Charity Commission Narrative 26 September to 31 March 2024
Introduction
In September 2023, the Epping Forest District Museum Trust was established at the Charity Commission under charity number 1204614.
Working alongside consultant Sam Hunt, trustees were recruited and appointed, including Holly Whitbread as Chair, Helen Kane as Treasurer and Gill Wallis and Shane McNamara on the 30 August 2023. Patience Wilson as Secretary and Clover Colquhoun, Elin Simonsson and Ashley Harker were appointed on 11 January 2024.
Governance of the museum is held by the Board of Trustee who have met every two months since there appointment.
On 12 February 2024, Ian Channell was appointed Museum Manager having previously held the role of Collections Officer at the museum from 2020-2023. Ian took over management of the museum following vesting in April, assuming the position from James Carstairs, Interim Museum Manager.
On 1 April 2024, Epping Forest District Museum Trust officially took over management of Epping Forest District Museum from the district council.
Recruitment
Since his appointment in February, Ian has been actively recruiting staff for keys posts.
Following interviews in February and March 2024, Amy Stock was appointed Collections Officer on 2 April 2024, Dee Vijayakumar as Learning Officer on 4 April 2024, Charlotte Coombes as Community Engagement Officer on 23 April 2024, and Philip Langley as Museum Technical Officer on 3 June 2024.
Business Plan
A draft Business Plan, initially compiled from February to March 2024, along with an associated Risk Register and 2024-2025 Activity Plan, were approved by the Board of Trustees on 16 May 2024.
Strategic objectives within the Business Plan seek to achieve financial sustainability, develop further community engagement opportunities, manage collections and estate to best practice museum standards, secure local, district and county partnerships, and strengthen and fortify the organisation. The Business Plan will be reviewed by the Board in 2026.
Engagement
The Museum is currently running the temporary exhibition ‘Towns Through Time’ which showcases a selection of photographs from the collection, revealing life in the main district towns from 1870 onward. Having opened on 7 February 2024, the exhibition will run until Quarter 1 2025.
Funding
Epping Forest District Council will be providing a funding envelop to the Trust by way of a 4-year service level agreement.
The museum generates income through shop and event sales and via donations and external funding.
Staff are actively applying to various grant givers, including Arts Council England and the Society for Museum Archaeology amongst others, for additional projectbased funding.
Epping Forest District Museum CIO Charity No 1204614 Annual accounts for the period 0610912023 P10d startdatè 3110312024 Section A Statement of financial activities (including summary income and expenditure account) Ro$trlct•d incom• lund$ Recommended catogorle$ by a¢tlvty Unrestrlct•d funds T•)tsl fvnds Income (Note 3) In¢ome from: F01 F02 F04 DonaU(Ybs 570 6,200 570 6.200 EFDC Grant FLmdlrvJ Bank Inlerest Othèr Total Expendlture (Notes 6) Expendrlur• on: charilab aclwts85 ,771 5,686 500 5,686 500 Govem Other Total 6.186 ,186 Net Incomel(expenditure) before tax for the reportlng perfod Tax p8y4ble 585 585 Net incomel(expendllurel after tsx before Investment galnsl(losses} N619aSnsllb559s1 ¢)n Invastrnents 585 585 Net in¢omel(expendlturel 585 585 Reconclllation ol fvnds.. TotBI funds brtwht forward Total funds carried fonvard 585
Epping Fore51 District Museum 1204614 Section B Balance sheet Unrestrictgd Ro$trl¢ted funds Incomo funds Total Ihls year Total last Current assets Cash at bank and in hand (Note 4) Total current assets Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthin one yoar {Note 51 2,245 2,245 Net Current assetsl(liabilitiesJ Total assets less Current liabilities Total net assets or Ilabilltlos Funds of the Charity Restricted in¢ome funds {Noto 27) Unreslrlcted funds 585 585 585 585 Total funds Date of approval ddlmml Signed by one or tNStees behalf of all the trustees Print Nam6 Ms Helen Kanè Ms Holly Whilbread Si9natur8 Dale ddlmm CC17a (Ex¢ell 1810612024
Sectiun C Notes to the accounts Icont Noté 3 In¢omo Anaty8i8 of in¢om• knd• fvnd• DDn•lion8- Donations and lfts Ganeral graTht$ provided by v8rnmenVotherchanti8¥ Donated oods, fa(alilies and serwce8 6,200 10 6,200 Total 6,770 6,770 InmI from SrNp¥trne*ts.' Intèmst Itxome Total TOTAL INCOME 6.771 6.771 Note 4 Cash at bank and In hand Cash at bank and on hand 2,830 Total 2,830 Note 5 Creditors and accruals 5.1 Anatysi"s of Creditors Amounts fdllng due wthin one year This year Aecwals Taxath)n and social security 1,745 Total 2,245 CC178 IExGdl 1810612024