LUTON ATHLETIC CLUB
Annual General Meeting 30th November 2022
Attendees: Paul Brooks, Nicola Abubacker, Alan Daglish, Linda Bassill, Reg Brett, Dawn Williams, Steve Bassill
Apologies: received from Daniel Bottesch, and Patrick Davies
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and signed of as a true representation of the meeting
Matters Arising from Minutes
No matters arising.
General Comments
The secretary thanked those that have turned up for the AGM, but stated that it was a disgrace that only 4 club members turned up for the AGM. It was decided that the meeting would continue, although the constitution states clearing that at least 20 people must be present to form a quorum.
Chairman’s Report
Report given by Mr. Paul Brooks :-
Competition has restarted fully in 2022.
The County held a championships with Hertfordshire in a return to the normal mid may date and at Bedford which went well.
Road racing has returned as well.
However across the sport we are seeing a reduction in numbers. Particularly in the U13,15,17 in Track and Field and Road racing numbers are also down, sometimes significantly. This was the case for our road race series which we had to cancel due to a low number of entries. Single figures in some of the races. We do often get a lot of entries on the day but there was no way we could hold an event where we might have more marshals than runners. Just not fair on the volunteers or the runners. It was not a financial decision due to cost or revenue just a pragmatic one. I also note that the Wolverton 5 which has been running for 65 years was also cancelled last weekend for the same reason; although they did have some competition from other events on the day. We need to consider what we do for next year’s Luton series.
As 2022 comes to a close, we again have a home cross country fixture this weekend at Stopsley on 3rd December. We will hopefully have sufficient volunteers to put it on. I have taken the Endurance level 2 course and although completing the paperwork have been allowed to be referee at the event. We will also run a canteen we want to host events but we need support from the club to do so.
The Track has had some more improvements. Following last year’s work on the cage we have also had the tree roots issue sorted on the top bend. This has cost Active Luton around £60K so was not cheap. I am also asking Them to get the circle surface sorted and have followed up again as they should be able to get the contractor to sort that.
However with financial pressure on all Leisure centres around the UK, Active Luton are looking to increase hire prices. Out agreement on the use of this room at a lower rent is under threat and we may have to give up sole use rights during the week. Also the proposed charge for a day’s hire of the track for matches is going to be around £900 and is not sustainable as we get no revenue. Active Luton’s suggestion to charge spectators will not fly for league matches and that conversation continues.
I am also trying to get more time allowed for throwing as the current slot are too restrictive for our throwers especially the better seniors
Also the Active Luton staff with knowledge of athletics have left and we are going to have to use our own volunteers to coach those staff to ensure that the correct maintenance and preparation is done over winter and in the spring to be ready for competition next summer. We laid out the throwing sectors this summer for instance. I have found some free England Athletics courses for them and encouraging them to make use of those
I would like to thank everybody especially the coaches
We continue to need volunteers. I am very thankful to a number of parents who have stepped forward to help with the coaching of the influx of younger athletes and have started to do the courses to get them insured.
However we need to find some more who will do the courses and get licenced. We are facing a challenge over the winter when our coaching co-ordinator will be out of the country for several weeks in being able to run groups.
We also need to have more people step forward to help with officiating next season and Team Managers.
We have actually done a number of virtual Officials courses and people seem to prefer those so we may well continue that in the spring.
Finally, it has been a pleasure, if frustrating at times, to fulfil the role of Chairman in 2022
Paul Brooks – 30th November 2022
Treasurer’s Report: –
| LUTON ATHLETIC CLUB | ||||||||||||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31 2022 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| FIGURES | FIGURES | |||||||||||
| £ | £ | |||||||||||
| Balance b/fwd at November 1 2021 | 22,194.94 | 21,439.23 | ||||||||||
| RECEIPTS | ||||||||||||
| Subscriptions | 5,072.50 | 3,293.50 | ||||||||||
| Cross Country reclaim | 1,248.30 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Clothing and spikes | 708.10 | 197.50 | ||||||||||
| Road Race Income | 463.15 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Canteen | 267.97 | 82.73 | ||||||||||
| Schools Cross Country relays | 140.00 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Beds Open | 124.02 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Bank refund | 5.94 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| 8,029.98 | 3,573.73 | |||||||||||
| PAYMENTS | ||||||||||||
| Affiliation/ entry fees | 2,409.30 | 1,390.00 | ||||||||||
| Sports equipment | 1,997.95 | 406.51 | ||||||||||
| Cross country | 1,399.25 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Clothing | 1,265.85 | 708.00 | ||||||||||
| Training course | 475.00 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Road Races | 425.97 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Numbers/spikes/medals/ammunition | 406.06 | 88.63 | ||||||||||
| Contibution to meets elsewhere | 396.00 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Gifts | 327.00 | 42.00 | ||||||||||
| Canteen provisions | 226.03 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| Web site and hosting | 91.05 | 182.88 | ||||||||||
| Postage/stationery/photocopying | 62.81 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| 9,482.27 | 2,818.02 | |||||||||||
| Cash at Bank | 20,593.34 | 22,052.60 | ||||||||||
| Cash in Hand | 149.31 | 142.34 | ||||||||||
| Balance c/fwd at October 31 2022 | 20,742.65 | 22,194.94 | ||||||||||
| Accountants Certificate | ||||||||||||
| I have examined the records of the Club and the above Accounts are in accordance therewith. | ||||||||||||
| 338 Old Bedford Road | ||||||||||||
| Luton, Beds | John D Kingham (Chartered Accountant) | |||||||||||
Nicola made the following comments about the above report:-
The major reasons for the loss this year
- Cancellation of the road race series. Last year we made a profit of around £3000.00
- We have purchased a lot of new equipment during the year
- No income from the canteen in Stockwood pavilion
- Payment of training courses for coaches
- Other payments were paid out as thankyou’s for the many long standing help given to the club by members.
Election of Officers
The chairman stepped down and the secretary asked for nominations to the post of chairman. Paul Brooks was re-elected without competition. Paul took over the remainder of meeting
It was decided that we should leave the positions that are not required for the day to day running of the club until the fuller EGM is held later in the year, so only the following positions were re-elected on block without opposition
| President | To be allocated |
| Vice President | No vice presidents elected |
| Chairman | Mr Paul Brooks |
| General Secretary | Mr Steve Bassill |
| Treasurer | Mrs Nicola Abubacker |
| Membership Secretary | Mrs Linda Bassill |
| SAL DIV 3(N) Men | Ms Dawn Williams |
| SAL DIV 3(N) Ladies | Mrs Linda Bassill |
| EAL (Boys & Girls U11 & U13) | ) Alan Daglish |
| EAL (Boys & Girls U13) | ) Patrick Davis |
| EAL (Ladies U17 & Senior) | ) |
| EAL (Men U17 & Senior) | Mr L. Carey |
| EYAL Combined team | Coordinator for composite team Mr. G. Grinstead :- To Be Confirmed |
| Cross Country | Mr Alan Daglish |
| Road Relay Co-ordinator | Mr & Mrs L. McNabola: – To be confirmed |
| Officials Secretary | To Be Allocated |
| Coaching Co-ordinator | Mr Alan Daglish |
| Catering Officer | Mrs Nicola Abubacker |
| Welfare Officer | Mrs Nicola Abubacker/ Mr Desmond Wilkinson |
| Communication Officer | To Be Allocated |
| Delegates for Beds A.A.A | To be allocated as and when needed from the general committee |
| Delegate for S.E.A.A. | |
| Delegate for E.A. | |
| Delegate for U.K.A. | |
| Appointment of independent accountant | Mr. J. Kingham |
Proposals
There were no proposals.
Meeting closed at 20:15