City of Winchester Trust - Annual 2006- 07 Chairman's Report

THE CITY OF WINCHESTER TRUST LIMITED
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2007

Chairman's Report

This annual report 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. The report contains the necessary statutory disclosures.

Projects

Restoration of the railings in Eastgate Street was completed. Funding of this project involved a partnership between the City Council, the County Council and the Trust. The design work and management of the project were also contributed by Trust members. It is a sign of the times that grants for such projects are no longer supported by the Local Authorities.
Work continued on the pursuit of Heritage Town Status. Presentations were made to the Winchester City Council Cabinet and Senior officers and to a meeting of Trust Members.
The Trust also commented on the City Council’s Draft Vision for Winchester and was pleased to see some of their suggestions incorporated in the document that was published in January 2007.
During the year the City Council produced documents relevant to the Local Development Framework which will replace the Local Plan. Trust members studied and commented on these documents. including “The Statement of Community Involvement” setting out how the Council will consult the community on all aspects of future planning policies This process shows that residents of Winchester are disadvantaged by the lack of organised representation which is available throughout the rest of the District by way of Parish and Town Councils. Through dialogue with the City Council, the Trust has argued for a means of redressing this deficit. Perhaps by strengthening the influence of the Town Forum of Councillors for the 6 wards. Failing this, it might be necessary to ask for a Town Council.
Time Gentlemen Please!, a history of Winchester’s pubs, hotels and breweries written by Phil Yates and donated to the Trust to celebrate its 50th Anniversary, was published by the Trust in February and launched successfully in March by Peter White, the well known Wintonian and Broadcaster.
The campaign to persuade the Church Commissioners and the Local Authorities that Bushfield should be properly managed as downland continued. To this end consultation with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust established that there were opportunities available to apply for grants that would make the proposition feasible for the landowners. In July, invited City Councillors, Parish Councillors and interested individuals were invited to tea at St. Cross followed by an organised walk over the area led by john Pilkington. Subsequently, Sir Peter Ramsbotham, President of the Trust wrote to The First Church Estates Commissioner, Mr Andreas Whittam Smith, setting out the case for management of the area, possibly by the Hants. & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Mr Whittam Smith accompanied by Trust members visited the site and agreed to consult his fellow commissioners on the proposals but the feedback has not been encouraging.
Further representations were made in support of the listing of Hockley Viaduct
In conjunction with the City Council the Trust applied for the listing of The Day House, Sleeper's Hill Work continued on the assembling and editing of material for the production of Andrew Rutter’s Conservation Area Study.
Work commenced on inviting entries to the 50th Anniversary Awards Scheme for new buildings, environmental and conservation projects.
Arrangements were made to arrange a lecture to be given by Paul Grover, Director of the Solent Centre for Architecture, entitled “People Make Places” as an Anniversary event to encourage community involvement in good urban design. Further work was done to produce an amended version of the Trust’s case for recognition of the unique character of Winchester as set out in the Regional Plan for a presentation to an invited audience.

Activities

The Planning Appraisal Group, headed by Shione Carden, continued to monitor all the planning applications made within the 6 wards of Winchester and comment when necessary. This was noticeably more difficult because of problems with the administrative system changes at the City Council. Major projects were viewed and discussed by a larger body of members and Trustees. These included the plans for alterations to Ashburton Court and redevelopment of two school sites by the County Council who gave several presentations to the Trust as the schemes progressed. However, the development that absorbed the greatest amount of study and concern was the Thornfield redevelopment scheme for Silver Hill. Many hours of member time were devoted to study of this scheme. In October, the Trust objected to the proposals as being over development of the site. The developers then made amendments giving some improvements to the scheme but, whilst welcoming these, the Trust reiterated the comments on over development of the site.
In May new members were invited to the Heritage Centre to meet Trustees who gave an introduction to the aims and aspirations and activities of the Trust.
The programme of Summer Walks organised by Nick McPherson was very successful thanks to all who kindly gave their time and talents to leading members through unexpected aspects of Winchester as well as the more familiar sites.
TrustNews was published quarterly and, in March, to avoid the very significant change in postal charges, the format was changed to A5 size. Matthew Huntley has kindly continued to edit the publication and Alan Waters of ADH Printing continues to deal with last-minute hitches without delaying delivery.
Barrie Brinkman continues to look after and improve the Trust Website - provided by Hampshire County Council.
The Trust’s Archives are now being managed by Nick Hirst who is making a record of material on a computerised database which will eventually be available on the Trust’s website together with a similarly computerised record of the slide collection.
Funds were raised by way of a book sale run by Jo Gordon Watson and Christmas card sales were boosted by the addition to stock of a delightful card from a painting of Bushfield and St. Cross by Patricia Spink which she generously created for the Trust.

Plans for the future

Monitor and when necessary make representations on progress of the Local Development Framework
Press for the commissioning of a ‘Conceptual Framework’ for Winchester
Continue to seek extended conservation measures for Heritage Towns
Work with the City Council to resolve conflicts arising in the Vision document.
Encourage improvements to the City streetscape
Monitor buildings at risk
Encourage the City Council to increase the design skills available to the Development Control department.
Organise a programme of visits for members to places of interest. Visits to be self-financing.
Encourage every member of the Trust Council to take responsibility for a specific area of activity
Continue to improve publicity and recruit new members.

As the Trust enters the 50th Anniversary of its existence, it is clear that the need for its vigilance is as necessary today as it was in 1957 when it was founded to oppose government policy of indiscriminate demolition. Today the government edict is for indiscriminate town cramming without recognition for the special qualities of this small city and its setting. Now, as then, the Trust accepts that Winchester will accept change as it has done through the ages, but the changes need to respect Winchester’s character.

The work of the Trust is entirely dependent on the generosity of those who give their time and talents to the variety of activities listed above. Particular thanks are due to those who so willingly take on the major tasks, Peter Radcliffe, Hon. Treasurer who looks after all aspects of the Trust's finances with meticulous and reassuring attention to detail; Shione Carden, who Chairs the Planning Advisory Group that never fails to inspect all planning applications and comment when necessary. In addition, she organises extended viewing meetings to consider the larger and most significant applications which seem to be increasing; and finally the three Vice-Chairmen, Michael Carden MBE, Robin Merton and Iain Patton who all do so much and never fail to fill gaps as they occur. Special mention must also be made of our President, Sir Peter Ramsbotham, who takes a keen interest in all the activities of the Trust and gives us the benefit of his wise advice when sought and his encouragement at all times. Dr Vicky White joined the Trust as part-time Secretary in June and in February she married, changing her name to Vicky Feldwick.

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
3rd July 2007

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