Brierley Park Pond Fisheries Club Rules and Constitution

Guest Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:13 pm

1. Name of Club
The name of the club is Brierley Pond Fisheries (“The Club”)

2. Objectives
The club objectives are:
 The encouragement and educate of local people in the principles of angling.
 The preservation of the waters and its associated landscape, flower, fauna and other wildlife.
 To encourage and promote, by the angling activities including open days, coaching schemes for youngsters & matches etc., the greater use of the Brierley Hill Forest Park as a recreation resource.
 To ensure that its facilities are available to all sectors of the community, irrelevant of age, gender, marital status, employment status, social class, colour, race, ethnic or national origin, religious belief or disability.
The Club shall have the power to rent, lease purchase or otherwise acquire interests in other waters/buildings/equipment for the benefit of its member’s enjoyment.
Brierley pond Fishing Club – Constitution and Rules 1
Brierley Pond Fisheries Club Rules and Constitution
1. Name of Club
The name of the club is Brierley Pond Fisheries (“The Club”)
2. Objectives
The club objectives are:
 The encouragement and educate of local people in the principles of angling.
 The preservation of the waters and its associated landscape, flower, fauna and other wildlife.
 To encourage and promote, by the angling activities including open days, coaching schemes for youngsters & matches etc., the greater use of the Brierley Hill Forest Park as a recreation resource.
 To ensure that its facilities are available to all sectors of the community, irrelevant of age, gender, marital status, employment status, social class, colour, race, ethnic or national origin, religious belief or disability.
The Club shall have the power to rent, lease purchase or otherwise acquire interests in other waters/buildings/equipment for the benefit of its member’s enjoyment.
The Club shall be run as a "non for profit" organisation.

3. Membership
3.1 Membership Categories
There are 4 main categories of membership:
 Full, person aged 16
 Junior, person over the age of 12 but less than 16.
 Concessionary – person over the age of 65 or registered disabled
 Day ticket – person who wishes to fish for one day only. There shall be 2 sub-diversions of day ticket namely:
a. Full
b. Junior/Concessionary
No person under the age of 12 is allowed to fish without being accompanied by a full member. (Other conditions apply)
3.2 Membership Subscription/Fees
The annual subscription will be set by the committee. Subscriptions for all types of membership are due 1st of April.
3.3 Entrance Fee
Members will pay an Entrance fee, at the rate of 20% of the relevant current subscription. Junior members will be exempt from the entrance fee,
3.4 Membership numbers
The membership shall be a maximum of 125 persons or as set by the Management Committee to allow the issue of day tickets.
3.5 Application for membership
Applicants for membership must send a letter to the Secretary requesting to be placed on the waiting list if such exists. The secretary will inform all interested parties for membership of their place on the waiting list or expected date of joining.
3.6 Priority for membership
The following priority order exists for membership
 Junior membership – from children, over the age of 12, of existing adult members
 Full membership – from Junior Members who have reached 16.
 Full membership – from persons aged over 16
 Junior membership – from person aged over 12 but under the age of 16.
In the latter 2 categories, for potential new members who have no previous association with the club, priority will be given to:
a. Persons who reside within Huthwaite and Brierley
b. Persons who reside within ADC boundaries
c. Persons who reside within Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire boundaries
d. Persons who reside outside Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire boundaries.
3.7 Honorary Life Membership
The committee may at its sole discretion offer Honorary Life Membership to an individual, member or otherwise, who in their opinion has offered exceptional service to the Club. HLM’s may attend committee meetings etc., in their own right to offer continual support to the club, but shall have no voting rights within the committee.
3.8 Entry to membership
Vacancies within the membership shall be filled by the committee, by offering the vacancy to the first person on the waiting list as ranked above. If no response has been received within two months of being offered the vacancy, the person will be removed from the waiting list.
The committee may ask any person to appear before the committee before membership is granted.
3.9 Issuing of membership
All members will be issued with a membership book, only on production of an EA licence and a passport type full face photograph and proof of residency.
For concessionary membership, aged over 65, registered disabled or junior membership, proof of disability or age must be produced.
The secretary will affix and seal the photograph within the membership card/book and issue it to the member.
The membership card remains the property of the club and must be returned to the club in the event of termination of membership during the year..
The membership book must not be lent/loaned to any other person and must always be carried when on club waters together with the EA license.
3.10 Partner/Wife/Husband of a full member.
The partner/Wife/Husband of a full member may accompany the member and MUST fish from the same peg if they so desire.
A partner of a member if fishing from a different peg must be in possession of a day ticket or a full membership in their own right..
The member is responsible for the behavior and conduct of any guest including family members.
3.11 Child of a member
A child aged 11 or under of a member MUST always fish from the same peg as the full member or responsible adult (person over 18). This is limited to a maximum of 2 children
A child of a member aged 12 or over but under 16, MUST fish from the same peg as the member, unless he is in possession of a day ticket or a Junior member in his own right. If in possession of a day ticket, he/she will fish the next available peg to the parent.
The member is responsible for the behavior and conduct of any guest including family members.
3.12 Day tickets
Are available will be available at selected outlets as shown within the members book. To purchase a day ticket non-members must produce their EA license and members their Membership card.
3.13 Further details relating to membership
3.13.1 Transfer of membership
Membership cards and day tickets are not transferable.
3.13.2 Resignation
A member may resign from the Club by writing to the secretary. Members who has not paid their subscription by the required cut-off date are not able to resign honorable.
Members whose resignation has been accepted shall if wishing to re-join the club, by offered the next available vacancy or be placed at the top of the waiting list.
3.13.3 Expulsion
A member having been expelled shall not for any reason be considered for future membership.
3.13.4 Forfeiture of rights
A person ceasing to be a member of the club, for whatever reason, shall forfeit all rights of claim upon the Club, its properties, funds or assets.
3.13.5 No automatic rights
Membership gives no automatic right to fishing should the available pegs be taken on the day
3.13.6 Termination of Membership
The committee may terminate the membership of any member of the club in the following circumstances:
 For any breach of the club rules;
 Inconsiderate conduct or behavior towards other members or members of the public
 Any conduct/behavior which is deemed by the Committee prejudicial to the club or its members or in the opinion renders them unfit for club membership.
 The membership is not paid date each year
See “Discipline and Appeals” for procedures relating to this.
In all cases of termination of membership, no monies shall be returned.
3.13.7 Recognition of Duties
The Committee shall be empowered to issue concessions to officers in recognition of the duties undertaken. This may be free books or the reduction in subscription fees.
Such decisions will be undertaken by a vote within the committee, with the member concerned not being present.

4. Management of the Club
The general management of the affairs of the club in all matters is under the entire control of the Management Committee, unless delegated by the Committee to individuals.
The Management committee have the powers to appointments sub-committees as necessary and appoint advisers to the management committee its order to fulfill its business and objectives.
4.1A The Officers of the Committee , will be the:
Chairman – whose role is to chair all meetings, and in the event of any tied vote within the committee he will have a second and casting vote.
Vice Chairman - whose role is to deputise for the role of the Chairman in his/her absence.
Secretary – whose role is to take minutes of all meetings, produce written accurate records of the same, maintain a data base of all members and potential members and generally deal with all correspondence
Treasurer – whose role is to handle all moneys relating to the club, bank the same and produce an annual report showing the finances of the club, for the members at the AGM
4.1B Trustees
The Trustees of the Club shall be Mr S Savage, and Mr A Farquhar. All property including leases, deeds etc., shall be vested with the Trustees to be dealt with by them as the Committee from time to time by resolution direct. The Trustees shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Club against any risk or expenses incurred by them in pursuance of their office. No expenditure shall be incurred without the sanction of the committee, an AGM or EOGM.
Any change of Trustees should be supported by the relevant deeds odf retirement and Appointment, and deeds and tiles of Club assets should be amended to reflect the changes.
4.2 Committee.
The remaining committee members will consist of:
6 Full Adult members,
1 Junior member and
1 representative from “Friends of Brierley Park”
The junior member will not be allowed to vote, but their input into the club as a large section of the membership is deemed essential, to allow feedback to the committee
4.3 Auditors
The Management Committee shall appointment 2 members, or external verifiers, who are not part of the Management Committee to audit the accounts and verifier the correctness of same.
4.4 Election of Management Committee
Brierley pond Fishing Club – Constitution and Rules 6
The Officers and other committee members will be elected at the AGM. All nominations for posts shall be received by the Secretary at least two months prior.
The applicant must be proposed and seconded in writing by members of the club. The applicant will divulge any connections to other fisheries/associations etc., related to fishing since the information gained within the Committee may be used to the detriment of the club.
The committee shall have the right to inform all applicants of the duties expected, and also have the authority to accept or reject any nomination, with or without a declared interest, without being obliged to offer a reason.
The secretary in notifying the members of the impending AGM, shall inform them of any vacant posts, or retiring members who are willing to stand or no longer wish to stand.
Officers/Auditors - shall be elected at each AGM for a period of one year
Committee members - Shall stand for a period of three years.
In order to ensure maximum continuity within the club, 2 of the 6 committee members will stand down each year. It shall be decided by ballot of the 6 committee members elected who stands down each year from the initial 6 selected. ( 2 in 2013, 2 in 2014 and 2 in 2015)
All officers will serve their term of notice or until they resign, or unless expelled by the committee by gross misconduct.
4.5 Resignation or loss of a serving committee member
The committee shall have the power to co-opt a, member into a vacant post where it would be hoped that this appointment will be ratified at the next agm.

5. Meetings
Annual General Meeting
 Shall take place on the 1st Monday of April each year. Every member of the Club shall receive notification of the meeting, together with the balance sheet and Annual report
 Notices of motion for AGM –must be received by the Secretary by 1st Monday in February and must be proposed and seconded.
 Only those items on the agenda shall be discussed
 The meeting will appoint officers, other committee members and decide the items on the agenda
 All members shall be able to attend and vote, excepting junior members.
 A quorum required to agree matters of the Club shall consist of a minimum of 3 officers plus 3 committee plus 5 other members
Committee Meetings
 The committee shall meet a minimum of 6 times per year(including their presence at ordinary meetings), on the first Monday at 19:00 hrs in February, April (AGM), June, October. Ordinary meetings shall be held on the month following a committee meeting in April (AGM), August, December at 19:00 hrs
 The Committee may hold other meetings as required to conduct the business of the Club.
 A quorum required to agree matters of the Club shall consist of a minimum of 3 officers plus 3 committee members.
Ordinary meetings
• Shall be held after the committee meeting – see above.
• At such meetings, a resume of events arising since the last ordinary meeting and any committee meeting in this period and/or decisions made by the committee will be made known to members.
• All members shall be able to attend and vote on any relevant matters, excepting junior members.
• A quorum required to agree matters of the Club shall consist of a minimum of 3 officers plus 3 committee plus 4 other members
Extra Ordinary General Meeting
• Should urgent circumstance dictate, the committee may call an EOGM, giving ALL members a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice.
• No business other than that on the agenda for calling the EOGM can be discussed
• A quorum required to agree matters of the Club shall consist of a minimum of 3 officers plus 2/3 committee

6. FINANCE
All club monies will be bank in an account held in the name of the club
The club treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the club.
The financial year of the Club will end on February 28th/ 29th to enable the accounts to be prepared for the AGM in April.
An audited statement of accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting. These accounts will also be passed to members with the agenda of the AGM. The Treasurer will answer any queries relating to the accounts from members at the AGM.
All cheques drawn against club funds shall hold the signatures of the Treasurer plus one other officer.
Any cheque issued above £50 must have been approved prior by the Management Committee within a Committee Meeting.
All movement in club finances shall be reported to the next available committee meeting.

7. DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS
All complaints regarding non-adherence to the rules of the Club, will within 24 hours initially be made by telephone to the Chairman of the Club and confirmed in writing if he/she so desires within 3 days.
The management Committee, which must consist of the required quorum, will meet to hear complaints within 21 days. The Committee has the power to take appropriate action including termination of membership and expulsion.
The committee will ensure that the facts underlying the complaint are fully investigated by asking for evidence from the person who the compliant is lodged against and the person making the complaint. This will be in writing at the initial committee investigation.
The outcome of this meeting will decide the committee response, which may be:
a. That no future action is required
b. That further investigations need to be taken with the opportunity to interview separately:
i. The person who made the compliant and
ii. The person who the compliant was made against.
The outcome of this disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the compliant was made within 21 days of the hearing.
There will be a right of appeal to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The Committee shall consider the appeal within 21 days of the Secretary receiving the written appeal which must also state the circumstances the appeal is being made on.
The Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of Club rules, and the decision of the Committee upon any question of interpretation or any matter not provided by these rules, shall be final and binding upon all members.

8. DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB
If for any reasons, the club fails in the requirements to appointment a Management Committee, lack of funds, etc., it shall be dissolved at a EGM through a majority vote of the membership present
The remaining funds/assets will be given to a registered charity chosen by a majority of the Management Committee at that time, or on a vote by the member’s present as to the chosen charity.

9. DECLARATION
Brierley pond Fishing Club, hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of its members

10. General Information

10.1 Members Obligations – General

Communications - All communications to any outside bodies shall be via and with the approval of the committee. The members to discourage poaching are not expected to discuss fish catches etc., with non members unless their honesty and integrity is above reproach.
Behaviour – The behaviour of members at all times should be beyond approach. This includes swearing which may prove offensive to lady members, other members and sets a poor example to young children.
Guide dogs are allowed but must be kept under control at all times.
Litter - They shall be no litter of any kind left after fishing – this includes cigarette stubs, discarded sweet papers, food debris and fishing line. All litter MUST be taken away when leaving the premises. The member is also responsible for the litter of any other person under his control (See fishing rules also)
Swimming - Members must not swim in the ponds or encourage dogs to swim in the ponds.
Boating - Members must not take boats on the ponds nor are they allowed to use body tubes. In addition bait-boats are not allowed)
Car Parking - All cars must be parked tidily and neatly in the respective car parks. Do not block anyone in. Disabled car parking spaces may only be used by those displaying a disabled blue badge.
Fires/Radios - There shall be no fires/BBQ’s on the club premises. Personal in-the ear radios are allowed. Free standing radios which would disturb the peace and tranquilly of the fishing and other members enjoyment are not allowed.
Brierley Hill Fishing Club – Constitution and Rules 11

10.2 Members Obligations – Fishing

Reservation of pegs
There shall be no-pre-booking of pegs or reserving of pegs for another individual.

10.2.1 General

Fishing to be undertaken from designated pegs only
Strictly no fishing in the nature reserve area
No more than 2 rods to be used at any one time
Pike fishing from 1st October - 31st March
No dogs while fishing
Rods and poles not be left unattended with end tackle in the water
Barbless hooks only, maximum size 10
No braided mainlines (Braids may be used for hooklengths only)
No fixed rigs
Maximum 10lb b/s line
Landing nets to be used at all times
Unhooking mats to be used by carp anglers
No carp to be sacked, no carp over 5lb to be retained in keep nets
No fish to be taken away, all fish to be returned to the water a.s.a.p
All litter to be taken home, angler responsible for tidiness of peg
No baits to be taken in tins, sweet corn, luncheon meat etc
No tiger nuts/peanuts
Memberships/day tickets and EA licenses to be produced on request
No alcohol at any times
No boats of any kind
No parking of vehicles on North Street, parking in the car park only
No day tickets issued on the bank, day tickets purchased from Poppys pet shop only. A valid EA license will be required.

10.2.1.2 Night Fishing Rules

Night fishing strictly adult members only, no juniors even with an adult
Nobody allowed to fish on their own, minimum 2 people
Session must be booked with head bailiff prior to fishing
Bivvies can be used but must be taken down by 7am
3 rods allowed but 1 must be removed by 7am

10.2.2. Matches/Open days

 Only matches authorised by the Management Committee are allowed.
 Members will be given at least 4 weeks notice of matches or other events which would curtail the availability of pegs for pleasure anglers. Notification will be by e-mail and/or local notices.
 The number and duration of all matches, events, and open days shall be decided by the committee
Brierley Hill Fishing Club – Constitution and Rules 12

10.2.2.1 Match rules

 Only one rod may be used at any one time, although others may be assembled and ready to fish.
 No prebaiting etc., prior to the match start.
 Plumbing up may be undertaken, but no distance clipping with method feeding, if food particles are attached.
 There shall be no more than 50lb in a net. All keepnets shall conform to “water lily” standard.
 Competitors have 15 minutes from the signal of the match ending to land any fish which is hooked prior to such signal, shouting “Fish on”
For a full list of match rules, please refer to the clubhouse section of the forum.

Health and Safety.

The club has identified the following Health & Safety risks associated with fishing on Club Premises.
Location - The premises are in an isolated position with no mobile phone coverage at times, it is advisable that members inform a family member or friend that they are attending and what time they expect to return.
Access by cars - Members will ensure that when accessing car parks and manoeuvring that speeds at all times are kept below 10mph and care taken when reversing. Be aware of persons, cars and other articles which may be behind your vehicle
Walking around the club waters - Under no circumstances should members place themselves in a situation where they may slip into the water and should not go into any area where a combination of slope and wetness may cause them to slip in or cause harm.
Safety of persons within water - Life buoys are situated around the club waters and members should acquaint themselves of their location. Additionally if any should be missing the member must inform the Secretary at the earliest opportunity
Weil’s disease - is a form of a bacterial infection also known as Leptospirosis that is carried by animals, most commonly in rats and cattle. It can be caught by humans through contact with rat or cattle urine, most commonly occurring through contaminated fresh water.
Brierley Hill Fishing Club – Constitution and Rules 13
Whilst the risk is low, infection of humans usually occurs where open wounds are immersed in relatively stagnant water contaminated with rat or cattle urine.
Precautions are always to carry a waterproof plaster and cover any open cuts or wounds.
Symptoms are similar to those of the flu, including high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may also include a rash. If you are in any doubt please contact your doctor.
Because of this risk, members are not allowed to deposit waste food and bait onto any land which in turn might encourage rats
Other health and safety risks
Members shall bring to the Secretary attention any health and Safety issues which may pose a risk to themselves or other anglers.
In these rules -
Reference to the masculine include the feminine and were appropriate the singular and plural; and
The headings are for ease of reference only and are not to be taken into account in their interpretation

Disclaimer
Members visiting the premises, park and fish at their own risk. The committee accepts no liability for damage to property belonging to members or their guests however so occasioned.