THE CITY OF WINCHESTER TRUST LIMITED
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2004
chairman's Report
This year members will notice a change in the format of the Annual Report. Now that we send out regular quarterly newsletters to report the activities of the Trust to members, this annual report will be confined mainly to comments on projects and activities for which budgetary provision was made during the financial year. Inevitably there are some items which did not reach completion and will be carried forward. In addition the report contains the necessary statutory disclosures.
This is also an opportunity to thank members who give so generously of their time and talents to further the work of the Trust. In October Roger Backhouse had to retire for health reasons and we thank him for all he did as Chairman for 2 years. I would also like to record special thanks to the three Vice-Chairmen who have contributed much wisdom and good advice in addition to tireless practical help.
Many one-off projects have been imdertaken during the year. Underpinning these, the Trust is dependent on the chairmen and members of committees who oversee the work of publicity, policy making, organizing the popular summer walks programme and raising funds with book and Christmas card sales. Dick Selwood has given valuable help in maintaining our website and in the field of Structure Plans and Local planning we are fortunate in having the advice of Harvey Cole. However, the most onerous and unrelenting task of all, scrutiny of all the development applications submitted in Winchester, is borne by Shione Carden. With the help of Mark Dodd and two volunteer panels, the planning office is visited weekly to inspect plans and then comments are submitted on behalf of the Trust. In the case of major or controversial applications, she also organizes presentations by the developers to a larger group of members. Finally, The Trust is indebted to our very efficient and capable Honorary Treasurer who has produced these accounts.
As our sole part-time employee, we are fortunate to have Rolly Thomas who, skilfully and with a wry sense of humour, keeps us all working to achieve the aims of the Trust.
As our activities and interests are concemed with Winchester and its setting, we are grateful to officers of the City Council who attend our meetings from time to time and are always willing to give us advice and respond to our enquiries. We are also grateful to Hampshire County Council for their continuing support, advice and grant.
Projects
Listed during the year to 31st March 2004:
- Following a presentation of the Draft Friarsgate/Broadway Brief to a meeting for Trust members, the Council submitted a full response. A Trust representative participated in selecting a Master Planner for the development
. - The Trust published a booklet on West Hill Cemetery “A Peaceful Place to Rest”
. - Work continued on preparation for publication of Andrew Rutter’s book on Winchester
. - The Trust published Neighbourhood Studies for St. Cross and Fulflood
. - Members continued to attend all meetings of Winchester District Local Plan Review and made appropriate comments, submitted objections to shopping policy, housing numbers, development at Bushfield and numbers proposed to trigger Barton Farm development
. - The Trust contested interpretation of Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 in Winchester; published a reasoned argument in support and achieved a change in the Revised Local Plan to require Neighbourhood Design Statements and Planning Briefs to be produced as Supplementary Planning Guidance
. - The Trust contributed a sum to the Excavations Committee for publication of a further volume
. - The Trust contributed to Hyde Abbey Garden Fund
. - The Trust planted a tree on St. Giles’ Hill to commemorate Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee
. - Trust members participated in the establishment of the Solent Architecture Centre
. - Negotiations continued for restoration of Eastgate Street Railings - not yet completed
. - Welcomed the action by the County Council to install at lntech Roger Brown’s Model of Winchester
. - Invitations to participate in Trust 2004 Awards were sent out
. - Information on the website was updated regularly.
Activities
Listed during the year to March 31st 2004:
- Development Control - weekly monitoring of planning applications in Winchester
. - Summer Walks
. - Comments on schemes for Romsey Road, Jewry Street and landscaping of Station precinct
. - In May, new members were invited to the Heritage Centre to see an exhibition of the work of the Trust
. - Members of the Chichester Conservation Advisory Committee visited the Heritage Centre to exchange views and experiences
. - Visitors from Bournemouth Civic Society visited the Heritage Centre
. - The Trust participated in City Council's review of the planning committee system
. - Trust members attended the Civic Trust AGM as well as Civic Tmst South East Region AGM and a meeting of Civic Trust S.E. Region at Windsor on “The Future of our Historic Towns”, and a Design Seminar organized by The Portsmouth Society
. - Three members met Ken Thomber, the Leader of Hampshire County Council, to discuss matters of mutual interest, including various proposals for a new library complex
. - Members also met Simon Eden, Chief Executive of WCC, Robin Cooper, newly appointed Director of Development Services and Steve Tilbury, Director of Commtmity Services - the latter to discuss options for using the Bapsy bequest and housing the Dannatt collection
. - The Trust was represented at an Audit Commission meeting to evaluate WCC Planning Service
. - A Trust member attended a seminar on “Streetscape” organized by the Civic Trust
. - Two book sales were held and Christmas cards were sold at the Charity shop.
Plans for the future
- To pursue with local authorities and others the ‘Vision’ for the future of Winchester and its implementation
. - To seek Historic City status for Winchester
. - To encourage all concemed to improve streetscape and signage in the City
. - To encourage the involvement of more members in the work of the Trust so that additional projects can be undertaken
. - To improve communication with the public
. - To continue to negotiate for the housing of Roger Brown’s Model in Winchester.
CONSTITUTION
The City of Winchester Trust Ltd. (The Trust) was founded in 1957 and incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 1958. As such it has no share capital. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, which was last amended in 2000. The Trust is registered as Company number 609812 and Charity Number 251798.
THE OBJECTS OF THE TRUST
The Trust's objects are fully described in the Memorandum of Association. They can be summarised as follows:
To seek to conserve the character of the City of Winchester and its surrounding area by:
- Preserving and protecting its buildings, spaces and artefacts;
- Sponsoring and encouraging new building, redevelopment, landscaping and conservation in accordance with the highest architectural standards;
- Promoting awareness of the above.
ORGANISATION
The Council has responsibility for the management and control of the Trust. However certain financial functions are delegated to the Finance and Resources Committee, and other panels and groups are formed and their leaders appointed by Council for specific purposes, projects and continuing activities. Council members are elected for three years at the Annual General Meeting but may stand for re-election at the end of their term.
Council members act as trustees of the charity and directors of the company limited by guarantee.
INVESTMENT POWERS AND POLICIES
The investment powers of the Council are given by the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Property investment is either used for charitable purposes or to produce income to fulfil those charitable purposes. This means that the Heritage Centre is used for the operation of the Trust, and the two small flats are let to provide income for the Trust because membership subscriptions alone would not generate enough income to enable the Trust to carry out all its projects and activities.
Monetary investments are invested in listed investments. The policy applicable to equity-based investment is designed to produce income while seeking capital growth and longer-term security for the Trust’s investments. The policy applicable to fixed interest and variable interest investment is to produce the greatest income whilst ensuring that there is no loss of capital. Monetary investments are managed by an independent advisor within policies set out by the Council.
PROPERTY REVALUATION POLICY
The Trust adopts the policy of revaluing its property every five years, commencing 31 March 2003.
RESERVES POLICY
The annual accounts show the assets and liabilities attributable to the funds by type and which are approved by the Council. The Council plans its expenditure within available resources whilst maintaining reserves which gives the Trust flexibility to achieve its aims.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Council has reviewed the major risks to which the Trust is exposed, as identified by the Council, and is satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate those risks.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Within its accounting policies the Trust now defines its various funds as follows:
Restricted Funds are funds subject to specific conditions within the objects of the charity.
Unrestricted Funds are funds where no restrictions are placed on the use by the charity upon either the capital or the income. The unrestricted funds are divided between:
- Designated funds:
Tangible fixed assets fund - representing funds invested in the Trust’s leasehold property and other fixed assets.
Investment fund - representing investments arising from a legacy, which the Council’s policy is to retain for the longer term in order to provide income to support the Trust’s projects and activities
. - Undesignated funds:
Revenue fund - to provide the Trust’s working capital.
COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES
It is a requirement of company law for the Council to prepare financial statements for each accounting period. They must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust and of the surplus or deficit for that period. The Council must:
- Prepare the financial statements on the basis that the Trust is a going concern;
- Select appropriate accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- Make judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable;
- Disclose whether any material departures have been made from these policies.
The Council is responsible for keeping proper accounting records which should be able to disclose at any time the financial position of the Company and enable the Council to ensure compliance with the Companies Act 1985. The Council is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other financial irregularities.
ACCOUNTANTS
Butler & Co. have been appointed as Reporting Accountants and will be proposed for re-appointment.
SMALL COMPANY STATUS
This Report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act, 1985 relating to Small Companies.
On behalf of the Council
signed Mrs P Edwards
Chairman
6th July 2004