BCGBA SGM Papers
Bowling News
It seems that the BCGBA has had a reaction to the poor communications to member clubs as explained in this email from Dan Newton the BCGBA CEO. Huddersfield District having the biggest number of clubs in the country and no recognised means of contacting them. I have repeatedly offered to act as a distribution service to the Yorkshire CCGBA for such notices via the HuddWeb website. Looks like they need that service now which I am happy to provide.
The email below from the BCGBA CEO explains all this, provides copy of a whole raft of papers to be used in preparation for the meeting and an invitation to contact the CEO with any queries anyone may have. His contact details are included for your use. I have included some of these papers below, some of which have previously appeared on HuddWeb. The most revealing being the calling notice for the meeting which I have added in full after Dan Newton's email.
This calling notice indicates that the meeting may be made available via a live connection but no details are available at this time. More on that as the information becomes available.
Sent: 06 November 2026 15:04
Subject: BCGBA SGM Update
Please find attached further information ahead of the SGM on Saturday 14 November. In the interest of ensuring the information reaches the full breadth of the crown green bowls community, please can county secretaries distribute to all club secretaries and then to members.
Please can we encourage you to read all the documents that have been made available whilst initially drawing your attention to
Temporary Board accompanying letter to the JMW legal advice
Updated SGM notice
Detail of Voting Guidelines
Overview of Supporting Documents
In relation to item 3 on the agenda for the meeting.
3. Member Association consideration and determination of the way forward - Member Associations will be invited to consider and determine the steps required to establish a clear and stable basis for BCGBA's governance, staffing, finances and future operation.
The Temporary Board will share an outline of the approach that will be taken on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
Finally...over the last month, the temporary board have been working hard to prepare accordingly for the SGM on the 14 November. During this time there have been factors that have affected the pace we have been able to work at, with this in mind we are grateful for the patience of the crown green bowls community. The necessary preparation will continue before the SGM to ensure the necessary presentation of facts to support the decisions.
Please let me know if you have any questions ahead of the meeting.
Thanks
Dan Newton
Chief Executive
British Crown Green Bowling Association
07477 911804
THE BRITISH CROWN GREEN BOWLING ASSOCIATION
NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that a Special General Meeting of the British Crown Green Bowling Association (Unincorporated Association) will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday 14 November 2026
Time: 10:00am
Venue: Walkers Sports and Social Club, Long Lane, Warrington, WA2 8PU
This Special General Meeting has been convened in accordance with the Bye Laws of the British Crown Green Bowling Association (Unincorporated Association).
Purpose of the meeting
The meeting has been convened following written requests received from representatives of Member Associations.
The purpose of the Special General Meeting is to provide Member Associations with the opportunity to consider and determine the current constitutional and governance position of BCGBA, to address the competing governance arrangements that have emerged, and to establish a clear and stable basis for the Association's governance, staffing, finances and future operation.
Agenda
1. Welcome, attendance and confirmation of quorum
The Chair will formally open the meeting, confirm attendance and quorum, and explain the procedure to be followed, including the arrangements for discussion and voting.
2. Current constitutional and governance position of BCGBA
The meeting will consider the current constitutional position of the British Crown Green Bowling Association (Unincorporated Association), including the competing governance arrangements that have emerged and the implications for the effective governance and operation of the Association.
3. Member Association consideration and determination of the way forward
Member Associations will be invited to consider and determine the steps required to establish a clear and stable basis for BCGBA's governance, staffing, finances and future operation.
4. Declaration of decisions and close of meeting
The outcome of any votes and decisions taken by the Member Associations will be confirmed and recorded, following which the Chair will formally close the Special General Meeting.
1 - Who is responsible for running BCGBA?
Resolution 1 - The proposed way forward - Do Member Associations support the proposed approach to restoring and strengthening BCGBA's governance and operations? (Two Thirds Majority Required)
Resolution 2 - Who should deliver it? - Do Member Associations support the Temporary Board overseeing and implementing that approach? (Two Thirds Majority Required)
2 - Keeping BCGBA running
3 - Deciding BCGBA’s future
Background and current position
BCGBA continues to operate as an Unincorporated Association (UA), subject to its existing Bye-Laws. A separate Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) exists, but the proposed move to that company has not been completed or formally approved as a replacement for the UA’s operating arrangements.
Following events in August 2026, two groups have expressed competing views about who has authority to act for BCGBA. The group describing itself as the BCGBA Executive Committee relies on decisions taken at a separate meeting on 22 August; the Temporary Board disputes that those decisions established authority under the existing Bye-Laws.
The Temporary Board was established after a number of Board resignations to support continuity and preparations for a membership meeting. The basis and extent of those temporary appointments have themselves been challenged.
The Association has ongoing responsibilities in banking, staffing, safeguarding, disciplinary matters, communications and competitions. Difficulties with access to some systems and records make it particularly important to establish a workable and accountable route forward.
What is agreed, and what is disputed
• Common starting point - BCGBA remains a UA governed by its Bye-Laws; the CLG transition has not been completed.
• Disputed - The effect of the 22 August meeting, the authority claimed by different groups, and the status of interim appointments.
1 - Who is responsible for running BCGBA?
This resolution aims to clarify which rules currently govern BCGBA and establish a clear and agreed way forward for determining who has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Association, addressing the uncertainty created by competing governance arrangements.
2. Keeping BCGBA running
This resolution seeks to establish suitable temporary arrangements to ensure BCGBA can continue to meet its essential responsibilities, including staffing, finance, safeguarding, competitions and membership services, while longer-term governance arrangements are put in place.
3. Deciding BCGBA’s future
This resolution aims to establish a clear process through which Member Associations can help shape BCGBA’s future, including how the Association is governed, how its Board is appointed and how any proposed changes to its structure will be considered and agreed.
Who may attend
To promote openness and transparency, the meeting will be open to observers from the wider bowls community. However, only authorised Member Association representatives may vote.
Who may vote
Under Bye-Law 6(d), merged Counties / Associations may appoint two representatives and non-merged Counties / Associations one representative. Each County / Association also receives one additional vote for every 60 Primary Affiliated Clubs represented. Authorised representatives may vote. BCGBA Board members are not counted as County / Association representatives.
Please see separate document ‘BCGBA Voting Guidelines’, Please confirm to dan.newton@bcgba.org.uk, the authorised representative(s) who will attend and vote on the 14 November
Majority required
We have sought advice on the voting thresholds. The legal advice we have received is that two-thirds support for resolutions involving fundamental constitutional or governance matters is required.
The threshold for each resolution is clearly stated and will not be changed on the day.
Chairing the meeting
Lisa Graham, Managing Director of the Bowls Development Alliance (BDA), will support the running and facilitation of the Special General Meeting. The BDA is a partnership organisation established by the sport’s National Governing Bodies to support the sustainable growth and development of bowls, promote collaborative working across the sport, and share good practice.
Remote attendance
Although the Bye-Laws do not expressly provide for remote attendance or voting, the Temporary Board supports the use of technology where it is constitutionally and securely possible. Final arrangements will be confirmed before the SGM.
Yours sincerely,
S Cochrane
Steve Cochrane
Interim Chair
British Crown Green Bowling Association
All correspondence should be sent to dan.newton@bcgba.org.uk
Authority for the notice: This notice is issued by order of the Temporary Board of the British Crown Green Bowling Association (Unincorporated Association), Steve Cochrane, Interim Chair, for and on behalf of the Temporary Board.
Updated meeting information: 6 November 2026
Other notices issued at the same time as the calling notice above, some of which have appeared on this website previously.
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