2021 ANNUAL REPORT

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 2021 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 58 start playing cricket with crowds in the ground again. She was hopeful that this would be achieved in the months ahead. Mr PTattersall asked what plans the club had to facilitate attendance at matches when permissible under Covid regulations? Mr M Goulder asked about how seats would be allocated once spec- tators were eventually allowed back into Trent Bridge. In particular, will members get priority? Mr T Osbond asked for an up- date for members and supporters attending the two international matches later in the summer. Ms Pursehouse said that, as the announcement from government about the return of crowds had only been made that day, the club would need time to consider all the implications about numbers, zones and socially distanced seating. And, as many loyal County Cham- pionship followers would have received both of their vaccinations by March, she had not entirely given up on the start of the season. She also confirmed that members would definitely have priority for all fixtures and full details would be communicated as soon as possible. Mr D J Beaumont asked if the club could explain the situation that it faced over its disciplinary record and the possibility of the loss of points during the forthcoming season? Secondly, what action had the management taken to resolve this disciplinary record? Mr Newell said that he and the Chief Executive had attended a disciplinary hearing along withT20 Blast Captain Dan Christian on 19 November regarding five fixed penalty breaches. All of the breaches were low level (four level 1 and one level 2) but, as there were five within a 12-month period, a hearing was mandatory.The sanction applied did not involve either a fine or an immediate points deduction. In- stead, the sanction was a suspended points penalty. At the hearing, the panel had noted the club’s previously good disciplinary record and so it was very disappointing to be in this position. Mr Newell said that all of the players had been reminded of their responsibilities and the need to act appropriately going forward. Mr N Bratton asked about the com- position of the General Committee, and if individuals’ ages should have been put alongside each of the names on page 6 of the report, as well as alongside those which appeared on the nomination papers. Mr Tennant stated that he under- stood the request as it could enable members to ensure more diversity of age and experience. However, this could well be considered discriminatory and he reminded the meeting that the committee guideline regarding retiring at the age of 70 had been repealed. Mr R Maguire asked, if the coming season was reduced considerably as it had been last year, might the club consider offering a partial refund on membership rather than a full refund or donation? Ms Pursehouse stated that the club had greatly appreciated the support from mem- bers in 2020 when all matches were played behind closed doors. Given today’s announcements, she was hopeful that members and supporters would be able to attend matches this year, but the club would con- sider all options if the season was heavily impacted. Responding to a question from Mr J Marsh about whether, given the success of this AGM, future meetings could be held via Zoom, Ms Pursehouse confirmed that the club would consider streaming the meeting next year to ensure that as many members as possible were able to attend. Dr C Moody referenced the Nominations Panel and the lack of diversity on the 2021 ballot papers and asked what the club was going to do about increasing the diver- sity and inclusivity of its General Committee? MrTennant confirmed that the club was committed to ensuring that the General Committee was more representative of the member- ship and the wider community of Nottinghamshire.The Nominations Panel had a key role to play in this regard and they would be consider- ing how the club could recruit and attract individuals to ensure the right balance of gender, ethnicity and background. In answer to a question from Capt. J Hofton about the loss made by the club if a four-day County Championship fixture ended after three days, Ms Pursehouse con- firmed that there was no significant financial impact.The majority of attendees were members and any incremental revenue earned from non-member ticket sales would be offset against the match day expenditure such as stewarding and operational costs. The final question was from Mr M Cawthorn who expressed concern that ground development progress could be impacted due to the financial shortfall in 2020 and asked how might members help with the club’s financial position? Mr Tennant said that the club remained committed to ground development and to finalising the next stage of the Trent Bridge masterplan. He was open to any ideas and stated that all options would be considered. The Chairman then thanked mem- bers of staff for all they had done to facilitate the AGM being held by video-conference and thanked members for their attendance. He closed the meeting at 8.30pm.