NFSA Yorks Div AGM 2008

Chairman: Tony Burman    Treasurer: Cath Breeze

Minutes of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Saturday 28^th June 2008 at the Tiger, Lairgate  Beverley

• • Members Present: Phil Arnot, John Amery, Tony Burman , Steve Breeze, Cath Breeze, Lorraine Bateman, David Bateman, Murdoch Mann Colin Middleton, Barry Welch and Stuart McPherson

Item 1 Opening of Meeting

The meeting was opened at 1130 by the Chairman, John Amery, who welcomed the delegates especially the members of the Meltham and District  S. A. Club who were attending their first meeting since the resurrection of the Division.
Itam 2.  Apologies were received from the following:

• • Paul Jefferson, David Swift, Gwyn Davies, Graham Asquith, Jean Amery, Chris Banks Nigel Proctor and Rob Neale.

Item 3. Minutes of EGM held 16^th July 2007.

The Chairman informed the meeting that the Minutes had been circulated and if everyone was content he did not propose to read them at this stage. The minutes were accepted as a true record Proposed Phil Arnott Seconded Stuart McPherson.
Item 4. Matters arising,

There were no matters arising.
Itam 5. Charman’s Report.

The Chairman outlined the development of the Division over the past year from its previous demise due to the decline of the SACs across the area. He emphasised that the political scene, with the proposed sea licence looming, had galvanised the initiative to resurrect the Division and indeed a great deal of the meetings over the past year had been directed at the political issues. However even prior to the Ministers decision to withdraw the spectre of a licence being announced he was concerned at the lack of support/attendance at the meetings, which had steadily dwindled as the year progressed. He was mindful that whilst we should not loose sight of the political  issues that there was more that the Division needed to do to strengthen the voice of sea angling in the area. He pointed out that we had some of the best sea-angling coastline in our catchment area and a very large proportion of the nations sea-anglers were resident within our boundary. The potential for the Division to grow and flourish was there. Reluctantly however he was standing down as Chairman. He had agreed to be caretaker chairman for a year at the EGM but as he lived in Preston it was not practical for him to continue. He stood down reluctantly as he had been a founder member of the Division when he was resident in Yorkshire.

A discussion followed in which several of the delegates voiced their deep concern at the lack of support that had been received from the head office. In particular the lack of direction/ support to encourage the deployment of the official coaches to promote our sport. It was also felt that to generate interest more attention should be given to organising competitions.

The Chairman accepted that there had been difficulties in the past, mainly due to under staffing at the Head office. He pointed out that there had been a complete change of staff and with the potential of the formation of Angling Unity he expected matters to improve significantly in the future. We had during the year tried to arrange both a Boat and Shore Competition and he agreed that this was essential but had been curtailed due to the political issues. However he emphasised that we should not loose sight of the political issues as they were ever present. In closing he said that he was pleased with the enthusiasm that had been expressed during this early part of the meeting and considered if that was developed the Division would flourish and he wished it well.

Item 6. Treasurer’s Report

A revised set of Accounts was circulated at the meeting to include the interest that had accrued over the year. The final balance indicated that there was £545.46 held on Account.

Item 7. Appointment of Officers.
Chairman: Tony Burman Proposed Murdoch Mann Seconded John Amery

Vice Chair: Phil Arnott Proposed Stuart McPherson Seconded Tony Burman

Secretary :  Stuart McPherson Proposed Tony Burman Seconded Phil Arnott

Treasurer : Cath Breeze Proposed Dave Bateman Seconded Murdoch Mann

Conservation

Officer:        Phil Arnott Proposed John Amery Seconded Tony Burman

Standing

Committee

Representative:  Pending*

*Stuart McPherson is currently on the Standing Committee in his capacity as the Board member representing the North. The Committee felt that this would provide the necessary continuity until the new committee became established.

Item 8. New Committee assume their role.

Phil Arnott opened the proceedings by expressing the Committees appreciation to both John and Jean Amery for the contribution that they had made in getting the Division off the ground. He thanked John in particular for the many hours that he had contributed and the long late night journeys that he had undertaken to ensure that the Division was re established.

Stuart McPherson in adding his appreciation said that we should also express a vote of thanks to Gwyn Davies whose efforts prior to the EGM and subsequently as Secretary had also contributed considerably to the work of the Division over the past year.

Phil Arnott then said that we would be remiss if we did not thank Jean Amery for the work she had done as Treasurer during the past year and it was agreed unanimously that this should be so.

Item 9. Adoption of Divisional Rules.

The Sec. Outlined the problems that the Committee had experienced over the past year in obtaining a quorum to mandate the proceedings. The NFSA Rules authorised Divisions to create Divisional Rules for the good management of the proceedings. A Draft of the proposed Div. Rules had been circulated with the Agenda and Head Office had had a copy. The Div Rules would be read in conjunction with the National Rules and the only variation was that a Divisional quorum had been set at 6 instead of 10 and that any member attending a meeting would have the right to vote. This did not detract from a Club Representative using the Club’s block vote.

The delegates accepted the proposal without amendment. Proposed Steve Breeze Seconded Colin Middleton

Item 10 Minutes of the General Meeting of 21^st April 2008

The Minutes had been circulated prior to the meeting. They were accepted asa true record. Proposed Stuart McPherson Seconded Phil Arnott.

Item 11. Matters arising.

The Sec. Reported: Flamborough Liaison The meeting on the 24^th April had agreed that the area from Dane’s Dyke to a point near Sewerby Steps for a distance of 700 mtrs. From the cliff base offshore would be the designated NTZ. Natural England had wanted the distance offshore extending but the group had vetoed this. The next step is for the NESFC to draft a Byelaw.

RSPB Code of Conduct Bempton. A meeting had been held with local Anglers and the RSPB and a revised Code of Conduct had been drafted. The Chair of Bridlington Shore Angling Club will forward the Committee a copy when it is to hand (Action Sec to advise in due course.)

Filey Brigg Nature Reserve. Whilst not on the minutes the Sec. Advised the Committee of concerns being expressed by local RSA’s of a proposed LNR (Local Nature Reserve) being created at Filey. He had liaised with the Chair Of Filey SAC and the Countryside Officer at Scarborough Borough Council and had received assurance from the latter that the proposals for the LNR would not restrict RSA’s access to the area and in particular on to the Brigg.

Fund Raising John Amery asked if any one had ascertained from Nigel Proctor what was happening with the Boat Competition. A negative response prompted the Chairman to say the he would take this on board. He also agreed to seek support for the organisation of a Shore Competition.(Action Chairman)

It was agreed that we should retain the Barnsley Wreckers name on the Trophy they provided and allocate it to a competition in due course. Dave Bateman stated that Meltham SAC were still in contact with some of the Wreckers and it would be worthwhile trying to get them involved especially if we get inter club matches organised by the Division.

Item 12. Standing Committee Report.

The sec. Informed the meeting that the SC Minutes had been circulated. The following were brought to their attention.

Item 4d. The meeting was advised that we had be assured that the Divisional Assets were sacrosanct and would not be absorbed into the Angling Unity Accounts if the were to proceed.

Item 4c. There was a suggestion that Divisions should purchase their own Display equipment. However we have access to a set of equipment being retained, by John Amery, for use in the North. It was agreed that we would take no action on this at present (The Chairman stated he would investigate a supplementary source.) (Action Chairman)

Item 7e  There was a proposal on the table that the mls for bass be raised to 45cms by the NFSA to mirror their recommendation to the Minister, which sadly failed. The meeting agreed unanimously that this should be adopted.

Item 13. Divisional Administration

The Committee agreed that in view of the change of Officers that the Account currently held on behalf of the Yorkshire Division by John Amery should be transferred to a new account. Consequently the Treasurer and Secretary were instructed to open such an Account and that the two signatories should be the Treasurer and The Secretary. (Action Treasurer/Secretary)
Item 14  More action required in promoting coaching skills.

The Chairman reiterated his earlier comments regarding the lack of use of the approved coaches and the severe lack of direction and support that the NFSA were giving to this valuable resource. Several members endorsed his comments and it was agreed as a Division we should encourage the use of the six or seven coaches in the Division especially involving them with young anglers. The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary are attending a meeting with the Humber Sports Partnership on Monday 7^th July and the outcome of that may influence the direction we adopt. (Action Secretary to report)

Item 15. The Resurrection of the Big Town Challenge Match

Dave Bateman suggested that the lack of competitions organised on a Divisional basis was detrimental to the encouragement of members to participate at meetings. The Chairman and several other members endorsed this. Agreed that a higher priority be given to organising competitions and one option would be a competition along the lines suggested. (Action ALL)
Item 16. Clarification of Insurance Cover.

Lorraine Bateman sought clarification regarding the insurance cover for Club Members. Meltham SAC have a condition of membership that each member be a direct member of the NFSA. They do supplement their Insurance cover through the NFSA to ensure that the Club is covered on the four occasions a year that they arrange boat angling competitions for local children. It was pointed out that in order for the cover to be valid for these event the Head office had to be advised prior to the dates that the events occurred.
Item 17 Update on progress in merger with Angling Groups.

Lorraine Bateman asked for an update and John Amery informed the meeting that he had not heard anything further to that which was outlined in the papers circulated with the national AGM Agenda. Obviously with that only being three weeks away it was probably then when the next update would be available. (Action Sec to report)

Item 18. Any Other Business

The Sec reported that he had made a tentative approach to a major tackle outlet with a view to them providing facilities for a mail drop to those members not on e-mail. The Committee approve the proposal and authorised the Sec to progress it and report back, (Action Sec to report)
Item 19. Date and time/venue of next meeting.

The Sec proposed that we adopted a two monthly meeting cycle i.e. six meetings as opposed the four per year currently. This suggestion was in order that we can expedite the actions and accelerate the development of the Division. It was agreed in principle as long as there were actions to expedite but the dangers of it stagnating without actions were an area of concern. The next two-month cycle would drop it in the “holiday period” so the next meeting was provisionally arranged for 27^th September. The venue and time will be confirmed

• • Secretary : Stuart McPherson

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