MELLER BRAGGINS CHESHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE UMPIRES ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Hale Barns C.C. on Wednesday 16th February 2005

PRESENT: President, Chairman and 32 members.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Messrs. Dave Batty, Barry Bishop, Keith Bolton, John Bone, Tony Fox, Jim Hill, Alan Holmes, Kevin Johnson, Ray Keable and Frank Molyneux.

MINUTES OF LAST AGM having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING. There were no matters arising.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The Chairman welcomed both old and new members and hoped that they were surviving the winter. He also thanked all panel members for the last season. Again the Association had suffered from a lack of umpires but the formula had worked well - Div.1 100%, Div.2 80%, Div.3 75%. Only one really bad week, 22 umpires where 36 were required. The avaerage was 30/32.

As yet no retirements for 2005. Geoff Wellstead has moved to the County League. We wish him well. Although their clubs have moved from the League both Tony Fox and Ian Wilkinson are to remain with us. New members are bringing our active members near the mark of 56.

Thanks for the comments on Result Sheets, could be better - less about teas.

Both Colin Hughes and myself have been operating on the League Ground Committee and are hoping for improvements within two years.

Expenses this season (2005) will be £22, suggest you have plenty of change.

Many thanks to my Committee, Ian Bishop, Tony Barnes and Martin Tute and finally to our President for his always wise council.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

Very little movement - balance £166.78 as compared to £90.08 last year due to less insurance and no 'FREE BOOZE' at the League Dinner. New match crads have been produced at the cost of £150 and will appear in the 2005 accounts but still propose that the subscriptions remain at £7 and £15 for non-A.C.U. & S members. The accounts were approved by the meeting.

APPOINTMENT SECRETARY'S REPORT. Dealt with by the Chairman during his report.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. All officers and committee members were re-elected 'en bloc'.

UMPIRES AND CAPTAINS MEETING. Wednesday 14th April 2005. Holmes Chapel C.C at 8:00pm.

PRESIDENST TROPHY. Nominations were Messrs. Stuart Anderson, Colin Hughes and Alan Ricketts.

C.C.U. & S.A.  Had earlier in the year arranged talk by the Chairman of the A.C.U. & S. on its future. Trainng courses - 17 students on the present 10 week course. One day refresher on Sunday 20th March at Oakmere C.C.

PRESIDENTS REMARKS. For a number of years I have had the pleasure of working with David and Ian on umpiring matters, particularly on training courses. Howeber it doesn't end there, Ian on the secretarial, finance and insurance side and Dave on the recruitment side are giving much of their leisure time in helping us umpires. Therefore, gentlemen, I beg of you to do your bit by standing in as many games as possible and thus making our panel of umpires the best in Cheshire.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS. Proposals made by the Executive Committee to changes in the constitution:

1. That the title of the Association be changed to 'Meller Braggins Cheshire Cricket League Umpires and Scorers Association',
2. Insert new paragraph 10, 'C.C.L.U & S.A. may exercise the power to adopt, implement and administer the England and Wales Cricket Board Welfare policies and programmes including the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure procedures. C.C.L.U & S.A. may require practising umpire, scorer, instructor, examiner members and, at its absolute discretion, other members of the Association to hold a current Enhanced Disclosure Certificate issued by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). All subsequent paragraphs to be re-numbered accordingly.

Both proposals were seconded and pased by the meeting.

CRB. Dave Lawson said that all members should have CRB clearence by the 1st May 2005.

TEAM SHEETS. 5 for each member as back up if clubs fail to produce ready for collection. Long discussion on length of time to keep. Secretary saod that he would speak to ECB. Match cards, packs were available for collection.

APPOINTMENT OF WELFARE OFFICER. Tony Barnes agreed to carry out the duties of the Association's Welfare Officer.

CLOTHING ORDER FORMS 2005. Will be available at the end of the meeting.

RAIN. Dave Lawson asked that umpires stick to the guidelines, as it could effect other games.

DIV 2 EAST & WEST 2nd XL. In 2006 would become Div 2 and Div 3, 2nd XL In 2005 each team would play each other once. This created an extra match to be played on the first May Bank Holiday Monday.

NEW UMPIRES. Dave Lawson said that initially they would stand with experienced umpires. If they had any problems to ring him.

CHAIRMAN OF THE LEAGUE. Peter Davies thanked the Association on behalf of all clubs. The extra comments on the Result Sheets were appreciated and it was hoped that all clubs would have separate umpire accommadation within two years. He ended with a plea that all umpires ensure that matches are played withing the rules of the competition, any other way can cause major problems.

IAN WILINSON. Asked whether there was an intention to include some method to up the slow over rate. Alan Ricketts mentioned that it was not only the fielding side that could be at fault. Dave Lawson said that the matter was still under consideration.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:05pm.