Community amateur sport clubs

[Landrover]

Just out of interest does anyone know if CASC clubs need to publish their accounts ? A local club owes us some money for some work we did (fencing) and are saying they cannot afford to pay us, despite them getting several grants in the last few years including one to pay for this work and a very large active membership. We did the work against our better judgement and I suspected that this would be the case, its 18months since the original invoice was sent and have sent a follow up every 2 months since. I think they expect us to write it off and they secretary even implied in an email that if we went down the legal route to recover the money they would go to the local press with "hard up sports club being ripped off by rich farmer" type story's ! Any advice appreciated ! I really just want to see their accounts because if they really can't afford it we could come to an arrangement !

 

[JLLM]

Have you spoken to the Chairman the President or any other official ?
If they have social media I would be tempted to start asking polite questions on there.

 

[An Gof]

Just out of interest does anyone know if CASC clubs need to publish their accounts ? A local club owes us some money for some work we did (fencing) and are saying they cannot afford to pay us, despite them getting several grants in the last few years including one to pay for this work and a very large active membership. We did the work against our better judgement and I suspected that this would be the case, its 18months since the original invoice was sent and have sent a follow up every 2 months since. I think they expect us to write it off and they secretary even implied in an email that if we went down the legal route to recover the money they would go to the local press with "hard up sports club being ripped off by rich farmer" type story's ! Any advice appreciated ! I really just want to see their accounts because if they really can't afford it we could come to an arrangement !

If they entered into an agreement for the work in the knowledge that they could not afford to pay for it that is tantamount to fraud.
In a Buisness the question as to whether they were a going concern would be asked.
Can you ask a member for a copy of their annual accounts? I take it that they would be presented at each annual AGM.

 

[PSQ]

If the cheeky chap actually said he’d go to the press suggesting you were ripping him off, then why haven’t you ripped the fence out (just be very discreet) by now?

If the press or police arrive at your door then mention the invoice, 18 months leeway, 9 reminders, and preferably record and play them the next phone call when he tries to threaten you.

This is also why invoices have “All goods remain the property of @Landrover until fully paid for” on them.

 

[Mc115reed]

How much money are we talking here? In the thousands or a couple hundred?

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Trial by social media is not a good thing, it opens up to all sorts if accusations.
I would draft a carefully worded letter outlining what you agreed to do and what they agreed to pay and make sure every board member gets a copy .
The fact they imply your a 'rich farmer ripping of a sports club ' is just nonsense..... do they say the same for their electric bill etc etc .

Unfortunately this situation is happening time and time again .

 

[Landrover]

How much money are we talking here? In the thousands or a couple hundred?

A few hundred in materials and a similar in labour, my issue is that they have a lot of members who are plumbers, sparks etc so when jobs like that need done it's always free, and I suspect they expected the same from me, I have even offered to them if they square me up for the materials I would forget about the labour. It's not a money thing its the fact they got a grant to pay for the work and then refuse to pay me ! The chairman is the secretarys husband so no good trying him ! I was ready to forget about it if I hadn't had the message from the secretary about contacting the press ! I know the guy that sorts there mowers etc and he is always paid on the dot, they are not short of money ! I think it's more an attitude thing by them, thinking that I should just do it for nothing like some of their members do !

 

[An Gof]

A few hundred in materials and a similar in labour, my issue is that they have a lot of members who are plumbers, sparks etc so when jobs like that need done it's always free, and I suspect they expected the same from me, I have even offered to them if they square me up for the materials I would forget about the labour. It's not a money thing its the fact they got a grant to pay for the work and then refuse to pay me ! The chairman is the secretarys husband so no good trying him ! I was ready to forget about it if I hadn't had the message from the secretary about contacting the press ! I know the guy that sorts there mowers etc and he is always paid on the dot, they are not short of money ! I think it's more an attitude thing by them, thinking that I should just do it for nothing like some of their members do !

In view of what you have said insist on full payment, labour and materials

 

[An Gof]

I am sure the grant awarding authority would be interested to hear that the money awarded to pay for the fencing was not being used for the purpose it was granted for.

 

[Goweresque]

Unless the club is a limited company it won't have any requirement to post accounts anywhere public. On the other hand accounts would have to be made available to members at the AGM, so either find a member who will get them for you, or join the club yourself (or get someone to do it for you on the quiet).

Also as mentioned above, it might make sense to ask the body who gave the grant to put some pressure on, especially if you have an email from the club refusing to pay you.

 

[Landrover]

Unless the club is a limited company it won't have any requirement to post accounts anywhere public. On the other hand accounts would have to be made available to members at the AGM, so either find a member who will get them for you, or join the club yourself (or get someone to do it for you on the quiet).

Also as mentioned above, it might make sense to ask the body who gave the grant to put some pressure on, especially if you have an email from the club refusing to pay you.

I will drop the grant people an email tomorrow and that should sort it ! I never thought of doing that !

 

[Mc115reed]

A few hundred in materials and a similar in labour, my issue is that they have a lot of members who are plumbers, sparks etc so when jobs like that need done it's always free, and I suspect they expected the same from me, I have even offered to them if they square me up for the materials I would forget about the labour. It's not a money thing its the fact they got a grant to pay for the work and then refuse to pay me ! The chairman is the secretarys husband so no good trying him ! I was ready to forget about it if I hadn't had the message from the secretary about contacting the press ! I know the guy that sorts there mowers etc and he is always paid on the dot, they are not short of money ! I think it's more an attitude thing by them, thinking that I should just do it for nothing like some of their members do !

Yeah not going too ruin you but like you say the principle counts.. I’d not strain myself chasing it but I’d not let it lie either

 

[MRT]

Just out of interest does anyone know if CASC clubs need to publish their accounts ? A local club owes us some money for some work we did (fencing) and are saying they cannot afford to pay us, despite them getting several grants in the last few years including one to pay for this work and a very large active membership. We did the work against our better judgement and I suspected that this would be the case, its 18months since the original invoice was sent and have sent a follow up every 2 months since. I think they expect us to write it off and they secretary even implied in an email that if we went down the legal route to recover the money they would go to the local press with "hard up sports club being ripped off by rich farmer" type story's ! Any advice appreciated ! I really just want to see their accounts because if they really can't afford it we could come to an arrangement !

I wouldn't take that, send them an email back, local charity threaten struggling small farmer with the press to steal labour and materials. Pay up or small claims court. Contact who they got the grant from and charity commission if applicable. It is fraud.

 

[sheep boy 3000]

Not being owed money but had a similar issue with a club creating problems. Despite being the most affected by their actions the attitude was closer to "stand aside you pessant, all our members are wonderfull people".
The animal welfare issues they created would see any of us in jail but as they were a club they thought they could do what they liked.
I can be beyond crabbit if someone tries to tell me what to do, on my ground!
This problem has been resolved now, permanently.

 

[puppet]

I will drop the grant people an email tomorrow and that should sort it ! I never thought of doing that !

Had some experience from the other side applying for grants. The grant body will insist on a report and invoices to show how their money has been spent.
If the club has not done that then the grant may have to be repaid or using it for other purposes would be fraud.
Chairman and secy as spouses is poor governance. Are other members of the committee aware of the situation. I would contact them first as your email will certainly stir things up but maybe they deserve it.

 

[nivilla1982]

I thought with some of these grants for community groups or sports clubs the funding body usually did an inspection of the work done. Examined bank statements and other paper work etc to see contractors have been paid.
Certainly the case with some community organisations I have been involved in. The grant bodies were like hawks examining everything.

Also usually during the application process for some of these grants there usually has to be case to demonstrate that they (applicant) can pay for the works intended etc.

 

[Roger Perry]

If accepting a written bid its' common practice here (Colorado) to pay 50% down with balance on completion.
If your client had signed the bid and cut a check at the outset it would maybe not come to present situation, plus you would be holding proof of contract. Just a thought.!