Chairman's Remarks - Trust Annual Report 1993
Trust Policy
Every now and then it does no harm to have a look at the overall policy and activities of an organisation such as the Winchester Preservation Trust just to see that we are still on track, and even to consider if the name of the organisation and the logo are still appropriate.
I am glad to say that the Council of the Trust has done just this in 1993.
Discussions first centred on whether the word "Preservation" in our name might be giving the impression that we are a collection of dyed-in-the-wool non-progressive Wintonians of many generations' standing who want to keep everything as it is.
The decision was that the name we have used since our foundation in 1957 is correct. It is the character of our City that we wish to "preserve", and not any particular street, building or artefact.
(Incidentally, for those who may not be aware of the significance of our logo, it represents the Church of St Peter Chesil, whose planned demolition to make way for the now defunct inner-city ringroad became a cause cOlebre for the Trust).
The Council of the Trust endorsed the policy that our primary objective should be to exert a constructive and co-operative pressure on those responsible for the appearance and ambience of the City in order to maintain its historic character, but at the same time to ensure that the City functions efficiently and is a pleasant place in which to live.
In addition we should promote an awareness of our environment and heritage by means of educational ventures, a Heritage Centre, lectures, award schemes, talks and walks.
We are sometimes asked to exert pressure on semi-social matters, and also to care for matters outside Winchester. However the Council of the Trust has confirmed that the former is best dealt with by residents' groups, and the latter would over-extend our resources.
The decision was therefore, with very few exceptions, to limit our work to material matters within the Wards of Winchester City, and to include Harestock, Badger Farm and Oliver's Battery.
Personnel and Administration
Having completed seven years as Chairman of the Trust, David Middleditch retired at the 1992 AGM to be succeeded by Antony Skinner.
David Middleditch was never sparing of his wisdom and experience, with the result that the Trust proceeded on a very progressive course, preserving its status and its policies throughout the very active period of his Chairmanship.
During 1993, Ernie Witts, our valued Hon. Treasurer of six years standing retired in order to reduce his many voluntary commitments. We welcome lain Thomson who is devoting a lot of his time and expertise to the Trust, in addition to his full time job away from Winchester.
I would like to say that both lain Thomson and myself are most grateful to Ernie Witts for the time that he has given to us to ensure a successful handover.
Our Membership Secretary and former Secretary of the Trust, Clarissa Turner, and our Secretary Beanie Devas both found their other commitments growing too fast and have been succeeded by Flavia Bateson who is combining both tasks.
Antony Feltham-King has kindly volunteered to chair the Projects Committee, in succession to Mark Dodd whose past work with the Committee has been much appreciated. He is currently working on a public guidance brochure on windows and doors.
A major step forward concerned with the administration of the Trust has been the conversion of a former store-room in the Heritage Centre into the Trust office. Both the Chairman and the Secretary of the Trust use this office, complete with our own computer for word-processing and the membership lists, a telephone/answerphone, a copying machine and the now consolidated Trust files.
Finance
As you will see from the enclosed Hon. Treasurer's Report and the Audited Accounts for the year ending 30 April 1993, our Accumulated Reserves have maintained their previous level and we are conforming to our policy of "normally" living within our income.
I say "normally" because if an issue of such importance arose that it would be prudent for the Trust to dig into its reserves, then we would not hesitate to do so. At the time of writing no matters are in sight that would make this necessary, but circumstances can change rapidly.
Adjustments to our investment portfolio have been made since the end of the financial year, and the switch of some of our Index Linked Gilts into Investment Trusts is benefiting from the upward trend in the Stock Market. The portfolio remains under constant review, and policy decisions are made by a small investment committee of Trust members.
With regard to the budget for the period 1 May 1993 to 30 April 1994 we are expecting an increased income from the recent rise in subscriptions, in addition to which we have received a generous legacy of £1000 from the late Mrs Phyllis Pare, a founder member of the Trust.
This will be offset by increased expenditure on projects, the setting up of a photographic archives library, and by a modest increase in office costs due to greater activity.
The Trust continues to underwrite the operating loss of the Heritage Centre, but within tight controls. However, I must emphasise that we depend heavily on the grant for the Centre that we currently receive from the City Council for which we are most grateful.
Local Government Review
The Local Government Review will determine if the current two-tier system, whereby the Winchester District Council is subservient to the Hampshire County Council should continue, or should become part of a "Hampshire Downland" unitary authority comprising the existing districts of Winchester, Test Valley and East Hampshire, which would be directly responsible to Government.
The situation is complex, but members of the Council of the Trust are constantly updating themselves by reading the various documents available and attending briefings, in the hope that the Trust can submit its opinion to the Government Commission set up for this purpose at the end of 1993.
The Trust submission must reflect what we consider to be best for Winchester, and in particular what is best for those matters that most concern the Trust, such as development control, traffic, roads, landscape, and the economy of Winchester City.
Conclusion
We firmly believe that Winchester must have a Preservation Trust in order to study planning applications, traffic schemes, parking proposals, landscaping schemes and matters that affect the character of the City, and then to exert pressure on the authorities to ensure that market pressures, greed or a straight lack of understanding of the Winchester environment do not result in unacceptable developments.
From time to time we have to make compromise decisions to support a plan which may upset some of our members who live in a particular area affected by the plan. A new pedestrianised area, a new street closure, a new parking restriction, a new housing development, or a new supermarket location will inevitably affect someone. From our entirely non-political, non-commercial and impartial position, we have a responsibility to take as many factors as possible into account, and to support the plan that we believe will be best for Winchester.
Finally, may I express my thanks to all those who actively contribute to the work of the Trust by sitting on committees and panels, by working in the Heritage Centre, by representing our case to the authorities, by organising educational ventures, or by editing our publications, and also to those non-active members who contribute by means of their subscription and moral support. Thank you all!