The meeting was formally opened by the President Peter Rose.

Apologies: Les Lowe, Brian Taylor, Steve Jenks.

Members Present:  There were 11 members present and names are recorded on a separate sheet.

Minutes 2012:  Copies of the 2012 minutes were distributed to all members present and the secretary confirmed that these had been published in the Standard Times and on the VTTA website.  Following their presentation to the members present and requests for any queries it was agreed that they were an accurate record of the meeting and were therefore approved.

Matters Arising: Nil.

Chairman’s Report:

 Standards and Performance Awards

We have had a second season with the new standards. A number of relatively small changes were made to the standards for 2013 to reflect the experience gained in 2012. It is a major advantage of the new standards that changes can now be made easily without a complete reworking of the tables. In my view the fairness of the new system has been evidenced by the championship results in 2012 and 2013 where the top placing’s have been much more evenly spread across the ages of members without giving notable advantage to any age band in particular.

This season we have seen further changes with the main one at national level being the change from Standard Awards to Performance Awards. There was a good discussion at the National AGM in January about the need for this change with a large majority in favour.

The Performance Awards are really no different in principle from Standard Awards as they continue to recognise individual improvement on a relative age basis. Compared to the old Standard Awards they are easier to understand and to operate. More importantly they make it somewhat easier to achieve an award each year than would have been the case if we had kept the old system but based it on the new standard tables. This is because although the new standards are now giving demonstrably fairer results in open events, they offered riders smaller increments when used to calculate their Standard Awards. So the new Performance Awards provide a somewhat more generous, but still fair, annual increment on which to base claims for an annual awards.

 VTTA Midlands Points Series - sponsored by Echelon Cycles.

While our Points Series competition had proved successful for a number of years we recognised that there was a problem with riders not being able to complete the minimum number of qualifying events given that only 6 or 7 events were included.  This year we have based the competition on the Midlands Rankings system operated by Steve Lockwood which includes all events on ‘K’ courses. You will have seen the results in the latest issue of Standard Times. We think this has worked well but we will be interested to get members feedback on this new season long competition.

Events

This year we organised 5 events as follows

Date	Miles	Course
13 April Saturday	10	K33/10D
25 May Saturday	10	K48/10
26 May Sunday	23	K48/23
20 July Saturday	10	K33/10D
10 August Saturday	25	K34/25

 

Don Picken who has organised the K48 events for many years has now stepped down although his events are being taken over by the Walsall RCC and the Stafford RC.

For 2014 the Committee will organise two events, an April 10 and an August 25, while Echelon Cycles will organise a ‘10’ on the K33 course. This gives the following 3 events for 2014.

 

Date	Miles	Course
12 April Saturday	10	K11/10T
19 July Saturday	10	K33/10D
23 August Saturday	25	K34/25

 

The Mercia club’s ‘25’ and the Shirley ‘50’ will also again be used for the purposes of awarding VTTA trophies.

New members for the Committee

I would like to express my thanks to the current committee who have continued to do a great job for another year. However the current secretary and treasurer are standing down and we urgently need new members.  Could you spare a few hours a month to help? None of the jobs are too onerous when they are shared around an effective committee and we get a lot of pleasure in providing a motivating and rewarding environment in which to keep vets riding their bikes. Please consider if you could help and, if so, get in touch.

Mick Ford

Finally may I express our thanks and appreciation in memory of Mick Ford for his contribution to the sport and to the VTTA in particular over so many years. It was good to see so many of his cycling friends present at the funeral and we know Jan very much appreciated our support.

Andrew Simpkins

 

Secretary’s Report: Your Committee has met six times in the last 12 months and individual attendances are listed below:

 

Andrew Simpkins                6                      Alan Colburn                6

Peter Rose                            0                      Jeff Mathews             4

Greta Spiers                          0                      Steve Jenks              2

Stuart McKie                         5                      Ann McKie                0

Miranda Harris                      3                      Sue Kelly                   3

 

Many of the pressures that have faced your committee this year have been raised every year that I have been secretary and despite current committee members often picking up multiple roles to ensure we can cover all the key requirements necessary for the successful running of your group we again find ourselves in the position of having no nominations from our membership for positions on the committee. As a result I have made clear to the chairman and committee that I am no longer prepared to stand for re-election and will with my wife who is treasurer step down after this meeting. I would hope although rather in vain that some members will step forward to help, particularly as this is only requires a few hours, seven times a year.

Despite the difficulties your committee has ensured that we have had a great racing season, with representatives present at key meetings in relation to our ongoing sponsors, and at CTT and National VTTA meetings.

Our guest speaker for the awards luncheon on Sunday 19^th January 2014 is Colin Sturgess, and while I don’t want to steal his thunder I know there will be a biopic in the next edition of the “Standard Times” to wet your appetite, so if you haven’t booked your tickets or you’ve lost the form email Andrew and he will send you an electronic copy. Cost is wonderful value at only £15.00 per head for a superb meal, convivial conversation and a chance to meet old friends and racing enemies.

And finally could I remind the membership to make clear when re-applying for membership to indicate whether they would be happy to receive their magazine electronically as following an increase in all areas of costs we now are dipping in to reserves.

Stuart McKie

Secretary

November 17^th 2013

 

Treasurer’s Report: Shown below are the accounts for this year and the previous two years for comparison. Please pay particular attention to Note 3 which clarifies ‘Net incoming/outgoing resources’ as a minus figure of £282.04; the operating deficit is therefore up by £252.86. This year’s membership is down again; group subs are £629, £118 less than last year.

It should be noted that year on year the expenditure against income increases. The good news is that the costs for production and provision of the Standard Times have been vastly reduced, also helped by a healthy advertising revenue. The £2000 on short term deposit is still only currently earning 30p a quarter. Thought needs to be given to how the growing deficit can be addressed.

Currently prize money for events remains the same even if the entries are lower than expected. Perhaps a statement on the entry form saying that if entries are below a certain level prize money only goes down to 4^th place? We cannot afford to run events that run at a loss. Fortunately this year both events made a small profit, helped by prize money donated by Echelon.

Ann McKie

Hon Treasurer

 

			MIDLANDS GROUP VTTA
			ACCOUNT SUMMARY
			As at 30th September 2013
					2013	2012	2011
Current Assets
Cash at bank					557.66	986.88	742.25
Cash in hand					0	0	0
Short term deposit					2104.88	2103.7	2102.5
Imprest for Standard Times					0	300	300
Net Current Assets					2662.54	3390.58	3144.75
		INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
		Year ended 30th September 2013
					2013	2012	2011
Income
Subscriptions					1564	1872	1911
Time trial events					115.35	356.19	851.34
Prize presentation lunch					645.7	735.85	901
Standard fees					360	427	448
Bank Interest					1.18	1.2	1.19
Advertising					160	40	60
Donations					191	48	121.31
Repayment of cheques					0	0	28
Total Income					3037.23	3480.24	4321.84
Expenditure
Affiliation Fees					30	60	30
National VTTA subs					996	988	1135	note 1
Points Series					245	160	305
Standard Times					413	869.63	1109.37
Postage					142.66	20.61	0
Time Trial Events					33.5	20.35	206.51
Trophies and engraving					558.56	390.33	671.16
Prize presentation lunch					584.25	671.5	836.95
Room hire					227.3	120	175
Returned cheques					0	0	28
Sundries					150	42	32	note 2
Total Expenditure					3380.27	3342.42	4528.99
Net incoming/outgoing resources					-343.04	137.82	-207.15	note 3
Note 1		£137 was paid from 2011/2012, however £76 is owed to VTTA from this year
Note 2		This was donation to Myton Hospice
Note 3		Actual net incoming/outgoing resource is -£282.04

 

Audited 6.11.13

 

Hon Treasure                                   Ann McKie

Auditor                                               Margaret Colburn

 

Editor’s Report:  “Four editions of Standard Times (ST) were produced in the year. I would like to express my thanks to all those who have and continue to provide articles and copy for the magazine. Again this year photographs were provided by Steve Lockwood and John Stallard, and a big thank you to them.

This year we offered members the opportunity to receive the magazine via e-mail, using a pdf format, which is easy to access and read. 34 members have so far taken advantage of this.

Even more careful print buying and reduced print quantities have meant we have been able to reduce the cost of the magazine and together with an increase in advertising revenue, made the magazine much more cost effective. Postage remains the biggest cost. So together with moving to 3 editions next year, February, July and late October and more members selecting the pdf option, I would be hopeful of maintaining the quality of production and further reducing ST’s cost impact on the Association.”

Jeff Matthews

 

Recorder’s Report: This year has seen the introduction of Performance Awards replacing the Standard Medals.  Steve Jenks has looked after this section and has done an excellent job – a separate report from him covers all the details.  There has been some criticism of this new venture but it does make things easier to understand, administer and record.  I trust that it will be allowed to flourish and eventually to mature.

There are four main sections to mention and full detailed reports are attached. 

This season sees an innovation for VTTA riders which replaces the old Points Series and has been masterminded by Steve Lockwood.  This is based on the existing Midlands Rankings system with appropriate amendments

Trophies

 

As listed except for the Harry Farrell Shield which is almost decided with Stafford RC in the lead at the moment followed by Walsall, Echelon, Solihull and Coventry RC.  Attendance at this AGM will conclude the competition.

Despite some good rides by the ladies throughout the season I’m surprised not to have received any claims for the Ladies BAR.  The remaining awards to be decided are the Ellis and White salvers for Services to the Group – voting slips are included with the Luncheon booking form so please vote for the person of your choice.

Jones/Massie/Nomads  Competition had 36 riders and the Jones Cup was won by Phil Brown by the narrowest of margins from Scott Westwood with Rob Weare and Karl Moseley close behind.  The Massie trophy for the Over 65’s went to Bob Awcock from Murray Kirton and John Grumbley.  Scott Westwood won the Nomads award convincingly for the under 50’s followed by Alistair Semple and Paul Guest.

The Midlands Rankings Points Series has completed the first year in it’s new make-up with riders grouped into five categories.  The full results have been published so I will just mention the leading riders. In the Elite group Karl Moseley and Rob Weare battled for first place which was decided in Karl’s favour on tie-break rules closely followed by Mar Mullender, Scott Westwood and Phil Brown.   Phil Clark was the sole qualifier in the 1^st category and in the 2^nd category Richard Coleman beat Sue Smith and Simon Wix by a handful of points.  Alistair Semple, Matthew Moore and Peter Delves led the 3^rd. cats, closely followed by Sue Semple and Dave Walker.   John Grumbley sits on top of the 4^th category riders with Murray Kirton, Terry Shough, Andrew Simpkins and Claire Sadler following in close company.

We only had one claim for the BAR and Three Distance events which was David Parkes of the Coventry RC who takes the Cyclo Shield and the Godiva Cup for the Group competitions and also finished 29^th in the National list.

It’s always gratifying to record the Over 70’s racing men and women but this year turned out to be rather unsatisfactory.  At the end of October, the closing date for claims, I had received one application – and he wasn’t even in our Group!  Together with help from Susan Kelly and Steve Lockwood I eventually composed a list but I’m sure that this is not a complete roster.

I am standing down as Recorder at this meeting but would offer my full support to my successor and also thank members of the Committee for their help.

Alan Colburn

 

Asst. Recorder’s Report: (Report submitted post AGM meeting)

The new Performance Awards system  seem to have been a success with fourteen members gaining awards at various distances compared to ten achieving Standards Awards last year. Whether this momentum is maintained remains to be seen but it was disappointing to see a number of members sending in their forms showing intentions to go for 'new targets' which by definition are achievable by virtue of completing the event but not following up with the claim despite having paid for them. Maybe the new system was confusing as it was instigated at short notice. It certainly caused confusion for a number of claimants as the route of delivery of the claim and the format that it arrived in varied almost as much as the number of claimants.

Hopefully next year things will run a bit smoother especially as I have now got my head around what is required. Anyway - well done to all those who achieved awards - next year it won't be so easy for those members (evil grin) when you have to keep within the allowed time added! Let’s see more members going for the initial award and giving yourselves a target to aim at for the following year(s) - also it would be nice to see the ladies represented. Special mention needs to be given to Murray Kirton of A5 Rangers and David Steele of Hereford Wheelers for each achieving five awards and especially to David Parkes of Coventry Roads Club for achieving seven times/distances with both of the David’s including a 24hours.
 
Steve Jenks   

Press Secretary’s Report:

New Echelon Rankings competition 2013.

There was a completely different style of reporting than before with focus on the changes and additions to the rankings at the end of each month. Tables were also included of all riders in the competition. Reports commenced in May and ran through until October. So far no feedback as to how this was received by the members.

Race reports.

There was only one race report with information supplied by race organiser Andrew Simpkins for the K34/25 in August.

Other reports included regular competition and trophy updates.

Rider profiles

Finally one rider kindly provided information for a profile - Scott Westwood, and a magnificent photo.

 All copy and tables were added to the Midlands DC and VTTA sites as well as included in the Standard Times and the Veteran. 

It would be nice to get some feedback from the members and even some photos to go on the two websites.

Miranda Harris

 

Membership Secretary’s Report: Membership has decreased, having 127 on my spread sheet, with 9 couples, 17 women and 13 honorary members plus one distinguished life member. We have created 5 new HLM's this year, Brian Westwood, Barry Keen, Eddie Smith, Reg Pearce and Norman Wood. Looking ahead to 2014 we have another potential 5 HLM's. To be an HLM you need to be 80 with 25 years membership.

Sue Kelly

 

Social Secretary’s Report:  Greta advised that arrangements for the awards lunch were in place and she was monitoring numbers of attendees. Given the issue of cash flow it had been agreed that Greta would be supplied with the account details to enable any monies to be banked.

Greta Spiers

CTT Delegate Report:  The key issue discussed was the implementation of the new signage advising a cycle event was in progress. The new signs were now approved by the police and highways and were significantly larger than previous versions. The committee agreed to look at the groups existing stock and purchase a suitable quantity to ensure we were able to comply with the new rules.

VTTA Delegate Report: Alan updated those present, because the National AGM falls after ours there were not a lot of issues to feedback. Stuart raised the issue that we had been recently advised that the national group had made the decision to pay for the role of Secretary following a lack of potential replacements coming forward following Ann Butterworth’s decision to step down. Stuart voiced his personal concern that this was taking the organisation down a slippery slope where it may become the norm to pay for committee members to undertake their duties. Stuart asked Alan whether there had been any further conversations about merging the association with the CTT or BC. Alan advised this had been raised and is likely to be discussed at a future national meeting.

Election of Officers & Committee: The retiring Officers & Committee Members are:

President -                             Peter Rose

Chairman -                            Andrew Simpkins

            Secretary –                            Stuart McKie

            Treasurer –                            Ann McKie

            Recorder -                             Alan Colburn

            Asst. Recorder -                    Steve Jenks

            Editor -                                   Jeff Mathews

            Press Secretary –                 Miranda Harris

            Trophy Secretary –             Alan Colburn

            Membership Secretary -      Sue Kelly

            Social Secretary –                Greta Spiers

 

With the exception of the Secretary, Treasurer and Recorder all the present remaining Committee are willing to stand again and with the agreement of the meeting it is proposed that they be elected en bloc.

 

Proposed: Graham Kelly                Seconded: Greta Spiers

 

Motion carried unanimously

It is further proposed that Margaret Colburn be re-elected as Auditor.

Proposed: Sue Kelly                                   Seconded: Ann McKie

 

Motion carried unanimously.

No nominations had been received for the vacant positions prior to or during the meeting. Andrew advised that the committee were urgently looking at how they could make the burden less onerous for potential committee members and hoped after the next meeting to forward some proposals. If anyone felt they could give up some time or knew of someone who might be interested please contact Andrew.

 

AGENDA

 

• Item 1. Proposed: Jeff Matthews                           Seconded: Andrew Simpkins

 

It is proposed that the committee provide a report for the membership on changes to reflect more equitably VTTA Midlands Points Series result (based on the Midlands Ranking System).

It was agreed following a briefing by Andrew that the committee would be tasked with determining an approach to the new Points Series where the prize bands should be organised in such a way that there are a roughly equal number of VTTA members in each. This would however mean our prize bands will not align with Steve Lockwood’s current categories and would need further work with Steve to resolve.

 

• Item 2. Proposed: Stuart McKie                             Seconded: Andrew Simpkins

It is proposed that the VTTA Midland Group raise membership fees by £2.00 to reflect the VTTA National levy increase.

The Chair clarified that there had not been a rise in subscriptions for a number of years and as could be seen by the Treasurers report unless action was taken now to redress this situation the state of our finances would continue to deteriorate. With an increase in members now receiving the Standard Times as a PDF, which was reducing outgoings, we were hopeful that we would not be asking for any further increases in the near future. Following discussion the motion was put to the vote and carried 10 for 1 against.

• Item 3. Nominations were invited for the C.W.Cooke Award (Most meritorious racing performance).

The members present did not offer a nomination this year for this award

• Item 4. Nominations were invited for the Bricknell Award (Service to the Association).

Those present unanimously agreed to nominate Ann Butterworth for her work on behalf of the VTTA and the Secretary was asked to forward this to Ann Butterworth

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Sue Kelly asked for clarification as to where performance awards requests and payments should be sent as there was confusion as whether these went to the Assistant Recorder. Those present felt that all monies should be sent to the Membership Secretary who would notify the Recorder of any payments made for performance awards.

As there was no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 15.50hr.

 

Chairman                                                                                          Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Simpkins                                                                            Stuart McKie

 

 

                                                           

                                                                      

I welcome everyone who has come along to the Midlands VTTA AGM 2013. I hope to bring along past president Les Lowe but unfortunately he wasn’t well enough to attend.

First of all I would like to that all the Midland VTTA officials for all their hard work the last 12 months.Also those who have organised both VTTA and Open events on ‘K’ courses which now count to the points Competition for members of the VTTA. I rode 9 TT’s as open events. & to count towards the competition again sponsored by Echelon Rotor on K courses. The other two were on a ‘A’ courses of 25 and 30 miles which I hope will count to my performance awards. One TT I found very hard was Coventry 25 TT on the Princethorpe course due to the wind and terrain. It was well organised. I should like to thank my son Nicholas who brought me here today. I am recovering from a broken shoulder blade caused by a hidden pothole which threw me off my bike.