5 November 2014
Held at Brooklands
Present: President D. Hurdwell, Secretary R. Kavanagh, Treasurer G. Tonge, and delegates from all teams except Longford Park and Red Lion. Apologies had been received from the chairman S Delaney, auditor Ken Brenner and from Red Lion who were trapped in a traffic jam.
The President took the chair and opened the meeting at 7.30. He welcomed all delegates.
The President then announced the passing of Malcolm Thorley, John Kennedy and John Williams of Nursery, and of Tony Garnett of Cringlewood. The meeting stood in silence for a short while as a mark of respect.
The minutes of the last AGM held on 6 November 2013 had been circulated. They were taken as read and agreed by the meeting to be a true record. There were no matters arising.
The secretary reviewed the season, which had generally run smoothly, with all matches played on schedule.
Levenshulme in their new incarnation as South Manchester RBL were the champions for the seventh successive year, with Quarry B second for a fourth time. Trinity got off to a very poor start and although they improved it wasn't enough to get them out of the relegation zone. They go down with Brooklands who are looking like a yo-yo team.
Division 2 was won by Nursery, with a youth policy. SW Manchester also come up after one season.
Pickering Lodge have resigned from the league. There was one tentative enquiry, but it didn't at the moment look like it was going to come to fruition. If it didn't that would leave us with 17 teams.
The secretary suggested we have a first division of 10, as this year. In the second division the seven teams would play each other twice in a 12 week season. That would leave time for a five-home-five-away competition played in one group, giving each team another six matches. That would be a total of 18 matches, with each team having three open dates. The season would be a bit longer, so Division 2 would start a week early and the presentation day would have to be put back a week. Fortunately the fives format means shorter matches so we could get away with this. He thought the fives competition should be decided on aggregate scores.
There were 38 entries for the Merit this year, a little down on last year but higher than recent trends.
The Eric Dale got a nice 16 entries. However the final day was very wet and the green wasn't really playable. We reconvened a week later, but only eight pairs were able to make it.
Greater Manchester county have their AGM on 20 November. Steve Ridley and the secretary were appointed auditors so he could tell you that the county showed a small surplus this year, thanks to continued control over the cost of county matches. The main problem was that the county treasurer had no record of which clubs have been billed how much for affiliations, nor in many cases of who has paid. Two of the Sale clubs were alleged to have not paid, but after enquiries it transpired that one had paid and the other had not received a bill. To try to improve things, the county was proposing to revert to the old system of billing clubs via their leagues. This would be voted on at the county AGM. The secretary recommended all clubs to scrutinise bills for county affiliation and to challenge any multiple demands or unwarranted fees for late payment.
Also at the county AGM there would be a vote on a rule change that a mark be measured to the nearest point of the mat, not the centre. If passed, this would go to BCGBA for a vote at its annual meeting.
Our next meeting was expected to be on 11 March.
The treasurer reported that we had recorded a deficit of about £15. However several post-balance sheet events should be noted:
The treasurer recognised the need to restore a neutral balance sheet. He proposed that the prize fund remain at the current level but that the flat fee increase to £45 (from £40) and the player registration fee increase to £2 (from £1.50). These proposals were passed unanimously.
Trinity questioned the reduced income from vice-presidents and from sponsors. He suggested that they should be asked to contribute, and perhaps we should appoint more vice-presidents.
Auditor Ken Brenner had sent his apologies and the following statement:
“I met up with Graham today and found all relative paperwork to hand and after examination, the accounts are fine example and I thank Graham for an excellent year of attention to detail.
“I understand that a team is not entering to next season and this will put extra strain on our resources. I recommend we make increases in a small way to strengthen our financial position?
“This problem is sweeping through all Leagues. After listening to the reports at the Cheshire County A G M last week. The whole are area has some teams who for many reasons are falling away. Some teams have elderly members who wish to play in the Veterans Leagues which play in the day times. They are not willing to play again in the evening.
“So, Do we accept smaller divisions and prop up the fees to survive?
“Do we perhaps consider to reduce Teams to 9 players? If that will help. Do we perhaps place adverts in the early spring advertising our League looking to promote bowling. Even may I say, open up the teams to females. Many teams have a few lady members who could help out the present teams in this great League.
“However gentlemen, thank you listening to my thoughts. Well done to Graham for his first year of office. You have done a splendid job. Thank You Ken Brenner.”
Both officers concerned had sent they were content with the present level, and the treasurer recommended no increase in the present state of finances. The meeting accepted this.
The following were elected by the member teams for Season 2015:
President: D Hurdwell
Chairman: S Delaney
Secretary: R Kavanagh
Treasurer: G Tonge
Fixture Secretary: R Kavanagh
Management committee: K Humber (one vacancy)
Auditor: K Brenner
The meeting agreed a vote of thanks to the secretary and treasurer.
The Chairman then closed the meeting at 8.10 pm