Notes from January 2022 Trust Board meeting


NEWPORT COUNTY AFC SUPPORTERS’ TRUST BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 27, 2022, 7pm

MEETING HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE

REDACTED NOTES FOR PUBLICATION

ATTENDEES (Board members): Paul Marks (PMa, Chair), Joe Crocker (JC), Mark Crook (MC), Mike Everett (ME), Colin Faulkner (CF), Gavin Foxall (GF), Bob Herrin (BH), Shaun Johnson (SJ), Pete Madigan (PM), Kevin Ward (KW).

ATTENDEES (Club staff): Nigel Stephenson (NS).

APOLOGIES: None

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING (PMa)
    • The minutes of the Trust Board meeting held on December 20, 2021, were approved as an accurate record.
  1. MATTERS ARISING (PMa)
    • None that are not included in agenda items.
  1. AGENDA
    • PMa proposed that agenda items were taken by exception, and that the Commercial update was moved to the first item on the agenda as PM had to leave early. This was agreed unanimously. 
  1. COMMERCIAL UPDATE (PM)
    • PM reported that invoiced commercial revenue was ahead of target for the season.
    • Partnerships for 2022-23 are already being discussed with more than six figures in revenue signed for.
  1. LEAGUE/CLUB UPDATE (GF)
    • GF confirmed Welsh Government had met 100% of our lost revenue claim for the Salford behind closed doors match. We are expecting the same for the Harrogate match.
    • GF had met with Newport’s MPs and MSs and raised issues with them around the decision to make matches behind closed doors. Meeting also covered the fan-led review and Fair Game.
    • First Team: The Club Group had earlier received an update from James Rowberry and Darren Kelly. JR gave a presentation on progress on and off the field based around the concept of One Club One County. DK gave an update on the January transfer window.. PMa said the January plan has been well executed.
    • Business Planning: GF said this was well under way for the 2022/23 season and NS had guided individual departments through the budgeting process. The budget will be presented for sign-off at the full Board meeting in February. All assumptions will be included in the budget pack.
    • Family Excellence: JC said we had retained our Good status with a score of 8 out of 10 from the ‘mystery shopper’ visit to the Bradford match. GF said the aim was to get a 9 or 10 next season. 
  1. OPERATIONAL UPDATE (NS)
    • NS praised the positive impact Matthew Higgins has had on club operations since his appointment as Club Secretary.
    • Academy staff appraisals and internal reviews are complete.
    • The review of ticketing systems for next season was close to completion with a provider likely to be chosen in the week beginning January 31.
    • Pop-up club shop on match days will now start on February 12 and be based in the Dragons club shop at the entrance to the Bisley stand. 
  1. FINANCIAL UPDATE (NS)
    • We remain in a positive position against budget.
    • No anticipated issues with debtors. All statutory returns completed. 
  1. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (CF)
    • CF said his focus was on completing the five-point EFL Equality Code of Practice accreditation, which was due by April.
    • Awareness matches will be Bristol Rovers (International Women’s Day and Her Game Too), Hartlepool (Level Playing Field), and Crawley (Kidscape).
    • KW gave a brief update on the 2022 Walk for Dementia. A meeting is planned with Newport Live and the Alzheimer’s Society on February 3. A further update will be provided at the February Board meeting.
  1. COMMUNITY GROUP (PMa)
    • PMa said the group had met last week and agreed an action plan based on increased memberships and other ways to increase revenue to be donated to the club.
    • Membership currently stands at 1,097. 
  1. SAFEGUARDING (GF)
    • GF presented an update on Kelly Anderson’s work during January and plans for February.
    • Revised and updated club policies were provided for all directors in their board packs and GF asked for feedback to KA by close of play next Tuesday.
    • SJ, CF and NS all voiced praise for the work being done by KA in such an important area.
  1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
    • NS said we were going to trial a joint ticket with the Dragons for our game against Mansfield on February 19 and the Dragons’ match against Ulster the following day. Promotion of this would start next week.

Meeting closed at 8.10pm.

Next meeting: Thursday, February 24, at 7pm.