The AGM


By Grockle
January 15 2007

The end of 2006 and the prologue to 2007 came tonight as we bade the old world goodbye and welcomed in the new. The great and good of the club turned out in force for the AGM and a mighty uplifting experience was had by all...well maybe...read for yourself

AGM Meeting 15 January 2007

Colin Atkinson Pavilion

 

The Top Table included Andy Nash, Brian Rose, Roy Kerslake, Giles, David Gabbittas, Rory O'Donnell and Richard Gould.

 

Its a full house.  About 1200-ish so we go through the usual procedures of minutes etc.

 

Giles' Report

Formal stuff starts the proceedings before an informal presentation by Rosey. Giles admits it was a "Disappointing Season" - complete change in coaching staff didn't help or having the club captain out for the whole season.  Thanks were given to Johnno, Mike Parsons and Simon Francis.  Confirmation of Justin Langer as captain.  More money is being invested in the playing side.  As a Director of the ECB Giles confirmed that strong words will be said about the English performance in Australia.  Support for Marcus Trescothick was voiced. 

Women's cricket was mentioned - a side who still hold the Ashes we were reminded.  The 'Home of Women's Cricket gave us considerable kudos nationally.  Gouldy has made us more financially viable.  More economically successful than any other county.  Events like the Elton concert will be a bi-annual event probably.  Somerset Cricket Board is now a single entitity and cricket is the number one sport in the county.  The club is very grateful to the volunteers who provide the support.  The Somerset Wyverns are the support wing of the club and have been consolidated.  1300 members who were 20/20 only members and the rest of the membership is still strong.

Planning applications have been made for the "Gimblett Hill" and the National Women's cricket centre (phase 2) and Phase 1 (the Brewhouse bit).  You have to be over 55 to buy the flats in that area with a view of the ground.

Plans to emphasise memorials to the players who have bits of the ground named after them - White, Richards, Gimblett and Botham. 

 

We all thanked Giles for his untiring efforts and his report was accepted.

 

Rory's money bit

Turnover up by 7%.  All categories of income have gone up because of the Elton John concert.

The big expenditure increase was Administration because of ground re-development costs for planning and architects etc.  The club has made a small surplus of £18K and we maintained it in a losing year. (small after tax profit of £13+K)  We owe less and we made more it seems. We are mostly where we were last year and we've paid for our planning costs.

 

We are now a limited company.  We have all been allocated a share. £1 has been allocated to each member.  Each member is now a shareholder (that is if you have joined this year of course)!!

 

Elton was no risk for the club, we didn't promote, we hired the ground and took a percentage.  Our income came in as 'catering packages' etc.  Hampshire promoted their own concert and didn't do as well as they expected to - they took the risk.  We will take opportunities as they come to try and do it again.  We'll wait for a good deal rather than push the issue. 

 

The Bath Festival came up.  It has always been at risk and we couldn't afford a washout where we sustained an £80K cost but gain no income.  We plan to stay in Bath but without the financial risk.  Discussion about the viability of Bath took place and Richard Gould fielded the questions.  If we took the risk, surely Bath could be viable.  Richard accepted the gate receipts were good but the Rec costs £16K a day while Taunton costs between £2 and 3K.  If  the right sponsorship came up the club would look at  the Festival again and have kept the option open by keeping cricket in Bath.

 

Honorary Treasurer - (Rory) was elected for the 19th consecutive year.  No other people put themselves forward!

 

AC Moles were appointed as auditors.

 

Roy Kerslake was appointed for another 3 years as Club President.  He accepted graciously and pledged to turn around the performances on the field.  He commended the membership for their patience and loyalty over a number of years.

 

Rule changes - at the moment the Chairman has to be voted in for 3 consecutive periods of 2 years.  Giles is on his third period and would have to resign at the end of 2008 under present rules.  The first rule change was proposed to give the committee more flexibility to keep Giles in place after the third period if they feel it necessary.  The view is that we need continuity of management during the re-development.  The committee may deem it necessary to extend.  The rule change was seconded by Roy Kerslake and it was passed with 2 'nay' votes

 

The second rule change was just to alter the time when area meetings have to be held by.  It was passed.

 

Formal meeting was then over.

 

Brian Rose's bit

Introduced the new signings. Steffan got a good round applause.  Ben Phillips (tall bloke) tight bowler.  Mark Turner from Durham and Craig Keiswetter.

 

Vic is here to answer questions as well and Andy Hurry and Jason Kerr were also there.

 

Poor season, lots of pre-season problems, lost Ian Blackwell and there was a load of inexperience.  Cameron White is coming back - although we aren't sure how that will fold out given present performances  in the one dayers. He will definitely go to the World Cup and probably be there until the Final! 

 

The real important signing is Justin Langer.  We need a solid captain and he'll be here from April.

 

We batted poorly in the first innings of Championship games last season.  Steps have been taken to gain sufficient runs in the first innings.  Marcus has started to train with us and may not be  there at the start but he will be back.  We have a lack of depth in the bowling between the ages of 17 and 25.  We now have a strong bowling attack and some depth.  Ben and Steffan will be in at 3 and 4. 

 

We were 4th in the Championship at Bath and outplayed Surrey for 2 days and then lost on the third day.  We outplayed Middlesex in the one dayer and still lost that one again.  It isn't easy to win and very easy to lose.

 

We have a set squad in January for the first time in a long while. Ian Blackwell signed for Somerset until 2010 this morning.  IB's fitness has been reported.  He is fitter now than BR has seen him in the last 5 years.  He should be in the top 30 squad without a doubt.  MT is looking forward to playing as soon as he can but we have to be patient.  The coaches have done a good job and we'll see improvements this year.  We have some good guys from te age of 14.  Sam Spurway and Arul Suppiah are working with Jimmy Cook and Matt will join them in February.  Jimmy will be back in July to coach younger batsmen.

 

You are going to see some fantastic cricket this year and the Somerset supporters deserve that.

 

Richard Gould outlined the ground re-development with Pegasus as the main builder. We now have a full menu of planning applications for the first two phases and we are looking to buy three pieces of land. Two of them are being obtained without club money.  Announcements in the next 4 to 8 weeks.  The feedback reports were about 89% supportive.  Planning will be approved in April and we are looking for other funding partners.  No development phase will be started until it is funded.  The first moves may take place at the end of the season.  The Stragglers may survive until September.

 

Crowd behaviour has been a bit of an issue at times.  We will now provide a letter for non members on how they should behave and we will steward to those standards.  A Smoking ban will be in place in permanently seated areas from 6 o'clock in the morning for the summer - national regulations.  All Catering will be in-house next season.  Apologies about the Old Pavilion catering last year.  It will be better next year.

 

Membership is moving and January a busy time and it is a bit of a struggle at the moment - probably the season performance has had an effect.  We hope to reach last year's target by the start of the season.

 

Questions

The meeting ended at 8:50.  It was slick and it was well put together and there is an air of optimism.  The message

from the people who matter is that they appreciated that we have been patient and they want to do better.  It can't

get much worse so many of the members seemed to be happy with that.

 

I asked the question Clarence.  The Chairman seemed ready for it so at least it suggests that he has read the

debate!!

 

Hope it gives you all you need people.  Please discuss it on the forum if you want to and if anything isn't clear then ask

there and I'll try and clarify.