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Action |
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Welcome / Introductions |
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| SP welcomed everyone and thanked MC / Enfield Ignatians Rugby Club for agreeing to host the meeting. SP explained that ML (the current Chair) had sent his apologies for lateness and that SP would therefore chair the meeting, in his capacity as Vice Chair, until ML arrived. |
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| All attendees introduced themselves. |
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Background & Recent History |
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| The last ESAC Committee meeting had taken place in January 2015 and the last AGM in May 2011. ESAC had been “treading water” for a number of years and there was a need to re-establish the organisation as an independent voice for sport in Enfield. |
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| It was noted that ESAC had had difficulty in obtaining contact details in the past, because of Data Protection issues and that the ESAC handbook was out of date. |
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| It was agreed that all club contact details would be shared with all other members of ESAC. |
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| It was agreed that email replies would not be sent to all Members unless there was a need to do so and, if there was a need, people would be copied in to replies. |
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The reason for “re-establishing” ESAC |
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| The financial pressures facing Enfield Council and other public sector bodies, which is set to intensify in the next 2-3 years, is already having and will continue to have an impact on the voluntary sports sector. At the very least the voluntary sports sector needs to defend its position. SP referred to one of the background paper on the pressures facing sports clubs, which he had circulated prior to the meeting. |
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SP explained what he envisaged ESAC’s role to be in the future, which included:
- Advocating the value and importance of sport, in terms of helping the Council achieve its broader strategic objectives (improving health and wellbeing, community safety, community cohesion; education and lifelong learning; regeneration and economic development etc etc);
- Working in partnership with the Council to develop sport in Enfield, with a focus on ensuring there are meaningful pathways in place to link sports development work with opportunities to join local sports clubs;
- Marketing the sporting opportunities that the voluntary sports Sector and individual clubs can offer Enfield residents;
- Opposing the net loss of sports facilities unless equivalent provision can be provided elsewhere, or the owner of the facility can prove that there is no current or future need for such facilities;
- Meeting regularly with the Council’s Lead Member for Sport, as well as Council officers, to make sure that the interests of the voluntary sports sector and the issues of concern are communicated to the Council;
- Commenting on planning applications that impact on individual sports clubs and/or the voluntary sports sector;
- Representing the interest of individual clubs and the voluntary sports sector in relation to negotiations with the Council’s Property Services team;
- Commenting on Council strategic documents that will have an impact on the voluntary sports sector (eg the Local Plan, Sports Strategies and Open Space strategies);
- Working with Governing Bodies of Sport, London Sport and other strategic bodies to enhance the development of sport in Enfield;
- Representing the interests of the voluntary sports sector at meetings of the London Federation of Sport and Recreation.
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The role of Enfield Sports Advisory Council |
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| SP advised that although this item on the agenda referred to the role of ESAC, this had really been covered under the previous agenda item and that this item was really about the nature of the work that ESAC would deliver. SP referred to the paper “Potential Operating Levels” that had been circulated prior to the meeting. |
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| Several people said that ESAC needed a web site and that should be one of the basic operating requirements that ESAC needed to deliver. It was accepted that this would require resources (initial set up costs and on-going updating of information etc); but the provision of a web-site should nevertheless be a basic requirement for ESAC. |
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| Various attendees agreed to forward information to SP about individuals and companies who may be able to help set up a web site, at a reasonable cost. |
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| It was agreed that ESAC should initially aim to achieve the “Basic (Minimum)” operating level requirements, as detailed on page 1 of the paper, but also including the provision of a web site. SP to amend the paper and recirculate. |
SP |
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Relationship with Enfield Council and other bodies |
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| SP had met with Council officers, who had been very supportive and there was an intention to meet with the Cabinet Lead Member for Sport, Cllr Fonyonga, on a quarterly basis, subject to SP advising of agenda items in advance of the meetings. |
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SP explained the link between ESAC, the London Federation of Sport and Recreation and London Sport.
MS said that there was a need for ESAC to formally nominate someone to attend London Federation meetings and proposed that SP take on that role. It was agreed that SP be appointed in to that role. |
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Significant Issues facing individual sports clubs |
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Various issues were raised by clubs, including:
- Concern that the Council is not complying with its responsibilities, as set out in Leases and other documents, due to financial pressures;
- One club mentioned that rent increases had been back dated and they felt that they had no option but to pay the backdated amounts;
- Increases in rents that are putting pressure on sports clubs and putting some of them at risk of closure;
- Concern that the Council will introduce new charges and increase existing charges for sports activities and events in Parks and Open Spaces;
- Sports Development work led by Enfield Council is sometimes not properly linked to sports clubs (so exit routes for young people are not available);
- Clubs are struggling with succession planning (bringing on board new volunteers);
- Concern that the Council doesn’t seem to understand that sports clubs are part of the solution to addressing the obesity crisis in Enfield;
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It was agreed that a formula that John Lennox, a previous Chairman of ESAC, had developed should be reviewed by ESAC to see if it still has relevance and whether it should be updated for future use. A number of the clubs present said that there would be a benefit in all clubs working together to secure reasonable levels of rent. HW agreed to find the formula and circulate to members.
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HW |
| The Enfield Bowls Alliance was mentioned as a good example of sports clubs working together. |
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| The meeting was informed that the “Vibrant Partnerships” (the Trust managing leisure facilities on behalf of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority) are under significant pressure to increase income and that is having an impact on sports clubs. |
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Finance Update |
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| HW provided an update on ESAC’s financial position. He advised that ESAC currently had a surplus of £750.42p in the bank. |
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| HW explained that little money had been expended in the last few years. CR said that this was partly due to the fact that everything was now done on line and postage costs no longer were a factor. |
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| ESAC will need to consider raising annual membership fees at the next AGM, in October, to ensure that Insurance cover and any resources required to develop the web site were available. |
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Appointment of Interim Chair |
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| ML explained that he wished to stand down as Chair as he no longer has the time to devote to this role. It was agreed that SP would be appointed as interim Chair until the next AGM. SP thanked ML for his contribution as Chair of ESAC, particularly the very important role he had played in keeping the organisation going during a difficult period. |
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Planning an AGM and appointment of interim officers |
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| SP advised that the next AGM would take place in October 2017. |
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| CR advised that she was standing down as Secretary due to having too many other commitments. SP thanked her for the excellent contribution she had made during her time as secretary. |
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| No-one put forward their name to become Secretary, so SP agreed to cover the role until the next AGM. |
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| 10 |
AOB |
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| ESAC were asked to consider whether an annual social event should be arranged, perhaps linked to one of the General Meetings. SP to take this back to the Executive Committee. |
SP |
| SP agreed to obtain a structure chart from Enfield Council, showing contact details in the Sports Development team and the Parks and Open Spaces service. |
SP |
| Swimming Clubs should be invited to future ESAC meetings |
SP |
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Date of next meeting |
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| It was agreed that the meetings would rotate around the borough and that the “host” club would be given an opportunity, at the beginning of the meeting, to introduce their club. |
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| It was agreed that meetings would take place in the evening, but different days of the week would be chosen (apart from Fridays and at the week-end); to avoid individuals not being able to attend meetings due to other regular commitments. |
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| It was agreed that the next ESAC General Meeting would take place at the Southgate Hockey Centre, in June. SP and LM would liaise to confirm arrangements. Enfield Cricket Club and North Enfield Cricket Club offered to host a future meeting of ESAC. |
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| It was agreed that ESAC members would offer other members lifts where those members did not have access to a car. |
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