minutes

OOA
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 3RD FEBRUARY 2004 AT 1830
HRS AT THE OXFORD GRA TRACK IN THE EXECUTIVE SUITE.

PRESENT: Chairman, Stuart Locke-Hart. Treasurer, John Alcock. Secretary, Jenny Hebborn Committee Members, Carl Smith, RGT Representative, Mel Hancox.

APOLOGIES: General Manager, Jim Snowden. Committee members John Moss, Roy Shorter.

NOTE: ALL ISSUES ARE CARRIED OVER TO MARCH 2ND MEETING EXCEPT ITEM 9 WHICH IS NOW RESOLVED.
1. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES. Approved by Stuart Locke-Hart & John Alcock all subject matters carried over for Februarys meeting, as general management could not attend.

2. RACE COMMENTRY. JS informed the meeting that there would be no race commentary for the foreseeable future as it costs approx £12k per year for staff salary. It was suggested by SL that an existing member of staff could possible take on the roll of commentator especially on Saturday nights. A possible member of staff could be the racing manager? JS stated that he would look into the possibilities and update all present at the next meeting.

3. PRIZE MONEY. The prize money has now been increased from £51k to £93k the increase has come from the BGRF. Stuart has stated that this increase should be evenly distributed
4. RUNNING RAIL. This issue has still to be resolved. At the last meeting in November
JS stated that the rail had been sourced and would be erected by members of his own
Staff. The work would take place when the speedway season finished; this is now 2 months past and no work has taken place. It was also stated that that the track itself would also be cambered and completely serviced. The OOA feels that these particular problems needs to be resolved ASAP as a greyhound welfare issue. Since our December meeting JS has stated that he has no ETA on the running rail and would follow the issue through and report back at the next meeting in Jan 04.
Carried forward to February meeting
5. ADVERTISING BOARDS. This is an ongoing issue that JS stated would be resolved at the meeting. Still not resolved, issue to be carried forward to Februarys meeting.
6. SPONSORSHIP FOR ONE RACE PER MONTH = OOA. SL requested if possible that OXFORD GRA could sponsor one race per month at possibly £100 for the owners who are members of the OOA. This could possibly be tied in with the monthly presentations for dogs that has won 3 races on the trot. This would also include a small trophy for the winner. JS stated that he would look into this and give an answer at the next meeting. If the GRA could not support this request then other sponsors could be approached from outside?
William Hills was approached and initially the response was good, but unfortunately they have now withdrawn sponsorship.

7. HAREDRIVING SPEED/NEW HARES. JS stated that the speed of the hare could not be adjusted at the start of the race or at the end as it was set automatically and could not be
Altered. Further investigation will be required to resolve this issue. Jenny then gave JS a
Flyer with the latest hare that is available. JS thanked her for this and stated that the drive belts could only accommodate a very light weight (1lb) but would look at this issue for the future. Carried forward to Februarys meeting.

8. UPGRADING/DOWNGRADING. The OOA is concerned that that on some occasions some dogs have not been upgraded after a win or some may have been miss-placed after injury? It was suggested that all members monitor this issue and report back at the next meeting. JS would pass on the information to the racing office. Still ongoing, committee to monitor races.

9. OOA ADVERTS IN PROGRAMMES. Jenny passed onto JS another disc which holds the format to place the adverts in the programmes. JS stated that where possible a whole page would be made available for advertising the OOA. The advertisements are now being placed in the race programme, the chairman and his committee would like to thank the management for there assistance in this matter.
10. GREYHOUND WELFARE ISSUES.MH stated that the washing machines would need to moved as they are currently situated outside and in the open. JS would look into this and report back at next meeting. Waiting for answers from Jim.

11. CURTAIN. There is some concern on who is responsible for the insurance for operating
The new curtain. JS will contact head office and inform the OOA at the next meeting.
Waiting for answers from Jim.

12. 645&HURDLE.JS stated that there would be hurdle racing in the near future but unlikely
To have any 645 racing but he has not ruled it out completely.

13. OOA FINANCIAL POSITION. JM informed the meeting that the OOA was in a healthy position with a £6700 balance. Balance remains unchanged.

. 14.AOB. RS informed the meeting of a potentially dangerous incident whilst at a recent evening meeting. The incident involved the hare box at the pick up point. The box actually released itself and swung back onto the track while the race was in progress. Fortunately the dogs had already gone past this point and no injuries occurred. The OOA would ask JS to look into this serious incident and brief the OOA at the next meeting. RS/JS would look into this. Still waiting for answers.

MH was congratulated on her efforts for the RGT. Well done! It was asked by SL to have a break down on where the money has been spent JS said he would provide one for the next meeting.

SL gave an overview on all the issues concerning prize money and would update at the next
Meeting.

JS had 3 points to discuss and are as follows
1. The Tuesday morning BAGS meeting would stop in the New Year.
2. Hall Green would not be closing.
3. Welcomed Jason Foster to Oxford and informed the OOA that he would not be attending any BAGS meetings as it was too far for him to travel. There was some concern with this as it was unfair to other trainers and owners (to be discussed at next meeting)
Item 3 still ongoing.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING 2ND MARCH 2004 OXFORD GRA

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