Cheshire Cross Country League  AGM.

            Meeting Macclesfield Track -   27th. Sept. 2004.

Present:  Bob Lynch (chair),Hamish Thomson (retiring sec/treasurer),Pete Torrance (Stockport H), Mike Lamb (West Cheshire), Mark Wheelton (Macc. H).
Apologies: John Driscoll (Results Sec.), George Davenport (Newcastle), Marcus Walker (Helsby).
Minutes of last AGM Copies of the minutes from the last agm proceeding the 2003/4 season dated the 28th May 2003 were read, discussed, and accepted . Three Items covering financial actions were carried forward to the current meeting.
Secretary’s Report  Essentially the league had run well again and was well supported with a only a slight reduction in numbers competing (863 v 912) . The host clubs were to be applauded for their professionalism and continued commitment. The secretary wished to compliment the enthusiasm of the chairman and the results secretary and in turn he was thanked by the chair for his own efforts. 
It was noted that Hamish wished to relinquish his role as his work circumstances were due to change yet again and therefore he could not commit himself for the forseeable future to his role.
Finances   Income and expenditure  for the year just ended August2004 were discussed, which showed  them to be in balance with each other. Levy fees for the past season still had to be collected and this would be undertaken by Hamish immediately following the agm, together with requests for this years affiliation fees. It was noted that the outstanding levy fees were on the basis of 25p per athlete per race and this would adequately cover any additional costs for the coming season.
 On this basis it was agreed that there need not be any further increases for 2004/5 , and more importantly host clubs should now submit costs up to a max. of £100 . It was further agreed that the use of envelopes for results submission by team managers  should be reintroduced as this provided a further degree of back up despite its increased cost. Race numbers would be automatically ordered for each club and included in their bill.  ....   action Hamish.
The  current balance was £ 525 and the outstanding fees from one club would be  persued outside the meeting by RL/ HT.
 Officers for 2004/5. 
 Both the Chairman and the Results  secretary were both willing to serve again and therefore were re elected unopposed. The position of Sec/Treasurer was to be left vacant, until a suitable replacement could be found. In the meantime  Hamish would  attempt to cover off the immediate communication needs with the clubs. Another cheque signatory needed to be found in the interim. Action RL/HT.
League Programme2004/5
 The chairman pointed out that the traditional first date for the league prevented him from attending. He had been in touch with H&F and Helsby and  had in principle agreed two alternatives. After some discussion it was agreed to adopt the following;

  TUESDAY 28th Dec ‘04        at Frodsham         main contact  Marcus Walker.

  Sunday      13th Feb ’05         at Stockport         main contact  Pete Torrance.
  Sunday      13th Mar.’05        at Macclesfield    main contact  Mark Wheelton.
 
Races would start at  12.30 and follow the same format/ distance as at last years venues.
Hamish Thomson undertook to communicate this immediately to all clubs.
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The named contacts were responsible for booking the venues/ first aid, while RL would obtain permits for  the 1st. and 3rd. fixtures, and Stockport for their own fixture.

AOB. - Possible Rationalisation of the leagues in the Manchester area
The Chairman appraised those attending of discussions that had been ongoing  about the possible re structuring of the various leagues in the region to help provide  better quality competition , avoiding clashes and  reduced cost and in general less pressure on hosting events. Essentially 8 matches had been proposed with  6 to score with each league  the option to retain 2 fixtures. The current situation was that all the clubs in the NW locality were to be balloted on  their views on the outline proposal. A letter would be sent to all affected clubs in the coming weeks for their response; only then would any detailed follow up discussion of the heads of each league take place. It is essential that every club  particularly in a peripheral area like the “Cheshire” league respond. However the Chairman expressed his support for the move even though it might make it untenable for some clubs.
It is proposed to hold an Agm  for the Cheshire league immediately after the completion of the forthcoming season in April/ May to  debate the outcome of the initial response from the  ballot. This way any change to the 2005/6 format can be properly considered. Please contact me directly if you need any more information.

The meeting was then closed at 9.00pm.              R.Lynch 01625 829229 
                                                                            e- mail  pauline_lynch@hotmail.com