The focus of Executive Committee meetings will be “the strategic direction of the Club”. Various Sub-Committees have been formed who will meet separately and report back to the Executive Committee. These are set out below:

Cricket Committee: Alistair Lyttle (Chairman), Ian Powick, Lewis Baines, Emma Rankin, Callum Williamson, Tom Arnold, Debbie Plant, Vish Naik, Alan Wild, Damon Willetts

Finance Committee: Greg Easter (Chairman), John Miller, Gary Baldwin, Alistair Lyttle

Grounds & Facilities Committee: John Miller (Chairman), Damon Willetts, Tim Holland, Gary Baldwin, Greg Easter

Membership Committee: Lewis Baines (Chairman), Vish Naik, Emma Rankin, Callum Williamson

N.B. Harry Wright (Social Media Manager) will be co-opted onto any committee as required.

Player Meetings

Members are encouraged to attend upcoming player meetings in the Old Pavilion to receive information about the season and future plans.
Men’s Teams: Thursday 10th April
Women's & Girls' Teams: Wednesday 30th April
Boys' Teams: Friday 25th April

Membership

The playing membership of the club is officially closed. New playing members will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances as a direct recruit by the club, or in the case of having a demonstrable record of 1st XI club cricket and be of sufficient ability to play in at least the Saturday 2nd XI.

• The club’s website is being transitioned over to Pitchero. Members should refer to the new website https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/harbornecricketclub2 rather than the obsolete https://harborne-cc.co.uk/ which will be decommissioned in the near future.
• The club’s full Development Plan will be communicated to all members in response to the feedback received from the survey conducted over the winter.
• The AGM will be held earlier than March in the future to enable new Committees to put plans into place before the next season.
• The Annual Dinner will be changed in future to be more inclusive and open to all members.

Financial Matters

The current bank balance is approximately £350,000. Funds will be transferred to a deposit account. The Finance Committee will discuss budgets. Spending authorisation limits will be set for the Groundsman and Bar Manager. Outstanding invoices from the 2024 Sportsman's Lunch are being pursued, and planning for the 2025 lunch is underway in consultation with the event organisers. A HCC team is being formed to support lunch organisation. Bar profit decreased last year; a review of bar operations will be conducted.

Administration & Safeguarding

The club has four Trustees. For 2025 these are:
Alistair Lyttle (Club Chairman)
Simon Blackledge (Playing Member since 1983)
John Brennan (Parent and Barrister)
Malcolm Willcox (Club President and former Club Chairman).

The signatories for club funds are:
Alistair Lyttle (Club Chairman)
Greg Easter (Treasurer)
John Miller (Grounds & Facilities Chairman).

A formal Health and Safety policy will be adopted by the club, and DBS checks and safeguarding training are currently being renewed.

Player survey feedback is on the notice board, and will be followed by an official Club Development Plan to address any issues raised.

Grounds & Facilities

A three-year bar deal has been agreed with Greene King, who have refurbished the cellar this week as part of this arrangement.

Showering facilities require urgent improvement and will be addressed in the Club Development Plan, with grant funding opportunities being explored. Clear signage for women's and girls' changing rooms is a priority.

A replacement outfield mower (£8,000, with a trade-in value) and wicket mower (£1,500) are needed.

Netting is needed to protect houses near St Peter's Road, with temporary netting being proposed while planning permission for permanent netting is sought. Netting in front of the clubhouse is also being considered.

Warning signs will be placed around the ground, especially near the Old Church Avenue walkway.

Future Developments

Renewing the ground lease is urgent. Gowlings solicitors will represent the Club in negotiations for a 28-year lease with the Church Commissioners. Any grant funding is dependent on at least a letter of intent for the new lease. The Club is actively seeking grant funding opportunities.

Members will see progress on the improvements needed to the pavilions on both grounds as a top priority for the Executive Committee, with an ambitious aim to begin work at the end of the 2025 season. Work cannot begin until the new lease has been negotiated and implemented.

The Club are looking to update the facilities on the Knots ground with new changing rooms, toilets and shower facilities. The conservation and planning officers have already been consulted. Plans for a new pavilion on the main ground date back to 1996. This is now absolutely vital to give HCC a home to be proud of, and in order to facilitate proper revenue generation opportunities for the club to be able to be run profitably. An architect is being consulted for drawings and cost estimates on both pavilion.

Surveys of the membership will be conducted before proceeding with improvements so the whole club is on the same page. Updates on facility improvements will communicated as soon as new information is available, including an update at the Players Meetings.

Sponsorship

Cottons will continue as shirt and sign sponsors. Sponsorship guidelines are being developed. Member assistance in generating sponsorship is welcome. HCC will attend the Harborne BID Networking event and encourage members to sign up for the Harborne Hub App.

This Members Bulletin was brought to you by the Executive Committee of Harborne Cricket Club.

Note: All Members are entitled to receive the full minutes of Executive Committee meetings should they so wish. Please contact the Club Secretary for further details should you require a copy.