Eastern Counties Rugby Union

I wrote to all clubs last week to forewarn you of a Special General Meeting that Eastern Counties is having to hold to try to achieve tax-free status. This is important in that it should help us financially, essential in these cash-strapped times.

Attached are the formal papers for the meeting – the Agenda and the Annual Accounts.

The main purpose of the meeting will be to consider some changes to our Constitution to conform with HMRC’s requirements. It will be held remotely, via Zoom, at 7.00 pm on Friday 20 November. Information as to how to log-in to the meeting will be sent out nearer the time.

I hope you, or another representative of your club, will be able to join this important, but we hope, short e meeting and vote on this important issue.

It is recommended that unless you are familiar with Zoom, you go through the steps in advance to make sure it will work on the night.

AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence

2. To consider as a special resolution the following proposed addition and alterations to the Rules (duly proposed in accordance with Rule 7.2.5)

A. Amend Rule 3 as follows:

Existing:

“3. Objects

The objects of the Constituent Body (CB) shall be:

3.1 To administer the game in the county of Cambridgeshire, the county of Norfolk and the county of Suffolk (as recognized prior to the reorganisation of local government in 1974) (the CB Area) and for such other clubs as the Union allocates to the CB on behalf of the Union.

3.2 To promote, encourage and extend the Game throughout the CB Area including (but not limited to) the coaching thereof, its development in schools and at all youth levels and the recruitment, administration and training of referees.

3.3 To ensure that the Game is played in accordance with the Laws of the Game and is administered in accordance with World Rugby Regulations and the Rules of the Union.

3.4 To arrange and undertake representative and other matches as the Management Committee may decide.”

Proposed:
“3. Object

3.1 To promote, encourage and extend participation in amateur sport by:

3.1.1 effectively administering and managing the sport of rugby union football in the county of Cambridgeshire, the county of Norfolk and the county of Suffolk (as recognized prior to the reorganisation of local government in 1974) (the CB Area) and for such other clubs as the Rugby Football Union allocates to the CB on behalf of the Union.
3.1.2 supporting the sport of rugby union football through:-
• coaching,
• player development in schools and at all youth levels,
• by providing advice, support and guidance to clubs,
• by providing, where possible, finance to clubs for investment in facilities,
• by the recruitment and training of referees, and,
• by arranging representative and other matches.”
B. Addition to Rule 10 (Rules) as follows:
new para 10.3:
“10.3 No new Rule shall be made, nor shall any Rule be amended or rescinded in such a way as to make the CB cease to be a charity at law.”
C. Amend Rule Section 27 (Dissolution) as follows:
Existing
“In the event of it becoming necessary for the Members to discontinue the activities of the Constituent Body and to dissolve the Constituent Body under the provisions of the Act, its funds and property shall be appropriated or divided amongst the Members in such manner as the Management Committee consider to be fair and reasonable.”
Proposed
“In the event of it becoming necessary for the Members to discontinue the activities of the Constituent Body and to dissolve the Constituent Body under the provisions of the Act, its funds and property shall be transferred to any charity or charities for purposes similar to the objects listed in Rule 3.”
3. To receive, consider and approve the accounts for the 12 months to 30th June 2020
4. To seek approval to add Steve Mackee and Robert Temple to the list of authorised signatories for such accounts as Eastern Counties Rugby Union hold with National Savings and Investments

R Temple
Hon Secretary
2 November 2020