Post by Tangerine Sherlock on Jun 13, 2013 20:47:46 GMT 1
I do like what these guys are trying to do and the fresh approach, but come on Karl try giving them a chance.
SISA Meeting Minutes Wednesday 12th June 2013
Chair: Tim Fielding
Minutes: Kevin Boroduwicz
Other Committee Members: Nathan Tate, Susan Cheetham & Lee Good
Venue: No 1 Club
1) Football Supporters Federation: The result of the latest SISA vote was announced with 87% of those who voted agreeing that SISA should affiliate to the Football Supporters Federation. Further to this decision by members, three members of the committee will be attending the Supporters Summit taking place at St George’s Park (the FA’s new home) in Burton-on-Trent on June 21st/22nd organised by the Football Supporters Federation together with Supporters’ Direct. Actions: SISA to apply to join the Football Supporters Federation by June 18th. SISA to provide a report of the Supporters Summit to all members by June 28th.
2) Supporters Trust: Committee members will be meeting with a Supporters Direct representative on June 17th to explore the issues involved in becoming a Supporters Trust and to ascertain whether this might be an option that could be recommended to members. It was made clear that SISA is at the very beginning of this process and there is a lot to learn about possible opportunities and advantages this might present for the members. Actions: A report of the meeting to be made available to all members in the next SISA newsletter which will be issued by the end of June.
3) Safe Standing: One of the issues that members wanted the committee to address was looking at the issue of safe standing at Bloomfield Road. This was particularly pertinent as the Football League AGM taking place in Portugal with our own Chairman in attendance, passed a vote on June 7th for safe standing trials to be explored at its member clubs. SISA have contacted the Safe Standing Roadshow and have invited them to come to Blackpool to set up an example of the safe standing system used so successfully in Germany. SISA are in negotiations with the Paris Casino to hold the display on their premises prior to a home match early in the coming season. Anyone interested will be welcome to attend. It was hoped that this would help to raise debate about the issue of standing at football grounds as well as giving the club some alternative possibilities when considering how to proceed with the development of, for example, the temporary East Stand, although the South and North were also mentioned. Actions: SISA to confirm the date of the Safer Standing Roadshow visit as soon as possible after the season’s fixtures are released. A link to the Safe Standing Roadshow’s website is to be placed on SISA’s website by June 16th. SISA to invite representatives of BFC, BSA, the police, local Health and Safety officers, local councillors and other interested parties to the roadshow display – all actions to be completed by the end of July and members to be kept updated via the monthly newsletter (July) .
4) Twenty’s Plenty Campaign: One of the campaigns currently being run by the Football Supporters Federation is aiming to encourage professional football clubs to reduce the entrance fee to a reasonable level for visiting fans. Many of those present at the meeting spoke about their own experience of paying inflated prices at away games and the negative effect that had on attendances. There was some discussion about this issue, with contributors questioning the practicality of the campaign and suggesting alternative means of achieving improved pricing structures. Actions: SISA to suggest alternative proposals to the FSF and discuss the campaign in more depth with FSF representatives by June 22nd. SISA to contact BSA, who are members of the FSF, and attempt to co-ordinate our efforts with theirs if BSA are supportive of the campaign by the June 30th. SISA to place a link to the Football Supporters Federation campaign website by June 16th. Members to be kept informed of progress by email and newsletter.
5) Communication with BFC/BSA: The committee reported that the club and BSA had both refused to meet with SISA. The club has also ceased to reply to all contact from SISA and Karl Oyston, who was present at the meeting along with Glenn Bowley of BSA, confirmed that the club would not respond to any enquiries from SISA. Mr Oyston stated that he refused to speak with any individuals purporting to represent other fans. Mr Oyston was gently reminded that Glenn Bowley purported to represent other fans. The SISA committee made it very clear that they had been tasked to improve communication with the club and to give voice to Blackpool fans who wished to be represented by an independent fans group. Mr Oyston was very clear that the club were content with the working relationship that it had with BSA. He stated that he did not feel that independence was really a matter of great importance or indeed relevance and that BSA representatives were entirely welcome to express their thoughts and considerations to him as they saw fit. The committee acknowledged the importance of the relationship and the good work done by BSA over the years but felt that there was still plenty of room for a group like SISA. It was confirmed that SISA’s objectives continued to be to benefit the club, to provide a platform for suggestions from fans, to develop initiatives that would benefit the club and the community as well as to continue asking questions that many fans wanted answers for. Action: SISA will continue to attempt to develop improved relationships with BFC and BSA. SISA will seek wider exposure in the media developing contacts with local and national newspapers, radio and television outlets (Progress to be shared with members in the June and July newsletters)
6) Supporters Liaison Officer: The club had not yet responded to SISA’s attempts to find out who, if anyone, is in the post at the club. Mr Oyston stated that all enquiries directed to the club were filtered to the appropriate person and that each issue was dealt with individually. However, the Football Association and Football League in their joint response to the Football Governance Report 2011 stated the following, “From Season 2012/13, each Club in the Premier League will be required under league rules to appoint a dedicated and identified official who shall be that Club’s ‘Supporter Liaison Officer’ (SLO). Football League clubs will be required to designate an individual who will perform a similar role.” It is still not clear whether the club is in compliance with this directive form the governing bodies. Suggestions were made by members that SISA contact the Football League regarding the Supporters Liaison Officer. Actions: Individual supporters will contact the club requesting information regarding the status of the Supporters Liaison Officer by June 30th. SISA will contact the Football League to ascertain what can be done to further encourage clubs to nominate someone to the post (July 19th). SISA to contact MPs and local councillors to ask them for their considerations of the Football Governance report and the response of the Football Club to it, in particular regard to the Supporters Liaison Officer (June 30th).
7) Any Other Business: Everyone present was thanked for their attendance and involvement. The next SISA meeting is likely to be the AGM and it is hoped that will take place in July but is dependent on the outcome of the meeting with Supporters Direct and any advice they may offer to SISA. Action: Details regarding the election process to be circulated by June 30th.
Regards,
SISA
SISA Meeting Minutes Wednesday 12th June 2013
Chair: Tim Fielding
Minutes: Kevin Boroduwicz
Other Committee Members: Nathan Tate, Susan Cheetham & Lee Good
Venue: No 1 Club
1) Football Supporters Federation: The result of the latest SISA vote was announced with 87% of those who voted agreeing that SISA should affiliate to the Football Supporters Federation. Further to this decision by members, three members of the committee will be attending the Supporters Summit taking place at St George’s Park (the FA’s new home) in Burton-on-Trent on June 21st/22nd organised by the Football Supporters Federation together with Supporters’ Direct. Actions: SISA to apply to join the Football Supporters Federation by June 18th. SISA to provide a report of the Supporters Summit to all members by June 28th.
2) Supporters Trust: Committee members will be meeting with a Supporters Direct representative on June 17th to explore the issues involved in becoming a Supporters Trust and to ascertain whether this might be an option that could be recommended to members. It was made clear that SISA is at the very beginning of this process and there is a lot to learn about possible opportunities and advantages this might present for the members. Actions: A report of the meeting to be made available to all members in the next SISA newsletter which will be issued by the end of June.
3) Safe Standing: One of the issues that members wanted the committee to address was looking at the issue of safe standing at Bloomfield Road. This was particularly pertinent as the Football League AGM taking place in Portugal with our own Chairman in attendance, passed a vote on June 7th for safe standing trials to be explored at its member clubs. SISA have contacted the Safe Standing Roadshow and have invited them to come to Blackpool to set up an example of the safe standing system used so successfully in Germany. SISA are in negotiations with the Paris Casino to hold the display on their premises prior to a home match early in the coming season. Anyone interested will be welcome to attend. It was hoped that this would help to raise debate about the issue of standing at football grounds as well as giving the club some alternative possibilities when considering how to proceed with the development of, for example, the temporary East Stand, although the South and North were also mentioned. Actions: SISA to confirm the date of the Safer Standing Roadshow visit as soon as possible after the season’s fixtures are released. A link to the Safe Standing Roadshow’s website is to be placed on SISA’s website by June 16th. SISA to invite representatives of BFC, BSA, the police, local Health and Safety officers, local councillors and other interested parties to the roadshow display – all actions to be completed by the end of July and members to be kept updated via the monthly newsletter (July) .
4) Twenty’s Plenty Campaign: One of the campaigns currently being run by the Football Supporters Federation is aiming to encourage professional football clubs to reduce the entrance fee to a reasonable level for visiting fans. Many of those present at the meeting spoke about their own experience of paying inflated prices at away games and the negative effect that had on attendances. There was some discussion about this issue, with contributors questioning the practicality of the campaign and suggesting alternative means of achieving improved pricing structures. Actions: SISA to suggest alternative proposals to the FSF and discuss the campaign in more depth with FSF representatives by June 22nd. SISA to contact BSA, who are members of the FSF, and attempt to co-ordinate our efforts with theirs if BSA are supportive of the campaign by the June 30th. SISA to place a link to the Football Supporters Federation campaign website by June 16th. Members to be kept informed of progress by email and newsletter.
5) Communication with BFC/BSA: The committee reported that the club and BSA had both refused to meet with SISA. The club has also ceased to reply to all contact from SISA and Karl Oyston, who was present at the meeting along with Glenn Bowley of BSA, confirmed that the club would not respond to any enquiries from SISA. Mr Oyston stated that he refused to speak with any individuals purporting to represent other fans. Mr Oyston was gently reminded that Glenn Bowley purported to represent other fans. The SISA committee made it very clear that they had been tasked to improve communication with the club and to give voice to Blackpool fans who wished to be represented by an independent fans group. Mr Oyston was very clear that the club were content with the working relationship that it had with BSA. He stated that he did not feel that independence was really a matter of great importance or indeed relevance and that BSA representatives were entirely welcome to express their thoughts and considerations to him as they saw fit. The committee acknowledged the importance of the relationship and the good work done by BSA over the years but felt that there was still plenty of room for a group like SISA. It was confirmed that SISA’s objectives continued to be to benefit the club, to provide a platform for suggestions from fans, to develop initiatives that would benefit the club and the community as well as to continue asking questions that many fans wanted answers for. Action: SISA will continue to attempt to develop improved relationships with BFC and BSA. SISA will seek wider exposure in the media developing contacts with local and national newspapers, radio and television outlets (Progress to be shared with members in the June and July newsletters)
6) Supporters Liaison Officer: The club had not yet responded to SISA’s attempts to find out who, if anyone, is in the post at the club. Mr Oyston stated that all enquiries directed to the club were filtered to the appropriate person and that each issue was dealt with individually. However, the Football Association and Football League in their joint response to the Football Governance Report 2011 stated the following, “From Season 2012/13, each Club in the Premier League will be required under league rules to appoint a dedicated and identified official who shall be that Club’s ‘Supporter Liaison Officer’ (SLO). Football League clubs will be required to designate an individual who will perform a similar role.” It is still not clear whether the club is in compliance with this directive form the governing bodies. Suggestions were made by members that SISA contact the Football League regarding the Supporters Liaison Officer. Actions: Individual supporters will contact the club requesting information regarding the status of the Supporters Liaison Officer by June 30th. SISA will contact the Football League to ascertain what can be done to further encourage clubs to nominate someone to the post (July 19th). SISA to contact MPs and local councillors to ask them for their considerations of the Football Governance report and the response of the Football Club to it, in particular regard to the Supporters Liaison Officer (June 30th).
7) Any Other Business: Everyone present was thanked for their attendance and involvement. The next SISA meeting is likely to be the AGM and it is hoped that will take place in July but is dependent on the outcome of the meeting with Supporters Direct and any advice they may offer to SISA. Action: Details regarding the election process to be circulated by June 30th.
Regards,
SISA