THE CITY OF WINCHESTER TRUST LIMITED
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2013
Chairman's Report
This annual report comments on projects and activities undertaken during the year. It also contains the necessary statutory disclosures.
Towards the end of last year we invited local schools to contribute illustrated poetry or prose on the subject of the City of Winchester’s history, its future, a building or landscape. We received about 270 entries. Two artists, Kate Dicker and Richard Plincke judged the art work and an author, Morag Joss, and a journalist, Tony Styles, judged the written work. As a result of the judging, 50 of the entries have been selected for publication.
Michael Carden was invited to the House of Commons by our local M.P. to discuss some of the Government’s planning directives, which we have been and are still concerned about. For example the additional allowable floor space that can be added to buildings without planning approval and what we understand to be the sharp reduction in Building Regulation “rules” are all attempting to speed up and encourage the construction industry to re-vitalise.
John Beveridge has once again organised an interesting programme of walks and talks in and around Winchester. These take place through the summer months on a Wednesday evening. They are always well attended and invariably cast new light on some aspect of our historic City. john should have a huge vote of thanks from all of us for organising this series of popular informative events.
John has also taken responsibility for monitoring the useful information issued by Civic Voice as well as providing our link to them. Civic Voice is an organisation formed to represent all similar societies to ours throughout the country. They provide strong links to central Government and keep us informed about legislation that is likely to affect us in Winchester. This is why it is important to have good membership levels, as numbers give more power when dealing with politicians and civic servants.
Since outline planning was granted for 2,000 houses at Barton Farm by the Minister of State, it has obviously become an important issue as to how such a large number of houses together with all the infrastructure becomes successfully integrated into the City. Not only is the Winchester Trust concerned but WinACC as well. It was decided to combine our efforts and form a committee now known as Winchester 2020 Steering Group. This group meets with the developer CALA Homes, and the local authority planning department. In order to try and understand the impact of such a development, visits have been undertaken to other towns and cities in order to see the result of design codes applied to development, residential densities , and heating schemes etc..
This year we are organising our Design Awards. David Marklew has master minded the awards scheme, and Paul Appleton, a Director of Allies and Morrison is chairing the judging panel. The judging process starts in ]une so by the time you read this report, no doubt the results will have been announced.
Civic Voice has encouraged all their members to promote a Civic Day initiative on June 22. We have arranged a day out on St Catherine’s Hill. We chose this venue as it has a full view of Bushfield Camp, St Cross and central Winchester. St Catherine’s Hill is a feature that helps define the City and its location, the views both from within and from the Hill are important and it has been there for thousands of years. In its particular way, St Catherine’s Hill is as important to Winchester as St Cross and the Cathedral.
The Planning Appraisal Groups continue to monitor and comment on planning applications. Robin Freeman has been acting overall chairman in place of Shione Carden who has been unwell over the last year although I am pleased to inform you that she has gradually been recuperating and is now able to help direct this important aspect of our work. As Shione wishes to relinquish some of the work related to PA.G. we asked David Dimon, a recently retired Senior Planner to help with the work and Shione has been helping to introduce him to the subject from our point of view. On behalf of the Winchester Trust, I should like to thank all those involved with the work and in particular Robin Freeman who has taken the brunt of compiling the reports and comments from the three committees and then preparing them for consumption by the planners and our Trust Council - not an easy task.
We were very disappointed to hear from David Marklew that he has decided, for personal reasons, to retire from the editorship of the Trust News. We would all wish to thank him for undertaking the compiling of the Trust News and also for arranging the delivery of this important link to our members. David has been assisted by Matthew Huntley on the editing side and Alan Waters arranges the layout and printing. Lastly there is a team of volunteers who stuff and stamp envelopes. To all of them and particularly David , our thanks for a job well done.
Peter Radcliffe is largely responsible for making certain that we have a selection of Christmas cards for sale and despite e-mail competition, this still seems the popular way of sending our greetings, judging by the income we receive from them. Peter is of course our Treasurer and undertakes the compiling of our accounts each year as well as directing our investments. I know from attending meetings on finance and investment that the accounting is a considerable undertaking and we are fortunate in having Peter running this side of our affairs. So many thanks to Peter on behalf of us all.
Plans for the future
As I have stated before, many of our activities are ongoing.
- We continue to work with Hampshire County Council and Winchester District Council and developers on aspects of development in and around Winchester. We have been involved with Barton Farm issues, Station Approach and Bushfield Camp. Patrick Davies and Michael Carden in particular have and continue to spend many hours discussing the issues that arise from these large scale developments. Our thanks to them and their committee members for the efforts they make to understand and contribute to what are likely to be dramatic changes to Winchester.
- We continue to liaise with local schools to inspire their interest in this City.
- We monitor proposals affecting the landscape and the infrastructure of the City.
- We continue to arrange talks and walks to promote our City.
- We continue to recruit new members. This is so important as it strengthens our voice when contributing to debates on decisions evolving out of both local and central Government deliberations.
Secretariat
Finally, the secretariat! As many of you will know, Dr Vicky Feldwick has decided not to return after matemity leave. She gave us several years of efficient service For which many thanks. Mollie Francis was employed on a temporary basis and has proved to be a tower of strength. For various reasons we have been unable to appoint a permanent secretary and Mollie has continued, beyond her contract and despite other commitments, to provide us with her efficient services. Mollie deserves a huge vote of thanks.
Public Benefit
In setting objectives for the year, the Trust Council has given careful consideration to the Charity Commissions general advice on public benefit and is mindful of the need to report on how its aims have been achieved during the year. The Trust was founded in 1957 for the purposes and objects set out later in this report, and continues to carry out its work in serving the public interest.
Governing Document
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. 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 Wmchester 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 Objectives. Powers and Policies
The investment powers of the Council are given by the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The investment objectives of the Trust are to preserve and enhance the real value of its investment portfolio to allow the charity the ability to finance its annual and long term activities.
The investments are to be managed on a Non-Discretionary basis by Rathbone Investment Management in consultation with representatives of the Trustees. The primary point of contact at the Trust should be the Honorary Treasurer.
The investment objective is to achieve a balance between capital growth and income generation, with a medium risk profile.
Monetary investments are to be managed within policies set out by the Trust Council. The scope of the policies are:
- To be invested in listed investments
- Equity based investments should be designed to produce income while seeking capital growth and longer term security for the Trusts’ investments;
- Fixed interest and variable interest investments are to produce the greatest total return in real terms.
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.
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 for the foreseeable future.
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
lt 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 2006. 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.
During the period under review the Charity has complied with the provisions of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent Examiners
Butler & Co. have been appointed as Independent Examiners and will be proposed for re-appointment.
Small Company Status
This Report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act, 2006 relating to Small Companies.
On behalf of the Council
signed K Leaman
Chairman
2nd July 2013