Minutes of the Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 17th September 2024 – Leeds Urban Bike Park
Participants:
Bob Howden (Chair), ex-officio; Ian Hirst (Vice Chair), ex-officio; Marc Etches, ex-officio; Peter Root (Secretary), ex-officio; Chris Habershon (Treasurer), ex-officio; Will Foster, Yomp Bonk Crew; Harry Brayford, unattached; John Kaye, Halifax Imperial Wheelers; Ceri Howden, unattached; Bev Randle-Eyre, unattached; Mark Presley, York Rouleurs CC; Pete Sutton, Meanwood Wheelers; Mandy Parker, East Bradford CC; Jeremy Hayes, Cycle Pathway; Steve Johnson, BC Staff; ; Matt Gott, BC Staff; Phil Makinson (RCA), ex-officio; Martin Barnes, Sowerby Sunday Club; Michael Cross, Harrogate Nova CC; Paul Luxton, Otley CC; Paul Merret, unattached; Anthony Gill, Staff; Chris Ashe, unattached; John Barber, unattached; Judith Robinson, Yorkshire Road Club; Jason Metcalfe, East Bradford CC; Charlotte McCormack, Staff; Chris Parker, East Bradford CC; Dave Hall, Seacroft Wheelers; Keith Scott, unattached; Tom Cullen, Otley CC.
1. Apologies for Absence:
Zuby Hamard, unattached; Kevin Brown, unattached; James Hawkins, Yomp Bonk Crew; Satwant Sing, unattached; Stepanie Hiscott, Unattached; Tom Morgan, Rutland CC; Dave Harris, unattached; John Gorman, unattached.
2. Minutes of Previous AGM held on Tuesday September 6th, 2023:
These were agreed to be a true record of proceedings.
Proposed: Bev Randell-Eyre
Seconded: Phil Makinson
Accepted unanimously.
3. Matters arising:
Peter Sutton was awarded the Regional Badge of Honour for services to British Cycling Yorkshire.
4. Board and Regional Staff Reports:
The meeting received the following reports:
a. Chairs Report:
Bob Howden submitted his final report. He added verbally that the region had lost Ampleforth Abbey as a venue for the Ryedale Grand Prix due to management structural changes at the venue. He was confident of finding a new venue, but this would mean that the races would be re-named. The date has been reserved for 2025.
Proposed: Ian Hirst
Seconded: Mandy Parker
Accepted unanimously.
b. Board Report:
Proposed: Bev Randell-Eyre
Seconded: Mandy Parker
Accepted unanimously.
c. Treasurers Report:
Proposed: Harry Brayford
Seconded: Bev Randell-Eyre
Accepted unanimously.
d. Regional Competition Administrator:
i. Phil Makinson reported that it had been a busy and successful season. There had been a lot of work done with local police forces and good relationships established. Thanks were due to event organisers for a positive year but there was work to do over the winter months. He asked for expression of interest in organising an event to be submitted by 11th October to enable him to meet with the HQ team to plan the national calendar of regional events to avoid date clashes in nearby regions.
ii. Dave Hall asked what support was available for clubs running para events as these rarely broke even. Steve Johnson replied that there was a small amount of resource available and that organisers should contact the HQ/regional team for further details.
iii. Mike Cross asked if there had been any progress with car drivers reported for ignoring AMS instructions (three occasions). Phil Makinson replied that these reports currently sat with HQ.
e. Regional Sports Developer
i. Matt Gott referred to the Regional Board AGM Report 2024 (Yorkshire) and reported that:
a. The number of road events were as last year but circuit events were 5-6 events down.
b. There had been no hard track events due to the YorkSport Velodrome being out of use due to the surface being unsafe to ride but the West Riding Track League was thriving.
c. Cycle Speedway was self-sustaining.
d. There had been Mountain Bike Cross Country National Championships and National Series events in the region but there was a need for more grass roots events.
e. Bradford, Leeds and Doncaster BMX clubs are still active.
f. Cyclo-cross remains strong in the region, administered by the Yorkshire Cyclo-cross Association.
ii. Bob Howden noted that a sizeable proportion of road events in the region were organised by the Yomp Bonk Crew.
iii. Keith Scott noted a significant increase in the number of gravel events appearing on the calendar. Anthony Gill stated that Gravel regulations would be in the BC handbook in 2025.
iv. Steve Johnson reported that:
a. Yorkshire was leading the way in terms of Limitless events. Yorkshire Cyclo-cross events were now inclusive.
b. BMX Freestyle support was now available to local clubs.
The meeting voted to accept the Regional Board AGM Report 2024 (Yorkshire).
Proposed Bev Randell Eyre
Seconded Ian Hirst
Accepted unanimously.
5. Workgroups & Specific Disciplines Events Work Group Reports:
a. Yorkshire Events Workgroup:
Ian Hirst reported that:
i. Most of the information regarding the Yorkshire Events Workgroup was contained in the Board Report.
ii. All meetings were well attended and held on-line.
iii. There seemed to be a good mix of roles within the workgroup.
6. Election of Officers:
There being no other nominations,
Marc Etches was appointed to the role of Chair for three years.
Ian Hirst was re-elected to the role of Vice Chair for three years.
7. Election of Board Members:
There being five vacancies and six candidates a ballot was held, and the following were appointed/reappointed:
Mandy Parker re-appointed for 3 years
Martin Barnes appointed for 2 years
Will Foster appointed for 2 years
Paul Merret appointed for 1 year
David Harris appointed for 1 year
Steph Hiscott was not appointed
These appointments were voted en-bloc.
Proposed Bev Randell Eyre
Seconded Mark Presley
Accepted unanimously.
8. Election of National Councillors:
The following were unanimously elected:
Ian Hirst
Marc Etches
Chris Habershon
Bev Randle-Eyre
Proposed: Dave Hall
Seconded: Harry Brayford
Accepted unanimously.
9. Consider Proposals and Motions for National Council
Proposal by the Yorkshire Board
The Yorkshire Board of British Cycling request that the Cycle Sport Team review the licence points system regarding the relative merits of the number of licence points available for road and circuit events.
Explanation
The system currently sees only 12% of riders in the Open 3rd category and 28% of riders in the Women’s 3rd category having licence ranking points. With a big step up to National level races and no possibility of reverting back to a 4th category the structure is struggling from inertia which is disincentivizing and could be a factor in the reducing entry levels for grassroots events.
With transponders now being commonplace at events, there is a greater ability to gain a full result with the possibility of extending the range of licence points available. Being able to achieve success, even at a modest level, is a positive factor in encouraging activity and rider development.
By being able to place a complete field of riders, this should also enable a better weighting of licence points relative to the event category, with for example, National A and B races able to extend licence points down below the current 20th position, offering a better reward for finishing these harder events and the possibility of riders then being able to hold onto their category after their transition from a previously lower category.
To summarise, this could offer both a better incentive and reward and we believe could help to stimulate a greater volume of competitive activity.
10. Any Other Business.
The Yorkshire Board recognise the need to appoint an AMS Coordinator for the region. Bev Randell-Eyre has accepted this role. The meeting approved this appointment.
Proposed Mandy Parker
Seconded Ian Hirst
Accepted unanimously.
British Cycling Yorkshire Board 2024/25
Chair: Marc Etches
Vice Chair: Ian Hirst
Secretary: Peter Root
Treasurer: Chris Habershon
Board Members:
Kevin Brown
Zuby Hamard
James Hawkins
Mandy Parker
Bev Randle-Eyre
Harry Brayford
Martin Barnes
Will Foster
Paul Merret
David Harris
HQ Staff attendees:
Steve Johnson
Matt Gott
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