Members' Committee Annual Report 2010

As in previous years meetings of the Committee were held throughout the year with the Chief Executive attending each meeting and other senior managers as the agenda required. Here is the Committee's Annual Report 2010...

Members’ Committee

Chairman’s Report 2010

The following served on the Members’ Committee during the year.

Chairman:   Mr S J Mann

Elected Members:      Mrs. C Evers

                                   Mr. R Levin

                                   Mr. S J Mann

                                   Mr. E Stephens

Appointed Members:  Mr. G Clark

                                    Mr A Kilburn – from 1.10.10

                                    Mr. R W Stott

                                    Mr I Townsend – to 31.03.10

In Attendance:            Mr S Regan – to 31.08.10

                                    Mr R Smith – from 01.09.10

There were 8 Committee meetings during the year.  Minutes of the meetings are reported to the main Board of the club and summaries posted on the YCCC web site.  In addition to the committee meetings there were 5 member Forums held at Headingley prior to the commencement of play and during the winter of 2009/2010 six member meetings were held at cricket clubs around the county.

During the year there were several individual changes within the committee.  Eric Stephens was elected by the membership at the spring AGM where he replaced Robert Hilliam who stood down after many years committed service to various committees.  As Chairman I would like to record my appreciation to Robert for his support during the time we worked together on the Members’ Committee.  After serving on the Committee since 2002 Ian Townsend stepped down early in the year and again I would like to record my thanks to him for his unfailing support and work.

Andrew Kilburn joined the Committee as a Board appointment and brings with him a wealth of experience in the public sector.

I would also like to record my sincere thanks to Paul Chubb, a member from North Yorkshire.  Paul joined the Committee on a temporary basis at the start of the season to assist during a particularly busy period.  His help and commitment to the club and members is very much appreciated.

Following the resignation of the Chief Executive in late September Robin Smith returned to the Committee as the Board representative.

The work of the Committee continues to focus on two areas. Firstly, representing and communicating with the membership and secondly in supporting the management of the club with the expertise and experience held within the Committee.

Perhaps the most rewarding piece of Committee work that came to fruition during the year was the signing of a 10 year staging agreement to continue playing county games at Scarborough.  The committee had prepared a proposal in mid 2009 recommending a longer term commitment to the out ground but specifying that in return the Scarborough club undertake a number of ground improvements.  The agreement commits the county to 2 championship and 2 limited over games each year with the only caveat being that it is subject to there remaining a championship of 8 home games. 

Of particular concern to the Committee has been the debate over the future structure of the county game.  That the 2010 season finished without any clarity on the playing programme for 2011 and beyond is both frustrating and worrying.  The Committee have continued to support the Board in seeking to retain the current 16 fixture County Championship, some reduction in limited over games and a better and more even balance throughout the fixture schedule.

It is difficult to understand the views of what is a small minority of counties that more T20 is required.  The format is not as popular as some would suggest.  Falling attendances year on year are not a basis for more such fixtures.  The Members’ Committee will continue to argue for a balanced diet in the fixture programme.

In the latter part of 2010 the Committee were at last able to examine with the club the rapid decline in membership numbers.  Initial work is looking at the failure to renew membership and identifying initiatives to stop and then reverse the trend.  There is a growing acceptance that we need to attract spectators to the club by making attendance financially viable and attractive.  Spectators need to be priced into the game and not away as is often the case at present.   The club have also agreed to a Committee request to examine arrangements that might allow members to watch games from the Pavilion, starting in 2011.

It is particularly disappointing to report that a number of issues continue to be unresolved by the club in spite of persistent complaints by members at forums and by reference to their Committee representatives.  The shop has yet to show an improvement in the range, cost and quality of goods provided.  The YCM continues to be shallow in content and the web site is rarely up to date.  It is 3 years since we started the Member forums in the Long Room, I doubt there has been a gathering during that time when the PA system has not been criticised.  Members can be assured that the Committee will remain tenacious in seeking appropriate remedies to these and other such topics.

The Membership Forums in the Long Room and referred to above continue to grow in popularity with numbers attending now regularly in the region of 70 to 80.  A full programme will be announced for the 2011 season.  Against this background of interest and involvement it is disappointing to report that the forums held around the county during the winter 2009/2010 were not well attended.  Whilst there were 2 meetings where the attendance was just over 20 the remainder saw only single figure audiences.  With the Club Executive, Players and representatives from the Members Committee totalling more than the attendees it is clearly not a popular or viable event at present.  Consequently no similar programme was put in place for winter 2010/2011.

Finally, my sincere thanks to the membership at large, the vast majority of who make my role as Chairman so enjoyable.  I have always felt that all the Members Committee should be accessible to the Members they represent and I hope that access is now felt to be consistent and prevalent.