THE CITY OF WINCHESTER TRUST LIMITED
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2005
Chairman's Report
This annual report comments on projects and activities for which the 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.
Projects
Listed during the year to 31st March 2005:
- a thought provoking debate on the subject of Design was held in May as an educational exercise. Individual views were put by the late Richard Feilden, whose buildings for King Alfred College (now the University of Winchester) stand as a worthy memorial to his talent, and Adam Wilkinson from SAVE. Some officers and members of the City and County Councils participated in the debate which was skilfully chaired by Christopher Clark QC;
- thanks to the foresight of a member, Chris Webb, a splendid streetlight was saved from obscurity. The City Council installed it in front of Abbey House and the Trust undertook its refurbishment;
- Jim Humberstone and Harvey Cole presented the Trust’s objections to the Local Plan at the Inquiry;
- the long awaited Winchester Conservation Area Study, to which the Trust contributed funds and member involvement, was finally published;
- a paper prepared by Michael Carden MBE to promote securing Heritage/Historic City status for Winchester was presented to The Civic Trust and other amenity societies in the area;
- work continued on Andrew Rutter’s study of the city with Keith Leaman leading this project. A sponsor has kindly agreed to fund a major part of the expenditure in partnership with the Trust;
- at the AGM last September, members supported investigation of the Cittaslow movement to research its possible benefits for Winchester In November representatives visited Ludlow where they were welcomed and given much useful information by the Mayor, Civic representatives and members of the Ludlow Civic Trust. All were enthusiastic about the advantages experienced in the improved quality of life and this was reinforced by opinions of local traders and residents. Since then further consultation has been undertaken involving local organisations and the City Council;
- the Policy Group welcomed the initiative led by the Director of Development Services to produce a documented ‘Vision’ for Winchester and responded enthusiastically to the consultation, particularly to the aspects encouraging high design standards for the built and natural environment. It is disappointing that the document has not proceeded beyond the ‘draft’ stage;
- since the announcement in October of the resignation of Robin Cooper, Director of Development Services at the City Council, the Trust has had meetings with City Officers to discuss the proposed restructuring of Planning services. As the sole aim appeared to be geared to meeting Government targets, the Trust expressed concerns about the emphasis being placed on management skills to the virtual exclusion of design expertise;
- following the publication in January of the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) Draft South East Plan, the Trust’s Policy Group assisted by other members, drafted a considered response to the sections relevant to Winchester and submitted them to the Assembly, the Civic Trust South East Region, Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council;
- the ongoing discussions about the Friarsgate development have been a prime concern and Trust Council members have had meetings with representatives of the developer, their architects and highway engineers; on every occasion receiving assurances that no scheme would proceed without the approval of the local community;
- the campaign to gain listing of Hockley Viaduct was supported by the Trust and representations made to the appropriate authority; but the listing was not supported by English Heritage (Proceeds from a walk led by Chris Webb were donated to the campaign);
- negotiations continued to reinstate railings to properties in Eastgate Street;
- a scheme to secure the future preservation of the Bushfield area was initiated by enlisting local support with a view to involving the National Trust;
a Trust member, David Marklew, undertook to compile a photographic record of Listed Buildings in Winchester for an initiative sponsored by English Heritage and run by the National Monuments Record to create a ‘point in time’ photographic record of every listed building in England to be made available on a website. This work is funded by EH and will be a valuable addition to the Trust’s archives.
Activities
What can be described as the routine activities of the Trust were sustained during the year. These included;
- the all important task of Planning Appraisal Panels - increased pressure for development adds to the workload for the members concerned;
- the very successful programme of Summer Walks arranged by Nick McPherson. The Trust is grateful to all those who lead the walks and give so much enjoyment to members and others attending;
- the regular quarterly publication of TrustNews to keep members informed about the Trust’s activities;
- Southem Comfort, a gathering of Hampshire and allied Civic societies, was hosted by the Trust at Peninsula Barracks;
- the open evening for new members, held in May, is becoming an annual event for introducing members to the work of the Trust;
- participation in Heritage Open Days - the Trust embarked on this venture for the first time in September 2004 and was delighted to welcome about 100 visitors to the Heritage Centre including some who had lived in the area before the ‘clearance’ in the 1950’s;
- attending meetings - Civic Trust AGM, Civic Trust South East AGM and quarterly meetings, SPISE (Sane Planning in the South East) the AGM at Weymouth of the Civic Trust South West;
- Continue to seek Historic Town status for Winchester;
- Persuade the City Council to increase the design skills available to the Planning Department and to produce a Vision for Winchester with a master plan for its implementation;
- Explore the possibility of finding a suitable design champion for Winchester;
- Encourage the highway authorities to improve the streetscape of the city;
- Continue to seek a permanent home in Winchester for Roger Brown’s model;
- Engage wider public support for the Bushfield Down project;
- Extend the coverage of Neighbourhood Studies;
- Recruit more active members to help with projects and activities;
- Improve communication with the public and make the aims of the Trust known to a wider audience;
- 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.
- 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.
To end on a note of success, the Design Awards were presented in February at an event hosted by the then University College, Winchester in their restored building at West Downs, itself a recipient of an award. The awards were presented by Trust Vice President and eminent conservation architect, Donald Insall, CBE and the plaques presented to the three winners were specially made for the occasion to a new design. The Trust is grateful to members Norman and Ann Roberts for making all the arrangements for the judging and the event and to the University for providing the venue and refreshments.
Funds from the Chippindale Venture held by the Winchester Preservation Trust’s Urban Studies Group are to be transferred into a separate account with the intention of using them for a future educational initiative.
Plans for the future
The Trust is indebted to Council members and others for all the time and effort they devote to Trust business and activities, especially Shione Carden and the members of the Planning Appraisal Group who meet weekly to examine the applications for Wmchester wards. As the activities and interests of the Trust are concerned with Wmchester and its setting, we are grateful to officers of both City and County Councils who give us advice and respond to our enquiries. We are also grateful to Hampshire County Council for their grant.
In January, our long-serving Council member and keeper of Archives, Rosemary Kinnaird-Smith, resigned for health reasons. The Trust is grateful to Rosemary for maintaining the records in good order for so many years. Dick Selwood too has given the Trust the benefit of his skills, in his case related to the computer, and I can assure him that he has the gratitude of all who rely so much on the systems he has installed on both computer and website. Very fortunately for the Trust we have recruited the talents of John Holder who has taken on both records and website and brought great enthusiasm and experience to both tasks. The Trust is also indebted to the Publicity Group and Jo Gordon-Watson for the contribution to Trust funds from the sale of Christmas cards and books.
I should like to thank particularly those I think of as the A team - namely the three Vice Chairmen who are generous with their valued support and advice throughout the year, our Hon.Treasurer for his meticulous professional attention to our accounts and all matters financial as well as his guidance in the science of Risk Management and our Secretary, who is a wizard at taking minutes in addition to all her other talents. Last, but no means least, a special word of thanks to our President for his ever wise and diplomatic guidance.
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:
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.
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:
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
2nd August 2005