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2022-12-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

Registered charily number 513509

CONTENTS

CONTENTS
Chair’s Review of 2022 4
Patron’s Address 7
President’s Address 7
Citizenship Group Report 8
Heritage Group Report 9
Heritage Open Days Report 10
Rail Group Report 11
Talks & Tours Group Report 11
Highways Report 12
Planning Group Report 13
Design Awards 14
Our Trustees & Working Groups 18
Vice Chair’s Report 19
Treasurer’s Report 20
2022 Annual Accounts 21
2023 Calendar of Events 23

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Venue provision: Town Hall, Library and Castle (WMDC), The Old Grocers, Tracked Spider Solutions, King’s Croft Hotel, Central Methodist Church, The Coffee Lounge, The Magistrates Market, and The Court Cafe

Heritage Open Days: All venues, exhibitors, speakers, workshop hosts, and tour guides, too many to mention Calendar/book sales: Suzi’s Boutique, The Old Grocers, Forever After, Michelle’s Flowers, The Court Cafe, House of Ales, and Pomfret Gallery

Decoration collection points: Library, Yorkshire Building Society, and Michelle’s Flowers

Photography courtesy of: Christine & Paul Cartwright, Peter Ferrari, Medlock Photography, Prince of Wales Hospice, Phil Cook, design award winners and agents

Window Decorations Judges: Pontefract Academies Trust schools and St Giles CofE Academy

Decoration Squad: Both civic society members and other volunteers including schools

: instagram.com/pontefractcivicsociety/

CHAIR’S REVIEW OF 2022

A year in the life of a civic society chair - I am pleased that our membership has continued to grow to the highest level in my time, which had been broadened across most categories.

Unfortunately, more active members were required in our working groups, and all needed to be active, though some members have volunteered for tasks on an ad hoc basis, which is a good sign.

The volume of work goes on unabated, though when you see the below, that is not sustainable. As well as leading the board of trustees, and being the face of the civic society, I have continued to be involved with every working group, though it shouldn’t have to be that way once clearer direction and plans are set.

departments, and Phil Cook has attended most of these meetings, too. Examples of which are:

WORKING FOR PONTEFRACT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WAKEFIELD MDC

Throughout the year, I’ve had in person and online meetings with officers and elected members at all levels and across various

BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT

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WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER LOCAL GROUPS

MEMBERSHIP BY TYPE

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70
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
60 60 58
52
50 48 [50] 48
45
40 37 [39 ][42]
30 32
24
20
16
13 12 [15] 12 12
10 4 4 4 [5] 10 10 5 5 [8] [12] 4 [3] [5] 3 2 5 10 10 1 3 [4] 7
0
Individual Family Junior Civic SocietyCommunity Group Business Bronze Business Silver Business Gold
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www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

STAKEHOLDER WORKING AT NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL

PUBLIC RELATIONS

GOVERNANCE, ADMINISTRATION & LOGISTICS

NOW FOR 2023

More of the same from 2022, though hopefully, more delegation, more new members, and more active members.

In leading Pontefract Civic Society’s board of trustees for another year, my role will ensure the promises made 12 months ago continue to be delivered and strengthened, my objectives being:

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Paul Cartwright - Chair, Board of Trustees

Registered charity number 513509

PATRON’S ADDRESS

After being put on hold due to Covid 19, I cannot thank enough the Chairman and his colleagues for hosting a very successful tour of Pontefract town centre, Town Hall, the Castle & Visitors Centre, and St Giles’ Church for the visit by the Vice-Lord Lieutenant and other West Yorkshire Deputy Lieutenants.

My colleagues were bowled over by how prosperous the town looked and how members of the Society were very proud of its rich heritage and its place in English History. Many had never been to Pontefract and wondered why they had not known of this local treasure before.

It was also gratifying to have in attendance the Mayor of Wakefield who is a Pontefract Councillor. He and his wife gave that extra something to the occasion. He also wore the Pontefract chain of office during the morning, to the delight of all.

You have only to look at Pontefract Voice to see how dynamic Pontefract Civic Society is and also its contribution to other Civic Society events, including areas of common concern and interest in West Yorkshire. I firmly believe that Civic Societies have a significant role to play in the Levelling Up agenda; clearly, we have to be bold in the era of many challenges facing our communities.

It was also a significant Royal Year, and it gave me great pleasure to attend, with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, a Platinum Jubilee Service at St Giles’ Church which was very well attended.

I have said before how interesting some of the speakers are in the Civic Society calendar of events. I particularly enjoyed the talk on the history of the Barnbow Factory in Leeds. We too often forget the significant role women played at this factory in both world wars, and beyond.

A group of us also attended a Mayor’s event in Wakefield Town Hall and saw how he conducted a Citizenship Ceremony. I was sorry to hear from him that there was no immediate prospect of the King visiting Wakefield or Pontefract. Perhaps we ought to get our heads together to look at what could be of interest to members of the Royal Family. If we can come up with a suggested programme I am more than happy to forward it to the Clerk to the Lieutenancy for further possible action.

Michael Sayles Fox DL - Patron

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

How we assess the effects of the Covid Pandemic and the Ukrainian War on our economic life will no doubt be debated for some time yet, but it is quite obvious that those effects have been serious.

No doubt also that other factors can be conflated with these to account for the fact that nearly every major scheme that we might have hoped to comment on in this report has been delayed for one reason or another.

However, notwithstanding the frustrations felt throughout the past year, the Society has continued to feed into all the consultations affecting our town and we are reasonably confident that we shall see such important schemes as the Horsefair “Streets for People” initiative, the development of Monkhill Station and the publication of the Northern Rail Plan, among others (to which we have made significant contributions) go forward in the present year.

The Society has also worked hard to broaden its base and to widen its appeal to local people, and you will read in these pages a detailed account of our work over the past year. But this continuing work needs active members, and I would invite and urge those members who can offer some time and relevant skills to join us in some suitable capacity to carry this work forward.

I am very much aware of the hard work that has been done throughout the past year by our various committees, and I am pleased to express my own thanks and those of the Society to all these members as individuals and to our Chairman, who has so ably coordinated this work.

Peter Cookson - President

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CITIZENSHIP GROUP REPORT

For the first time in three years, both the Citizenship Group and the Decoration Squad were able to get back to a full year of Pontefract’s life and activities, which had previously been affected by the pandemic.

We were finally able run a full programme of events starting with the Community Showcase in the library in March. This was followed by attendance at the Armed Forces Day and Yorkshire Day events. Throughout a very busy and active year, we’ve worked with Pontefract Academies Trust, and of course our ongoing work with St Giles C of E Academy. I am delighted in the way the whole team has taken this working group forward, whilst still building on and increasing our activities from previous years.

2022 hasn’t seen the growth in Citizenship Group we had hoped for; in fact, we’ve had less members, but this hasn’t restricted our normal activities. We were delighted and surprised with The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and the Civic Society was recognised as the lead in Pontefract for this. The Decoration Squad and Citizenship Group worked tirelessly to create an outstanding display in the town centre.

I am pleased to say that our Jubilee Market with vintage vehicles in June was extremely well attended, which saw the Market Hall, Library and KLH Craft Fair all have a record attendance on what most expected to be a very quiet time in Pontefract. This has led us to instigate WheelFest in June 2023, as an annual event in the Pontefract calendar benefiting the town centre businesses and residents.

We were also able to re-engage local schools for our usual joint activities for Remembrance Day, and our annual shop window Christmas display competition. Another key highlight of the year was working with local Councillors and St John Ambulance to relocate their Memorial plaque, remembering its members who had lost their lives in conflict. It is very satisfying know that the Civic Society was able to bring the parties together to ensure that the plaque has a permanent home in Pontefract Town Hall. I am pleased to say that during the year normality did return and allowed us to plan for what has now become our annual Christmas Concert with the Liquorice Singers, which had its largest audience to date.

I am personally taken aback by the support given during 2022 and how much we have achieved in promoting our town. It is the interaction with other community groups and local business supporting Pontefract Civic Society which, together, has made Pontefract a talking point in a positive way within the district and beyond.

I was delighted in October to be one the recipients of “The Wakefield Unsung Hero Awards”. I also need to make a personal thank you to Paul Cartwright, Peter Ferrari and the executive for the support they have given to me throughout the year. We are already looking at ways to increase our activities in 202324, and I am excited about the potential activities we will have for our town, expanding on the work we already do to ensure Pontefract is a destination town to live, work and play.

CITIZENSHIP ACHIEVEMENTS 2022

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DECORATION SQUAD ACHIEVEMENTS 2022

CITIZENSHIP GROUP & DECORATION SQUAD PLANS FOR 2023

Phil Cook - Citizenship Coordinator

HERITAGE GROUP REPORT

We started the year in preparation for two significant full day events; one would have been a challenge, but in Pontefract Civic Society, we don’t do things by half. The first of these was The Yorkshire Society’s inaugural Heritage Summit, and where better to host that than in our historic town. The event was held in our Georgian and Victorian Town Hall, complete with guest speakers; lunch was followed by a guided walk in two groups, including the Market Place conservation area and part of Friarwood Valley Gardens conservation area. Phil Bell, Chief Executive, The Yorkshire Society said,

“It was important to get many of the region’s volunteer organisations and our heritage guardians together for the first time in one place, to share ideas and work together to ” show the strength of their combined power.

I would like to thank Mollie Garbett, Rachael Willoughby, Phil Cook, Phil Henfrey, Derek Norfolk and Jayne Poppleton for supporting the day.

The second event - held on 25 May for the Vice Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Deputy Lieutenants, and their partners - followed a more ambitious day of guided walks, supported by a presentation on the town and the major part that the Civic Society plays within it. This visit was planned with our Patron, Michael Sayles-Fox DL, which included guided walks of the Market Place conservation area in two groups. These included a visit to St Giles’ Church and Pontefract Museum led by their respective teams, and after lunch, a walk-through part of the Castle conservation area, where we handed over to Ian Downes and the Castle team.

Tim Hare, Vice Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire said,

“Without a doubt this was a great success, enjoyed by all; without a doubt, Pontefract will receive a very positive review.”

Earlier in 2022, we started a positive relationship with Paul & Karen Copley with a welcoming stew and bread meal, after which Phil Henfrey provided his research on Cartners No. 5. They’ve since become business members and good friends of the Civic Society. We’ve been consulted by Wakefield MDC throughout the process of creating four new monoliths, which provide current signposting for visitors, as well as our heritage content on the reverse. We are really pleased with the outcome, especially as our demand that they were not too contemporary was met, and for the Council accepting our request for key buildings in our streetscape to form the liquorice-style header. The boards were installed in June on Liquorice Way, Headlands Road, Ratten Row and Gillygate. Throughout the whole of the first half of the year, the Heritage Group contributed to the Citizenship Group’s output for the

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Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, with well-researched videos and slideshows, and in particular, I want to thank Derek Norfolk and Linda Benson-Henfrey.

In June, we hosted Garforth & Kippax U3A for a half day heritage walk, which was soon followed by a walk for Civic Day; whilst the latter was poorly attended, we got two new members from it. Some non-Heritage Group members were taken on a familiarisation walk between Ferrybridge and Knottingley along the tow path, with the return leg in part through the old town of Knottingley.

In August, I met with Peter Phillips, who’s based in Seattle, USA, as he visited Pontefract with a close friend as part of a UK-wide visit, though his interest was researching his family dating back to the 1600’s. Whilst he was thrilled by Pontefract and the Civic Society, we had to make him aware that his ancestors were likely to have emigrated from the Huddersfield area. During this month, Phil Cook and I briefed Karen and Lynne from KLH Events on the history of the town hall, so that they can answer questions informing people at their craft fairs.

Having been saddened by the passing of our late Queen Elizabeth II, which had a minor impact on our Heritage Open Days programme (reported below), we went to support the Proclamation of King Charles III in Pontefract with the Town Crier, John Turner, and in Wakefield with the Mayor, Cllr David Jones. We then posted the Proclamation in the Magistrates Market, the bus station and outside the library.

During the autumn, we worked in partnership with Rebecca from Pontefract Library, on reaching relatives of those named on the St John Ambulance stone memorial. This was in preparation for its move from their Pontefract HQ to the Town Hall, which Phil Cook arranged with the council. We then hosted an unveiling and blessing conducted by the Mayor, Cllr David Jones and Canon June Lawson, respectively, in the presence of St John Ambulance representatives, past and present - plus two descendants we’d located in the Castleford area; it was a fitting, moving and worthwhile event.

Dwain Longley, Regional President in the North East, St John Ambulance said:

“We are very grateful to Pontefract Civic Society for their work to have our St John memorial plaque mounted in the Town Hall where it will be on permanent display. Our volunteers worked tirelessly in a number of ways, both in England and overseas, to provide assistance during the First and Second World Wars, and this is a very fitting way to commemorate their actions many decades ago.”

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS REPORT

Each year, we coordinate Heritage Open Days in and around Pontefract, and whilst it’s a 10-day festival, the planning and review takes up 10 months of the year.

I would therefore like to start by thanking the Heritage Group and our partners for their support and perseverance, and in particular, Phil Henfrey, HOD Coordinator.

Hot on the heels of our Jubilee programme success in creating 70 events and activities (both face to face and online), I was so pleased that we were able to replicate that model for HOD in planning 50 events and activities with 27 being brand new, though we did lose five events following the passing of our late Queen. ‘Innovations’ was the 2022 theme, and Phil Henfrey was able to research a number of Pomfretians and others close by, plus their inventions, which formed the basis of our daily social media posts.

Paul Cartwright - Interim Heritage Coordinator Supported by Phil Henfrey - HOD Coordinator

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RAIL REPORT

Members of the Rail Group have met eight times through the year, with most meetings held face to face in the Town Hall or at Central Methodist Church.

Regrettably the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has wound up the Wakefield District Consultative Sub-Committee so there is now no face-to-face contact with officers from the Combined Authority. However we have maintained contact, via Teams or Zoom, with officers from the Combined Authority and Northern Rail and, over the course of the year members have attended meetings and given support to the Friends of Reopening Askern Station. We have maintained our links with our MP Yvette Cooper.

We continued our membership of Railfuture and members attend and contribute to their regular Yorkshire Branch meetings. Through our meetings with Officers from Wakefield Council we have been consulted on the installation of lifts at Monkhill Station with work scheduled to start in 2023.

WE TAKE EVERY APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE OUR CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES WHICH ARE:

Meetings will continue throughout 2023 where we will continue to meet face-to-face and we will encourage more members with an interest in rail to join our group.

Dave Hogg - Rail Coordinator Complied by Anthony Dee – Rail Administrator

TALKS & TOURS GROUP REPORT

Last year we returned to “normal”, with all our talks being presented to a live audience, although we did not plan any tours to other places or businesses.

The season started in January with a speaker new to us, Dave Cooke. Dave is a historian who specialises in

the Civil War. His talk, “If buildings could talk”, gave details of the buildings that are still standing that were involved in the Civil War.

February’s meeting was postponed due to the speaker having Covid. In March we were treated to a first-hand account of “What really happened at Sutton Hoo” by Eric Houlder. In April we went in a different direction, with a talk from Jenny Howarth who runs the Donkey Sanctuary at Criddling Stubbs. A video clip of donkeys kicking a football raised many smiles!

We changed our venue at the start of May for the postponed live costume performance by Sharron Garner. This thought-provoking tale of the suffragettes’ struggle brought a tear to the eye for many. The scheduled talk in May was back in the Town Hall, for our second charity event by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We were lucky to have an actual responder involved who was able to answer all the questions put to him by the audience.

June’s talk had to be postponed due to the A1 being blocked by an accident, stopping the speaker in her tracks. Eric Houlder returned in July to show us his photographs of the skulls recently

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk 11

unearthed from the Battle of Towton, explaining how various injuries had been inflicted.

Unusually we had a meeting in August, which was the postponed talk about Royalty by Veronica Bird OBE. She gave us some ‘insider’ details of various members of the

Royal Family, who she met during her time in the Prison Service. Dave Cooke returned in October to tell the tale of the first siege of Pontefract Castle. It was amazing to think that all this happened very close to where we were sat!

November started with September’s postponed costume performance by actor Chris Cade. The life story of “The Railway King” (George Hudson) was performed with a little mirth and audience participation, which went down well. For the scheduled talk, Carole Smithies returned to present part two of the history of the Barnbow munitions factory, up to the closure in 1999. Many details were given of the hardships endured by the mainly female workforce during World War Two.

Our Christmas event proved to be a fine ending to the year. This was a double bill event kicked off by Chris Cade’s superb performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, in Chares Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. The audience did not know whether to laugh or cry, such was the depth off the performance by actor Chris. The second half was an awesome set by a professional musician, “Underdrive Johnny”, which went in a slightly different direction than planned due to requests from the audience! A fantastic time was had by all.

All in all, a good year, with some amazing talks. We are grateful to the Gott family for the help given to Mollie with the refreshments. We still need more volunteers for the group as we struggle to cope when a member of our core team is absent. Hopefully we will resume visits this year, with a trip to York planned when the rail service on the Baghill line settles down.

Dave Hogg - Talks & Tours Co-ordinator

HIGHWAYS REPORT

The Highways Group held three meetings this year which were all face-to-face meetings in the Town Hall. In advance of these meetings, we met with Wakefield Council Transportation officers on-line, which seems to work well for everyone. In November, in addition to the usual two WMDC officers, we were joined by a member of the Highways team and a member of the Streetscene team, which allowed a more detailed discussion.

The speed reduction measures on the A628 Castle Syke Hill, involves significant white lining of the carriageway and more controversially extending the 30mph speed limit nearer to the brow of the hill.

The traffic reduction scheme for Ropergate was introduced with a narrower carriageway, reduced on-street parking and the opportunity for a street café culture. Although the scheme enhanced the attractiveness of the street for pedestrians, the retailers strongly objected to the design and the loss of parking. The scheme was abandoned and the substantial and expensive planters were relocated within the pedestrian precinct.

The Streets for People scheme for Horsefair now reflects the views expressed in the public consultation, and work is expected to start early in 2023. It is hoped that the displacement of traffic caused by the traffic reduction measures will strengthen the need for a traffic gyratory scheme around All Saints Church.

We await plans for changes to traffic arrangements within Pontefract Park, following a review carried out by the Council’s Streetscene Team, which will reflect the increase in traffic to and from Aspire@ThePark and the Huggamug@thepavilion café, as well as major improvements to the childrens’ play area.

The Leeds to Pontefract Corridor Improvement Plan has been expanded to include the provision of bus lanes on Southgate between the Town End roundabouts and Valley Road, although along with the proposals for Park Road, the plans are being reevaluated because of a shortfall in the funding available from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

We continued to raise the importance of connecting the Prince of Wales housing development with the town centre and Avant Housing have now committed to provide the pedestrian link between the estate and the footpath to Colonels Walk. A direct route for pedestrians into the rear of the Racecourse Retail Park is also being pursued.

The failure of the rising bollards, to protect the town centre traffic free precinct, continues to be of concern and we have regularly raised this with WMDC.

The South Featherstone Link Road has been on our agenda throughout the year and in the Public Examination of the Wakefield Local Plan 2036, the Government Inspector has scrutinised the plans for the road and housing developments in Featherstone. Wakefield Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are awaiting their consultant’s evaluation of the various route options which remain on the drawing board.

As part of a programme to promote bus usage single fares were capped at £2, paid for by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

For 2023 the Group will continue to meet face to face, and we will continue our regular meetings with Wakefield Council officers. Regrettably no new members joined the Group this year, but we will continue to seek new members for the Group.

Anthony Dee - Highways Coordinator

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PLANNING REPORT

The planning group continues to monitor changes to land and buildings in Pontefract town centre and surroundings.

Few new buildings have appeared in the year and the number of planning applications has lessened.

120 properties on Prince of Wales site is under way by Taylor Wimpy called ‘Ember Mews’. A controlled bus gate through the site remains under consideration.

Peter Taylor - Planning Coordinator

THOUGHTS FOR 2023

Evelyn Westwood - Incoming Planning Coordinator

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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DESIGN AWARDS 2022

On Mon 30 Jan, Pontefract Civic Society hosted its Design Awards for 2022, in the splendour of the Georgian Nelson Room of Pontefract Town Hall in front of an impressive gathering of business and property owners, trades people, representatives from Wakefield Council, and civic society members.

Civic Society Chair, Paul Cartwright said “this is an evening of celebration regeneration projects which enhances the historic streetscape of Pontefract as a place for investors and visitors, with a further year of a clear shift from retail to hospitality and activitybased experiences.”

The civic society presented the Countess of Rosse Façade of the Year award The Mad Ox based on the façade’s distinctive colour scheme, graphics, signage, lighting, and pavement space. Carl Jeffery, owner, said, “Chuffed to bits! Thank you, so much people of Pontefract and Pontefract Civic Society for awarding us the Façade of the Year. We are absolutely speechless. This is our family business and accolades like this makes all our hard work really mean something. We’ve had a great 10 months so far, and can’t wait for the next 10 years”.

Bradleys Real Estate was awarded Façade Runner Up.

Other awards presented on the night were for improvements in shop fronts, architecture & design, place-making, and the Pontefract Racecourse Co. Ltd., scooped two awards for projects in two different categories:

Paul Cartwright, civic society chair, said “All the award winners were very appreciative of our recognition in making Pontefract a better place for everyone. The variety of projects, from housing, service, hospitality to racing accommodation, and Farmer Copley’s luxury AirBnB, shows that we rewarded the right projects, and Pontefract continues to be a successful market town. We’re already listing projects for 2023 assessment”.

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2022 AWARD WINNERS

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Façade of the Year 2022 - The Mad Ox
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Regeneration Award - The Last Bank
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Special Commendation - Orchard Farmhouse,
Farmer Copleys
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Façade of the Year Runner Up - Bradleys Real Estate

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2022 AWARD WINNERS

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Improvement Award - The Pavilion Café, Commercial/Civic Award - The Stables
Pontefract Racecourse Accommodation, Pontefract Racecourse
Residential Award - 4 Mill Hill Road
Hitch & Midgley builders
Heritage Award - The Robin Hood
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TRUSTEES

Role Name
Chair Paul Cartwright
Vice Chair Phil Cook
Secretary (to May 2022) Julie Stotten
Treasurer Ian Wood
Citizenship Coordinator Phil Cook
Rail Coordinator Dave Hogg
Interim Heritage Coordinator Paul Cartwright
Planning Coordinator Peter Taylor
Highways Coordinator Anthony Dee*
non-trustee
Talks & Tours Coordinator Dave Hogg
Futures Coordinator Khalid Rasool
Co-opted Dr Colin White
Co-opted Peter Ferrari
Observer (from Nov 2021) Khalid Rasool
Observer (from Nov 2021) Peter Ferrari

OUR WORKING GROUPS

Citizenship

Citizenship Rail Phil Cook (C) Dave Hogg (C) Vacant (D) Philip Henfrey (D) Vacant (A) Anthony Dee (A) Paul Cartwright Ian Wood Christine Cartwright Peter Cookson Carol Trueman Rosemary Barnes Bryan Cunningham Paul Cartwright Chris Hyomes Tony Hames (from Jun 2022)

Highways

Talks & Tours

Anthony Dee (C & A) Dave Hogg (C) Vacant (D) Colin White (D) Derek Vaux Vacant (A) David Hogg Paul Cartwright Peter Cookson Mollie Garbett Paul Cartwright Tony Hames (from Jun 2022)

Heritage

Paul Cartwright (Interim C) Vacant (D) Vacant (A) Philip Henfrey (HOD Coordinator) Phil Cook John Turner Linda Benson Henfrey Derek Norfolk

Futures

Khalid Rasool (C) Vacant (D) Vacant (A) Paul Cartwright Phil Cook Peter Ferrari

Planning

Peter Taylor (C) Philip Henfrey (D) Vacant (A) Christine Cartwright Paul Cartwright Evelyn Westwood (from Jun 2022) Helen Newbold (from Jun 2022)

Business

Paul Cartwright Phil Cook

C – Coordinator - D – Deputy Coordinator - A – Administrator

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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REPORT OF TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 31ST DECEMBER, 2022

The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31st December, 2022.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the SORP accounting policies set out by our Treasurer.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Pontefract Civic Society is a registered charity governed by constitution. The organisation is viable by self-generated income from subscriptions and events. Project funding is developed through grant opportunities. There are no plans to recruit an Executive Director, and we intend that the trustees will continue to manage the charity on a voluntary basis. In the long term, paid roles may be considered, should new income or grants sustain a different business model.

RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES

PUBLIC BENEFIT

In furtherance of the said purposes, but not otherwise, the Society through its Executive Committee shall have the following powers:

  1. To promote civic pride in the area of benefit.

  2. To promote research into subjects directly connected with the objects of the Society and to publish the results of any such research.

  3. To act as a co-ordinating body and to co-operate with the local authorities, planning committees and all other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities and persons having aims similar to those of the Society.

  4. To promote or assist in promoting activities of a charitable nature throughout the area of benefit.

  5. To publish papers, reports and other literature.

As set out in the Constitution, the Chair of Trustees is nominated by the membership. The trustees are set out in this report and are those in place at AGM. The Board of Trustees has the power to coopt trustees, as necessary.

TRUSTEE INDUCTION AND TRAINING

The Trustees maintain a good working knowledge of charity, charity law and best practice, supported by attendance at charity training courses, as deemed applicable. This whole area is always under review in order for us to take advantage of opportunities as they arise; we should never stop learning.

ORGANISATION

The Charity is controlled by a Board of Trustees. The day to day running of the charity is led by the Chair and Vice Chair with other trustees in specific roles, as required.

CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Society is established for the public benefit for the following purposes in the area comprising Pontefract and District, which area shall hereinafter be referred to as “the area of benefit”:

We do this by organising membership events and reaching out to non-members to attend public talks and meetings in accessible locations and venues.

A number of free public meetings are organised and publicised, which ensures the Society remains accessible, financially viable and sustainable.

The total spend on public benefit was £22,406.

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We have supported a number of organisations, events, and .... Wakefield MDC (grant) wayfinding monoliths (£11,726) Decoration Squad and Jubilee (£6,223), other projects (£2,537), Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens Jubilee (£1,002), Pontefract in Bloom ((£575), and Yorkshire Air Ambulance (£320).

RISK MANAGEMENT

The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

  1. An annual review of the risks.

  2. The establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate risk.

  3. Implementation of the procedures designed to minimise any potential impact should those risks materialise.

ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION OF VOLUNTEERS

Pontefract Civic Society celebrates its commitment to a diverse and skilled volunteer team, and whilst some members have worked hard, it has been patchy, though with some successes recently. There remains much more to do, and volunteers of all backgrounds and experiences are openly welcomed especially transferable skills from professional or community organisations which can benefit the civic society, thus ultimately, the town.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Statement of Financial Activities showed a deficit of £10,397.

RESERVES POLICY

In accordance with the advice of the Charity Commission, the charity aims to hold unrestricted reserves at levels of approximately 12 months of budgeted unrestricted expenditure, to meet unforeseen costs and statutory obligations.

FUTURE PLANS AND DEVELOPMENTS

The main priority continues to be to create a blend of experience and ‘younger blood’, supplemented by relevant governance controls and trustee training, to deliver operational plans:

Paul Cartwright - Chair

VICE CHAIR’S REPORT

I am personally taken back by the support given in 2022 and how much we have achieved in promoting our town.

It is the interaction with other community groups and local business supporting Pontefract Civic Society which, together, has made Pontefract a talking point in a positive way within the district and beyond.

Our continued meetings with Wakefield MDC has enabled the civic society to be the driving force, ensuring Pontefract is a positive talking point in the district and beyond. I believe the civic society is going from strength to strength, but we need more active members in all our working groups to build on our success.

I was delighted in October to be one the recipients of “The Wakefield Unsung Hero Awards”. I also need to make a personal thank you to Paul Cartwright, Peter Ferrari and the executive for the support they have given to me throughout the year, which personally has not been easy. I am already working on plans to increase our activities in 2023-24, and I am excited about the potential activities we will have for our town, expanding on the work we already do to ensure Pontefract is a destination town to live, work, do business and visit, by enhancing the environment.

ACHIEVEMENTS

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk 19

VICE CHAIR’S REPORT CONT....

POLICIES PREVIOUSLY APPROVED

POLICIES APPROVED IN 2022

Phil Cook - Vice Chair

TREASURER’S REPORT

I am pleased to present the Treasurer’s report for 2022.

I can confirm that all expenditure has been correctly dual authorised, prior to processing payments promptly, when due, and properly allocated/ accounted for. I would once again like to thank

Christopher Hyomes for an effective independent examination of our 2022 Annual Accounts.

2022 has been a year of complete contrast to that of the previous two years as a result of the lifting of the restrictions imposed on the Society due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This has resulted in the progression of various projects previously put on hold, and the resumption of face to face events, primarily our monthly talks programme. A great deal of activity was also centred around the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Our income in 2022 (£22,508) was considerably higher than in 2021 (£7,610) due largely to these levels of activity. 2022 income is made

up principally of grants from the National Lottery and Wakefield Council amounting to £11,913, accounting for more than half of our total income - together with annual subscriptions of £4,295 and revenue from events of £3,065, centred mainly around the Christmas period.

Annual subscription rates for 2022 remained at 2021 levels but due to further increases in memberships in the business and community group categories, a 10% increase in income was achieved. £776 was also received from HMRC in respect of a claim for Gift Aid for the four year period ended 5th April 2022. 2023 subscription rates are to be increased to reflect continuing cost inflation.

Our net costs in 2022 after adjusting for the transfer of funds between accounts amounted to £32,905, which was considerably higher than in previous years. The most significant of these costs (£20,981), representing 64% of the total, was incurred on grant funded projects. Primarily, these were the installation of wayfinding signage (£11,726) and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee expenses (£9,144).

Other significant items of expenditure included PR materials (£3,074), events and meeting costs (£2,607) both of which reflect the increase in activity levels during the year, and new laptop computers for members of the Executive (£1,563) to aid with administration. In keeping with previous years the Civic Society has made donations to various local organisations of £633. Other aspects of the Society’s expenditure are either broadly in line with or below that of the previous year.

The accounts reflect a net cash outflow in the year of £10,397 (2021 £3,850), as a result of the utilisation in the year of funds which were ring fenced at 31st December 2021 for projects put on hold due to Covid-19 and have subsequently progressed.

Ring fenced funds at 31st December 2022 stood at £8,811 representing 61% of total cash balances.

Ian Wood -Treasurer

DONATIONS & BEQUESTS

Have you thought of making a donation to Pontefract Civic Society during your lifetime, or leaving us some money in your will?

Pontefract Voice and our Annual Reports show the tremendous work the civic society does to make Pontefract a better place; new projects always need support. The civic society is both independent and non-political.

We would be absolutely delighted if you would make a donation or a bequest. Both the Chair and Vice Chair are available if you wish to discuss this in more detail.

20 Registered charity number 513509

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 31 DECEMBER 2022

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

INCOME
2022
2021		 INCOME
2022
2021		 INCOME
2022
2021
AAnnual subscriptions received
Gift aid
Blue plaques
Grants
Donations
Events revenue
Book, calendar, mug, pen and badge sales
Recharge cost of design award plaques
Legacies		 £4,295
£776
£-
£11,913
£522
£3,065
£1,826
£111
£-		 £3,904
£-
£-
£335
£350
£800
£2,221
£-
£-
SUB-TOTAL £22,508 £7,610
INCOME FROM MONETARY ASSETS
Transfers between accounts
Loan
Bank interest		 £3,390
£-
£-		 £4,458
£-
£-
TOTAL INCOME £25,898 £12,068
EXPENDITURE
2022
2021
DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE:
Civic Voice
£176
£203
YHACS
£50
£50
Railfuture
£25
£25
Events & meetings
£2,607
£852
Donations
£633
£991
SUB-TOTAL £3,491 £2,121
OTHER EXPENDITURE INCURRED:
Membership refunds
Insurance
Printing & Postage
Loan to Civic Voice
Grants expenditure
Transfers between accounts
Book Printing
Calendar Printing & Envelopes
Mugs & Boxes
Pens
Business support costs
PR Materials
Website & Other Software Costs
Travel costs
IT Equipment
Membershiprelated costs		 £-
£730
£254
£500
£20,981
£3,390
£-
£1,055
£150
£160
£97
£3,074
£115
£-
£1,563
£735		 £-
£579
£327
£-
£2,792
£4,458
£3,881
£732
£191
£-
£-
£235
£72
£-
£-
£530
SUB-TOTAL £32,804 £13,797
TOTAL EXPENDITURE INCURRED £36,295 £15,918
OVERALL EXCESS/DEFICIT OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE -£10,397 -£3,850
STATEMENT OF ASSETS OF LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021
2022
2021
MONETARY ASSETS
Barclays Community A/c (current)
Paypal A/c		 £14,337
£-		 £24,734
£-
Totals £14,337 £24,734
RECONCILIATION OF CASH MOVEMENTS TO BANK BALANCES
Opening bank balances
Total cash receipts		 £24,734
£25,898		 £28,584
£12,068
LESS: EXPENDITURE £36,295 £15,918
TOTAL CASH INFLOW -£10,397 -£3,850
CLOSING BANK BALANCES £14,337 £24,734

Treasurer: I Wood (2022)

I have examined the Receipts and Payments for the Year 2022 and found them to be in accordance with the records and vouchers produced. Christopher Hyomes - Independent Examine r - Date: 31 Jan, 2023 P Cartwright - Chairman - Date: 3 Feb, 20233

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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22 Registered charily number 513509

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Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens • Friends of Pontefract Park • Liquorice Singers • Pontefract Art Club • Pontefract Collieries FC Pontefract Heritage Group • Pontefract Heritage Partnership • Pontefract in Bloom • Pontefract Choral Society Pontefract Lioness Club /Castleford & Pontefract Lions Club • Pontefract Rugby Union Football Club • St Giles Centre Pontefract Rotary Club • Carleton Running Community • Featherstone Male Voice Choir • St Giles with St Mary’s Pantomime Society

For more information, contact us by email: info@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk or visit us on social media: @PontefractCivic

With thanks to Five Towns Print and Design, for the design and print of the Pontefract Civic Society Annual Report 2022

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk