Angling Trust Yorkshire Division – March Minutes

Chairman: Tony Burman Treasurer: Cath Breeze

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MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING

HELD AT BEVERLEY

28TH MARCH 2009

PRESENT: Tony Burman (Chairman) Phil Arnott (Vice-Chair) Graham Asquith Stuart McPherson (Sec), , Rob Neale, Nigel Proctor, Paul Roggeman, , David Swift, Bernard Cooper, Frances Appleby, Dave Green, Barry Welch.

APOLOGIES: Dave Bateman, Lorraine Bateman, Steve Breeze, Cath Breeze (Tresurer), Paul Jefferson, Murdoch Mann, Colin Middleton, David Shay, Stuart Clee.

PRESENTATION: David McAndles Chief Fisheries Officer NESFC gave a presentation covering the following topics:

1. Background of the NESFC
2. Interaction with Commercial Sector
3. Managing Activities
4. Marine and Coastal Access Bill

The areas covered were extensive and raised a number of questions from the floor. The message was clear that not only did the fisheries officers want to co-operate with us but they sought our co-operation in advising them of alleged infringements. It was agreed that the previous meetings at Hull University were an excellent forum for communication and following a request from the floor it was agreed that they would be reinstated. Action NP to source venue and agree a compatible date with DMcA. Advise secretariat to arrange publicity.

TB (Chair) Then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chief Fisheries Officer for an informative and constructive presentation.

MINUTES OF

MEETING 10th JANUARY 2009: Proposed: Nigel Proctor Seconded: Phil Arnott

MATTERS ARISING:

1. The Sec reported that as directed he had written to the regional office of the RSPB asking that they give consideration to the erection of signs indicating the restrictions at the Bempton Reserve. There had been no reply but he had contacted the Chair of Bridlington Shore Angling and been advised that the Reserve Manager had intimated that signs were going to be erected. Agreed that this item be shown as COMPLETED pending any further adverse comments coming to notice.
2. The Sec then asked the Chair for an update on the proposed joint competition with HCA. TB advised that the HCA was endeavouring to find a means to accommodate this but it was in abeyance for the time being. COMPLETED
3. The Sec advised the meeting that we had participated in the European Open Beach Championships and the AT Yorkshire Division (Marine) cup which was on display was won by Alix Lye a 14 year old young lady from Oswestry with a 2lb+ cod. Thanks were expressed to Paul Roggeman, East Riding CC Events manager and member of the Committee for facilitating our involvement and allowing the AT Publicity Stand at the Competition Headquarters. It was hoped that this would be the beginning of a renewed association with this Competition.
4. The Sec reported on the progress of the County Angling Action Groups across the Division. The Humber, West and South Yorkshire CAAGs were growing from strength to strength although the sea angling representation was only significant, at the moment, in the Humber. North Yorkshire had got off to a bit of a false start the initial meeting in York being poorly attended. DS suggested that it was difficult to attend the initial venue and agreed that the size of the County presented problems. However he suggested that a move nearer the coast may turn the tide of attendance. Action Sec to discuss with Regional Officer a move of venue. The question of the distribution of the funds of the CAAGs was raised by TB and PA and this lead to criticism of the management of coaches raised by RN and endorsed by TB. The Sec advised that the ADB had a Coach Steering Group convened and the report from their second meeting a couple of weeks ago suggested that progress was being made to address many of the problems.
5. The Sec reminded the meeting that he had briefly touched on Divisional Joint Committees at a previous meeting and that a further meeting had been convened for next month. Action Sec to update in due course.

CHAIRMAN’S : TB advised the meeting that we were making serious progress as a REPORT committee and that we were now in a position to arrange minor Divisional Competitions with the booking of two boats for the Hartlepool match on 26th April. Regrettably he had to notify the Committee that he would be standing down at the AGM due to health and working complications.

TREASURER’S: In the absence of the Treasurer the Sec informed the meeting he had REPORT received a report. There was currently £52.11 in the account the reduction from the previous meetings report was due to the following expenditure:

1. Flamer II Hartlepool Deposit £50
2. Famous Hartlepool Deposit £50
3. Sea Otter II Whitby on 4/10/09, 25/4/10 and 27/6/10 £350.

NP asked why the people participating had not been asked to submit their deposits to the Treasurer. The Sec said that the initial circulation advising the event had indicated that payment in full was due by the 26th March and because of the short time between publicising the event and that date it would have necessitated double entries and double cost of receipts etc. DS expressed serious concern that the Division was committed to some £800 without any guarantees of participation. The Sec pointed out that their could be difficulties if the event was blown off and we had to return payments. TB said that in the past when the Division was cash rich this had never been perceived as a problem but agreed that under the current state of the balance this was not acceptable. The concerns were reiterated by several other members and the Sec was directed to secure the payments as soon as possible. Participants to future events would have to pay at the time of booking in order to remove the recurrence of the current liability to the Division. It was agreed that providing that both boats were filled that a prize of £40 would go to the heaviest fish and £20 to the second heaviest. Action Sec to contact the participants and obtain payment in full as soon as possible.

MARINE: The Sec reported that the first meeting of the Marine Committee had been COMMITTEE held on 7TH March there were two items worthy of note:

1. The Chairman, Richard Ferre’ stood down, as planned after three years in the position. The Marine Committee voted the Sec (Stuart McPherson) as the new Chairman of the Marine Committee. He was subsequently appointed as a Director of the Angling Trust Board.

TB congratulated SMcP on his appointments, which were endorsed by the other members present.

The Sec then informed the meeting that regrettably he would have to stand down from the position of Secretary at the AGM as he had to show a degree of impartiality across the Divisions and other angling disciplines that continued involvement would compromise.

2. The MC discussed a proposal from the Conservation Group that we continue to cooperate with CEFAS in the compilation of data by an electronic log book to facilitate a project that CEFAS had been commissioned on by DEFRA. Several members of the MC expressed concern at this especially with the comments by the EU Fisheries Commissioner who had indicated that Art 47 would require, in certain instances, the compilation of catch returns. The matter was put to the vote and was carried by a majority. However prior to being accepted in total, a dissenting voice, proposed a caveat that the co-operation should be conditional on CEFAS agreeing to AT having access to the raw data and a seat on the steering group preparing the data for presentation to DEFRA. This was accepted by the MC and confirmed as AT policy by the Board. This policy had been conveyed to CEFAS and their response was being considered by the Conservation Group. NP addressed the meeting and recommended in very strong terms, which were reiterated by other members that we should withdraw co-operation from CEFAS. He further proposed that the Division should right to the AT Board advising them of our recommendation. The meeting agreed to this course of action. The Sec said that he felt that due to his close involvement in the negotiations that it would not be appropriate for him to pen such a letter. The meeting agreed that this was relevant and it was agreed that the letter would be sent by the Chair. Action TB to prepare and send letter.
3. Following on from 1) above the Sec pointed out that he had carried on representing the Division after being voted on the Board of the NFSA as there were no volunteers to take the vacated Standing Committee position. Now that he was chairing the Marine Committee there was a clear vacancy for the Division to be represented on the Marine Committee. The Chair proposed that Rob Neale be appointed, RN agreed to accept the position, NP seconded the appointment there being no other nomination RN was appointed to represent the Division on the Marine Committee.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Letter to RSPB dealt with under Matters Arising 1)

Letter to CFO NESFC inviting presentation.

AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Stalingborough Power Station abstractions. The Sec informed the meeting that there had been a Press release by the operators indicating they were fitting a new type of screen to the inlet ducts to reduce the fish mortality. Whether this was a result of our engagement with the NESFC, the EA and Natural England or the fact that the Plant was being upgraded is open to conjecture. The issue has still not been resolved and NP suggested that we should ask the Plant operators for a meeting on site to discuss the issue. The meeting agreed that we could at least try this option although active co-operation had been curtailed some years ago. As TB and NP had been actively engaged in the past in the debate it was agreed that they would liaise and provide a framework for the Sec to draft a letter. Action TB, NP and Sec to coordinate the drafting of a letter. Sec’s Update: This was input into a discussion on the AT Board email distribution and the chairman of the Anglia REFERAC (A director) said it had been discussed at their Committee and the Regional EA Director had intimated that a fish return system had been installed to cure the problem. He subsequently reported that the fish return was fitted but the owners were introducing new wall material to reduce further the damage to fish this would be completed by end May and in his capacity as Chair of EA REFERAC he had been invited to a site meeting and would report to the SEC in due course.
2. Art 47 EU proposed legislation. The Sec reported that the confusion was continuing and every other statement made by the EU appeared to change the direction. A press release will be issued this week from AT urging continued pressure on MEPs and MPs. NP asked if there was any point in the AT seeking a meeting with the Commissioner as it was apparent that the NFFO were meeting him on a regular basis. The meeting agreed that this was a worthwhile suggestion. There was concern amongst the private boat anglers that the apparent relaxing of the direction of the legislation away from shore and kayakers would reduce the interest of those sectors in supporting the campaign. It was re emphasised that we must stand united in addressing this issue. Action Sec To investigate the meeting of AT representatives with the EU Commissioner.
3. Trophies and Events. The Sec reported that when the decision was taken to allocate a Trophy to the European Open Shore Championships NP had suggested that we also provide a trophy for the Junior Champion in the Daiwa Shore Competition run by Paul Jefferson (committee member). The committee agreed to this proposal. The Sec reported that he had prepared a photographic record of the Divisional trophies and this indicated that there was a Junior Shore Shield that had not been presented in some years and there was sufficient space to record the champion over a number of years. It was agreed that this would be utilised to provide recognition to the Junior Champion at the Daiwa. Action The Sec to contact PJ.

The Events were covered under Treasurer’s Report. Please note the dates later this year and next anyone interested please contact Sec.

AOB

Aldborough The Sec reported that he had been approached by a planning applicant who had submitted an application to trial a tyre barrier on the foot of the cliffs at Aldborough as an experiment in shore defence. If this was approved and proved successful it would be extended to sixteen other sites. The installation would involve the reinstatement of the Seaside Road and provide improved access to the shore. The applicant is seeking support for the planning application.

Executive The Sec suggested that the informal approach to Committee meetings was one of the plus points in its favour. However when urgent decisions were required it would be beneficial in having access to an Executive Group who could be contacted to canvas their views. This would probably consist of the Chair, Vice Chair, Sec, Treasurer, Marine Committee Rep and perhaps a couple of others. This was agreed and initially TB, PA, RN, NP and DS agreed to support the Sec. This will be ratified and consolidated at the next meeting which will be the AGM.

Event

Skegness The Sec reminded people resident on the Southbank and Lincs. that there was a meeting in the New Park Club 31 Scarborough Avenue Skegness at 7.30 on Tuesday 31st march 2009 to look at the way ahead especially MCZs.

Date and Time of the Next Meeting

The next meeting will be the AGM and will be held in Bridlington at the end of June the date is subject to availability of premises and will be advised.

Secretary : Stuart McPherson

E-mail: smyorksnfsa@yahoo.com

Telephone: 01924 270319