Minutes of the MKDSA Committee Meeting
Wednesday 8th February 2023
held via Zoom at 7.30pm.
ATTENDEES
Franco Volpe (FV), Arthur Harris (AH), Amanda Lansbury (AL), Kieran Lansbury-Yemm (KLY) Steve Manning (SM), Jeff Newall (JeffN), Jo Newall (JoN), John Samuel (JS), Louise Walsh (LW) and Gordon Wylie (GW).
Minutes taken by Louise Walsh.
CHAIR TO OPEN MEETING & WELCOME
FV opened the meeting at 7.32pm.
Tom Stewart, former Chair of the MKDSA, recently passed away. FV and JS attended Tom’s funeral service today which was a lovely, moving tribute.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from James Rees.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 4th January 2023 were reviewed and agreed.
Proposed by JS and seconded by SM.
MATTERS ARISING
None.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – FV
FV thanked the committee for their efforts since he has taken the Chair’s role and the positive feedback. Aiden Gray did a good job strengthening the relationship with the club and SET and this has continued with several projects ongoing and FV meeting with Andy Gibb today.
Over 20k tickets have been sold for the forthcoming Arnold Clark matches on 16th February when the upper tier will be used. Consequently the MKDSA shop area in Lewington’s will need to be emptied after the fixture with Oxford United this Saturday.
FV introduced Gordon Wylie who is a life member of the MKDSA. GW has experience with local junior football teams, has coaching qualifications, is a child welfare officer, and is the estate manager for Bucks Fire & Rescue.
JS proposed to co-opt GW onto the committee which was seconded by AL and carried.
Kieran Lansbury-Yemm has been helping in the MKDSA shop selling programmes.
FV proposed to co-opt KLY onto the committee which was seconded by JS and carried.
FV formally welcomed GW and KLY.
VICE CHAIR & EDI OFFICER’S REPORT – AL
AL & LW have completed FA safeguarding courses. AL is our safeguarding point of contact but committee members all have a duty of care.
AL has a meeting with Andy Gibb in a couple of weeks to discuss the 20th anniversary plans. The location of the event is still to be confirmed and was mentioned at the Supporters Board meeting last night which Pete Winkelman supports. JeffN is willing to discuss a budget.
AL is introducing a new article on the flipside inclusive of female supporters.
AL will be meeting Oxford United’s #HerGameToo representative prior to the fixture on Saturday.
SECRETARY’S REPORT – LW
LW thanked the committee for returning their code of conduct & child protection forms.
TREASURER’S REPORT – JeffN
JeffN confirmed that he now has full online access to the account. We do not want to sit on a big balance but must be careful how we spend our members money.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT – SM
There has been a steady flow of membership applications. Discussion regarding the online applications.
DISABILITY OFFICERS REPORT – JeffN & JoN
Shane has finished fitting the colostomy friendly toilet facilities in the home and away ends. They will be officially opened on 25th February as part of the Unite for Access campaign.
JeffN & JoN have been liaising with Hannah Alker to promote their role. Their film will be screened for the first time at the Ipswich fixture on 25th as part of Level Playing Field’s Fortnight of Action.
MKDSA PROGRAMMES AND SHIRTS – JR
JR has a new initiative for supporters to win a match worn shirt from 2003 season.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
AH asked for an update regarding the sofas. The classroom at SMK is not a suitable venue for the proposed sensory room and so the sofas can not be used there. However, the sofas are likely to be put to use at the Woughton and Fairfields sites.
The committee agreed to make a donation of £100 to Willen Hospice in memory of Tom Stewart.
AH again raised the issue regarding the lack of hot water in the toilets in Lewington’s. JoN explained that she has had countless discussions regarding the provision of hot water for hand washing in toilet facilities at football grounds around the country. JoN received confirmation some time ago from Milton Keynes Council that there is no legal requirement to provide hot water for hand washing. FV said that he understands AH’s frustration and will check the availability of hot water at forthcoming games.
LW & JS attended the Supporters’ Board meeting the previous evening. Mark Jackson is keen to engage with supporters. The EFL are investigating the Bristol Rovers fixture. LW & JoN have been in contact with Andy Standen regarding some of the concerns raised.
CLOSE MEETING AND SET DATE FOR NEXT MEETING
There being no other business the meeting was closed at 8.56pm. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 8TH March 2023 at 7.30pm.
Signed on this day as a true record ………………………………………………………………………………………….
Chairman ………………………………………………………………… Franco Volpe
Secretary……………………………………………………………………Louise Walsh
