CP reported that £4k funding from SS was in place, with £1k of that ringfenced for coaching and development.

CP

RW reported that he was trying to contact James Wilson of Dreamstore to arrange a meeting.

Dreamstore are progressing on coaching accreditation application, which would enable SFCA to be recognised as an awarding body.

RW

RW reported recent communication with Tony Andrews of SCAET.

CP reported that Gus Brindle has recently gained PAA coaching certificate and was willing to assist.

RW

General agreement that SFCA should re-join

RW

JM intimated that the Directory of British Associations had requested that SFCA’s details be entered. Entry is free. It was agreed that this should proceed. 

There has been an enquiry about Federation membership by Drummore AC.

JM

GC, RW and AMcP attended SEERAD presentation at Dundee on 30.01.06.

Next stage in the process will be that draft Bill will be presented to Parliament, and that lobbying will follow.

SFCA appears to be the only group opponent of the proposed livebaiting ban.

Written evidence will be produced at the Committee stage of the Bill (likely to be Autumn 2006), and RW will apply to given evidence to the committee in person, if required.

It is essential that as many Federation Clubs and individual members should respond to the consultation, even to adopt the SFCA response. JM to write to the clubs.

RW to contact Edinburgh company which offered training on lobbying, with a view to costing.

Each committee member should submit a response to the consultation by the deadline of 24^th February 2006.

RW

JM 

RW

ALL

GC and RW recently met with Richard Millar of BW. BW is committed to stocking, although it seems that optimum timing will be Autumn 2006.

Substantial stocks were removed from the Falkirk Wheel basin in 2005 and relocated to the Union Canal.

BW is committed to some level of promotion. There was no firm commitment yet to re-run the Canal match. CP advised that the match will be provisionally put in the SFCA 2006 match calendar. 

Bailiffing was discussed and there was an agreement with BW to discuss further.

RW, GC

 CP

FishCoarse are taking a stall at the NAS on 3,4 and 5 March. GC cannot now do the Friday or Sat.  

CP indicated that some of the Scotland anglers may be there anyway with BCUK. Will check and revert to confirm the position.

RW will also be attending.

CP

The Fisheries Manager of the above is hoping to carry out a study of coarse populations in the river.  He proposes holding a few matches on a stretch not previously open to coarse angling in the middle reaches in the winter of 2006-2007. 

It was agreed that SFCA should support, and that clubs be polled meantime for interest in participation.

CP, BL

There has been a donation of £1500 from the Fishmongers Association. This part funds the cost of SFCA support of FishCoarse, which is £2000 per year. The donation is for 2 years. 

£1500 is paid by VisitScotland per year. This is the main funding of the FishCoarse site. The deficit is made up by the Fishmongers’ money. The remainder of that funds outlays on attendance at angling tourism events and the NAS. 

There are currently 12 affiliated clubs. All are paid up. Match fees now fund the prizes. The golden peg fund is approx £340.

Permit money was collected at a canal match in 2005 but as yet BW has not accepted it. RW confirmed LCAPS will accept the funds.

RW will invoice £1050 for publicity materials.

The Fed paid £200 towards the buffet at the Celtic Cup. 

The net financial position is an overspend of £640. This is largely due to expenses caused by hosting the 6 Nations. A major cause was an error in failing to fully account for input VAT.

BL

RW

RW reported that Martin Mitchell of Castle Loch would like the fishery to join as a corporate member. Whilst there was no opposition, JM questioned whether the fishery was truly a “corporate” entity.

It was agreed that the SFCA constitution required to be amended to meet the demand of commercial fisheries, whose participation is welcome.   

JM

It was agreed that corporate / commercial membership requires to be adapted / amended.

JM raised the issue that the constitution is currently silent on “governing” provisions and that this requires consideration. This could include: 

• A “Clubmark” accreditation, provided a club meets and retains certain criteria; and
• Provisions for sanctioning clubs in exceptional circumstances.

A draft consultation document to be prepared for discussion, with a view of the matter going to a vote at the 2007 AGM.

It was agreed that the AGM be moved to later in the year, possibly late April. CP will check if the SportScotland grant application affects the date of the AGM and will revert.

Once confirmed, JM will write to the clubs, and this should be by the end of February. GC will prepare posters for shops.

CP will speak to Daiwa re a raffle at the AGM.

CP will be up for re-election this year. Confirmed he will stand for re-election.

CP intimated that D McL had resigned from the Match Secretary’s post.

JM

CP

JM, GC

CP

GC proposed honorary membership for Ralston MacPherson, and this was agreed.

1. SportScotland

CP reported that he was about to begin preparing the 4 year plan. Contributions are sought for that. RL’s views on coaching matters should be sought. The plan requires to be lodged by summer. 

2. Pictures

GC looking for pictures to form a catalogue in the event of requests by press etc. 

3. BW

BW are running an open day at the Falkirk Wheel and are looking to stage an angling demonstration.

4. Loch Lomond National Park

Demonstration days are planned for 16 April, 21 May, 25 June, and 27 Aug all at Balloch. Help is requested

CP, ALL

GC, ALL

GC 

GC, ALL

Further exec committee meeting by end of March (date to be confirmed), where the agenda will be the AGM.