THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND FEDERATION OF CLUBS Club ReviewVOLUME 23 - Issue 1, 2010 A REFRESHING APPROACH TO WINTER A COLD DRAUGHT 31547 Bulmers NI Club Ad A4.indd 1 29/01/2010 09:41:22 EXPERIENCE THE TASTE THE WORLD’S BEEN TALKING ABOUT BUSHMILLS_CLUBREVIEW_SP.indd 1 26/10/09 11:37:46 Federation Update Minutes of the executive meeting Held in the Donegal Celtic F.S.C., Belfast on Saturday 6th February 2010 The Chairman welcomed will fire assessments. Although was also in attendance to pose their entertainment due to the members upon opening the it is not law in Northern Ireland questions covering the legal recession perhaps clubs should meeting with apologies received yet it is soon to be introduced. implications. make an application in order to from Philip Mallon who was Nevertheless clubs are advised reduce fees. unable to attend. as a matter of good practice to Joe Patterson informed us have a fire risk assessment put about changes in employment It has been requested we host a The Secretary then read the in place. legislation. He will of course CORCA conference in Belfast. minutes of the last meeting provide a briefing at the Arrangements are ongoing to which were passed, being Michael Flowers of Aviva forthcoming AGM outlining host the event at Belfast City proposed and seconded by Jim Insurance has agreed to provide changes in such items as holiday Hall on Wednesday 26th May Hanna and Tom McMinn. an address at our AGM on this entitlement which is to be 2010. matter to alay any unecessary extended from 20 to 28 days, Correspondence was read fears clubs may have. (to include statutory holidays) A financial report was out and expanded on where etc. presented by the Treasurer necessary. Importantly, any assessment is with copies distributed to only required to be executed He did emphasise that in the those present. The report was The Chairman listed meetings initiatially with annual reviews event of employment problems, proposed and seconded as a that have taken place, to follow. the clubs insurance company true record by Jim McCaul and commenting on area meetings should be notified immediately. Brian McCartney. in Newry and Downpatrick. Although there are numerous The Labour Relations Agency The remaining list was extensive companies offering a service to can also be helpful and their As there was no further on which there was much provide such assessments we advice will be accepted by the business the meeting was closed discussion. have found Aviva to be very insurance company. with thanks being extended helpful and importantly highly to Brian McCartney and the At a meeting with S.D.L.P. competitive in respect of costs. There was also some discussion committee of Donegal Celtic M.L.A.’s P.J. Bradley and Mary Although a club delegate has to on rates relief in areas of for hosting the meeting and for Bradley it appears that we are be appointed to be responsible clubs used for sporting the hospitality which preceeded on more positive ground in this is not a difficult task. activities. Any club wishing and followed the meeting. respect of what we are hoping to to obtain information on the achieve by way of amendments The cost of entertainment requirements for such relief Bob McGlone to current legislation. licenses will be judged on a should contact the Federation. Secretary to the Federation sliding scale in accordance with We are aware that the Accounts the number of people at events. PRS fees were discussed. With Regulations will be brought many clubs having cut back on into line with normal business An article was read out, giving practice. advice about the type of insurance cover clubs should We are seeking amendments have in respect of employment to the area of Children’s issues. Details of a meeting Certificates, asking for young with insurers ‘DAS’ who persons to be permitted on club cover employment issues, premises, in the company of encompassed as part of the a parent/guardian, until one club insurance package provied hour after the completion of a by Rollins, has clarified that sporting event. the cover provided by ‘DAS’ is much more easy to comply with There was also a discussion when compared to previous about particular areas of arrangements. entertainment licenses. Another requirement for clubs Our solicitor Maura McKay nifederationofclubs.com Issue 1 2010 Club Review 3 Published by Media Marketing, B1.06 Portview Trade Centre, Belfast BT4 1HE - Tel: 028 9045 9864 • Fax: 028 9045 9034 • Email: [email protected] Federation Update Federation travel to Newry catchment area together with Parliamentary office. actively engaged in contacting some political representatives. Newry Council to throw some Indications of late seem to light on the period covered for The business tabled indicate there is a rather more electrical checks and the rating for discussion included positive attitude to amending issue; having discussed matters amendments to the 1996 Clubs clubs legislation in respect with Charles Casey of Newry (N.I.) Order. Also covered in of the accounts regulations INF and legislative matters some detail was the rating issue and opening hours with the with Mr P.J. Bradley M.L.A.. and electrical testing periods possibility that other factors who invited us to meet him which appear to be at variance may also be included for at Stormont on Monday 25th with other council areas. consideration. January 2010 (see p5). Opening the meeting the At the meeting the Federation Mr John Davidson Federation Chairman, John emphasised the importance Chairman, NIFC. Davidson, provided an in-depth of the Minister recognising update on developments thus the important and undeniable The Federation travelled far, highlighting the importance link between the social club to Newry on Saturday of lobbying the Minister, infrastructure which provides 16th January 2010 where a Margaret Ritchie M.L.A. the all important financial meeting was hosted by Newry support of sport throughout Shamrocks Clubs. It is thought that it may well the province. be beneficial to lobby the In attendance were a number Minister via the constituency Since the meeting in Newry the of clubs invited from within the route rather than through her Federation Chairman has been Northern Ireland’s leading supplier and distributor of: • Club gaming machines • Pool tables • Digital juke boxes • Quiz / Skill games • Plasma / LCD TVs OASIS RETAIL SERVICES 4 Trench Road, Mallusk, Newtownabbey, County Antrim BT36 4TY Office Tel: 028 9084 5845 Siobhan Magill, Sales Manager - Mobile: 0772 1537335 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.oasisrs.com 4 Club Review Issue 1 2010 nifederationofclubs.com Light at the end of a very long tunnel! N.I. Federation of Clubs officers throw some light on a number now it may already be too late John Davidson, Chairman, of the items discussed. An open for many clubs. Bob McGlone, Secretary, David and frank debate ensued with Larmour, Treasurer and Harry general agreement that although Mary Bradley M.L.A., a Derry Beckinsale, PRO were invited the Federation represents the City F.C. supporter, had an to meet S.D.L.P. representatives social aspect of clubs, it is excellent understanding of P.J. Bradley M.L.A. for South equally important to recognise the importance of the support Down and Mary Bradley, that there is an inextricable link generated by the social club in M.L.A. for Foyle at Stormont on between the social club and its support of the sporting ethos of Monday 25th January 2010. associated sport. a club. The PRO highlighted the position of Derry City F.C. P.J. Bradley M.L.A., South Down. Following his introduction the Following the meeting the who have recently secured a Chairman went on to elucidate general consensus is that registration and the active role on aspects of amendments we are seeing rather more played by Gerry Gallagher, the the Federation are seeking to understanding of the plight Federation representative in the the 1996 Clubs Order and faced by the private member, area. Accounts regulations and sports club sector and the the reasons for which these precarious position many clubs All we can do now is hope that amendments are required. are in. difficulties at the Legislative Assembly are resolved and Michael Kearney, advisor to the Hopefully we will see we can finally secure the Minister Margaret Ritchie, was developments sooner rather amendments we have pursued invited to join which proved than later as the Chairman for so long. Mary Bradley M.L.A., Foyle. very helpful as he was able to pointed out that if introduced No minimum order No extra charge Wholesalers to the for split cases licensed trade Offering a complete range of products No and a service that is second to none. Delivery Charges Draught Beer RTDs Champagne Soft Drinks Bottled Beer Spirits Speciality Bottled Cider Wines Drinks Water Purees Website: www.drinksinc.com Telesales: 02890 667744 Orders e-mail: [email protected] 23 Stockmans Way, Belfast, BT9 7ET nifederationofclubs.com Issue 1 2010 Club Review 5 Federation Update Gambling law review As former Northern Ireland guaranteeing that those taking those playing fulfil Minister David Hanson M.P. part fulfil age requirements. age requirements. stated, private member clubs should be encouraged to play In conclusion we are mindful In consideration an increasingly important of the comment by Dr Brian of the aforesaid it role within their respective Gaffney, when he was Chief seems a folly not to communities. With this in Executive of the Health consider increasing mind we were pleased to submit Promotion Agency, when he current monetary the following in response. said that access to alcohol and limits and of course gambling are best placed within to review the matter of In our view gambling is a controlled environment such Sunday opening.