Trustees Annual Report -Ben Wragge Charity Registered no 1187299.
Charity activities are summarised in the Chairmans AGM report detailed below. Accounts for the period 31[st] March 2023 are appended to this Trustees Annual Report.
2023 AGM. Ben Wragge Charity. reg. in England No 1187299
Location-New Green Community Centre-IP31 3TG
27[th] July 2023 @ 7.30pm.
Chairmans Report.
The most significant development for the Charity was in June 2022 when we received an offer of a gift of 33 acres of land. This after more than six years searching for a site in the village. The gift followed discussions with a local landowner where we had requested a small area of land to build a skatepark. The discussions developed into a broader remit where the landowner indicated they wanted to help the local football club and wider community. The football club had indicated they had the financial support of the FA if they could obtain a suitable site.
The Charity agreed to work with local stakeholders and authorities to try and progress the project for the community. The gift is subject to the Charity being able to develop a plan for the funding and installation of a range of recreational facilities by obtaining the support and financial commitment of stakeholders.
To facilitate this the Charity changed it’s name from the Ben Wragge Skate Park Charity to the Ben Wragge Charity and broadened its Objects. Two draft layouts have been developed for the site and we have held two public consultations to obtain community feedback which has been supportive.
The landowner has offered further support by committing to allowing access to the site across an adjacent field. A pre-planning
meeting with the planning authority (West Suffolk District Council) resulted in constructive and positive comments. A formal planning application and planning permission will be required to allow the project to progress.
Over the last 12 months we have engaged with Thurston Parish Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, West Suffolk District Council, Thurston Football Club and Thurston Scouts to discuss the project. A website www.benwraggecharity.co.uk has details and a link to a visual presentation of the site on you tube. A working group, comprising Thurston Parish Council, Thurston Scouts, Thurston Football Club and the Charity has so far met six times to progress the project.
To date we have not been able to obtain specific commitment from stakeholders so this remains as our biggest challenge.
Young people in the village have visited skateparks and canvased input on skatepark design to obtain views on preferred layouts.
Fundraising continues and we recently held another “Benni’s Chill” which has become an annual event.
Young people in the village have visited skateparks and canvased input on skatepark design to obtain views on preferred layouts.
I wish to record my thanks to Trustees and other supporters for their work and support in our efforts to progress this project. My hope is that we may find a way to obtain the significant funding required to move the project forward.
Signed Roger Smith-Chairman Ben Wragge Charity. 27/7/2023
Income and Expenditure Account For Financial Year Ended 31st March 2023
----- Start of picture text -----
Income
2,488.16
Benni's Chill
50.00
Donations
837.35
Contributions to Expenses
3,375.51
Total Income
Expenses
1,101.70
Benni's Chill
329.70
Meeting Costs
517.00
Planning Application
540.00
Land survey
288.00
Proffessional Fees 2,776.40
Surplus for Year 599.11
Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2023
Balance as at 31st March 2022 27,045.15
Surplus for Year 599.11
Balance as at 31st March 2023 27,644.26
Represented by
Bank 26,806.91
Debtor 837.35
Total Assets 27,644.26
----- End of picture text -----