Norwich City Football Club
Supporters Consultative Group
Minutes of meeting on April 14, 2009

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Kevin Spratling, Peter Steward, Jonathan Whitwood, Roy Blower and Richard Bland.

Richard Martin has been seconded to Australia for the next year so is not able to attend the group for the foreseeable future. However, he will retain his commitment to the Canaries Worldwide group and Capital Canaries.

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MARCH 9, 2009

The minutes were agreed.

Protocol about guests attending SCG meetings was discussed.

3. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The group conducted a moment's silence to reflect upon and mark the Hillsborough anniversary.

R. Gough asked to meet with members of the Pricing Working Group after this meeting had ended.

4. FUTURE OF SCG

J. Ferrari introduced an SCG proposal conducted after feedback received from members. A total of 14 supporter members were contacted ahead of this meeting for their views on the group, its format and that of the working groups.

Regarding the working groups there was general consensus that a streamlining was required - reviewing the objectives of each group, keeping those that work, disbanding that those that don't, perhaps looking at creating new ones that are task focussed. It was felt there were tangible achievements through the work of these groups and a debate took place as to whether confidential information was required within these groups to make important decisions e.g. on pricing policy.

J. Woodrow added that the Communications group had changed from its original focus - it being initially created to discuss how to publicise the work of the SCG and improve communication about it. But it has now and probably correctly moved into how the Club does and should communicate with its supporters. Perhaps it requires clear topics/objectives on issues such as the website, programme, season ticket mailer.

He said he felt that the Image and Identity group still had some work to do but certainly some clearer objectives were required, perhaps focussing on specific items such as signage. Groups should have the time to evolve once terms have been established.

R. Munby asked if more accountability was required on the working group chairmen to make sure they are keeping to their objectives and are meeting regularly. T. Cockburn replied that surely if it hasn't mattered that meetings have been missed or reports given then the working group doesn't matter.

A. Palmer added that some groups weren't always required to be active all of the time and could be dormant unless the need emerged with specific objectives. This worked well with the Pricing Working Group.

The discussion moved on to the proposal to increase the number of supporter forums - committing the Club board to further interaction with supporters over and above the four annual opportunities already organised every season.

T. Cockburn felt that consultation gave the Club the opportunity to see different views on subjects, but that at this moment in time the SCG and the publicity recently generated by it had proved detrimental and counter-productive to the Club's brand - and therefore if it's harming the Club to work this way perhaps something new is required.

J. Tilson added that the name Supporters' Consultative Group doesn't help and raises questions about what the group is - the name hasn't changed since the creation of the group back in 1996.

It was agreed that the key issue for the future of the group surrounded the inclusion of strategic/football related topics on the agenda.

D. Hawley replied that he was unsure if more supporter forums would provide the feedback the Club was looking for - there was potential for them to be bland and possibly Norwich focussed. J. Ferrari responded that there would be continued commitment to at least two non-Norwich located forums as there is currently via the Meet the Board events.

M. Burchett asked what the role of the SCG was to the Board. N. Doncaster replied that the group represents the Boards' basic and firmly held principle of consultation, but that those conducting the day-to-day running of the Club understood its role best because of their direct work with the SCG.

Also discussed was the election and regular churn of membership and the possibility of continued refreshment of group membership versus the loss of valuable experience. The introduction of additional forums would allow a wider number of supporters to be consulted and have their opinions heard.

T. Cockburn felt the Club needed to decide on what it wished to consult upon and how and then be robust about it. It was a sign of strong leadership - decide on principles and stick to them.

L. Quattromini had concerns about the portrayal of the openness of the group, especially after the Cullum briefing last year. She was unhappy about the way the group and individuals within it were 'vilified' after the meeting and felt strongly that such sensitive topics were not the remit of the group.

J. Tilson agreed saying some members were made to feel uncomfortable by the meeting and that either all fans or none should be told about particular matters.

N. Doncaster understood the concerns over that meeting but felt that it remained in the Club's best interests to consult directly with supporters over key issues for the future of the Club.

R. Munby added that it was the case that there was such a place for strategic meetings and 'talking shops' to air more confidential discussions.

There was some concern over the publicity of such meetings and why it was the case that a particular band of supporters with no accountability should have this privilege over others and the possibility of helping shape policy. There was contrary opinion that executives should have the ability to consult with individual supporters on policy if it helped the Club.

S. Matthews felt that recently the group's focus had moved away from the practical work of the working groups to debate more football/strategic topics - perhaps it should revert back to focussing on working party issues.

It was noted that the group was not presented with the season ticket renewal presentation this time. R. Gough explained this was an example of where it could be argued that particular supporters were in a position to get privileged information over others.

R. Emery asked J. Ferrari if the proposal of change was a form of control over the brand and perception of the Club in the media. J. Ferrari replied that although this was indeed part of his job to protect the Club's image as Head of Media, it was more of an issue as to how appropriate it was for a numerically tiny proportion of the Club's fanbase having 'privileged' access to information.

It was agreed that football matters should be removed from SCG agendas.

T.Cockburn left the meeting at this stage.

M. Burchett wondered if the group should be more offensive rather than defensive in promoting the work that it does to provide a better understanding.

J. Ferrari replied that work had been done last year by the Communications working party to increase the SCG's profile with publicity on the Club's website - this unfortunately coincided with the negative publicity generated by the Cullum meeting. He added that the world has changed since the SCG's creation, in particular the way that supporters communicate - the increase in internet and email communication resulting in hundreds of electronic messages including opinions and feedback being put to Club executives each year. This is in itself an extensive and growing form of consultation open to most of the fanbase.

R. Munby wondered if focus groups on particular topics could potentially be of value.

K. Platt felt the Club should increase the number of forums with then one or two main SCG meetings to update on the working parties and to make sure they are working effectively and perhaps to discuss any burning issues of the time.

The Club executives will have a discussion internally ahead of the next SCG meeting.

Regarding the forums - it was suggested that an agenda could be produced allowing specific topics to be discussed, hopefully benefiting the Club, e.g. standing in the Lower Barclay, as well as giving supporters the ability to submit questions in advance and opening questioning on the night to football matters.

J. Ferrari to take forward the evening's discussions and put a final proposal together to be ratified at next meeting.

5. NEXT MEETING

To be confirmed.