PACKED WITH ITEMS OF INTEREST

Lincs Cricket Latest has been known to throw a little criticism the ECB's way when we feel it merited, and we've gone on record as stating, quite openly, that we did not hesitate to vote against the "take over" of the previously independent governing body of umpires (ACU&S) and the formation of the ECB's own organisation, the Association of Cricket Officials (ACO).
However, credit where credit's due. After something of a slow start, the glossy and colourful newsletter produced by the ACO has now turned into something well worth reading. Indeed, the 20-page September issue (number six), just received through the post, is full of interest, almost from cover to cover (no cricketing pun intended!).
This issue reveals that, at long last, the ACO is to start addressing the thorny topic of standard expenses for umpires in leagues across the country, rather than the current system where local associations/branches merely ask the leagues in question for a quid or two more each year which is generally approved without comment through a sort of gentlemen's agreement.
In our opinion, this should have been Item One on the agenda when the ACO was established.
It's certainly not going to prove an easy task for them. In our part of Lincolnshire, for example, umpires receive a 'flat' expenses fee for officiating in the Lincs League (Saturdays) and the North Lindsey, on Sundays. However, in many other, or even most, areas of Britain there's a fee PLUS mileage; 30p per mile is quoted by the ACO Senior Executive Officer as a "reasonable figure" while in Devon their equivalent of our Lincs League pays 21p per mile.
We know of one league not far from our county boundaries where umpires' expenses are considerably higher than what's paid in Lincs.
ACO officials nationally are now asking members/associations for their comments and suggestions on the issue of expenses. They seem determined to take some positive action during the close season.
It's highly unlikely anything will be drawn up to affect the 2011 season, so we are likely to see the three associations in the north of the county being asked to suggest levels of expenses to be paid by clubs in our leagues.
However, for 2012 it could be the ACO will have drawn up its own standard set of expenses to apply in the UK.
They will, of course, need to consider local issues. In rural counties, like ours, the distance between clubs (and mileage involved for umpires) can be great, compared to leagues in heavily-populated areas with large towns and cities.
Meanwhile, the ACO says a number of league chairmen have asked if a "simple table" can be published showing what the premier leagues pay "so they can make some informed decisions." The ACO says it will do this as soon as possible.
We presume the reference to Premier League, in this context, means ECB Premier Leagues and not competitions like the Lincolnshire League's Premier Division.