In the absence of the Chairman the President took the chair and opened the meeting welcoming 23 members. A minutes silence was observed for those members who had passed away during the last year.
Apologies for absence were received from Carole Critchley (Chairman) Peter Hindle (Swettenham) Derek Nicholls (Warford Park) Jack Stant (High Legh) Celia Brown (Railway) & Mary Owen (Mere)
The secretary read the minutes from the 37th AGM held 26th February 2015. These were agreed to be a true record. Proposed Arthur Lamb (Goostrey) seconded by John Leah (Chelford)
The President read a note from the Chairman who thanked both the Treasurer and Secretary for their continued hard work over the course of the season, saying that without them the league would not run as smoothly as it does. She also noted that the two pairs competitions were well attended and enjoyed by all, and thanks to both Warford Park and Goostrey for hosting. She remarked that it was disappointing that the Individual was cancelled due to a lack of entries. The change to a team pairs for the Jack Bryning Trophy seemed to be a success although the format for the final needs to be re thought. She thanked Mere for hosting the Jack Bryning and closed her remarks by wishing everyone a good bowling season
The Treasurer distributed copies of the income and expenditure for the past year, which showed a bank balance of £674.80 an increase of £410.83 over last year. He confirmed that the accounts had been audited and as usual the books and bank statement were available to any member who wanted to see them. He said there were a couple of main reasons for the improvement. On the payments side we paid no rebate to teams, and prize money was £80 less because the individual competition was not held. On the income side last year’s Presentation Evening loss of £86 was turned into a profit of £118 in 2015. He went on to say that because of our more healthy financial position he would recommend to the meeting that no increase in greenage or competition entry fees would be necessary. However, he would propose to the meeting that rule 6.3 which restricts our bank balance to £200 be increased. He said that the rationale for that is that we have some expenses during the season before the October receipts. He concluded by saying that under proposals he would recommend that rule 6.3 be amended to read £400, and if this was agreed he would then propose a rebate of £11 per team who competed in the league during 2015. This would the leave a bank balance of £410.
Molly Sutton (Church Inn) proposed that the accounts be accepted, seconded by Brian Jones (Railway)
The Secretary opened his remarks by thanking the team captains for their work organizing their respective teams saying that without them there would be no league. He thanked Geoff Owen from Mere for his help in setting up the room for our meetings, and Geoff and Alan Greenway for their help organizing the room and table arrangements for Presentation Evening.
He confirmed that from the start of the 2016 season teams would self report their league match results by entering them onto the website following the match. A demonstration site is available and members were given details how to access it.
Individual –Church Inn Bowling Club – Sunday 3rd June.
Pairs – Knutsford Bowling Club – Saturday 2nd July
Mixed Pairs –Chelford – Sunday 4th September
Jack Bryning Team Pairs – Victory Hall from 13th September
Following the January Committee meeting the officers met and reviewed members concerns with regard to the Jack Bryning Trophy competition, the team knockout and entries for the individual, pairs and mixed pairs competitions. The ideas discussed were circulated for members to review and propose as they see fit at the AGM for voting.
Propose that this trophy be competed for annually as a team pairs knockout
Proposed by Carole Critchley (Chairman) seconded Molly Sutton (Church Inn)
Carried
Discontinue to play this competition and use the 3 free Friday evenings to play preliminary rounds of the individual, pairs and mixed pairs competitions down to the last 16. The finals to be played Saturday or Sunday following.
Proposed by Mike Grocott (Oughtrington) seconded by Arthur Lamb (Goostrey)
carried
Division 2 players competing in the individual or pairs competitions will have their handicap reduced by 2 points.
Propose remove the reduction from pairs competitions
Proposed Alan Perks (Secretary) Seconded Ken Barker (Mere)
carried
Bank balance to be restricted to £200 after expenses have been paid
Propose this be increased to £400 – if acceptable
Propose a rebate to member clubs of £11
Proposed Chris Grice (Treasurer) Seconded John Leah (Chelford)
carried
The were no nominations for officers and each had confirmed that they were prepared to stand again they were unanimously voted en-block
President Ken Barker
Chairman Carole Critchley
Secretary Alan Perks
Treasurer Chris Grice
Auditor Tony Wein
The chairman said that honoraria would rise by CPI (consumer price index) as agreed at 2012 AGM.
A registration form was given out to team captains, which they were reminded to complete and return by 30th March.
The season will commence on 8th April with the first league match.
The annual Presentation Evening will be held on Friday 25th November at Mere Parish Club
League Meetings were confirmed as follows for 2015. Thursday 19th May, Thursday 16thJune, Thursday 18th August
Delegates were asked to notify the secretary of any changes in their club officials following their respective AGMs. As a matter of urgency please notify any change in captains and vice captains so that our fixture book contains the correct contact details.
The meeting closed at 9pm