NEW British Speedway chairman Alex Harkess has hailed the lack of rule changes at the sport's annual conference.

Edinburgh chief Harkess admits he is proud to be handed the role of chairman in succession to Peter Toogood.

The annual meeting saw all nine Elite League clubs declare themselves as members for 2010 with a points ceiling of 40.95.

And the Premier League could be about to welcome a new club after an application was accepted by the members with a points limit of 42.50.

Harkess said: "It's not that exciting that we have left things as they are, but I believe it can only be a good thing for the sport.

"This AGM has seen the biggest change to the top table (management committee) I have known in my 20-years in this sport.

"I would initially like to pay tribute to those people who have stood aside and thank them for their hard work down the years, Terry Russell, Peter Toogood and Chris Van Straaten.

"And I am very enthusiastic about the new members of the management committee, I would like to formally welcome Matt (Ford), Jonathan (Chapman) and Jon (Cook). We all have a desire to see this great sport go from strength-to-strength.

"We have enjoyed positive discussions on the way forward for British Speedway and there are already plans in the pipeline to discuss for 2011, not just next year.

"I'd like to thank supporters for their wonderful support of British Speedway throughout this year and look forward to an exciting 2010."

Other decisions made at the conference included that in the play-offs next year, the sides finishing first and second in the league will get no points advantage in the play-off semi-finals.

In the season just gone Swindon had an eight-point head start over Coventry in their last four clash while Wolverhampton had a four-point head start over Lakeside.

Also, the team that finishes top of the Elite League in 2010 will be able to pick the second-placed side as play-off opponents if they wish.

In 2009, Swindon only had the choice of Lakeside or Coventry as semi-final opponents, who finished in third and fourth respectively.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that Swindon will face Peterborough in the second round of the Knockout Cup in 2010. Robins have a bye in the first round.