The Yorkshire CCGBA held a full Council meeting last Saturday via video links and the minutes are reproduced below.
Yorkshire County Crown Green Bowling Association
Council Meeting (via Teams Electronic)
Saturday 6th March 11.00 am
Minutes
Host Mark Waite welcome everyone and gave a brief description on how teams worked.
1/ The President had technical issues and was unable to log on so the meeting was hosted by CEO. West Riding (Ian Wilson) was unable to log in successfully.
Present Deputy President (Joyce Broadbent), Fixture Sec (Mark Waite), Assistant Fixture Secretary (Andrea Buckley), Treasurer (David Stansfield), CEO (Steven Cochrane), Safeguarding Officer (Ken Pollard), County Officer (Stephen Haigh) ; Districts Aire Wharfe (Brian Wheeler): Bradford (Jack Summers) : Castleford ( Alan Lee) : East Coast ( Sheila West) Halifax (Keith Hatzer) : Harrogate (Dave Rowson) : Huddersfield ( Adam Douglas) : Leeds (Howard Broadbent) : Skipton (Peter Clarke): Wakefield ( Dave White) .Referees Society (Pat Stephenson): Former Presidents (Alan Stephenson), (S Whiteley).
2/. CEO gave a brief outline of 2020 and various memo’s issued. A request was made for districts to ensure that memo’s and communications were sent out to ALL clubs leagues and Associations in their districts ( this did not happen in 2020)
3/ COE gave a synopsis of the BCGBA appeal between Huddersfield Ladies League and HRUFC Bowling section. The outcome accepted by all parties was when the league commences no further punishment should be given to the HRUFC BC and they should compete in the league they were in in 2019. Tracey Singleton of Huddersfield ladies League confirmed this was accepted by the league
4/ Back to Bowls BCGBA had no further guidance to give on the Governments road map plan, they were hoping the Dept of Sport and Media would issue guidance soon via the Bowls Development Alliance. CEO observed that the Government guidance was that the National Bodies should decide on how the rules were to be implemented in each sport, no response as yet to this observation. As soon as a decision is given the CEO will advise districts.
5/ The Treasurer apologised for the delay in getting accounts finalised, but a house move, lockdown and friends/family bereavements had caused impact. The accounts had not been audited so these were draft figures but the Treasurer did not expect any major changes.
It would be sensible to look at the accounts over a 3 year period taking into account 2019 and 2021 before making and conclusions, true there was a surplus of £5628, with a reduction in fees in 2021 and potential for normal costs there is a predicated loss in the region of £ 2,500 to £ 3,000 in 2021. It is therefore sensible to ensure that the Associations finances are robust and are able to withstand unexpected situations. After going through the accounts there were no questions for the Treasurer and the accounts will be submitted to the verifier (Auditor).
6/ Yorkshire are the only County not to have a development officer, we need to appoint one with the utmost urgency, the CEO reported he had spoken to an individual that had shown some interest but sadly this came to nothing. DS suggested we advertise the post putting out a job description, it may be sensible to look at a small team as we are such a large County. Finance would need to be agreed and there is some assistance from BCGBA, the Executive will advertise the roll and Districts are requested to ask their members if there is any interest.
In addition to the Development Officers position the CEO asked Council to consider looking at setting up a facility for clubs and districts to take advantage of the various grants and subsidies, 2020 had proven a difficult year for clubs financially and many had taken advantage of support from various bodies, but equally many had not received any grants for various reasons. The Facility to be considered would be to look at setting up a link with specialist companies/individuals who would charge a fee for a successful claim and receive a fee. SW from East Coast didn’t think there would be much appetite for this as most clubs in her area had made their own claims other districts agreed This will be looked at in conjunction with the Development Officer position.
7/ The fixture secretary (DMW) gave a short report, as nothing happened last year there was nothing to bring forward to this year. It was felt unlikely that any meaningful bowling will take place until at least May he is waiting for guidance from BCGBA as to when competitive bowling could commence, he had some plans to introduce competitive bowling in 2021 but this would be reported later.
8/ (AB) followed in similar vein and thought there was little appetite from the ladies to play in the BCGBA arrange County Championship, she felt that until restrictions were less onerous it would be impossible to arrange full County teams. She also felt there was little point in organising County individual events as the qualifiers were unlikely to be able to represent the County at national level. S Wh commented that BCGBA (Ladies) had got all venues and dates agreed but subject to permission from the Authorities. (DAS) felt we should support the BCGBA if events were to commence. Again we are a little bit in limbo waiting for higher authority guidance.
9/ The Safeguarding Officer (KP) gave his report and highlighted that the current DBS checks that had expired in Feb/Mar had been extended to June he hope he would be able to get around the districts to complete the checking task. BW mentioned cricket did not have to present ID for renewal, KP asked BW to check this out and he would take up with the National Safeguarding officer. KP asked for help completing these forms he had ordered 250 new forms, BW kindly offered to help.
10/ DAS asked if the Veterans Inter District was going ahead it was felt as most veterans had received at least 1 ‘jab’ the fixtures could be arranged. Chris Hassleby, who normally arranges the fixtures is sadly suffering ill health and he may not be able to undertake his normal role, DAS said he did have someone to ‘step into the breach’ in the Huddersfield area. There was some debate as to whether the Veterans should be allowed to commence league bowling when the rest couldn’t (AD) Huddersfield felt hat the veterans should show caution and not be a special case. (AL) Castleford supported the Veterans Inter District and they would be eligible. DWM and SNC will communicate with districts to see what appetite there is for the event.