J.W.LeesBrewery PennineCeicket League.
Minutes General Meeting Tuesday March 7th 2017 Middleton C.C.
1. Apologies for Absence. Paul Rocca, Alistair Bolingbroke, Howard Dronsfield, Umpires Secretary, Junior Chairman,
Crompton C.C. Uppermill C.C.
2. Attendance. All clubs (except Crompton as above)
3. Minutes of last meeting. Proposed and seconded having been circulated.
4. Matters Arising. None
5. Correspondence. IN. From Littleborough and Midddleton notifying league of their intention to apply to the Lancashire League.
From Milnrow C.C. stating their intention to remain in the Pennine League. .
From Friarmere and Oldham applying for Ground Fund assistance.
OUT. To League Cricket Conference detailing our objections to the Lancashire League expansion and effects ongoing on the Pennine League .
Various E mails IN and OUT mostly to LCB re Lancs League conduct.
6. Secretary’s report Now know that a total of five clubs have applied to the Lancashire League for 2018. (Walsden, Littleborough, Norden, Rochdale, Middleton. ) Not guaranteed that all will be accepted. If our information is correct a total of 10 clubs from various leagues have applied for seven vacancies. The Chairman and Secretary are attending the League Cricket Conference meeting in Nantwich on March 11th and should be able to speak directly with Paul Bedford from the ECB on this matter. The Lancs League application date has now closed so we ask that clubs be patient and do not panic and rush into anything. They will not make a decision until their meeting at the end of March. By which time we should have been able to hold talks with them as promised by Bobby Denning from the Lancashire Cricket Board and should have more information available.
7. Treasurers Report A quiet month with little to report. One large bill due for payment (Marshall Woolridge) £900 for insurance. Reminded clubs to produce Public Liability Certificates at the next meeting.
8 Sub Committee Reports
(a) Discipline ... John Patterson reported there was a vacancy on this committee for a replacement member.
(b) Players.....Following Dexter Fitton’s resignation last month there is still a vacancy for someone to take on the role of Players chairman. Any volunteers to contact either League Chairman or Secretary.
(c) Grounds...... A replacement Chairman is required in this group. As above volunteers please to League Chairman or Secretary
(d) Ground Fund / Development. Tim Mitchell said that the League sponsors and the league support grants for major non routine projects. Grants of up to £1,000 to be made available. He outlined what generally will be covered (improvements to scoreboxes, scoreboards, changing facilities , umpires rooms, scarifying, etc but not things such as provision of fertilizers, repairs to equipment which are routine maintenance. Clubs to provide proper estimates and the sponsors support the league in that no cash will be paid direct to clubs. They will pay up to the above amount direct to a contractor on invoice. Forms available by e mailing Tim Mitchell.
Clubs who have signified their intent to leave the league can still apply for 2017 grants but there is a provision for all clubs for loyalty.
75% of grant to be repaid if leave league in 2018,.50% in 2019 and 25% in 2020.
9. Junior Chairmans report. Absent representing league at a junior meeting at Old Trafford, but had sent in a brief report with details of some junior fixture corrections.
10. Umpires Secretary Report. Given by Eric Roberts. 48 Umpired required on match days.Although we have enough on the list to cover this some problems will be experienced due to holidays and some umpires only being available on one day per week end when we have double fixtures.Reminded clubs that they must nominate a club umpire to stand in at home games when a shortage occurs. Club umpires do need a DBS Certifiacate. Please contact Dave Whiteman / Eric Roberts / Nigel Tench.
11. Welfare Officers Report. Reminded all about DBS certificates for Captains etc.
12. Lancashire League Expansion. Secretary nothing to add to report above. Except that we have placed adverts in the Tameside Reporter, Oldham Chronicle and Rochdale Observer newspapers asking any clubs interested in applying to contact us. Chairman said his information is that the Lancs League have been over subscribed and that in his opinion all they were doing was “cherry picking” our best clubs. Hopefully we might have more information after the League Cricket Conference meeting on Saturday. In reply to a question from the floor , he said that no official contact had been made with the Gtr M/cr League. The President (John Holder) then spoke in favour of the league.
13. Charity Match Saturday 22nd April Crompton v Walsden.. Confirmed start time as 1-30 p.m.
14.Any other business. Secretary reminded clubs to let him have copies of Professionals copy contracts.
Littleborough experiencing problems with the Play Cricket Web Site. Advised input manually.
Chairman announced that in the old CLL the Secretary was paid an Honorarium fee. (£250) and suggested this now to apply in the Pennine League . Proposed and passed.
He also commented on the work put in by Glenn Kershaw on the league’s behalf despite being overloaded at work.
Due to the problems we have had with the league web site, Glenn with his computing experience is to specialise on this along with Matt Collins.
With no further business , the Chairman thanked all for their attendance and closed the meeting by asking clubs for their continued support at 8-27 .p.m.
15. Date of next Meeting. Tuesday 4th April 2017.