Wow! At last it is becoming clear what has been going on here. The fog has lifted.
Thanks BadLad, Bottlebank, Simon, etc. and Mat, for getting this out in the open. Also a big thumbs up for the UK Caving Forum, anyone who still thinks that this forum is irrelevant or doesn't have any influence should wake up and smell the coffee. Secrets don't work in the age of the web.
For me, the CNCC has now lost any remaining credibility that it had, and is therefore not fit to continue representing northern cavers.
Bottlebank makes some excellent suggestions, and it would certainly be good to get all this turned round into some positive, forward-looking changes. Over-the-counter permits from Bernies or Inglesport is a neat idea. Perhaps the two outlets should be bidding the privilege.
But the political crisis also needs resolving, it's almost impossible to see how the necessary changes (e.g. as proposed by Bottlebank) can happen with the current four committee members in place. Perhaps the only way forward now is for those four to resign, and maybe if Mat leads the way he will retain his own credibility and be able to play a key role in any future replacement. It's a radical suggestion I know, but it could be the best and fastest way out of this hole. Radical changes are sometimes necessary.
If the committee stood down, an interim working group would have to be established very quickly. May be the BCA could step in as an emergency measure (BCA Northern Region Working Group?), this is a crisis of national importance, so it would be appropriate. Alternatively, a group of representatives from the major clubs could step forward. May be even BadLad and/or Bottlebank would volunteer, they've both made very positive contributions so far.
I hope this does get sorted out properly and quickly, anarchy would be a bad thing, and we are on the brink of that now.