Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the B.M.F.A. North West Area held on
3 December 2008 at St Aidan's Parish Centre, Winstanley, Wigan.
Persons Present
David Lloyd-Jones Chairman, Delegate / CCMAA
Steve Ogden Area PRO/PMAG
Derek Gilbert Secretary & Treasurer / Sale MFC
Roy Allam Achievement Scheme Coordinator/FCMFA
Keith Barker Area Web Master / Rochdale MAC
Joe Flynn Area Free Flight Sec
Gerry Ferer Auditor/Timperley MF
Jim Radcliffe Auditor/Timperley DMFC
Sue Reeves PMAG
John O'Donnell Timperley MF
Syd Bostock-Lawton FSMAE Phoenix MAC
Frank Fletcher R.A.F. Shawbury MFC
Peter Maw Bickershaw MFC
Tom Anyon Fylde Coast MFA
Phil Owens NWFF Group
Jim Martlew Hindley Green MFC
12 voting
The meeting commenced at 20. 10
Apologies for Absence
M Eccles and Wayne Harman.
Minutes of the previous meeting
Phoenix proposed and Fylde Coast seconded that the minutes of the Annual General
Meeting for 2008 are approved. The meeting approved the minutes F: 12, A: 0,
Abst: 0
Matters Arising
None
Officer's Reports
Chairman
The Chairman, David Lloyd-Jones reported that the past year had gone well, but
would like to see more club delegates attending the area meetings.
The Rochdale indoor and Shawbury meetings were very successful and the Eddie
Riding competition went very well despite the weather. He thanked everyone who
had helped with all the events.
Whilst there was some concern that Woodvale may not happen next year, he was
confident that this was unlikely but if not we should still be able to run the
event at another venue.
Secretary
Derek Gilbert reported that his year as Secretary had been quite uneventful,
attendances were a little down on last year, being 12 - 16 attending. The numbers
attending today are down on last year, but this can be explained by the forecast
dreadful weather.
The Area submitted 2 proposals to Council during the year.
Despite some difficulties with our booked meeting dates being changed, he felt
the present location for our meetings is still a good one. We have discussed
if we should rotate meetings around the area, but the conclusion has been not
to, and continue to have the meetings near the physical centre of the area.
Other areas are trying an "E Mail" meeting, but have not seen any
real reports of their effectiveness and here we have tried to encourage clubs
who can't attend to raise issues this way.
Treasurer
Derek Gilbert, as Treasurer, reviewed the accounts for the year ended 31st March
2008 which showed a small surplus of £177 bringing the surplus funds now
to £6, 248. He went on to explain the major items of income and expenditure.
Income from sale of goods was very disappointing with takings down to £463
giving us a profit of £118.
During the current year we have sold the stock back to the office and have been
given a share of the profits amounting to £173.27 despite the poor sales
at Woodvale.
The Treasurer thanked Gerry and Jim for giving up their time to audit the accounts for us.
Achievement Scheme Coordinator
Roy Allam, Achievement Scheme Coordinator, reported that most clubs had reduced
activity again this year and the scheme reflected this. No doubt the weather
has been a major reason and for the coming year, with the economic climate being
what it is, there could be reduced numbers again. There was an increase in Heli
testing but little interest shown in Silent Flight. Most clubs in the area now
have a good number of club examiners so it is likely the ACE's we have should
cope easily with any tests required.
Roy wished to thank all the ACE's for their work and would recommend that they
all be ratified for next year.
Roy proposed that all examiners be ratified for next year and this was seconded
by Rochdale and approved by the meeting
F: 10 A: 0 Ab: 2
PRO
The PRO stated that other than preparing posters for Keith he had not been asked
to do much else as most publicity for events has been done by the event organisers.
Webmaster and Indoor Secretary
Keith Barker, Area Webmaster, reported the web site was still going strong and
was still being visited quite often and generating enquiries. He reminded clubs
to let him have details of their events for promoting on the web site.
Free Flight Secretary
Joe Flynn, Area Free Flight Secretary, noted that the search for a replacement
flying site goes on with little success and Rufford becoming less suitable each
year and probably quite unsuitable soon. At present only about 9 flyers take
part in the events. The weather and consequent flooding had affected the Rufford
site. He had looked at a replacement site to the NW of Rufford but had been
advised it was not a safe place due to flooding. John O'Donnell suggested two
sites that may be worth considering.
Area Chief Examiners Reports
Tom Anyon, and David Lloyd-Jones reported to the meeting and Ray Jones, Bill
Cowell, Andy Ellison and Richard Budd, had their written reports read to the
meeting detailing their activities in the year.
In general they reported again a quiet year with few tests conducted. Richard
Budd had been asked to help with promotional DVDs on "A" and "B"
safety matters, was working on a "C" test for helicopters and was
keen to see more examiners meetings at club fields.
Roy Allam considered that testing was now well covered by club examiners which
left a much reduced work load for the ACEs.
Election of Officers
The following retiring Officers were prepared to continue in office and as there
was no-one wishing to stand against them, they were all re-elected to hold office
until the 2010 AGM:
Chairman David Lloyd-Jones
Delegate David Lloyd-Jones
Treasurer Derek Gilbert
Auditor Jim Radcliffe
Keith Barker informed the meeting that he would like to be considered for the position of PRO. Steve Ogden stated that he would withdraw from the position. Phoenix proposed and Fylde Coast seconded that Keith Barker be appointed PRO until the 2010 AGM.
Joe Flynn withdrew from the position of Free Flight Secretary and asked that Phil Owens take his place until the 2009 AGM
The meeting also re-elected, unopposed:
Webmaster: Keith Barker
Scale Comp Sec: David Lloyd-Jones
Indoor Sec: Keith Barker
To hold office until the 2009 AGM
Date of the 2009 AGM
As there was no one present from St Aidan's who could confirm booking dates
this was left to the next Area meeting to agree.
The meeting ended at 21.18
These minutes are provisional until approved at the next annual general meeting