Minutes of Coimmittee Meeting - 16 June 2026
Committee Meeting Minutes – 16 June 2026Committee Meeting Minutes – 16 June 2026Pre AGM Committee MeetingDate: 16 June 2026 Time: 7:00pm
Present
Tommy Hughes Chris Farmiloe Ian Cosens Fred Swarbrick Craig Hine Andy Thompson Greg King John Powell Mark Ashley Peter Rhodes Sara Shackleton Paul RiordanAgenda1. Apologies
2. Welcome to Thomas Bradburn
3. Approval of last minutes (February)
4. Approval of minutes as a true record
5. Intentions to continue in present roles
6. Proposed league set up (J.P.)
7. Final season percentages (J.P.)
8. Sponsorship (C.H.)
9. Finance (G.K.) – Benevolent Fund
10. New Clubs joining / Clubs moving to ADM
11. Concerns regarding Clubs (general discussion)
12. Motions received
13. Presentation Dinner
14. Any Other Business
Minutes 1. Apologies No formal apologies were recorded. 2. Welcome to Thomas Bradburn Thomas Bradburn was welcomed to the committee, but not present at the meeting. 3 & 4. Approval of Minutes (February) The minutes from the February meeting were reviewed and approved as a true and accurate record. 5. Intentions to Continue in Present Roles All committee members confirmed they will continue in their current roles next season. Fred noted that next season will be his final year, as he wishes to step back after his 86th birthday.Succession Planning: Craig proposed establishing a Vice Chair role to support future continuity. The committee agreed this should be discussed mid season and added formally to the agenda. 6. Proposed League Set Up (J.P.) John Powell presented the updated league structure and recent changes:• Blackburn 2nd XV moved from Premier League to Division 1.• Marple 1st XV moved from Division 1 to Division 2 South.• Eagle moved from Division 2 South to Division 3 South due to player losses.• West Park 3rd XV moved from 4 North Central to 4 West (now 12 teams following Chester 3rd XV withdrawal).Totals:• 137 teams• 96 clubs• 7 leagues of 11 teams• 5 leagues of 12 teamsDeparting Clubs: Prenton, Oxton Parkonians, St Edwards Old Boys, East Manchester 2nd XVNew Clubs: Lancaster University 3rd XV, St Edwards 2nd XV, De La Salle 1st XV, Broughton 1st XVThe committee acknowledged the significant work undertaken by John to complete the set up. 7. Final Season Percentages (J.P.) John reported:• Overall season completion: 72%, above the RFU funding threshold (70%).• Premier League & Division 1: 75% and 79%, slightly lower than expected.• Division 5 West: 83%, the strongest league.• Division 3 North: 51%, the weakest league.Funding Update: RFU funding will end after next season. Future funding will be managed by Lancashire & Cheshire County Boards, with new criteria to be defined.Committee members expressed concern about funding security and potential inconsistency between counties. 8. Sponsorship (C.H.) Item acknowledged; no detailed discussion recorded. 9. Finance (G.K.) – Benevolent Fund General discussion noted. Further detail will be reviewed at the upcoming meeting with Aaron Howard on 25 June. 10. New Clubs Joining / Clubs Moving to ADMCovered under item 6. Additional note: Chester 3rd XV will not enter a team next season due to player movement to other Wirral clubs. 11. Concerns Regarding Clubs (General Discussion)• Concerns raised about crowd behaviour and intimidation.• Proposal to assign a neutral observer for the first six fixtures.• A supporter behaviour warning and code of conduct reminder to be issued.East Manchester• Buxton refusing to play East Manchester.• Proposal: schedule Buxton vs East Manchester at Buxton as the first fixture to assess behaviour.• Fred to contact Martin Welburn.Referee Society• Committee to request strong referee allocations.• Referees can discipline crowds and send supporters back to the clubhouse. 12. Motions Received No motions were discussed. 13. Presentation Dinner Item acknowledged; no detailed discussion recorded. 14. Any Other Business • Lancaster University parking fines highlighted; clubs to be warned. • Upcoming meeting with Aaron Howard (25 June) to discuss electronic match cards and funding changes. • Committee noted poor attendance at previous county meetings. Actions Agreed • Contact regarding supporter behaviour — Fred / Committee • Arrange neutral observers for first six fixtures — Committee • Contact Buxton regarding first fixture vs East Manchester — Fred • Speak with referee society regarding strong referee allocation — Committee • Add Vice Chair succession planning to mid season agenda — Fred / Craig • Circulate final league set up to all clubs — John • Raise funding concerns with county boards at 25 June meeting — Fred / John