ANNUAL REPORT 1 APRIL 2021- 31 MARCH 2022 FOAKES FOR RECREATION GROUND TRUST Trust Management Committee GREAT DUNMOW TOWN COUNCIL- LAND HOLDINGS Great Dunmow is fortunate in that the Town Council owns, maintains or has responsibility for, over 17 heclares (52 acres) of common and recreational land in the town. In addition to this there is a parcel of land, The David Cock Bequest Land, of over 23 hectares (59 acres) to the south of the town which was bequeathed to the Courlcil in the will of the late Mr David Cock who lived at Langleys. The Town has been enhanced by the far-sighted generosity of numerous benefactors over the years- such as the Foakes family and the Countess of Warwick at the beginning of the 20th enlury to the late David Cock at the end - who enabled a wide variety of land to come under public ownership. One major benefit has been the preservation and improvement of extensive open areas thus maintaining the rural openness of the ntre of the Town, so vital with the extensive developments taking place and an added attraction for visitors. This process has been continued with open spaces being obtained as part of planning requirements {e.g. Chelmer Valley) or by direct purchase (e.g. Harp Mead). The land holding is a mixture of formal playing fields, play areas, allotments and meadows. The playing fields and play areas are maintained with formal grass cutting contracts. The meadows, situated along the Chelmer Valley, are managed as meadows to provide recreational facilities as well as enhanced natural habitats for wildflowers and wildlife. The Council is also responsible for the management of the trees and hedges on its, land holdings. The Council also has a parcel of land to the rear of Beaumont Hiltlwoodlands Park from Uttlesford District Council, which the Council has named Castleden Meadow. The area includes maturing woodlands, scrub and ponds for wildlife habitat. The Downs & Commons Committee of the Council regularly meet to discuss ongoing programmes and proposals for the development and enhancement of facilities on the land. DAVID COCK LAND 59 acres of Grade 2 agricultural land on the east side of the Chelmer Valley. The land was bequeathed to the Town Council by the late David Cock to: "hold the net proed$ of sale and the net rents and profits until sale, to provide such recreational facilities for the benefit of people living in Great Dunmow as Ihe members of the Council shall in their absolute discretion decide.. There is a stand of willow trees, planted by David Cock, in one wet comer adjacent to the property known as Langleys. The trees belong to the Council and will be malured as cricket bat willows.
In 2010 pieces of the land were planted with mixed native broadleaves and woody shrubs with the aid of a grant from the English Woodland Grant Scheme. The Flitch Way footpath, {the old railway line), crosses Ihe land running roughly northlsouth past Langleys, parallel to the Chelmsford Road. A footpath connects the land along the valley to Braintree Road. There is limited vehicular access to the land for the public at present, however a neighbouring development could provide parking and a new footbridge in the fijture. In 2016 further young trees were obtained with a grant from the Forestry Commission and planted by a group of local volunteers (Friends of the Dunmow Open Spaces), overseen by Rod Pass, the Council's agent and co-ordinated by Cllr. Beedle. In 2018 the tenant farmer was served noti and the land was planted with 13,000 young trees to form a woodland. The area has been fend and is traversed by wide grass rides fomiing recreational walkways which will improve as the woodland matures. b) Trust Staff The Operations Manager, is supported by the Caretaker and the Groundsmen. The Amenities Manager manages all bookings for the facilities at the Pavilion and Recreation Ground. Dourdan Pavilion Bookings and Maintenance The Dourdan Pavilion is a small venue which is used by various organisations. It is also hired out for children's parties and it is particularly suitable for this as there is a garden area that can be used in the summer. Small family events are also held in the Pavilion. The Town Council also uses Ihe Pavilion for meetings. d) Recreation Ground Bookings and Maintenance The Recreation Ground is used widely not only by the public for activities and dog walking but by organisations, boot camps, football clubs, fairs, circuses, town carnival, Park Run, Mummy Buggy Fitness and firework displays. Grass cutting, tree and hedge maintenants has been carried out during the year. The play area and skate park are in constant use, general Maintenan has been carried out on the play equipment and the skate park is repaired as required.
GREAT DUNMOW TOWN COUNCIL FOAKES FOR RECREATION GROUND INCOMEAND EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022 INCOME Pavilion and Ground Fees 12,317.35 Miscellaneous.. General Payphone Wayleaves 6150 0.00 146_13 208.63 12,525.98 108.65 D.OCI 12,634.63 0.00 Invgstrnent Income.. Grants Recewed". M&G Charibond Financial Assistance received from Great Dunmow Town Counal 70,119.49 82,754.12 EXPENDITURE Pavilion Utilitiès and Payphone Pavilion M8inten3nce Pavilion Wa9&5 Administration Charge Establishmonl Charges Skate Park Grass cutb.ng Groundsman 8xd supplies Groundsman- van and running wsts Hedging and Treework Kerbing, F&nang and Ditching Car Parks, Footpaths, Tracks & Open spa fflaintenan Litter bins, Stsals, Picnic Tables and Sign5 Audit Fees Insuran Miscellaneous Play Equipment and Safety Surfacing 3,498.33 -1,2tK.84 8,647.53 22,128.43 6,503.91 1,666.93 6,340.88 17,104.51 2,882.79 920.( 636.03 4.659.91 5,727.20 445.00 1,550.23 308.47 940.81 82.754.12 £o.oD 0.00 ASSETS AT 31ST AqARCH 2022 M&G Charibond RGT- COIF 8CCOUfit Split.. 5,456.53 Recreation Ground Trust David Cod( Bequest 3,086.06 35,766.41 38,852.47 £44,309. o.oo The fund results from the bequest of land to Great DunmowTown Counril by the lat8 Mr. Dawd Cod( for the purposÈs of providing reueational facilities for the inhabitants of GrBat Dunmow. The monies held in a specific High Interest Business Accountwere given to the Rècréation Ground Trust to be invested in 8 new COIF account. Fixed Assets consists of land at the Recreation Ground whth fomis part of the Trust and therefor¢ has no value. Thè above statement r¢presents fairty the financial position of the Authority as at 31st Marth 2Q22 J4bLrf / Chairman f Foakes for RÉfftalion Ground Tru51 Date
HEELIS & LODGE
• Local Council Services Internal Audit
’ – Independent Examiner s Report for Foakes for Recreation Charity Trust 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
Registered Charity No: 301313
Income: £82,754.12 Expenditure: £82,754.12
Reserves: £44,309.00
The Council are the sole Trustee of the Foakes for Recreation Charity Trust. The aims of the Charity are to manage the Recreation Ground and Dourdan Pavilion for the purpose of the provision of recreational facilities, upkeep and conservation of open spaces for the benefit of the local community. The Recreation Ground, including the Dourdan Pavilion are well used by the local community for a variety of activities and community events.
The 2020-2021 Annual Return was received by the Charity Commission on 21 January 2022. All trustees are members of Great Dunmow Town Council.
The Committee prepares an annual budget, looking at short, medium and long term planning for maintenance, running costs and improvements. The Trust complies with the Town Council Financial Regulations. Income and expenditure are tracked throughout, providing a clear audit trail. The Finance Officer keeps clear record.
Hire agreements are in place and appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure hirers have adequate insurance and qualifications to undertake safe and proper use of the activity to take place. A comprehensive Standard Conditions of Hire document is in place.
An asset register is in place and is reviewed annually as part of the Town Council procedures. Insurance is in place under the Town Council, this includes all the standard cover including Fidelity. Funds held for the Foakes for Recreation Charity are in the form of shares (COIF £38,852.47) and M&G Investments (£5,456.53).
A process is in place for taking forward actions arising from the report. Payroll, income, expenditure processes were examined as part of the Gt Dunmow TC Internal Audit dated 7/6/2022.
There were no matters which give cause to believe that in, any material respect, the Trustees have not met the requirements of the Charity Act 1993.
Heather Heelis 19 January 2023
HEELIS & LODGE Appointed Independent Examiner
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Contact details : 1 Hembling Terrace, Mill Lane, Suffolk, IP13 0PP Tel: 07732 681125 Email: heather@heelis.eu
Heather Heelis Dip HE Local Policy FILCM
Lynne Lodge Dip HE Local Policy