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NOTES ON THE AGM WORKSHOP

The workshop preceding the AGM was well attended by group representatives. It comprised
four presentations and discussions. These Powerpoint presentations have since been
distributed to groups and are also available to download on the website. This note briefly
summarises the main points that arose in some lively and positive discussions.
The New Age Records System
Jon Fairclough gave a presentation of the new system that covers both national and group age
records. He explained that the system includes a powerful ‘calculation engine’ that can
automatically determine the status of a record claim that is entered; e.g. group record, national
record, beaten record. There are also helpful search facilities for records. A key benefit is that
records can now be entered and viewed during the season rather than waiting for end of year
publication. Those groups who do not currently keep age records were invited to contact Jon if
they would like help in establishing their own group records now that we have a system that
makes this much easier to manage and properly integrates national and group records.
A Way Forward For Season Long Competitions
Andrew Simpkins presented a proposal for us to access and utilise results on the CTT site to
automate the claims and calculation of our season long competitions and provide in season
status reports on the three competitions. He then explained the need for us to raise additional
funds to pay for the development given the current position of national funds and the
investment already made in the website.
The proposal was well received and seen as a major enhancement to how we currently operate
these competitions. The need to raise funds was accepted and a number of ideas were
discussed, with a general willingness to explore how both groups and individual members might
contribute. The Chairman agreed to follow up these suggestions and to communicate further
with groups on a way forward.
Investigation into Proportional Standards
Geoff Perry reported on the NEC’s investigation into Proportional Standards, which was
proposed at the 2019 AGM. Geoff explained the basis of this approach and the analysis that had
been carried out using results from a number of recent championships and the impact on both
men and women’s standings. Somewhat surprisingly, using the different formula of
Proportional Standards it had been found to have only a marginal impact on results with very
few changes, for example in the podium positions in championships. Proportional standards
would be more complex to administer and would require a spreadsheet to perform the
calculations. The conclusion was that Proportional Standards would not make such a significant
difference that would justify their additional complexity to administer and the need to agree
their implementation at an AGM.
Alternative Presentation of Results on Standard
Geoff also gave a response to the letter by ‘Rudyard Ryder’ in the December edition of The
Veteran. The letter proposed an alternative presentation of a result on standard, which instead
of showing the plus would use the plus to produce an adjusted actual time for the rider. Geoff
explained this would effectively be like a handicap time and represent what the rider would
have been capable of at age 40. This approach was easily understandable and would be more
intelligible to newcomers to the VTTA. The general response was that it would be worth trying it
out at some events this year.

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