MINUTES OF THE 16th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SMALL WOODS ASSOCIATION Held at Woodland Discovery Centre, Ecclesall Woods, Abbey Lane, Sheffield, S7 2QZ on Sunday 4th September 2016
In attendance:
Members 74 members attended. In addition, the following were present:
Board members John Blessington, Bev Tyler (Proposed)
Staff Ian Baker, Deb Cheetham, Amanda Calvert, Lorraine Murray, Phil Tidey, Richard Thomason, Derek Neiman, David Brown
Speakers/demonstrators Ian Rotherham (Sheffield Hallam University), Gabriel Hemery (Sylva)
Agenda Item 1
The notice convening the meeting was distributed, and the meeting formally opened
Agenda Item 2 Apologies:
20 member apologies with proxy votes – names available from Lorraine Murray
Agenda Item 3 Chairman’s Report and minutes of AGM September 2015
John Blessington, Chairman, welcomed everyone to the 2016 AGM. The minutes of last year's AGM were accepted.
2015-16 has been a year of change and consolidation for Small Woods. Whilst the Board has remained stable during this time, the staff has seen several comings and goings, with Ian Baker appointed to lead the organisation in January 2016. The organisation had been without a Chief Executive from February 2015 to January 2016 and sincere thanks go to Richard Thomason, Phil Tidey and Di Wood for keeping the organisation on track during this period. Ian’s tenure as Chief Executive commenced with a Review of the organisation’s purpose and mission. The outcome of which was reported to the Board in March 2016. Overall it confirmed the focus and direction of the organisation, but argued for simplified and rationalised structures to get there.
Small Woods Association, Green Wood Centre, Station Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DR Registered charity 1081874 Company limited by guarantee 3919849 VAT 793594179 Our SIMWOOD project has really made its presence known raising our profile at a European level adding to our reputation as a strong partner which delivers the goods in the domestic woodland sector. Coed Lleol our highly successful Welsh, multi-partner social forestry project continued to raise its reputation even further, which is useful as it enters a new funding stage. Our fantastic apprenticeship programmes also continue to flourish. I would also like to welcome Derek Niemann, our new magazine editor, as well as Deb Cheetham and Fay Hurford who form our new administration team, Matt Hatch who manages our communications and Lisa Gilby who works on fund raising. We also say goodbye to very loyal and long serving staff in Di Wood, Jayne Biffen, Rachel Meehan, Matt Beech and Freia Bladon; I would like to place on record my thanks to them, as they have all given above and beyond the call of duty in their work for Small Woods.
I would particularly like to thank our loyal group of core staff who continue to run the organisation despite many pressures and a hugely difficult funding environment where there is stiff competition for every available penny meaning you have to work twice as hard to fund the work as well as then having to find the time to do the work. Whilst not wanting to make any sort of political point, most observers are predicting that this situation is likely to become even tighter in the wake of Brexit, as European Funds dry up and domestic funds are redirected to other very deserving priorities, such as the NHS. This of course may not turn out to be the case; as no one knows the future. In any event, we will certainly be arguing hard that woodland priorities should not be neglected.
The year ahead will be another interesting and challenging one, however I am sure with the team we now have in place that has very good chance to succeed in continuing to take the organisation forward. I look forward in particular to us putting the case for our woodlands and the people who work in and enjoy them, as government seeks ideas for future land use support. Most of all, however, I look forward to drawing inspiration from our members and their woodlands, both in print and in “the flesh”; in the magazine, newsletter and the members’ events. I would particularly encourage all members to take advantage of the wonderful programme of events we have in prospect for the next year; these days are very important for Small Woods and really are one of the major benefits of membership.
John Blessington, Chairman
Agenda Item 4 Adoption of the Financial Statement presented by Bev Tyler
Financial Highlights Another year of sound financial performance in a challenging economic climate. Income above budget and expenditure below Loss of £46,935. Due to project income carried forward from previous years which was ring fenced to fund ongoing work and depreciation Reserves remain strong at £591,839 Membership & donation income increased from £74,920 to £76,091, including growth in gift aid
Challenges Key changes to staff and external environment leading to strategic review which retains strong focus on charitable aims and Membership Declining funding opportunities Reducing income, reducing costs Access to ‘core’ funding
Statement of Financial Activities 2016 2015
Small Woods Association, Green Wood Centre, Station Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DR Registered charity 1081874 Company limited by guarantee 3919849 VAT 793594179 £ £ Incoming Resources 455,639 455,639 Direct Charitable Expenditure Salaries 218,200 273,047 Other 227,270 236,619 Depreciation 17,057 18,043 Exceptional Expenditure 0 23,670
Net surplus/loss for the year (95,740) 80,035
The “losses” in the year (other than the investment write off) come from expenditure in this year against funds received for projects at the start that then have to be drawn against as the project runs.
Other expenditure was at just over 15% of the charity’s total spend with 4% of this being due to the investment write off: an indicator of the financial efficiency of SWA.
Income Sources
2016 2015 2014 Source £000 Percent £000 Percent £000 Percent Grants 276 67 305 67 616 77 Membership 76 18 75 16 72 9 Training 9 2 19 4 25 3 Other 55 13 64 14 89 11 416 100% 456 100% 802 100%
Summary Small Woods has a well-deserved reputation for strong and prudent financial management and this is continuing. However, finances, including reserves, are very tight Ongoing success will come from high profile and influence, sound business strategy and management and growing membership Thank you to our Members for your support over the past year
Agenda Item 5 To vote on resolutions
1. To adopt the financial statement for year ending 31/3/2016 passed 2. To elect three new board members: John Blessington, Jerry Langford & Phil Burton passed 3. To re-appoint James Holyoak and Parker as Auditors passed 4. To elect Beverley Tyler as Treasurer to the Board passed
Agenda Item 6 Any other business
None
Meeting Closed
Small Woods Association, Green Wood Centre, Station Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DR Registered charity 1081874 Company limited by guarantee 3919849 VAT 793594179