2024-03-31-accounts

Huntingdon & District RDA Group

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 27 June 2024 at Northbrook Equestrian Centre, Offord Cluny, commencing 12.00 pm

• 1) Present: Jane Briggs, Marion Davies, Melissa Giggs, Anne Lambert, Gill Linnette, Wendy Parker, Sue Sheard, Maggie Shiner, Hazel Bimson

• 2) Apologies: Anita Benfield, Robyn Brack, Dionne Brookes, Carol-Ann Burge, Leanne Burton, Tracy Dixon, Fiona Everest, Janice Gore, Janet Greiller, Tracy Hall, Sue Sewell, Chris Taylor, Liz Tinley

• 3) Minutes - The circulated minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 29 June 2023 were signed and dated by Jane Briggs having been taken as read and agreed to be a true record.

4) Matters Arising

a)

• First Aid Training - Undertaken by Janet. Mel to attend the next available course.

5) Approval of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 - The circulated audited Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet were approved and a copy follows these minutes. Although there is still a healthy bank balance, it was noted that expenditure exceeded income by £2608.52. To ‘break even’ requires income of around £7000 and while fortunate to receive regular donations from the Strangward Trust and via EasyFundraising, these cannot be taken for granted. Jane to invite Strangward to an RDA session. Other sources of income to be investigated include The Round Table and Kimbolton Castle Rotary.

6) Chairman’s Report on the Group’s Activities since the 2023 AGM

We have seen the children gain confidence and progress often after much patience and skill shown by our coaches and volunteers. Parents and the staff of Samuel Pepys school have expressed their appreciation of the sessions but it is the smiles from the children that make us all want to continue.

The summer Teresa Scott-Petrie Funday was once more a success and a visit from Father Christmas , was a wonderful end to 2023. Finding enough volunteers has again been tricky at times but we have an amazing core of skilled and committed people and have managed to provide safe cover each week despite our numbers being depleted due to accidents and illness. I hope everyone is making a good recovery and we will be back to full strength before too long.

Northbrook EC has continued to be supportive and have provided us with suitable ponies throughout the year. Volunteers have completed training in Safeguarding and First Aid and been kept up to date with the opportunities available on the MyRDA learning platform.

We have been extremely fortunate to benefit from generous financial support from the Strangwood Trust, Leanne’s charity ball and Liz’s contribution to the new ground rent we are charged for the storage shed. There hasn’t been much fundraising this year but we are aware of the importance of this both to boost funds to cover ever increasing costs and raise awareness of our charity in our communities. A big thank you to Maggie for arranging the replacement cones and to her husband for the modifications to secure the poles. They are a big improvement and will certainly help protect our backs so we can volunteer into our old age!

A great year so thank you to everyone for making Thursday mornings such fun for us all.

7) Coach’s Report

Another successful and satisfying year for us.

We had our challenges; reluctant riders who were too anxious to actually sit on their pony, and over protective staff who made us anxious! Then we had our rewards; smiles, giggles and bonding with ponies.

We have had several 'natural' riders, who really take control of their ponies and enjoy themselves. And Oscar, who despite his condition, was a ray of sunshine, and tried so hard to hold himself up.

As ever, my sincere thanks go to everyone. We couldn't do this without any one of you. Tracy and Mel have been brilliant; our leaders have been reliable and attentive, but it is the sidewalkers who are there keeping their child safe and stimulated, who should be recognised for their huge input. Special thanks to Wendy for setting up every week, providing that welcome coffee and biscuits, as well as helping me mount the riders, sidewalking and keeping our records straight.

Most importantly, we must record our thanks to Jane for all her leadership and dedication to the Group, despite all her domestic challenges.

I almost forgot.....Thank you to our ponies.

• 8) Retirement of Committee Members - In accordance with clause 6.4 of the Standard Group Constitution, Jane Briggs and Wendy Parker retired from the Committee. Both confirmed they would be happy to stand for re-election.

• 9) Election of Group Chairman - Anne Lambert. Proposed by Marion Davies, seconded by Gill Linnette. All in favour. Anne asked it to be noted that future grandchildren commitments may involve overseas travel and periods of absence.

• a) Appreciation expressed to Jane for the huge amount of work involved during her term as Chairman: change of status to CIO, Covid, introduction of numerous policies, etc

10)

Committee Elections

• a) Re-elected Committee Members - Jane Briggs and Wendy Parker. Proposed by Marion Davies, seconded by Gill Linnette. All in favour.

2024/25 Committee: Jane Briggs, Marion Davies, Tracy Dixon, Mel Giggs, Anne Lambert (Chairman), Gill Linnette (Vice-Chairman), Wendy Parker, Sue Sewell, Sue Sheard, Maggie Shiner

• b) - Secretary: Wendy Parker; Treasurer: Marion Davies; Safeguarding Officer: Sue Sheard; School Liaison Officer: Gill Linnette

• 11) Independent Examiner of the Group’s Accounts - C J Dyke & Company, Chartered Accountants. All in favour.

• 12) Theresa Scott-Petrie Fun Day - Thursday 25 July 2024, 9.30 am - 12.30 pm

• Hire Fee paid to Northbrook (four ponies, riding school facilities, use of portacabin): £200 Return of paperwork and confirmation of children awaited from Samuel Pepys School. Children’s Picnic - Sue; Adult Sandwiches - Anne/Wendy; Cold Drinks - Maggie

• 13) Prestley Wood Academy - Enquiry received from a new Special School in Alconbury Weald, opening September 2024, wishing to offer riding from November onwards. Following discussion, it was agreed to consider offering one 45 minute session for up to five pupils from 11.45 am on Thursdays. NEC to be approached initially and depending upon response, all volunteers to be canvassed on their availability/willingness to cover an extended session. Additional hire costs likely to be charged to the Academy.

• 14) Summer Social - Jane’s offer to host accepted with alacrity. Possibly a Thursday in August

• 15) Young Volunteer - Request received from a volunteer to bring her 19 year old autistic brother along to help at one of the sessions. After some discussion, and receiving assurance she will supervise her brother throughout, it was agreed to welcome C to the term’s final session. Duties to include poo picking but not sidewalking.

Meeting Closed 1.00 pm

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