THE CITY OF WINCHESTER TRUST LIMITED
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2006
Chairman's Report
This annual report comments on projects and activities for which budgetary provisionwas made during the ?nancial 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
- Work on pursuing “Heritage Town Status” for Winchester and similar historic towns that retain their characteristic settings has been led by Michael Carden with the support of the Policy Group, chaired by Antony Proudman. A presentation was prepared for showing to the City Council and other potential supporters and the topic was brought to the attention of the English Historic Towns Forum at meetings in London and Cirencester. Other work associated with the important subject of heritage was the preparation of a detailed presentation sent in January to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Heritage. More locally every opportunity has been taken to impress upon all concerned the importance of good design in all aspects of local development and maintenance. To achieve this culture of care in Winchester the Trust has continued its promotion of a Vision for the future accompanied by a master plan and Design Champion to steer its implementation.
- The Trust has had to devote resources to strategic planning. This work has included appraisal of the District Local Plan Review Inspectors' Report and the deluge of documents related to the preparation of future plans that will supersede this plan. In February an objection was lodged with the City Council opposing the inclusion of Reserve Sites, especially at Pitt Manor Farm which occupies a prominent position as part of Winchester's setting.
- Kate Macintosh and other members of the Cittaslow group organised a presentation to the Town Forum of City ward councillors. The Mayor of Ludlow very kindly gave an excellent presentation explaining the advantages experienced in Ludlow. Unfortunately nothing further has been heard from the Council.
- Progress has been made with the Bush?eld Down initiative. In the autumn it was agreed that the Trust should commission a study of the City Council's need for formal recreation provision on the site and we were grateful to Adams Hendry for doing this work at a discount and to the Hampshire Gardens Trust for their generous contribution. The study has proved useful in demonstrating that use of the site for sports and ancillary facilities is unlikely but there is still the need to establish an alternative site for Park & Ride in this area. Meanwhile Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has been consulted about the possibilities for restoration to downland and future management with encouraging results. It remains to persuade the Church Commissioners, who own the site, that restoration would be in their interests too.
- At last work on the restoration of the Eastgate Street railings went ahead towards the end of the year but the completion date escaped into the current year. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to thank all the players in this long-running show for the parts they have played in achieving a very worth-while result. Huw Thomas for producing the plans, Nick Bourne and Michael Carden for managing the negotiations, the City and County Councils for grant contributions, the tenants for their co-operation and the contractors, Everest and Britannia Metalwork for executing the work. The County Council grant is shown in these accounts but the City Council grants and Trust contribution will be included in next year's ?gures.
- Silver Hill has continued to be a major subject of interest to trustees and members. Thorn?eld plc and architects Allies &. Morrison have been generous in keeping the Trust informed about their evolving proposals and listening to comments as well as arranging a visit to some examples of buildings in London designed by Allies Sr Morrison.
- London & Henley also gave presentations of their proposals for the part of the site that is in their ownership.
- A new Neighbourhood Study covering Orams Arbour and St James Lane was added to the series thanks to work carried out by Nick Boume, Shione Carden and Iain Patton. Work has also continued on the Conservation Area Study carried out by Andrew Rutter that the Trust is planning to publish next year.
- Other projects undertaken during the year included a special walk for Architecture Week in June when Keith Leaman gave a history of modern architecture, illustrated by selected buildings in Winchester, and participation in Heritage Open Days when John Holder organised an exhibition - “Friarsgate Past, Present and Future" over two days in September.
Activities
- Throughout the year the Trust’s valiant volunteers under the leadership of Shione Carden have met weekly to appraise the applications submitted to the Planning Department for developments in the Winchester Town area. In addition, Shione has organised presentations to a wider audience of members of larger and, perhaps, more controversial schemes, often before the application is submitted. This allows the Trust's comments to be taken into account at an early stage. The work involved in this activity and the writing of all the reports is considerable and the Trust is indebted to Shione and her team.
- An informal meeting was held at the Heritage Centre in May to introduce new members to the work of the Trust.
- Attendance at the weekly Summer Walks was higher than ever thanks to the interesting programme arranged by Nick McPherson and the wealth of information imparted by the walk leaders.
- In June Andrew Rutter RIBA gave an illustrated talk entitled “What is Architecture?” and in January at a ‘Members’ Open Forum' the topics raised were distinctly biased towards planning issues.
- TrustNews was circulated to members quarterly and kindly edited by Matthew Huntley.
- The Trust's website, which is provided by courtesy of HantsNet, is undergoing rejuvenation by Barrie Brinkman to increase the level and quality of communication.
- Through its membership of English Historic Towns Forum, the CPRE and Sane Planning in the South East (SPISE) and attendance at meetings of these organisations, the Trust keeps in touch with wider national issues. Unfortunately the Civic Trust has proved to be of little worth in its support of Civic Societies and their interests so the decision was taken in March to discontinue the subscription. It was felt that the CPRE was a more effective forum through which to seek representation. In addition the Trust continues to support the annual meeting of Southern Comfort. Last October this took place in Farnham at the invitation of the Famham Society when topics of mutual concern were the subjects of lively discussion.
- The raising of funds by way of book and Christmas card sales has, again, been achieved by the indefatigable efforts of Jo Gordon-Watson and the stalwart members who assist her. The Trust is also grateful to Roger and Sybil Brown for storing the books.
Plans for the future
- Continue to seek extended conservation measures for Heritage Towns
- Continue to exhort the City Council:
- 1. to increase the design skills available to the Planning Department
- 2. to produce a Vision for the Future of Winchester and a master plan for its implementation with a Design Champion to give guidance
- Encourage improvements to the City's streetscape;
- Continue to encourage the regeneration of downland at Bush?eld;
- Publish the Conservation Area Study initiated by Andrew Rutter;
- Promote other relevant publications;
- Organise awards for recent buildings/ environmental and conservation projects to mark 50th Anniversary of the Trust;
- Encourage other anniversary projects with the assistance of members, especially to involve young people;
- Encourage more members to take an active part in the work of the Trust and recruit more members;
- Improve publicity and communication with the public
None of the projects and activities listed could have been undertaken without the work put in by those who participated in diverse ways. There are others who have contributed much to the day to day operations: Peter Radcliffe, our provident and meticulous Hon. Treasurer, Robin Merton, Iain Patton and Michael Carden the Vice Chairmen who all give so generously of their time and talents and our President Sir Peter Ramsbotham who gives us all encouragement and wise guidance.
By the time this report is circulated, Rolly Thomas our Secretary will have left us, but, together with all good wishes for the future, it is appropriate to record the thanks of the Trust for the very professional service she has given to the work of the Trust over the past 8 years.
GOVERNING DOCUMENT
The City of Winchester Trust Ltd. (the Trust) was founded in I957 and incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 1958. As such it has no share capital. The liability of individual members is limited to a sum not exceeding five pence.
It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, which was last amended in 2000. The Trust is registered as Company number 00609812 and Charity Number 251798.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
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.
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.
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:
- 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
4th July 2006