Bowls England Board approves a new Public Affairs strategy, investment plan and changes to competitions entry fees

26th July, 2024

In a wide-ranging meeting in June, the Board discussed a range of topics including safeguarding, financial investments, governance, competitions pricing and public affairs.

Independent Director and DCMS employee, James Wurr, presented a Public Affairs strategy, which was well received by the Board.  The aim of the strategy would be to better place the value of bowls in the minds of public decision-makers and influence positive change.  The aim would be to see more favourable support for bowls whether it be from central funding, or local authority backing for grassroots bowls clubs.  The strategy includes creating a messaging document, developing an engagement plan of relevant individuals and exploring setting up an All-Parliamentary Party Group for bowls.  We will guide county associations and affiliated bowls clubs in the way they can get involved at a local community level.

Over recent meetings, the board have been discussing an investment strategy in order for Bowls England’s reserves to work harder than they do in our existing bank accounts.  After receiving cash-flow information, the Board approved investing £150k in a low-risk General Investment fund, managed by Insight Financial Associates, which is projected to deliver a return of £5k more than the current bank interest.

Following the review of our national competitions programme and resolutions passed at the 2024 AGM, the Bowls England Board has decided that it is the right time to make some changes to the pricing structure of our national competitions.  This will allow us to reinvest back into delivering the objectives outlined in the competitions review such as elevating the Blue Riband events, increasing support to regional performance pathway events and ensure we cover increasing costs, for example our payment to the English Bowling Umpires Association.  The Championships entry fee, which has not changed since Bowls England’s inception, will increase from £2.50 to £4.00, whilst Junior and inter-county competitions will be free entry.  For more information on this decision, please see this separate article.

The recent work on safeguarding and target for all affiliated clubs to have safeguarding officer by 2025 was discussed.  Following the recent survey, measures were proposed to make it easier for clubs to secure safeguarding officers including clubs sharing safeguarding officers, safeguarding officers being non-members for example a local person who performs a safeguarding role elsewhere and county associations safeguarding officers supporting clubs temporarily.  The Board welcomed these developments and committed to closely monitor over the coming months.  Critical to a governing body role and sport in modern society, the Board reaffirmed the importance of providing support to clubs on this journey.

The Board also approved three more Terms of Reference for committees, consistent with Sport England’s code of governance, and all which report to the Bowls England Board.  These are –

  • Audit Committee – this committee will meet annually to discuss the end of year accounts and audit, as part of an overall responsibility to ensure financial management and internal controls, accounting policies and robust financial reporting. This is an evolution of the work currently undertaken between the Chair and Finance Director. See the Audit Committee Terms of Reference here.
  • Renumeration and HR Committee – this will meet annually to support the Board in its responsibilities for issues of remuneration and HR. It will discuss remuneration strategy including the salary or honorarium of those in leadership positions including the Chief Executive. see the Renumeration and HR Committee Terms of Reference here.
  • Governance and Risk Committee – this will ensure the Bowls England executive team are effectively managing governance activity of the organisation to ensure its policies and procedures are fit for purpose and not placing unreasonable risk on the company. It is tasked to strategically review Bowls England’s governance, so it meets all the appropriate expectations of its stakeholders.  This committee will not come into force until the Governance Working Party has concluded its work. See the Governance and Risk Committee Terms of Reference here.

It is also important to report that we have received a letter from Buckingham Palace advising that His Royal Highness King Charles III will not be taking on the Patronage of Bowls England at this time.  With the volume of patronages that Her Late Majesty the Queen enjoyed, unfortunately the King was unable to take them all forward.  The Board will discuss its approach to its Patron role in due course.

Finally, we continue to wait on an outcome in relation to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.  The Commonwealth Games Federation are continuing to explore options.  Bowls England is working closely with World Bowls and Commonwealth Games England to ensure the best possible outcome for bowls.

The full minutes of the meeting can be found here.

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