Clubs and Associations in the four home countries are being asked to choose between five options for a body (referred
below as the “Council”) to replace the UK Members Council. See the following link.
Following meetings of the Association of Athletics Leagues, in which the various options have been discussed, we have
concerns about the options available, and in particular the options A and B, following the decision to give representation
to the Home Countries Athletics Federations (HCAFs) on the UKA Board.
We believe that the choice should be made according to the following principles:
- Independence: There should be no overlap between membership of the new Council and the Board, apart from a nominated representative of the Council reporting to the Board. The home countries, with representation on the Board, should have no representation on the Council.
- Democracy: All sections of the sport should be represented on the Council and each member should have the opportunity to take part in the election of their representative.
- Chair and Vice Chair: The Chair and Vice Chair should be elected by the membership of the Council.
- Continuity: Each elected representative should serve for several years with elections spaced out to ensurecontinuity of representation.
- Co-option: The Council should be empowered to co-opt non-voting members to ensure the availability of appropriate expertise.
If the various options are examined according to the above principles, then it is our view that option C (with modifications outlined above) is the one that is most closely underpinned by these principles.
There would be a clear conflict of interest with option A, while the HCAFs are represented on the Board. In the
drawbacks to option A is the question “These four HCAFs also hold UKA Board seats: is there too great a potential for
conflicts of interest with the HCAFS being the sole members and also having nominees on the UKA Board?”. In our view
the answer is a resounding yes, to such an extent that this drawback, on its own, is so overriding as to rule out option A
completely.
In the final question on the survey, Question 12, “If you have any additional comments regarding the structural
proposals please use the space provided”, we suggest you add the comment: “While the HCAFs are represented on the
UKA Board, they should have no representation on the new members council.”
Grace Hall, Chair, UK Youth Development League
Alan Johnson, Secretary, Association of Athletic leagues
Len Steers, Chair, National Athletics League
Terry Bailey, Chair, North of England T&F League
Bryan Acford, Chair, Midlands League
Mick Bromilow, Secretary, Southern Athletics League
