The meeting commenced at 7.26pm

Those present: Keith Armes (KA)(Chairman), Keith Jolly (KJ)(Treasurer), Graham Robinson (GR)(Secretary), Peter Jones (PJ)(Vice Chairman), Neil Jolly (NJ), Mick Watkins (MW), Andy Gilder (AG), Sally Goodrich (SG), Jim Goodrich (JG), Marion Brown (MB), Rita Daniels (RD).

The Chairman warmly welcomed everyone onto the new committee. He particularly welcomed new member Rita Daniels back onto the committee.

1. Apologies for absence:
Freda Wright (FW), Richard Sago (RS), Jane Sago (JS).

2. Approval of previous Minutes:
Subject to the correction of spelling from Ashton to Ashdon in item 6, the minutes of the Committee Meeting of 26th April 2010 were confirmed as a true record, proposed by Andy Gilder, seconded by Graham Robinson and signed by Keith Armes.

3. Matters Arising:
None

4. Chairman’s Report:
The Chairman hoped for a successful year for all, particularly in the major events and wished everyone good luck.

5. Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary reported that he was pleased with the response to the questionnaire which was sent out with the minutes but would like to remind those clubs who have not yet responded to do so. GR had not received a copy of the AGM Chairman’s Report from Jeremy Brown although MB confirmed that it had been sent twice. It seems that e-mail addresses had been wrong so the matter can now be rectified by the use of the correct e-mail.

6. Treasurer’s Report:
As this was the first meeting since the AGM Keith Jolly did not present a balance sheet but confirmed that league and insurance money was being received together with Durham trip payments. At the next meeting he will present a detailed report.
KJ also enquired about Summer League finals day raffle prizes which it was agreed to discuss later, and ECBA Triples where MW and AG confirmed that they will be procuring everything. Receipts would be required for the balance sheet.

7. Match Secretary’s Report:
SG reported that there had been no problems with the Summer League. To date seven entries for the winter league had been received and two for the Cup.

8. Child Protection Officer’s Report:
AG reported that it looked as if the new government was taking a slightly different approach to the Act which may mean our clubs might not need to have CRB checks. It was decided to wait for a decision from the government before proceeding further.

9. County Business:
NJ reported on outstanding business. He confirmed that the trip to Durham was going ahead in a few weeks, he was just waiting for menus from Durham. Coach pickups will be Risby and Stowmarket, times to be arranged and advised.
Election of County Captain for 2010/11- Neil Jolly was prepared to stand again. There were no other proposals so he was re-elected unopposed.
Election of County Selectors for 2010/11 - NJ and SG agreed to stand. A letter had been received from Steven Cain indicating that he would like to stand again even though he was no longer a committee member. There were no objections to this and no other candidates so the three selectors were re-elected unopposed.
The running of the Closed Tournaments was then discussed. RD confirmed that she and Paul Daniels had agreed to take over the running of these, including the getting of draw prizes. GR confirmed that East Bergholt had been booked for all four tournaments. It was agreed to run each discipline at one venue only.
RD suggested that the entry fees should be put up by £1 per person and those bringing carpets should be paid. The amount considered by the committee was £10 per carpet. After discussion this was proposed by RD, seconded by JG and agreed by the committee. It will be the person transporting the carpet who will be paid, not the club. RD will pay the carpet delivers on the day, get signatures and provide KJ with a paper trail. It was agreed to remove the requirement to supply a carpet from the conditions of entry on the entry form. MB agreed to procure all the trophies this year. RD requested help from members of the committee for conducting the draw.

10. English Carpet Bowls Association:
MW had not been at the AGM at Blackpool but it had been attended by other members of the committee. He confirmed that Bedfordshire had rejoined and that David Storey had agreed to stay as referee for one more year. AG had been elected as the CPO.
There had been a sickness bug at the Norbreck Hotel during the Champion of Champions
which had affected some counties. The resulting use of substitutes, in accordance with the rules, may have affected some results and this may be raised at the next ECBA meeting.
Election of ECBA delegate for 2010/11 - MW agreed to stand again and was re-elected unopposed.

11. Eastern Counties Carpet Bowls Association:
PJ and NJ had attended the ECCBA AGM in June. Mike Walker of Bedfordshire is the new chairman now that Margaret Southgate has stepped down. Other positions remain the same and ECCBA fees will be unchanged. The ECCBA decided not to change the rules following the wrongly signed scorecard incident at the Six Counties Championship despite argument for change from Suffolk, but scorecards will be modified to reduce the likelihood of error. This means that the result of the Six Counties Championship stands with Suffolk as champions
Election of ECCBA delegate for 2010/11 - PJ agreed to stand again and was re-elected unopposed.

12. Discussion on Rules:
As agreed at the AGM the committee considered the proposal from Somersham that the five shot penalty rule for each player short be changed. There was lengthy discussion and JG pointed out that he had double checked the Somersham results sheets and found that they had played short on 12 occasions not 8 as previously stated although on 4 of those occasions it had not been specified at the bottom of the card. It was proposed by KA and seconded by AG that there be no change to the rules for the coming season and this was agreed. GR was asked to reply to the Somersham letter confirming that the issue had been fully discussed but no change was proposed for a further season.
There was discussion on the Joe Rice Cup with the suggestion that it should be regionalised in an attempt to attract more entries. It was concluded that it was too late for the 2010/11 season but for 2011/12 it is proposed to regionalise the first two rounds for the Joe Rice Cup and Chairman’s Plate. Any comments are welcome and can be given to any member of the committee before the end of the season.
NJ agreed to e-mail a copy of the latest Winter League rules to JG so they can be sent out with the league details.

13. Any Other Business:
1) GR, on behalf of FW, raised the question of payment for electricity used by the SCBA photocopier. KA confirmed that no-one should be out of pocket for SCBA costs. KJ requires the claim to have the necessary justification.
2) MW reported that ECBA subs are now due. KJ confirmed that payment is in hand.
3) SG had been asked by John Varden if more information could be put on the Dates of Interest sheet. It was agreed that where possible venues and times would be added to this list.
4) KJ said that there was one new associate member club. This was Silver Dawn, Clacton.
5) KJ raised the question of modifying the base of the Pairs trophy to accommodate more names. He had investigated some options but MB thought that our current trophy supplier may have a reasonably priced solution. MB has taken the trophy and will investigate.
6) Further to item 6, it was confirmed that SG and JG will run the Summer League Play-offs, SCBA will finance the raffle.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.

The next meeting is Monday 13th September at Needham Market.

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm.

Those present: Jeremy Brown (JB)(Chairman), Keith Jolly (KJ)(Treasurer), Graham Robinson (GR)(Secretary), Keith Armes (KA)(Vice Chairman), Freda Wright (FW), Neil Jolly (NJ), Mick Watkins (MW), Andy Gilder (AG), Sally Goodrich (SG), Jim Goodrich (JG), Peter Jones (PJ), Marion Brown (MB), Richard Sago (RS), Jane Sago (JS).

1. Apologies for absence:
Nil

2. Approval of previous Minutes:
Subject to the addition of Richard & Jane Sago and Keith Armes to the apologies list (item 1) and the correction of Goodridge to Goodrich (item 12.2), the minutes of the Committee Meeting of 25th January 2010 were confirmed as a true record, proposed by Freda Wright, seconded by Marion Brown and signed by Jeremy Brown.

3. Matters Arising:
None

4. Chairman’s Report:
The Chairman thanked all those involved in running the Suffolk Closed Championships Finals Day especially RS, JS and KA for running the event so smoothly. He congratulated all the winners. He also thanked SG & JG for all their winter league work. Thanks also went to MB for obtaining the excellent trophies and saving £300, it was agreed that this supplier should be used for future purchases.
JB thought the County Team had had a good season and had been unlucky not to win the league, he fully backed the County Captain’s decision not to accept the trophies at the Six Counties Championship.

5. Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary confirmed that both finals days had been well organised and had run smoothly. He said that all diary dates for 2011 had now been booked at either Needham Market or East Bergholt. The date for the Charity Tournament would be 22nd January 2011, the earliest available date at Needham Market. The date of the County Trials had been changed to 10th October 2010 and Bildeston had been booked.

6. Treasurer’s Report:
Keith Jolly presented a balance sheet with the provisional year end income and expenditure to 30th April 2010. The bank balance was £3502. There may be some additional items which will be included before the figures are finalised. There was a significant loss on the year but much of this was the result of exceptional items which he could explain at the AGM and included two sets of trophies bought in the year, Durham expenditure (only every other year) and courses (CPO training).
He reported that there was one new Associate Member, Ashton.
The committee approved an expenditure claim for photographic work.

7. Match Secretary’s Report:
SG explained that there had been instances of clubs not fulfilling fixtures and games being played well outside the deadline. Would clubs please notify the Match Secretary of any proposal to concede or play games late. The Division 2 East trophy had not been received from Copdock & Washbrook so could not be presented to Hintlesham & Chattisham on Winter League Finals Day.
SG confirmed the winter league and finals day results as follows:
Division 1 West - Winners Barking, runners up Brockley
Division 2 West - Winners Cockfield, runners up Barrow
Division 1 East - Winners Great Blakenham, runners up Chelmondiston
Division 2 East - Winners Hintlesham & Chattisham, runners up East Bergholt
Division 3 East - Winners Burstall, runners up Kesgrave
The above listed Division 2 & 3 winners and runners up will be promoted, the teams going down are Martlesham and Nayland from Division 1 East, Harkstead and Whatfield from Division 2 East, Woolpit and Hoggards Green from Division 1 West.
SG congratulated Great Blakenham on winning the Joe Rice Cup and the Suffolk League Final. Great Blakenham beat Barking in the Joe Rice Cup Final and Brockley beat Hintlesham & Chattisham in the Chairman’s Plate. In the divisional play-off Great Blakenham again beat Barking and in the division 2 play-off Cockfield beat Hintlesham & Chattisham.
JG reported that he had examined the league results with respect to the new shot penalty rule for clubs playing short. The system appeared to have worked well and had not made much difference to league placings.
It was agreed that the latest edition of the Summer League Rules should be sent out by the secretary with these minutes to those clubs participating in the Summer League.

8. Child Protection Officer’s Report:
AG presented a report to the meeting which is attached to these minutes. The new legislation and creation of an Independent Safeguarding Authority will require slight amendments to our proposed child protection policy, which reduces the requirements slightly. The proposal is to incorporate the SCBA child protection policy into the constitution at the AGM. The secretary will ensure that the following amendments to the constitution are tabled:
Add Item 1.ii)g) appoint a Child Protection Officer to administer the Child Protection Policy of the Association.’
Delete Item 3.1 last 6 words ‘and up to eleven other persons’ and replace with ‘Child Protection Officer and up to ten other persons.’
It was agreed that the CPO could use the official SCBA letter heading on his relevant correspondence. PJ to e-mail AG an electronic copy of the letter heading.

9. County Business: NJ reported on the fine 19-17 away win against Cambridgeshire which was not quite enough to win the league despite Cambridgeshire losing two games and Suffolk losing none. The Six Counties performances were mostly good, the result was very close with Cambridgeshire winning on shots, although an incorrect scorecard resulted in Suffolk being awarded the win on an inflexible ECCBA rule, Suffolk felt unable to accept the trophies under those circumstances.
The trip to Durham is now planned for 7 & 8th August. NJ is still waiting on costs for the coach and accommodation before circulating full details and costs.

10. English Carpet Bowls Association:
MW reported on the ECBA meetings of 23rd January & 27th March and circulated the attached notes. There was much discussion on the fact that some Suffolk bowlers (and others) had booked the Blackpool hotel direct over the Internet rather than using the official booking form. This had caused problems for ECBA who were asking for £10 per bowler to recoup their subsidy. The Suffolk bowlers had used the bowls promotional code on their booking and felt they had done nothing wrong as the booking form did not, they believe, state that it had to be used. After 2010 the ECBA have agreed that Nationals will move from Blackpool to Potters. Suffolk need someone to attend the AGM of ECBA at Blackpool on 11th June. It was agreed that it would be sorted out amongst those representing Suffolk at the Champion of Champions that weekend.
MW said that there were vacancies for the Vice Chairman and Referee at the AGM. It was agreed that Suffolk would nominate Jamie Smith of Cambridgeshire for the position of Vice Chairman.
He confirmed that Suffolk would be holding the ECBA Triples this year at East Bergholt. MW & AG were doing the site work.

11. Eastern Counties Carpet Bowls Association:
PJ reported on the meeting of 11th March. Clarification of league rules had been agreed by the addition of the following to the rules: “In the event of points being equal, placings shall be determined by consideration of ‘Shots For’ then, if necessary, ‘Shots Against’”. The outstanding issue of the charity cheque to the Air Ambulance which had not been presented, is to be resolved by ECCBA issuing a new cheque which will be delivered by Margaret Southgate. The Chairman, Margaret Southgate, had confirmed that she would be stepping down at the AGM having been chairman for 12 years. As yet there has been no response from the counties for a replacement. It may go to a ballot of counties if there are no candidates. The date of the ECCBA AGM has been changed to 10th June, PJ & NJ plan to attend.
After discussion it was agreed that Suffolk will seek a more flexible rule regarding scorecard errors. It was felt that having the county names at the bottom where the skips sign might help reduce errors.

12. Any Other Business:
1. This being the last meeting before the AGM it was agreed to have a pre-meeting on 7th June at 7.30. GR to book a room at Needham Market.
2. KJ suggested that other sources of insurance other than Endsleigh be checked out. It was felt that as Endsleigh were Brokers they were probably offering the best deal but KJ & GR to pursue.
3. PJ had been approached by Suffolk County Council regarding promoting carpet bowls as part of their ‘Platform for promoting sport, health and well-being in Suffolk’. It was agreed that the association should participate in this later in the year. PJ to sort out any arrangements.
4. SG raised the issue of players playing for different clubs in Cup and League. It was agreed to discus this at the first meeting of the new committee to see if it was necessary to change the wording of item 1.d) in the Winter rules.
5. RS, JS and KA were thanked by the chairman for all their great work over the years running the closed tournaments, it is understood that Paul and Rita Daniels have agreed to take over and run these in a similar fashion.
6. In response to a question the CPO advised that if a club were concerned about a player’s behaviour because of illness they should get in touch with the relevant health authority.
7. JG raised an issue regarding booking for ECBA events at Potters where Potters appeared to be offering special offers cheaper than the ECBA agreed rate. MW was asked to raise with ECBA.
8. MW is holding keys for Needham Market and it was agreed that he should retain them and make the venue aware he has them.
9. KA reported that there was only one entry for the Junior Championships so it was agreed not to run it this year. KA is holding the trophy.
10. JB questioned whether the annual Suffolk league v Bury league match was going ahead. GR asked to urgently contact Stephen Mayhew of Bury league to check situation and advise.
11. Martlesham have notified the committee that they have a mat for sale. Clubs to contact Martlesham if they are interested.
12. Mencap have approached JB as they are looking for equipment. If any club has a spare carpet and equipment they would be prepared to lend or donate to the charity please contact JB.
13. The subsidy for bowlers representing Suffolk at the Champion of Champions at Blackpool was agreed at £45 per person (as last year).
14. All committee members present with the exception of JB agreed to stand for election at the AGM. GR to contact Steven Cain and Dick Williamson to check their intentions.

The meeting closed at 9.50pm.