The following were matters arising from previous meetings:

 

FLi contract – future website developments still under discussion

Special board meeting agreed to look at strategy development as the next stage of the SWOC exercise

Risk management – CEO to take the lead on implementation of the audit

Joint meeting with the Community Trust to be arranged once Jim Green has started as their new CEO

Junior Blues relaunch – database in place and some renewals, more expected once the season starts.

Family zone – aim to launch this for the start of the new season, it will not be available for Wrexham, Tranmere and other all ticket games and FA trophy and cup games. Pricing still to be finalised.

Health and safety – annual audit report await from Stallard Kane, our health and safety advisers.

Non League day – this will happen on 3rd September and options to mark this being considered, also the possibility of a Community Day being explored.

Finance – the finance report included an update on the year end accounts, whilst figures still were subject to final adjustment, the position looked more promising than previously reported. Any deficit would be covered by general reserves and there would be no need to touch strategic reserves.

Season ticket sales are down on last season although there is still an opportunity to buy one. The board will receive detailed budget proposals for 2016/2017 at their next meeting.

Operations board – Jon McCarthy had been meeting regularly with the Operations board to update them on player recruitment. A lot of work had been going on around the stadium relating to pre season preparation including the pitch and general maintenance.

The CFU board agreed to co-opt Anne Salmon (a current CFU board member) and Ron Smith, a local business man who is currently the chairman of Dee 106.3 to the Operations Board.

Commercial – two events are being planned for sponsors, these will be before evening pre season friendly matches. A date is to be agreed for the launch of the new training kit and photographs will be taken of the merchandise. The new team photo of the 2016/17 squad will be taken later in the month.

Youth Academy – a strategy has been developed for the Youth Academy which has been shared with coaches, players and parents. Jon McCarthy and Ian Sharps will be attending youth development sessions periodically and the overall aim of the Youth Academy will be to mirror the system and shape of the first team.

CFU – Dates of CFU meetings have been agreed as follows: 18th August – formal with Mark Maguire (the new CEO attending) 22nd September – informal – speaker to be agreed 17th November – formal

The date for the AGM was agreed as Friday 7th October, the board agreed to change the day of the week at the request of the Exiles and to have the AGM before a home fixture to enable as many as possible to attend. Expressions of interest for vacant director posts will be sought towards the end of August. The board also noted that there had only been one comment in respect of the proposed revisions to the Election Policy and this is the policy that will now operate for the next election. A reminder of the changes will be published in the next newsletter.

Questions for the Big City Survey to be finalised so that it can be issued to CFU members within the next few weeks.

Volunteer groups – there were reports from all groups, many of whom are working actively to prepare for the start of the new season. A considerable amount of maintenance work has been undertaken including clearing the grid along the car park that has caused flooding recently. An event for volunteers is planned for 4th August, 2016 and volunteers will be contacted shortly with details.

Charity bucket collections – a total of 9 bids for charity bucket collections had been received, all from very worthwhile causes. As last year the board agreed to have 7 bucket collections during the season, with 2 being allocated to the Youth Academy and the others being allocated as follows: Aash-Jai Quality of Life, Chester and Flintshire Talking Newspaper, Chester Women’s Aid, Marie Curie Chester, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association – Cheshire Branch. Dates for when these collections will take place will be spread out over the season and published nearer to the time they are happening.