Issue - meetings

There is a statutory requirement to produce an Annual Report, including the Accounts each financial year. The Annual Report for 2016-2017 is attached for the committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED:

i)             that the Annual Report and Accounts 2016-2017 be agreed;

ii)            that the independent review of the accounts 2016-2017 be noted;

iii)           that officers update the Charity Commission with the Annual Report and Accounts 2016-2017.

Gareth Robinson (Head of Finance) presented the Annual Report and Accounts 2016-2017 for the committee’s consideration. The Annual Report identified that as at 31 March 2017, the charity held cash reserves of £464,374. In accordance with the decision of the Trustees, all future receipts would be used for improvements within Barham Park. Specific comment was sought from the committee on Section D of the Annual Report, which set out the main achievements of the charity during the 2016-2017 year. An overview of the accounts was then provided to the committee and members’ attention was drawn to the report of the Independent Examiner who had concluded that there was no indication that the requirements to keep accounting records and accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 had not been met.

In the subsequent discussion, the committee sought a further breakdown of the costs recorded under the heading ‘Consultancy’ and were informed that the £3,997 comprised two different spends; a survey of the properties on site conducted by Rider Levett Bucknall for £2,247; and an MMP Design survey exploring possible improvements for the park cost £1,750. The committee agreed that the information provided in Section D of the Annual Report was a good summary of the achievements of the Trust for 2016-2017.

RESOLVED:

i)             that the Annual Report and Accounts 2016-2017 be agreed;

ii)            that the independent review of the accounts 2016-2017 be noted;

iii)           that officers update the Charity Commission with the Annual Report and Accounts 2016-2017.