Meeting of Council

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

INTRODUCTION OF GCCF OFFICE MANAGER - Mrs Carole Butler

MINUTES OF MEETING 29th October 2008

MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING 29th October 2008
Revised Proposal from Notts & Derbys Cat Club

This was discussed and after listening to advice from the Veterinary Sub Committee the following was agreed.

'In the event that Show Management has been unable to engage the services of the required number of fully qualified veterinary surgeons, they may resort to inviting registered veterinary nurses providing this is with the agreement of the duty veterinary surgeon."

DEFERRED ITEMS
a) Memorial to Mrs Lesley Pring

The Chairman read out a letter received from Mrs Fisher regarding a Plant Conservation Programme and the creation of a National Centre for Historic Plants at Knightshayes Court in Devon, also a dedication to Mrs Pring in the memorial book.  The delegates were in agreement.

b) Proposal from the National Cat Club
The National Cat Club proposes that in an attempt to minimize and/or prevent any future losses for the Supreme Show that:

i) "The Supreme Show Committee should be made up of members elected annually by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. Candidates for the Supreme Show Committee will be elected from the Council delegates and will be required to provide a 50 word document stating why they should be considered for the post and including any relevant experience. These documents will be issued with the appropriate Council meeting agenda to ensure that delegates have the time to study the candidates and seek their club's views prior to the meeting. Candidates shall be nominated by constituent clubs in the usual way and voting will be by a paper ballot. If two or more candidates receive the same number of votes a further round of voting shall take place. The proposal was lost

ii) The Supreme Show shall be subject to the same rules as all other GCCF shows in that it must apply to the GCCF for a show date and venue. This proposal was not voted on as this was already complied with.

iii) The Supreme Show shall be subject to the same rules regarding profit and loss as all other GCCF Clubs in that if the show sustains a significant loss a license to stage the show the following year will not be granted by the GCCF. The Chairman said this proposal was not valid as many shows had made a loss in the past and had been granted a license the following year.  This proposal was not voted on.

iv) The Supreme Show Committee will be required to produce a Projected Profit and Loss Account for approval by the GCCF and shall be required to research and obtain value for money in the matter of venues and services and to actively canvas and obtain sponsorship partners. This proposal was carried.

v) The Supreme Show Committee meetings shall be properly recorded, with the minutes of each meeting being made available to Council in the same manner in which all other GCCF committee meetings are made available." This proposal was carried.

MINUTES OF MEETINGS
Note: The information contained in these Minutes may be superseded by the Minutes of subsequent meetings.

FINANCE
a) Treasurer's Report (circulated)
b) Online Registrations - Mr Steve Crow updated Council on the work that had been done by the group of six regarding on line registrations. A discussion took place and a delegate congratulated Mr Crow and the team saying that there would be cost implications but there would also be benefits. The Chairman thanked Mr Crow and the members of the group and said that the work was ongoing.

OFFICIAL JOURNAL
The Chairman advised delegates that Mr Illingworth was not able to attend the meeting and read out a statement received from Mr Illingworth asking what the possibility was of a funding package from the GCCF. The Chairman said that Mr Illingworth had not indicated how much he was looking for. The Chairman called for the vote to be taken and it was overwhelmingly agreed that delegates were not prepared to give any more money to Axis Cook Media.

Delegates asked where Judges Critiques should be sent; the Chairman advised that they should continue to send them to the Official Journal in accordance with the terms of the Contract until further notice. Another delegate raised the question of breed progression saying it had been agreed Judges may send reports to the BACs in order that breeds should not be penalised.

A delegate asked that it be put on record Council's thanks to Judges who are doing all they can to get reports on their web sites.

Mr Nick Mays, formerly the Editor of Our Cats wished to speak. The Chairman said it was not possible due to the fact that the GCCF had a contract with Axis Cook Media and the GCCF could be found to be in breach of contract if they allowed him to speak. Mr Mays was advised if he wished to address delegates outside the meeting that was his prerogative.

A delegate asked if it was timely for Executive to issue instructions.

The Chairman advised delegates that now Axis Cook Media's position had been clarified something could be done. Council had dictated that Executive can do nothing until it had been agreed by Council.

OFFICE
The Chairman thanked Mrs Helen Marriott-Power for her support in attending the Office since the departure of Miss Beeson, the previous Office Manager. He thanked Mrs Wendy Jennings for her commitment and hard work during the last few months and also Mrs Frances Peace and Mrs Doreen Goadby for their support of the Office.

REVISION OF THE GCCF JUDGE APPOINTMENT SCHEME
The Executive Committee recommend the following:
a) BAC Rules & Constitution - Approved
The new Rules will be applied from the BAC meeting at which they are ratified, which must be their next scheduled meeting, and not before.
b) GCCF Judge Appointment Scheme Forms - Approved

STANDARD OF POINTS
Executive committee recommends the following with effect from 1 June 2009.
Oriental Bicolour (48, 49) amendments - Approved

APPLICATION FOR BREED RECOGNITION
Executive Committee recommends the following with effect from 1 June 2009
British Shorthair BAC Application for Preliminary Recognition of Ticked Tabby British Shorthairs.
Approved

SHOW MATTERS
Executive advised that as of 1st June 2009, Selkirk Rex will have their own Grand Class.
Imperial Grand Class will be combined with the British Shorthair and judges must be Full Judges on both lists.

SUPREME SHOW UPDATE
A delegate stated that they had heard Executive had decided to hold a Moratorium either side of the Supreme Show 2010. The Chairman advised delegates that 2010 was the GCCF Centenary.

Delegates discussed the question of the 13 day rule and the problems encountered with the Supreme Show and the National being held close together.

JUDGES
a) Judges approved

Bengal BAC
Full Judge Mrs S Rose

Birman BAC
Full Judge Mrs B Prowse
Probationer Judge Mrs A Ivinson, Ms J Allen
1 year extension Mrs A Saye (from October 2009)

Exotic BAC
Full Judge Mrs C Davies, Mrs L Dutton, Mrs J Green

Oriental Joint BAC
Oriental Bicolour
Full Judge Mr H Meekings
Oriental  Longhair
1 year extension Mrs J Jones
Oriental Self
1 year extension Ms P Hutchison
Oriental Non-Self
1 year extension Ms P Hutchison

Persian Tabby BAC
Full Judge Mr G Gow
Probationer Judge Miss C Pearson

Persian Smoke & Tipped BAC
Full Judges Mrs A Gregory, Mr M Pearman, Miss M Forster

Ragdoll BAC
Mrs J Tackley

Russian BAC
Full Judge Mrs H Marriott-Power
Probationer Judge Mr S Crow

Self Longhair BAC
Probationer Judge Mr E Merchant

Singapura BAC
Full Judge Mr J Trotter
Probationer Judge Mrs S Woodley

Sphynx BAC
Probationer Judge Mrs H Marriott-Power

Tortie, Tortie & White and Bi-Colour BAC
1 year extension Mrs L Clark

b) Judge withdrawals, etc.,
Maine Coon BAC wish to advise that Mrs J McPhee (was Mrs J Watson) is with-drawing as a Probationer Judge.

Mrs S Peters has advised the British Shorthair BAC that she no longer intended to accept engagements to judge and her name has been placed on the Emeritus List of Judges.