Précis of the Minutes of the Eighth Meeting (2006 Session) of the Board of Directors of
ACU Ltd at the Offices of the Company held on Thursday 14th December 2006 at 10.00am
Present: Jim Parker (Chairman)
Frank Carter
Brian Bonny (Financial Director)
Peter Beardmore
Eddie Bellars
Roger Brown
John Collins
Roy Hanks
Peter Hillaby
Roy Humphrey
Tony Noel
Gary Thompson MBE BEM (General Secretary)
The Board of Directors had a moments silence in memory of Adrian Ackland who sadly passed away on Friday 10th November. Their condolences and best wishes go out to Adrian’s family at this very sad time.
There were no apologies.
Item 2: Director - Motocross
A full discussion took place regarding recent events that had taken place in the Motocross Committee and it was noted that Mr Humphrey would continue as a Director of the Company.
Item 3: Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman – Auto-Cycle Union Limited
In accordance with the Companies Articles of Association and Rules of the Union, Mr Parker and Mr Carter were re-appointed by the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the ACU for the next three years.
Item 4: Confirmation of Minutes of the Seventh meeting (2006 session) of the Board held on
Friday 3rd November 2006
The minutes of the seventh meeting of the Board of Directors held on Friday 3rd November were accepted as read.
Item 5: Matters Arising
Supermoto. The Chairman reported to the Board on a recent meeting of the BSMC Ltd Directors to discuss the British Supermoto Championships to date and the recently prepared accounts for 2006. After some discussion it was agreed that Mr Bonny should contact the AMCA to consider aspects of the Supermoto accounts in more detail. The Chairman also stated that it had been agreed with Mr Terry King (Chairman AMCA), that next year’s Championship series will be reviewed again at the end of February. The BSMC Board of Directors will then take a view whether to continue with the Championships or to cancel the series in its entirety.
ACU Handbook. The General Secretary stated that the Handbook was almost complete and the final amendments were currently being made before the publication was submitted to the Printers. It was hoped that the Handbook would be distributed to the membership early in the New Year.
LARA. Mr Carter made the Board aware of discussions that had taken place at a recent LARA meeting. He reported that GLASS was keen to take on the services of an MP to represent them in the political arena. He stated that he didn’t think it would be wise for the ACU to support this. As the National Governing Body, the ACU had to remain impartial and liaise with the Government of the day.
Mr Carter also appraised the Board of discussions he recently had with Mr Alan Kind with a view to the ACU employing Mr Kind on a consultancy basis in order to provide advice on Land issues. The Board agreed in principle to this appointment and Mr Carter was asked to take this matter forward with Mr Kind and discuss personal terms and conditions.
SACU. The Chairman briefed the Board of a recent visit by himself, Mr Carter and Mr Hillaby to discuss various issues with the SACU. Everyone involved had felt that this meeting had been extremely valuable.
Regionalisation It was agreed to form a Working Party early in the New Year to consider ways in which the process of Regionalisation may be taken forward.
Signage. Mr Thompson was asked to get quotes for new signs for the building.
Action: Mr Thompson
Election Process. The Chairman noted that the Road Race and Motocross proposals for future elections and appointments to the Committee should appear on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting of the Board.
Action: Mr Thompson
Item 6: Financial Matters
6.1 Income & Expenditure Comparisons
ACU Attendance at Shows – 2007. The Chairman stated that the ACU Stand as displayed at this year’s Dirtbike Show was a credit to the Organisation. It was agreed there will be an ACU presence at next year’s Dirtbike Show. Mr Thompson appraised the Board of the ACU’s recent presence at the London Motorsport Show held at the Excel Centre over the period 9th/10th December. He stated that the show was probably too close to Christmas, but the organisers were constrained by other motor sport shows taking place either side of the festive season. There were roughly 9,000 visitors over the two day period. The Show was predominantly a Karting show, with some other 4 wheel disciplines also on display. The ACU were the only motorcycle organisation present.
Mr Noel suggested an ACU presence at some of the more predominant County/Agricultural shows. It was agreed that either the ACU might have a presence at these Shows or provide some kind of financial support should a Centre wish to have a Stand of their own to represent the ACU.
6.2 Isle of Wight Speedway – Cash Payment
The Chairman notified the Board of a recent meeting held between himself, the General Secretary with Mr Newnham (Chairman Isle of Wight Speedway Club) and Mr Pavitt (Company Secretary) and reported that a satisfactory agreement had been reached by both the parties in respect of the outstanding monies owed to the ACU.
Administration of Helmets. Mr Thompson was asked to look at the overall administration and operation involving helmet testing and the issue of ACU helmet gold stickers.
Action: Mr Thompson
Item 7: Insurance Matters
7.1 Proposal Forms for Insurance Cover 2007
Mr Bellars informed the Board that the proposal forms for 2007 had been completed and sent back to Locktons.
Insurance Rates on Application. Mr Noel raised his concern that the National Rates for Grass Track competitors appeared to increase more in cost than their Motocross counterparts. Below National level, both Grass Track and Motocross competitors pay the same rate, however at National level, the rate paid by Grass Track competitors was significantly more. After some discussion, the Insurance Matrix was amended and the rates for Grass Track at National level placed on par with Motocross.
Item 8: ACU Magazine
The Board agreed that the ACU Magazine be increased from four to six issues and that advertising space be sold to offset the cost of the production of the magazine.
Item 9: Any Other Business
Trustee of the ACU Benevolent Fund. The Board approved the appointment of Mrs Julie Macphee as a Trustee of the ACU Benevolent Fund.
Youth Quad Racing. Mr Luscombe made the Board aware of comments received from our solicitors regarding Youth Quad Racing. The Board agreed that Youths could now compete on Quad machines in 2007.
Mx Recorders. Mr Humphrey stated that the Mx Recorders meeting had been cancelled due to a poor response from the Centres and Clubs. It had been agreed by the Mx Committee that there was a need for a new system for recording and grading riders in the future. This new system would be administered and controlled from ACU Head Office by Mrs Goggin and the expert lists would be published on the website accessible to Riders, Clubs and Officials. Mr Thompson would liaise with Mr Humphrey regarding specific requirements for the system which could be operated from the current server housed in the building.
Action: Mr Humphrey and Mr Thompson
FIM Matters. The Board agreed that Mr Higgins should be nominated for appointment on the Motocross Commission.
The Board agreed that Mr Thompson, Mr Nelson and Mr Luscombe should attend the next meeting of the FIM being held in Geneva in February 2007 in order to gain experience of FIM procedures.
Crescent Suzuki/ACU GSXR Trophy. Mr Luscombe updated the Board on the current entries received for next year’s ACU GSXR Trophy. After some questions regarding the VAT liability, Mr Luscombe stated that Crescent Suzuki would not release the bikes to the individuals who had signed up to the series until all monies due had been paid. The VAT for each bike would be paid by the individuals concerned and there was no liability against the ACU in this regard.
CCM Short Track Series. Mr Luscombe notified the Board that over 70 riders had expressed an interest in competing in the CCM Short Track series recently featured and launched at the Dirtbike Show. The series would include a machine to be run on bio-ethanol fuel.
ACU Awards. Mr Thompson gave an update on the planning so far for the ACU Awards. The Awards will be held on Saturday 27th January. The Youth Awards will commence at 12.00pm and the Adult Awards will start at 6.00pm with pre-dinner drinks for 30 minutes. There is a set menu for both Awards. Dress for the evening will be Black Tie for Directors and certain members of Staff and for the afternoon, the dress will be the new ACU Black Shirts. A more detailed brief will be prepared nearer to the Awards.
The Board agreed that two members of each Sporting Committee may be invited to the Awards and this would rotate on an annual basis. Tickets to the evening would be free, however, the individuals attending would be required to pay for their own accommodation and mileage to the hotel.
On Line Entries to an Event. Mr Brown informed the Board of an On line entry system that had been devised by Mr Barton. The Board agreed that this method of entry to an event should be progressed and further evaluated.
Afternote: A trial on-line entry has since been completed by Mr Brown and Mr Thompson and both believe the system to be workable and very easy to navigate and complete.
Item 10: Date of Next Meeting
The meeting closed at 5.45pm. The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 23rd January 2007.