MELLER BRAGGINS CHESHlRE CRICKET LEAGUE UMPIRES ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Hale Barns Cricket Club on Wednesday 21st February 2007

PRESENT.   President, Chairman and 31 members.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Messrs. Barry Bishop, Tony Fox, Tim David, Jim Hill, Alan Holme, Patrick Hutchinson, Robin Grinter, Ms. Chris Robinson and Rebbecca Woods. 

MINUTES OF LAST AGM having been previously circulated were passed by the meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING. There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous AGM.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. Dave Lawson welcomed all old and new members. Previous seasons coberage was on par with 2005 although this involved the use of a number of individual umpires. Thanks to all concerned for their efforts. Umpires changing facilities - there had been a general improvement but the League was looking for further improvement in 2007. Please include your comments on the reverse of the score sheet with any relevent comments. Umpires were reminded that they were not responsible for the correctness of scores/points on the score sheet. Knock-out - The quarter finals through to the final were adequately covered last season and it is understood the League wish us to continue this coverage. Following the resignation of both Ian Bishop and myself from our League appointments your committee asked the League to agree a specific umpires position on both the League Management and Executive. This was agreed and your committee asked Ian Bishop to represent the umpires until this meeting. The position in future will be filled by a member of your committee - agreed by the committee themselves. Your committee also agreed to co-opt Barry Bishop as controller of our website - again until this meeting. Finally thanks to all members of the committee and the President for their support during the past 12 months.

TREASURER'S REPORT. Balance slightly up on 2005. Non A.C.U & S. members insurance was covered by the C.C.C.C. and hopefully will again cover non A.C.U. & S. and ECBOA members. Due to paying for two sets of match cards in one year putting the Association in a difficult position the League kindly agreed to pay for one amount of cards. It was put to the meeting that it was unfair far all members to continue to subsidise those members sitting at the umpires table at the League Dinner. (£80 this year) It was agreed that this practise should cease. Finally it was agreed to increase subscriptions to £10 - the first increase since 1987.

APPOINTMENT SECRETARY'S REPORT. Dave Lawson said that he had nothing to add to what he said in the Chairman's Report. 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer and committee members, Tony Barns and Martin Tute were re-elected en-bloc. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected for the following positions:- Deputy Appointments Secretary - Colin Hughes. Association Web Master - Barry Bishop. League Umpire's Representative - Ian Bishop.

UMPIRES AND CAPTAINS MEETING. Thursday 12th April 2007 at Holmes Chapel Cricket Club at 8:00pm. All members were urged to attend.

PRESIDENTS TROPHY. The Association was to be represented by, John Bone, Patrick Hutchinson and Clive Heyling.

C.C.U & S.A. Ian Bishop reported that he had stood down as Chairman after 11 years, in fact the first Chairman and had been succeeded by Dave Lawson who then stood down as Appointments Co-ordinator the vacancy being filled by Geoff Wellsteed. Members were reminded that if they wished to umpire outside League requirements these were the people to contact. 

PRESIDENT'S REMARKS. Ron Jones commented on the fact that despite efforts by Dave Lawson and Ian Bishop over the years the Association was failing to increase numbers and he reminded everyone that less than one-third of clubs provided umpires on the panel and urged the remaining clubs to look into this problem. Ron implored all umpires to stand as often as possible and not to cry off, especially on a Saturday morning. If during a match umpires noticed Ron sitting on the boundry edge, he was not there watching their performance but as President of the League showing clubs that the League did take an interest in them. Ron then wished all a good 2007 season.  

ANY OTHER BUSINESS.  Expenses. £26 per umpire per match. Single umpires £38 (£19 per club) New umpires to begin with will stand with experienced umpires - this includes experienced umpires joining the Association for the first time.

Knock-out. Quarter Finals 1st XI 28th June - 2nd XI 3rd July. Semi-Finals 1st XI 12th July - 2nd XI 17th July. Final at Ashton-on-Mersey Cricket Club on Sunday 2nd September (Reserve day 9th September)

Sub Committee set up by League to look into shortage of umpires and over rates. This was to include two umpires, Tony Barnes and Colin Hughes.

New points system during 2007, however, although details in the handbook this was not the responsibility of umpires. Peter Davies pointed out that it did not effect umpires in any way i.e. Times, Weather etc. 

Match Allocations. In pairs unless an odd number of umpires. Will not move umpires at last moment as was done last season. 1st Division will be alocated 100%. Division's 2 & 3 will be pro-rata. Availability forms back by mid March please.

Question from Ian Wilkinson - How many umpires do we actually have? Relply from Dave Lawson - About 3 down on last year, 45/46 umpires, great if they all stood every Saturday.

We lost the following clubs - Hale Barns, Tattenhall, Holmes Chapel and Port Sunlight. We gained the following clubs - Brooklands, Malpas, Chester County Officers, Wistaston Village.

Fast Track Disciplinary Code. Code now agreed and will be in the handbook. It worked well last season, only one incident went to a full hearing.

Pre Match arrangements as agreed with the League who will be writing to all clubs. Umpires will supervise the toss and at this time will receive from the Captains:- Team Sheets - Balls - Payment of expenses - discuss any local regulations and remind Captains about discipline and the over rate.

CRB. Dave Lawson and Dave Batty will sign any brought this evening after the meeting. Anyone with problems contact Dave Lawson or Ian Bishop.

Peter Davies on behalf of all clubs thanked the umpires for their efforts, without which the League would not be able to function. There will be a few additions of ECB guidelines in the handbook:- All juniors from U18 downwards will always wear a helmet when batting. No parental consent is accepted. U13's in an adult match must have written consent from parents. U11's in an adult match must have writen consent from both the parents and the governing body of that match.

A.CU. & S / ECBOA. Ian Bishop explained very briefly the up to date situation as he saw it.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:25pm.

Dave Lawson, Chairman.