Mumbles Motor Boat and Fishing Club
1. Participants
OFFICERS: Phil Gavey (Chairman), Keith Stephens (Treasurer), Phil Bowen (Secretary )
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Richie Pearce, John Elvins, Paul Eaton, Mark Thomas, Alan Walters, Jon West, Phill Carroll,
Colin Albert and Rob Hewitt (Co-opt)
2. Apologies: Nigel Davies, Janet Hurst and Dean Gifford
3. Welcome: The Chairman extended a warm welcome to all members and especially Rob Hewitt who has been coopted on to the committee until the AGM. We looked forward to his contributions. Phil G pointed out that there were just two items on the agenda.
Once that business was completed Bob Dowdle (SYSA Club Secretary ) would speak to the meeting regarding their offer of allowing us to use
their club house.
4. Minibus:
Keith had explained at our meeting of the 15th November that he had discovered that we needed a Section19 Permit to continue using the minibus. A lengthy discussion took place covering costs and usage. At that time there was some doubt about us needing the Section 19, therefore, allfelt we needed more information before deciding the future of the minibus. It was decided to have a full and frank discussion based on the
information gathered at a special meeting.
Special meeting:
Keith then confirmed that in fact we did need the Section 19 Permit as we charge for an annual membership.
This meant we require extra actions from the club to keep the bus. It needed to be serviced every 12 weeks at a cost of around £60.00, a
fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and only members between 30 and 70 could drive the bus (Over 70’s would need to pass a medical)
Keith estimated that costs over the year of running bus would be at least £1,750.00 this year or it could be nearer £2,000.00
Income from the bus stood at around £400.00 The bus was up until Covid being used around 10 times a year with around 25 members benefitting. The SA1 club were using the bus the most for their trip to Ireland and currently they were hiring the bus for £250.00.
It was felt that costings for hiring the bus needed to be increased to cover increased fuel costs if we keep the bus.
John Elvins pointed out that the bus has been costing the club around £1,000.00 a year over the last 9 years.
Keith then added that as the bus has not been regularly maintained and it needed a new timing belt, welding on battery tray, Off side front
tyre needs changing and ABS light is on.
As the bus has done only 37,000 miles it was felt that it could be worth between £800.00 and £5,000.00 but it would be difficult at the present
time to put an accurate value on the bus because we don’t know the extent of the work required to bring up to standard.
It was suggested that we have it mechanically surveyed so we know the full extent of the work required and its cost.
Keith pointed out the benefits to the club of keeping the bus and he hoped to be able to use it a lot more in the future.
He did feel that if it was sold the shore fishing section of the club would disappear .
Phil B put the proposal forward;
“We apply for the Section 19 Permit, carry out the repairs needed, arrange for the 12 weekly maintenance checks, pay the insurance and get the MOT. This is all subject to the results of the mechanical survey and their financial implications. We then keep the bus for a year after which we can asses the situation more accurately to see if it’s a viable option to keep it or sell it. Meanwhile we try to promote greater use of the bus.
Vote : 10 for and 1 Against
Future Venue:
Phil G outlined the offer from Simon Evans, Mumbles Rugby Club Chairman, to allow us to continue to use the Club House as we had done in
the past i.e. Priority use of upstairs room for weekly Thursday Socials evenings, Monday evening for committee meetings and a discount off beer purchases. This is included in a Patron Membership package which would incurr a significant one off payment or an equivalent standing order each year for a period of 5 years.
There followed a brief discussion of the offer and the alternatives.
Phil B put the proposal forward:
“Would you agree that MMBFC no longer need to use Mumbles Rugby Club house for their weekly Thursday evening meeting
because of the high 5 year cost. As an alternative these meetings would take place in Swansea Yacht and Sub Aqua Club house in the Marina”
Vote: 11 For 0 Against
Bob Dowdle, SYASAC Secretary, joined the meeting and welcomed the thought of us joining their club and using their facilities.
The club is a licensed pub so members can use the club house at any time and don’t need to members of the Sub aqua club. He stated that we would have private use of the committee room and any other room could be booked out by the club for any functions. In return they would need 5 members to become social members of the club at a cost of £50.00 a year. These 5 members would get a 20% reduction on drinks and food, however, it would be for that member and his/her partner only.
They do have a very active fishing section. He was asked about the berths at the club. Bob explained that they had 200 berths costing £1,100.00 a year per berth. They currently have a 3 year waiting list and the berths are not available to organisations. Jon West asked if their slip way could be used to launch a kayak and Bob replied that would not be a problem.
The Chairman, thanked Bob for his warm welcome and pointed out that we needed to consult our membership before we move into the details
of our usage of their club.
The Meeting closed at 9.00pm
Minibus Inspection Report
The report from the minibus inspection by Ken Williams following the mechanical survey found the bus to be roadworthy but did require work
to rear brakes and discs, cam belt replaced and service, battery tray welding, front tyres, ABS repair, MOT
Total Cost - £1,720.00, plus insurance & Tax.
This information has been forwarded to all committee members and the resulting feedback via email is that 14 felt the bus should be sold as its no longer financially viable. However, 2 members felt that the work be carried out and the bus kept for at least a year.
This proposal will now go to the EGM:
“Would you agree taking into account the costs outlined the club minibus should be sold for the best price possible”
An Extraordinary General Meeting would vote on theses proposals this would take place on 7th December 2021 in the Swansea Yacht and Sub
Aqua Club starting at 7.30pm
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