Item 1    Election of Chairman.

Item 2    Apologies for Absence

Item 3    Minutes of the AGM held at Marsh farm Pavilion Saturday 12^th April 2025

See Appendix 1 at end of papers

Item 4    Appointment of Tellers

Item 5    Proposals in Accordance with Sections 28-30 of the Constitution

General Committee Proposals

1. That the 2026 Constitution draft be adopted as our constitution.

Proposed by Dave Ewing seconded by Graham Harris

 1.a   Amendment to  proposed constitution paragraph 8 , 

Committee may put to the AGM subscription increases and night ticket increases, but must be passed by the AGM members present and in individual  format not on block .

Proposed    Michael Bannister 

Non Committee Proposals

1. That the use of 3 rods be allowed at Johnson’s from the 1st of October to the 31st of March each year for young adults and above as in the winter months Johnson’s is very hard 

Proposed by Oliver Johnson seconded by Tom Johnson

Item 6    Society Chairman

Item 7    Honorary Secretary and Treasurer (including Adoption of the Accounts and Honoraria)

Item 8    Honorary Fishery Management Secretary

Item 9    Head Bailiff

Item 10  Honorary Match Secretary

Item 11  Junior Organiser (coaching, development and junior matches)

Item 12  Election of Executive Officers

Hon Secretary …………………………...........................    Dave Ewing

Hon Assistant Secretary…………………………………..   Vacant

Hin Treasurer……………………………………………….  Graham Harris

Hon Assistant Treasurer…………………………………..   Tony Ashbolt

Head Bailiff………………………………………………….   Lee Noakes

Membership Administrator………………………………      Dave Ewing

Hon Fishery Management Secretary…………………….   Clive Larke

Hon joint Fishery Management Secretary…………           Keith Baxter

Hon Fishery Maintenance Coordinator……………….….   Vacant (Graham Harris covering)

Hon Match Secretary……………………………………….  Roger Howe

Junior Organiser (coaching, development and matches)  Dave Ewing

Item 13  Election of General Committee

Mark Adams

Tony Ashbolt

Ed Wade

Keith Baxter

Stuart Bennett

Simon Brimfield

Trevor Haskell

Graham Lovell

Dean Marshall

Roger Miles

Dominic Zakiewicz

Item 14  Any other Business at the Chairman’s Discretion

…………………………………………………..

Appendix 1

Minutes of the Godalming Angling Society Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Marsh farm Pavilion on Saturday 12th April 2025, 9.30am

1. Election of Chairman.
On calling the meeting to order, the Hon Sec welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited the floor to nominate a chairman. Richard Hutson: Proposed by Graham Harris, Seconded by David Johnson, was approved unanimously. Richard Hutson took the chair and welcomed everyone to the 143rd Annual General Meeting –

44 people in total were in attendance.
The meeting opened with a minutes silence to remember those lost over the past year.

2. Apologies for Absence
Apologies Received from:
Malcolm Richardson; Derek Marshal; and Tony Ashbolt.

3. Minutes of the Last AGM (2024)
These minutes circulated with the AGM notification papers were approved as accurate and adopted by the meeting – Proposed Lee Noakes, Seconded by Graham Lovell. Approved unanimously.

4. Appointment of Tellers
Roger Howe and David Ewing were appointed Tellers.

5. Proposals in Accordance with Sections 28-30 of the Constitution
General Committee Proposals

1. That Bill Harris be elected as a Life Member of the Society
Proposed by Roger Miles, seconded by David Johnson

Approved by AGM unanimously.

2. That Trevor Haskell be elected as a Life Member of the Society
Proposed by Roger Miles, seconded by David Johnson

Approved by AGM unanimously.

3. That Membership subscriptions for the 2025- 2026 season be increased as follows:
Proposed by Graham Harris, seconded by David Johnson

There was a large debate in the room around the cost incurred buy the day to day running of the club, the cost of Clubmate to process membership, contractors used instead of work parties and general control of expenses. Unfortunately volunteer work is less of an option these days both due to fewer volunteers and the nature of the work required / EHS requirements on the workers.

The debate concluded and a vote passed the price increases:
37 people for, 16 against and 2 abstentions – this includes postal votes.

4. That clause 25 of the Society Constitution be varied by the addition of a
subparagraph as follows:
“In pursuance of the authority vested in the Trustees by the Members of the Society, the
Trustees shall be indemnified by the Members of the Society out of the assets of the Society from and against any liability, costs, expenses or payments whatsoever which may be properly incurred or made by them or any one of them in the exercise of their duties or relation to any property of the Society vested in them, or in relation to any legal proceedings, or which otherwise relate directly or indirectly to the performance of the functions of a Trustee of the Society.
Should the assets of the Society be insufficient to satisfy such liability, costs, expenses or
payments the Trustees shall be entitled to a personal indemnity from the individual Members of the Society. The limit of any individual Member's indemnity in this respect shall be a sum equal to one years subscription at the then current rate of that category of Membership unless the Trustees have been authorised to exceed such limit by a General Meeting of the Society.”

Proposed by Richard Hutson, seconded by Keith Baxter
Note: this requires a majority comprising two thirds or more of members present and entitled to vote at the meeting (Clause 42).

Approved by AGM unanimously.

Non Committee Proposals

5. Introduction of Large Female Pike into Johnson’s Lake: The plan includes the introduction of six large female pike (15lb+), selected for their size, health, and feeding habits conducive to our ecosystem’s balance.

Proposed by Peter James, seconded by Tony Ashbolt
Notes: the proposal is intended to improve the lakes ecological health, provide a natural predator for ‘overpopulated’ fish species and recognise the diverse interest of the angling community.

Another proposal which triggered debate within the room – the discussions being around the pros and cons of pike in Johnsons and the availability of pike fishing within GAS.

On conclusion of the debates the proposal was not passed:
19 people for, 38 against and 62 abstentions – this includes postal votes.

6. That the spombing ban get lifted during the months of December till February.

Proposed by Ben Whittaker, seconded by Darren Dodge.

Debate around what the issue was and if this was the best way to resolve the issue – agreed the issue was around the volume and quality of bait being used on Johnsons and that this could be looked at and an alternative rule around bait used and quantities be looked at.

The motion was passed
38 people for, 29 against and 8 abstentions – this includes postal votes.

6. Society Chairman’s report

David Johnsons full report was distributed with the AGM paperwork prior to the meeting. David summarised the report and confirmed he is stepping down as GAS Chairman and as a Trustee.

David’s report was proposed for adoption by Lee Noakes, Seconded by Roger Miles and unanimously voted for by the meeting. A vote of thanks was raised to David for all his work over the years – we hope you get to enjoy some time actually fishing now.

7. Hon Secretary and Treasurer’s report
Graham’s report was distributed with the AGM paperwork prior to the meeting. A copy of the accounts for year ending December 2022 and 2023 was distributed separately at the meeting. Graham summarised his report and noted the investments made in the upkeep of all GAS land and water.

A vote of thanks was raised to Graham. Graham’s report was proposed for adoption by David Johnson, seconded by Lee Noakes seconded, and unanimously voted for by the meeting.

8. Hon Fishery Management Secretary
Clive Larke’s report was distributed with the AGM paperwork prior to the meeting. Clive summarised his report and the latest stock surveys done across GAS waters, the introduction of Siltex to improve water quality and remove silt and work being carried out to improve the river stretches.

Clive’s report was proposed for adoption by Lee Noakes, Seconded by Graham Harris and unanimously voted for by the meeting. A vote of thanks was raised to Clive and his team for all their efforts.

9. Head Bailiff
Lee Noakes’ report was distributed with the AGM paperwork prior to the meeting. Lee’s summary focused on the great fishing which has been available across all waters over the year and thanked his loyal team of Bailiffs. A vote of thanks was raised to Lee and his team of Bailiffs

Adoption of Lee’s report was proposed by David Johnson and Seconded by Clive Larke – This
was unanimously voted for by the meeting.

10. Hon Match Secretary
Roger Howe’s report was distributed with the AGM paperwork prior to the meeting. Roger thanked everyone for their support over the past year and summarised his report. A vote of thanks was raised to Roger and his assistants. Adoption of Roger’s report was proposed by Lee Noakes’ and Seconded by Clive Larke – This was unanimously voted for by the meeting.

11. Coaching and Development Coordinator 12. Junior Match Organiser
David Ewing’s report was distributed with the AGM paperwork prior to the meeting. David thanked all the coaches and assistants for their continued help in this role. It’s been another year of great success as coaching activities remain popular and continue to be developed.

A vote of thanks to David and his assistants along with a proposal to adopt David’s report was made by Clive Larke and Seconded by Bill Harris – This was unanimously voted for by the meeting.

12. Election of Executive Officers
The following Executive officers were voted for on block:
Proposed by Richard Hutson, Seconded by David Johnson. This was unanimously voted for by the meeting.

Hon Secretary and Treasurer Graham Harris
Hon Assistant Secretary David Ewing
Hon Assistant Treasurer Position under review
Head Bailiff Lee Noakes
Hon Membership Secretary Position under review
Assistant Administrator David Ewing
Hon Fishery Management Secretary Clive Larke
Hon Assistant Fishery Management Secretary Keith Baxter
Hon Fishery Maintenance Coordinator Vacant (Graham Harris is covering)
Hon Match Secretary Roger Howe
Junior Organiser (Match, Coaching and Development) David Ewing

13. Election of General Committee
The following General committee members were voted for on block:
Proposed by Richard Hutson, Seconded by Lee Noakes. This was unanimously voted for by
the meeting.
Mark Adams
Tony Ashbolt
David Barnard
Keith Baxter
Bill Harris
Trevor Haskell
Peter James
Graham Lovell
Deam Marshall
Roger Miles
Dominic Zakiewicz

14. Any other Business at Chairman’s discretion
Mick Banister raised the state of some of the memorial seats around the GAS waters and their need for repair / replacement. Gen Com / Trustees will look at these

Ethan Etherington is running a Junior Disabled match in May – Any support or donations wouldbe welcomed.

Graham Harris Proposed a vote of thanks to Richar Hutson and Roger Miles for Chairing the meeting and recording the Minutes.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 11:48.