The 66th. Annual General Meeting of The Northern Ireland Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers took place in the Maynard Sinclair Sports Pavilion, Civil Service, on Wednesday 14th. October 2015.

Louis Arneill welcomed those present and invited the Secretary to list the apologies.

Apologies were received from Peter Lunney, Brian Agus, Ronnie Balfour, Brian Boyd, Jonathan Bunting, Tommy Deegan, Michael Foster, Jimmy Ireland, Andy Kennedy, Jonny Kennedy, Arlene Matchett, Tom McAuley, Harry McCammon, Noel McCarey, Andrew McCullough, Ann McCullough, Murray Power, Alex Rennie, Keith Smith, Trevor Steen and Ollie Thorpe.

The minutes of the AGM held on 22nd, October 2015 were read and passed without comment on the proposal of Dessie Milne, seconded by Ian Houston.

The Secretary reviewed the previous 12 months and made reference to the high attendance of members at the meetings. We can't be complacent regarding numbers and must continue to attract recruits. Scorers must also be encouraged to join our ranks. The report made reference to the deaths of several well-known Umpires and Scorers as well as relatives of members. Reference was made to the work of Alex Adams on preparing the Dress Code for Standing Umpires. To the sub-committee on their proposals for changes to the Constitution and for the Child Protection Policy.

The Secretary was disappointed in the narrow defeat in the White Stick Trophy. In closing the Secretary paid tribute to Louis for his leadership over the past two years, to Ian for the work regarding the fixtures, to his colleagues on the Executive and to Paddy for his ever helpful advice on a variety of issues. The report was adopted on the proposal of Dessie Milne, seconded by Ian Houston.

Michael Ross then presented his usual well set out Financial Report. The report, while showing a surplus, should not lead us to be complacent. Michael expanded on several items in the report and with no questions coming from the floor; the report was passed on the proposal of Alex Adams seconded by Hugh Shields.

The Chairman thanked the Secretary and Treasurer for their reports and the members endorsed his comments with acclamation.

Louis Arneill, the outgoing Chairman, had donated a Shield, to be awarded to the Umpire, not long on the circuit, and having stood in at least 20+ games in the season. The Chairman called on Ian Houston to present the Shield to Gary Blair.

The Chairman then outlined the proposals for changes to the Constitution, brought forward by a Sub-committee; the last update to the document was in 2000. Louis told the meeting that the changes were mostly cosmetic, but took time to explain the reasons behind them.

No one raised any queries on the points raised by Louis.

A new addition to the Constitution was the proposal to enter a Child Protection Policy for the Association. This provided a time of discussion mainly centred on the point of being alone with a minor. Jareth McCready and Alan Neill led the Association in the way to go forward. This was simply to refuse to carry a minor in a car unless accompanied by another person.

At this point Louis asked for a proposal from the floor to cover the changes to the Constitution and the adoption of the Child Protection Policy. The proposal was made by Philip Thompson and seconded by Kevin McConville. The meeting carried the proposal unanimously.

This brought us to the Chairman's remarks. Louis said that it had been an honour to lead the Association for the preceding two years. He was standing down with mixed emotions... He wished Jonathan success in the coming years and he thanked the Secretary for all his work and help. Words of appreciation were directed towards the Committee.

Louis then added a note of controversy when he called for the NCU to make appropriate remuneration to the Fixtures Secretary. At the present time the payment can only be described as derisory.

Louis also called on the Committee to make representations to the NCU to increase the Umpires an increase per game to £35 in 2016, and a further increase to £40 in 2017.

Louis then invited Paddy O;Hara to conduct the Election of Officers, in place of our unwell President, Peter Lunney. Paddy declared all positions vacant and the results are outlined below:-

President Peter Lunney prop L. Arneill sec. I. Houston
Chairman Jonathan Kennedy prop L. Arneill sec. M. Ross
Vice Philip Thompson prop J. Moore sec. B. Adams
Hon. Sec Joe Moore prop A. Neill sec. A. Adams
Treasurer Michael Ross prop A. Adams sec. I. Houston
Fix. Sec Ian Houston prop S, Alexander sec. H. Shields
NCU Rep Alan Neill prop J. Kennedy sec. J. Moore

Committee.