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IN THE CHAIR: The meeting was opened by the Chairman Michael North JP at 11 am who welcomed and thanked those present for their attendance

ATTENDANCE: According to the register there were 34 members in attendance, representing 28 affiliated clubs.

The Formal Notice for the 2000 Annual General Meeting was read by the Development Officer Mr D Rowe, who reported that apologies had been received from Past President W.L.Norman, President R W Page, Vice President Mr W Solly, Administration Officer Mr C.Bond: Divisional SC Delegates: Mr N Blythe; Mr S.
Quinn, Mr F Nesbitt; Mr T Matchett (British Conger Club), Mr I Gibbs (Pagham SAC) and Personal Members: Mr A Gallagher, Mr M Russ, Mr P Bowen & Mr G Umney.

AGENDA ITEM 1
To Receive the Chairman's Report
I look back on the past year, my first as your Chairman with the view that although we have made some real progress in the principal areas of work, Conservation, Education and Training, and Competitions, we have much to do and much to achieve during the coming year and beyond.

During the past year we have carried out a National Survey of our members and interested parties, and we thank all those who responded. From that survey we are now better equipped to understand the issues that, you the members want the NFSA to concentrate on, and direction we need to go, and we aim to act upon this.

As I indicated soon after taking office as your Chairman, the time is already here for change and change is long overdue. So change it will be, and when it comes it will be radical but then it is time for radical decisions and it is only those amongst you that have the faith, the belief and strength to stay the course of what you believe in will see it through.

Individual subscription by every Sea Angler to their sport is the only way forward and we intend to achieve that sooner rather than Later and sincerely hope that Sea Angling and the NFSA can count on you its members not o let us down.

Finally I hope that you will appreciate the new format of the Annual General Meeting and thank you for all your loyal support over the past year

AGENDA ITEM 2
a) Previous Minutes NFSA - The Minutes of the 1999 Annual General Meeting held on the 25th April, 1999 at Mansfield Brewery had been circulated to the member clubs, and with the following corrections noted, (Page 1, Mr W.P.Reece was added to the list of Apologies for Absence, and Page 3 with regard to the Election of the Hon Auditor it was corrected to read, proposed Mr E.Gerrey and seconded Mr M North), it was proposed Mr D Cams, seconded Mr B Hallowes and agreed that the Minutes were a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

b) Matters Arising
Page 4 - Specimen Award Certificates: The DO informed the meeting that it was planned that a new Certificate would be created for presentation to the 2000 Specimen Award Scheme Winners to mark the Millennium Year. This certificate would probably be created for printing via a laser printer at Head Office, in order that it could be issued to mark other achievements in addition to the Specimen Award Scheme.

AGENDA ITEM 3 - 1999 NFSA & PM Accounts: The report by Hon. Treasurer Mr Eric Gerrey along with the NFSA audited accounts for 1999 had been circulated to the Affiliated Clubs and Personal Members with the March Journal, it was proposed Mr D Cams, seconded Mr T Tuckerman and agreed that the accounts be endorsed.

A question was raised with regard to there being no acknowledgement of the monies transferred from the Personal Members Club to the NFSA when the PM Club was fully integrated into the NFSA at the AGM. After consideration, during which it was clearly understood that when the Personal Members Club was fully integrated into the NFSA the residue of funds after all the liabilities to the NFSA had been paid, would be placed in a high interest account as a specific fund for the purpose of purchasing a building for the NFSA. It was agreed that a letter would be sent to each Personal Member acknowledging the transfer of the monies to the previously agreed account and that the PM Committee would meet as soon as convenient.

AGENDA ITEM 4- Reports from the Sub Committees:
a) Executive - Chairman - Mr M J North.
The Chairman reported that the Executive had met on five occasions during the past year and carried out the work tasked to it by the Standing Committee. This included a considerable amount of research and time on a proposal to raise the profile and revenue of the Federation through a per capita method of affiliation. It was clear that with the ever-increasing demands being placed on the Federation to represent sea anglers on so many issues there was an undisputed need to considerably increase its revenue in order that this representation and the extra work that this would entail could be undertaken.

The proposal would be finalized and once agreed by the Standing Committee would be put to the Members at either an Extraordinary General Meeting or the next Annual General Meeting due to take place as normal in the Spring of 2001.

He explained that although the NFSA had a Building Fund, it had never secured the purchase of a property. At this present time the Federation's monies on deposit were earning less interest than they would if they were placed in a property. The Executive would be looking at this within the forthcoming year possibly with the concept of a multi use facility within which the NFSA office could be placed and which would provide a financial engine for the NFSA.

He thanked the members of the Executive for their work over the last year and for attending the meetings often at short notice at Portsmouth.

b) Conservation Group - Reports by members Mr M Gilbert and Mr T Williams.
A full report by on the work of the Conservation Group was made by Mr T Williams and Mr M Gilbert presented two detailed papers one on "Restoration not
Decimation" and a CEFAS paper on "Climate variability and the North Sea". These papers were well received by the members as was a further report on the European Anglers Alliance Conference attended by Mr Gilbert and Mr Williams.

Mr. Williams also updated the members on the progress to date on the project to carry out a socio economic study of the recreational angling within Europe. This study would be co-ordinated by T Williams in the UK on behalf of the European Anglers Alliance.

A report was also given on the First Recreational Anglers Conference organized by the NFSA in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society in March 25th at Aston University in Birmingham, which was a success, and the feed back from the conference had been very positive. It was planned to repeat the conference in 2001 and again the NFSA would be taking a lead role.

It is should be noted that full copies of the four reports circulated to the Meeting are available from the Head Office on request and on receipt of a large stamped and addressed A4 envelope. They are: - 1) The work of the Conservation Group 2) Restoration not Decimation, 3) CEFAS report "Climate variability and the North Sea" and 4) The 6th European Alliance Conference

c) Education Training and Safety Group - Report by the Development Officer
In line with the continuing reorganisation of the structure of the NFSA into specific areas of work, and the creation of working groups to take on the responsibility of this work the "Education and Safety Group" has yet to be formed. This is not because this is considered to be unimportant, because we recognise this is very important, and this view is reinforced by the survey carried out last year when this area of work was listed only second to Conservation matters and Safety was the second most important issue raised.

We have been seeking along with the other two disciplines the NFA and S&TA some additional support in the form of new money from Sport England to help establish a joint Education and Training Scheme, which is complimentary to each discipline. This has been achieved with the securing of funding to employ a Joint Education Officer for a 15-month period to establish such a scheme. I am glad to say that not only has the funding been secured, but also an appointment has been made of a highly qualified person who has had considerable experience in the Coaching and Training field. He is Michael Owen, he is qualified in Recreational Management and has been involved in sports development since 1984 and organised, supported and trained coaches in six sports. Although not an angler himself his main sports being Rugby and volleyball, both sports, which have enjoyed growth in recent years, he is well aware of the sport and like many of us his father was a keen angler.

He starts work on May 9th, based at the NFA in Derby although he will work mainly from home, he will be responsible to the Project Board, which consists of one representative from each discipline. His first task will be to assess the present schemes in place and those planned, such as our own on which a considerable amount of work has been done and to bring them together to provide a framework for each discipline, which will attract further funding from Sport England.

The aim is to provide a cohesive scheme from junior to adult to encourage newcomers to the sport and to train them to a basic qualification which will be recognised by schools and then for those who wish to train further in their chosen discipline to do so up to instructor level. The Angling Governing Bodies were very keen to establish links with schools and other groups and to give the opportunity for everyone to become involved in the sport and to encourage them to become involved in angling clubs and their development.

This appointment will provide a real opportunity for all angling, which could result in many thousands of people being introduced to the sport and encourage all those who have been doing an excellent and so far unrecognised job at club level.

We now have to identify those persons who have an interest in this field of work and to invite them to form our own Education and Training Group, who will be responsible to the Standing Committee for this very important area of work, and I hope our Chairman will not mind me jumping the gun somewhat by asking those who may have an interest to identify themselves so that we may put their names forward to the Standing Committee for cooption onto this group which we envisage to be small but very active.

Safety at Sea: Safety at Sea which also includes Safety on the Shore is all about Education and making people aware about the importance of adoption of safe practices whilst engaged in our angling activities. In this respect we can have no better ally in this work, than the RNLI who have much more experience than ourselves, and I am pleased to report that we have and do continue to work very closely with the RNLI and witness to that is the fact that we are here today.

We are in membership of the RNLI Sea Safety Working Group, which in l999 produced a Safety booklet, which has been widely distributed and well received by all those who care and think seriously about sea safety.

We have also been involved in the assisting in the pilots and the introduction and developing of the new RNLI Sea Safety Check Scheme and we are grateful to the clubs and divisions who have co-operated in this field. It is our aim and responsibility to continue to develop this link with all the Safety Agencies in order to spread the Word as widely as possible to angling clubs and individuals who go down to the sea to fish.

We also need to support financially those who assist us when we do get in trouble, and we acknowledge and thank the generosity of all the angling clubs, and there are many, who do support the RNLI by donating not inconsiderable sums to the comfort funds of their local Lifeboat crews.

Code of Practice for Charter Boats: April 1st this year saw the introduction by the Marine and Coastguard Agency of a Code of Practise for the 'Safety of Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure Operating from a nominated port of departure". This long-winded title in simpler terms means a code of practice for charter boats operating from a nominated port within three miles of Land and within twenty miles along the coast. The new code will now require that all commercial boats that take passengers to sea will have to provide safety equipment and observe safety procedures that had previously only been required of those boats that operated under local authority regulations or further to sea under what has been termed the yellow Code.

As a member of both the Steering and Working Group for both these codes, I am relieved that at last they have been introduced with the agreement of all parties, The Marine and Coastguard Agency, the National Charter Boat Organisations and ourselves, there is to be a phase in period of twelve months following which all charter boats will be required to be to a definite standard and operate in a safe manner.

Junior Roadshows. We recognise and thank all those persons who have kindly donated funds for this specific area of work. The fund, which thanks to members generosity, stands at a useful amount, will assist us to develop the Junior Roadshows and our junior education programme outlined earlier. The Roadshows which were introduced last year when three were held have continued for the year 2000 with the first to be held at Cleethorpes on March 22" and the next to be held in Torbay on June 10th with further events planned for East Anglia and the North West and East Later in the year.

We are very grateful to those who have help organist these and to members of the International Team Members who have gladly given of their time to attend and to pass on their knowledge on tackle, traces, and techniques presentation. I particularly want to thank Chris Clark for his personal efforts in this direction and anyone who has witnessed Chris during the presentation of his slide show cannot doubt his entertainment qualities and commitment to the cause of training Juniors.

I am convinced of the value of these Road shows, and whether those who attended have ambitions to progress through their sport, or just take part and catch more fish, all benefit from attending. They are without doubt a valuable contact point with which to introduce newcomers to the sport, for although they are billed Junior Road shows, in many instances the juniors are accompanied by curious parents many of whom show much interest and with the persuasion of the juniors who knows they may also take up the sport.

d) National Team & Competitions Groups - Report by Mr C Clark, Group Vice Chairman
Apologies had been received from the Group Chairman Mr Colin Bond and Mr Chris Clark reported on the National Teams in 1999 that had a good year with Bronze Medals being achieved in Portugal by the World Men's Shore Team and Bronze medals for the World Junior Shore Team in France. This included an individual bronze by Adam McKeen. The Home Boat International was organised by the NFSA at Portsmouth where the England Team achieved the Gold Medal position for the fourth consecutive year and congratulations were to be expressed to all the teams for their commitment to the NFSA International Programme.

The NFSA had successfully organised the Home Shore International at Bridlington in March 2001 where the England Team won the Gold Medal, and grateful thanks were due to the Mr Paul Roggerman of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for their generous support of the NFSA.

The World Championships would be held together in Italy in 2000 as the first World Games and plans were well advanced and it extra support had been requested from Sport England for the extra work involved with sending Six Teams abroad at the same time.

The National Boat and Shore Festivals had all been successfully run in 1999 and the 2000 Festivals had been arranged as follows: - PM Boat at Seahouses,
Northumberland, in August by the North East Division, the Affiliated Club Boat at Rhyl on 10th June, organised by the North West Division: The PM and
Club Shore Festivals in Kent on May 16"' by the South East Division and the South East Division would be organising the Junior Shore Festival on 23.d September.
The final of the National Guernsey Shore Championships will be held on 20" and 21 September.

e) Millennium - Report by Mr T Tuckerman, Sub Committee Chairman

Mr Tuckerman reported that Sponsored Beach Clean had been a success, despite that fewer than expected clubs had supported the project. The Top club was Ribble Valley who raised £378, the second Torbay & Babbacombe ASA £324 and the third, Pevensey Bay Aqua £ 133. These clubs would receive their prize cheques is as follows and the top Division Wyvern would receive £100. The total net proceeds would be approx.£2000 and as previously intimated when the project was started this would he donated towards the work of the Conservation Group.

The Chairman thanked Mr Tuckerman and the Millennium Sub Committee on the conclusion of this successful protect and a vote of thanks was proposed.

AGENDA ITEM 5 Development Officers Report:
Tie Development Officer read his report to the Meeting a summery is as follows: -

The representatives of the various Groups to whom the responsibility of preparing policy and recommendations for the Standing Committee has been tasked, therefore the report is somewhat shorter than usual~ but there arc a few matters subjects that fall outside the work of the groups.

Exhibitions: We have continued our presence at as many shows and exhibitions as we are able to man and this year with the reintroduction of the Sea Section within the
NEC Exhibition we once again agreed to have a stand, which proved successful with many new members being recruited. We thank Brab Hallowes and his team from the
West Midlands Police SAC who along with Paul Lawson successfully manned the stand for the three days. Other shows are planned and there is a real possibility that a presence will be made at Milton Keynes which the East Anglia Division have agreed to help if required.

Specimen Certificates: It is intended that there will be a new Certificate for the Millennium and this is being prepared for consideration of the Standing Committee.

He stated how important was the support of the Angling Press in promoting the cause of the NFSA and the page donated each month by Sea Angler Magazine had started to bring results and the Federation were very grateful for that.

Finally he thanked all the various groups and their hard work within their particular field on behalf of the NFSA; also the Standing Committee for their continued work and support; Mr Brab Hallowes for his assistance as Cup Custodian attending the festivals and transporting the festival trophies; Eric Gerrey for all his hard work in connection with the NFSA accounts and finances; the RNLI for allowing the NFSA to host the AGM at their premises an in particular Mr Peter Bradley and Mr Ian Benham for their assistance; and finally the Chairman Michael North for his support over the past 12 months.

AGENDA ITEM 6- Election of Officers

(a) President Mr R.W. Page: The office of President according to Rule 5.1.10(a) was not due for election.

(b) Vice Presidents Mr. W. Solly, Mr. W.P. Reece, Mr M North, Mr J Reece & Mr K Homer: Rule 5.1.10(b) The Office of Vice President was not due for election and no new nomination had been received.

(c) (i) The Hon. Treasurer Mr E. Gerrey: It was proposed Mr David Cains, seconded Mr M North and carried unanimously that Mr Gerrey be re-elected as Honorary Treasurer.

(ii) The Hon Auditor: It was proposed Mr R W Page, seconded Mr J Reece and carried unanimously that Mr W.L Norman OBE be re-elected as the Hon Auditor.

(d) NFSA Administration Officer: - There would be no election for this position.

(e) Election of Standing Committee for 2000/2001: The Standing Committee Members were all proposed, seconded and elected individually as per nominations received from the operative Divisions as follows: -
Division Delegate Reserve Proposed Seconded
Cornwall Mr D. Cains Mr A.Shaw Mr J.Reece, Mr B. Senior
East Anglia Essex Mr B. Senior Mr N. Blythe Mr R. Chapman Mr R. Smith Mr E Gerrey Mr D CamsMr J Reece Mr B Hallowes
Isle of Wight Midlands Mr T. Williams Mr B. Bennett Mr R. Russell Mr. M. Clarke Mr D Cams Mr B Hallowes Mr B Hallowes Mr K Stubbs
North East Mr F. Nesbitt No reserve Mr J Reece Mr B Hallowes
North West Mr S. Quinn Mr K.Stubbs Mr B Hallowes Mr B Senior
Severn No Delegate No reserve
South East Mr J. Barrett No reserve Mr J Reece Mr W Reece
Southern Mr D. Penny Mr B. Hazel Mr J Reece Mr W Reece
Wessex Mr C. Clark Mr D. Phillips Mr E Gerrey Mr J Barrett
Wyvern Yorkshire Mr B. Nockolds Mr K. Homer Mr T. Tuckerman Mr W. Baldock Mr M Concannon Mr B Hallowes Mr J Reece Mr W Reece
The Associate Member Delegates were all proposed, seconded and elected en bloc as per nominations received from the Associate Member organisations as follows European Federation Of Sea Anglers Mr D. Styles Mr T. Entwistle
Northern Federation of Anglers No Delegate, Hon Sec. Mr Edwards
Sea Anglers Match Federation Mr D. Penny
North West Association of S A Cs Mr S. Quinn

f) Honorary Life Member; The Chairman conferred an Honorary Life Membership on Mr Jack Reece QPM for his work for Sea Angling and in particular the NFSA as its Chairman for 13 years and presented to him a framed Certificate to mark the occasion. Mr Jack Reece formally accepted the Honorary Life Membership, thanked the Federation and Membership and expressed his gratitude for the Honour.

AGENDA ITEM 7 - Propositions. The following propositions had been received from the Standing Committee for consideration at the 2000 AGM in accord with the Fundamental Rule 5.1.8" Proposals"

1/. RULE 5.1.10 - AMEND TO: - Standing Committee. The delegate and deputy delegates from each Division together with the delegates from the AMs, shall be individually elected to the SC annually at the AGM. A list of nominations shall be submitted to the D/O not less than 21 days before the date of an AGM. Each Division may nominate three delegates for election to the SC, only one of whom will be entitled to attend unless one of them is elected as an officer, when the second delegate may attend the SC. A second delegate may also attend the Standing Committee, and be entitled to vote, provided that his expenses are met by the Division, in the event of one of these being unable to attend, the third delegate may attend.

Reason: - To enable a wider representation from divisions at the Standing Committee and to provide the opportunities for those who wish to actively work for the Federation to do so. Please note that 1 in 3 SC meetings will be held on a Saturday.

Proposition1 For the proposition cast at meeting 237
Proxy votes 275
Total 512

Against the proposition cast at the meeting 0
Proxy Votes 10
Total 10

The Proposition was passed.

2/ RULE 5.3.10 AMEND TO: - Sub Committees. The SC may form sub-committees as necessary to deal with specific topics. However, the following subcommittees and groups are elected annually from the SC, are routine

(a) Executive Committee (EC). The EC shall meet as necessary between SC meetings to handle administrative matters. It acts as an executive committee, but must obtain authority from the SC for all executive decisions.

(b) National Teams and Competition Groups. (NT&CG's). The NT&CG's shall meet to select all the England official sea angling teams as directed by the SC, and deal with all matters in connection with Competitions, Festivals and their Rules.

(c) Education and Training Group (E&TG). The Education and Training Group will meet as necessary to discuss any matters relevant to Education and Training.

(d) PM Sub Committee. The PM Subcommittee will meet as necessary to discuss any matters relevant to the PMs. All Divisional PM Representatives are entitled to attend.

ADD

(e) Conservation (CG). The CG will meet as and when necessary to discuss any matters relevant to Conservation and Access. The Chairman, Vice Chairman and D/O shall be ex-officio members on all sub committees and Groups but shall not have a vote.

Reason: - To rationalize the sub committees in order to reflect the major areas of the Federation's work.

Proposition 2 For the proposition cast at meeting 245
Proxy votes 285
Total 530

Against the proposition cast at the meeting 0
Proxy Votes 0
Total 0

The Proposition was Passed.
It was noted that as a result of the propositions passed at the AGM, the NFSA Rules would be amended, and come into force on January 1st 2001.
There being no other business the meeting was closed at 4.OOpm with a vote of thanks being proposed for the Chairman.

Informal Discussion: A short period of informal discussion followed the AGM during which the various matters were raised, including the proposed NFSA Web site, and any relevant matters would be considered by the Standing committee when it next met.
RNLI SEA SAFETY CHECK - A presentation was made by Mr Peter Bradley of the R.N.L.I. on their new Sea Safety Check Scheme which had been launched after pilots had been run with a number of NFSA affiliated clubs. This was well received by the members, and the Chairman thanked Mr Bradley for his comprehensive and most interesting presentation.