Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting held at Ripley Castle - Monday, March 19, 2007

Sir Thomas, Erik Thompson, Anton Lodge, John Barrett, Steven Coombs, Ben Drummond, Peter Crack, Neil Burtwistle, Bruce Jackson, Jeff Watkins, Roger Deakin, Martin Blackham & Tricia Heard

were received from Steve Whiteley, Eric Houseman, Barry Gill, Tony Whittaker, Bill Kitson, Chris Newton, Bradley Atkinson and Shaun Sowray.

The running order of the Agenda was disrupted due to transport difficulties encountered by the League secretary and was dealt with in the following order.

This was held at Whitcliffe Mount on 24th Feb 2007 and was attended by the League secretary and the assistant secretary. Erik Thompson described that the meeting consisted of formal items supported by lengthy written reports, followed by a Presentation by Andrew Watson, YCB Cricket development Manager. Erik Thompson found this bewildering with its 38 sets of initials referring to different officers, procedures etc, and 8 sets of phrases of doubtful meaning or significance. He promised to pick out any items likely to be of interest to clubs and to circulate tham.

Neil Burtwistle reported that there was £13,937 in the bank with number of payments pending. He pointed out the need to make a profit of at least £1 per ball this season (profit last year was £2 each . He hoped that it would be possible to agree a figure of £17 each with Lords International, thus a figure of £18 to clubs. Neil Burtwistle had received accounts of £280 and £100 respectively for coaching. It was agreed that further enquiries should be made to establish how these had arisen before any League contribution is made. It was agreed that clubs should be required to obtain League consent before entering into coaching courses outside the League.

In the absence of Steve Whitley, there was no report.

Jeff Watkins reported that he had 30 umpires on his list with 7 on standby. The rotas were completed for the first half of the season with Divisions 1 & 2 covered and division 3 partly covered. He also reported on a successful meeting of the new League Umpires association held on 16th March and thanked Sir Thomas for the use of the room, and Erik Thompson for attending the meeting to describe the reform Proposals, now included in the rules and constitution and shortly to appear in the 2007 Hand Book.

John Barrett reported that this season 95 teams from 25 clubs would be taking part, yet another satisfying increase on last season. Dacre Banks, North Stainley and Ripon were clubs entering or re-entering teams. John Barrett announced that he would be standing down as Secretary at the next A.G.M. after 11 years. The President thanked John for his very considerable efforts in this post.

Junior League Meeting with Ackrills
John Barrett described the new arrangements which had been agreed with Ackrills to sponsor the Player of the Month and Player of the Season Awards. The awards will be split into three age groups:
(i) Under 17s and Under 15s
(ii) Under 13s and Under 11s
(iii) Under 9s and Under 11s Pairs.

Ackrills have set up their website so as to carry full results/tables and match reports from information uploaded by clubs and/or teams. Detailed
arrangements have been agreed with Ackrills and these will be notified to clubs before the star of the season. Further information is awaited from Ackrills as to any additional sponsorship which might be forthcoming, beyond the provision of trophies for the awards described above.

Ben Drummond reported that the Committee will be meeting within the next 2 weeks and that ground visits will be made after Easter.

In the absence of Barry Gill, there was no report.

Bill Kitson’s written report was read by Tricia Heard and is attached hereto.

Sir Thomas reported on the meeting held in September when aspects of the sponsorship with Lords International and Ackrills were discussed. It was confirmed that the individual offers of sponsorship from Lords had been put on hold, as they were not strictly appropriate. The amounts thus released could perhaps be directed elsewhere – for instance in reducing the price of balls.

In the absence of Bradley Atkinson, his brief report was read by the secretary and is attached here to:-
“ I have nothing to talk about other than to thank Ben for putting the CWO list onto the league website as this seems to have helped spur clubs into ensuring that details are correct “.

In the absence of Shaun Sowray, there was no report.

It was agreed that progress should be made with a bid for this function, a proposal having been received from Gullivers Sports Travel, the agents for the Festival.

The League Secretary having arrived, after her traumatic bus journey from Pateley Bridge the order of agenda continued :

The President welcomed Martin Blackham as League Solicitor and Roger Deakin as Assistant Disciplinary Panel Secretary to their first Committee Meeting.

Minutes of the meeting held on 27th November 2006 were signed as being a true record of that meeting.

There were no matters not covered by items already dealt with, or to follow on the remainder of the agenda.

a. The Handbooks should be ready next week 820 had been ordered at a cost of £4 each.
b. After discussion, it was agreed that it would be appropriate to have a separate registration form for Overseas Players. The specimen form was adopted with some amendments and additions.
c. The Sectary read to the meeting the revised form of Chairmans’ Undertaking and this was agreed.
d. The new form of Umpire’s Report Card and the Captains’s Report Card were explained and agreed, in order to implement the new Rules.
e. The secretary read out the new ECB Regulations concerning Under 13 and Under 11 players in adult Matches. It was considered that not many clubs would be aware of these provisions but it was pointed out that they will appear in the Hand Book. It was agreed that the regulations should be emphasized at the Pre-Season Meeting on 30th March next.

(i) Neil Burtwistle felt very strongly that Darren Gough or some other prominent figure from the Yorkshire County Cricket Club Management should be invited to the Annual dinner, possibly to speak.

(ii) A question was put as to whether Peter “Rocker” Robinson had apologised for his offence last season. It was thought that he had not done so, and this should be taken into account if any attempt was made to register him this season.
(iii) Peter Crack enquired whether all Disciplinary matters had been cleared up from last season. It was confirmed that they had, although Tricia Heard expressed he dismay and concern about the decision involving Crakehall C.C. which she considered did not involve a ‘misunderstanding; either on her part or that of Eric Houseman, as the officials called upon to make a decision on the club’s enquiry. It was agreed that it was notpossible to revisit this case.

This will be held on Monday 21st May 2007 at Ripley Castle

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