Annual Report 2013

Trustees Report for the year ending 31 December 2013

Aims and Purposes

The aims of the Barton under Needwood & Dunstall Key Trust (‘the Trust’) are to distribute the income derived from investments, including rent from land, in accordance with the Trust Deed , whilst maintaining adequate reserves in line with future planned commitments

Objects and Activities

The objects of the Trust are to meet the needs of the residents in the area of benefit as laid down in the Trust Deed, including:
- contributing to the upkeep and maintenance of the Parish Church in Barton under Needwood,
- relief of persons who are in need, hardship or distress, and
- for the general benefit in such charitable ways as the trustees think fit.

Achievement and Performance

Clerk

Following an extensive advertising campaign, including posters and on www.bartonanddunstallkeytrust.co.uk , Trustees interviewed a short list of three suitably qualified candidates and appointed Lesley Warren BSc (Hons) ACA  CTA who with her family has moved to Barton. Mrs Warren signed an Agreement for the Supply of Services and commenced with the Trust on 1st. March 2013.

We are very fortunate to have recruited such a highly qualified and experienced Clerk whose principal motivation is to become involved with and assist in our community. Combined with our Trustees wide ranging knowledge of our community, commercial acumen and experience of managing charitable organisations we are well placed to continue the development and successful operation of the Trust.  I thank them all for their dedication to making this Trust a major force in Barton & Dunstall.

t a Special Meeting of Trustees in October we were pleased to welcome Julie Skinner as a new Trustee.  Mrs Skinner has extensive experience of working with young people in our community and in computer programming.  Her appointment further strengthens our Board and broadens the skills available to help deliver our Objectives.

We are very fortunate to have a Trustee board with a wide ranging knowledge of our community, commercial acumen and experience of managing charitable organisations.  I thank them and our Clerks for their dedication to making this Trust a major force in Barton & Dunstall.

Finance & Investments

New cattle proof fencing was installed at our Dogshead Lane Allotments and rents were increased by 3.1% to maintain parity with RPI & local competitors. Plot holders were advised that we would review in 2014 the need to charge for water consumption. All plots are let.

A Deed of Grant and Easement has been established with the owners of adjoining land to protect the route of our water supply to the Allotments.

The Trust’s land at Breach Close off Small Meadows Lane, current let as an Agricultural tenancy, now falls within the area for which Aggregate Industries has Planning consent to expand their Newbold Quarry. We will be obtaining professional advice to establish the value of our property, including stand-offs & access and, in the event of Trustees considering a lease or sale, seeking to obtain maximum value for the Trust.

Following a thorough review, including considering other suitable Investment Managers, Trustees decided to continue with Investec for a further twelve months. We remain content with the service and performance of Investec but will again review their appointment particularly if there is a substantial influx of funds.

Administration costs have returned to a modest level of 7.5 % of investment income

Grants

During the year 11 grants have been awarded to individuals and 5 to local organisations totalling £12,063. One grant of £1,000 to underwrite a project was refunded following completion.

Additionally our Christmas voucher distribution increased by 1.6% to £4,298.  These together with the grants and £6,212 paid to St James’ Church represent 57% of our net investment income for the year.

We continue to receive a good variety of applications from community organisations and are ready to support more individuals particularly as other sources of grant aid are reducing.

Marketing

Encouraging young people with extra-curricular activities is a significant object of the Trust. Working with John Taylor High School we have established the Barton & Dunstall Key Trust Award for Leadership at this large and successful Secondary school at which the majority of students are from the Trust’s area of benefit.

Candidates are the four House Leaders who are responsible for organising student activities and working with staff to promote citizenship & leadership in the school. The first award was announced & presented to Bethany Slatcher-Greenwood at the school’s annual Presentation Evening. Each year the winner’s name is inscribed on a perpetual trophy and on an Honours Board displayed prominently in the school hall.

www.bartondunstallkeytrust.co.uk showing examples of projects we have supported and enabling potential applicants to download our Terms & Conditions and our Application Form is a valuable source of current information and promotion of the Trust. It is updated regularly.

We continue promoting the Trust by updating and distributing promotional posters and taking free or low cost closely targeted advertisements in local magazines and guides as well as requiring sponsored projects to promote the Trust in their literature and by plaques on buildings.

Despite the relatively small area of benefit and tightness of our communities it is evident that many people & local organisations are unaware of how we might assist.  In addition to our poster and advertising campaigns we have secured substantial free coverage of our activities in the local Press and the Barton Chime Parish magazine that circulates widely in our community.

Public Benefit Requirement

The Trustees feel that the performance in the year demonstrates that the Trust continues to meet the Public Benefit criteria whilst complying with the Trust Deed.

 

Approved on behalf of the Trustees on 7 February 2014 and signed on their behalf by:
Adrian Wedgwood, Chairman