LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF LUDLOW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Charity No: 513978
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21
Administrative details and Trustees
The League of Friends of Ludlow Community Hospital is a Registered Charity No.513978 with a principal office at Ludlow Community Hospital, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1QX. The Trustees of the Charity in 2020/21 were:
Mr P W Corfield (Chairman) (Treasurer) (Vacant) Mrs M Clent Mrs G Corfield Mr M Evans (Vice-Chairman) Mrs Y Evans Mr A Roele (Retiring 2021) Mrs J Roele (Retiring 2021) Mrs R Turner (Secretary)
Structure, Governance and Management
The Constitution of The League, adopted in March 2003, is based on a model constitution provided by Attend, the National Association of Hospital and Community Friends. The Constitution details the Objects and Powers of The League, Membership, Subscriptions, the Election of the Committee and Officers, Conduct of Meetings, Accounts, Annual Reports and Administrative Rules.
The Trustees, who must be members of The League, are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting to hold office on the Executive Committee. With the exception of the Treasurer and Secretary these Executive Committee posts may rotate every three years. The day to day business of The League is directed and managed by the Executive Committee and reports are made to the general membership by quarterly Newsletter, quarterly meetings and an Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee of 9 requires a quorum of 5 for the purposes of decision making.
As anticipated, it has been very difficult to replace our late Treasurer, Linda Binns, but Mrs Sue Collett has kindly stepped forward and is currently undergoing in-depth familiarisation training and will be appointed as a Trustee at the next Trustee meeting. The Trustees have taken steps to introduce a succession policy to ensure continuity for the future. A “shadow” Executive Committee is working in support of the
Trustees to prepare The League for forthcoming changes in healthcare provision in Shropshire following the Future Fit proposals and the Sustainability Transformation Plan. Much will depend however on the final outcome of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The League maintains its membership of the Shropshire Association of Hospital Leagues of Friends. In addition a working relationship is maintained locally with other charities active in healthcare provision. Funds are carefully monitored to eliminate any financial risk. The procedure for procuring and donating equipment and other services ensures that The League cannot be held liable for any operational claims relating to such equipment or services.
Objectives and Activities
The object of The League is to provide relief and comfort to patients of the Hospital, and other out-patient residents in the community who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped or infirm and, generally, to support the charitable work of the Hospital.
To meet this objective, The League supplements the service provided by the Hospital by the provision of facilities and equipment which are required for the benefit of patients or for the efficient running of the Hospital. To meet these aims The League raises funds by subscription, donation and through a programme of fundraising events within the catchment area.
Specific requests for funding equipment purchases or other financial support are assessed, prioritised by Hospital Management and submitted to The League Executive Committee for consideration. Subject to requests meeting the Objectives of The League and demonstrating competitive purchasing by the Hospital authorities, they are invariably approved provided that funds are available.
The League provides teams of volunteers to assist in providing tea, coffee and refreshments to patients on the wards,
Public Beneft
During 2020/21 The League has maintained its range of activities to meet its objectives. Members’ subscriptions, legacy and other donations raised £41,256 to which should be added £1,570 in memoriam receipts.
The League maintains a close working relationship with Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust with the aim of providing and supporting a viable range of hospital and community services and providing care closer to home in this rural community. The hospital buildings, based around the 1836 Poor Law Workhouse, are in the main beyond economical refurbishment or adaptation and The League does not contribute towards work to the fabric of the hospital, but continues to provide new equipment. In this financial year The League has not been requested to provide funding, due to the intense pressure of the Covid pandemic and the concentration by the NHS in providing mostly Covid services only at Ludlow Hospital. Necessary professional fees (audit, accountancy and subscriptions), stationery and publicity contributed to a total expenditure of £3,206.
Plans for the future
The League maintains active participation wherever possible in reviews and plans by the Clinical Commissioning Groups, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals and the Future Fit proposals which are currently under review by the Health Minister. The League continues to represent the view that local facilities, based on Community Hospitals, represent good value for money, reduce pressures on District Hospital A&E departments and are essential elements in the move towards Care Closer to Home.
Financial Review
Following the loss of Treasurer, Linda Binns, the Trustees met on 5[th] February 2019 to agree that The League Bank and Investment accounts would continue with the existing providers but with amended mandates to ensure sufficient signatories were available. Additionally, it was agreed that the 2018/19 financial year work in progress would be placed with a firm of local accountants and audited by our existing independent accountant, Mr Graham Robinson. This arrangement has continued into 2020/21 until Mrs Sue Collett completed her familiarisation with League procedures and felt confident in submitting the end of year accounts to Mr Robinson.
The Trustees unanimously agreed that measures would need to be taken to ensure an appropriate level of succession planning for key roles.
The financial report, prepared by The League Accountant Mr G Robinson and reflecting the 2020/21 accounts is attached. This highlights the principal sources of funding and expenditure in support of the objectives
of The League. There are no funds held on behalf of others for which The League acts as Custodian Trustees.
PETER W CORFIELD MBE Chairman of Trustees
Trustee authorised to sign on behalf of all Trustees.
LUDLOW COMMUNrrY HOSPITAL LEAGUE OF FRIENDS Charity Cornmi55ion 513978 For the Financi31 Perlod Ended 31 Marth 2021 2021 2020 PAYMENTS Cost of Generating Voluntary R•ceipts: Stationery and Publicity 1,449 1,033 Costs of Charitable Actlvltles: Hospital Equlpment Patlent Comforts 12,683 3,269 76 Governance Costs: Subscriplions and Insurènce Sundries Audit and Accountancy Fees 585 597 35 1,176 1,056 TOTAL PAYMENTS 3,206 18,793 Nèt Recelpts/lD¢fl¢5t) 39,620 5,327 Balances brought forward SIXs,754 495,427 Total Funds 540,374 5(Kl,754
LUDLOW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LEAGUE OF FRIENDS FINANOAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021