Annual General Meeting
7 December 2025
14.00
Agenda
The notice convening the meeting will be announced
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received prior to the meeting will be announced.
2. Conduct of the Meeting
The Chairperson will propose that “This Meeting adopts Standing Orders” A Seconder is called. (A copy of the standing orders is attached)
3. Minutes of the 65th Annual General Meeting (attached)
4. Matters arising from those Minutes
5. Commodores Report
6. Report and Presentation of the Annual Accounts
7. Election of a President P Squires
8. Election of a Vice President – no nominations have been received.
9. Election of Honorary Members – no nominations have been received.
10. Election of Officers
The following nominations were received:
11. Election of other Members of the Management Committee
The following nominations were received:
| Office | Nominee | Proposer | Seconded |
| Six Full Members of Management | N Porter | Standing for re-election | |
| D Baxter | Standing for re-election | ||
| P Marsh | Standing for re-election | ||
| D Elliott | Standing for re-election | ||
| O Tate | Standing for re-election | ||
| A Norcross | Standing for re-election | ||
12. Appointment of Auditors and Solicitors
- In accordance with Club Rule 12.1, – Batten Hughes
- In accordance with Club Rule 12.2, – Guy Wigmore
13. Resolutions – Proposed by the Management Committee
13.1 Club fees for 2026
Due to rising costs and depleting balances in the Club’s funds, the Management Committee proposes a 10% increase on last year’s fees and to phase out (e.g. no new membership from 2026 onwards) the Senior A and Senior Joint A membership.
| Membership Type | £ Current membership fee 2025 | £ Proposed – membership fee 2026 |
| Full Member | 190.00 | 209.00 |
| Husband & Wife / Partner | 262.00 | 288.20 |
| Family | 317.00 | 348.70 |
| Intermediate | 133.00 | 146.30 |
| Student | 97.00 | 106.70 |
| Senior (A) | 88.00 | NA |
| Senior Joint (A) | 127.00 | NA |
| Senior (B) | 110.00 | 121.00 |
| Senior Joint (B) | 152.00 | 167.20 |
| Country Member | 110.00 | 121.00 |
| Junior (11-17) | 88.00 | 96.80 |
| Junior (7-10) | 32.00 | 35.20 |
| Junior (under 7) | NA | NA |
| Social Member | 61.00 | 67.10 |
Joining fee – no change – e.g One Person £30.00, £40 for 2 or more joining at the same address. This is a one off payment
13.2 Constitution Incorporating Club Rules
No amendments proposed
Standing Orders for General Meetings
When one Nomination only, correctly proposed and seconded, has been received for any vacancy, such Member shall be duly elected: in all other cases, election shall be by secret ballot.
The Chairperson may at their discretion and with the approval of the meeting, suggest that non-controversial resolutions are formally seconded and put to the meeting. In all other cases:
- The Proposer of a resolution shall have the right to speak for not more than five minutes with the option of being further heard if such extensions were agreed by a show of hands. They shall further have the right to reply for a period of three minutes before the resolution is put to the meeting.
- The Seconder of a resolution may speak similarly for a period not exceeding three minutes, except that they shall speak only once, and at their discretion they may defer their right to speak until the end of the debate.
- All Members present may speak once only on a particular resolution, as called by the Chairperson and for a period of three minutes, with a similar option of being further heard. No Member may speak more than once except to ask a question through the Chairperson or to reply to a question as called by the Chairperson.
- Amendments may be similarly proposed and seconded.
- Where more than one such amendment is proposed and seconded a vote shall be taken on each amendment in the reverse order to that in which they are made.
- Any full Member may move “Question now be put” which if seconded and voted in favour shall close the debate other than for a right of reply.
The Chairperson may, at their discretion, adjourn the meeting for any period they think fit.
The Chairperson shall close the meeting two hours after the commencement (not including adjournments) except that two extensions of not more than thirty minutes each may be approved if formally proposed, seconded and passed by a majority vote.
Note
- Only fully paid up members have the right to attend an Annual General Meeting, (Rule 3.3) and all will be requested to sign an attendance register at the door.
- Junior Members may attend a General Meeting, but may not vote (Rule 10.5).
- Members are requested NOT to bring very young children to the meeting.
- After the conclusion of the meeting, there will be an open forum for general discussion and questions.
Southport Sailing Club
Minutes of the 65th AGM (14.30pm 15 December 2024)
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from C Griffiths, M Harris, D Richardson, C McKettrick
2. Conduct of the Meeting
Proposed by the Commodore and seconded by T Porter, the meeting adopted standing orders.
3. Minutes of the 64th Annual General Meeting
The minutes taken of the AGM on 17 December 2023 were proposed by
T Porter and seconded by T Dent and were approved by the meeting.
4. Matters arising from those Minutes
There were no matters arising.
5. Commodore’s Report
- I would like to thank all committee members and members of our club for the support I have had in my first year as Commodore.
- Over the last year, we’ve been working really hard to maintain and improve our club, keeping it a safe and successful environment to belong to.
- Once again, we’ve had many outstanding events over the year, these being, the Commodore’s Dinner, the Sunset Sail, Paul’s quizzes, Fish and Chips Night, SCC 12-Hour Race, and the WLYC 24-Hour Race. Hopefully, next year, we will introduce a Bingo Night! All these events make a difference in our accounts.
- On a different note, over the last year, some of our members have competed around the country. This included Oliver and Kathryn who have been up and down the country in numerous different boats with their parents as taxis, Greg and Joel at the GP14 Nationals.
- We’ve had a fantastic year of junior training, thanks to Paul and his coaching team and helpers. Everyone can help, even if you’re not a coach, from making hot drinks to catching boats on the hard.
- Sailing numbers have been up and down this year, but still we have had some brilliant racing.
- This year, we decided to try a special series in October by racing in the club’s Fusions. Special thanks to Waterside Lodge for the use of their Fusions when needed. This was a great success as we had up to 16 boats out with some great racing. One to repeat for next year.
- There has been a good start to the Winter Series, with a number of visitors from WLYC taking part. We must also give a special thank you to Ted and Dorothy for supplying lovely lunches.
- There was an error in the handbook which resulted in there being no race officers recorded in January, February or March 2025. With this, we will be using the white board so it would be a great help if you could put your name by the date you can make.
- This year, there has been a significant increase in costs, including insurance, electricity and oil to contend with.
- For us to keep our membership price as low as possible, it is important that everyone tries to participate in the events held. This will help with the running costs and boost funds for the club.
- I look forward to another prosperous and rewarding year as Commodore and would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
6. Report and Presentation of the Annual Accounts
The Honorary Treasurer submitted copies of the club income and expenditure accounts for the past two years.
Members were asked to note:
- Membership income has increased by around £1000 since last year.
- Club events have contributed a significant amount to club funds in 2023-2024, which has buffered some of the cost increases seen in the last 12 months.
- The Junior 12-Hour Race, and the club’s support of the WLYC 24-Hour Race both contributed significant amounts to club funds, along with other events organised in the year, such as the very popular quiz nights and Commodore’s Dinner. It is hoped that we can build on the success of these events in 2024-2025, with continued support of the members and volunteers.
- There was a significant increase in repair costs in the year, mainly due to a new intruder alarm and fire alarm upgrades (£1300), replacement of 3 clubhouse windows (£1320) and £900 for outboard engine repairs.
- As expected, utility costs have increased this year, and we should expect further increases in future years as the cost of utilities increase generally across the board.
- Bar and galley activity picked up this year and it’s clear to see what a difference it has made to the net income of the club, making a significant contribution to operating costs.
- Bank and cash balances have reduced by a further £2000 since the end of the year ended 31 October 2023
7. Election of a President P Squires
8. Election of a Vice President – no nominations have been received.
9. Election of Honorary Members – no nominations have been received.
10. Election of Officers
The following nominations were approved
11. Election of other Members of the Management Committee
The following nominations were approved
| Office | Nominee |
| Three Full Members of Management | N Porter |
| D Baxter | |
| D Elliott |
12. Appointment of Auditors and Solicitors
- In accordance with Club Rule 12.1, – Batten Hughes
- In accordance with Club Rule 12.2, – Guy Wigmore
13. Resolutions – Proposed by the Management Committee
13.1 Club fees for 2025
The meeting approved the proposal that club membership fees for 2025 to be as follows:-
| Membership Type | Membership fee – 2025 |
| Country Member | 110 |
| Family | 317 |
| Full Member | 190 |
| Husband & Wife/Partner | 262 |
| Intermediate | 133 |
| Junior (11-17 years) | 88 |
| Junior (7-10 years) | 32 |
| Junior (under 7 years) | 0 |
| Senior Citizen (A) | 88 |
| Senior Citizen (B) | 110 |
| Senior Husband & Wife (A) | 127 |
| Senior Husband & Wife (B) | 152 |
| Social | 61 |
| Student | 97 |
Joining fee – no change
13.2 Constitution Incorporating Club Rules
The meeting approved the adoption of the revised Constitution from 1st January 2025.
- Sailing Instructions for Club Racing, Safety Requirements 3.1 a and 3.1b and
- Bye Law Rules, 11 a and 11 b
whereby the current rules that, ‘Personal buoyancy aids must be worn when sailing on the Marine Lake as follows:
- Children under 14 years of age at all times
- All members between 8th November and 12th March, and for the Twilight Series’
will read that ‘Personal buoyancy aids must be worn when sailing on the Marine Lake at all times.’
That being all the proposed business the meeting closed at 14.55 pm.
There were 28 members present.