CHESHIRE COUNTY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the meeting held at Frodsham Community Centre on Wednesday 19th December 2007.
Apologies: Julie Hicken & Marian Allen.
      1. Present: P Allen (Chairman), R Lynch, JL Driscoll, W Smith, S McGrath, E Gore, AFJ Thiemicke, AG Bunner, MJ Lamb, J Shellhorn & BJ Warren.
      2.Minutes of the Meeting held on 14.11.07.
Approved after the following changes were made:
i.	Item 8 a) Replace the 2nd Sale with Stockport,
3.   Matters Arising from the Minutes
	None
4.	Correspondence
i.	Letter from Anthony Crowther to say that his mother, Bertha Crowther had died in August ’07 and in her will there was a £500 legacy left to our Association. She was at one time Chairperson of the Cheshire Ladies Association and Olympian. She represented Great Britain at the 1948 Games in Wembley at 80mH and high jump. She also represented her country at the 1950 British Empire Games in high jump and came 2nd.  The Committee must decide how this money should be used. Some discussion ensued, including the wish to associate the legacy with high jump.
ii.	UKCAU inform us that the Inter County 10K will be incorporated in the Northbrook 10K RR, Coventry on 19.10.08.entry forms to go to Race Secretary : Mr AT French, 66 Brackenhurst Road, Coundon, Coventry CV6 2DR. Entry fee is £7.Closing date is 17.5.08.
iii.	UKA has put out a Rules Revision 2008, Consultation on Proposals document. Comments are called for by 7.1.08.
iv.	Consultation on Age Group Rule proposals
UKA seeks further consultation on this document and replies by 31.3.08.They have boiled down the options to two, which we can discus next month.
5.	Financial Matters	      £
Current A/C		3627.52
Business A/C		  135.50
Building Soc.		5018.68		
Total			8781.70
The following bills are pending: medals £1145, first aid £240 and toilets £360 for the Cross Country and an income of about £1400 is anticipated.
It was suggested that with our current assets in the bank, it could be worth seeking a current account that pays a respectable interest of 5% or 6%.
6.	Officials Report
At the NW Regions Officials meeting last month, it was agreed that each County would run courses to Level 3 and they would be subsidised by the Region.  
Bill Consterdine and Jim Jones will be out of action for most of this year because of health reasons and Jeannie Jones has given up cross country work.
7.	Coaching Report
No new courses have announced in the past month.
8.	County Championships
a)	Cross Country at Birchwood, Warrington on Sat 5.1.08
Toilets, refreshments, medals and first aid are covered. The referee will be A Thiemicke. It was agreed that a gun was not necessary and AG Bunner would be the starter. Other Officials have yet to be arranged. Only 1/3 of the anticipated entries have so far been received. See web site for entry details. 
b)	Track & Field on 10/11.5.08
West Cheshire confirmed that they could meet the requirements raised at the last meeting, but the Committee was concerned at the high cost of hiring toilets and asked if the Borough would be prepared to offer financial assistance here, on the basis that the track should better provided for. Gazebos can be provided.
c)	Track Relays
A date was discussed but not resolved. Either Sat. 27, Sun 28 June or Sun.6.6.08.Reverting to evenings was also considered.
The location was not agreed because of uncertainties over cost variations at different sites, which are being investigated.
d)   NW Road Relays on 13.9.08 in Cheshire
A party of 6 went to investigate the suitability of Marbury Park near Northwich and found the location admirable. It is all off the highway, hardcore paths, a supportive head warden, changing facilities in the swimming pool and some toilets. The cost of hiring the pool (which will not be in use) is £15/hr.
It is planned to use the site on 19.4.08 for the Cheshire Spring Relays for U13s and U15s, when experience can be gained. Also a cross country is planned there.
9.	Road Race Matters
a) There are 7 participants in the Grand Prix at present but the final set up will be known by the year end. There will be a new licensing set up next April.
               b) Road Race Leadership Group will have some electoral changes next year. We must ensure that we vote for the appropriate choices.   
   c) It was agreed that the Cheshire 10K should be incorporated in the Sutton 6 on 21.9.08.
   d) A 10 mile Championship has been agreed for the North. 
10.	England Athletics/NW Region/Northern Athletics Matters
Interviews for the new manager have taken place but no formal appointment has yet been made.
Concern was expressed by the Committee, at the staff turn over in the Regions, in England Athletics, UKA and Sport UK. Professional staff were hopping from one sport to another in large numbers which is not benefiting any sport, and work is being left undone. There is a fundamental problem, which all sports need to address, but it is outside our control.
11.	Any Other Business
a)	An on line payments system for championships is being encouraged.
b)	The Tom Pink Relays will be staged at Sport City on 9.3.08 (for U11s to U15s) funded by a legacy via AAA of England. It will be organised by AG Bunner.
c)	Congratulations to George Bunner on receiving a special award from UKA for Meritorious Service to Athletics.
d)	Also, congratulations to West Cheshire who were presented with the Sport England –sponsored BBC North West Community Sport Club of the Year Award.  
12.	Date of next meeting.
	The January ‘08 meeting has been sought for the 23rd and the AGM on 13.2.08.I will confirm them in the agenda, which will have to be issued later. 
BJ Warren, Secretary, 21.12.07