NORTHERN POLICE CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Annual General Meeting held South Leeds Stadium, West Yorkshire, at 4.15 pm on Tuesday 4 March 1997.

MINUTES

1.	OPENING OF MEETING BY CHAIRMAN

	Due to recent illness the chairman, Ken Taylor, was unable to be present. It was 	agreed that Ian Campbell be co-opted as chairperson for this meeting. 

	The chair thanked Steve Broadbent for his work with the League in his second 	season as Secretary.

	ATTENDANCE

	Ian Campbell			(GMP)
	Steve Broadbent		(Lancashire)
	David  Kirk			(Cleveland)
	Kevin Lincoln			(South Yorkshire)
	Malcolm Fowler		(Cheshire)
	Keith Castle			(West Yorkshire)
	Mal Dunne			(Humberside)
	Les Mercer			(Merseyside)
	
2.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

	Ken Taylor			(Lancashire)
	Kenneth Gunn		(North Yorkshire)
	Andy Peden			(Atomic Energy)
	Karl Dyer			(Cheshire)
	Stuart Porritt			(Cleveland)

	Andy Peden sent a further apology on behalf of his Force. Due to circumstances 	neither himself or any other members were unable to attend any of the 1996/7 	fixtures. All being well he does hope to muster up runners for the coming year.	

3.	MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING

	Copies of minutes from the previous meeting held on the 5 March 1996 were 	distributed to all present. These minutes were circulated soon after that meeting in 	the NPCCL Annual Report. They were checked for accuracy and voted a true record. 

(2)

4.	MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ALREADY ON AGENDA

	There were no matters arising.

5.	ELECTION OF OFFICIALS

	(i) 	Chairman

	The secretary spoke to Ken Taylor the previous evening. At present he is still off 	work recovering from his recent illness. Ken was unable to say when he would 	resume duties but did say it was probable that he would retire from the force later 	this year.

	Ken asked that he stand down from his role as Chairman. He wished to thank the 	League representatives for the recent gift which was sent to him. He was delighted 	with the gesture and appreciated the their support.

	Ian Campbell added that the secretary write to Ken on behalf of the league and 	thank him for all his hard work over the years.

	In view of the change in circumstances the secretary asked for nominations for a 	new Chairman. The obvious choice was Ian Campbell who has stood in as 	vice-chairman for the past three years.

	Ian said he would ne delighted to take up the role. A unanimous vote was received 	all round.

	(ii)	Secretary/Treasurer	- no other nominations - Steve Broadbent duly 		
		re-elected.	

6.	FORCE REPRESENTATIVES

	The secretary circulated a current League representative contact list. He asked that 	he be informed of any changes prior to the new season.

7.	SECRETARY'S REPORT AND ACCOUNT SHEET FOR 1996/1997

	The Secretary presented a written report, copies of which were handed to those 	present. His report covered the activities of the League over the previous twelve
	months. See attached copies. 
 
8.	KEN TAYLOR - RECENT ILLNESS

	All aspects of this item were discussed during item 5. 

(3)

9.	SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 1997/1998 SEASON

	During the secretary's report reasons were given for increasing the annual 	subscriptions. It was agreed that the £20.00 subscription should be increased to 	£30.00.

10.	CHANGE OF FIXTURE DAY

	It had been suggested to discuss changing the Tuesday fixture day to a later day of 	the week. The main reasons were because Tuesday tended to be too soon after the 	weekend and some runners had not recovered from weekend races.

	Wednesday was the only alternative day as Thursday and Fridays were perhaps to 	near to the weekend. 

	However, Wednesdays were not ideal as this day is used by many other sports 	sections and past experiences have shown it to clash.

	It was decided to continue with the Tuesday fixture date. 

11.	FIXTURE LIST FOR 1997/1998 SEASON

	The following were arranged:

			N.P.C.C.L. FIXTURES

	14/10/97	-	HUMBERSIDE
	04/11/97	-	MERSEYSIDE
	18/11/97	-	CLEVELAND
	10/12/97	-	NORTH v. MIDLANDS - SOUTH YORKSHIRE
	13/01/98	-	WEST YORKSHIRE
	03/02/98	-	LANCASHIRE
	03/03/98	-	G.M.P.

			P.A.A. RELAYS
	
	17/02/98	-	CHESHIRE

			P.A.A NATIONALS

	Date to be notified

(4)

12.	P.A.A. CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS

	As discussed in the Secretary's report there was concern for the future of this event.
	
	In order to boost the popularity of this event the Secretary proposed that the event 	be a 'counting' fixture toward the League. Therefore Forces would have the 	opportunity  to compete in 	six out of EIGHT fixtures.

	It was agreed that this was a good idea but could cause problems in the individual 	event as split times could be regarded as bias and unfair depending which 'leg' of 	the relay you ran.

	It was therefore voted that the Relays would be included as a counting fixture in 	respect of the 'team' event only.

	It was also voted that the relays be 'three' legs only for the men's open and not four 	and the leg distance be increased to 3 1/2 to 4 miles. This would make the running 	more competitive and encourage more runners to compete.

	The Secretary asked that all Force representatives make every effort to support this 	event.

13.	REFRESHMENTS - NORTH v. MIDLANDS FIXTURE
	
	The Secretary had received feedback from many runners about the lack of 	substantial refreshments at these fixtures.

	Kevin Lincoln expressed that his force were willing to provide a hot meal but the 	Midlands hosts did not have funds available to return the favour.

	The Chairman said he would speak to the Midlands Secretary and see if the matter 	could be improved.

 	Kevin Lincoln stated that he would be willing to provide a hot meal to all runners at 	his forthcoming event in December. This in turn may prompt Midlands to return the 	favour the following year.

14.	RULE CHANGE - NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS TO COUNT

	The Secretary asked that the amendment to this item during the last season be 	discussed and if need be written into the Official League rules. 

	It was agreed that in cases of bad weather a Force may be allowed to have just two 	out of four counting team members as opposed to three out of four.

(5)

15.	NEW IDEAS FOR PRIZES

	As discussed in the Secretary's report comments were invited regarding the use of 	'gift vouchers' as suitable prizes. 

	All members agreed they were a good idea as they allowed budget flexibility and 	also gave the recipients flexibility in prize choice. 

	It was voted that they be used again but suggested that the book idea also be used 	again in forthcoming seasons ahead.

16.	WHEREABOUTS OF TROPHIES

	The Secretary was concerned that all trophies were accounted for. It was his 	intention to introduce a 'Most improved runner' award but it had been brought to his 	attention that the League did already have such a trophy.

	The Chairman confirmed there were currently five and all were present at today's 	presentation. One trophy - The 'Gerry Charnley' - was originally the 'Most improved 	Runner' award but was re-adopted three years ago as the '1st Veteran' instead. This 	would account for the possible confusion.

17.	ANY OTHER BUSINESS

	(i)	The issue over the distance for ladies was raised. It was suggested that it be 		increased to around 4 miles. 

		This was agreed and representatives were asked where possible to ensure 		their courses cater for this distance accordingly next season.

	(ii)	Kevin Lincoln asked that the 3rd prize placing be included for the ladies and 		veterans awards. It was agreed that it was unfair to exclude a 3rd place just 		because there were insufficient runners contending. 

		The Secretary said he had already recognised a call for a Veteran's team 		award which had not preciously been awarded. There was also a possible call 		for a Lady veterans award.

		All these prize variations would be considered or included again next season.
	
	(iii)	The Secretary asked that he wished to officially thank his father-in-law, Alan 		Rothwell for coming to Leeds today and assist him with the preparation of the 		final results and the AGM.

18.	CLOSURE OF MEETING

	The meeting closed at 5 pm.