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Minutes of Meetings

Police Sport UK Fly Fishing Section

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
held on
 Wednesday 6th June 2007 
at the Holiday Inn, , Thorpewood, Peterborough-West, Peterborough

Mr Baker opened the meeting welcomed all present; 
1. Persons Present Mr Baker (Chair) Mr B.Williams (Vice Chair); C.Fraser (Secretary / Treasurer); A.Duerden (Retiring Secretary, No.1 Region); I. Wood (Proposed Secretary, No.1 Region); M.Naylor (No.2 Region); J. Laybourn (No.3 Region); M. Cartlidge (No.4 Region); B. Beattie (No.5 Region); R. Blackman on behalf of G. Swain (No. 6 Region); S.Evans (No. 7 Region.); C.Reeves (No.8 Region); P.Griffith (No.9 Region); J.Friel (No.10 Region); S.Rea (No.11 Region)

2. Apologies None

3. Welcome/ Introduction of new Regional Secretary Mr Baker welcomed Ian Wood in as the new Secretary for Region No.1 and thanked Anton Duerden (Retiring Secretary) who was at the meeting for the work that he had done for the section over the last four and half years. Anton acknowledged the Chair & Committee’s appreciation and stated that he felt the time was right for him step down as he could retire from the police at anytime, he did however state that he would of course assist Ian with next years International.

4. Election of Office Bearer C.Fraser reminded committee that the only office bearer on an annual basis to be elected is the co-opted Secretary/Treasurer. The Chair and Vice Chair, hold their positions until those office bearers inform the section of their intention to stand down and then other nominations would be sought. C.Fraser stated that he was prepared to carry on with his duties as Secretary/Treasurer for another year if he was re-elected to the post. Nominated by P. Griffith, seconded by S.Rea.

5. Minutes of the AGM held on the 31st May 2006 to be agreed. Mr Baker requested that the minutes of the AGM 2006 meeting agreed. Approved by P. Griffith & seconded by R.Blackman.

6. Matters arising from minutes of Annual General Meeting in June 2005 No matters arising

7. Items for Any Other Business

• Awarding of the Officials Trophy C.Fraser stated over the past few years the Officials Trophy has been fished for by all committee members/officials, including those that were participating in Team / Individual events at the National Championships. C.Fraser stated in order to make this competition fairer event; he wished to propose that actual officials at the National event only fish for the R.U.C. Shield “Officials Trophy”. After a short discussion the committee agreed this.

• Selection of Teams for the Services Championships C.Fraser gave short resume regarding how the first Services Championships went, stating that the Soldier Palmers (Army Team) gave an impressive display winning the first event with an impressive 47 fish for 99lb 02oz. Beating their nearest competitors the Navy by some twenty-two fish. The police team came third with 22 fish for 47lb 4oz. On concluding he stated the Championships were well received and a great success. C. Fraser then proposed for future years selection of teams for this championship should fall to the winning Region of the Nationals. Considerable debate then followed, however it was finally agreed the winning team would represent the police and that Region’s Secretary would have the responsibility of selecting the other four anglers, to make a team of eight to represent the British Police Team at this event. It was also agreed anglers could be selected from any one of the other ten regions. B.Williams asked if this Championship was approved by Police Sport UK and if it appeared on their calendar of events, as issues could arise if not. C.Fraser stated that the Services match was fixture on the Police Sport UK web site. He went on to inform the committee that it was Neil Braithwaite (Finance & Admin Manager) of Police Sport UK that had encouraged the section to fish this event to promote the “New” Police Sport UK and its participation in sport out with the police family.

• Gifts to represent the Derrick Scougal & Gwilym Hughes Trophies C.Fraser stated that he had found a suitable gift for the angler who wins the Derrick Scougal Trophy, but a suitable gift for Gwilym’s Trophy was proving more difficult. He had seen a small ornament which cost £80.00 but this would cost the section £800.00 over the next 10years. Members present agreed that was too much. C.Fraser informed the committee he would continue to look into this matter in an attempt to find something for the International in September.

• Recognition of the 25th National Championships J.Laybourn made mention that next year would be the 25th Anniversary of the National Championships and asked the committee to give consideration as to how the event could be marked, in celebration of this achievement. Discussion followed with a number of suggestions put forward from members present. C.Reeves the organiser for the 25th National Championships agreed to liaise with the Section Secretary (C.Fraser) to ensure that the event is properly recognised, though no final decision was reached as to what form this would take.

8. Secretary Report C.Fraser produced a written report, highlighting the success of Regional teams/individuals within the section over 2006 season. He concluded with thanks to the Regional Secretaries S.Evans & P.Griffith who organised the National at Chew Water and the International at Brenig Reservoir respectively.

9. Treasurers Report C.Fraser produced both a written account and a detailed financial report, which highlighted income and expenditure of the section over the previous year. C.Fraser highlighted that the predicted figure for the balance of the account at the end of 2007 would be down from the previous two years, but he explained to the committee that this was a result of the commitment of the section towards the new Services Competition, last year’s new computer and other related expenditure. C.Fraser again stated that the accounts had been boosted through some excellent fund raising by P.Griffith, Secretary of Region 9, by running tight ship during the International and a super raffle at the presentation dinner. Mr Baker thanked C.Fraser and accepted the accounts as being accurate, seconded by C.Reeves.

10. Selection of venue 2009 Internationational Championships C.Fraser informed the committee that as Region No.1, (North West) are in the process of organising the International for 2008, for England and using Llyn Brenig, as the venue. He highlighted that it may well be the case that when Wales organise the 2009 International that Llyn Brenig would be visited two years on the trot. P. Griffith stated it was his intention to run the International at Llyn Brenig but was prepared to take it to Llandegfedd Reservoir at south end of his country. Brian Williams stated he would be happy to assist with the International if it was to be hosted in Gwent his force area, but asked the committee if he could look into this as he had concerns with the water levels at that particular time of year. B.Williams stated he would be in better a position to feed back to the committee in September as to whether or not Llandegfedd Reservoir would be a suitable venue for the International or not. Committee members were not overly despondent at the prospect of fishing Llyn Brenig two years in a row given how good it had been for the 2006 International Championships. Awaits feedback from B.Williams in September. J. Friel asked if there was any reason why Northern Ireland could not host such an event, now that the troubles would appear to be over. S.Rea stated it was the difficulty in finding a suitable venue. The only location he would consider was Lough Earn however given the size of the lough and hidden shallows of rocks far out from the shore boatmen would be required. S.Rea also went on to say that he still had grave concerns about a police event being hosted in Northern Ireland. He stated that should it become local knowledge some individual could easily make a threat that may have no substance to it, but would treated seriously and would spoil the whole event. Discussion focused on taking the Championships to Southern Ireland, but S.Rea stated he would be reluctant to go south. C. Fraser stated that in 2013 the Police & Fire World Games were going to be held in Belfast and he was hoping that a fishing team would represent British Police at the event. S.Rea stated he would look into the possibility of hosting an event, but made it clear that his preferred option would be the National in June as Lough Earn was a brown trout lough and that fishing in September would be poor.

11. Selection of venue 2009 National Championships S. Evans stated that he would look into the possibility of running the National at Chew Water. Appreciation noted from the committee.

12. Adoption of updated CEFF Rules C. Fraser informed the committee that he had researched the CEFF Boat Competition Rules and found no changes from the previous year. The rules were adopted.

13. Other business B.Williams asked if G.Swain No.6 Region Secretary had retired from his post. C.Fraser stated that he was of the understanding that R. Blackman who was co-opted on to the committee last year was merely covering the business of that Region whilst Graham took a year out to tour the world. R.Blackman stated that he was also of that opinion that his role merely temporary, until G.Swain returned. C.Fraser stated that he had put an item on the agenda for the sectional meeting that would follow the A.G.M. in respect of expenses but believed it may be more appropriate to mention it at this meeting. He went on to state that he was a little concerned that over the last three years that he has performed the role of Secretary /Treasurer there would appear to be no clear guidelines as to what expenses he was entitled to claim. He further stated with the reluctance of his own force to pay fully for his attendance at meetings, i.e. the Police Sport UK AGM, his requirement to attend matches now involving other organisations i.e. the Services Championships he was finding himself increasingly out of pocket or would be if not supported by the section. Mr Baker stated that C.Fraser should be supported by the section when catering for the interests of the Fly Fishing Section and requested that C.Fraser email him regarding this, in order that he could respond as the Chair of the section in support of his application. The committee agreed this. M.Baker thereafter thanked everyone for their contributions and declared the AGM closed. 8.00pm