Annual General Meeting of Hullbridge
Sports Social Club
The meeting commenced at
1.1
The Chairman thanked members present for attending
1.2
The Chairman realised that this was not a particularly exciting evening but
one
that was essential
1.3
There is only a small nucleus of people prepared to offer their services, but
if
we have no committees then we have no club – so we must appreciate
efforts of those who do put their names forward, some for years on end
2.1
Copies of the minutes had been given to all members prior to the meeting
2.2
The Minutes were duly proposed by Andy Burgess, seconded by
Mark
Ranger and carried unanimously
3.1 None
4.
Chairman’s Report
4.1
The Chairman thanked all the people who had participated in helping to
run
the Social side of the club over the last 12 months specifically
4.1.1
Beryl Petrie, Jackie and Terry Mossman for Thursday nights on the
bar
and the monthly “Tractors” meetings
4.1.2
Diane for the Cleaning Service she provides
4.1.3
Jackie and Steve for their continuous support with the Band evenings
4.1.4
Lesley, co-licence holder, for deputising during Chairman’s holidays
4.1.5
The Bar Staff who, although paid staff, are liable to be here until
1.30
in the morning following functions
in the Hall at weekends
4.1.6
Sharon and Danny Spooner for continuing to serve on the Social
Committee
during a period of great personal stress and trauma
4.1.7
The Committee as a totality
4.2
The Chairman stated that the club had a successful year overall (see
Treasurers
Report) and had continued to move forward but there was still a
long
way to go
4.3
We have made further improvements and are in the throes of making
more.
We have de-done the patio outside, refurbished the Men’s Toilets in
the
bar to an equivalent standard to the Ladies. The Bar Shutters have been
replaced
and the Bar redecorated
4.4
Last year we spoke about Hall Improvements. A certain amount has been
done
notably a steel beam replacing the Accro Props and the columns
being
removed. The Stage curtains have been improved, rear windows
replaced
and certain sound equipment purchased.
We
have also purchased new chairs
4.5
There is still much to do in the Hall and this will continue in the future, but
all
this has to be fitted in around Hall bookings etc. We intend to improve
the
bar area in the Hall by boxing in the new beam, lowering the ceiling
back
to the bar and refurbish this area as a separate entity from the main
Hall.
We will buy new tables to go with the new chairs
Furthermore
we still need to look at Heating, Sound Calming and,
potentially,
Air Conditioning
4.6
The Car Park still needs work and while not strictly our responsibility, with
the
new spirit of co-operation between committees, it remains on our
agenda
4.7
The Chairman had earlier referred to fitting in work around Hall bookings
(para
4.5) and this has been exacerbated (not that we are complaining) by
the
long term all day booking with The National Health Service. This has
come
about due to the influence of Jane Johnson from the NHS and the
Charity
committee and we wish to express our thanks to her for that
4.8
Having talked at some length about spending money, do not forget that
there
are still huge financial pressures and high running and maintenance
costs
which take a large proportion of our income
4.9
Talking of income, we still make a lot from our band evenings although it
does
not tend to get too well supported by people from the village itself
and
relies on support from outsiders – whether that’s a good or bad thing,
we
are not sure. As club members you can enjoy a very competitively
priced
bar, preferential Hall Hire rates, early access to Music Night tickets
and
free admission to occasional entertainers in the bar
4.10 As far
as the Bar is concerned we are maintaining our opening hours. One
point
that has to be made is that although we welcome the fact that
Saturday
and Sunday afternoons attract families, we are running a bar and
do
have to maintain certain rules and standards so that all visitors can enjoy
a
drink and a chat, not just those with children.
Unbelievably
we have been informed that the Parish Council believe we
are
not “Family Friendly”. If by trying to keep kids safe, monitor behaviour
and
maintain the law as well as providing junior and youth football and
table
tennis is not regarded as “Family Friendly” we clearly have some
work
to do in that area
4.11
Finally the Chairman felt he had to mention the Green Party election
leaflet
published by Michael Hoy that was distributed around the village,
which
inferred that HSSC were looking into ways a “Teen Café” could be
run
at The Saltings. HSSC had no knowledge of this and would never have
consented
to its publication
We
cannot, and must not, ever become involved in anything political, and
need
to get our own house in order before even thinking of trying to spread
our
wings
5
Matters arising from
the Chairman’s Report
5.1
Andy Burgess suggested that we had more band evenings from the 70’s &
80’s. The Chairman replied that it would be discussed with Jackie &
Steve
but we were reliant on what bands were available
6. Treasurers
Report
6.1 Copies of the Social Club
Trading Statement had been issued earlier and as
requested at last years AGM included comparison with the previous year
6.2 In the unfortunate absence
of the Treasurer, stuck on a train near
The Secretary ran through the Social Club Accounts with the meeting
and firstly wished to place on record the clubs thanks to Linda Scates
for
her Book-keeping services
6.3
Bar Sales had increased substantially to £141K which, in the context of
the today’s economic climate, was a tremendous performance
6.4 Bar wages have increased in
relation to increased Hall usage
6.5 Bar Margin had improved
despite 3 brewery increases and a rise in VAT
Our prices had been increased only on two occasions
6.6 Because of the increased
Hall Hire and the consequent increase in Bar
sales for those events, it was our intention this next year to try and
break
down Bar sales into Hall Hire evenings, Band Nights, Football/Cricket and
Social Club related sales. This isn’t easy but could give useful
information
6.7 As indicated earlier, by the
Chairman, a Trading Surplus of £23K had
already been reinvested in club facilities with a further £6.8K already
committed for future Hall improvements
6.8 The Secretary thanked the
Treasurer for the re-negotiated electricity
contract which had actually produced a saving on the previous year’s
Light
and Heat cost – there would not be many at the meeting who could claim
that at their own premises either at work or at home
7. Matters Arising from
the Treasurers Report
7.1 A query was raised as to why Credit Card
costs had increase substantially
The Secretary replied that the costs were for a full 12 months, unlike
the
previous year and reflected a much greater usage of the facility. In
addition, although we do make a service charge it by no means reflected
the true cost
7.2 There was a request to show the NHS element of the Hall Hire receipts
The Chairman and Secretary explained that this Hall Hire had only just
begun and was not therefore included in this years accounts
The committee would endeavour to show it as a separate item next year as
requested
7.3 Following this the Accounts were duly proposed, seconded and
carried by
the Meeting
8.
Election of Chairman.
8.1 The Chairman stated that he
was willing to stand for another year
8.2 There being no other
nominations, Brian Sangwin was proposed as
Chairman by John Ingram, seconded by Andy Burgess and duly elected
as Chairman
9. Election
of Officers and Committee
The Chairman stated that
9.1.Current Officers John Ingram and Peter Halls were prepared to
continue as Secretary and Treasurer respectively for a further year
9.2 All current Committee members were prepared to continue
9.3 He was therefore prepared to take a block vote on the re-election of
the
Committee, who were duly proposed,
seconded and elected
10. Any Other Business
10.1 There being no other business the meeting was included at 8.50
11. Addendum
11.1 Subsequent to the meeting, Kylie Halls agreed to be seconded to the
Social Club Committee