Commodore
Phil Gavey
Vice-Commodore
currently vacant
Hon. Secretary
Phil Bowen
Treasurer
Keith Stephens
Membership Secretary
Janet Hurst
Committee Members
John Elvins, Dean Gifford, Mark Thomas, Colin Albert, Roy Evans,
Richie Pearce, Jonathan West, Tom Sheterline, Paul Eaton
1. Participants:
OFFICERS: Phil Gavey (Chairman), Keith Stephens (Treasurer), Janet Hurst (Membership Secretary)
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Dean Gifford, Mark Thomas, Colin Albert, Richie Pearce, Roy Evans, Phil Bowen
2. Apologies: John Elvins, Tom Sheterline, John West
3. Welcome
All members successfully joined the meeting (Skype). The Chairman welcomed them to the meeting
4. Minutes of the previous meeting (29th September 2020)
These had been circulated to the committee members before the meeting for any corrections and were now accepted as a record of the meeting. Report of the meeting to be posted on the website once agreed by all Committee. We also progressed actions from the previous meeting to ensure completion either now or in the near future.
5. Matters arising There were no matters arising.
6. Correspondence None
7. Membership
Janet advised that we now have 180 fully paid up members which includes 10 new members. She has been working through many files she has obtained from Jenny Mellard and is getting to grips with the various general items of husbandry managed by Trevor.
8. Finance
Keith reported that our income for the year is slightly higher than expenditure, giving a small surplus.
He is now carrying out work on advising Banks of the change of names. Trevor’s name to be removed, and all accounts have at least 2 names and preferably 3.
Keith also advised that many Banks are dropping the interest rate on all accounts due to the current Covid situation. Best account for deposit rate is at 0.5%.
The year-end accounts are currently still with the Auditors. PG advised that they are needed urgently as approved as he wishes to issue a statement to all Members advising an AGM.
PG advised that in order to comply with the Constitution we must hold an AGM within 3 months of the annual due date of 29th October being the date in 2019 for the last AGM. To do this we must hold a virtual AGM. A notice attached to these minutes is to be issued to all members within 7 days. This will advise an AGM to be held on the 10th December to which all Members will be invited via a ZOOM video conference.
9. Business items
Boat Reports:
Chalet Report:
Thursday Evening Club Night.
10. Any other business
There was no other business and the meeting closed.
Signed: P Gavey 27th October 2020
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - Held on 29 September 2020 at 7.30pm Skype Meeting
1. Participants:
OFFICERS: Phil Gavey (Chairman) Keith Stephens (Treasurer) Janet Hurst (Membership Secretary)
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Dean Gifford, Mark Thomas, Colin Albert, Richie Pearce, Roy Evans, Jon West, Tom Sheterline, Phil Bowen
2. Apologies: John Elvins, Allan Walters
3. Welcome All members successfully joined the meeting (Skype). The Chairman welcomed them to the meeting. Phil Bowen was welcomed to the Committee as a co-opted Member until the next AGM. The Chair was also able to announce that Janet Hurst has accepted the position of Membership Secretary and also agreed to manage the Gift Aid matter within the Club.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting (24th August 2020)
These had been circulated to the committee members before the meeting for any corrections and were now accepted as a record of the meeting. Report of the meeting to be posted on the website once agreed by all Committee.
5. Matters arising
6. Correspondence None
7. Membership
Janet advised that whilst she has met with Jenny Mellard and obtained all records that were managed by Trevor she has not yet had time to organise those records to her systems. She could not therefore provide any information on Membership numbers or new Member applications. She hopes to be able to have organised same by the next Meeting.
8. Finance
Keith reported that the income and expenditure figures since the start of the new Financial Year in July have produced a small loss. The downturn is due in main by the effects of Covid on the activities of the Club. The exact figure to be confirmed once an accounting adjustment has been made to the rebate received from SCC in respect of the change of taxation on the chalet from Domestic to Business Rate The accounts for June 2020 are currently with the Auditors.
If members need further details on the club finances please contact the treasurer. treasurer@mmbfc.co.uk
9. Business items
Boat Reports: Dean has reported that in fact there is very little to report at this time. The Lynchpin in the starboard engine hatch has been lost and needs to be replaced. The cooker remains out of action but is not a current issue as we cannot provide drinks or food on board.
There is no update on the current condition of the Belle other than it is in the water at its Berth and awaiting some electronics work. More regular updates are needed.
Chalet Report: Due to the recent changes announced by the Welsh Govt we are now getting all of our October Bookings cancelled. This will cause a loss of approximately £2,000to our expected income. It was suggested that we should raise our charges for 2021 now by around 10% to prepare for the expected increase in UK holidays. We should also increase our minimum stay requirements for July & August 2021 to 7 days. This can be amended nearer the time to 4 days if bookings are not taken up. An inspection of the roof for leaks will be arranged in the closed season.
Thursday Evening Club Night. Roy Evans told us that there were around 5 members at the last Club night, mostly local Members. He commented that many still do not know that the Club nights have restarted. We must post a reminder on our Facebook page. However we should also remind members that the Govt restrictions that apply re single households etc. which will make it very difficult at this time to increase numbers.
Discussion on the future of our “Fleet”: Mark Thomas raised the subject of the long term future of our boats and in particular the expected lifespan and usage of The Belle. He suggested that we look into purchasing another boat that may eventually replace The Belle. The Committee were very wary of a further investment in another boat as it was felt by some that we cannot fill the current spaces available on the two boats. It was pointed out that The Belle has been out of commission for some time due to engine issues which will have contributed to the problems of availability of spaces for Members. We have had some complaints from Members of the boats taking the same people out but no reasons were put forward. It was also felt that our main issue is one of NOT having ENOUGH SKIPPERS. The Belle was initially purchased as a stepping stone for new Skippers to become confident with boat handling and then moving onto the Oystercat. However this has not been the story. It was very strongly debated but finally agreed by all members that we should ask Mark to start a project to look into the feasibility of such a proposition. He has been given an initial 2 months to investigate the options including all financial commitments of acquiring another boat. It was stipulated that no absolute decision would be made on this matter by the committee but that any proposal would be put in detail to the members for their approval or otherwise.
Trevor Mellard Trophy: Colin Albert proposed that we should set up a new competition to remember our recently deceased Secretary Trevor Mellard. Trevor did so much for the Club and he feels that we should create a memory of him for all Members. A full set of rules were drafted by Colin and presented to the committee. The matter was unanimously supported by the committee. Colin will announce the rules of the comp on the website and through email. It was agreed that in this the Club would support an inaugural prize of £100 and would review its success and continued level of prize money.
Trevor Mellard Memorial Trophy
For many years Trevor was key to the functioning of MMBFC. I think it would be good to remember his commitment to the club by setting up an annual competition and trophy in his memory. We are not a competitive angling club, with the majority of anglers fishing for the pot rather than fishing matches, so I suggest that we have an award for the longest bass, to be awarded each year.
Why Bass?
Why Length?
The rules should be simple to encourage members to enter. I suggest the following rules:
10. Any other business
There was no other business and the meeting closed.
Signed: P Gavey Dated: 30th September 2020
1. Participants:
OFFICERS: Phil Gavey (Chairman), Phil Bowen (Secretary Elect), Janet Hurst (Membership Secretary)
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Dean Gifford, Mark Thomas, Colin Albert, Richie Pearce, Jonathan West, Roy Evans, Paul Eaton
2. Apologies: Keith Stephens (Treasurer), John Elvins, Tom Sheterline,
3. Welcome
All members successfully joined the meeting (Skype). The Chairman welcomed them to the meeting and in particular Paul Eaton who was attending his first committee meeting. Paul had been proposed by Colin Albert and Seconded by Dean Gifford. The Chairman looked forward to his contributions to the meetings
4. Minutes of the previous meeting (26th October 2020)
These had been circulated to the committee members before the meeting for any corrections and were now accepted as a record of the meeting. Report of the meeting to be posted on the website once agreed by all Committee. We also progressed actions from the previous meeting to ensure completion either now or in the near future.
5. Matters arising There were no matters arising.
6. Correspondence
The Chairman had received an email from Phil Hixson outlining concerns he had about the state of the Oystercat. Each committee member had received a copy of the email prior to the meeting. There followed a detailed discussion of the issues raised with committees responses to each point being led by Dean Gifford and Richie Pearce. Both are skippers and have been carrying out many of the maintenance issues themselves. We will now commence a programme of work to rectify, improve or replace the equipment mentioned.
£500 allocated to purchase new cooker.
Fire extinguishers to be checked re servicing
Chairman felt that it would be good way forward that all recognised skippers of both boats could meet physically or virtually to discuss the state of the boats. This would mean that issues could be dealt with as and when they arose rather than deal with a list. They would then fill the role of a “boat committee”.
7. Membership
The revised membership forms have been issued to all new members.
One person has applied for membership of the club since the last meeting.
8. Finance
Janet informed the meeting that the end of year audit was completed and copies forwarded to members of the committee. The accounts would be ratified and signed by the Chairman prior to the AGM.
9. Secretary's Update
Constitution Changes - Phil went through the changes that were proposed for the revised constitution to be presented at the forthcoming AGM. All committee members had received a copy of the revisions. Many of the changes had come about because of the restrictions placed on people by the Welsh Assembly, in its attempt to control Covid 19. All changes and additions were unanimously agreed.The up dated constitution will be sent to each committee member and will be available to club individuals on request
CASC - Future Needs A draft notice was sent to each committee member before the meeting regarding future needs of club members to satisfy new regulations brought in by CASC.
Phil pointed out that the main change was that members need to inform him when they go fishing other than a club event
The notice was agreed by all members present and will be issued to all club members before the end of the year.
Colin suggested that the amount of money saved by the club’s membership of CASC should be included. Chairman estimated the saving to be around £6,000, so this will be included in the final notice.
10. Business items
Boat Reports:
Chalet Report:
The Chairman also pointed out that there was a requirement that the outside of the Chalet needed to be decorated every two years. He thought that this had not been done for at least 3 years so it would need to be completed in the new year.
It had been brought the Chairman’s attention that several other owners had applied to the Council to extend their opening by two months. This application had been successful and he suggested the the club pursue the same as it would increase our revenue. Its agreed following a brief discussion that the Chairman would investigate further and coordinate the club’s application to extend the letting period.
Thursday Evening Club Night.
10. Any other business
Janet had emailed the Chairman regarding an issue with booking fishing trips. A club member had had difficulty getting on trips because he didn’t have a computer nor mobile phone. He therefore, was unable to find out when trips were organised.
There followed a long discussion about how booking trips was managed currently and noted that the social distancing rules meant a reduced access to trips by members was inevitable. It was pointed out that skippers could allocate places on their trips to anglers who they knew were available.
The Chairman was going to contact the individuals concerned to try to find a mutually agreeable solution.
He thanked everyone for their contributions to the meeting and we closed at 9.35pm.