16 January 2001, 8.00pm
Held at Cheadle Conservative Club
The Chairman asked delegates to stand for few moments in silence in memory of colleagues who had passed away in the last year. These included Fred McCardle and Jack Smith of Stockport Cricket Club, Keith Watkins of Longsight Cricket Club and Bernard and Paul Fitzpatrick (grandfather and grandson) of the Bungalow.
Present: President, Chairman, Secretary, Veterans’ Secretary, Treasurer and delegates
Apologies: Heald Green, Northern Etchells, Victoria
Absences: British Rail, Edgeley Cons, Farmers Arms,Wembley
The minutes of the previous annual general meeting were read and approved.
The secretary presented the proposed composition of the league for 2001. Shaw Heath had withdrawn their second team, but Northenden Social had entered a second team and Burnage Garden Village and West Heaton had joined us. This made 43 teams, which would be organised as a first division of 10 and three divisions of 11.
Compilation of the fixtures was again in the capable hands of Alan Bligh. We had to liaise with the Stockport and District league and expected the fixtures to be available early in February.
A new rule of the BCGBA required all clubs to be affiliated to the county of affiliation of the league (in our case Greater Manchester). This rule had actually come into force at the beginning of 2000, and there was a proposal before the next BCGBA meeting (on 20 January) to withdraw it. The Greater Manchester association had just increased its fees to £15 (£7.50 for veterans clubs). As things stand, all our clubs would have to join Greater Manchester (or the league could join Cheshire as well). Several delegates advised against getting involved in the bureaucracy of the Cheshire association. The secretary recommended waiting for the result of the BCGBA meeting on 20 January.
Insurance: the BCGBA requires all clubs to have public liability insurance (there is currently a proposal also to require clubs to display a certificate to this effect). Bigger clubs may already have such cover as part of their general insurance. Clubs could join a scheme through the Greater Manchester association (if they were members) at a cost of £13.50 to £15 (depending on numbers). Those interested should apply to the secretary.
The following information was distributed: veterans’ fixtures, and the diary of key dates for the coming season.
The meeting unanimously approved a vote of thanks to the secretary.
The Veterans’ secretary described the league structure for the new season. There were now 59 team in five divisions. Once we reach 60 teams we would probably move to six divisions.
The merit would be at the Victoria Club this year.
The meeting approved the proposal for Great Moor Conservative C to play their home games at 11am.
The treasurer summarised the accounts. He had intended to increase subscriptions in line with the last meeting’s decision but had forgotten to do so. In view of the current state of the accounts there would be no increase for the coming year. A new trophy had been bought and another would be obtained this year.
In response to a question, the treasurer explained that the average balance was lower than the final balance because outgoings occur early in the year. This was why the interest received appeared low. Nevertheless, the questioner suggested that an account in a building society would offer a better rate.
Once again, Deanprint had provided the handbooks and presentation night tickets at very favourable rates. He thanked Mike Broome.
The auditor noted that both income and expenditure were slightly down on the previous year. The deficit was mainly due to the purchase of the new trophy.
The accounts were approved.
All the existing officers were re-elected.
President: D Walker
Chairman: DJ McKnight
Hon Secretary and Match/Results Secretary (evenings): ER Kavanagh
Hon Treasurer: J Forrest
Hon Veterans Secretary: L Shinner
Hon Results Secretary (Vets): G Hall
Management Sub-committee: C Houghton, RA Wright, J Barratt, MG Butterley, J Lloyd, L Myatt, J Hammond, R Edy
The meeting approved a general increase of about 5% in the honorariums. The new honorariums were as follows.
Treasurer £190
Secretary £250
Veterans’ secretary £125
Veterans’ match secretary £125
Northenden Social asked what the Greater Manchester association did for us. The secretary described their role in promoting county matches and junior matches. Mr Donovan of Northenden Social suggested that making a coaching video might be a useful measure, and agreed to act as a league representative to the Greater Manchester association.
It was again pointed out that the Cheshire association did much the same thing, but generated much more paperwork.
There was no further business and the meeting closed at 9.15pm