What happened at the AGM
All the decisions and announcements
Rainhill Cricket Club's Annual General meeting was held on Wednesday 15th December 2021, with 25 members in attendance.
The meeting was opened by a joint report from the Chairman (John Rotheram) and Club Captain (Mike Rotheram).
Chairman's/Club Captain's Report
Mike thanked everyone involved with the 150th Anniversary Gala for their efforts, especially Carlo Albanese and Graham Powell, in creating a fantastic community event that will hopefully be repeated in 2022. He said that the club "offers something for everyone" and spoke about the "diversity of the package we offer". Mike also thanked various club officials for their work in 2021, including Craig Brougham (safeguarding and welfare issues), John Pearson (treasurer), John Rotheram (an integral figure in the club's recent development who has completed 25 years as club chairman) and Peter Mercer (secretary) who Mike credited with helping members to enjoy their cricket. Mike gave brief reports on the performances of Rainhill's various teams, thanking various people for their contributions in what was often a difficult season. Mike and John are of the view that the club environment has improved dramatically with the development of the women's and junior sections. They also referenced the level and quality of volunteering at Rainhill.
Mike informed those present that our ground has moved up the LDCC grounds league table - testament to the work of dedicated volunteers. However, ground expenditure stands at around £10,000 per year and this has meant that the club has, reluctantly, had to reconsider the levels at which annual subscriptions and match fees are set. While Rainhill is proud to be the cheapest club in the area and offers the most comprehensive package of cricket, Mike expressed the view that there must be some increase to meet the growing costs (a vote on this was taken later in the meeting).
Resolutions: Andrew Finney, who has completed 50 years as first team scorer, should be given honorary life membership. (PASSED)
The accounts, presented by John Pearson, should be approved. (PASSED)
A new category of family membership should be introduced. (PASSED)
The proposed new subscription rates should be approved. (PASSED)
The management committee should be downsized. (PASSED)
All members other than juniors will receive fuill membership, regardless of the category of fee paid, which will allow them to vote at the AGM. (PASSED)
The following were elected as club officials/captains:
Chairman: John Rotheram
Treasurer: John Pearson
Secretary: Peter Mercer
Club captain: Mike Rotheram
1st XI captain: Ben Edmundson
2nd XI captain: Paul Ford
3rd XI captain: Matt Lawler
4th XI captain: Deepak Gupta
Rainhill Recs captain: Joe Crossley
Women: Sue Lowrie LMS: Neil Robinson Constitutional changes
Some minor constitutional changes were agreed by the AGM to bring to constitution in line with the Equality Act 2010, to facilitate the proposed changes to the management committee structure, to reflect increased use of online banking and to remove the "intermediate class" of membership, replacing it with full membership "charged at standard and intermediate or reduced rates".
Other business
It was announced that the club hopes to hold another gala in 2022 - probably, once again, in late August.
The club also confirmed its intention to hold a fireworks display.
Ben Edmundson is currently running the Christmas raffle, which has a minimum target of £1,000. It is hoped this can be exceeded.
The proposed new scorebox is a work in progress. To date, £4,000 has been raised and ringfenced for this purpose. The hope is for a purpose-built box with a scoreboard within it.
The club have put in a bid for seating at the front of the clubhouse, with financial support from the Recreation Club. If successful, there will be 10 new heavy plastic hexagonal tables with benches and disabled places.
Clubmark accreditation is absolutely critical to the future of the club and will be a priority in the coming year.