The Silkmen Supporters Society Ltd - 2007 AGM Minutes

Minutes of the General Meeting of the Silkmen Supporters Trust held at 7.30pm on Monday 20 August 2007 in the McIlroy Suite, MTFC, London Road, Macclesfield.

Present

Board

• Andy Worth - Chairman
• Robert Wilson - Secretary
• Myra Clark - Treasurer
• Bill Milligan - Outgoing Treasurer
• Jim Goodwin
• Andy Mellor
• Steve Mundy
• Bob Trafford
• David Woolliscroft

Members

John Abbott, John Dines, Clare Griffiths, Mike Griffiths, Margaret Milligan, John Narraway, John Rayner, Chris Stewart, Dave Taylor, Jeff Teasdale, Andy Thomas, Chrissie Thompson, Adam Waller, James Wilson, Hilary Woolliscroft

1. To hear the notice convening the meeting.

The Secretary formally read the notice convening the meeting. It had been reported in the matchday programme and in the local newspaper.

The Chair welcomed all members and thanked them for supporting the Board by their attendance.

2. To receive and adopt the 2006 Financial Statements (including Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet and related Audit Report).

Bill Milligan introduced the financial report prepared by the Auditor and previously circulated to all members with email access. Copies were available for inspection.

The Society had raised over £32000 and had purchased 25110 shares in the football club, making it one of the major shareholders. He continued by thanking John Abbott, Myra Clark and David Woolliscroft for their assistance in preparing the accounts for audit.

The following resolution was agreed unanimously:

That the Members of the Silkmen Supporters Society Ltd present at the General Meeting held on 20 August 2007 receive and adopt the financial statements prepared by the Societys financial auditors.

3. To appoint Osbornes Accountants Ltd, 20 Market Place, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1JP as Auditors for the Society.

Osbornes had been selected following a recommendation by Supporters Direct. Senior members of staff of Osbornes were closely associated with the Leyton Orient Supporters Trust board and had carried out the audit at a low cost.

The following resolution was agreed unanimously:

That the Members of the Silkmen Supporters Society Ltd present at the General Meeting held on 20 August 2007 agree to appoint Osbornes Accountants Ltd, 20 Market Place, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1JP as Auditors for the Society.

4. To agree that from 2008, the Society dispenses with formal external Audit and instead opts for an Independent Examination.

Using an independent examination rather than formal audit would reduce expenditure considerably whilst still providing reassurance to Members that funds were properly accounted.

The following resolution was agreed unanimously:

That the Members of the Silkmen Supporters Society Ltd present at the Annual General Meeting held on 20 August 2007 resolve that subject to the provisions of section 4A of the 1968 Friendly and Industrial and Provident Societies Act, the members of the Society shall not require an audit for the accounts covering the current financial year ending on 31 January 2008 when they are presented to the next AGM in 2008.

5. To agree that the term of office of the current Board is extended until 31 March 2008 to coincide with the AGM which is scheduled to address financial matters relating to 2007.

The proposal was intended to improve efficiency for meetings and would also result in election results being reported to the AGM. The end of March would be the target for completion of the financial report preparation. The extension would not prevent any Board Member retiring nor would it prevent the Board co-opting new members.

The following resolution was agreed unanimously:

That the Members of the Silkmen Supporters Society Ltd present at the Annual General Meeting held on 20 August 2007 agree that the term of office of the current Board be extended until 31 March 2008.

6. Any other business.

The Chair opened the meeting for a more general discussion and the following points were noted:

• Myra Clark suggested that the Board should co-opt John Rayner as a member.
• David Woolliscroft reported on the position relating to share certificates. Companies House showed the Trust held 25110 but the Board had only been able to uncover share certificates for 18410. The Board was in correspondence with the Club regarding this matter. It was noted that the value of the Shares in the Balance Sheet agreed earlier was zero.
• The formal name of the Trust was as above. The use of the word Society was a legal matter.
• Future intentions. David Woolliscroft had led the Board in a strategy development programme following the exchange of comments with the owners on a message board. The document would be issued shortly for comment by all members (and other fans as well) and at the same time a copy would be sent to the Club. He then reviewed the contents briefly and members gave support to the main thrusts.
• Membership concessions. It was noted that the membership renewal forms contained a typographical error concessions were for 60+ years for all members and not 65+.
• A number of members welcomed the introduction of an away coach organised by the Trust. Members were encouraged to make use of the service; whilst it was not intended as a major money earner, it would have to break even as a minimum.
• Bob Trafford exhibited the Trusts 10 year memento programme which was now on sale at £5. All were encouraged to support the initiative by buying/selling copies.
• Members were updated on the progress with the Star Lane End bar which the Trust had offered to fund. Regret was expressed at the apparently slow progress with the project and the lack of information on the subject from the club.

The Chair thanked members for their attendance and members reciprocated by thanking the Chair for guiding the meeting and leading the Trust.