The committee recorded its grateful thanks to Martyn Fribbens, Eric Hatfield and all the coaches who had helped with the Junior Academy during the year. There were two juniors deserving of the award for “most improved player” and a second trophy will be purchased.

9 teams had competed in the president’s cup competition which had been greatly enjoyed by all those who took part. It was agreed to repeat the competition next year with the date included in the playing calendar and with greater publicity.

The winter league was running this year with 14 teams, one less than last year. The divisions each contained 7 teams and the 2 teams having a bye in each week will play one another in a “crossover match”

Because of organisational and insurance problems it now seems unlikely that the proposed Ab Fab Indoor Classic can go ahead as planned in April 2009. It was agreed that the provisional booking of Detling should be cancelled and instead to plan to hold a major open competition at Lordswood on the weekend of 22/23 August 2009

This item has been deferred until the next meeting for further clarification of the piste costs.

It was agreed that the Kent Ladies who competed in the world championships should each receive a donation of £50 from the Association funds towards their expenses.

The Association Funds (after payment of the Brean Sands and Nord Maritime expenses) stand at:-

Winter League Subs	280
Main Fund	6,571
Junior Fund	1,744
Total	£8,595

The association has 41 affiliated clubs. Membership stands at :-

Adults	740	(59 new members)
Juniors	21	(6 new members)
Total	761

114 members had not renewed resulting in a net loss of 49 members (6%).

It was agreed that some research will be conducted to determine the main reasons for members not renewing.

In view of the proposal to hold a major open competition at Lordswood in August it was agreed to shelve the suggestion made at the last committee meeting to consider the possibility of holding an event at Princes Park Dartford. It was agreed however that if the EPA wanted to run an event there the Association would agree to undertake its organisation.

It was agreed that the following proposals will be made by the committee to the AGM

(a) Subscriptions
Subscriptions to remain unchanged

(b) Investigation of Alternatives to an Indoor Bouledrome
“This AGM notes the work done by the management committee over the past several seasons into the feasibility of building an indoor bouledrome in Kent. We recognise that in the current climate, pre 2012 Olympics and general financial, there is little prospect of raising the required finds (£200,000 for 16 lanes). We also recognise that the running of such a facility if it were to be built would require more resources, both financial and in volunteer effort, than would be tenable for an organisation of our size.

The minimum protection that would enhance our facilities, as temperature is not normally an issue, would be a roof giving freedom from rain. This AGM therefore instructs the Management Committee to initiate a Canopy Project to find a cost effective way of providing a cover that could be employed to cover 8 – 12 lanes. The possibility of developing a system that could be used by smaller clubs for up to 4 lanes should also be explored.”

(c) Equal Opportunities Policy
“The Kent Petanque Association is an Equal Opportunities group committed to the implementation of practices which will ensure that no potential or current member is treated less favourably on the grounds of Sex, Marital status, Race, Nationality, Ethnic origin, Age, Class, Sexual orientation, Colour or Disability, or any other grounds which cannot be justified.

As an Equal Opportunities group Kent Petanque Association is fully committed to establishing and maintaining an environment in which everyone is welcome. We will ensure to the best of our ability that no-one is treated less favourably on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, class, sexual orientation, colour or disability, or any other grounds which cannot be justified.

Acts of discrimination, including harassment, by members of the association and / or affiliated clubs, where proven, will be grounds for serious disciplinary action by the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Association.

To this end, within the framework of the law, the Association is committed wherever practicable, to achieving and maintaining a group representative of the local communities in which it operates. Overall responsibility for the application of the policy rests with the Management Committee of the Association. All members of the Association however, have a personal responsibility to act in accordance with the policy.”

AGM Nominations Ken Buchan and Ron Yates have indicated that they wish to stand down as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Ken Buchan is willing to stand for election as Treasurer and Ron Yates is willing to accept the position of Gazette Editor. The following nominations for elected officers were made:-

Post	Name of Nominee Proposers
Chairman	Martin Eggleton Ken Buchan & Mick Weston
Treasurer	Ken Buchan Annette Eggleton & Martin Eggleton
Membership	Annette Eggleton Ken Buchan & Mick Weston
Playing	Trevor Glenn Ken Buchan & David Baxter

The following nominations for election to the Management Committee were received.

Nominee	Proposer
Mick Weston	Lordswood
Eric Hatfield	Lordswood
Colin Senneck	The George
Mick Nash	The George
David Baxter	The George
Ron Yates	The George

(b) Auditor
Ken agreed to stand for election as auditor for the current year’s accounts

The committee has recognised the desirability of involving Association members in its deliberations and business. It has been agreed that greater publicity shall be given of the dates and venues of committee meetings and to the fact that committee members are open for all members to attend. It was also agreed that it would be preferable for committee meetings to be held at different venues throughout the county.

The entry for the EPA Open at Godmanchester was slightly less than had been hoped for but there had been a good representation from Kent. The Ladies world championships had been won by Spain. Sadly the Kent ladies representing England had not performed as well as they would have wished. The men’s team was imminently due to compete in the world championships in Senegal but there are disturbing reports of a lack of organisation. The EPA AGM will take place on 22 November in Solihull and among other things will be asked to ratify the new playing structure agreed at Congress.

The EPA Junior Weekend of Excellence is due to take place on the weekend of 29 / 30 November. To date there have been no nominations from Kent. Any junior player interested in attending the weekend should contact Eric Hatfield.

The next committee meeting will be held on Thursday 4 December at 8.00 p.m. at Hartley Country Club. Any member of the Association is free to attend and with the chairman’s permission to address the meeting.