British Cycling will retain public funding after approving governance changes

British Cycling will retain £43m in public funding after its national council voted to approve proposed governance reforms at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) this weekend. The changes are needed to comply with the Code for Sports Governance, launched by UK Sport last year.

Earlier this month, the national governing body for table tennis rejected the government's standards and had its full £9m Sport England funding award suspended as a result.

Former chief executive of British Cycling Peter King warned that British Cycling could suffer a similar fate if members voted against the reforms. A 75 per cent majority was required to pass the changes.

Julie Harrington, Chief Executive Officer of British Cycling, said:

“Today, British Cycling’s National Council voted in favour of changes to our constitution in order to ensure that we are compliant with the Code for Sports Governance. Our membership also voted for an amendment to create the role of a director nominated by the English regions to go alongside those nominated by Scottish Cycling and Welsh Cycling. We have heard the concerns of our National Councillors and we will actively work with our membership to ensure that the voice of the enthusiast remains central to our purpose.

“Securing funding for elite and grassroots participation through these changes will enable us to inspire more people on to two wheels across communities the length of the country. Without secured funding we will not be able to share our love of the sport and enable others to try it. Our sport is growing and growing up. Today’s vote is the start of an exciting new chapter for British Cycling and our sport.”

The changes to be introduced include:

• The board being established as the ultimate decision making body for British Cycling
• The appointment of an independent chair by an open recruitment process
• National Council continuing to elect a president and a reduced number of Directors. It will preside over the Memorandum and Articles of Association and will act as a key consultative body for the board
• A re-structure of the board with an additional independent-appointed director and also directors nominated by Scottish Cycling, Welsh Cycling and English regions
• Board and national councillors being subject to limited terms