## **AGM Chair report 2022** After the restrictions of the past 2 years 2022 has certainly seen more activity than ever. Both EBA and our partner organisations have been working so hard to make up for lost time. I think we can all agree that development and planning is gaining momentum. It is therefore more important than ever that we are all vigilant and ensure our involvement in any schemes impacting Essex. We are extremely lucky that we have the funds to ensure this work is continued. I will leave Louise to tell you about the money side later but as you know the majority of our funding comes from the membership and our rides. So the good news is our membership is growing and this year has seen a full schedule of rides. With the lifting of covid restrictions we were able to resume venues and numbers that we have enjoyed in the past. However as with any well run ship we have had to make changes and who would ever have thought that we would cancel a ride because it was too hot! I have to thank Alison and Sandra for all their hard work to accommodate the changes. The majority do not even realise the panic and stress experienced when a change is required but they both raised to the challenges and provided us with rides enjoyed by several hundred riders. Running the rides requires an enormous amount of work and it is truly a team effort. We do rely heavily on volunteers to help on the day but sadly these seem in short supply and its does appear to be the same faces that turn out to help. This year saw the first ride we have ever considered cancelling due to a shortage of marshalls. So this is a plea to you all here this evening, if you can spare one Sunday morning we would really appreciate it. As we all know EBA is certainly not just about the rides, indeed these are a small amount of the work we carry out. This year we have been busy looking at ways to enhance and improve the access for riders in Essex. Sadly this year we have said goodbye to 2 of our officers who have both worked tirelessly to improve riding across our County: 10 years ago Chris Tout started to work for EBA researching lost routes. This was in anticipation of the 2026 cut off imposed by the Government. She started with no training quickly learning the process involved and laws surrounding the Rights of Way for equestrians. Realising that only dogged determination would win her the claims she started with routes identified by members. Over 10 years she has researched hundreds of routes many of which have come to fruition. Several still on going, which I am pleased to say are being pursued by Jan. With the withdrawing of the 2026 cut off Chris decided this year was a good time to step down. 8 years ago we were very lucky to recruit Sue Dobson. Unlike Chris Sue didn't really have a specific job role we just knew we needed someone to manage the level of development in our area, working with the likes of Highways, ECC and developers. Someone who would build relationships, see projects through and keep pressure on when it was needed. We could not have chosen a better person. Sue developed the role that exists today and has had too many successes to mention. She got EBA noticed and recognised as a user group that does have a place and a need of the Essex countryside. We are so grateful to both Chris and Sue for their dedication and commitment to us over the years and I would like to publicly thank them this evening. (Present Flowers) Change is always difficult and saying goodbye to those we rely on even more so however when one door closes another opens. Last year we welcomed Chris Rust as our projects and funding officer and this year she has managed to get several projects underway. She has been successful with bids to Enovert Community Trust and the BHS ride out fund. This has enabled work at Lippets Hill in Epping and gates on restricted Byways in Chappel. Chris has a display of the work she has carried out here tonight for you all to have a look at. We also welcomed Sues replacement in Martin Crisp. Big boots to fill however Martin has made a tremendous start. I can't believe how quickly he has picked up the flow of the work and understood how riders fit into the landscape. His appreciation of all user groups is very apparent when responding to planners and councillors. We were very lucky to find him and I am confident he will continue Sues amazing start. He is with us this evening and I know he is keen to meet you all and listen to your issues! So as you can see lots of great work is going on. The AGM is always a good opportunity for me to thank the committee and Area reps for all their hard work over the year. Without them none of this would be possible. They all play an important role in helping EBA to run smoothly, supporting each other and our two employed officers. We are always looking for new trustees and area reps to come on board currently we have several vacancies. If you feel you have something to offer then please speak to myself or any of the committee and Reps here this evening. That leads me on to Sally Crone who has decided to step down as a Trustee. Sally joined us 6 years ago as a Trustee and has been a huge asset with her legal background. She was also instrumental in bringing our web site into the 21[st] century. We are sad to say goodbye and want to say thank you to her for all her hard work and input over the past 6 years. It is also a time to announce our volunteer of the year award. It's never an easy decision because we have so many regular volunteers but this year we decided the award should go to Val Vidler. Val has supported us on and off over many years. She helps us at most of our rides throughout the year; many of you will have seen her at the trailer checking riders in or at the start setting them off. She turns up whatever the weather, always with a smile and helpful manner. She also helps at every AGM, serving tea and cake and can always be relied upon to help at any other event we choose to hold. So if she would like to come up for her rosette. Lastly I have to mention Deirdre Graham. Our founder and president of 43 years. Deidre sadly died this year at the ripe age of 99. Without Deirdre EBA would never have existed. We remember her as a tenacious and determined lady who put equestrian access at the top of her agenda. Essex riders have much to thank her for with many successes over the years including the Mardyke way, Langdon Hills, Thorndon and Weald and many more besides. Though she had taken a more back stage role recently she was always very interested in what was going on and I knew that because she would often email or call about some article in the Update. It was nice to recognise her contribution at the Ashfields ride this year. At this stage we have decided not to look for a new president. So that concludes my report for tonight, thank you for listening. Julia Wilson EBA Chair ## **Essex Bridleways Association** ## **Treasurer’s report to AGM 10 November 2022** When we sent out the invitations to this year’s AGM, we sent links to the documents that we usually print for the AGM. We didn’t print them out this year. So I hope you have had a chance to look at them. We drew up an Income and Expenditure account and Balance Sheet as usual. There are no surprises in the accounts, which is a good thing as I would worry if there were. The figures relating to our rides are probably the most interesting. Income rose from £11,397 last year to £19,689 this year, and the expenditure went from £2,203 to £9,030. One of our committee members quite rightly queried how there could be such a disparity. This was explained primarily by the fact that we had two EBA holidays in the year. Obviously we have to pay out for the accommodation, and we receive the money in from our holidaymakers. Ride profits last year were £9,194 and this year, £10,659, so not such a great difference there. Member subscriptions were down a little this year but not a lot; this would reflect a small drop in our membership. We hope that will improve next year. We had another grant of £100 from BHS in the year for making an application for a Definitive Map Modification Order (by our Historic Researcher, Chris Tout); we have had several of these over the years and they are always welcome. The cost of printing and distributing our Update magazine twice a year has gone up by a couple of hundred pounds; this is small beer in relation to the quality of the magazine and the ever-rising costs of paper, postage etc. A big expenditure in the year was first aid training, for members of the committee, area representatives and some of our regular ride helpers. All who attended felt it was very beneficial. We hope none of you will ever have cause to be grateful for our training but it was worthwhile nonetheless. As usual we have funded our contractors, for Bridleways Development, Historic Research and Projects and Funding. This is where the majority of our funds are spent, and they prove their worth to us every time we read their monthly reports. Some of what they do is very much playing the long game, but patience can be rewarded sooner or later. By the end of the year we held balances of £53,262 which I am pleased to say is an increase of £1,889 compared to last year. We are still very much solvent, and we don’t hold back from spending our finances to further the cause of bridleways in Essex. We need to appoint the Independent Examiner for next year; I hope that Ian Dunn will continue to do this and ask you to approve this, or in the event of him not carrying on, then to approve whoever can be appointed as a suitable person. So, that’s it from me. Are there any questions? Louise Fuller EBA Treasurer ## **ESSEX BRIDLEWAYS ASSOCIATION Y/ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022** ## **INCOME & EXPENDITURE A/C** |**YEAR**
**2021**
INCOME
50
Donations
11,397
Rides income
12,055
Members' Subscriptions
5
Bank Deposit Interest
565
Miscellaneous Income*
24,072
EXPENSES
89
Cost of meetings
16
Printing & Stationery
253
Postage
0
Travelling
2,203
Rides
12,815
Historic Research/Bridleways Development/P&FO
3,448
Update magazine (all costs)
194
Donations & Gifts
1,604
Miscellaneous expenses#
533
Fees and charges
0
Depreciation
21,155
2,917
Profit/(Loss) for the year
Note: Rides Profit and Loss account
11,397
Income
2,203
Expenses
9,194
Profit|**YEAR**
**2022**
500
19,689
11,675
22
325
32,211
395
439
123
0
9,030
13,883
3,650
88
2,134
579
0
30,322
1,889
19,689
9,030
10,659| |---|---| ## **Notes** * Miscellaneous income in 2021/22 includes £100 grant from BHS towards DMMO applications and £177 from the AGM raffle and refeshments # Miscellaneous expenses in 2021/22 includes £293 for trustees' indemnity insurance; £360 for PO Box address; £120 for BHS affiliation; £735 for first aid training; and £605 for web hosting, domain names etc ## **ESSEX BRIDLEWAYS ASSOCIATION** **----- Start of picture text -----**
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2022
Y/END 2021 Y/END 2022
FIXED ASSETS COST DEPN NBV
0 TOOLS 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
CURRENT ASSETS
1,405 DEBTORS & PREPAYMENTS 606
7,624 BANK BALANCE - CURRENT ACCOUNT NATWEST 2,488
45,727 BANK BALANCE - BUSINESS RESERVE ACCOUNT NATWEST 49,249
2,497 BANK BALANCE - PAYPAL 2,183
57,253 54,527
CURRENT LIABILITIES
5,880 CREDITORS, ACCRUALS AND RECEIPTS IN ADVANCE 1,265
51,373 NET CURRENT ASSETS 53,262
51,373 NET ASSETS 53,262
ACCUMULATION FUND
48,456 BALANCE AS AT 1 SEPTEMBER 51,373
2,917 ADD: SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 1,889
51,373 BALANCE AS AT 31 AUGUST 53,262
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **NOTES** 1) EBA's policy is to keep £5,000 of uncommitted funds in reserves. ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ESSEX BRIDLEWAYS ASSOCIATION** I have examined the accounts prepared which are in accordance with the books and records and explanations given to me. The Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet present a true and fair view of the Essex Bridleways Association for the year ending 31 August 2022 Signed ## Ian Dunn Hon. Examiner Ian Dunn ## L R Fuller Hon. Treasurer Louise Fuller Date 24 September 2022 6 September 2022 ## **ESSEX BRIDLEWAYS ASSOCIATION** **----- Start of picture text -----**
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2022
Y/END 2021 Y/END 2022
FIXED ASSETS COST DEPN NBV
0 TOOLS 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
CURRENT ASSETS
1,405 DEBTORS & PREPAYMENTS 606
7,624 BANK BALANCE - CURRENT ACCOUNT NATWEST 2,488
45,727 BANK BALANCE - BUSINESS RESERVE ACCOUNT NATWEST 49,249
2,497 BANK BALANCE - PAYPAL 2,183
57,253 54,527
CURRENT LIABILITIES
5,880 CREDITORS, ACCRUALS AND RECEIPTS IN ADVANCE 1,265
51,373 NET CURRENT ASSETS 53,262
51,373 NET ASSETS 53,262
ACCUMULATION FUND
48,456 BALANCE AS AT 1 SEPTEMBER 51,373
2,917 ADD: SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 1,889
51,373 BALANCE AS AT 31 AUGUST 53,262
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **NOTES** 1) EBA's policy is to keep £5,000 of uncommitted funds in reserves. ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ESSEX BRIDLEWAYS ASSOCIATION** I have examined the accounts prepared which are in accordance with the books and records and explanations given to me. The Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet present a true and fair view of the Essex Bridleways Association for the year ending 31 August 2022 Signed ## Ian Dunn Hon. Examiner Ian Dunn ## L R Fuller Hon. Treasurer Louise Fuller Date 24 September 2022 6 September 2022