OOASC Full Committee Meeting 21st August 2023 – Minutes

Minutes of the Full Committee Meeting held on Monday 21st August 2023
at 7.30 pm in the Les Williamson Room at Old Owen’s Sports Ground.

In attendance:     I.Breeze(IB), J., E., & L Clark(JLC), Richard Hattrell(Richard),
                            Rob Hattrell(Rob), A.Hunter(AH), P.Kennedy(PK), T.Lane(TL),
                            M.Oakley(MO), K.Rowswell(KR)

1. Apologies: H.Nemko, V.Tanner, D.Webb

2. JLC update (John, Ed & Lynn Clark)

• JLC produced the Bar & Food figures from January to July 2023. Bar and Food income for July has increased compared to June but down on last year’s figures.

• JLC reported that there are party bookings in the next few weeks and 2 wakes. Looking to book tribute acts, quiz nights and hopefully some bookings for Christmas. Also looking to resurrect a function for New Years Day.
• JLC considering putting up beer prices due to outside price increases. JLC are having problems with acquiring a new Till System from MCR even though we have a maintenance agreement with them (TL & Richard to check the agreement). JLC to see if there are better deals with regard to Utility Bills.

• JLC looking forward to the commencement of Padel Tennis with operating times from 8 am to 10 pm daily and will advertise in the local papers and are considering doing breakfast. JLC have also acquired 3 additional tables and 12 chairs for the Patio.

• JLC agreed to the proposal from the Committee with regard to payments for the rent as follows:

       There will be a rent payment holiday from the 1/4/2023 to 30/9/2023 except for
       payments for the Bungalow and Rates. The arrears owing for rent will be repaid over 12
       months from August 2023.

       Revised payments on the original rent amount will be paid from October 2023 to March
       2024 with the original rent amount payment recommencing from April 2024 and price
        increase on the rent frozen until 31/7/2025. 

3. Matters arising from previous minutes 7th June 2023

• None

4. Finance (Richard Hattrell)
   

• Richard presented figures for Profit and Loss and the Balance Sheet. As at 31st July 2023 there was £86.6k in the HSBC bank account, £10.9k in the Barclays account, £10.6k in the Owenians Alumni account and a surplus of £13.5k. Richard stated that the figures do not include any costs for Autumn renovations (circa £4.5k) which will be done at the end of the Cricket season and before the start of the Football season.

• Richard will check the value of the Investment Bond and will have a look at the estimated Water Bill received & try and get a reading done. He will also look at the details sent in a letter regarding ownership of the Bungalow.

• Richard is looking into opening a new Barclays account in the name of Old Owens Association & Sports Club Ltd to replace the current Old Owens Association account (where Association membership is paid into by Standing Orders).
• Richard stated that Baxter & Co. Solicitors have filed the Association Accounts in Companies House.

5. The Ground (Tim Lane)
   

      5.1 Ground 

• Autumn renovations will be done after the Cricket season finishes and before the start of Football (Andy Ward).

• The next Football Foundation grant (£18k) is due in October 2023 and there is a need to find out what is required to obtain the grant (TL, IB, Andy Ward & Jon Robinson to liaise). If successful we can look at installing an irrigation system and a sprinkler & 130m hose.

      5.2 Clubhouse Refurbishment 

• TL has contacted Jackie Campbell with regard to progress on obtaining a blinds contractor for the Main Bar area.  

      5.3 Paddle Tennis Project

• The disused Tennis Courts have been cleared and the surface has been laid for 2 double courts and a potential single court. Padel Tennis UK is awaiting confirmation of the Planning application submitted which should be imminent. 

• Padel Tennis UK to liaise with JLC with regard to the running etc when completed. 

• Need to look at Car Parking especially on busy days and might need to have martials in attendance. 

6. OOASC Sports Clubs

      6.1    OOFC Football Section (PK/IB)

• Owens teams will be playing in the Herts League on Saturdays this season in Div 1, Div 2 and Div 5 (Matches commence on the 2^nd September 2023). There will be an Owens 4^th XI playing on Saturdays in the SAL (Regionalised). There will be no Vets XI this season on Sundays.

      6.2    OOCC Cricket Section (TL)

• The Junior section was a success this season with many juniors turning up for Monday night training under their respective age groups. Matches were also played against other Clubs (i.e. U9, U12 & U14) and the progress and the improvements of players were significant. Also 2 juniors were selected to play each week on a Saturday for the 3^rd XI in the Saracens Herts. League (Division 11C) and all did themselves proud, which bodes well for the future of Old Owens Cricket.

• The 1^st XI are near the bottom of the Premiership with 2 matches to go. At worst the 1^st XI will play the Championship runner up in a play-off. The 2^nd XI is near the top and best case scenario is a runner up spot. The 3^rd XI is top and requires 1 win from the last 2 games to win Division 11C. 

• There is a possibility that Old Owens will be running a 4^th XI next year on Saturdays in a Friendly League. 

• IB advised that a mobile Cricket Net Cage from Owens School is available (TL to follow up). 

      6.3    Affiliated Clubs 

• MO reported that there will be 3 new U7 teams this season plus 23 boys teams (U7-U18) and 1 girls team (U10). Start on 9^th September 2023.
• MO enquired about Association Membership for parents of the teams (AH to liaise with MO).

7. OOASC Membership (Alan Hunter)     

Note: All Bank payments shown are paid into the Barclays OOA account by Standing Order.

8. Old Owens Website (Alan Hunter)

• The website is running smoothly and is updated as and when necessary. Visitors and visits have decreased for August, which is probably due to the holiday season (AH to monitor future stats).

• The statistics for the website as at 21/08/2023 are as follows:
  Last 7 days there were 250 visitors with 745 visits
  Last 30 days there were 1,130 visitors with 4,949 visits
  Last 90 days there were 4,293 visitors with 15,991 visits
  Last 365 days there were 24,453 visitors with 88,506 visits

9. ZOO Club (Alan Hunter)

• The balance in the account as at 21/08/2023 is £889.35 (which includes £55 owing to the Harold Moore Luncheon Account).

             A draw was made at the meeting by Rob.
             The winner of the £50 1st prize is Ian Breeze (Ball no. 5).

10. AOB 

      10.1 None         

11. Date of next meeting

• Next meeting is scheduled for Monday 16^th October 2023, 7.30 pm at the Ground. 

Meeting ended at 21.20 pm.

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