Executive Committee Meeting
20th October 2016, Banks Road, Leicester, 7:00pm
David Miller / Andy Jones / Nigel Kinch / Martyn DobsonRichard French / Sam Rowe / Mark Ward / Pratap Odedra
Rob Doleman / Robin Whait / Guy Jackson / Jonny Lawrance-Owen
Paul Whiteman / Kevin Smyth / Roger Stead
Gordon Hubbard / Colin Green / Brad Peake
Meeting notes
1. Apologies
Guy Jackson, Paul Whiteman, Brad Peake, Richard French
2. Approval of and matters arising from, the minutes from the previous meeting
· Some promotion and relegation issues are still outstanding so minutes from the previous meeting have not been distributed to clubs yet.
· All other matters from previous meeting are approved.
3. Premier League (relegation of Hinckley Town or Market Harborough)
· For details see document ‘Briefing notes for Exec Committee meeting on 20th October 2016’
· Discussion about how many fixtures need to be fulfilled for it to constitute fielding the right number of junior teams.
o Suggestion that there needs to be clarification in terms of what constitutes fielding a team for a season, and therefore what constitutes a complete junior section. For example fulfilling 50% of fixtures.
o ECB directives are a bit of a grey area, there is no timescale for example.
o The Community team has met with Market Harborough and an action plan has been discussed.
o Agreement that this disputed area needs to be written into the constitution.
§ The Recreational & Performance sub-committee will help drive this forward and work towards clarifying this situation in the constitution.
§ The Committee commits to informing the Premier League what the new rules will be before next season.
· The Premier League decision about the Hinckley Town / Market Harborough issue needs to be ratified by the Exec Committee before being implemented.
o A vote is taken and a decision is made to ratify the Premier League’s decision which means Hinckley Town are relegated alongside Earl Shilton.
4. Division 1 relegation (Houghton & Thurnby or Thorpe Arnold)
· For details see document ‘Briefing notes for Exec Committee meeting on 20th October 2016’
· Thorpe Arnold claim that H&T fielded an ineligible player in the match between the two sides on 10th September
· The player concerned states that he had not played for his previous club in Essex (Old Brentwoods CC) during 2016.
· The Vice Captain at OBCC has also confirmed this by email.
· OBCC's Club Secretary has emailed to confirm that, according to several senior players, the player in question did indeed play for them in the Essex League in 2016.
· It is difficult to work out what the truth is here due to conflicting accounts from both sides of the argument.
· Prior to the 2016 season clubs were advised to complete our standard 'Player Registration Form' if they registered players after the start of the season. This was designed to protect clubs from individuals who try to circumvent the League registration rules by claiming that they have not played for another club during the current season. H&T did not get one of these forms completed.
· After a lengthy discussion a vote was taken and the Committee ruled against Houghton & Thurnby 1st who will be relegated as a result of the points deductions.
5. Divisional structure for next season (including latest ground availability)
· 5 teams have dropped out to date.
· 2 or 3 teams are hoping to come into the league.
· Kevin has emailed every club and has asked for an indication of what teams they intend to field next season.
· There has been some discussion previously about city sides who are good teams playing on poor pitches. With teams dropping out there may be the possibility of some of these teams utilising these spare pitches. It was suggested that the Committee should get in touch with the owners of these grounds and take control of the allocation of them (to ensure that they go to the teams with the greatest need). Colin is already on the case.
o Ashby will no longer need their ground. There are some issues with the town council who would want the sightscreens removed and groundsman work would be required.
o Croft's ground should be available every other week and UT have shown an interest in putting a 2nd XI on the ground. Robin Whait to chase up UT.
· Decision about which of Cosby and Rothley Park 2nd go into East and West in Division 5.
o There is a document that marks clubs along geographical lines. In terms of geographical distance Cosby are E2, Narborough E3, Rothley E4, Broughton Astley E3 (1 is further away from the central line, 4 is nearer, i.e. the higher the number the more chance of moving). This needs updating.
o Rothley to go to Div 5 West. Cosby to 5E.
· Division 6
o Long Whatton 2nd will be promoted to Div 6E and Buckminster offered Div 7E. Confirmation is needed from Buckminster that they are happy with this.
o Aryans will replace the outgoing Sharnford in Div 7W, based upon the points they got last season.
· Division 8
o Broughton Astley move into Div 8
o Queniborough 3rd into Div 8
o Newbold Verdon 3rd into Div 8
o Leicester Teachers & Mossdale2 into Div 8
o Wakerly & Barrowden will also be promoted into Div 8.
· Division 9 & 10
o Further thought needs to be given to Divisions 9 and 10. It is intended that Divs 9 should remain as 10 teams and the make-up of the Divisions worked out shortly. Once the team submission deadline of 31st October has passed the bottom Divisions can then be finalised. Some inventiveness may have to be used for Divs 10.
6. Awards dinner
· Outstanding clubs: Barkby, Earl Shilton, Barkby, Birstall, Maher Stars, YMA, Carillon, Newbold, Blaby, Leicester Cricketers, Teachers & Mossdale.
· In line with last year Committee members won’t be required pay for their tickets.
· Similarly the Community Team won’t be required to pay for their tickets.
· Sam Rowe will liaise with Heather for getting the venue ready on the day.
· Kevin to email the clubs and let them know that there won’t be physical tickets required for entry.
· Andy Jones to organise the raffle for the bow-dry prize.
· Prizes:
o Bat, pads, gloves (provided by Gray Nichols) for Player and Young Player of the year.
o A season's worth of balls will go the team winning the fair play award.
· Awards
o Andy Jones to organise contacting clubs asking for further nominees for Player and Young Player of the Year.
7. Rule change procedures (including NCPS survey results)
· In previous years a sub-committee has worked through suggested rule changes to be brought before the Committee.
· Mark Ward is working on a survey tool which will enable the League to consult with players directly to establish their views regarding key proposals. Currently there are over 2000 players with email addresses on the League website.
· Volunteers for the sub-committee this time are: Andy Jones, David Miller, Nigel Kinch, Mark Ward, Martyn Dobson.
· NCPS results:
o Change to Win/Lose format: 52% would be happy, 21% neither, 27% unhappy.
o Overs per innings: 52% would like 40 overs.
8. AOB notify the secretary within 48 hours
· Colin Greene wrote to 16 clubs about low pitch scores from the previous season and warning them that their rating may be reduced. Replies from several clubs outline what actions they will take to improve the situation. See ‘End of Year Report 2016’ document for details.
· Colin Green reported that some clubs that have covers have not been using them! The ground rating criteria will be reviewed with a view to dealing with this issue (and others).
Meeting finishes: 21:53
Date of next meeting: Thursday 5th January 2017