Fusion South Kerrier Trust 12 July 2021
Statement from the Chair
The Bus Project has struggled to make progress during the pandemic. Momentum was difficult before and now we have experienced periods where this has diminished to nil. Lockdowns and other regula�ons have exaccerbated the difficul�es in maintaining focus and contact with volunteers. Furthermore, given that the work to refurbish the bus, while highly desirable, cannot be described as essen�al, our progress has been minimal. Our youthworker support has also changed in that while s�ll engaged with the project, their roles and employment have migrated to compe�ng demands. ‘Fusion’ as a monthly youth church event has also ceased.
Even so, the need iden�fied to jus�fy the project has not diminshed. The future opera�on of the project will need to be reviewed with sensi�vity to public health and compliance with regula�ons that the project had obviously never contemplated at its incep�on, but the delivery of its objec�ves remain as relevant as ever.
The upside of con�nuing delay is the opportunity to procure be�er solu�ons and build a be�er project to extend exis�ng Church-based youth work in our communi�es. This remains our focus. The loss of ‘Fusion’ as a monthly event may also present new opportuni�es to rebrand and / or link with similar projects elsewhere in Cornwall.
Since the begining of the project we have received dona�ons totaling £31,500 and we believe our balance of funding to be at least sufficient to see us through the capital expenditure phase of the project. Our account balance at the end of March 2021 stood at £23,650. Our expenditure in parts and labour has concentrated on restora�on of the fuel system, exterior bodywork and interior fit-out, carpenter, electrician, upholsterer and graphics designer. The interior work is approximately 75% complete, but challenges remain regarding the good mechanical func�on of the vehicle.
As previously reported we par�cularly require professional assistance from HGV mechanics and vinyl wrappers. We have resolved most concerns regarding the availability of parts and believe we can confidently source what we need at a price we can afford. For the immediate future we will con�nue to bring the interior of the bus to near opera�onal comple�on, complete the rust protec�on, wheel dressing and body panel assembly so that these external supplier works can be undertaken. There is a current impasse regarding access to professional HGV mechanical support, but when this is overcome, the vehicle will then need to be taken to a commercial garage for full overhaul of wearing parts, and pass an MOT test. Subsequently it will be taken to be liveried by professional vinyl wrappers.
As before, at least two things remain important; first, that we take all prudent measures to reduce the risk of a breakdown when the bus is in service and second, that we con�nue to develop within the team sufficient opera�onal knowledge to be good stewards of the asset.
Our current opera�ons remain legally correct in terms of our policies and insurance. We con�nue to be supported by Scripture Union, for which we are most grateful. Our opera�onal programme requires a Covid-19 revision, but remains broadly as described in our ministry plan and mission statement. We need to develop and invigorate our network of volunteer supporters, both for the refurbishment of the bus and for the team that will be required when we enter the opera�onal phase of the project.
Our con�nued thanks to the Alston family for the provision of space to work on the vehicle, for which the Trust now pays £1.00 per day. I am most thankful for the support of fellow trustees and others who have kept faith with the vision for the project in these unprecedented �mes.
Mark Bayliss – Chair of Fusion South Kerrier Trust
Fusion South Kerrier Trust Accounts 2020-21
| Income Donations Expenditure Administration Training Bus refit Surplus for the year Surplus brought forward Surplus carried forward |
£ 0 30 0 433 |
|---|---|
| 463 | |
| -463 25,510 25,047 |