Windmill Angling Club March AGM 2022 Meeting Minutes

1. Apologies for Absence

Received from Kieron Murphy, Steve Scott, Adam Young, Mick Braddock, Ray Boden, Nick Hunt and Paul Abela.

2. Minutes of the last AGM (2021)
These were read from the website, this meeting was held via Zoom due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
No matters were arising

3. Secretary’s Report
Mark Bowden summarised all the work that has been done over the past 2 years despite the pandemic and also commented on the healthy status of the club. Particularly the Environment Agency Grant and associated Silt and Treework, Website, What’s App Groups, Stocking of numerous fish – particularly the bonus additions from the Environment Agency and the large Perch obtained recently, the increase in membership and the Charity match. Thanks in particular were passed onto Andy Southern and Bob Hallworth for all their hard work in achieving such vast improvements to Hunters Pool and the Club in general.

4. Treasurer’s Report
Andy Southern summarised the financial status of the club which is deemed to be currently very healthy. He particularly wanted to thank those that have also made donations to supplement all the work we have been able to do and also all the hours that people have put in at Hunters Pool to comply with the requirements of the grant.

The Environment Agency visited the pool in January to view how the grant had been spent they are very pleased with the outcome and completion of the works given the complications of the pandemic. It is hoped they may look favourably on a further grant application which was discussed in principle.

Current Membership: 61, including 2 Honorary members, 6 Juniors and 37 Seniors. Money in the bank currently stands at £1,138 however, we have approximately £400 to pay out this year for insurance and £80 for a replacement mirror. We also have some money to come in from the branded clothing that will add about £100 to the club’s account.

Due to money recently spent on the extra stocking of the Perch, we don’t plan to spend any on further stocking this year or next year.

Andy Southern has applied for a grant from Sport England to cover costs associated with Winter Storm damage (A fallen tree and excessive Silt) The Outcome is TBD. (On 28th March 2022, we received notification that we have secured this money from Sport England).
Accounts for the year were shared with those present and have been audited and approved by Ray Boden and were deemed to be complete by the members present.

5. Match Secretary’s report
Stuart Drabble and Bob Hallworth summarised the matches held during the last year and thanked everyone for their support. They indicated they will look to do similar events this year with provisional dates already available on the website.

6. Working Party Officer’s report
Bob Hallworth summarised the work done this year and passed on his thanks to all those who have helped. An Adhoc Working Party has been arranged for Saturday 9/4/22 in order to sort out the fallen tree in the little pool and move sand from the causeway to facilitate the growth of new plants/grass etc.
Main Spring/Summer Working Parties planned for 23 & 24/4/22 and 21/5/22 and have been published on the website for all to see.

7. Election of Officers and Committee for 2022/23
The following appointments were made:
• President – Ray Boden
• Chairman – Mark Bowden
• Secretary – Peter Boyce
• Treasurer – Andy Southern
• Data Protection Officer – Andy Southern
• Webmaster – Andy Southern
• Match Secretary – Stuart Drabble
• Assistant Match Secretary – Bob Hallworth (this position will be reviewed as to whether it it no longer necessary)
• Minutes Secretary – Stuart Drabble
• Honorary Auditor – Ray Boden
• Fisheries/Working Party Officer – Bob Hallworth
• Assistant Working Party Officer – deemed no longer necessary

8. Notice of Motions
All the minor rule changes available on the website were summarised and approved (Clarification on Keepnets, Cups being the property of the club and movement of fish).
The additional position of ‘Webmaster’ was approved with the nomination of Andy Southern.
The motion that all subs be paid by 31/1 in order to assist Andy Southern with accounts was approved.

9. Trustees of Hunters Pool

M. Bowden, S. Drabble, B. Hallworth, A. Southern
No change required for 2023

10. A.O.B.
10.1: Mark Bowden asked for feedback regarding Future Club Policy. Nick Metcalfe indicated on behalf of members that those present are very happy with the way the club is being run. He suggested however that due to the amount of work that has been undertaken at Hunters Pool, we ought to try and leave doing any major work for a while to let things settle down and ‘get back to nature’. Comments were noted and it was agreed we would look to do that after the Working Parties planned April and May to finish off getting the ‘infrastructure’ right.

10.2: Mark Bowden asked membership what they would like to do in future for meetings in person – It was agreed to hold in person meetings January ’23 and AGM March ’23 and a meeting at Hunters Pool 20/6/22.

10.3: Andy Southern asked if members would like to hold a Juniors match and encouraged those who are parents/grandparents to get together and organise something, effectively being a “Steering Group”.

11. Meeting Closed 20:47

Thank you to all the members who attended, it was really great to see so many faces.