Minutes of the 2006 AGM had been circulated in advance and were taken as read.

No report was available. The secretary provided a brief introduction of the year’s activities.  

The secretary further advised that the chairman required to step down with immediate effect for personal reasons, and as such an election would be held for the vacant chairman’s post.

JM further advised that the 2008 AGM would revert to March and that the experiment of holding the AGM later in the year had not been successful.

Written report produced. Read to the meeting by Brian Lynn in Chris Paton’s absence.

No questions or issues arose from the report.

RW reported that there were the following major issues for the SFCA:

Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007.

A ban on livebaiting under the Act was in force with effect from 01/08/07.

A regulatory scheme similar to that in operation in England and Wales was due to be implemented on 1^st august 2008 requiring permission to be sought from the Scottish Ministers for the introduction of fish.

A licensing scheme was still in the drafting phase.

National Fisheries Forum

In the pipeline at the moment.

Regulation of the keeping of freshwater fish

Currently out for consultation

Promotion and tourism

The FishCoarse resource is now provided free of charge.

No report.

Chairman

Gus Brindle was proposed by Martin Mitchell and seconded by Magiscroft.

There were no other nominations.

Vice chairman

Martin Mitchell was proposed by Lanarkshire and seconded by SCG.

There were no other nominations

Secretary

JM confirmed that he was willing to remain in post until the 2008 AGM. There were no other nominations.

Treasurer

Brian Lynn confirmed that he was willing to remain in post until the conclusion of the 2007 accounts. There were no other nominations.

In Rab Lee’s absence, Martin Mitchell provided a brief verbal report.

There had been a link up between the Professional Anglers’ Association (Scotland) and Barony college, Dumfriesshire. Club participation was sought in this field.

To date, 260 hours of coaching had been provided.

John Rae added that PAA (S) were acting mostly in the Dumfries and Galloway area.

Inroads were being made in providing the coaching service to schools. The aim was to develop a scheme similar to the Kingfisher Award  in operation in England and Wales.

JM highlighted that the SFCA had agreed that PAA (S) act on its behalf in the provision of coaching services.

Written report produced. Accounts had been audited.

There had been an overspend caused by the hosting of both the Celtic Cup and 6 Nations.

The additional expenditure reduces the funds to £776.97. However this includes the £1500 grant from the Fishmongers Association. Without that, there is a deficit.

RW on behalf of the Fish Recorder reported 3 Scottish Records.

2 of these were for Bream, one at 11lb 8oz and the other at 12lb 6oz, both from Castle Loch.

There was a new Eel record of 6lb 2oz, from an undisclosed Borders Stillwater.

A claim for a roach of 4lb 2oz from Culcreugh Castle Pond was awaiting verification.

Voting rights

The meeting resolved unanimously to confer voting rights upon corporate members akin to that of individual members, namely that all corporate members have one collective vote at a SFCA general meeting.

Executive committee regulatory powers

Lanarkshire proposed an amendment to the proposal to the effect that a right of appeal against any sanction be inserted, which was accepted by the committee.

The proposal as amended above was carried unanimously.

Power to the executive committee to set policies determining the criteria for affiliation of member clubs

This was carried unanimously.

JM accepted at the outset that, due to oversight, the written proposal had not been circulated in advance. The responsibility for this was his alone. He however expressed regret that this document appeared not to have been intimated to the national team manager at the time of its formulation, which intimation appeared to be an obvious courtesy.

The national team manager had expressed the view in writing that the proposal required to be discussed at a match committee meeting.

There was general support for the proposal. However, it was plain that Lanarkshire, CSCAC and Monklands had no prior knowledge of the proposal and thus were not mandated to vote upon it. SCG intimated that it would likely abstain as would PAAS.

The chair highlighted that there was no requirement that the proposal be one which required an amendment of the constitution.

The proposers clarified that the scheme if successful would commence in 2008. There was no prejudice in the decision being delayed until November.

The chair affirmed that in order that any vote be fair and seen to be fair, the vote required to be deferred to an extraordinary general meeting to be held before the end of 2007, where all interested parties would receive advance intimation of the proposal. 

JM

1. SFCA communication

JM reported that the issues raised at the 2006 AGM were still outstanding and required urgent attention. These would be a priority in the months before the 2008 AGM.

2. Barrhead Dams

RW reported that Scottish Water were undertaking works at Balgray and Waulkmill Glen dams.

A fish rescue was to be organised by the Clyde Fishery Federation at the end of October 2007.