Decisions from the AGM held on Thursday 17th June:
- Membership Fees
The majority of members present were in favour of holding fees at their current level for a second year. It was felt that this would help retain membership after the year we have just had. The Treasurer will not increase fees for any membership category for the year 2021-22.
- Fees Paid During Club Closure
The AGM approved the accounts and considered the finances of the Club (see final accounts here).
A number of members opted-in to support the club by paying their membership fees at 100% or 50% during periods when the club was closed. However the club has also been successful at raising grants from various covid-support funds during the year and certain costs were reduced (e.g. England Squash affiliation). It was agreed that in the light of the grants received some of these members may feel with the benefit of hindsight that those payments were not needed. The AGM agreed that these members should be offered the option to receive their money back as a repayment from the club.
Consequently the club is extending the following offer to members who made payments when the club was closed:
a. Leave the money in the club (it will be put towards the club refurbishment, see below) – this is the default option
b. Write to the Treasurer before 31st August 2021 requesting a refund of fees paid and you will get your money back
c. Since the club is extending this offer of repayment, and because no service was received, money left with the club can be considered a donation. If people fill out a Gift Aid declaration form for the sum donated (the Treasurer will email everyone individually with details) the club can claim 20% tax on top of your donation and you may be able to reduce your personal tax too.
- Plan for Club Refurbishment
The AGM enthusiastically endorsed that the Club should pursue the new, lower-cost option (Option B in this document). The Maintenance Officer estimates that this option is affordable right now with the combination of Covid-19 grants now in Club reserves and the member pledges received to date. The Chair was tasked with seeking approval from the Village College, subject to which work will start on a Phase 1 this summer. Phase 1 will include the complete refurbishment of the changing rooms, renewal of the hot water system and construction of toilet facilities to replace the current toilets (which will be demolished as part of Phase 2 – construction of social area and improvements to court 1 including glass back wall and balcony wall). A Members Special Meeting will be held to finalise certain design decisions on the toilets and answer Members’ questions before the call for the payment of pledges goes out.
Members’ Special Meeting on Club Refurbishment (via Zoom) : Wednesday 7th July 7:30 pm
See the Club Newsletter for a link to the meeting
