2023 ANNUAL REPORT

MINUTES OF THE 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 63 and inclusion made in November 2021. Amendment Two – (Proposer Mr Evans): Existing: • 5.6 An Elected Member or Nominated Member may serve in excess of the Maximum Term in the following circumstances: Proposal: • 5.4.1 Addition ‘Nominations for election or appointment to the General Committee shall be submitted through either the Club’s membership or the Nominations Panel but not both.’ • 5.6 Delete ‘or nominated member’ from the first line and ‘s’ off circumstances’ from the second line. New: • 5.4.1 Nominations for election or appointment to the General Committee shall be submitted through either the Club’s membership or the Nominations Panel but not both. • 5.6 An Elected Member may serve in excess of the Maximum Term in the following circumstance: Effect of changes above: The changes above mean that a committee candidate can only proceed down either the elected route or the nominated route, but not both. Statement For (Mr Evans): 5.4.1This proposed, new, Rule is designed to stop the practice of individuals using the Nominations Panel as a fall back. Already we have seen an instance where an individual having failed to be voted in by club members (in fact coming last in the vote) was installed by the Panel.This year an individual is standing for re-election using both the members and Panel route, despite them not having been appointed originally by the Panel. In my opinion an abuse of the system and not what the ECB intended. Comments made above (5.3) in relation to the next six years apply also. Statement Against (General Committee): Existing: In essence, the dual route which is open to existing and newly proposed candidates for election, ensures that the Nominations Panel always retains the widest possible pool of talent from which to recruit giving the breadth of choice to support their role in finding the best possible candidates for the General Committee. Having both routes available also provides the flexibility of encouraging previously nominated members to stand for election by the membership, whilst at the same time ensuring that they are not precluded from being considered by the Nominations Panel. The panel may still deem a candidate’s skillset as essential to complement the General Committee once the outcome of elections is known. Amendment Three – (Proposer Mr Evans): Existing: • The first provision of 5.7: in each case subject to a vote of two-thirds of the Members of the General Committee eligible to vote, at a meeting of the General Committee (anticipated to be in November) prior to the Annual General Meeting at which the Member is due to retire. Proposal: • 5.7 Replace ‘vote of two-thirds’ With ‘majority vote’ on Line One. New: • The first provision of 5.7: in each case subject to a majority vote of the Members of the General Committee eligible to vote, at a meeting of the General Committee (anticipated to be in November) prior to the Annual General Meeting at which the Member is due to retire. Effect of changes above: To alter the threshold required for General Committee approval of an extension to a member’s maximum term, reducing it from two-thirds required to a simple majority vote. Statement For (Mr Evans): 5.7 Current Rules 5.6.1 (Chair) and 5.6.2 (General Committee Member) allow for, in exceptional circumstances, an extension of one year where that individual has completed their maximum term of nine years. For this to happen it must be supported by the Nominations Panel, followed by a two-thirds vote in favour by the General Committee Members eligible to vote. Current Rule 5.7. Statement Against (General Committee): The principal reason for the requirement for a two-thirds majority being specifically chosen was to ensure a more complete agreement on such an important decision and achieve a qualified majority. Our Rules also use the same approach of a two-thirds majority requirement in relation to significant decisions such as borrowing limits and alteration of the Rules.The club wishes to maintain this higher threshold to ensure fuller support, for consistency with other key Rules and to ensure greater consensus in the case of key decisions with a significant impact upon the future of the club. Amendment Four – (Proposer Mr Evans): Existing: • None Proposal: • 5.8.4 Addition ‘Only Elected Members may stand for election or be appointed as Chair.’ New: • 5.8.4 ‘Only Elected Members may stand for election or be appointed as Chair.’ Effect of changes above: Restricts the eligible candidates for the position of Chair based on their route to the General Committee; excluding Nominated Members (four of the twelve General Committee members). Statement For (Mr Evans): 5.8.4 Currently any committee member, however appointed, can be appointed Chair.The Chair is arguably the most important individual in the club. He/she leads the committee, there to manage the business on behalf of the members (the owners).The Chair meets with other county leaders to discuss major