Notes from December's Trust Board meeting

NEWPORT COUNTY AFC SUPPORTERS’ TRUST BOARD MEETING

DECEMBER 12, 2019, 5.30pm

MERLIN HOUSE, LANGSTONE BUSINESS PARK, NEWPORT

REDACTED NOTES FOR PUBLICATION

ATTENDEES: Shaun Johnson (SJ, Chair), Gavin Foxall (GF), Colin Faulkner (CF), Bob Herrin (BH), Kevin Ward (KW), Ryan Courtney (RC), Paul Marks (PMa), Nigel Stephenson (NS).

APOLOGIES: Peter Madigan (PM), Kelly Anderson (KA), Mark Crook (MC), Mike Everett (ME).

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING
   • The minutes of the Trust Board meeting held on November 21, 2019, were approved as an accurate record.

2. MATTERS ARISING
   • Any matters arising are included in other agenda items.

3. GENERAL MANAGER UPDATE (NS)
   • Ben Lucey started as Club Secretary on December 2. Ben will work aside Jackie Rockey until the close of the January transfer window.
   • Staff received training and access to the updated ticketing system on December 2. A visit is planned to another club who currently operate the updated version of SeatAdvisor.
   • One to One staff meetings have taken place to outline objectives in all areas around Media, Commercial & Operations.
   • Academy Manager now appointed permanently – communication this week.
   • Academy is now operating within budget.

4. FINANCE (NS)
   • Trade and statutory creditors all up to date.
   • Overdue debtors – there was a discussion around the best ways in which to deal with these, which may result in legal action.
   • Budget and cashflow forecast for the remainder of the financial year to June 2020 remains very positive.
   • Sage upgrade completed to enable us to comply with Making Tax Digital regulations.
   • Annual audit set to take place w/c 27^th January 2020.

 FOOTBALL UPDATE (GF)

5. • GF outlined the recruitment strategy for the January window and how the process agreed with the Club Group and the Manager will work.

6. BAR AMBER OPERATIONAL REVIEW (PMa)
   • PMa provided a summary of his review.
   • Further work to be undertaken by PMa with a recommendation paper to be presented to the January Board meeting.

7. EQUALITY & DIVERSITY (CF)
   • Newport Walk for Dementia 2020 to be launched next week. The walk is planned for Sunday, April 5.
   • Christmas Community work - Jamille Matt’s Homeless project; Academy to visit local Nursing Home.
   • Leyton Orient game - Justin Edinburgh family attending, JE3 Foundation bucket collection, Justin to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
   • Mental Health Charter signing ceremony postponed until after general election.
   • Academy meeting with Go Again Wellbeing.

8. SAFEGUARDING (BH)
   • No issues have been raised since the last meeting.
   • Academy Audit anytime soon (since confirmed as week beginning January 27).
   • DBS work continuing.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
   • KW reported Advantage Accountancy, Seren Fach and RW Cole had all renewed their corporate Trust memberships. Tovey Brothers had agreed corporate membership.
   • KW reported the Club Carol Service was well attended and well received.
   • PMa provided a Trust membership update.
   • RC reported the Veterans Drop-in Group was now up and running at Bar Amber on the third Friday of every month. There had been some good publicity in the Argus.

Meeting closed.

Next meeting: Thursday, January 16, at Merlin House, 5.30pm start.