agm minutes

Thank you to all members who attended the AGM, with 36% of the membership in attendance it made for an enjoyable and thought-provoking day. Key points discussed follow:

· Welcome & Opening remarks by Chairman, Roger Nash

Roger opened the meeting and welcomed all of those in attendance and noted apologies from several members unable to attend.  He provided thanks to Members, Water Managers and Committee for the work done. 

Summary:

2024 produced major problems which have challenged our funding policy.

1. Fish deaths in Top Lakes have put these lakes back several years from parity with the Lagoon. EA involved but unable to identify cause. Possibly combination of factors which stressed older fish carrying spawn from 2023 due to highly erratic weather, including large drop in oxygen level in Birch due to algal growth, and several very large and rapid drops in atmospheric pressure in 2024. EA helped to fund the cost of instruments to measure water quality, which has been logged at least weekly since August 2024.

2. Otter entry through the Heras fencing in Lagoon, with at least one fish killed. Close examination of the fencing at the car park end showed areas of corrosion with the potential to allow future otter entry. Bid prepared for EA grant for replacement, result not yet known.

We have an annual regular budget for stocking and for fence repairs. Stocking takes place every 2-3 years, and was carried out last year in the Lagoon. Lagoon security has the highest priority and is a significant cost, even with all labour carried out by club members. Clearly we cannot afford the fence and a major unplanned stocking in the Top Lakes from our current annual funding without a large EA grant.  If we get a substantial EA grant we can make the Lagoon secure, and probably carry out limited restocking in the Top Lakes. 

Our subscription rates are based on a carefully costed 5- year plan which includes allowances for inflation and contingences, and we sit today without debt and a small amount of money in the bank, so the estimating process has been pretty accurate. However, experience has shown that it does not provide for the build-up of a substantial fund to deal with multiple major challenges.  

· Minutes of previous AGM by Chairman, Roger Nash

The minutes of the last AGM were briefly outlined by Roger and the minutes were approved and seconded by the AGM members as an accurate reflection of the meeting (Paul H and DK)

· Review of Season by Water Managers

Each Water Manager outlined work completed, current status and ongoing actions for each of their lakes along with an update on the general health, fishing pressure, etc. Each manager was able to report good progress and good health but also identified further work that needed completion.

· Ash Pit – A good start to the year was followed by weed growth which was significant and has been managed by manual removal. Several work parties were convened to remove weed. Other routine fence and tree maintenance has continued with no major issues. To combat the weed growth, the lake will be heavily dyed this year and this will be monitored on an ongoing basis. Good growth in all fish has been identified and the fishery is getting better year on year.

· Bailiffs Pit – Very little to report, fishing pressure is still very light on this lake and only a few members had taken guest tickets which is disappointing - we hope to see more next year. However, those fish that have been caught have been witnessed with really good growth rates so this is encouraging for the future. The “brash” fence has been repaired following floods and is now intact. Further stocking of this lake is under discussion.

· Lagoon – For the first time (ever?) all captures have been recorded to understand the stocking density and health of the fishery. This has been successful and the reports positive. Unfortunately one fish was found dead after an otter attack (see Chairmans notes) and others have been noted with potential otter damage. Primary focus this year is on replacement of the 10+ year old Heras fencing as the current is not fit for purpose. Ongoing maintenance continues on paths, pegs, snags and fencing.

· Top Lakes – this last year was reported as “a nightmare” following several fish deaths in the spring (see Chairman’s notes). Last year saw several algae blooms and we expect to see more this year but we have taken significant action to try to manage this – members are encouraged to keep an eye on this and report any significant changes/issues with water quality. More detail is provided in the Secretaries report below.

· Financial report by Treasurer, Alan Jones

· Alan Jones submitted the accounts for the season 2024/25 and was pleased to announce that the books "balanced" by just a few pounds. In addition, the membership fee increases have been totally justified and the 5-year plan is still on track. However, as noted above, the club cannot sustain a financial plan without contingency for the “unforeseen” issues that seem to arise almost every year. Accounts were proposed and seconded as an accurate reflection of the current status (Tom H and Luke C) 

· Elections by Chairman, Roger Nash

Unfortunately due to ill health one water manager has had to step down from committee duties. The role was therefore vacant and offered to members. Paul L has been standing in for the role and has done a very good job – he was duly nominated and elected to the committee. The remainder of the committee was put to the vote for reinstatement “en-bloc”. This was proposed and agreed by a majority vote.

· Secretaries Review/5 year plan

Incredible amount of work done by Committee (especially RN and WMs) in conjunction with the EA during the disastrous spring of last year. Action has been and is been taken, notably;

- tree felling to get more wind/oxygen into the lake (thanks to Dwain and Dave)

- liming to reduce the detritus on the bottom that feeds the algae

- planting of marginal plants to extract the harmful nutrients from the water

- barley straw extract that suppresses the growth of algae

the first extract was purchased but we have now set-up our own production facility to make us self-sufficient. We believe and have been advised NOT to stock Top Lakes this year (until we are sure the water parameters are back to where they should be). RN continues to monitor regularly

· 5 Year Plan

- The membership price increase previously agreed and put into place this year was planned 4 years ago

- As previously mentioned, this proves to a degree that our budgeting is working - Even with the challenges we have faced (break ins, etc.)

- 2026 will be the end of that 5 year plan

- The clubs overall revenue this year will be higher than last year due to ticket price increases

- We still have a very healthy waiting list with potential new members having been on the list for 5 years

- Even with the revenue increase, we cannot fund the Heras fence replacement AND the Top Lake stocking

- Therefore, a lot depends on the success or failure of our bid for Angling Trust funding. The committee will keep the members up-to-date on the progress of this and, if unsuccessful, will convene a meeting to discuss funding.

· Proposed Rule Changes, by Members

Prior to the AGM, members are invited to put proposals to the committee for discussion and a vote on suitability/acceptance. No proposals were made this year.

· Constitutional Changes

No proposals were made this year.

A number AOB

Stock Pond – this was a subject raised at last years AGM that the committee promised to review. RN outlined the result of the review with a conclusion that it was not a viable proposition either financially or operationally (resource).

Stocking – prompted by a question from Tom H prior to the meeting, the committee updated the members on the current plan. This plan includes ongoing budget provision for regular stockings every 2 to 3 years. Self-spawned fish are providing some back ups as are those being hatched and raised by the committee. The option of further stocking of the Bailiffs pit was discussed and agreed in principal. 

Members enquired about membership numbers and an update was provided by the Secretary including an update on the waiting list status.

The meeting was closed with a summary of the meeting and a promise to keep the members informed of any upcoming activities/changes. The Chairman closed the meeting with thanks for the attendance and wishing everyone "tight lines" for the upcoming season.