OOASC Full Committee meeting 10th February 2025 – Minutes

Minutes of the Full Committee Meeting held on Monday 10th February at 7.30 pm  in the Les Williamson Room at Old Owen’s Sports Ground.

       In attendance: A.Battersby(AB), I.Breeze(IB), Richard.Hattrell(RH), A.Hunter(AH),
                                   H.Nemko (HN), M.Oakley(MO), T.Lane(TL), A.Ward(AW)     

1. Apologies: A.Barlow, P.Kennedy, K.Rowswell, D.Webb 

2. JLC update

• January bar & catering figures were bad due to no events taking place in the Clubhouse and a lack of football matches caused by the weather. February and March are looking much better as their will be events such as a wake, poker, darts, table tennis, quiz night and an Elvis night (JLC pointed out that booking bands for events doesn’t work).

• John stated that the majority of Padel Tennis players do not come into the Clubhouse after playing and IB added that players are making a lot of noise and swearing on the courts (TL will contact Padel Project UK to make them aware and establish rules for using the courts).

3. Matters arising from previous minutes 9^th December 2024

•  JLC Contract Review

• JLC contract expires in July 2025. The Association Committee need to find out what is the JLC plan for going forward and the Committee needs to determine what is going to be best for the Association. If the Association chooses another option to JLC, then JLC has to be given 3 months notice. A meeting has been arranged for the Committee to meet at the School on the 17^th March at 7 pm to discuss the requirements of the Association before setting up a meeting with JLC at the end of March.

4. Finance (RH)

     RH provided Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet accounts as at 31^st January 2025.

• As at 31^st January 2025 the balance in the HSBC bank account was £81.3k and 12.9k in the Barclays account with 10.6k in the Owenians Alumni account. There was a surplus of 37.7k.

• The Football Club has paid a further payment for football pitch hire and Elizabeth Allen has paid half of their fee due. Roving Reporters owe circa 2k and payment will be chased by IB.

• The Football Foundation grant (£12.3k) is due to be received.

• RH added that at the moment there is no significant expenditure to be made but there will be expenditure for spring renovations to come and we can invest money into the barbeque area project..

      5. The Ground (AW/IB)

      5.1 Ground (AW/IB )     

• All Football matches were called off at the weekend by the referees due to the adverse weather but AW stated that the Ground wasn’t in too bad a condition.

• AW reported that we do have a problem with drainage and it is possible that we have a collapsed drain between the Astro pitch and pitch 2 which he will investigate. Hopefully the work required will not be too difficult in which case AW will need the cost of materials only to fix the problem. IB added that if work has to be done in that area he will advise Elizabeth Allen and Northaw football clubs that they will not be able to play any matches till further notice. TL pointed out that the Football Foundation grant (£12.3k) that we are due to receive can be put towards this work.

• AW stated that work is required on pitch 1 (i.e. gravel and sand) and advised that this work can be carried out during the cricket season.

      5.2 Padel Rent (RH)

• The rent for £5,000 from Padel Project UK has been received

      5.3 Barbeque area (TL)

• The Pergolux Sundream structure (circa £10.7k) for the Barbeque/Patio area was discussed. Members liked the look of the structure but there were some concerns as to the strength and durability of the structure if impacted by football and cricket balls (This will be investigated).

• TL is meeting another company on Wednesday to discuss a structure similar to the Pergolux installation.

• IB pointed out that whatever option that we go with in the end, we will have to investigate and address the drainage in the relevant and surrounding areas.

      5.4 Electric Car Charging Service (TL)

• There was no discussion in the meeting as there is a ‘fly in the ointment’ in that the electricity is managed and paid for by JLC. This project has therefore been shelved.

6. OOASC Sports Clubs

      6.1 OOFC Football Section (IB)

• IB reported matches have been called off due to the weather but all 5 Owens XI’s are up and running and doing Ok.

      6.2 OOCC Cricket Section (TL) 

• Junior nets are taking place on a Monday at Mount Grace School in Potters Bar and Adult nets are taking place on a Tuesday at Chancellors School in Potters Bar.

• The Junior section will have 4 teams playing this season and there will be a Sunday side playing for half the season .

      6.3 Affiliated Clubs (M O) 

• MO reported that apart from the cancelled matches due to the weather the Club is all good.

7. OOASC Membership (AH)     

8. Old Owens Website (AH)

• The website is running smoothly and is updated as and when necessary.

  The statistics for the website as at 10/02/2025 are as follows:

  Last 7 days there were  1,286 visitors with   2,336 visits

  Last 30 days there were      3,778 visitors with   8,532 visits

  Last 90 days there were      7,907 visitors with 21,344 visits

  Last 365 days there were  28,875 visitors with 76,333visits

             (The statistics are well up on the 9^th December 2024 stats.)

9. ZOO Club (AH)

• The balance in the account as at 10/02/2025 is £985.85 (includes £67 owing to Harold Moore Luncheon).

• A draw was made at the meeting by AB.

            The winner is: RICHARD HATTRELL £50 (Ball 9)

10. AOB 

            None

11. Date of next meeting

• Next meeting is scheduled for Monday 14^th April 2025, 7.30 pm at the Ground.

• Meeting ended at 9.25 pm.

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