Meeting started at 10:45

Apologies from GG. All others present

Matters arising

The regs re-write has been done, but not circulated.

Action: RT

LEL accounts have been finalised with a loss of about £3000

Nothing has been received directly from the FBC. Agreed to do nothing until anything further received.

FC requested PM check with ACP about PBP lighting regs.

Action: PM

SD’s response to LEL 2009 event spec discussed at length. RP to reply after circulating draft to committee. SC to oversee northern part of the route under SS’s mentoring. KH/SG to do southern end, with DKB looking after the part in the middle.

Action: RP, SC, SS, KH/SG, DKB.

There has been no further progress on PayPal, but FC is confident the system mod can be finished before the next renewal round.

Action: FC

The CTC Birthday rides are to be reduced to a weekend in SE England. Jim Brown to chair org committee.

Correspondence and officers’ reports

NH has liaised with Rocco and filled, as far as possible, the gaps in the records. He has contacted Terry Bateman and will do so again to complete the handover of records.

Action: NH

IH has corresponded with Cycling Plus. One of their challenges (a SR series) has seen the volunteer withdraw following a change of job. Possibly anther volunteer will be found in time. PP & KH advised a disappointing total of 85 entrants for both the Double Century rides. (David Duffield Challenge clashes) We will be able to push them harder next year with PBP. IH suggested taking ad space in the magazine for an Audax news column.

Action: IH

KH reported a 9% increase in validations with a larger number of events supported by smaller fields. SC’s request for medals for her birthday rides was approved, as there are ample stocks. He has had complaints – as has PP – about the quality of medals, where pins break. He also suggested a simpler method of validating Brevet Cards which prompted a long discussion. The upshot was that for Brevets Populaires only, a selected few organisers will be invited to try this system, and the results assessed afterwards.

No action at this stage, as FC / SS are going abroad shortly, and a system mod will be needed.

SS gave a quick update on the printing situation after Quorum’s bankruptcy. The new issue of Arrivée printed by Headley Bros had been well received.

PP advised sending out Brevet Cards nearer to the events, following supplementary orders from several organisers. PC advised a pdf version of the blank inner was available for use with laser printers. PP also showed proofs of new publicity folders, which were discussed briefly.

FC said he was increasingly concerned about the website server and wanted to migrate to a new one in August to give a three month parallel run period before our existing contract expires in November.

An approach has been received from Audax Australia wishing to emulate / share our system. As much of the work setting up our system was FC’s own, he may charge for the use of his intellectual property.

Action: FC

UK Events Secretariat

Shortly before the meeting, PC had written to DKB and RP advising he did not wish to stand for re-election at the next AGM, but would be happy to support his successor as needed, and help with specific projects where his experience would be useful. In his reply, RP used the opportunity to thank him for "your immense contribution to AUK over the past many years, and to say that your experience and advice in committee will be greatly missed."
The following points emerged from the ensuing discussion:-

1) The job should be split between a committee member and some delegates.
2) SS to draft an ad for Arrivée to be circulated to committee & TW.
3) FC volunteered to keep the system running in the interim period. Organisers could input their own rides, but one person would have to be in overall control. PP praised CTC&H website as a good model.

Action: SS, FC.

Prospective Patron

DKB said he and NC had met David Duffield to discuss inviting him to be Patron of AUK. After DKB had given brief details of his long-distance cycling credentials, and there had been a brief discussion, the nomination was approved. DKB to confirm to DD

Action: DKB

Insurance

It has recently emerged that the AUK insurance policy does not apply if the organiser is resident abroad, and it is not possible to obtain cover. When a rider is also a CTC member, then their insurance should take precedence. For our rides, CTC or some grades of BC membership offer acceptable substitutes for insurance purposes. After discussion, it was decided not to include BTA membership as an alternative for such a purpose. The fee for temporary membership will rise to £1.50 effective 1 Nov 2006. There appears to be widespread ignorance amongst the members about the extent of cover and RT agreed to do a piece for Arrivée to clarify. IH praised the CTC leaflet as a model.

Action: RT

New entry form

The new simplified and redesigned entry form was discussed. It will come into use next season, and a copy is attached (system willing)

AOB

The Wessex Cycosportifs seem to have received a mixed press.

The Events Secretary’s honorarium is to be lapsed until the successor is approved.

PP showed new 1000K medals which were cheaper and better quality than existing ones. It was agreed that with immediate effect badge prices would be £2.00 and medals £2.50. In each case the organiser will retain 50p.

Apparently, some members have been put off attending the reunion weekend, and a more inclusive title should be devised for the future.

The next (post PBP-07) medal design has the facility to be dated. Date bars may still be available from NH. PP also queried whether badge designs needed changing for the next order.

PP has purchased a new high-speed printer and will be using it at York.

RT advised that a Business Transfer Agreement was required for Incorporation and requested all committee members supply an inventory of AUK equipment held.

Action: All

Next meeting: 27th September 2006 in Birmingham at 10:30 for 10:45.

The meeting closed at 15:45.