OOASC Full Committee meeting 14th April 2025 – Minutes

Minutes of the Full Committee Meeting held on Monday 14th April at 7.30 pm in the Main Hall at Old Owen’s Sports Ground.

      In attendance:   I.Breeze(IB), Richard.Hattrell(RH), Rob Hattrell (ROH), A.Hunter(AH),
                                P.Kennedy (PK), M.Oakley(MO), T.Lane(TL), K.Rowswell (KR), A.Ward(AW)

1. Apologies: A.Battersby, H.Nemko, D.Webb

2. JLC update (John Clark)

• March bar & catering figures were good due to events that took place. February bar and catering figures not so good. John stated that there are minimal bookings and events and as a result he is finding it difficult to make ends meet as his expenditure each month is generally more than his income. John stated that he needs to go through the figures more closely to see how he can generate more income (e.g. raising the price of drinks etc) as he would like to continue with the business if possible.

3. Matters arising from previous minutes 10^th February 2025

•  JLC Contract Review

• JLC contract expires in July 2025. As already mentioned in John’s update above, he is finding it difficult to make ends meet.  He was advised by the meeting that he needs to be clear what he wants to do going forward and put together a financial proposal to present to the Committee. During the meeting it was decided to form a sub-committee to discuss options for the renewal of the contract (The sub-committee will meet sometime in May).

4. Finance (RH)     

• RH provided Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet accounts as at 31^st March 2025.
• As at 31^st March 2025 the total balance in the bank accounts (i.e. HSBC and Barclays) was £96k, 10.6k in the Owenians Alumni account and a surplus of 22.6k.
• Elizabeth Allen owes half of their pitch hire fee and Roving Reporters owes circa 2k (IB to chase payments).

• Spring Renovations are to be done (circa £16k – £18k )
• Football Foundation Grant (£12.3k) is expected (AW to chase and complete procedures).

5. The Ground (AW/IB)

   5.1 Ground (AW/IB)     

• Football at the Ground has finished. Spring renovations will start this week (i.e. scarifying, verti-drain, seeding, sand etc).  

• AW is looking at the plans and quotations received to action the drainage problems during the Cricket season as the works required will be outside the cricket boundaries.
• AW to order and replace goal nets on pitches 2,3 and 4 (possible funding might be obtained).

• AW to order replacement goals and nets for pitch 1 (AW has received a grant for £1.5k).
• AW has received the slabs for the renovations to the patio area and is ready to be laid.
• AW is aiming to repeat the Worm Treatment from around August so will need to order soil conditioner.

• B. All the work and purchases above is due to completed by early Summer rather than late Summer.
• IB stated that a quote of £2k from a tree surgeon has been received by our neighbour Chas Storer for the work required to clear the overhanging branches of the Leylandii trees in the car park and they have asked if we could contribute £1k towards the cost to get the work done. TL advised to ask Chas Storer to deduct £1k from next year’s rental payment for using our car park (IB to contact Chas Storer with the proposal).  

      5.2 Electrical Installation (TL)

• Works is required to complete the installation to obtain a pass certificate to satisfy our insurers. Guy Taylor to complete the works required (circa £3k – £4k).
  .

      5.3 Barbeque area (TL)

• The project for the barbeque area has been put on hold.

6. OOASC Sports Clubs

       6.1 OOFC Football Section (PK)

• PK reported that all the goals have been removed from the pitches. The 3^rd XI, 4^th XI and 5^th XI teams have finished for the season with the 3^rd XI promoted to Div 3 of the Herts Senior League next season. The 4^th and 5^th XI’s will be moving to the Herts Senior League next season.
• The 1^st and 2^nd XI’s have league matches still to play until mid May.
• The 1^st XI have reached the Cup Final for the Norman Appleby Trophy to be played against Everett Rovers F.C. on Monday 5^th May at 3.00pm (St.Albans City F.C., Clarence Park Stadium, AL1 4NF).

        6.2 OOCC Cricket Section (TL) 

• Winter indoor nets have finished. Nets are now available outside at the Ground with senior nets on a Tuesday and Thursday. All the Cricket squares have been done.

• There is a working party at the Ground scheduled for Saturday 19^th April 2025.

• Junior fixtures commence on 23^rd April 2025.

• There are 2 friendly matches for the 1^st & 2^nd XI on 26^th April (i.e. Winchmore Hill) and 3^rd May (i.e. North Mymms). The Saracens Herts League commences on Saturday 10^th May.

         6.3 Affiliated Clubs (M O)

• MO reported that all teams have been strong during the season and three U7’s team s will be introduced next year from the Soccer School.

7. OOASC Membership (AH)     

8.  Old Owens Website (AH)

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

  The statistics for the website as at 14/04/2025 are as follows:

  Last 7 days there were           673 visitors with   3,083 visits
  Last 30 days there were      2,529 visitors with   8,358 visits
  Last 90 days there were    11,727 visitors with 27,677 visits
  Last 365 days there were  28,875 visitors with 85,141 visits           

9. ZOO Club (AH)

• The balance in the account as at 14/04/2025 is £1,025.85 (includes £67 owing to Harold Moore Luncheon).

• A draw was made at the meeting by MO.

           The winner is: ALAN DROY £50 (Ball No. 23)

10. AOB

• The School is raising money to build a new Sports Hall with various events to be organised. As a result the School will be welcoming the Lashings World XI cricket team (ex-international players) on Thursday 17^th July 2025 for a T20 match commencing at 4 pm on the School Ground (Hospitality tables and match tickets for the event will be available).

11. Date of next meeting

• Next meeting is scheduled for Monday 16^th June 2025, 7.30 pm at the Ground.

• Meeting ended at 8.55 pm.

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