Ground Security and Tenure Questionnaire

It was agreed at the September Quarterly meeting of Conference that members should contribute to research into security of tenure of grounds, following the highlighting of problems between Charities and sport.
A short questionnaire has been produced and members are asked to respond by 30th November.

National Planning Policy Framework - not necessarily good news for clubs.

The NPPF is not good news for sport and receation. Whilst the intention of the Governments new planning system is to simplify and encourage development, the proposals fail to protect sport and recreational facilities. The draft proposals ignore the community benefits of sport and recreation and mean that:-
Open space, sport and recreational facilities will be more vulnerable to development than they are at the moment.
Playing field protection will be reduced, despite assurances, as there is no like for like replacement.
Developers will be less likely to provide sport and recreational facilities through planning obligations.

Hope for a better deal with the PRS

The Sport and Receational Alliance has been working with the PRS to produce a better deal for clubs. The hope is for a better deal to be in place in 2012, a situation that can't come soon enough for clubs who have fallen fould of the PRS in the past.

December Meeting

The next quarterly meeting of Conference will be held on the 3rd December 2011 at Moseley CC, Solihull. On the agenda will be the draw for the 2012 inter-league competition. Papers for the meeting have been despatched to members.

More Water problems ahead

Surface Water Drainage issues have again come to the fore. Excellent guidance notes prepared by Malcolm Buck have been posted on the Members Only page, but a full resume of the situation will be presented at the Barnsley meeting on the 24th.

Next Quarterly Meeting

The next quarterly meeting of Conference is on Saturday 24th September at Barnsley Cricket Club, starting at 2.00pm. Neil Pullen, Cricket Ball Manager, Kookaburra Reader will provide delegates with a presentation on the benefits of Reader balls.

The agenda has already been circulated, but if further copies are required, please contatc the Secretary.

PLAYERS WANTED

The Conference representative team will travel to Letchworth this year for the annual match against the Club Cricket Conference. The match is on Wednesday 20th July starting at 11.00am at Letchworth Cricket Club.

Nominations of players to be considered for selection should be sent to the Team Manager, John Richards on jdraerzener@aol.com, by 15th June. Travel and overnight accomodation on the 19th will be provided.

Website Updates

The Conference website has now been updated to include the latest Legal Update, minutes of the re-arranged December meeting, and the draw for the 2011 Presidents Trophy competition. Also included is the current list of Disciplinary sanctions applicable to the coming season.

Sports Club Survey

Every two years the Sport and Recreational Alliance conducts a survey of sports clubs around the country looking at the financial health of clubs. Two previous surveys were very successful and have played a vital role in campaigning for change. If clubs would like to be involved they should contatc the Secretary who will organise a block response to the Alliance.

Regulatory Burden Review

The Sport and Recreational Alliance was commissioned by the Government to conduct a review of the red tape which sports clubs have to deal with and to provide recommendations on the areas of regulation that hold clubs back. The findings of the review will be reported to the Deputy Prime Minister, and a launch event is planned for 22nd March. Further information will follow.

Change of Name

The highly influential Central Council for Physical Recreation has now changed its name to the Sport and Recreational Alliance. Check out the website for numerous useful pieces of information of value to clubs.

2011 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting followed by the spring Quarterly meeting will be held on 12th March 2011 at Middleton Cricket Club, Manchester. The meeting which starts at 2.00pm will be preceded by lunch at 12.15pm. Bookings for lunch are essential, and should be directed to the Secretary as soon as possible.