Annual Report 2016
Trustees Report for the year ending 31 December 2016
The trustees are pleased to present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2016.The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities effective 1st January 2015 (SORPFRSSE), in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
Aims and Purposes
The aims of the Barton under Needwood & Dunstall Key Trust ('theTrust' 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
Trustees are very fortunate to have secured the services of Mrs Firth as their Clerk whose attention to detail, efficiency and deep interest in our activities is outstanding. Her enjoyment of this role and involvement within our communities is plain to see and brings great benefit to the Trust.
Combined with our Trustees wide ranging knowledge of our community, commercial acumen and experience of managing charitable organisations we are wel lplaced to continue the development and successful operation of the Trust.
I thank them, our special advisers and our Clerk for their dedication to making this Trust a major force in Barton & Dunstall. At the Trustees annual meeting I expressed an intention to retire as chairman in 2017 after some seven years in that role during which the Trust has been developed, expanded, promoted and become recognised widely as the principal source of grant aid for individuals and organisations in our communities.
This decision was based on the benefits of fresh leadership taking the Trust forward and I am delighted that Trustees have appointed Cllr Mrs Jacqui Jones as my successor from next October.
Finance & Investments
Rents for our land holdings were uplifted to reflect current values and new agreements signed specifying the terms for annual reviews. All the Trust's allotments were occupied under formal annual rental agreements throughout the year. One allotment becomes vacant in 2017.
Aggregate Industries began extracting and selling minerals from the extension of their local pit in mid year. Under the terms of a legally binding Community Fund Agreement this is now providing additional income to the Trust for investment to support beneficiaries as defined by our Trust Deed.
We remain content with the service and performance of Investec, our investment managers, but will continue reviewing their appointment. Administration costs,excluding investment management and exceptional fees associated with the disposal of Breach Close, were 4.8% of net investment income.
Grants
During the year 9 grants have been awarded to individuals and 10 to local organisations totalling £29,362. Additionally our Christmas voucher distribution cost £4,075. These and £6,322 paid to St James’ Church represent 85.3% of our net investment income received during the the year.
We continue to receive a good variety of applications from individuals and community organisations and are ready to support more, particularly as other sources of grant aid are reducing.
Marketing
Encouraging young people with extra-curricular activities is a significant objective for the Trust. The Barton & Dunstall Key Trust Award for Leadership at John Taylor High School is very well received, attracting outstanding candidates and considerable positive publicity for the Trust.
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 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 some people & local organisations are unaware of how we might assist.
In addition to our poster and advertising campaigns we secure substantial free coverage of our activities in the local media and the high quality, splendidly produced Barton Chime Parish magazine that circulates widely with news of church and community activites.
We have also commissioned a large dedicated notice board at Barton Library to promote the Trust and encourage grant applications.
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 by the Trustees on 7th July 2017 and signed on their
behalf by Adrian Wedgwood, Chairman:
Mr A Wedgwood, Chairman