Minutes of the Caithness Sports Council Annual General Meeting held in the Thurso Club on 19th May 2004.
Present:
- Cllr R.Saxon, Highland Council (in chair) - J.Kelly, Pentland Firth Yacht Club - N.Smith, Caithness Voluntary Group - M.Clasper, Caithness Amateur Athletic Club - W.Robertson, Dounreay Fly Fishing Association - Cllr T.Jackson, Highland Council - J.MacDonald, Caithness SBRA - J.A.Manson, Caithness SBRA - B.Mackay, Caithness SBRA - P.Johnstone, Caithness AAC and Caithness Kayak Club - K.Nicol, Pentland Canoe Club - S.Copsey, Pentland Canoe Club - K.Melhuish, Caithness Disabled Swimming Club - N.C.Scott, Rosebank Bowling Club - I.Grant, Caithness Rugby Club
1. Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed all present and gave a special welcome to guest, Dingwall Highland Councillor Margaret Paterson.
2. Apologies
Apologies were intimated on behalf of Carole Mowat, Caithness Badminton Association and Joan Maxwell, Highland Sports Development Association.
3. Presentation of Annual Awards
Mrs Paterson was keen to praise the part played by volunteers in running amateur sports clubs. She voiced disappointment at the continuing lack of a sports centre in Caithness which she said is particularly disadvantaging young people in the area. She went on to present the following awards: CSC Sportsman of the Year – Craig Gunn, Wick Academy. CSC Sportswoman of the Year – Barbara Mackay, Caithness Rifle Shooting Association. Lady Thurso Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year – William Swanson. SALSC Services to Sport – Jean MacDonald, Caithness SBRA.
4. Approval of AGM held on May 21, 2003
The minutes were approved as a true record on the proposal of N.C.Scott and seconded by K.Melhuish.
5. Chairman’s Annual Report
Mr Saxon thanked fellow office-bearers for their work over the year, particularly treasurer Campbell Scott, minute secretary Cathy Gunn and minibus officer Ken Melhuish.
He reminded members that CSC exists not just to disburse grants but also to encourage co-operation between sporting clubs, maximise the use of sports facilities and promote events.
Last year, CSC had disbursed £16,000 in grants, with travel costs making up the biggest proportion.
He regretted the problems encountered by Caithness Sports Facilities Ltd in its efforts to plan for the building of a sports centre. The consultants had gone out of business before completing the feasibility study and there had been a large reduction in potential grant aid from SportScotland.
On a happier note, he said progress is being made towards the provision of an all-weather sports pitch in Wick. He also welcomed plans to set up a surf school and purpose-built surf facility in Thurso.
6. Treasurer’s Report
Mr Scott thanked Andrew Grant for auditing the accounts. The annual accounts were approved on the proposal of K.Melhuish, seconded by M.Clasper.
7. Annual Fees
Mr Scott said the finance committee propose annual fees rise from £10 to £20 at the start of 2005/06 year. That was accepted on the proposal of I.Grant, seconded by M.Clasper.
8. Appointment of Auditor
Reid & Fraser were re-appointed on the motion of N.C.Scott, seconded by K.Melhuish.
Representatives to Non-Cognate Groups: - Disabled Clubs – Vacant - Voluntary Groups – Niall Smith - Community Education – Brian Lavery - Primary Schools – Vacant - Secondary Schools – Vacant
Highland Council: Cllrs R.Saxon, T.Jackson and J.Green
Representatives to Cognate Groups: - Outdoor Sports – M.Clasper (football) and P.Pearson (athletics) - Indoor Sports – C.Mowat (badminton) and B.Mackay (rifle-shooting) - Water-based – J.Kelly (yachting), S.Copsey and K.Nicol (kayaking and canoeing) and K.Melhuish (swimming) - Leisure and Recreation – L.Ross (riding)
10. Minibus Report
Mr Melhuish reported that the minibus has covered 17,000 miles in its first year of operation and there had been 92 hires.
11. Sports Centre Project
Mr Melhuish, on behalf of Caithness Sports Facilities Ltd, reported that it had been a very frustrating year. The consultants had produced a very unsatisfactory draft feasibility study which was full of inaccuracies and that the company had since gone into liquidation. In addition, sportScotland had scaled back their potential maximum funding from £1 Million to £200,000.
Mr Saxon said that the Highland Council has provisionally earmarked £1 Million for sports facilities in Caithness for 2006/07.
Mr Clasper expressed extreme dissatisfaction with SportScotland which he claimed concentrates its resources in providing facilities in the central belt at the expense of areas like the Highlands.
12. Surf Facilities
S.Copsey outlined plans to provide a facility at Thurso Harbour for use by surfers and other beach and water-based sports. It would comprise a judging tower, toilets, changing rooms, a store, kitchen and meeting room. He said that the plan complements the start-up of a surf school in the town.
The scheme was welcomed and it was suggested it could be taken up by CSFL.
13. Grant Aid Scheme
Mr Saxon reported the executive committee is intending revising the grant aid for travel and subsistence to make it more favourable for junior-based clubs.
14. Swim Pool Fees
K.Nicol said there has been a major increase in the fee charge for Pentland Canoe Club using Thurso Swim Club. The increase has made it very difficult for the club to hold the sessions which he said are essential for safety training. The chairman said he would investigate.
15. Date of First Executive Committee
It was arranged for July 5, 2004 at the Thurso Club.
