Jermyns House, Jermyns Lane, Ampfield, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 0QA tel: ema il: a d mi k

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1 Jermyns House, Jermyns Lane, Ampfield, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 0QA tel: ema il: a d mi n@hgt.org.u k I N V I T A T I O N 33 rd Annual General Meeting of the Hampshire Gardens Trust Saturday 7 th October 2017 You are warmly invited to attend the 33 rd Annual General Meeting of the Hampshire Gardens Trust which will take place on Saturday 7 th October 2017 at Rookesbury Park School, Southwick Road, Wickham, Fareham, Hampshire PO17 6HT. Programme am Registration. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served in the Main Hall am AGM chaired by Hampshire Gardens Trust s President Gilly Drummond OBE DL, in the Dining Room am Close of meeting am Talk by Rosemary Andreae: From Charitable Apothecary to Country Squire: the Garniers at Rookesbury, followed by a tour of the house 1.00 pm Lunch will be served in the Orangery 2.00 pm Rookesbury Park woodland walk led by Rosemary Andreae The agenda papers for the meeting, a copy of the Annual Report 2016, a copy of the 2015 Minutes and directions to Rookesbury Park are enclosed. Please bring these with you to the meeting. It would be greatly appreciated if you could return the booking form below to the Hampshire Gardens Trust offices by no later than Monday 25 September indicating your lunch and morning coffee requirements. Caroline Hubble Administration and Membership Hampshire Gardens Trust Name(s) Address address Please indicate I/we will/will not be attending the Hamsphire Gardens Trust AGM Lunch Menu knife and fork buffet served in the Orangery (with water, orange juice, tea and coffee) Sliced Cold Meats, Sundried Tomato and Feta Pasta Salad, Mediterranean Quiche, Mixed Green Salad, Spring Onion and Potato Salad with a variety of rustic breads and chutneys. Followed by a selection of cakes. Qty Cost Per Person Sub-Total Coffee, tea and biscuits on arrival 1.70 Lunch with coffee, tea and fruit juice Total BACS (please tick) Please make cheques payable to Hampshire Gardens Trust. Should you wish to pay by BACS, please use the following bank details: Account Name: HGT CIO Account, Sort Code: , Account No Please use HGT AGM as payment reference. Thank you. 1

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3 Directions to: Rookesbury Park School Southwick Road, Wickham, Fareham PO17 6HT Follow signs to Rookesbury Park School The school entrance has a large sign and a gatehouse with cream pillars and large black iron gates There will also be HGT signs at the entrance 3

4 The Hampshire Gardens Trust is the only voluntary organisation in the County to identify the needs and opportunities to conserve, protect and enhance the County s rich heritage of parks, gardens and designed landscapes. We offer expert, free advice and appropriate project grants to raise awareness of the value of these special places. Our Conservation and Development Team s resources and its expertise in planning, architecture and landscape design are vital to help conserve and protect public and private parks and gardens. Our Research Group investigates and records the history of individual parks and gardens to identify their historic significance and to inform their future conservation and development. Our Events Team organises talks and interesting garden visits which provide opportunities to enjoy the beauty and character of parks and gardens, and to learn why they are of interest and value. Our Association of Friends Groups and other groups work with the Trust and their local communities to enhance or create and maintain new gardens in our towns and on istoric sites. PRESIDENT Gilly Drummond OBE DL tel: e: gilly@cadland.co.uk ACTING CHAIR Simon Hayes tel: e: mail@simonhayes.org VICE CHAIRS Rachel Bebb tel: e: rachel@gardengallery.uk.com Jill Walmsley tel: e: walmsley.jill@gmail.com Rosie Yeomans tel: e: rosieyeomans@gmail.com HONORARY TREASURER Richard Green-Wilkinson tel: e: richard.green-wilkinson@ wilkinskennedy.com CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT TEAM ACTING CHAIR Tony Hurrell tel: e: tonyhurrell@btinternet.com EVENTS TEAM CHAIR Jill Walmsley tel: e: walmsley.jill@gmail.com RESEARCH GROUP CHAIR Sally Miller tel: e: sallymiller721@btinternet.com HONORARY LIBRARIAN Valerie Joynt tel: e: valerie.joynt@joynt.co.uk PATRONS Michael Campbell MBE DL Shalden Park House Shalden, Alton GU34 4DS Dame Mary Fagan DCVO Deane Hill House Deane, Nr Basingstoke RG25 3AX The Earl of Selborne GBE FRS, DL Temple Manor Selborne, Alton GU34 3LR Mike Hall Old Alresford House Alresford, SO24 9DY ADMINISTRATION & MEMBERSHIP Caroline Hubble tel: e: admin@hgt.org.uk Hampshire Gardens Trust Jermyn s House Jermyn s Lane Ampfield Romsey SO51 0QA tel: admin@hgt.org.uk Facebook: The Hampshire Gardens Trust Registered Charity No Supported by: Hampshire County Council 4

5 33rd Annual General Meeting of the Hampshire Gardens Trust at Rookesbury Park School, Wickham, Hampshire Saturday 7th October 2017 A G E N D A 1. Welcome by the President and apologies for absence 2. Minutes To confirm and approve the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Trust held at Malshanger, Basingstoke on Saturday 1 st October Chairman s Annual Report To receive and approve the Chairman's Annual Report for the period ended 31 March Honorary Treasurer s Annual Report and Accounts To receive the Report of the Honorary Treasurer and to approve the accounts for the year ended 31 March Election of Acting Chair To elect the following new Acting Chair: Simon Hayes 6. Election of New Trustee of the Hampshire Gardens Trust To elect the following new Trustee: George Seligman (see attached biography) 7. Re-Election of Trustees of the Hampshire Gardens Trust To re-elect the following Trustees: Rachel Bebb Colin Mattingly Jill Walmsley Sally Miller Rosie Yeomans Peter Wilkinson Councillor Andrew Joy Michael Woodhall 8. Any Other Business Close of Meeting Guest Speaker am Talk by Rosemary Andreae: From Charitable Apothecary to Country Squire: the Garniers at Rookesbury, followed by a tour of the house 1.00 pm Lunch will be served in the Orangery 2.00 pm Rookesbury Park woodland walk led by Rosemary Andreae 5

6 Agenda Item 2 MINUTES of the THIRTY SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST held at Malshanger, Basingstoke on Saturday 1st October 2016 Present Gilly Drummond OBE DL (President), The Earl of Selborne (Patron), Sir Michael and Lady Colman, Jamie Colman, Dr Wolfgang Bopp (Director of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Guest Speaker), Peter Andreae DL (Chairman), Richard Green-Wilkinson (Honorary Treasurer), Ted Mason (Constitution), Mary Martyn (Events), Tony Hurrell (Deputy Chairman), Rachel Bebb (Executive), Janice Bennetts (Executive), Sheila Carey-Thomas (Research), Dee Clift (Research), Valerie Jolley (Events), Valerie Joynt (Honorary Librarian), Diane Hargreaves (Planning), Leslie Shaw (Events), Sue Stuart (Executive/Schools), Jill Walmsley (Chair of Events), Peter Wilkinson (Executive/Association of Friends) & Michael Woodhall (Executive) and invited guests and 56 members of the Trust. Apologies Dame Mary Fagan DCVO JP (Patron), Campbell MBE DL (Patron), Michael Hall (Patron), Cllr Vaughan Clarke (Executive), Felicity Hindson (Executive), Janet Hurrell (Executive), Cllr Andrew Joy (Executive), Jane Pickard (Book Keeper), Alan Lovell, Chairman of Hampshire Cultural Trust and HGT Member and 24 members of the Trust. 1. Welcome The President, Gilly Drummond, welcomed members to the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Hampshire Gardens Trust and thanked Sir Michael and Lady Colman for their kind hospitality at Malshanger. 2. Minutes of Previous Meeting The Minutes of the 31st Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 11th April 2015 at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens had been circulated in advance. The President called for a Proposer and Seconder to adopt the Minutes: Proposer: David Chiswell Seconder: Michael Carden 6 The adoption of the Minutes was approved unanimously and the President duly signed them as an accurate record. No corrections were made. 3. The Chairman s Annual Report Peter Andreae, Chairman, took the opportunity to welcome members to the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Hampshire Gardens Trust. The Trust has completed its transition to its new status as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This would enable the Trust to have the option of taking ownership of property such as the Petersfield Physic Garden where limited liability status is mandatory, ensuring long term financial security. As a result of this change in status, the Trust had been put temporarily in the hands of three Founder Trustees, Sally Miller, Michael Woodhall and Peter Andreae. New Trustee candidates will serve as additional Trustees, who will be formally proposed in the second part of this meeting. The Chairman thanked the Executive Committee who had their final meeting on 30th August 2016; to those who had offered to serve as Trustees of the new CIO and to those who stood down. The Trust has in the past had no statutory requirement for the regular recruitment of new Committee members or a prescribed term of service for existing Committee members. The Charity Commission guidelines now encourages a more structured format with a regular rotation of Trustees. Initially terms of service will be for a maximum of three years for each Trustee but it would be desirable to ensure that they do not all retire in the same year. The Founder Trustees had decided that the Lord Lieutenancy rules relating to the compulsory age of retirement at 75 should apply to the posts of Chairman and President (but not rigidly to the other Trustees). The President agreed to continue as President for the time being, despite the original Agenda for this meeting. Her assistance in helping the Trust through the transition to CIO will be greatly appreciated. The Chairman will continue as a Trustee and Chairman of the Trust, assisting with the Petersfield Physic garden repairs and HLF application and that he will retire once a new Chairman has been identified. Under Charity Commission guidelines, the Trust will now be run by a committee of Trustees, it was proposed that the three current Trustees, Michael Campbell, Dame Mary Fagan and the Earl of Selborne, should join Mike Hall as Patrons. The Chairman asked for the support of all in the appointment of the following new Trustees: Rosie Yeomans, a Senior Lecturer at Sparsholt College, Jill Walmsley, one of Rosie's students who has just achieved a BSc in Garden Design and also has been running the Events Team this summer, Colin Mattingly, the Honorary Secretary of the Petersfield Physic Garden and Simon Hayes, the recently retired Police Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, who is a long term supporter of Hilliers Arboretum and lives in Romsey. The Chairman thanked the new Trustees and welcomed them to the Trust. He confirmed that Rachel Bebb, Peter Wilkinson and Janice Bennetts were to carry on as Trustees of the CIO, together with the Trust's two ex-officio County Council representatives, Andrew Joy and Vaughan Clarke. He mentioned that our Honorary Treasurer, Richard Green-Wilkinson, who is still a practising partner at his firm, is happy to remain as an Officer under the new arrangements, and that Caroline Hubble, the Trust's Administrator would also

7 have that formal title. The Chairman reported last year that the Trust was extremely lucky to have been guided through the transition to CIO status by Ted Mason. Ted was of course the legal officer at the County Council who actually drafted our existing Constitution in the 1980s and he has been unstinting in his time and professional expertise in helping us over the past year. Thanks was given to Ted Mason for all of his time and contributions by all. The highlight of 2016 was the nationwide celebration of the Tercentenary of Capability Brown's birth, masterminded by our President, Gilly Drummond. The Trust had been involved in setting up exhibitions in the Discovery Centre, (which relocated to Basingstoke), and in the Record Office. Lectures had been given by Gilly herself, Susan Campbell and Sally Miller. As a final achievement of this anniversary celebration, Historic England had decided that two Brown sites, in Buckinghamshire and Surrey, should be added to the Register of great protected gardens and parks and seven other sites, including Brown's own home at Hampton Court. Historic England now issued a press release declaring that Brown sites were "among the country's most important contributions to European Civilization". He reported that in recent weeks, an agreement had been made with the Friends of Petersfield Physic Garden, which will be confirmed by the new Trustees at their first meeting. The Friends will continue to have complete responsibility for running the garden and organising public access. They will continue to retain the proceeds from letting the Committee Room, subject to the new Trust having use of the space when needed at no charge. The Friends will continue to be responsible for maintaining the entire built structure on site, which has been professionally surveyed and is considered to be in a satisfactory condition. It was noted that the fire alarm systems needed to be activated and some modifications may be required to bring disabled access up to modern requirements. The Friends will have a permanent representative on the new Committee and initially Colin Mattingly, the Honorary Secretary of the Friends, has been nominated by them to do this. A leading local conservation surveyor, Simon Goddard, will help us submit a Lottery bid in the coming weeks, having prepared a detailed scheme for repairing the long walls on both sides of the garden. The Lottery bid is targeting a small scheme grant, which will not require any matched funding and, if agreed, would be paid in full. Finally, the Chairman expressed his great appreciation for the vital support for the Trust provided by Hampshire County Council. The Trust's Service Level agreement, which recognised the expert work done by the Research Group on the historic parks and gardens of Hampshire and which now extends to answering queries from members of the public previously directed to the HCC Environment Department, ceased in 2014 and the County Council then offered to guarantee the 17,000 per annum for a further three years to 2017 as a discretionary grant. This was a very generous offer by the County Council as grants to voluntary bodies have suffered drastic cuts in the past three years. The Trust also enjoys the benefit of free accommodation at Jermyns House. In the future, while we hope that the County Council will continue to recognise the tangible benefit to the public of our activities, we are also going to have to enhance our own fund-raising activities from other sources. The Chairman reported that the Trust had continued to provide financial 7 support Hilliers trainee students. He spoke on behalf of Wolfgang Bopp, Director of the Sir Harold Hillier Garden to thank Sally Miller and Dee Clift for all their help in producing the Hillier Capability Tree Trail booklet. He thanked Michael Carden for all his help in producing the very complex Trustee Handbook, to Sue Stuart, who was retiring as Chair of the Schools Team for all her work on behalf of so many Hampshire children over the years, to Valerie Jolley, who had been handling events applications for many years for the Trust. He thanked Caroline Hubble for her three years service to the Trust. He then thanked Sir Michael and Lady Colman for their kind invitation to hold our AGM at Malshanger and also to Jamie Colman for all his help in setting up the meeting, both before and on the day. The President called for a Proposer and a Seconder to adopt the Annual Report: Proposer: Rachel Bebb Seconder: Helen Green The Annual Report was formally adopted 4. Annual Accounts Richard Green-Wilkinson (Honorary Treasurer) introduced the Annual Accounts. He began by reporting on the Summary of Income and Expenditure on page 9. The yearend had been changed from 31 Dec to 31 March so these figures were for 15 months instead of the previous 12. Funds listed were split between Unrestricted Funds, Designated Funds (for specific purposes for example Conservation, Education etc where monies need to be set aside) and Restricted Funds (which are for monies for a specific purpose that must be ring-fenced, in this case 3k for student bursary). The Income column illustrated where monies come into the Trust from grants, donations, subscriptions, Gift Aid which was three years worth due to catching up with claims, and the Discretionary Grant from HCC of 21,250 (this would normally be 17,000 for 12 months). Under the Expenditure column there was a deficit of 3, for the year. The Expenditure for Charitable Purposes was for specific Trust expenses such as members events, Conservation and Education. Expenditure for management and admin column was for office administration and record-keeping. Transfers between funds had been made; 5k had been removed from the Restricted Funds column to General Funds as it was discovered that it was not in fact restricted. Funds carried forward were: Unrestricted: 40,473.00, Designated: 15,119.00, Restricted 10, Page 16 - Notes to the Accounts: This page illustrated more detail on Restricted Funds. Monies of had been held for a while for Children's Homes, Urban Parks Study of 7,413.00, Arts Project of 5, and Student Bursary of 1, All these monies are ring-fenced under Restricted Funds. Page 10's Balance Sheet illustrates where the Trust was as of 31st March. 69, was the bank balance at that point. Creditors were listed at 4, These monies are for subscriptions that are due at the beginning of the year. Under the Funds column 55, are Unrestricted and 10, are Restricted. He highlighted that there is a need for the Trust to concentrate on fund raising going forward.

8 The President thanked the Treasurer for giving so much time to manage the Annual Accounts and for presenting them so clearly. She and also thanked Ralph Crump Accountants. The President then called for a Proposer and a Seconder to adopt the Annual Accounts: Proposer: Peter Wilkinson Seconder: Janice Bennetts There were no questions asked and the meeting adopted the Accounts unanimously. The Treasurer explained that due to the Trust becoming a CIO, regulations require that a new bank account be opened. All membership subscriptions will need to be transferred to this new bank account. A new Direct Debit Form will be sent to all in the near future so that a new direct debit can be set up individually by each Member and their bank. These forms will need to be returned to the Administrator to process. Ted Mason explained that it had originally been planned to dissolve the old Trust at this AGM meeting but because the old bank account needed to be kept open there was a need for the nomination of persons to be in control. In view of the unanticipated need for the time being for the new CIO to have access to and use the old Trust s bank account it is recommended:- (a) that the old Trust be kept in being as a shell organisation, without a membership, until it is declared to be dissolved by its trustees; (b) (c) (d) that Sally Miller and Michael Woodhall be appointed its sole trustees; that its trustees be authorised to take such action as may be appropriate in relation to its bank account and to declare the trust dissolved at such time as they may resolve; that in these circumstances the formal requirements for the giving of timely notice for the appointment of trustees be waived. The President called for a Proposer and a Seconder to adopt the Annual Accounts: Proposer: Tony Hurrell Seconder: Sue Stuart There were no questions asked and the meeting adopted the Accounts unanimously The President called for a Proposer and a Seconder to adopt the Auditor's Report from Ralph Crump and Associates: Proposer: David Chiswell Seconder: Janice Bennetts These were approved 5. a) Peter Maunder Award The President introduced Sue Stuart, Chair of the Schools Team to introduce the Peter Maunder Award. Sue Stuart explained that Peter Maunder served on the Executive of the HGT for many years being involved with conservation, preservation 8 and creation, notably of allotment gardens, fruiting hedgerows and an arboretum. He left details for a trophy to be awarded on his behalf for an outstanding contribution from a person involved in school gardening. This year we award it to Andover Trees United Trustees and all the local schools for their continued work in developing Harmony Wood. Their commitment to raising awareness of the outdoor environment is reflected in varied and imaginative learning opportunities in the woodland. The achievements for creating the wood through projects that involved parents, the community and, most importantly, the children are inspirational. The presentation of the award would normally be made at the Trust s AGM. However, in order that as many of the ATU Trustees and school representatives can attend the presentation it is planned to take place in Harmony Wood on Monday 21st November. After the event, information and photos will be placed on the website. b) Gifts and Thanks The President thanked the following people: Sir Michael and Lady Colman for so kindly hosting our AGM at Malshanger and for sharing her arboretum with the Trust. Sue Stuart for all her years of service as Chair of the Schools Team Michael Carden for his enormous effort in creating the Trustee Handbook Valerie Jolley for all her years of service on the Events Team handling ticket applications Tony and Janet Hurrell for all their stalwart support to the Trust over the years Joan and Suki, the Malshanger Caterers for their hospitality and good food 6. Any Other Business a) HGT Volunteer Student Bursary A letter of thanks was read by the President from John Grundy, the Hilliers Student Bursary student's parents. She encouraged members to contribute towards this very worthwhile fund. b) Any Other Business Capability Brown - The President informed all that the Capability Brown Tercentenary celebrations were going very well. 32 million people worldwide have access to Capability Brown. The President did an interview with BBC World Service, who had 206 million. The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Tree Trail guide which is based on the trees that Brown would have used all over the country has been a great success. 7. Chairman to Propose the Re-election of the President Contrary to the original Agenda, The Chairman proposed that the President will carry on serving as President. This was unanimously agreed by all present

9 The President thanked the Chairman for introducing the new Founder Trustees to the Trust and encouraged members to see if they could also find new interested people to join. She went on to thank the Chairman for the dedication and time that he had contributed to the Trust over the past five and a half years serving as Chairman. She confirmed that the Chairman will retire in April He will continue as an Expert Advisor helping with the Heritage Lottery Fund Application at Petersfield Physic Garden. INAUGURAL AGM MEETING OF THE HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST CIO 1. Constitution Ted Mason reported that the new Constitution had given the Trust greater powers, bringing it into the 21st Century. The three founder trustees have had several meetings in which the financial structures have been put into place which has brought the Trust to where we are today. in Cambridge, Ness Botanical Gardens and the National Botanic Gardens of Wales where he was part of a team building and running the Gardens for the first four years. He has been at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens for the last twelve years. The President thanked Wolfgang for his most interesting talk and presented him with a gift as a token of the Trust's appreciation. 9. Close of Meeting The President closed the meeting and thanked those for attending and for their continued support. Lunch was held in Malshanger and was followed by a tour of the arboretum by kind permission of Sir Michael and Lady Colman. The meeting concluded at approximately 1.00 pm. 2. Election of Members and Trustees of the Executive Committee of the Hampshire Gardens Trust To elect the following members:- Peter Andreae Rachel Bebb Janice Bennetts Councillor Vaughan Clarke Simon Hayes Councillor Andrew Joy Colin Mattingly Sally Miller All members voted en bloc All in favour, declared all duly elected by the President Jill Walmsley Peter Wilkinson Michael Woodhall Rosie Yeomans 3. Appointment of Honorary Treasurer Richard Green-Wilkinson All in favour, the Honorary Treasurer was declared duly elected by the President 4. Financial Position: Oral Report from the Honorary Treasurer The Honorary Treasurer reported that once the new method of membership renewals were put into place, all funds would be transferred over from the old Trust to the new CIO bank account. Given the problems with Lloyds bank and their high charges it may be necessary for the Trust to set up a new bank account with the Charities Aid Foundation bank. More funds need to be raised and the Trust is looking at new ways to do this. 8. Guest Speaker The President introduced Wolfgang Bopp, Director of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. Wolfgang started his horticultural career in Germany. Worked in plant research before coming to the UK in 1991 where he did the three-year Botanical Diploma at the RHS Kew. This was followed by some work with the World Conservation Monitoring Centre 9

10 Agenda Item 3 CHAIRMAN S ANNUAL REPORT This past twelve months has been a year of change and preparation for the future of Hampshire Gardens Trust. As was reported at last year s AGM, the Trustees made the decision to change the governance status of the HGT to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). In accordance with this new legal status the Executive Committee has been replaced with the new Founder Trustee Group. Since the last AGM, Peter Andreae has retired as our Chairman. On behalf of the Trustees, I d like to thank Peter for his many years of commitment to the Hampshire Gardens Trust and his past 6 years as Chairman. We are enormously grateful for his huge contribution to the work and development of the Trust during his time with us. It has been a huge privilege for me to be your Acting Chairman since Peter retired, beginning to set down a future direction and development for the Trust. However, my role, and contribution, is only in an Acting capacity until such time as a permanent Chair can be found. So, this is an advert for the role of Chair to an organisation with ambition, already making a considerable contribution to the welfare and up keep of gardens and open spaces across Hampshire. If anyone is interested please make yourself known! During the past 12 months, your Trustees have looked at how, in a world of reduced and pressured budgets, to best lay down a sustainable financial future for the Trust. We recognised the importance of reviewing our core costs so not to use subscriptions or donations on unnecessary overhead expenses. We are grateful for the continued support from Hampshire County Council, in return for which we provide advice and expertise across a range of policy areas. We understand that, with budget pressure itself, we will need to maintain value for money from the grant received from the County Council. I am confident we can do so into the future; indeed we look forward to a continued relationship with the County Council and other Local Authorities in the months and years to come. In our planning for the future, it is important to the Trustees to re-establish an involvement within education; opportunities for people, with an emphasis on the young, to learn and participate in horticultural and garden activities. We are keen to realise this ambition through working in partnership with other organisations, as the best way to secure value for the money invested and spread our net more widely than would perhaps be otherwise possible. We are proud of the wealth of experience, enthusiasm and knowledge brought to the table by our members and volunteers and strongly believe this is an asset in delivering our future plans. Since we met last year, I m pleased to report progress has been made with the Petersfield Physic Garden project. A preliminary application had now been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund, covering repair of walls and conversion of facilities to a modern standard, together with the employment of a part-time post to oversee an Education Programme at the garden, encouraging and enabling more school visits and involvement with younger people. I d like to acknowledge the work done by Colin Mattingly in developing the project to where it is now and the exciting future ahead. We are very grateful for any donations received from our supporters. Although not included in the 2016/17 accounts tabled today, on behalf of the Trustees I d like to recognise a donation of 10,000 received in May from the Oakmoor Trust. This is a considerable foundation upon which to build our future plans. As with many charitable organisation today, we are not able to develop simply on subscriptions received, unless we raise them quite considerably which the Trustees do not want to do. We do, however, want to develop projects that will attract external grant funding and contribute to our purpose that is the preservation, creation and growth of gardens and open spaces across Hampshire. To this end we look forward to planning projects over the coming months that will generate income and achieve our ambition of developing educational opportunities in horticultural and garden activities. The Events Team, Research Group, Conservation and Development Team and the Association of Friends Groups have again this year achieved a considerable amount, supported by our volunteers and the influence they have across our community. I d like to express huge thanks and appreciation to everyone involved, for their time and commitment to HGT in their particular area of expertise, without whose drive and determination our achievements this past year would not have been possible. My thanks and appreciation also to our three Vice Chairs, Rachel Bebb, herself a past Chair of the Trust; Jill Walmsley, Chair of the Trust s Events Team and Rosie Yeomans, freelance lecturer, writer and broadcaster, for whose guidance and experience I m grateful and reliant. I d like to offer a very special thank you to Janice Bennetts who, as from the AGM, has decided to step down from her financial monitoring role after 21 years. Her contribution, wealth of experience and advice will be very much missed by us all. It is with some relief however to learn that she is going to continue to support the website, an important part in communicating our existence and ambition to the world. We need to try to find a replacement for Janice to support Richard Green-Wilkinson. Cllr Vaughn Clarke stepped down as a Trustee this May after seven years. We are grateful for Vaughn s support and advice over the years and thank him for his commitment to HGT. My appreciation and sincere thanks, on behalf of all Trustees, to Caroline Hubble whose organisation and devotion to the Trust keeps us functioning throughout the year. This summer, Jane Stephens joined the office as a volunteer to support Caroline in some of the membership work and re-organisation around subscriptions; we are grateful to Jane for the time she gives HGT. I would also like to thank Valerie Jolley, who since retiring from the Events Team at the end of last year, has continued to help Caroline in the office with the distribution of the Trust s Newsletters, Events Listings and these AGM papers. As we move forward into another year, we do so against a background of change and aspiration for growth in what we do. As I ve emphasised, in the two new letters since I became Acting Chair, we must build on the success of the past, but also be mindful of the best way we can contribute to the preservation, creation and growth of gardens and open spaces across Hampshire into the future. Without the support of our members this could not even be contemplated; my thanks and appreciation for your continued support as members of the HGT, in the past and into the future. Simon Hayes Acting Chairman 10

11 Agenda Item 4 HONORARY TREASURER S ANNUAL REPORT Results and Funds The results for the six-month period to 31 March 2017 show a surplus of 1,085 on Unrestricted Funds, and a deficit of 1,000 on Restricted Funds. Unrestricted funds continue to enjoy the support of Hampshire County Council to add to funds raised through subscriptions and events. Gift Aid income covers more than a one-year period. Further payments totalling 2,000 for the student bursary has resulted in the Restricted Funds deficit of 1,000. There is a balance of 500, which has been paid out in the current year. The Hampshire Gardens Trust assets were transferred to the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 1 October Reserves Policy In addition to funds needed to cover future administration costs, 7,500 has been designated for future specific expenditure, being 5,500 for conservation and development, 2,000 for education. As previously reported, there is likely to be a need for some emergency conservation work. A lottery grant application has been made here. Richard Green-Wilkinson Treasurer 11

12 Agenda Item 4 Charitable Incorporated Organisation ACCOUNTS Year Ended 31 March 2017 Charity Number:

13 HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2017 INCOME Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2017 Grants, donations and subscriptions 2, ,541 Service level payment 8, ,500 Income from trading activities 2, ,911 Income earned from assets Art Project Student bursary - - 1,000 1,000 Lecture reserve funds Service level reserve fund Gift aid 3, ,458 17,713-1,000 18,713 LESS EXPENDITURE Expenditure directly for charitable purposes 2,729-2,000 4,729 Expenditure for management and administration 13, ,899 16,628-2,000 18,628 (Deficit)/surplus for the year 1,085 - (1,000) 85 Balance brought forward at 1 October Transfer between funds Transfer from unincorporated charity 40,273 15,119 9,805 65,197 Balance carried forward 31 March ,358 15,119 8,805 65,282 13

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18 Agenda Item 4 Old Trust ACCOUNTS Year Ended 31 March 2017 Charity Number:

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24 Agenda Item 6 GEORGE SELIGMAN - BIOGRAPHY George practised for many years as a corporate lawyer with the City law firm Slaughter and May. He retired in 2012 and since then has worked mainly in educational and environmental charities. He is Chair of trustees of Wessex Chalk Stream and Rivers Trust and Chair of Governors of Winchester House School. He is also a trustee of Countryside Learning, which educates urban children about countryside matters, and of the Wheelyboat Trust, which provides boats which are accessible for wheel chair users. 24