Brighton Tram 53 Society 13th AGM 2024
21st July 2024
BMRC Clubroom, London Road (Brighton) Station
3:00 PM
a) The minutes of the 12th AGM were agreed
b) Matters arising: Amberley, Tram Controller and Membership. These will
be covered in greater detail later in the meeting.
c) CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: There is a need for more active members. The
principal tram itself (tram 53) has steady work progress on it, whilst
our second tram, number 1, has also been worked on, and the plan is to
make it have disabled access. In respect of the principal tram, windows
are now done and much of the interior. Seat covers are in progress.
Stanmer: Meeting with Kingspan - they are looking for potential buildings
on the site.
A Transport Trust will be needed when it comes to the actual running of
the tram.
For the year ahead there is potentially a date for a move to Stanmer.
Harris Co. will move the tram. The park is owned by the Council but the
building are owned by Kingspan.
PayPal has stopped working - this may be an issue with new terms and
conditions at PayPal or the internet connection - to be investigated.
Action: Finance/GH
Where will the track come from? We have made a request to Croydon Tram
link.
d) FINANCE & INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT: Pat, a qualified Accountant,
is retiring and a new person will need to be found for this position. The
financial spreadsheet was provided. Items of note were the air brakes
that had to be re-done, a future cost to re-gauge the truck (by Dorlec)
from 1 metre to 3'6'' (circa £100K) and a pair of DB1 tram controllers.
On a visit to Portugal potential contacts were made that may assist.
e) SECRETARY: No items to report
f) MEMBERSHIP: 73 membership, stable from last year. Website will need
updating. Rather than a membership card members can print the e-mail
acknowledgement.
g) WORKS: Handbrake to be made up. Upholstery to be made up - a reel of
maquette from new is around £10k. Conway St (the old Brighton bus depot)
may have material or it is possible that LT Acton Museum may have some..
This will be an urgent request as Conway St. is being cleared. The
turning seats on the tram seem to have been 'ad hoc' handmade designs on
the original tram, there is no pattern to follow. Handrails - use
stainless steel rather than brass. Destination indicator - a old bus
mechanism can be used for the roller blind.
Action: members who have links with the bus station.
h) SHOWS & PUBLICITY: An advert will put in the Industrial Archaeology
Society for September. Tinkers Park - we will have a stand this year but
the cost of £100 may mean that this will not used in future years.
Secretary mention that he may be able to provide publicity at the Crawley
MRC Open Day in 2025. Rail Magazine are interested in our work. Possible
approach to 'Latest TV' and 'Ricochet' for TV coverage. Action: GH
i) ELECTION of COMMITTEE: No change, proposed by GJ, Seconded by BD.
j) ANY OTHER BUSINESS: A former member is advertising a '53' badge, as
this is a not-for-profit organisation the member will be invited to make
a corresponding contribution. Gift aid has been done by Ray. Roger at the
Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission has died. He was most helpful to
the Society and we expressed our sympathy.
Meeting closed at 16:05.
Finance Report on the Brighton Tram 53 Society
Annual Income & Expenditure Accounts for the year 1/4/2023 to 31/3/2024.
I would like to open by stating that the above year has been another busy year with actual transactions on our detailed spreadsheet of 130 together with supporting paperwork.
I need to repeat what I said last year that as a Registered Charity, that also claim Gift Aid, we have to maintain clear accurate and auditable records, with supporting paper-work. The Charity Commission and HMRC have the right to Audit Tram 53 affairs. It is important to note that if either were to undertake a review they would just not look at the Financial Record keeping in isolation, but would also assess how we run the Society. We all need to be aware of this as we enter an exciting period.
I would now like to comment on the actual years Accounts .
The Society has had a challenging financial year ending with Expenditure exceeding Income by of £7,408. This being the second highest deficit since our formation in 2010.
Membership was unchanged against previous year.
Donations were down by over £4k to £988. Prior year £5k. Our average donations since forming were nearly £5k.
Our Product Sales were down by £173 with selling remaining a challenge in these difficult times.
There was no Gift Aid this year. Since becoming a Charity, we have claimed a total of £13,500 in Gift Aid. We encourage all those who can to provide a Gift Aid declaration to the Society so that we can gain additional income.
Other income was £0 with prior year figure being as a result of legacy of £5,207 from a deceased member.
The main points to note on Expenditure are as follows : -
Total Expenditure at £10,298 was higher than prior year by £3k. This tends to reflect the more complex and specialist needs for the restoration.
This year saw a reduction in cost of Materials of £1,443.
Product Purchases (for later sale) was up at £297 to £21in the previous year. Given the Sales figures it is prudent not to over purchase new stock.
Hires for events down by £27.
Sundries were down by £285.
Specialist Services costs were £7,988. Possibility that these costs may continue at this level or even increase as we enter complex final stages of the restoration.
Postage costs down by £23.
Pay Pal & SumUp charges down by £18 together with reduced Bank Charges. Wherever possible Members are encouraged to pay by bank transfer directly into our account.
Finally, I wish to thank Keith Carter for reviewing and signing-off the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024. ---
I would also like to inform all Members that this current year (2024-2025) will be my last as Treasurer as I will be stepping down from the role.
This completes my comments on the 2023/2024 Accounts.
Patrick Clinton Hon. Treasurer Brighton Tram 53 Society July 2024