THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND FEDERATION OF CLUBS Club ReviewVOLUME 23 - Issue 4, 2010 Federation Update Minutes of the executive meeting Held in the West Belfast Sports & Social Club on Saturday 8th June 2010 The Chairman, John Davidson, While we welcome opened the meeting with an the additional late apology received from Philip nights and the Mallon. The Minutes of the relaxing of the very previous meeting were read strict accountancy and passed without amendment regulations we and proposed and seconded by remain concerned Raymond Connor and Brian about aspects of the McCartney. penalty points system, so much so that we The Secretary then read have discussed the correspondence received with detail with our legal explanations provided where representative. As required. they say, ‘the devil is in the detail’ and Correspondence from the while things may Minister, Margaret Ritchie look positive other MLA provided details of aspects of the Bill The executive committee wth officers of West Belfast Sports & Social Club the proposed Licensing Bill. overshadow the benefits. The Chairman elucidated on that it is not private member correspondence received from sports, social and recreational various bodies, an increasing clubs which pose a threat but number of which are now rather the availability of low being received via email with cost alcohol which is feeding a big increase in the use of the the stay at home culture to Federation helplines. the detriment of us all. Clubs are aligned with sport and The proof of age scheme recreational activity with remains a contentious area, and the social club aspect being while important, it remains an important and indeed difficult to police. Indeed we an essential part of that are reminded of the scheme structure. In fact, where would organised and financed by the Government find the finance Portman Group which was to replace that provided by the shelved. social aspect of a sports club, particularly in the present It is planned to meet Margaret economic climate. Ritchie’s successor Alex Attwood MLA and of course the The question of door DSD committee at the earliest supervisors was raised, opportunity. As a forerunner with clarification that the we have continued to engage requirement does not apply to with various sporting bodies. private member clubs unless they engage the services of an We were disappointed to be outside agency to provide door made aware that the FRLT (now supervisors. Pubs of Ulster) are lobbying against the additional late Details of the ongoing work nights available to clubs. They to establish a voluntary code would do well to remember of practice were discussed 2 Club Review Issue 4 2010 nifederationofclubs.com Published by Media Marketing, B1.06 Portview Trade Centre, Belfast BT4 1HE - Tel: 028 9045 9864 • Fax: 028 9045 9034 • Email: [email protected] Club law and management however things seem to have but have not explored utilising VAT on pool and snooker tables update slowed down on this matter. this channel to secure rates We of course do not have relief. It would appear that a number to use snooker/pool tables the problems faced by other of clubs may not be benefiting in addition to their standard sectors in the leisure industry, The Treasurer presented a from the reclaim of VAT rated yearly membership is nevertheless it is an important financial report which was available on income from exempt from VAT - VAT notice issue and we remained focused proposed and seconded by snooker and pool. 701/45 Paragraph 3.5.7’. on seeing a satisfactory outcome Gerry Gallagher and Jim in the interests of everyone. Hanna. It has been confirmed that any The relevant extract from that amount paid by members of notice is as follows: Details of the recent The Chairman made a a Member’s Club for use of “You should exempt any C.O.R.C.A. meeting hosted suggestion that we consider either pool or snooker facilities additional amounts the in Belfast was discussed. It holding monthly meetings on (whether this is paid directly members pay to use the was agreed that the meeting a day or evening other than into the machine or via a light sports facilities such as pool was most informative with Saturday particularly in the meter) is exempt from VAT. or snooker tables.” - Public particular reference made to summer months. Any clubs which have been Notice 701/45, s 3.5.7 the correspondence forwarded paying VAT on these amounts Paragraph 2. to Tesco’s by C.O.R.C.A. As there was no further should contact HMRC in Chairman Philip Smith. business the Chairman thanked order to obtain a refund, Therefore any such sporting the West Belfast Sports & which we understand could go facilities should be exempt Rates relief was also discussed Social Club for hosting the back six years. from VAT, if you have paid with interest expressed on the meeting and for the kind VAT on such items in the past relief afforded to sports clubs hospitality which preceded and An officer of HMRC four years then you are advised in Northern Ireland. It would followed the meeting. confirmed that ‘any additional to contact HMRC and apply appear that many clubs on the amounts that members pay for a refund. mainland have sports facilities Bob McGlone, Secretary 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 nifederationofclubs.com Issue 4 2010 Club Review 3 Federation Update The devil is in the detail devil is in the detail with the As one would expect it was we appreciate, however it potential in other aspects of natural for us to engage with would appear that department the bill to create greater powers the representatives of respective officials do not share that view than those which already exist. sporting bodies with which and are determined to keep We do not share the view that we are closely associated. things very much as they were, we are in competition with With sport relying on their simply moving things around other sectors of the licensed associated social clubs to to provide the perception trade – far from it – we share financially underpin their that improvements have been the same problems, which are sporting base it is incumbent provided. those linked to the growing upon us to remain focused on stay at home culture, fuelled the detail of the Minister’s new In the current economic by low cost alcohol available in bill. climate the club sector has an John Davidson supermarkets and off-sales. increasingly important role Chairman, N.I.F.C. With my fellow Federation to play and unless the DSD The Federation has been It is of the utmost importance officers and in common with officials have an enormous actively engaged in preparing a to acknowledge that private sporting representatives, we pot of money with which to submission to the Department member sports, social and are determined to move club financially support Northern of Social Development (DSD) recreational clubs are the legislation forward. Ireland’s sporting base in response to the Minister’s driving force behind sport, they would do well to stop licensing bill. On first glance recreational and social activity In her statement the then pussyfooting around and move the new bill would appear to in the province, providing Minister, Margaret Ritchie, us all into the 21st century relieve much of the onerous the essential financial acknowledged the valuable role both for the benefit of sport administrative burden on underpinning supported by a played by sports, social and and suppliers alike. the club sector, however the substantial voluntary input. recreational clubs, something 4 Club Review Issue 4 2010 nifederationofclubs.com Annual Dinner & Dance 2010 N.I. Federation of Clubs Annual Dinner & Dance We are delighted to complete our coverage of the 2010 Dinner and Dance of the N.I. Federation of Clubs held at the Members’ Rooms, King’s Hall, Belfast. We wish to thank members for the many positive comments we have received following the evening. At this stage the date for the 2011 Dinner and Dance has not been confirmed. Confirmation of the final date will be published in due course. We look forward to seeing you all again next year. Pictures courtesy of ‘The Party Press’. (L-R) Federation Vice-Chairman Brian McCartney and Chairman John Davidson with NIFC guests. Repesentatives of the Ulster Maple Leaf Club. The NIFC’s Philip Mallon and wife Pat (far left) with their friends. Representatives from Brantwood Football Club. As usual Big ‘O’ was in good form. nifederationofclubs.com Issue 4 2010 Club Review 5 Annual Dinner & Dance 1 2 3 4 5 6 1. The Miami Showband lived up their reputation and were outstanding. 2. Executive member Dessie Member and his sister enjoyed a fabulous night. 3. Ulster Sports Club Secretary Stephen Watson with father Tommy and their wives. 4. It was good to see Hilltown being well represented. 5. Mr Hugh Lewis (centre) pictured with NI Federation of Clubs executive committee members, Jim Wilson (left) and Gerry Gallagher. 6. Margaret McCullough (left) with not one but two Mrs Dinnsmores. 7. Tom McNaught of the RAOB HQ club with his wife and guests. 7 6 Club Review Issue 4 2010 nifederationofclubs.com 8 9 10 11 12 13 8. Frank McKee with Mrs Martha Gough. 9. Hugh Stockman of West Belfast HPS in good company.