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
pro￿ed$ 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 fen￿d 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 

1 

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