Lytham St Annes Road Runners Club

Annual General Meeting

Lytham YMCA, 8 pm. Tuesday 16th June 2009

PRESENT: Nigel Simpkin (Chairman) Nigel Thompson (Hon. Treasurer) Laura Ashworth,
Peter Cooke, David Cosh, Tony Croft, Dave Dunn, Joanna Goorney, Terry Hellings,

Mike Hutchinson, Mel Koth, Colin Laidlaw, Bill Lock, Dawn Lock, Dave Rigby,
Julia Rolfe, Ian Squire, Sarah Tatton, Graham Webster, Rebecca Willetts, Dave Wood
- 21 attendees.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Roy Stevens (Secretary), Rob Davis, Willie Richmond,

Sue Samme.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AGM 17 JUNE 2008:

The Minutes were approved subject to the following amendments -

a) Junior Section (8) line 1- change January to March
b) Junior Section (8) line 6 - change £1,000 to £700.

c) Section (9)vii - add Sue Samme's name to the list of candidates for election to the

Committee.

PROPOSED: Tony Croft SECONDED: Ian Squire

Colin Laidlaw complained that he hadn't received the Minutes in accordance with the Constitution but others present said they had been sent them by e-mail.

3. MATTERS ARISING: none

4. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS: Nigel Simpkin

The Chairman remarked that this is the last AGM at which he would preside before handing over amicably to Tony Croft and that his three years in office had flown.

His period in office had seen the established routines growing successfully and some important innovations. Membership, Tuesday training attendances, the accounts records under the present Treasurer, the Green Drive Five and Lytham's Inter-Club Grand Prix, cross-country particularly in the women's section and the annual Welsh Castles trip all continued to develop while the Junior Section and the Carnival 5K and Fun Run were established during this period.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their support during his chairmanship and singled out for special mention Nigel Thompson for his financial work, Bill Lock and Colin Laidlaw for organizing the club's races, Tony Croft for the Junior Section, Mel Koth for re-organizing the membership and Terry Hellings and Dave Rigby for the Tuesday training.

5. HONORARY TREASURER'S REPORT AND ACCOUNTS: Nigel Thompson

The Treasurer presented the previously circulated Accounts and commented on the rise in membership subscriptions for this year although the previous year's figures were depressed by the membership year change. He pointed out the importance of the income from the Club's two races, particularly from the Green Drive Five, and why consequently it was so important for all members to play their part in helping at our races. Donations for the year included £300 towards the Carnival 5k, £800 towards the Green Drive Five and £250 from the Blackpool Marathon for marshalling. The Club had amassed a total income of £9,700.

The most substantial item of expenditure was £995 in affiliation fees to England Athletics which was increased by back payments for 2007-8. Of the two socials, the Christmas Party and the Awards Ceremony, the latter had required subsidising. The Club Equipment expenditure was mainly on the new tent. General Expenses included £237 for commemorative 10th anniversary cubes, YHA affiliation and £31 relay fees.

A healthy surplus of £1,545 had made the Club financially secure but a generous cushion is necessary for such occurrences as the outlay of over £1000 for Green Drive Five t-shirts that had to be paid in advance of the receipt of race income. The Treasurer said that the finances were looking good in spite of the "credit crunch".

He thanked Peter Cooke for auditing the Accounts and the Chair endorsed the Treasurer's contribution by describing him as having been an excellent custodian of the Club's cash.

6. SECRETARY'S REPORT: Roy Steven
The Honorary Secretary's written report was delivered by Dawn Lock in his absence.

Twelve committee meetings on the first Tuesday of every month have been well supported.

He thanked the retiring Chairman.

The Club's three races were a great success thanks to organizers Bill Lock and Colin Laidlaw and also to the many members of LSARRC who helped. Lytham's Inter-Club Grand Prix buffet was the envy of other clubs.

Tony Croft organized a fun club night in August 2008 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary and is planning a similar one for this year.

The Christmas Party and Awards Evening were held at the soon-to-close Civil Service Club and although both were very enjoyable they were not well supported. Suggestions from others as to how attendances could be improved would be welcome.

The Club is growing in strength with 83 adult and 25 junior paid-up members. Arrears from ten members are outstanding. The women's section has been especially successful helped by the commitment of the Club's two coaches, Terry Hellings and Dave Rigby. The Junior Section is flourishing thanks to Tony Croft.

A successful training weekend organised by Nigel Simpkin was held in Arnside and a further one is planned for July by Nigel Thompson. Dave Dunn lead another great trip to the Welsh Castles a few days ago.

7. ADOPTION OF REPORTS: All three Reports were approved.

PROPOSED: Sarah Tatton SECONDED: Laura Ashworth

8. JUNIOR SECTION: Tony Croft

In the sixteen months to April that it has existed, the Junior Section has recorded 2000 child attendances. Coaching is in three session, two on Mondays and one immediately before the seniors run on Tuesday. The Club now has two Level 2 and six Level 1 coaches. The sum of £5,000 was raised so there have been no financial demands on the Senior Section.

The third Tuesday session started in September 2008 to concentrate on endurance running for the older juniors. Some have competed in the Mid Lancs League, mostly in cross- country, but Kirsty Fraser has also had success on the track. One of the most promising members, Jake Lonsdale, has moved to Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde AC and, although this is disappointing, with juniors it will always to be a factor. Whatever is in their best interests has to be accepted and we can be pleased about our contribution to the development of these youngsters. It has been a steep learning curve for all.

Tony thanked Terry Hellings, Ian Squire, Julia Rolfe, Mel Koth, Sue Samme, Colin Laidlaw Debbie Cooper and Dave Wood and mentioned the great help received from Don Nicholls, a Level 4 coach.

He presented written accounts showing grant income of £4,768 from Fylde Borough Council and Strategic Partnership, England Athletics and Schools Sports Partnership but said that no more grants were expected. An expenditure of £3, 407 has been made on equipment, hiring the hall, coaching courses and subsidizing club kit. Juniors were being charged £5 for vests.

He was questioned as to whether there were plans to enter Sportshall and Colin Laidlaw wanted to point out how varied and comprehensive the sessions are including jumping, hurdling and throwing as well as running.

The Chairman added his thanks to Tony.

9. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE:

OFFICERS

Chairman……….Tony Croft PROPOSED: Nigel Simpkin SECONDED: Nigel Thompson

Hon. Secretary….Roy Stevens

Hon. Treasurer….Nigel Thompson

ELECTED UNOPPOSED

COMMITTEE
The 2007 Constitution allows 7 committee members and also allows members to be co-opted at the Committee's wish. All 8 candidates were considered valuable members and so the co-opting powers were invoked to expand the committee size.

Dawn Lock................ Vice Chair and Women’s Relay Captain
PROPOSED Rebecca Willetts SECONDED: Debbie Cooper

Laura Ashworth ....... Women’s Road Captain

PROPOSED: Bill Lock SECONDED: Dave Wood

Mel Koth .................. Membership Secretary and Women’s Cross-Country Captain

PROPOSED: Rebecca Willetts SECONDED:Ed Bowes

Julia Rolfe ................ PROPOSED: Bill Lock SECONDED: Dave Wood

Nigel Simpkin .......... Press Secretary

Dave Dunn ............... Men’s Road Captain

Sarah Tatton ............. Publicity and Club Kit Officer

Sue Samme .............. Welfare Officer

ELECTED EN BLOC

10. ELECTION OF AUDITOR: Peter Cooke was re-elected

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

In the absence of any previously notified AOB, the following two matters were discussed.

1) FACEBOOK: Many were in favour of accepting Richard Storey's offer to create a page on Facebook for the informal exchange of messages and photos between members.

2) CONSTITUTION RULES FOR ELECTING THE COMMITTEE: Colin Laidlaw is

unhappy that the Constitution rules concerning maximum permitted committee size and the status of the co-opted members is being overridden. The Chair agreed that the new Committee would consider the Constitution wording before the next AGM.

12. CLOSE OF MEETING: 20:57

Minutes written 17/06/09 by Dawn Lock