The Official North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League Weblog

The Staffordshire Association of Groundsmen    STAG
will hold a Workshop at Stafford Cricket & Hockey Club, Riverway, Stafford on Wednesday 27 January 2010 at 7.00pm

 ROLLING PITCHES
 The Science and the Practical
 with

MARTIN FORD  Institute of Groundsmen
LEN SMITH      First Class Groundsman

Workshop is free to members of STAG  ( Clubs and Individual ) Non-members just £5.00.  Non-members can sign up to become members of STAG on the evening.

Dennis Wall    Hon. Secretary  STAG

All Clubs, Executives and Officials of the League have been informed of a Special General Meeting to be held at Burslem Cricket Club on Thursday 28th January 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

This is following the recent Chairman’s meeting when it was agreed to change the governance of the League and changes in rules due to the league becoming an ‘open’ league. Ballot papers and copies of how the rules will change have been sent out and all club reps should have received copies by now. If they haven’t please ensure the League Manager is contacted as soon as possible as all ballot forms have to be returned by the 25th January 2010.

The cost of business rates has long been an issue for cricket clubs but some help has been available –

*some Local Authorities have granted discretionary relief which may have been as high as 100% in some cases.

*Clubs which are registered as CASC’s  are given 80% mandatory relief which costs the Local Authority nothing since is borne out of Central Government resources.

There have been two recent developments which may increase the business rates paid by a cricket club

*there have been instances where Local Authorities have removed discretionary rate relief

*a business rate review is being undertaken by Local Authorities with new rating values applying from April 2010. Every club which is liable to pay rates should have received notice of the new rating value.

These developments have the potential to significantly increase rates bills. We would like to gauge whether as a result there will be a significant increase in rates costs for the Recreational Game nationally. Please e-mail dave.leighton@ecb.co.uk with details if your club is facing  major changes in its rates bill for 2010 as a consequence of either of the above .