The Lee Old Church Trust Chair’s Report for 2020
We could not have foreseen the devastating consequences of the emergence of Covid-19at the start of the year as we prepared for our program of events to combine fund-raising with, we hoped some fascinating and enjoyable performances and talks. We had to take the inevitable course of cancelling those, and postponing the AGM. This was unfortunate, as much had been happening prior to ‘lockdown’, with the Trust changing its status to become a CIO, and becoming ‘active’. My grateful thanks to Ruth Fowler and Liz Ford for their work in achieving this. Their task was made more difficult by the intransigence of the financial institutions, but they prevailed despite the hurdles that seemed never-ending. Various policies have also been put in place to cover various issues arising in the running of a Trust such as ours; Risk Assessments, Health and Safety and so on. What has been heartening has been the response; new members and increased subscriptions from existing members.
The AGM was finally held in August, via Zoom. I was able to explain to those participating that there had been a ‘Quinquennial Report’; a five-yearly survey of the building, and a legal requirement. This threw up some aspects relating to the fabric of the building; our ‘ raison d’etre’ , and likely to require some considerable expense. Additionally, a fire risk assessment was needed, and this highlighted further matters that will bring about improvements to the safety of the building.
We feel very strongly that the Trust is in the healthiest position it has ever occupied; CIO status, good reserves, and increased membership. Combined with, as I write this, the arrival of Rev. Chris Haywood as the appointed vicar of the Hilltop Parishes, we have every reason to be optimistic about the next decades and even centuries for this wonderful building.
The 08:00 Holy communion services have taken place whenever possible; and these have meant that there has been the opportunity for worship even though that has not been possible in the main church building ‘down the path’.
We have had to postpone the AGM for this year as well, but hope to hold it soon, and there is even the faint possibility that it might be possible to hold it
in the Old Church, and are planning to hold events if permissible towards the end of the year.
Jon Swain
The Lee Old Church Trust IRegisEeredClwiryNwnber 1182744) Income Ex nditure Accollnt for the Ptriod Endin Deeember 31 202 Income 2020 2019 Membership Fees Old Church Boxes Donations Re¢laitn of Tax on covenants and Gift Aid Fund Raising Events- Gross Incorne Less Associated ExnseS Interest on Building Society Account ,330.00 10.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 121.82 Total R¢¢eipts 1,461.82 0.00 endiknre LiJting & Heating Professional fees Equtpment Postage, Printing & Sthtionery Insurance Churchyard Expenses 585.00 720.00 0.00 131.06 742.08 964.72 0.00 0.00 Total Payments 3.142.86 0.00 Surplll5 1 Defieit of Ineomt over Expenditure -1,681.04 Balance Sbeet as at December 31 2020 Assets 2020 2019 Current Account Building Society Accounts 65.197_14 84,530.93 0.00 0.00 149,728.07 0.00 R¢ resented b Aecumul&ted Fund Balance at 1st January Surplus l Deficit of Income over EwDditL Transfers froTn charitv 286870 0.00 -1.681.04 151.409.11 149.728.07 0.00 0.00 R.A. Fowler Tr¢&surer Date 161]) A ri12021 C.J. Wise AC& tndependent Examiner Date 16th April 202