CLERK’S REPORT JUNE 2021
This past 18 months has been very busy for us at the Almshouses.
The new wet room for No 2 was completed and redecorated and finished including a heated towel rail, in January. Les was thrilled with it, but unfortunately died of a heart attack on 12[th] February 2020, which was a shock to everyone as Les was the one who was always gardening, supplying vegetables and helping the others; he was also very good at dealing with Pamela.
Some of Les’s family moved in to No 2 in order to ‘clear his belongings’. Unfortunately it became a difficult situation as they were not in any hurry to move out, so we had to keep asking them, eventually they moved out in the middle of March. We then went into Lockdown on 23[rd] March which meant we could not get the decorator in or show any potential residents around for some considerable time.
We had the whole of Number 2 redecorated and the chimney swept.
I advertised the vacancy in the Isle Valley News and we had two applicants, who both later withdrew. I then advertised on the Horton and Broadway Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page and had two more applicants. We interviewed and appointed a lovely lady Ruth Proctor who moved in in August, this was delayed as she had to give 2 months notice at her previous home. Ruth is a very active lady who has fitted in very well.
The shed previously allocated to No 2 was in a dilapidated state so we purchased a new one for Ruth which she is very pleased with.
I also took the opportunity to renew the paperwork for the Residents, including producing a Residents Handbook in booklet form.
We have had some minor electrical works done, including a new security light.
Also Pamela’s shower room has had the ceiling painted, a new shower screen and basin waste replaced as it was leaking, and the stop tap in her porch was replaced.
Allotments
The allotments have been very successful this year with 3 additional people taking them on. In the main they are very well looked after and regularly attended. We have also had further enquiries from 2 others who are on a waiting list. We only charge £10 per annum. Is it time to increase this? I would suggest £15 next year.
Garden Maintenance
This has continued to be done on a regular basis and the gardens are well kept.
Grant Application
As you know we applied to the Almshouse Association for a Grant towards the wet rooms and replacing the central heating boiler. We heard in March 2020 that we had been successful and received £10,000 in April. Unfortunately the Covid 19 restrictions have meant that we have been unable to complete the works as planned and hope to resolve this in the coming year.
Central Heating Boiler
It was a pity that we had been unable to replace the boiler as we have had some problems with it cutting out and have had to call an engineer out twice in September and October despite it being serviced in July 2020.
Covid 19
The residents were well supported during the first lockdown with friends, neighbours and carers helping with shopping etc.
During our second lockdown our new resident Ruth was contacted by Track and Trace and advised to have a test and isolate for 2 weeks. Fortunately the test was negative but we took the precaution of providing sanitising spray for all the residents to clean the hand rails on the stairs, which are communal.
Drains
Unfortunately the drains blocked again in February in the manhole for numbers 3 and 4, due to a profusion of toilet paper. Pamela was adamant none of it was hers! Richard successfully cleared them with draining rods but it took more than 2 hours and was not a pleasant job, especially due to the Covid situation at the time.
Restorative Justice Meeting
On 20[th] March 2021 a Restorative justice Meeting was held at Broadway Village Hall following information from Julia and Ruth regarding Pamela’s on going unacceptable behaviour towards Julia.
Also at the meeting were Pamela’s supporter Mr Glenn Harding who did all the talking for Pamela, and Ruth who was there to support Pamela. Brad also attended.
We were hopeful that it might have had a positive effect as both Pamela and Julia agreed to have more understanding towards each other and strive for better communications. Unfortunately this was very short lived and on 20[th] May, Pamela emailed us with a Grievance against Ruth.
Incident on April 10[th]
We were called by Julia to let us know that the compost heap adjacent to the boundary hedge of The Old Vicarage was on fire and Mrs Poole was very concerned. It seems that Pamela had been burning papers on the compost heap
and the wooden pallets surrounding the heap had caught fire. We purchased an incinerator and reminded all residents not to leave fires unattended.
Incident on 31[st] May
As you are all aware we had a very nasty incident at the Almshouses on 31[st] May when Pamela’s friend Glenn Harding lost his temper and verbally abused Ruth and Julia and physically assaulted Brad, causing a nasty injury to his arm which has resulted in multiple hospital visits. Brad now has the District Nurse calling to dress his arm. The response from the police has been very disappointing. They were called at the time but did not attend until the following Thursday. Also Richard spoke to them on 10[th] June and they still had not taken a statement from Glenn Harding.
Following the incident on the Monday, Glenn Harding stayed away from the Almshouses until Thursday 3[rd] June. When Ruth and Julia saw him there they were very frightened and called us to attend and they sought refuge in the Bell. Richard spoke to Glenn and asked him to leave which he did without question. We have since written to him to ask him not to go to the Almshouses and also to Pamela to inform her that Mr Harding must not visit.
ALEXANDER EVERVS ALMSHOUSE CHARITY INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACC NT FOR THE YEAR E14DED IITH OBER 2020 2020 2019 Income 4•&5 Received 15.083.32 16,694.49 Charinco Income Dlvidends 220.78 Natlonal Savin85 Bank Interert 0.00 Mi5cellaneou5 Income 0.00 NAAGrant io,000.(K) Donation5 5QMJO.00 Wayleaves 23.24 25,206.46 21,915.27 Expendlture Maintenance & Repalrs 6.582.21 4.000.29 Councll Tax Water Rates 1,073.64 1,098.11 Electrlclty 518.73 491.00 Central Heating 011 4.293.59 4,429.26 Insurance 662.01 664.12 TV Llcence 22.50 Gardening 990.50 14,120.68 1,099.98 11,805.26 Honorariums 240. 240.0) N A A Subscription 170.(M) 163.00 Room Hire Accountancy 270.(M) 2S2.ty) 655.ljo Christmas Presents for Residents & Gifts 180.00 160.00 Travel Expenses f 14,980.68 E12.620.26 Ejtcess of Income over Expendlture EIO,225.78 £9,295.01
ALEXANDER EVERfs ALMSHOUSE CHARITY BALANCE SHEET A5 AT IITH ocfoBER 20 2020 2019 Im 1129.60 Charinco Income Shares ' 2.236.61 2,216.28 Helllar B uest 153.25 Charinco Income Shares 303.44 292.71 ccum I I nFund 294.10 Charinco Income Shares ' 582.32 3,122.37 561.73 3,070.72 Extraordlna Ae IrF 162.28 Charinco Accumulatlon Shares 8,787.25 7.751.92 cll al Maln nan National Savings 8ank 12.453.75 12,453.75 Ll ds Bank 29,924.62 19,974.32 Pre me 968.92 703.94 Total Assets al Ilth October 2020 55,256.91 43,954.65 ¢1 264. 274.50 Total Assets less Uabllltles at Ilth October 2020 £54,992.91 £43,680.15 Representsd by."" Assets at Ilth October 2019 43.680.15 Add Increase In Share Values In Year 1,086.98 44.767.13 Add Excess of Income over Expenditure in the Year 10.22S.78 £54,992.91 * 8id Volue of Investment5 at 30.06.20
ALEXANDER EVERY'S ALMSHOUSE CHARITY OUNTS . for the year ended- IITH OCTOBER 2020
ALEXANDER EVERVS ALMSHOUSE CHARrrY ACCOUNTANTS REPO We report to the Members of the Charity that these Accounts have been prepared from the Bank Statements, Recelpts and Involces and frorn Inforniatlon and explanations 8lven us by the Officers of the Charlty. The Accounts are in accordance wlth the information supplied and are in our opinion corrert. Mitcha Chartered Ilminster untants 12th November 2020