EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday 7 June 2023 at 5 pm via Zoom

PRESENT: Mark Goddard (Chair), Clare Batten (from item 3), Chris Frost, Mel Shepherd, Keith Spencer,     Julia Staniforth and Roger Stock.
 

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted the apologies of Shirley Ashtari, Sue Wright and Jane Hall (who had been invited to attend). The apologies of Dave Treharne were also noted as he was unable to join the meeting due to technical issues.

2. CO-OPTION OF ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Clare Batten and Jane Hall were agreed as co-opted members of the committee
 

3. CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEES

  The County Teams Selection Committee was confirmed as Mark and Shirley with another member chosen if required.
 

4. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING HELD ON 22 MARCH 2023

The minutes were agreed as a correct record.
 

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

1. .Mark reported that he had contacted players that had competed in the county A team  and seven had indicated interest in competing in the Tollemache event for 23/24 and therefore it was hoped that a team could be entered.
2. Mark would arrange a date for a seminar on ‘squeeze play’ in the near future.
3. Discussion took place on venues for holding the Mixed/Open Pairs and Priday Cup events and it was concluded that Nottingham BC may be the most appropriate although the Secretary agreed to ascertain if Mansfield Mechanics BC was available for hire and if so  the capacity and cost. Julia would also ascertain the availability and provisionally book Nottingham BC. Both events would be one session (24-27 boards) with light refreshments commencing at 2.00 p.m. and free entry to Nottingham county members. Keith had denoted his availability to direct. Entry co-ordination would need to be agreed.
    

6. DRAFT AGM MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING

1. The draft AGM minutes were recommended for approval.
2. Clare proposed that the reintroduction of a 1 day Green Point event be considered, run jointly with Derbyshire as in previous years and she agreed to contact Jim Parker of Derbyshire to discuss. Julia would contact the EBU to ascertain possible dates for 2024.
3. Discussion took place on the appropriate level of reserves and it was agreed that the level should cover five years of expenditure so at the present time an amount of £10k was deemed necessary. This would be reviewed annually to take account of expenditure and agreed budgets.
4. Arrangements for the 2024 AGM would be discussed at the next meeting.
    

7. 2023/24  LEAGUES OF 8 ARRANGEMENTS

The results of the initial canvass of clubs for the number of teams and platform most favoured denoted that only 3 teams were likely to play F2F with 10/11 for BBO and 2 for Realbridge. The default platform would therefore be BBO but teams would be encouraged to play some matches F2F or on Realbridge. Jane as league secretary would be asked to contact clubs to seek confirmation of entries.

The entry fee was agreed as £36 as the actual cost was around £35.20.

A committee comprising Mark, Jane and Julia would consider any rule changes.
 

8. TROPHY INVENTORY AND VALUATION

Keith had compiled a list of all the trophies which had been circulated to members but valuations were still awaited due to no local valuation company being available. A company in West Bridgeford had been identified and would be contacted in the near future.
 

9. TREASURER’S REPORT

Roger reported that the transfer of £11k to a year bond with Cambridge and Counties Bank had been completed and he was able to obtain online viewing access. Consideration would need to be given to reinvestment prior to the expiry date of the bond.

There had been an amount of expenditure on national competition entries since the last meeting.

10.  WEBSITE MATTERS

 There were no specific issues other than to highlight the need for key items to be clearly displayed in the centre of the home page. Keith was thanked for continuing to maintain the site.
 

11.   EBU MEETINGS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Mark reported that he had attended the latest County Chairmen’s meeting which had focused on EBED teaching programmes, what bridge could learn from chess, the structure of competitions and funding for junior teams with counties being asked for donations and an item on the role of shareholders. It was agreed no donation would be made at the present time.
 

12.  REPORT FROM MIDLAND COUNTY WORKING GROUP

Copies of the minutes of the meetings had been circulated and there were no specific issues to address other than to note the inter-county fixtures and dates which had been amended since the original circulation. It was expected that the match against Derbyshire in December 2023 would be F2F as would the one against Leicestershire in March 2023. Keith would add to the website.
 

 13) AOB/ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

There were no additional items raised.
 

14)  DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Wednesday 6 September 2023 at 5.00 pm on Zoom.