Increased pay reward for Shropshire bowls officers
Shropshire's officers will now be paid a proper rate for the work they do after a decisive vote on a night when a former county president rode to the rescue.
Big rises in honoraria were approved by a 94-4 verdict at the county's AGM at Bagley BC in Shrewsbury, plus the start of payment for the association chairman.
But, almost as importantly, it was Shropshire's No.1 referee Mike Potter who averted the possibility of an EGM by agreeing at the last minute to take on the role of county competition secretary vacated by Phil Scott.
Potter, president in 2015, will receive £1,000 for his efforts (up from £750) after the increases in pay that will cost the association about £3,100 were passed as delegates were convinced that now was the right time to start paying officers realistic rewards.
The proposal, taken en bloc, sees the chairman receive a new honoraria of £500; the secretary's will go up £500 per annum to £2,335; the treasurer up £500 to £1,250; the referees secretary up from £233 to £400 and the welfare officer up from £362 to £1,000.
It was passed after the halving of both the club affiliation fees and league fees to £5 and £25 respectively was approved unanimously – moves which will cost the county another £1,000-plus.
Rob Ellison moved the honoraria motion by saying: "Shropshire has an excellent reputation in the way we run our county and it is proposed by the finance committee that the honoraria for 2017 be reflective of the work carried out by their officers.
"We cannot run this organisation from hand to mouth. The workload has trebled with all the new legislation now in place."
Earlier, treasurer Brian Kitson had reported another good profit of £5,800 on the year after the annual player registration fee was doubled to £2 in 2015.
Allan Gaut of Wrockwardine Wood called for the county to now consider making grants to clubs rather than loans to help with improvements.
And Mike Flannagan of Fox Lane urged county chiefs to start doing budgets, especially given the loss of Flowfit's big sponsorship of the County Merit.
Officers elected – chairman & welfare officer, Barry Jennings; vice-chairman, John Coxill; secretary, Maureen Corley; treasurer & registrar, Brian Kitson; competition secretary, referees delegate & BCGBA delegate, Mike Potter; development officer, Peter Carter (serving until a replacement can be found).
