Précis of the Minutes of the First Meeting (2006 Session) of the Board of Directors of
ACU Ltd at the Offices of the Company held on Thursday 26th January at 10.30am
Present: Jim Parker (Chairman)
Frank Carter (Deputy Chairman)
Brian Bonny (Financial Director)
Mike Askins
Peter Beardmore
Eddie Bellars
Roger Brown
John Collins
Roy Hanks
Peter Hillaby
Roy Humphrey
Tony Noel
Gary Thompson MBE BEM (General Secretary)
Licences. The Chairman stated that up to 500 Licences are currently being processed each day. The Board asked that due credit be given to Debbie Moulton, Head of Licensing and all the girls in her department. Previous decisions regarding the issue of separate licences for Officials are to be held in abeyance until the bulk of the licences for competitors have been issued and the pressure of work on the section is reduced
Permits and One-Event Licences. Discussion took place regarding the issuing of Permits and anomalies recently identified in the system. The General Secretary would write to certain Non-Territorial Clubs to notify them that all Permits for their events are to be issued from ACU Head Office. Where applicable the Clubs are to approach the relevant Centre to sign the Permit application form.
Action: Mr Thompson
Regarding the issuing of One-Event Licences it was reported that a case has recently come to light where competitors appeared to have paid the Licence Fee (which was subsequently passed on to Rugby) but no Licences were actually issued. It was agreed that in future the system must be operated correctly and that any organising club that wishes to issue one-event licences will need to ensure that they have them in stock before their event and available for those competitors who require them.
CEO Position. The Chairman notified the Board that three candidates had recently been interviewed for the position of CEO. Further consideration is to be given to one of the applicants. The General Secretary is to write to the two unsuccessful candidates.
Action: Mr Thompson
It was proposed by Mr Hanks and agreed by all that the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and accepted as read.
British Supermoto Championships
Mr Bonny reported that the ACU expenditure on the British Supermoto Championships for 2004 would be recorded in the ACU accounts as one lump sum. The Directors confirmed their support of the 2006 British Supermoto Championships.
Sheene Bikes. The General Secretary confirmed the arrangements made thus far regarding the two Sheene bikes which are to be returned to Stephanie Sheene in Australia. The bikes will be displayed at the Historic Motorsport Show over the period 25th/26th February and as soon as possible after that they will be returned. Contact has been made with Stephanie Sheene through her agent and she is content with this arrangement. Wayne Pugh from DHL Motorsport will be co-ordinating the return of the bikes on behalf of the ACU.
ACU Handbook. Mr Thompson advised that the 2006 Handbook is currently in the hands of the Printers and it is expected that it will be available for distribution during February.
Recognised Promoters. The Chairman advised the Board that consequent upon the decision to approve Recognised Promoters an appropriate entry had been included in the NSC. Mr Thompson was asked to write to those Promoters who wished to become affiliated to the ACU to initiate the affiliation process.
Action: Mr Thompson
Forestry Agreement. Mr Collins spoke about the National Forestry Agreement which had been signed by the Chairman in December. The Agreement was valid for three years and would be re-negotiated at the end of this period. He confirmed that all Permits are to be issued from ACU HQ. A letter had recently been sent to the Centres and Trials and Enduro organisers to explain the procedure. A meeting is to be held on 25th February at ACU HQ to clarify the procedure to Centre representatives.
Training. Mr Beardmore said that this was still ongoing. The Chairman mentioned that Regional seminars are taking place in the Centres which the ACU HQ are not aware of and correct paperwork is not being provided as a result. It was confirmed that ALL National Seminars are organised through the respective ACU HQ discipline secretaries.
Item 4: Finance Matters
4.1 Income and Expenditure Comparisons
Mr Bonny stated that the Auditors are currently examining the accounts for year 2005.
4.2 ACU Attendance at FIM Congress in Brazil
The ACU attendance at the FIM Congress to be held in Salvador, Brazil in October was discussed. Mr Bonny stated that flights to Salvador will be expensive and consideration should be given to who represents the ACU at the meeting. It was agreed that those involved who wish to take partners (at own expense) should make this known at an early date. It was agreed that all travel arrangements will be made through Rugby HQ and that Mr Bonny will co-ordinate this with Mrs Macphee.
Action: Mr Bonny
Item 5: Motocross Matters
5.1 Weston Beach Race
The Board accepted the report and the findings of the recent Court of Enquiry and considered the recommendations and conclusions that had been made.
The recommendation of the Court that organisers of any event with an anticipated entry of more than 300 competitors should not issue ‘One-Event’ licences on the day of the event or accept entries on the day was not accepted by the Board.
The Board noted the findings of the Court and the penalties imposed on the Clerk of the Course and the Secretary of the Meeting.
NOTE. The Chairman had attended the meeting of the Motocross Committee held on 18th January when the administrative procedures to be adopted within the Motocross department at Rugby for future events had been discussed and agreed in detail.
The Board then considered a letter received from the Motocross Committee regarding the Court. The Committee felt that the initial emphasis was on “Enquiry” rather than “Court” and that the officials had been harshly dealt with having not been charged with any offence beforehand. The Committee also felt that the Appeal Fee arising out of these particular circumstances involving officials was prohibitive and that, in any case, five days would not be enough time in which to prepare an appeal.
The Board noted that the letter sent out to convene the Court had clearly set out its terms of reference and had invited those involved to bring their witnesses etc. The stated purpose of the Court had been to examine the facts presented and to take any action deemed necessary. The decisions taken were in accordance with this remit.
The Directors agreed that in certain circumstances involving Officials, the appeal fee of £5,000 is not appropriate and will be reviewed. The period of five days is considered sufficient for the required notice of appeal to be lodged. This is for notice only and the complete appeal does not have to be submitted within that time.
The Board also considered various other matters connected with the event and decided upon the action to be taken.
5.2 Joint Adult Motocross and Youth Committee Meetings
The Chairman reported on a recent joint meeting of the Adult and Youth Motocross Committees. This had been held to examine ways in which both committees could work closer together in the future. He felt that this first meeting had gone very well, and although undoubtedly there were issues specific to Adult and specific to Youth overall, it was believed that the Committees could work together on a number issues which concerned them both. He said that future meetings of the committees could be held on the same day so that they could each have their own committee meetings in the mornings and then come together for a joint meeting during the afternoon. Mrs Goggin in the past had acted as the Secretary to both Committees. However, the BYMX Committee would be quite happy for Miss Morley to be their Secretary. Mr Askins said he would like to invite the Chairman to a couple of BYMX race meetings this year so that he could see the level of professionalism being attained.
Item 6: Update on projects from Mr Luscombe
It was agreed that a Project Development Sub Committee is to be formed to co-ordinate, monitor and report on the various projects initiated by Mr Luscombe in future. Mr Carter, Mr Bellars and Mr Collins will serve and Mr Carter will take the chair. Meetings will be held periodically as necessary.
6.1 Disabled Motorcycle Sport (Off-Road)
Following the recent issues with Miss Squirrell and Mr Rowlands at the Weston Beach Race, the ACU have been presented with an opportunity to engage with MDUK and the two riders concerned to create a Disabled Motorcycle Sport strategy, of which £20K funding by MDUK may be available. Using the MDUK funds, it may be possible for Squirrell and Rowlands to be trained as Coaches and then promote the activity through disability groups, encouraging non-riders to ‘have a go’ at ACU organised days. The overall goal would be to create a disabled club and hold competitions enabling the sport to become self sustaining. This would be discussed at the next Motocross Committee meeting.
6.2 Energy Efficient Motorsport
Mr Luscombe briefed the Board on EEMS. He stated that he had been trying to create a Bio-Ethanol Road Race team since mid 2005; however the target of £300K from the sponsors was not reached, so the project was abandoned. However, after discussions with MDUK, a high level of interest had been expressed in showcasing EEMS in motorcycle sport. With this in mind, Mr Luscombe was keen to progress a Bio-Ethanol fuelled Motocross team in the British Motocross Championships. He confirmed that no funding would be required from the ACU, and that MDUK would fund the project through EEMS with £25K. However, dispensation would be required for the team to run with a fuel which did not comply with ACU Fuel Regulations. The Board agreed to support this.
6.3 Volunteers in Motorsport
The Board agreed to the production of leaflets to encourage volunteers to become involved in motorcycle sport.
6.4 ORFA & Guidelines
Mr Luscombe explained that the Best Practice Guidelines produced by ORFA would not be issued under the ORFA umbrella as one of the main players had drawn attention to problems within the industry. The Board agreed that the guidelines be issued as ACU Endorsed Best Practice Guidelines for the safe management of Off Road Motorcycle Facilities, thereby bypassing the ORFA issue and dealing direct with Local Authorities. Mr Luscombe was to re-brand and distribute the Guidelines after receiving the approval of his new sub-committee.
Action: Messrs Carter, Bellars and Collins
6.5 Police Training
In principle the Board agreed to the initiative for the ACU to continue its involvement in the Off-Road training of Police, subject to the approval of insurers.
6.6 Mini Bikes project
Mr Luscombe reported that the mini bike project was working very well. The first two projects had been created and affiliated in Swansea... Chesterfield, Harlow, Derby and Cardiff were currently planning provision and fourteen other Authorities had requested a meeting with LASU to look into this project. A number of MP’s were corresponding with LASU and supporting this project.
6.7 LASU Conference
Mr Luscombe reported that the LASU conference would take place at Staverton Park, Northampton over the period 3rd and 4th May.
Item 7: ACU Awards Evening
Mr Thompson confirmed the arrangements made for the ACU Awards presentations being held at the Park Inn Hotel, Northampton on Saturday 28th January.
Item 8: Any Other Business
There were no other items under any other business.
Item 9: Date of Next Meeting
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 5.45pm. The next Board meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th April at 10.30 am at which the ACU accounts would be presented by the auditors – Target Limehouse.