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19/08/2022
Lancashire Action Group respond to cancellation
We welcome the Clubs abandonment of their ill advised SGM & as per our letter delivered to the secretary with over 200 signatures (that the Club referred to) & agree to the Club’s request for a formal Members forum on the 19th September. Today we also collected well over 100 reminded of this fact. If the Club yet again refuse to engage in dialogue then we will look at all options available to improve the way the Club is run.We started the National campaign to oppose the reduction in championship fixtures & will continue to support the other counties in their campaigns with their Boards & committees. We hope that our victory today will encourage them in the fight to protect red ball cricket in this country. It was an amazing day both on & off the pitch today.
Lancashire Cricket cancels SGM and will give Members a final vote on High Performance Review
On Wednesday 17 August, the ECB confirmed to the Club its timetable for the consideration and approval of the proposals of the High-Performance Review (HPR). Now that we have clarity from ECB in terms of the timing of events, and following conversations with some Members, Lancashire Cricket has cancelled the proposed Special General Meeting (SGM) scheduled for Tuesday 30 August 2022 in order to provide a more relevant platform for discussion on the HPR.
We will replace the SGM with an alternative plan which the Club believes better meets Members’ requirements to have their say on the HPR and any proposed schedule changes within the tight timescales being prescribed by the ECB.
The Club expects to receive a formal proposal from the ECB regarding the HPR on Friday 9 September. We will provide details of that proposal to Members once we receive it, after which Members will be given the opportunity to vote on the proposals, which will in turn inform the Club’s response to the ECB.
The timeline given to us by the ECB is as follows:
- 26 August to 2 September - various regional seminars with Chairs, CEO’s and Directors of Cricket from within the First-Class Counties
- 9 September - ECB final proposals to be issued to all First-Class Counties
- 20 September - 18 First-Class County Chairs meet to vote on the proposals at Lord's
Lancashire Action Group say:
LANCASHIRE DENIES MEMBERS A PROPER SAY
What is the problem?
The club’s special general meeting (SGM) notice disrespects the members and needs to be changed immediately. Here are 10 reasons why :
1. Club called meeting at 9am on a working day in Manchester rather than after play on a home match.
2. Coincides with a highly possible away semi-final in the Royal London Cup.
3. Club resolution backtracks on CEO’s promise at the member forum.
4. An ECB update is due at the end of August which the club never mentioned.
5. The SGM pack is biased & does not give both sides a fair hearing.
6. Attempts to dismiss the need for a proper discussion.
7. Not enough time to vote by post, given postal strikes.
8. Over 200 signatures for a member-called SGM being frustrated.
9. MRG concerns about SGM timing were dismissed by a vague statement.
10. Chaotic, inconsistent and confusing statements issued to members
What have we asked the club for?
To hold the SGM requested by members as submitted on 17 August somewhere between 5th and 14th September, preferably after a home fixture. Our position is backed by independent legal advice from a Queen’s Counsel barrister.
To save the expense of a second meeting, we offer a compromise to move the 30 August one to a more convenient date and time after the expected ECB update.
Encourage attendance at the meeting for a fair and open discussion.
Arguments for the competing resolutions to be given a fair balance in the SGM pack so that those voting by post see both sides of the argument.
The club appears insistent on proceeding in a blatantly unfair and disrespectful manner to members.
Problems with the club’s resolutions
There is no promise to actually respect the views of the members. The club is free to ignore the consultation if they wish.
At the members' forum, Daniel Gidney makes the case for a compromise to reduce the number of first-class games & explains all the problems with keeping it at 14. He wants to be left a free hand to negotiate the "least worst option" for the club.
Voting for the club probably means voting to reduce first-class cricket.
Club motion backtracks on member forum promise
At the forum, Gidney said the club’s management and membership should look at the ECB proposals and consider whether they are acceptable or not. He says if the proposals aren’t acceptable to the club and its members then the club won’t vote for them. He promised to consult members (via a members forum) on the ECB proposals once received and hold a ballot of the members (overseen by the auditors).
Please see https://youtu.be/1rjxGG2s3ug 16 minutes in for this specific point.
The club's resolution does not make this promise. Why remove it?
National campaign to save first-class cricket
There are campaign teams across 13 counties making sure that no reduction in first-class cricket occurs. Other members will push for SGMs too if necessary.
Vote for the campaign motion/against the club’s proposal to send a strong message back to the ECB that the counties will not stand for a reduction in first-class cricket.
If we stand together, we can save first-class cricket from further erosion.
Thank you,
Ian Lomax
12/08
Date confirmed for Special General Meeting
Lancashire Cricket can confirm that the Special General Meeting (SGM) the Club called earlier this week will take place on Tuesday 30 August 2022 at 9am in The Point at Emirates Old Trafford.
The agenda and resolutions in relation to the SGM will be mailed out in advance of the meeting to Members who hold voting rights - in line with Club Rules.
Q. Will Lancashire CCC represent the will of LCCC members at any discussions with ECB about future schedule reviews?
It certainly doesn't appear so, judging by their tone
Lancashire Action Group are the Oppose the 100 folk, that put on coaches to Sedbergh in 2021 when LCCC were concentrating on all things Manchester Orribles. Most disruption appears to be leafleting members and having a banner that ritually gets taken down by hi-vis wearing security, actions that draw more attention to the banner than just leaving it alone.
And will Notts ?
ReplyDeleteThat's the 64 million squirrel-nuts question Rich!
DeleteIt looks as though Lancashire CCC is more concerned with dissing members of the Lancashire Action Group than with fighting to save the County Championship. We will not be silenced
ReplyDeleteWell said and thanks.
DeleteThey are ignoring us, when not throwing insults. Time to give them some verbal and written bloody noses !
What is your breaking point with county membership.
ReplyDeleteMine is any reduction in County Championship matches and/or teams.
Yes. If home games reduced then we will not renew. Bad enough 3 out of 4 one day games based elsewhere due to the 100
ReplyDeleteThe breaking point for me happened with previous cuts in the championship and the scheduling. I wrote to the club and said “ with a heavy heart “ I was not renewing. I did get an email back from mike temple which is something, but let’s be honest he’s just a bloke in an office doing a clerical job( he possibly privately agrees for all I know) . I still go , but pay on the day . I felt there was nothing much else I could personally do.foxy
ReplyDeleteSo how come Edgbaston has 4 RLC matches in 2022, while Trent Bridge one, despite both staging the same number of Hundred matches ?
ReplyDeleteWhy indeed Rich? It’s disgraceful it really is. No cricket at Trent Bridge for the the whole of August ( none at lady bay either I I don’t think).extreme weather( this year heat last year rain)a port a loo and hot dog van in a field in the middle of nowhere for 200 quid a year, I don’t think so. Foxy
DeleteSome encouragement for us lot, our Lanky friends and other "Allies".
ReplyDeleteAn article by Annie Chave of The Cricket Supporters Assiciation, written on FB "County Cricket Matters" page, confirms :
1) BBC are only getting half the average viewing figures of last year for "it".
2) New, to the game, spectatots are not being attracted.
3) For most "matches" , grounds are far from full.
Edgbaston also hosted the Commonwealth Games tournament Rich. Trent Bridge just aren't trying and evidently don't care about Notts CCC members.
ReplyDeleteLeicestershire members too are joining the revolution
ReplyDeleteGood
Delete