What do we want to achieve tonight? • The Future of the Club, in particular the Track • The Opportunities we have in relation to Club Operation and Development • What we need to achieve in the Short and Long Term - Timetables • The Structure and Status of the Club – Future Strategy • To hear your Views and Ideas • But first some details of where we have come from
Our Roots & Background • Formed in 1951 - always been an Athletic Club encompassing all athletic disciplines – not just Road and Cross Country • Originally used grass tracks at various venues in Biggleswade • A Track had been the aim of the Club from about 1960 • In 1996 encouraged to bid for a Track in Biggleswade • Many meetings with local council and Mid.Beds.Council • Funded from sale of Biggleswade Open Air swimming pool • Expansion of our Coaching Team took place • Coaching of youngsters in winter – on minor roads/footpaths
Our Roots & Background • Club House at Fairfield was pulled down in 2000 • Club took its headquarters to Stratton Upper School – grass track • Stratton Upper School turned down bid to put Track on their site • Sandy Upper was a Sports College and welcomed the chance • We relocated to Sandy Upper School in 2004 – we already had started holding the Sandy 10 there – obtained ClubMark later that year • Supported development of plans - warned Mid.Beds. we were the only Club likely to use the facilities – did not agree their Business Plan
After The Track Opened • Opened in September 2005 by Olympic Athlete, Liz Yelling • The facility was operated by SLL on behalf of Mid.Beds.DC • The Club arranged to hire the Track from SLL on two nights/week and occasionally at weekends. It had been, incorrectly, estimated we would contribute £10,000/year. We paid £4,000 per annum approx. • Our Club Coaching staff further increased significantly with some Officials being trained up
After The Track Opened • Membership increased, especially the juniors • We expressed concerns at lack of advertising of facilities • Was it to be just a White Elephant? • Mid.Beds.DC was dissolved and Central Bedfordshire Council took over – not such a close working relationship but improving • In April 2011 CBC grant to SLL ceased – the Track could have closed – School not interested
A Radical Change • In April 2011 the Club took over, unofficially, the operation of the Track – should have been formalised that year – still awaited • Negotiations with CBC and Sport England have proceeded • Recognised we would now have to “Manage” the Track • Would take the form of an Asset Transfer • An Asset Transfer occurs when a Public Sector Body, usually a Local Authority, passes on the management and/or ownership of a facility to a community group • Vital we kept our Road Runners on side
A Radical Change • Further Club Growth – seniors and a significant number of juniors • Necessary to think more as a Business but without losing the social structure and friendliness of the Club • Business and Development Plans produced • Club Governance – currently an Amateur Athletic Club affiliated to UK:Athletics (England Athletics) • Excellent support from Sport England – Nick Boulter
Club Governance • Community Amateur Sports Club status • Registration as a Charity • Become a Limited Company – Liability of Committee Members – Tax Relief and VAT Treatment – Ability to obtain Sponsorship – The Club as a purchaser of products – Grant aid application – The Club as an employer?
Current Status and Timescales • We have produced all the necessary documentation relating to the Asset Transfer • CBC to take our plans and present them to elected Councillors with a recommendation to proceed with the Asset Transfer – Jan/Feb 2014 – target handover date April 2014 • 20/25 Year lease – CBC will lease the land from the Upper School and then sub-lease the Track to us at a Peppercorn Rate • CBC have earmarked £150K for Track Refurbishment– imminent
Current Status and Timescales • 5 year life at least before major work is necessary • CBC will remain responsible for all major capital costs – the Club will be responsible for any expenditure up to £4K • Sandy Upper School – major changes in structure (Pinnacle Trust, Harlington School management, Barnfield Federation) • Legal Complications concerning transfer of land from CBC to the School’s Trust/Academy – CBC confirm this should not take long to resolve
Advantages to Biggleswade AC • We remain in control of the Track & Equipment – no need to ask SLL for access (outside School hours) • Major cost savings – floodlighting (reduced from £6K to £1.5K per annum). Cheaper sources of consumables and equipment • Volunteer labour has helped tremendously • Members feel the facility is worth supporting – pride of ownership • Better knowledge of Track Operation & Maintenance
Advantages to Biggleswade AC • Condition of Track significantly improved – recognised by external auditors and assessors • Improved Visibility of Club’s attainments within the Community • Improved working relationship with SLL • Potential increase in Club membership realisable • Masters of our own Destiny
Proposals • Maximise use of Track by others – another Club? • Serious Consideration of Responsibilities – at Club/Individual level • Work more with Sub-committees (e.g. Coaching, Competition, Officials, Social, Communication, Development, Major Events) • Event Managers for larger activities (includes races, leagues, and social events) • Funding and Sponsorship – sort out the Toilet problem • Closer association with local community and other groups – Communications Co-ordinator
Proposals • Succession Planning • Establish new Roles and re-organise Existing Structure • Clear understanding of Roles & Responsibilities – rolled out to members before the AGM • Ensure excellence in Coaching Structure – identify gaps & resolve • Encourage greater participation by parents/guardians of young athletes – encourage Qualification of Officials • Improve Volunteer support
Sub-Committees Consult other Idea Generation Sub-Committees Management Committee Update Procedures Generate Best & Processes Practice Everybody needs to know!
The Future • What do you think? • Can you help? • Help from other sources? • Procedure and Process Reviews • Idea Generation – feedback to Committee
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