Present: Tom Rowell (TR), Joe Clutterbrook (JC), Ann Holland (AH), Dan Clarke (DC), Julie Alderman (JA), Chris Wilde (CW), Barbara Wilkinson (BW), Kathryn Townsley (KT), Steven Pye (SP)
Absent: Tony Munzer, Kate Leeming, John Sherman, Joanne Warrington, North Stand Member, Richard Campion

1. Matters arising from the last meeting
TR welcomed everyone to the meeting, with DC stating which members were absent.
Actions taken from the last meeting:

1. Issue in relation to the cleanliness of the W5 toilets.
AH confirms these have been cleaned.
2. Introduction of mirrors and hot water in the Ladies toilets.
AH states that this has been passed onto the SMC.
3. Dripping roof over the West Stand, Row Z.
AH added that this has been brought to the SMC and that they will be bringing someone in for work on the Stadium roof.
BW mentions that she has also heard complaints of this issue in Block W7.
Action: AH will look into the issue
4. The production of the evacuation procedure onto the Club Website.
TR confirms that the evacuation procedure will be positioned on the Club website and also considering using posters to inform supporters of the procedure around the stadium.
CW mentioned that the PA in the East Stand is very quiet and would this effect the evacuation procedure being communicated to supporters.
TR states that the quality of the PA system is still being looked into however there is a separate PA system which is used for emergency situations which covers the entirety of the stadium structure.
2. Matchday Experience
TR opened the floor for any feedback on the matchday experience this season, especially the new Family Zone (South Stand).
CW stated that his child has enjoyed the experience in the concourse this season (e.g. face painters and the WWF experience). However, felt that it would be good to start mixing the activities up to prevent some getting stale.
TR stated he has been happy with the feedback that the Club has received in relation to matchday experience this season. Also is conscious to spread activities across the stadium and not just in the Family Zone.
BW mentioned that she feels that the crossbar challenge is getting repetitive and could the Club think of different entertainment for half time?
TR added that different half time entertainment is being thought of, with Club Partners being considered to provide variety.
BW brought up that with it becoming increasingly dark after fixtures, it has been mentioned that West Park has numerous faulty pedestrian lights and this has worried many of who she represents.
Action – TR to look into the issue
SP remarks if the Club could do more to entice supporters in the ground early as to prevent large queues before kick-off.
TR and JC both mention that last season the Club tried numerous promotions to do this (e.g. Discounted beer and food). However, this didn’t seem to get a significant take up from supporters.
JA and BW both mention that entry queues to the Stadium have improved this season.
JA states that she would like to bring up the poor quality of bag searches by security around the stadium.
TR mentions that security around the ground on matchday will continue to be increased. In relation to bag searches, it may be the case of not allowing any bags into the stadium (which is the case at many grounds).
JA understood the need for the increase in security and feels it should be done properly or none at all.
TR further emphasises that security is going to be noticeably increased with sniffer dogs being visual around the ground and also the checking of cars going into the Stadium bowl area.
CW states that he is surprised this hasn’t happened before, as he has seen this scale of security at other grounds he has visited.
JA brought up the Open Day which occurred in the summer, stating that the event was great however the lack of food was disappointing.
TR acknowledged that the Club underestimated the turnout for the Open Day. He felt it was a success and definitely will be done again by the Club however will take into account the previous turnout and staff accordingly.
BW reported a disturbance in the South Stand, where a gentleman was continuously standing and behaving unacceptably.
TR states if this ever occurs again please report this to the nearest steward so disturbances such as this can be prevented.
KT added that often in the North Stand, there is an issue with pigeon excrement on seats.
JC states that the Club are aware of this issue and notify Stadium Operations most weeks in an attempt to prevent this problem.
TR follows that by mentioning that the Stadium is currently out to tender for a new cleaning contractor and hopefully this should rectify issues such as this.
SP asks if the Club is now taking card payments on the concourse.
TR answers that card payments are not currently being taken on the concourse however is in the process of being set up.

3. Cashless Stadium
TR mentions that the idea of a Cashless stadium has been mentioned, with only card and electronic payments being accepted in the concourse. He was keen to get feedback, as he had his own reservations with the policy.
BW, JA and KT all mention that they feel elderly supporters will struggle in relation to the technology aspect of this policy.
TR stated he felt similar and the current idea would be to trial ‘card only’ tills to see if that starts reducing queues and work from there.
JA queried if it would be possible to load money onto Membership cards in the future.
TR answered that it is possible and that numerous sporting teams do run a system similar. However, being realistic, that would be 2 years down the line.
BW questioned why there is no place at the stadium on matchday to pay for a ticket with cash.
AH answered that this was possible, with tickets being able to be purchased at the Tiger Leisure store via cash however there is a matchday charge.
SP stated that he still felt that doesn’t attract supporter walk up on matchday.
TR agreed with the statement however mentions that the aim is to guide supporters to the use of the Ticket Zone which has no matchday charge. Also the implementation of a mobile app (where you could purchase, download and scan your ticket) would also make it easier for supporters to purchase tickets on matchday. This is in development, potentially in time for the 2018/19 season.
BW brought up the fact that many of her supporters group feel like they are being punished by buying away tickets early, with often better seats becoming available later on.
TR understood the frustration but due to the opposition controlling which tickets can be sold first, this is out of the Club’s hands but we will always endeavour to help in any way we can.
BW also mentioned that a regular issue she hears from her Members is that of persistent standing during away games.
TR mentioned that stewarding is solely on the home team however understands that it’s very frustrating. Specific issues in relation to the ticketing of away games please get in touch, so we can inform the other team. Also mentioned that he was happy in general with the number of away followers and hopes to have a large following for our trip to Sheffield United.
TR updates the Committee that due to the disturbance during the Birmingham home fixture, some home Members have had their Memberships removed/suspended. Also, the Club has notified Birmingham of individuals who caused disturbance at the fixture.
CW queried if the stewards were undermanned, as it felt like it took a while for police to intervene in the situation.
TR states that the match was well manned however Police numbers were reduced for a period due to some Birmingham fans having to be escorted back to the train station prior to the game.
BW stated that she felt the removal of Radio Humberside from live commentary of the Clubs fixtures was a large mistake. As she felt the quality of coverage was of a better standard compared to what is currently being produced by Viking FM.
JA and CW both agree and feel saddened that Radio Humberside does not have live commentary of the Clubs fixtures.
TR comments that they have had some negative feedback on the quality of Vikings radio coverage. However, they have been some positive comments where fans have preferred the Viking coverage. TR reiterates that the Club is feeding this back to Viking, as both parties want the coverage to be of a great quality. The aim is to have a consistent set of presenters which will improve the coverage.
JA enquired what the reason was for Radio Humberside to be removed from the Clubs live commentary.
TR said this was covered at the time both from a Club perspective but also by Martyn Weston the Editor of BBC Radio Humberside. There were particular comments made by BBC presenters which the Club believed had broken the BBC’s editorial guidelines. This was raised with MW and there was an attempt to reconcile, regrettably this was not successful and the contract was ended. TR reminded attendees that this is a separate commercial contract and all BBC central obligations are being fulfilled and in some instances exceeded to the favour of Radio Humberside.
CW asked if this situation could be readdressed in the future as he feels the current situation is poor for both parties.
TR and JC answered that the situation isn’t irreparable and that the Viking contract is only for this current season. The position will be reviewed in the summer, with the Club having numerous options in relation to commentary.
4. Hall of Fame
TR informs the Committee that the Hall of Fame will be launched on the 1st February 2018, with 5 members being inducted at the first event. All profits from the event will be donated to WWF, with tickets to the event being available for supporters. The event is a significant effort to celebrate the history of the Club and its ex-players.
SP comments that it’s great that the Club is introducing the Hall of Fame and appreciates the added fan communication that has gone alongside this. However, would like to see the Clubs name used in relation to the Hall of Fame.
TR stated that the focus on the event should be on celebrating the Clubs heroes and long history. There will be a huge amount of recognition for all periods of the Club on the night, with no era’s, players or incarnations ignored. There will be over 25 prominent ex-players and managers in attendance which is the core of the event. VIP tickets had sold out in 4 days and we are very confident the remaining general sale tickets will also prove popular. The focus is on the history and players who have made the Club what it is, this will be the largest gathering of ex-players and managers in memory and a great opportunity for supporters to meet their heroes and raise money for charity.
5. Tigers Rewards
TR states that Tigers Rewards points were close to being launched, with points being backdated to the start of the season. Also, confirms that points for purchases in the Retail department has been working as normal since the summer.
BW questioned what date the Rewards points will be back dated too in terms of the season.
TR and DC both state points will be calculated from the start of the season (prior to Aston Villa away), so all Members will be allocated points for their ticketing transactions this season.
TR queried how the Committee have used the Tigers Rewards discounts available at local businesses, as the Club hope to expand this going forward.
SP had seen the email to Members however feels the Club can be more proactive with advertising these discounts to Members.
TR welcomed the feedback and stated he hoped this would be seen as a tangible added benefit of the Membership scheme which the Club has worked hard to add.
6. Any Other Business
BW enquires if the Club is looking into trialling rail seats at the stadium?
TR answers that until the legislation changes, the Club doesn’t have a stance on safe standing.
BW queried why the stadium was built without escalators.
TR answered that to his knowledge, not many modern stadiums have escalators in non-corporate areas.
BW mentioned that some of her groups members, tried to access Walton Street car park for the a OSC meeting at the stadium and they had found it locked.
TR informed that the Club does not control Walton Street car park on non-matchdays.
CW mentioned that in South Stand (Family Zone) that there was only one baby changing room and could the Club consider providing another additional changing facility.
Action – TR to look into issue
SP mentioned that the Clubs social media accounts aren’t all under the same Club name, is the Club still looking into making all these accounts synchronised.
TR states that the Club are also unhappy with the inconsistencies and are looking to have a unified name across these channels.
SP asked how likely one of the owners would attend one of these meetings.
TR commented that it is still likely that the Vice-Chairman would attend a Supporters Committee meeting. To give him the most chance of attending the next meeting, he suggests pushing the date to February.
KT asked if she could receive the meeting’s agenda for the next meeting earlier as so she can have more time to collate feedback from her members.
TR understood that the agenda needs to be released earlier, especially for committee members which are representing a group. DC mentioned that if any member of the committee had any agenda items which they wanted to bring up at a meeting, they can contact him at any point.
TR states to the Committee that the upcoming Ipswich fixture will be the Clubs remembrance fixture, with the Royal British Legion attending and the teams match worn shirts being auctioned off for The Royal British Legion.
TR informed the Committee that the WWF matchday was a success, with the Club raising over £12,000 for the charity. The Club and WWF are happy with the partnership so far and the Club are looking forward to further events and fundraising opportunities with the charity.
Closure of Meeting
TR thanked everyone for their time and confirmed that the date for the next meeting will be released to Members closer to the time. The meeting was then closed.