UPDATE OF MEETING ARRANGED FOR FRIDAY 9^th July

For some time the Association has been asked by the Assembly Member Mark Isherwood to agree to meet Mr Brian Roberts in order to resolve the issues surrounding his suspension back in 1997.

The Management Committee of the WCGBA has been kept fully informed throughout these discussions between me, as Chief Executive and Mr Isherwood and his staff.

It was agreed by the Committee in March 2010 that the Association would offer Mr Roberts the opportunity to meet with a selected Panel.

The agenda for such a meeting was agreed with the Assembly Member and his office, in a letter sent to them dated 14^th April 2010. Various telephone conversations seemed to confirm that the agenda suggested for the meeting was acceptable and agreed.

Arrangements began, to agree a date for the meeting taking into account the Assembly Member’s commitments and the fact that he is in North Wales normally on Fridays to meet constituents. Finally after failing to agree a string of dates we agreed for the meeting to take place at Coed Talon Bowling Club on Friday 9^th July 2010 at 10.30 am.

Letters were sent to all Management Committee members (with a copy to the Assembly Member) informing them of this meeting and all were reminded that they could by right attend the meeting only as observers, with the selected Panel, as agreed, involved in the actual meeting. The Association also agreed to provide someone to minute proceedings. In the event very few members of the Management Committee wished to be present.

Much to my surprise, on the Thursday of the week preceding the meeting at a little after 5 pm, I was informed by e-mail from the AM’s staff that Mr Roberts could not agree to attend the meeting without additional points being added to the agenda. This I would remind you, was 10 weeks after we were led to believe that the agendas as posted on 14^th April, was agreed.

After consultation with the members of the Panel I informed the AM that the meeting would proceed on Friday 9^th. July as agreed with the original agenda as agreed 10 weeks prior being the basis of the discussion. I also stated that should either the AM or Mr Roberts decide to take up the option of meeting the Panel, this would remain available to either of them or both of them.

The meeting did take place but without either Mr Isherwood or Mr Roberts attending. The Panel reviewed the arrangements for the meeting and took account of the enormous amount of time dedicated to convening the meeting; the efforts involved and the cost to the Association over a period of many months.

In the circumstances the Panel agreed unanimously that I write to the Assembly Member informing him that the matter was now regarded as closed. This recommendation will naturally be placed before the Management Committee at the September meeting.

Ivor Williams

CEO WCGBA

14^th July 2010