Chesterfield Football Supporters Society

Minutes of the meeting of Wednesday 4^th May 2006

Venue: CFC Boardroom

Present: P.Tooley (Chair), D.Bowler, R.Willett, A.Fantom, P.Whiteley, M.Cook, C.Young, A.Haywood, I.Browes, A.Wheatcroft, P.Taylor, R.Pearson

Apologies:

Secretary: R.Busby

1. Notes of the previous meeting and Matters Arising

The minutes were accepted.

Matters arising - none.

2. Club Report

PRT reported that discussions on budget setting for next year's player fund had begun, and will be concluded within the next 8 weeks or so.

In light of continuing progress with the new stadium it has been agreed that the policy of keeping expenditure on the Saltergate stadium to a minimum will be continued. However some essential work has to be done on the floodlights, the CCTV system and the fire detection sensors.

No news yet on the court case on the loss of the ITV Digital income.

Season ticket renewal letters are about to be sent out.

Ground Report

The "open" Question and Answer forum on the plans for the new stadium held last Sunday went well. Those attending reported that the information provided had been thorough and extensive. PRT summarised key issues from the session:

·The plans are now developing well, but work continues and what follows is not yet finalised -

·The overriding aim is to provide the best possible view of the playing area from all seats.

·All concourses will have refreshment areas

·The planned seating comfort standards at 760mm knee room significantly exceed the statutory minimum of 560mm.

·The 10,900 seats will include an area of "unreservable" seats allowing flexibility to increase away seating when appropriate.

·Questions about retaining "standing" terrace places were addressed by the architect - when health and safety regulatory considerations are taken into account it has become clear from options analysis of recent stadium building projects that is actually more expensive to provide standing room than seating.

·Car parking spaces will be approx 250 - 300, plus room for 8 coaches. A "deal" on buying car parking spaces tied to purchase of season tickets is being looked at.

·Disability access and the number of wheelchair places provided will comply fully with the "Green Guide" guidelines.

·The corners of the stadium will be left empty at this stage, apart from siting for the floodlighting pylons, leaving possibilities for expansion later.

·The outward appearance of the stadium will be modern and stylish, mostly brick and glass (not cladding) on the ends facing the roads.

·It is expected that the "away" end will be at the pottery lane side of the site.

·The community facilities have still not been designed and it is now important for CFSS to begin work on defining requirements and finding funds. Within the greater scheme of things minor planning changes that may be needed when the requirements are fully defined won't be a problem.

PRT was pleased with the outcome of the event and felt that it had been a good basis for CFSS members to learn about the proposals and voice any concerns they had. PW agreed that the meeting had been positive and very informative.

DB asked what the current cost estimates for the stadium were. PRT replied that discussions with McAlpine were proceeding and that a final figure was not yet known as the plans continued to go through revision of the finer details. A cost around, but probably below, £10M is expected.

Discussion then centred round the Club's assets and known available funding, in order to try to ascertain what level of debt CFSS may have to incur to fund the new ground. As the Business Case, Financial Plan and Risk Analysis is not completed it is not yet possible to determine what is reasonable and affordable and what level of financial risk the CFSS Board will have to underwrite. It was agreed that what is crucial is that the full facts are made known to the CFSS Board members in good time, so that they can take an informed and reasoned judgement about whether the New Stadium is a viable risk as they are ultimately personally accountable for the financial decisions of the Club.

3. Community Issues

Work has commenced on creating the Job Description and associated materials for a potential new Fund Raising Officer post. PW suggested that it would be helpful if a small sub-committee were formed to deal with the preparation, recruitment and direction setting for the new post. Agreed. The Chair, PW, JC, DB and RP volunteered to take on this role.

The Chair stated that as the Stadium project unfolds there will be lots of new tasks to undertake and direct, thus it will be necessary to review CFSS Board members' portfolios to address this. This to be placed on the agenda for future meetings.

Events

The Player of the Year night had been another great success with over 260 present, an excellent compere in Wilf Mcguiness. Air conditioning would have helped though, and the lesson learned from the auction is that higher quality lots would have been readily snapped up.

The May Day stall in Chesterfield market had not gone so well, because of the poor weather, but nonetheless takings exceeded £100

The Garden Party planning is almost complete and the event will be publicised shortly.

Gala Day preparations have started - next volunteers group meeting is on 22 May at 7:00pm in the CFC Boardroom.

4. Treasurer's Report

AF presented the monthly accounts (and thanked the Chair for looking after the job for the last 2 months whilst he had been away).

Key points to note: the player fund has dropped slightly, and the £3000 agreed for transfer to CFC last month had not yet been transferred. Agreed that this would be done immediately.

Since Howard Borrell stepped down as a CFSS Board member a new co-signatory for cheques is required. PRT volunteered to take on this role. Agreed.

DB asked if now is the right time to review the level of CFSS raised funding passed to the Club as it is now clear that CFSS has to begin raising funds for the community facilities at the new stadium. DB suggested that a target figure could be set with any surplus being transferred to the Club at the end of the financial year if required. It was agreed that this matter did need debating, and will be placed on the agenda for future meetings.

The Treasurers report was accepted.

5. Membership Report

AW reported that as he had been away he had a considerable amount of mail to deal with, especially as the concessionary and full annual renewal letters had recently gone out. An update on numbers will be made available next month.

In response to a question AW reported that triennial subscriptions would expire next year.

The Membership director's report was accepted.

6. Young Spireites

IB presented a balance sheet summarising the financial position after one full year of operation of the Young Spireites.

At the end of this excellent first year IB requested that special thanks be recorded to:

·Stuart Hancock of lnterprint for effectively sponsoring Young Spireites by supplying stationery and printing services free of charge;

·Roy Mcfarland, Lee Richardson, Anthony Haywood and the Groundstaff for their support at the young Spireite Club meetings,

·Phil and Sylvia Tooley for their help organising and running the meetings and their excellent quizzes, and,

·All those Club players (they know who they are!) who have enthused and inspired the children by coming to the meetings.

Membership renewal letters will be going out in June with the newsletter and the results of the prediction competition.

IB's report was accepted.

The Chair congratulated IB on behalf of the CFSS Board on the sterling work he had done to revive youngster interest in the Club. With an increasing membership (now at 77) and well thought out events, which the youngsters clearly enjoy, Young Spireites is now on a firm footing.

7.Any Other Business

AH reported that the Ground Staff Easter Raffle had realised £2483 bringing the total raised so far this year to £7911. A further raffle may be held before the end of the season

CY was sad to report that financial difficulties may lead to SIFA folding. Although there are still around 200 members, the numbers using the hired coaches to away matches have now dwindled significantly and several recent trips have resulted in losses. The normally well attended Race Night fund raiser recently held at the County Hotel had a low turn out resulting in takings of approx £200, but this is not sufficient to make up for the losses on the coach hire. Unless the situation improves it will be difficult to continue. CY urged CFSS members to publicise the special meeting to be held at the County Hotel this Sunday at 7:30pm where the situation and possible solutions will be discussed.

Meeting closed at 21:30

Next Meeting:Wednesday June 7^th2006, 7:30pm.