708.PRESENT & APOLOGIES
The meeting opened at 11:20 with the following present: Kathleen Rigg (Chair), Dave Bluett, Graham Phipps, Trevor Birkbeck, Nigel Bray, John Aldridge. Apologies: Will Greenwood. Email contribution to Item 716 from Mike Stephens.
709.UPDATE ON TROPHIES FOR LARAGNE NATIONALS
TB confirmed that KJB Engineering had despatched these and they are due to arrive on Friday. If they do not arrive in time for the presentation KR will purchase nominal prizes of wine/champagne and the trophies will be despatched to winners at TB’s expense. KR will also purchase wine to present to the winning team.
Action: KR and TB
710.INCIDENT ON MORNING OF 7th AUGUST
KR stated that if there was any further incident between Ferenc Gruber and Amir Shalom they would both be excluded from our competition. DB and JA both expressed the opinion that the exclusion of each competitor should be decided upon the merits of the case.
711.2008 EUROS
The panel agreed to increase the budget by £1,000 to reflect the movement of the Euro against the GBP and increased fuel prices since the budget was allocated. The 5 team members (Bruce Kavanagh, Carl Wallbank, Richard Lovelace, Graham Phipps and David Shields should each claim £200 from Hillary.
Action: Team members and HSS
712.COMPETITIONS PANEL
KR informed the panel that (subject to confirmation from 2 of these) the volunteers for the 3 vacant places are: Gary Wirdnam, George Shapland, Carl Wallbank, Bruce Kavanagh, Steve Penfold and Mark Stewart. The pilots will be asked to elect 3 of these at the SE Wales BOS meet. The date for the Planning Meeting will then be agreed in consultation with the new members
Action: KR
713.DAY PRIZES
DB proposed abandoning the custom of giving day prizes at our competitions. KR will put this on the agenda for the planning meeting.
Action:KR
714.COMPETITIONS FUNDING
It was noted that the organisers of the Belgian Nationals had again failed to have it sanctioned as a FAI Category 2 event therefore participation does not qualify for funding.
Action: HSS to note
715.MAILING LISTS
JA noted that since the BHPA had changed their provider the list had not worked effectively. NRB agreed to investigate possible solutions with Paul Dancy (the BHPA officer responsible) and Phil Chettleburgh.
Action: NRB
716.TEAM SELECTION FOR 2009 WORLDS
JA said that the number of team places had not yet been decided but was expected to be 4 initially with the UK almost certain to pick up a further place in a reallocation of unfilled places. It was agreed that the team would be selected at the planning meeting later this year with the WPRS ranking that would be used being 1st September or the first date after that when both the UK and Dutch Nationals results are incorporated. KR gave her opinion that the current rule that 50% (rounded down) of the team be selected in order from pilots in the top 30 of the WPRS would hinder the panel in selecting the best team to defend our World title. Discussion ensued and NRB proposed that the rule be removed from the rule book providing none of the pilots affected by the change objected to this procedure. GP stated that he had not yet made a decision on whether or not to put himself forward for team selection. The proposal was agreed by a 4-2 majority with KR abstaining.
Note: NRB later confirmed that the pilots directly affected did not object
The meeting closed at 12:40.