Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Miss Walklate.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 30 October, 2014

Resolved:-              That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 October, 2014 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider the attached report

Consideration was given to a draft report which would be presented to the Cabinet early next year.

The report outlined the need for a Sports Advisory Council and listed the proposed aims and objectives of such a body.

It was anticipated that the Sports Advisory Council would be operational by April, 2015.

The Working Group accepted the draft report and agreed that it be finalised and submitted for /Consideration by the Cabinet.

Resolved:-              That the report on the proposed Sports Advisory Council be submitted to the Cabinet in early 2015.

To consider the attached draft Constitution

Consideration was given to the draft proposed Constitution of the Sports Advisory Council.

Members accepted the draft Constitution with the following comments:

There was no reference to Jubilee 2(J2) passes in the Constitution.  Members queried whether they would continue and were informed that there was no reason why they could not if they would help the funding to go further.  The Working Group were keen for J2 passes to continue under the new arrangement.

Reference to this would be put into the Constitution under ‘Grants’.

In the section on Finance (13(iv)) the Constitution referred to audited accounts.  This was no longer the case as it was now a ‘suitable person’ who checked them.  It was proposed that the wording be amended to read ‘a statement of accounts running to 31 March’ instead of ‘an audited statement of accounts’.

Membership:  The opening sentence needs to read ‘Any organisation or individual actively involved with sport in the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme may apply for membership and affiliation…’

The Council’s Head of Leisure and Cultural Services suggested that the launch of the Advisory Council could coincide with the first Annual General Meeting.

Clubs could be invited to affiliate for free for the first year. In addition, the Town Centre Manager could be involved and Coaches involved with local clubs.  

A question was raised regarding any funding left in the accounts at 31 March.  It was thought that this would transfer across to the new Advisory Council to assist with set up costs.

The Chair, Mr Mark Thornewill would integrate all of the amendments into the Constitution before presenting it back to the Council for consideration by the Cabinet.

Resolved:-              That the draft Constitution be amended with the items listed above and forwarded to the Council for Consideration by the Cabinet.

It was considered that no further meetings were required as the revised document could be forwarded to Members for information.

Resolved:-   That the information be received.

To consider any other business

There was no urgent business.