AGM Minutes
28/04/2025
Held at Offley Recreation Club
Kings Walden Road, Offley, Hitchin, SG5 3DX
Committee members present.
Lorraine Bentley (treasurer)
Rob Bentley (secretary)
Ricky Payne
Stan Goodge
Peter Brocket
Sam Sibley
Ron Fletcher
Ian Bentley
Apologies for absence
Morris Strange
Ian Loveday (chair)
Dave Arris
The meeting was opened at 19.30 Hrs.
Chairpersons Report
First, I wish to apologise to you all for not being able to attend tonight.
Oxygen levels this year
I would like to thank Rob and Ian Bentley. Sam and Neil Sibley for their sterling work controlling the verry low oxygen levels in the long pond this October. This helped to avoid massive fish losses.
I would also like to thank the EA for there support with the aid of a pump and venturi. This allowed us to get the oxygen levels back to near normal.
Fish stock levels
Considering the above incident in October, we should count ourselves very fortunate that we did not lose many fish (only two). This year we have been monitoring fish stocks by way of weighing Carp and Silvers separately during the club competitions, and members posting catch photos on our Facebook page. With this in mind, we will continue to monitor the stock levels alongside water quality to ensure the safety of the fishery in the long term. We are still liaising with the EA in regard to a stock assessment, but we are not the only club on their waiting list.
Pilkington’s (PFP)
PFP are pleased with the works we have carried out and with our management of the ponds. They stressed how happy they are with the club following advice from the EA.
They had also approved the building of the shed and installation of a toilet by the long pond.
EA Grant
We were successful in securing the fishery improvement project grant.
This will allow us to partially fund the shed. It also will aid us in our resilience should an oxygen drop happen again by supplying us with a aeration system for us to keep. Special thanks to Sam Sibley for helping us to secure this grant.
Working parties
Thank you to all members that have constantly attended our working parties. It is gratefully appreciated as without those members turning out in all weathers the club would struggle to function.
Treasurers Report
I have transferred £11060.71 from the old Barclays account into the new Lloyds account. This leaves £30.75 in the Barclays account. This will keep this account open in case we need it in the future.
Petty cash Income £665.00 Expenses £650.00 Balance £15.00
Sum up Income £162.00 Expenses £21.25 Balance £140.75
Lloyds Income £14002.83 Expenses £6090.06 Balance £7912.77
The club trophies were awarded to the following people.
The Bob Fone cup D Culley
The Den Day Cup D Culley
The Les Scales Cup D Culley
The George Stevens Shied L Culley
winters Stalwart Cup P Brocket
The George Scales Cup B Smith
The Chairmans Cup R Payne
The Points Champion Shield R Payne
Any Other Business
Additions and changes to the club constitution.
1. Club membership will be restricted to approximately 150 adult and senior members. Junior members will not be included in this membership total.
2. Adult membership to read A person between 17 to 65 years of age.
3. Any person from Offley who wishes to join the club may do so at any point in the year as long as they pay the membership fee. But they must be aware they must pay again in the following August.
Rules and guidance for becoming a committee member.
1. Only Offley club members can join the committee, excluding the treasurer and president if one is appointed.
2. Members must declare any membership of any external fishing club.
3. The committee can not consist of more than ten (10) members.
4. The committee can not consist of a majority of members from any one external fishing club, or within leaving an external fishing club within two years.
5. Members must not use their position for their own good.
6. Members must do there best to help the club to achieve its aims and objectives.
Additions and changes to the club rules
1. Any member carrying out any illegal activities will be banned immediately.
2. No fires to read no open fires.
3. Fishing from dusk till dawn will read, fishing from sunrise to sunset.
4. No unauthorised night fishing.
5. No fishing during lake hires or event matches.
6. Single hook rigs only.
7. No use of hormone-based baits or additives.
8. No bait boats.
9. No live or dead baiting
10. No fishing bivvies.
11. No gloves or towels when handling fish.
12. No wading or use of the boat unless during a working party or special authorisation by chairperson.
13. The gate must be kept closed and locked at all times.
14. All members must abide by the club’s constitution.
Re stocking of long pond
A vote was taken on re stocking long pond. The majority of the members present voted in favour.
This will now be addressed at the next committee meeting.
The present committee was disbanded.
Ian Loveday (chair) and Ron Fletcher declined joining the new committee.
Due to absence at the time of the AGM
Morris Strange
Dave Arris
Were removed from committee. But may be able to rejoin at a later stage in line with the club’s constitution.
The following members were voted onto the new committee.
Neil Sibley
Lorraine Bentley
Rob Bentley
Ricky Payne
Stan Goodge
Peter Brocket
Sam Sibley
Ian Bentley
Phil Ingram
President
Ian Loveday was nominated for the position of president of the club.
All present voted in favour.
Time and date of next AGM to be advised before April 2026.
Meeting closed at 20.45.
The new committee members retired to vote for the new officials of the committee.
Chairperson
Robert Bentley nominated by Neil Sibley seconded by Phil Ingram.
Vice Chairperson
Neil Sibley nominated by Robert Bentley seconded by Lorraine Bentley
Treasurer
Lorraine Bentley nominated by Neil Sibley seconded by Stan Goodge
Secretary
Ian Bentley nominated by Peter Brocket seconded by Ricky Payne.
Match secretary
Ricky Payne Nominated by Robert Bentley seconded by Peter Brocket
The above people were voted into the relevant positions.
Please use the e-mail below for any questions regarding these minutes or any items you wish to be included in the next meeting.
Email: secretary.offleyanglingclub@gmail.com