December 2012 Meeting

Thext quarterly meeting of Conference will be held at Moseley Cricket Club, Solihull on Saturday 1st December starting at 2.00pm.

The full Agenda will be published in a couple of weeks time.

The Next 50 years

It was agreed by the Executive Committee at the meeting in September that we would conduct a survey of all members to establish our strengths and weaknesses. A questionnaire has now been sent to all members seeking views, which, when assimilated, will enable us to form a strategy for the next fifty years.

Within hours of issuing the questionnaire three member leagues had responded with positive feedback. It would be extremely gratifying if all members would respond by the 20th November deadline.

September Legal Updates

To read the latest Legal Updates prepared by Malcolm Buck, and presented to delegates at the last Conference meeting in September, go to the Members Only page.

The Updates refer to the Samll Charitable Donations Bill, notes on the impact of the National Planning Policy rewview, and a variety of other topical issues with potential impact on clubs.

The Small Charitable Donations Bill 2012

The impact of the proposed Small Charitable Donations Bill may well cause clubs to reconsider their position with regard to Community Amateur Sports Club status. Clubs already benefitting from the CASC status will, when the Bill becomes Law, be able to access further funding from HMRC relating to small donations below £20. In effect clubs could benefit to the tune of up to £5000 per annum as gift aid relating to an accumulation of small donations of £20 or less.

To read more on the subject, a paper, presented to delegates at the September meeting of Conference has been added to the Members Only page.

Major changes in Durham

Major changes are iminent in Durham with the demise of three old and respected leagues in the area. At the close of this season, the Durham Senior League, the Durham Coast league and the Durham County League will all cease to exist. This will result in the creation of one new Durham league for the 2013 season, with 25 clubs each playing the others once, before separation into two divisions in the 2014 season.

In addition the North East Premier League will expand to two divisions in the 2013 season.

Cleckheaton Cricket Club venue for next meeting

The September meeting of Conference scheduled for Saturday 29th September will be held at Cleckheaton Cricket Club, Bradford. The meeting will commence at 2.00pm, and papers for the meeting will be sent to members in the course of the next week.

Presidents Trophy Update

The appalling weather this season has played havoc with the Presidents Trophy as it has with most forms of domestic cricket around the country. Particularly hard hit has been the North East where the competition has been put back several weeks.

By now we should have concluded the semi-finals, but only three of the four participants have been decided. This will inevitably mean that the final scheduled for the 2nd September will have to be postponed.

As things currently stand the Nottinghamshire Premier League are through to the semis by beating the Northumberland & Tyneside Senior League, who had earlier put out the Yorkshire & Derbyshire League.

In the bottom half of the draw the holders, North Staffs & South Cheshire, having beaten the Derbyshire & Cheshire League, hosted the Shropshire County League, who had earlier beaten the Staffs Club Cricket Championship.

The outstanding semi-final place will be decided on Sunday 19th August, when the North Yorkshire & South Durham League make the short trip north to meet the Durham Coast League, victors yesterday over the Bassetlaw & Dist League.

Conference Team for Nantwich

The annual match against the Club Cricket Conference takes place at Nantwich on Wednesday 15th August, with an 11.00am start. The match will be of 50 overs per innings and promises to be a competitive affair with the visitors anxious to avenge their narrow defeat last year at Letchworth.
The team is as follows:   Daniel Berry - Captain
                                     Neil Pullen 
                                     Scott Kirwan
                                     James Duffy
                                     Kuma Sarna
                                     Lee Dale
                                     Lee Dixon
                                     Jack Williams
                                     Alex Matthews
                                     Nick James
                                     Daniel Woods

The new National Planning Policy Review and how it affects clubs

The long awaited NPPR has now been published and has significant implications for sports clubs. Conference amongst many others has lobbied hard for the interests of cricket clubs and for the most part the pleas have been heard.

Malcolm Buck has prepared a summary of the Policy and its implications and it has now been added to the Members Only page.

There still remains work to be done to ensure that clubs have input into the local plans referred to in the Policy and that will be an ongoing campaign which Conference will champion.

2012 Conference Handbook

The 2012 Handbook has now been published, and contains a history of Conference over the first 50 years. To obtain a copy contact the Secretary. The cost is £5 including p & p.