Précis Minutes of the Third Meeting (2007 Session) of the Board of Directors of
ACU Ltd at the Offices of the Company held on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th May
Present: Jim Parker (Chairman)
Frank Carter
Brian Bonny
Peter Beardmore
Eddie Bellars (Friday only)
Roger Brown
John Collins
Roy Hanks
Roy Humphrey (Friday only)
Tony Noel
Dave Luscombe (Business Development Officer) (Thursday only)
Gary Thompson MBE BEM (General Secretary)
Item 2: Confirmation of Minutes of the Second meeting (2007 session) of the Board held on
Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th April 2007
The minutes of the second meeting (2007 session) of the Board of Directors held on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th April were accepted as read.
Item 3: Matters Arising
LARA
After much discussion, the Board agreed not to support the new structure for LARA as outlined in their recent Motion 7.
A meeting is to be held between ACU and MSA at Motorsport House on Monday 25th June to discuss this matter further. In the meantime it was agreed that the matter should lie on the table. In principle it was felt that if LARA is to be re-organised action should be put in hand immediately and not deferred.
Youth in Enduros
The Chairman and General Secretary had attended the recent meeting of the South East Centre Board. Mr Boniface had raised questions there on this issue. Mr Collins stated that this particular question tends to come up quite regularly and has been answered many times.
AFTERNOTE: The Chairman reviewed the correspondence Mr Collins had previously sent and agreed to write to the Centre advising that Mr Collins will be pleased to attend their Board to deal with the matter personally.
Clerk of the Course
Mr Collins stated that a recent set of Draft Supplementary Regulations had been received for a meeting in which three separate Clerks of the Course had been nominated. One to be responsible for the Solo aspect of the event, one responsible for the Youth part of the event and one to be responsible for the Sidecar part of the event. The Board confirmed that there can be only one Clerk of the Course. The Clerk of the Course is the Chief Executive Officer responsible for the meeting in its entirety. Deputy Clerks of the Course can however be appointed to be responsible for various aspects of the event.
Road Trials
The Board agreed that the Secretary of the Meeting could act as the Clerk of the Course for a Road Trial if that was the wish of the Organising Club. However, the appointment would be for that meeting only and would not constitute any qualification to officiate as a Clerk of the Course at any other type of event. Mr Collins said that he would discuss this further at the next Trials & Enduro Committee meeting as there were other options to consider.
Greater Manchester Police Authority
Mr Luscombe briefed the Board on a recent meeting with the Greater Manchester Police Authority regarding the Off Road Registration Bill.
Race Director
Discussions took place regarding the possible appointment of a Race Director at ACU Events. The Motocross Committee would produce a suitable proposal to be approved by the Board of Directors for consultation and adoption at the next meeting of the National Council.
Action: Mr Humphrey
Insurance against Personal Injury
Mr Bellars explained that individuals may insure themselves as many times as they wish for personal injury. In such cases they will receive the benefits for any personal injury they sustain on each policy held, subject to the terms of each policy.
Parental Agreement
The Chairman updated the Board on the recent action taken in respect of an application for a blanket Parental Agreement requested by an organisation dealing with young people and outlined at the last Board meeting. It had been concluded that this would not be possible and applications must be made on an individual basis as at present.
ACU Awards
The General Secretary informed the Board that the draft contract for next year’s Awards had been received from the Park Hotel in Northampton. The 2007 Awards will take place on Saturday 26th January 2008.
RHL Activities Ltd
The General Secretary read out an email from Freethcartwright Solicitors giving an update on the current legal action being taken against RHL Activities Ltd.
Basic – Basic Plus Insurance
The Chairman informed the Board that at the South East Centre Board meeting, the Basic and Basic Plus Insurance had been discussed and it appeared that the optional insurance cover had been well received. This was also the case with other Centres. At this early stage however it is impossible to predict how many Clubs will opt for the new cover.
There have been very few queries received by ACU Head Office regarding the new Insurance. The queries that have been made generally relate to the adverse effect on Centre finances as a result of the loss of Centre levies. This issue would be discussed at a meeting of the Centre Chairmen, Centre Treasurers and Permit Officers to be held at ACU House on Saturday 14th July 2007 when the position would be a little clearer on the take up of the scheme and the general question of Centre Finance is to be reviewed.
It was noted that whilst Centres are still required to approve Permit Applications under this option, the primary object of the scheme is to encourage the Clubs by reducing bureaucracy and removing any difficulties they may have previously experienced in obtaining Permits. The scheme would be carefully monitored and the results reviewed in due course.
Date clashes will hopefully be resolved by discussion among the parties, the Clubs and Centre involved together with the ACU Head Office in Rugby.
It was agreed that any event being run on Forestry Commission land would be held under Basic Plus Insurance as a minimum as £10 Million cover is required by that Authority.
Motocross Manager
The Board were informed that Mr Barton would commence his employment as the Motocross Manager on Monday 11th June 2007.
Item 4: National Council Agenda
Age Restriction – National Council Delegates
The South Midland Centre had put forward an Item for discussion at the forthcoming National Council meeting to discuss the possibility of a variation of the age restriction on National Council Delegates. They felt that the rule could be relaxed as their Centre and others they were aware of were finding it very difficult to appoint someone to attend the National Council and represent the interests of the Centre.
After consideration the Board decided that it could not support such a change and would advise the National Council accordingly.
Item 5: Finance Matters
5.1 Income and Expenditure comparisons
There were no comments regarding the Income and Expenditure comparison distributed prior to the meeting.
5.2 VAT
Mr Bonny advised the Board that the current VAT procedures are to be challenged on a number of issues by a new Inspector. The ACU have for the last 25 years recovered VAT on Training and the new Inspector thinks this should not be the case. Also, there is now a requirement for VAT receipts to accompany all claims for fuel expenses and receipts should therefore be attached to claims wherever practical. The Board agreed that this should apply to the Board of Directors and Sport Committees only and would not apply to delegates attending the National Council.
Item 6: Insurance Matters
6.1 Renewal proposals for 2008 – Locktons
The Board welcomed Mr Davies and Mrs Luby to the meeting. Mr Davies proceeded to give the Directors a comprehensive presentation of proposals for 2008 and possibly beyond. The Chairman was authorised to discuss the renewal with other suppliers to ensure that our Insurance arrangements remain satisfactory and competitive.
Item 7: Any Other Business
Recognised Promoters
The following affiliations as Promoters were approved and accepted by the Board:
1. Dirtbike Trax
2. MWTRA Ltd
The General Secretary was also in receipt of an application for affiliation as a Local Club to via the Southern Centre from the No Limitz Display Team. It was considered that the Club be accepted as a Recognised Association in the same way as The Imps Motorcycle Display Team already featured in the ACU Handbook. The General Secretary would write to Mr Fletcher, Southern Centre Secretary and inform him of this.
Action: General Secretary
ACU MAXXIS British Motocross Championships
Mr Humphrey reported that the Series was going very well and that a new contract of renewal effective January 2008 had been sent to Mr McMartin at MAXXIS for his comment.
One Event Licences
The Chairman informed the General Secretary that he wanted One Event Licences placed on the Agenda for the next Board meeting.
Action: General Secretary
Item 8: Date of Next Meeting
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 4.15pm. The next meeting of the Board will take place on Tuesday 26th June 2007.