March 2009 Board Meeting

Thursday 5 March 2009

Present: Brian Lomax (Chair), Rob Bradley (Vice - Chair), Tony Taylor (Vice-Chair), Simon Cope, Yvonne Fletcher, Sean Hamill , Neil Le Milliere, Steve Powell, Ian Todd

In attendance: Dave Boyle (Chief Executive), Bruce Burford (Treasurer), Clare Oakley (Secretary)

Apologies :  Elaine Dean, Stuart Duncan, Joe Hill, Kris Stewart, Bob Booker, Malcolm Clarke

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS

The Board received and noted the Management Accounts for the period up to 31 January 2009.

CHANGE IN THE ACCOUNTING REFERENCE DATE

The Board noted that due to the decision to move to a two day end of season conference including the AGM in 2010, the year-end date would need to change to ensure enough time to prepare and audit the accounts. This would require a rule change, so it was agreed to recommend to members that the next year- end date be moved from March 31 2010 to 31 December 2009 and it was also agreed that an electronic ballot of members (or paper where electronic was not possible) be conducted for this.

FINANCIAL CONTROLS - THE BOARD'S ROLE

The Financial Controls, as relating to the Board, were approved.

BUDGET 2009

The Board received and approved a report proposing a budget for April and May 2009, which was a straight extrapolation of the figures for 2008/09.

STANDING ORDERS FOR GENERAL MEETINGS

The Board approved the Standing Orders for General Meetings.

SD BOARD MEETINGS

The Board approved;

The Standing Orders for Board Meetings; The Schedule of Matters Reserved for the Board; The windows for Board Meetings in 2009, except that the window for the May and July meetings should be extended to two weeks, and authorised the Secretary to set the actual dates to maximise attendance of Directors and finally the timing of Board meetings for 2010.

INSURANCE FOR SD OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The Board agreed that a policy providing both D&O liability and PI cover should be obtained and the Chief Executive was authorised to arrange it.

CEO REPORT

The Board received and noted the CEO's report for February 2009.

CHARITY

It was agreed that, unless firm benefits could be identified from charitable status, most importantly that funding would be affected by whether or not SD were a charity, no further action should be taken in regards to charitable status.

CONFERENCE 2009

The Board received a paper proposing arrangements for the 2009 Conference. The Board agreed that Conference 2009 should be held at the Birmingham NEC and approved an outline budget for the event.

FA COUNCIL REPORT

The Board received and noted a written report from Malcolm Clarke on the FA Council.