Meeting held on 4th November 2017
2pm, The Griffin

1. Apologies and thanks
   Sean Cudmore and Sam Bolton
2. Minutes of 2016 meeting
   Published in September. Time of meeting completion to be amended to 1.47pm, and
   republished. Otherwise approved.
3. Financial update
    Minimal activities on the finance side. Slip in membership – reduction by 20 people.
   Should be rectifiable as the issue of the stadium attracts members. GT also noted
   that BIAS membership does not help with access to tickets anymore.
    Ran two boat trips and lost £380 pounds – 2nd boat was not filled.
    Outsourced membership management.
    Year ended with surplus of £2,500. Have a balance of £16,000.
    AH asked if we were happy to continue with same auditors? Answer – Yes.
4. Accounts
   Approved to be signed.
5. Chairman’s report
    Given by AH.
    There is space on the Committee for members to be co-opted. Thanks to departing
   members. Kath Richardson has agreed to continue hosting the website.
    Whilst activities of the Committee have not been particularly visible, we have been
   doing a lot of work in the background, particularly liaising with the club on the new
   stadium.
    Working with the FSF on national campaign
6. Officers of Association nominations
   Adam Hobbs – Chairman, Anna Mason – Secretary, David Gathergood – Finance
7. Members of the Executive Committee
   Lisa O’Brian, Phil Marchent, Gemma Teale, Sean Cudmore, Adele Peleschka, Sam Bolton
   Can consider co-opting new executive committee members
8. Motions
    To maintain the membership fee at £12 a year.
    DG – need to look at ways to bring more benefits to members.
9. AOB
    AH – question sent in – ‘What is BIAS doing to represent the significant disruption
   caused to fans by matches being moved for Sky?’
   Brentford Independent Association of Supporters
   BIAS
   C/O Brentford Football Club
   Braemar Road
   Brentford
   Middlesex
   TW8 0NT
   o AH – BIAS put out a statement yesterday. Key thing BIAS saying, we do want
   to liaise with the club and other supporters groups to understand what can
   be done.
   o Article in Get West London spoke about boycotts, BIAS has clarified that we
   are not looking for a boycott, but to leveraging the issue for future
   scenarios.
   o GT – from FSF perspective – would like to get other fans groups to pressure
   their clubs. To make it clear that we are not asking our club to suffer a loss
   of income, but asking all clubs to band together should help put pressure on
   Sky.
   o It is acknowledged that the Boxing Day fixture will not now be changed, but
   how can we work to make
    GT – FSF working on sports travel insurance schemes
    AH – BT with the rugby flags at the beginning of the season games that could be on a
   variety of days, and they are then fixed a couple of months in advance.
    Brian – Feels strange that today’s game was selected given the firework risk
    Brian – I run the Jazz Club, in our 15th year. Guests prefer to sit on soft seats. New
   club furniture is high stools and tables, which are not suitable for older people. Only
   27 of the soft seats have been saved. Have had reduced numbers the last few
   months. Stage has been removed (cost £1000).
   o Q – have we had any feedback from fans on the new seats? GT – have had
   some feedback that some older fans are finding them not ideal.
   o GT to also bring it up in next inclusion meeting with the club, as it is also
   about access.
   Action – the be raised by BIAS at the next meeting with the club.
   o GT – LGBeeT Bees would like to thank BIAS for contribution to the flag.
   o Paul Steadman had replaced the Rob Johnson ‘Loud and Proud’ flag, and would like a
   contribution. BIAS happy to help. AH will speak to PS directly to work out the best way
   to help, and will put an article up on the website.
   Meeting closed 14.59.