Chris Jackson, Richard Johnson, John Kershaw, Peter Wholley, Kieren Willoughby.

Prior to the commencement of the AGM, members held a half-minute’s silence in respect for Australian Test Cricketer, Phillip Hughes, whose death had been announced that day.

1. To approve the Minutes of the AGM held on 28th November 2013.
Minutes had been previously published on the RCC Website.
Approval was proposed by Neil Haslam, seconded by Richard Robertson, unanimously agreed and signed.

2. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the previous AGM on 28th November 2013.
No matters arising.

3. To receive the Honorary Secretary’s Report.
The Report compiled by Michael Curtis had been previously published on the RCC Website.
Receipt of the Hon. Secretary’s Report was proposed by Tom Greaves, seconded by Marcus Martin and accepted unanimously.

Michael Curtis had previously notified the Committee that he would be standing-down from the Hon. Secretary role and was given a Vote of Thanks in his absence.

4. To receive the Annual Accounts.
Annual Account: The Honorary Treasurer, Bethan, Smith, presented financial data to the year ending 30th September 2014. In answer to enquiries about substantial year to year differences she clarified that there was no Sponsorship from “Bugler” this year, that we used professional contractors on end-of-season groundwork and that the Cleaners payments had been increased during the year.
The 2012/13 Annual Accounts had been audited by Jonathan Fynn and John Heslam since the last AGM and the 2013/14 Accounts would be audited and completed by the date of the first General Committee meeting in January 2015. The Closing Balance as at 30/9/14 stood at a healthy £20,406.34p.
Receipt of the Annual Accounts was proposed by Howard Marshall, seconded by Cilla Robertson and accepted unanimously.

Bar Account: Bar Committee Chairman, Peter McMeekin, presented Accounts relating to the Bar which also included Profitability Analysis up to 5th October 2014. The 2014 season proved to be a record year for Bar profits at £10,673.88p.
Receipt of the Bar Account was proposed by Marcus Baker, seconded by Michael Robertson and accepted unanimously.

100 Club Account: Peter McMeekin also presented Accounts relating to the 100 Club stating that Profits were £400 up on the previous year. John Heslam commented that there are 50 people in the 100 Club yet only 12 of them were current players so there should be more scope to increase membership.
Receipt of the 100 Club Account was proposed by Neil Haslam, seconded by Michael Robertson and accepted unanimously.

5. To consider and vote on a Rule change.

Proposed Rule 23:

John Heslam provided a rationale to the Rule change proposal. The original proposal regarding the creation of a Club Disciplinary Sub-Committee had not been ratified at a previous AGM and therefore required to be brought to the membership now so that it formally became part of the Club Constitution. The proposed new Paragraph (b) was in addition to the existing Rule 23.

Rule 23 currently reads:
The General Committee shall have power to expel any Member who shall offend against the Rules of the Club and whose conduct shall in the opinion of the General Committee render him unfit for membership of the Club. Before any such Member is expelled the Honorary Secretary shall give him seven days written notice to attend a meeting of the General Committee and shall inform him of the complaints made against him. No Member shall be expelled without first having an opportunity of appearing before the General Committee and answering complaints made against him not unless at least two thirds of the Committee then present vote in favour of his expulsion.

To NOW read:
Club Members’ Behaviour:
a). The General Committee shall have power to expel any Member who shall offend against the Rules of the Club and whose conduct shall in the opinion of the General Committee render him unfit for membership of the Club. Before any such Member is expelled the Honorary Secretary shall give him seven days written notice to attend a meeting of the General Committee and shall inform him of the complaints made against him. No Member shall be expelled without first having an opportunity of appearing before the General Committee and answering complaints made against him not unless at least two thirds of the Committee then present vote in favour of his expulsion.
b). Discipline of Players:
Any complaints made to the Club regarding the behaviour of Reed Players on the field of play, or in association to Cricket match events, will be investigated by a Disciplinary Sub Committee of the Club. This Committee will be chaired by the Club Selection Committee Chairman, and in addition comprise the 4 x Club Saturday Xl Captains, the Club Welfare Officer, the Clubs appointed SHCL League Representative, and any other officer, or officers, of the Club deemed appropriate by the Disciplinary Committee Chairman. The Disciplinary Sub-Committee will report its findings, and make any appropriate recommendations for disciplinary action, to the Reed Cricket Club General Committee who will discuss the report and adjudicate on the recommended outcomes and determine any prospective penalties to individual Club Members.

The change in Rule 23 was proposed by John Heslam, seconded by Peter Baker and carried unanimously without amendment.

According to Club Constitution, when Rules are changed or amended, the Honorary Secretary must give written notice to the Chief Officer of the Police and to the Clerk of the Local Authority.
Action: The Hon. Secretary to notify those concerned.

6. To receive and consider and ratify or amend rates of Subscription.

John Heslam explained that the General Committee had discussed Subscriptions and Match Fees with the objective to make the process easier for the Membership Secretary. Officially, membership subscriptions are due on the 1st January each year, but with a proposed incentive of paying by the 30th April, the subscriptions will be effectively the same as in 2014. No change was recommended in Colts’ membership subscriptions. The following were proposed:

Subscriptions:

Full Playing Members £60 (£40 in 2014).
Full Playing Members – Payment by 30th April £40

Junior Playing Members £35 (£25 in 2014).
Junior Playing Members – Payment by 30th April £25

Non-Playing Members £20 (£20 in 2014).

Colts Members £50 (£50 in 2014).

Match Fees & Teas:

Adult £10 (£10 in 2014).
Junior/Colt £8 (£8 in 2014).
Midweek Adult £2 (£2 in 2014).
Midweek Colt (in Open-Age matches, not Colt’s fixtures)
£1 (£1 in 2014).

Matches Fees reduced by 50% for 2nd match if played both Saturday & Sunday:
(Applicable only when the Full Subscription has been received.)

Adults £5 (£5 in 2014).
Junior/Colt £4 (£4 in 2014).
Opposition Teas £45 (£45 in 2014).

The recommended Subscriptions and Fees were proposed by John Heslam, seconded by Tom Greaves and accepted unanimously by those members over the age of 18.

Members were encouraged to pay subscriptions early with on-line banking transfer being the preferred method.

7. To elect Officers for the coming year.

John Heslam assumed the Chair at this point. He explained that under the Club Constitution there being no alternative nomination received in the requisite time, ANDREW EMMS remained as the elected Club President.

Andrew Emms then resumed the Chair for the election of Club Officers and for the remainder of the Meeting.

Under Club Rules, playing members over the age of 18 may vote on the election of all the officers. Playing members aged 16 or 17 may vote only on the election of Team Captains, Vice-Captains and members of the Selection Committee. Playing members under 16 may not vote. Non-Playing members must be over the age of 18 to vote, but may not vote on the election of Captains, Vice-Captains, and Selection Committee.

Existing Vice-Presidents. Proposed by: Cilla Robertson. Seconded by: Peter McMeekin. All elected en bloc.

New nomination for Vice-President. Proposed by: Peter Baker. Seconded by: Marcus Baker. Elected: Maseeh Naeem.

The existing Vice-Presidents were elected without need of a vote.
After debate about the criteria for nominating new Vice-Presidents, a vote was carried-out and Maseeh Naeem was duly elected.

The following comprise the Club General Committee in addition to the Club President:
Chairman. Proposed by: Neil Haslam. Seconded by: Graham Smith. Elected: John Heslam.
Honorary Secretary. Proposed by: John Heslam. Seconded by: Tom Greaves. Elected: Peter Baker.
Honorary Treasurer. Proposed by: Tim Tidey. Seconded by: Roger Bowcock. Elected: Bethan Smith.
Fixtures Secretary. Proposed by: Cilla Robertson. Seconded by: Marcus Martin. Elected: Peter Wholley.
Welfare Officer. Proposed by: Peter McMeekin. Seconded by: Peter Baker. Elected: Cilla Robertson.
Bar Committee Chairman. Proposed by: John Heslam. Seconded by: Howard Marshall. Elected: Peter McMeekin.
Ground Committee Chairman. Proposed by: Howard Marshall. Seconded by: Neil Haslam. Elected: Richard Robertson.
Colts Liaison Officer. Proposed by: Cilla Robertson. Seconded by: Bethan Smith. Elected: Peter Wholley.
Social Secretary. Proposed by: Marcus Martin. Seconded by: Bethan Smith. Elected: Matt Bowles.
Selection Panel Chairman. Proposed by: Tom Greaves. Seconded by: Marcus Martin. Elected: Paul Watts.
Under 25 Representative. Proposed by: Sean Tidey. Seconded by: Tom Greaves. Elected: Mitchell Cooper.
Coaches’ Co-ordinator. Proposed by: Sean Tidey. Seconded by: James Heslam. Elected: Tom Greaves.
Fund Raising Officer. Proposed by: Graham Smith. Seconded by: Paul Watts. Elected: John Heslam.
Club Captain. Proposed by: Tom Greaves. Seconded by: Sean Tidey. Elected: James Heslam.
2nd XI Captain. Proposed by: Tim Tidey. Seconded by: Matt Bowles. Elected: Marcus Martin.
Sunday Captain. Proposed by: Matt Bowles. Seconded by: Peter Tidey. Elected: Marcus Baker.
Committee Member W/O portfolio. Proposed by: Stuart Smith. Seconded by: Peter Tidey. Elected: Howard Marshall.
Committee Member W/O portfolio. Proposed by: Andrew Emms. Seconded by: Matt Bowles. Elected: Michael Robertson.
Committee Member W/O portfolio. Proposed by: John Heslam. Seconded by: James Heslam. Elected: Graham Smith.
Committee Member W/O portfolio. Proposed by: James Heslam. Seconded by: Tom Greaves. Elected: Jack Tidey.
Committee Member W/O portfolio. Proposed by: Stuart. Seconded by: Tom Greaves. Elected: Sean Tidey.
Committee Member W/O portfolio. Proposed by: Michel Robertson. Seconded by: Richard Robertson. Elected: Rob Willoughby.

Non- Committee members:
1st XI Vice-Captain. Proposed by: James Heslam. Seconded by: Michael Robertson. Elected: Tom Greaves.
2nd XI Vice-Captain. Proposed by: Marcus Martin. Seconded by: Peter Tidey. Elected: Phil Frenay.
3rd XI Captain. Proposed by: Marcus Baker. Seconded by: Peter Baker. Elected: Michael Robertson.
4th XI Captain. Proposed by: Michael Robertson. Seconded by: Peter Baker. Elected: Lloyd Bowman.
Mid-Week Captain. Proposed by: Mitchell Cooper. Seconded by: Tom Greaves. Elected: William Heslam.

Members of the Selection Committee in addition to the Selection Chairman and Weekend Captains and Vice-Captains:
Selector. Proposed by: Tom Greaves. Seconded by: James Heslam. Elected: Matt Bowles.
Selector. Proposed by: Michael Robertson. Seconded by: Lloyd Bowman. Elected: Rob Willoughby.

Additional positions:
Honorary Auditor. Proposed by: Neil Haslam. Seconded by: Peter McMeekin. Elected: Jonathan Fynn.
Honorary Auditor. Proposed by: Neil Haslam. Seconded by: Peter McMeekin. Elected: John Heslam.

The above Captains, Committee members and Officers were elected without need of a vote.

Because of the structure of the Fixture list on Sundays, the specific position of Sunday 2nd XI Captain remained vacant.

Votes of Thanks were given to the following Club Officials for their particular hard work, successes and contributions:
Michael Curtis – standing-down from the position of Hon Secretary and Committee member;
Cilla Robertson – Welfare Officer and Membership Secretary;
Peter Wholley – Fixtures Secretary;
Matt Bowles – Social Secretary;
James Heslam – First XI Captain;
Peter McMeekin – Bar Committee Chairman;
Richard Robertson – Ground Committee Chairman;
Stuart Smith – standing-down from the Committee;
Keith Collins – standing-down from membership of the General Committee after a span of over four decades. A tribute to Keith had been made at the recent Presentations Dinner in recognition to his long service.

8. Any Other Business.

Proposal by Stevenage CC regarding match rules in Divisions 1 to 12 of the Herts League for 2015:
Club members and in particular those playing in the Saturday 2nd XI had been canvassed twice in the preceding months. Marcus Martin informed the membership that players were against the proposal.
Action: The Hon. Secretary to notify the Herts Cricket League management of Reed CC’s opposition to the proposal to have “spilt format” match rules in Divisions 1 to 12.

Composition of the General Committee:
Rob Willoughby suggested that the Captains of the 3rd and 4th Teams should be automatic members of the General Committee.
Action: To be brought forward for discussion at the next General Committee meeting.

Club Constitution:
Peter Baker said that his intention was to review and overhaul all the Club Constitution by the autumn of 2015 so that out-dated Rules can be deleted or amended. Concurrently, the General Committee will review the Rules and time-scales for Nominating Vice-Presidents.
Action: The new Committee to review the Club Rules. This Action will be brought forward for discussion at the next General Committee meeting.

First XI Scorer:
Neil Haslam confirmed that he would no longer be scoring for the 1st XI. He pointed-out that it is a requirement to have a qualified scorer otherwise fines will be imposed. This matter has been raised at the General Committee and a suitable volunteer is being sought. Neil also brought attention to the Herts League’s intention that they wish to introduce minimum ACO, (Association of Cricket Officials), qualification requirements for scorers in Divisions 1 to 5 next year, (subject to approval at their AGM in February). Courses are running early next year and full details can be found on the Herts League website.
A Vote of Thanks was given to Neil Haslam for his work as Scorer these past seasons.

Date of Herts League matches:
Paul Watts highlighted that all the fixtures in every Division will commence on the 9th May in 2015.

Christmas Social:
Andrew Emms announced that the usual appearance of Father Christmas at the Clubhouse is anticipated for Sunday the 21st December this year. Would members please tell Andrew if they intend coming and ages of any children expected to attend.

Golf Day:
Andrew Emms gave notice of the Golf Day which is planned for Friday 27th March at Barkway Park GC. Arrangements were in-hand but it was expected that the format / entry would be on a larger scale than in previous events.

On-line purchases:
John Heslam reminded and encouraged everyone that, especially with Christmas only weeks away, significant funds could be raised for the Club by simply using the link on the Reed CC website to make purchases. Most retailers were accessible via this link.

The Meeting closed at 2135hrs.

Minutes compiled by:-

Peter G. Baker,
Honorary Secretary,
Reed Cricket Club.
27th November 2014.

Signed as a true and accurate record: Andrew Emms, Club President. Date 19th November 2015.