Minutes of Policy Committee meeting held at Syston social club 21 March 2007

Present: Jim Bingham (President), Peter Harrison (Secretary), Graham Booley, Sean Hewitt, Alan Jex, Cyril & Julie Johnson.

1. Apologies

Jim Miller, John Dawkins.

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting held 10 January 2007

Item 4.7 The second paragraph to be deleted referring to a questionnaire.

Addition of Jim Miller's e-mail.

Passed.

3. Matters Arising

Alan informed us that the clocks purchased (16no) weren't particularly good as the second hands weren't actually second hands.  However, Cyril said that the ECF would replace such faulty clocks with new ones.  Cyril and Graham to identify and replace such clocks.

Now that the stock take had been done by Cyril & Graham, Sean asked if all kit belonging to the county could be marked "LRCA"

4. Officers' Reports

4.1 President: Jim said that contrary to earlier e-mails concerning his future involvement he was now prepared to carry on his current duties for the foreseeable future

This was greeted as good news by the rest of the committee.

4.2 Secretary: Nothing to report

4.3 Treasurer: Cyril reported that he was awaiting the county teams involvement in this seasons competitions to finish before he could produce the accounts.

4.4 County teams: Graham reported that Graham Hewitt had resigned as U125 captain.  He thought this was due in part to the late cancellation of two matches (less than 24 hours) by the opposing teams.

The Open team lost their two games to Gtr Manchester 9.5 – 6.5 and Warks 13.5 – 2.5 but had still progressed to the next phase.  They were then offered a place in the minor counties and duly accepted a tie v Norfolk to be arranged.

U150 lost to Notts 11.5 – 4.5.

U100 were through to 3^rd / 4^th place play off.

4.5 League: Everything is fine.

4.6 Juniors: Cyril has been asked by the ECF to organise events on their behalf.

He also mentioned that the city council are hoping to get 200 boards and sets for junior chess in the next financial year.

4.7 Congress: Sean reported that we were awaiting dates from Wyggeston college for the "Atkins" tournament as if could coincide with other societies it would save us a substantial amount on hire charges.

The county championship entry forms were on the website (4 sections starting in May).  Cyril asked if he could have 20 hard copies.

4.8 Publicity: Julie reported that the city council had agreed to an Open Day, and commented that we had done this in previous years and volunteers were required.  In previous years the money raised had gone to the President's charity.

The 26^th June could be a date, but the committee said that a date in early September would be preferable.

4.9 ECF: Cyril reported that Chris Majer had now been installed as Director of Home Chess.

There was a lot to discuss with reference to the non-payment of this years game fees to the ECF and also what we would do concerning next years game fee which would have to be proposed at this years AGM.

Several issues were brought up concerning the non payment.  Julie asked if the PC had the right to withhold payment on behalf of individual players.

Cyril suggested that we pay this years game fee and put it to the AGM for next year.

Sean said that as we had paid the £50 minimum membership fee to the ECF and as we agreed to withhold payment of game fee, we were not now obliged to pay game fee if we chose not to do so.

Alan asked about the legal implications for the PC if we didn't pay game fee and also Julie asked about the legal implications of us withholding payment of game fee as we had signed the original MO agreement with the ECF.

Julie asked about the running costs of LRCA if we withheld the game fee payment.  Sean said that of the £52.50 that the league charged teams to enter £31.50 was for game fee so the balance would still be available to fund local activities.

If required we could produce our own grading list by the end of May.

Cyril proposed that JTB and Sean draft an AGM letter asking clubs for their opinion on what they would like to do, to be later ratified by the PC.  This was seconded by Alan and passed unanimously.

4.10 MCCU: Julie reported that the MCCU had put a proposal that all county teams below the Open & Minor have a minimum of 12 boards per match.  Julie also asked for JTB to have a mandate from the LRCA to vote for this.  It was passed by a majority of 6 votes to 1.

5. County Team Finances

See 4.3 above.

6. Updating of the LRCA Constitution

6.1 Still in progress.

6.2 Sean provided a proposal to amend certain clauses and definitions to the Constitution.

It was agreed to alter the term "President" with "Honorary President" and that these amendments be passed for acceptance at the AGM.

7. Forthcoming Vacancies

Not now applicable as above.

8. AGM Attendance

Cyril has withdrawn his proposal.

9. AOB

JTB and Peter would organise asking for re-appointments and nominations for next year, also for a formal notice of this years AGM.

10. Date of Next Meeting

11 April 2007.

Peter Harrison (General secretary) – 16 April 2007