Minutes of the Management Meeting held at Ripley Castle - Monday, October 01, 2007

MEMBERS PRESENT Sir Thomas in the Chair, Tricia Heard, Tony Whittaker, Anton Lodge, Barry gill, John Barrett, Neil Burtwistle, Chris Newton, Graham Hyde, Eric Houseman, Jeff Watkins, Martin Blackham, Erik Thompson, Ben Drummond and Peter Crack.

APOLOGIES were received from Bill Kitson, Roger Deakin, Dion Wood and Bradley Atkinson.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20th August 2007 having been circulated were approved and signed as a true record of the meeting.

MATTERS ARISING The Secretary announced that the usual letter had been received from M.C.C. setting up next season’s match but further news was awaited from Keith Bradshaw as to the invitation for the League to play at the Nursery Ground at Lords in 2008.
There were no matters arising not covered by the Agenda which follows save that the Staveley 1st v Pateley Bridge 2nd matter remains to be resolved. It was suggested that a deadline should be imposed to bring it to a head.

CORRESPONDENCE AND SECRETARY’S BUSINES:
i) Shaun Sowray has resigned as League Team manger and has been replaced by Dion Wood, who is unable to attend the meeting and sent his apology
ii) There was considerable discussion on the difficult
matter of promotion to Div 1 with Helperby and
Blubberhouses both having 84 points but the former
having a better average by 0.016. The closeness of
this calculation led to discussion of earlier results
which could be controversial, but it was decided that
the results should stand and Helperby should be
promoted to Div 1 along with the Winners of Div 2 –
Bolton Abbey.

iii) Letter re Harrogate Nursery Ground from Harrogate
Borough Council. It was agreed that the Management
Committee could not take any further action and that
Martin Blackham should reply to the Council’s letter
accordingly.
iv) The Secretary read a letter from Andy North
(Harrogate 4th X1) concerning the injury suffered by
his daughter Charlotte in a match at Masham and
expressing thanks for the help she had received from
members of the Club.
v) A letter of hanks had been received from Robert
Ross, Captain of the M.C.C. team which had played
the League at Pateley Bridge C.C. last month.
vi) A suggestion had been received from Paul Ainsley of
Sharow C.C. for a game between Under 35 players
and over 35 players.
vii) Glasshouses C.C. had enquired as to the Clubs’
affiliation to E.C.B. and it was confirmed that all clubs
are so affiliated.
viii) An enquiry had been received from the League Umpires’ Association asking whether Umpires are covered by the League’s insurance policy .It was confirmed that members of the ACU & A are covered by the association, but that enquiry should be made at the brokers Marshall Woodridge as to cover for non members. .

TREASURER’S REPORT;- Neil Burtwistle reported that four clubs, Pannal, Pannal Ash, Crakehall and Arthington had not paid their subscriptions. The current balance on account is £15.494.

DISCIPLINARY PANEL;- Anton Lodge reported on the meeting with Dacre Banks C.C. on the Julien Goodall case, a report having been subsequently posted on the League website. Dacre Banks had taken action against Andy Merrill, as the person who had made the offer to Julien Goodall. The Panel will be taking action against Andy Merrill. Progress had been delayed due to difficulty in tracing various emails. A general discussion followed, the case against Dacre Banks being now closed.
Jeff Watkins reported that Ollie Uffindall had not apologised to the Umpires as he had been required to do, and this matter was referred back to the Disciplinary Panel.

RULE CHANGES:- Sir Thomas explained the draft proposed changes to Rule 18, due to be discussed in more detail at the Rules Meeting in November.
Neil Burtwistle suggested a moratorium with no overseas players at all in the League for one season, to allow time for further reflection and consideration of the problems caused by the participation of Overseas Player.
Peter Crack explained his proposals for more specific regulation of the way in which the Panel should operate in future, as well as his proposals for Overseas Players.

UMPIRES SECRETARY:- Jeff Watkins reported that there had
been a shortage of umpires on the last day of the season. Jeff put forward a suggestion that the League Umpires’ Association should award the Sportsmanship Trophies and it was agreed that the Association should take over responsibility for the First and second Division Sportsmanship Awards, with the backing of the Management Committee, with the awards for the lower divisions continuing as before.

GROUND COMMITTEE:- Ben Dummond reported that the Committee will be meeting within the next two weeks. There will be no problems with facilities on the promotion of Sharow or Rainton to Division 2. Chris Newton proposed that a deadline of December for implementation of any ground/ facility improvements on promotion. This requires further consideration.

JUNIOR LEAGUE:- John Barrett reported on a very successful finals day at Studley Royal C.C. with five finals being played and enjoyed by players and spectators alike.
Ouseburn had won the Under 15 title and the Joe Lumb team had been Huddersfield.
Good players were coming through and thanks are due to all who are responsible for the Junior Competitions.

CUP COMPETITIONS AND EVENING LEAGUE:- Barry Gill had nothing further to report on Cup competitions apart from points mentioned below.
Baldersby had applied to join the Evening League and this might lead to a need to split the League into two groups.
Barry will be proposing some rule changes on Cup Competitions – instance, a requirement that all teams provide scorers for cup finals. The deduction of points for failing to take part in the Reserve Knockout.
The Village Knock-Out had again proved disruptive.
It should be a requirement that teams should inform Umpires of any EVENING CUP cancellations.

INDOOR SIX ASIDE LEAGUE:- Report from Bill Kitson
The Indoor League got underway on Saturday 22nd September 2007 and was met with great enthusiasm by the Under 11’s and this Saturday by the Under 13’s. Despite the volume of entries as explained at the last Committee meeting, the fixtures were revised to accommodate the finals being played on 12th April 2008, not the 19th as originally planned. Confirmation that the repairs to the sports hall roof will not take place in October has been received an this should offset any potential problems with future dates. The Centre Staff has, as always, been very supportive to the Juniors and has managed to repair the safety net themselves on our behalf. With the longer playing hours a request has been placed on the League Website asking for assistance with the umpiring and scoring. As yet there has been no response.

CHILD WELFARE:- In Bradley Atkinson’s absence, Jeff Watkins reported that Bradley ha indicated that Burton Leonard would need to appoint a new officer to replace the late Chris Stansfield. Ben Drummond stated that this was in hand.

LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE SIDE :_ No report, in Dion Wood’s absence.

LEAGUE DINNER:- Eric Houseman reported that the speaker Ronnie Irani and Comedian Jed Stone were in place, the latter being placed under the usual restraints, and an appropriate fee having been negotiated with the former.

GOLDEN OLDIES :- Sir Thomas reported that a Launch Party for the festival would be at Theakston’s Brewery at Masham and that the “Day Out” would be a Country Fair at Ripley. A decision on the bid (in competition with Florida) is expected by the end of the year.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:_
i) Neil Burtwistle reported that his discussions with clubs in division 8 had resu

Minutes of the Management Meeting held at Ripley Castle - Monday, October 01, 2007

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