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Finances and accountabilityThe stakeholdersThe stakeholders are the local residents (who largely bought the site), users of the meadow, the Charity Commissioners as agents of the public, Natural England as a guardian of the natural world, the Environment Agency in relation to river maintenance and flood control, and funding bodies including local authorities. How are the finances managed?The honorary treasurer - a chartered accountant -, produces annual accounts that are audited by an independent chartered accountant who kindly makes no charge. The accounts are sent to the Charity Commissioners and are available for public scrutiny. Please see links at the foot of this page. The trustees actively seek grants from a wide range of public and charitable institutions. These are mostly tied to projects, and the aim of the trustees is to cover running expenses from grants, fishing dues, supplemented by public donations and covenants as necessary. Keeping contact with local communityThe trustees have tried to keep contact with and be answerable to the local community. To achieve this greater local accountability, the Trust Deed requires that at least eight of the ten trustees are resident in the Parish and that one is a Parish Councillor. The annual reports are posted on notice boards and a copy handed to all attending the Annual Parish Meeting. The annual accounts are available for inspection. The annual report is also posted to past donors from outside the parish and to cooperating organizations. Newsletters are published several times a year and are posted on local notice boards, and published in the Parish News. This is distributed to every household in the village. A detailed interpretation board is sited on the meadow and notices are posted on the meadow about any hazards or happenings. This web site is updated regularly to help the Trust communicate its activities to interested people. The trustees have a duty to maintain a balance between conservation and enhancement of the meadow, both short-term and long-term; the enjoyment and preferences of users; and responsibilities to educate schoolchildren and the public in a sustainable environment. Organizational auditOur reputation with funding and environmental bodies is that we are an efficient and effective organization. We have developed a novel system of organizational audit. Organizational audit report (PDF) - 23 April 2008 Annual accountsA copy of the accounts are available in PDF format by following the links below. It is our policy not to show signed documents. Signed copies are retained by the Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary.
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