Staff - Malvern Hills Conservators
Staff - Malvern Hills Conservators
Staff - Malvern Hills Conservators
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MALVERN HILLS<br />
CONSERVATORS<br />
ANNUAL REPORT<br />
2009
Manor House<br />
Grange Road<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong><br />
Worcs. WR14 3EY<br />
Tel: 01684 892002<br />
E mail: conservators@malvernhills.org.uk Charity No. 515804<br />
www.malvernhills.org.uk VAT No. GB 275 8803 21<br />
KEY OBJECTIVES<br />
*************************<br />
Under the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> Acts the <strong>Conservators</strong> have a statutory duty to:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
maintain the natural aspect of the land. Some 1200 hectares are under<br />
the ownership or jurisdiction of the <strong>Conservators</strong><br />
keep it open for the public<br />
not to do anything to interfere with the rights of commoners<br />
As a registered charity whose object is:<br />
The preservation for the benefit of the public all the natural aspects and<br />
features of the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> and the provision of recreational facilities<br />
in the interests of social welfare for the public benefit.<br />
This report outlines the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong> activities during the year 2009.<br />
Any comments would be gratefully received.<br />
2
CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD<br />
My second year as Chairman has been memorable for many reasons. Just as we<br />
entered, what was our 125th year of Conservation, the world was hit by the huge<br />
financial crisis, fortunately our past prudence paid off and we came through it all<br />
unscathed, however it did make us review our future investment policy and diversify<br />
our funds, pending a thorough review next year.<br />
Our 125th Anniversary <strong>Malvern</strong> Gazette supplement has been a wonderful<br />
opportunity to connect with local people, also both BBC and ITV have given us<br />
excellent TV coverage during the year. It was particularly satisfying to see our staff<br />
rise to the occasion as stars of BBC’s Countryfile programme. The Three Counties<br />
Show continues to be a major event in the <strong>Conservators</strong>’ year and focused the theme<br />
this year on ‘Conservation 125’ May I thank all those members of the Board, staff<br />
and snake expert, Nigel Hand, for giving up their time to assist with the Stand.<br />
As I commented last year, after over 6 years of highs and lows, the Heritage Lottery<br />
Grant reached a climax and the work was completed as predicted by the end of the<br />
year. The Cattle Grids are now fully functioning as planned and grazing has being<br />
extended in that area. Our work with <strong>Malvern</strong> Spa Association, and the local AONB<br />
Partnership, has also gone extremely well, all the planned work on restoration of the<br />
eight Water Features on our land has now reached final fruition. Back in December<br />
2005 the first of the eight spring restorations to be completed on <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong><br />
land was St. Ann’s Well. This was a major & costly undertaking and involved repairs,<br />
rebuilds and restoration work to the pond, the cascade, the side spring and the<br />
trough. There was also major work done to the terraces and gardens, this included<br />
resurfacing the roadway with a special surface as well as replacing the seats and<br />
tables. The current lease of St Ann’s Well Café ceases at the end of March 2010<br />
and the decision was made to manage the Café ourselves in future. We have no<br />
intention to alter the ambience of the Café but for it to be open and available to<br />
walkers, visitors and the increasing number of sponsored walkers, at the times that<br />
are convenient to them and to have information available to enhance their<br />
experience. In years past the café on the Worcestershire Beacon catered for<br />
parties of people on many special days of the year, often with late night suppers<br />
and/or early morning breakfasts, maybe St Ann’s Well will be able to fill that gap in<br />
the future.<br />
I am pleased to see that the Higher Level Stewardship grazing project on the<br />
Northern and Middle <strong>Hills</strong> is well established. The application for Stewardship for the<br />
Southern <strong>Hills</strong> and Castlemorton Common is well advanced and we are hoping to get<br />
equally good results there.<br />
Our project to obtain Land Registry title to all land managed by us is now very close<br />
to being finalized, during the last 12 months another 4 titles have been registered and<br />
the last three are now getting close to completion.<br />
3
It is wonderful to see so many members of the public taking such an active and<br />
enthusiastic interest in our work, both as members of our volunteer force (now<br />
celebrating its 10th year), and the recently inaugurated Recreation Advisory Panel.<br />
Our office staff have been very ably assisted by two volunteer ladies who help with<br />
routine work such as answering the phone and dealing with visitors. Amongst other<br />
things the organization has been actively involved in <strong>Malvern</strong> Walking Festival,<br />
Walkers are Welcome and <strong>Malvern</strong> in Bloom. I feel that these regular contacts with<br />
outside groups of local people are of great value to us all, as there is direct feedback<br />
both ways.<br />
For over 110 years the Toposcope on Worcestershire Beacon has been regularly<br />
getting misted up in bad weather and needed frequent cleaning. At long last we have<br />
found a company who were able to laminate a new disk between two sheets of<br />
special glass. This should be in place very shortly, it is expected to reduce the time<br />
spent on maintenance and give visitors to the Beacon a much better experience.<br />
Costs have been rising over the years, however in these difficult times we were<br />
determined to keep the levy increase to the absolute minimum. Each year this<br />
annual levy, paid by local householders has risen, but only by the cost of living index.<br />
For the past 10 years there was no equivalent increase in Car Parking charges, we<br />
felt that it was time to redress the balance by increasing our all-day/any-park fee by<br />
£1, and the annual visitor charge by £5. There is to be no increase for the cost of the<br />
local residents’ annual car parking concession.<br />
The issue of Representation, as well as who should pay the annual levy, has come to<br />
the fore yet again. This time it has been brought up as a question from a member of<br />
the public at one of our bi-monthly Board Meetings. We have explained that it is not<br />
in our power to alter, however a meeting has been arranged for representatives to<br />
meet the Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council early next year for<br />
discussions.<br />
Looking forward, I am very hopeful that many of the matters I have discussed above<br />
will come to fruition in the last 12 months of my Chairmanship and I would like to<br />
thank my fellow Board Members for their support and to our staff for their continuing<br />
hard work.<br />
R G Roberts<br />
Chairman<br />
4
CONTENTS<br />
Pages<br />
Committees:<br />
Administration 6 - 8<br />
Land Management 9 - 12<br />
Working in Partnership 13 - 16<br />
Financial Information 17 - 20<br />
Members of the Board 21<br />
<strong>Staff</strong> 22<br />
5
ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES<br />
The Administration and Resources Committee is responsible for the financial<br />
management, health and safety, implementation of the Byelaws, human resources, property<br />
and public relations of the Board.<br />
Legacies and Donations<br />
In view of the many enquiries we receive, this year has seen the addition to our<br />
website of a section for Legacies and Donations, including the facility to make on-line<br />
donations. These donations are placed in the Gift Fund which this year supported<br />
the erection of a fishing platform at Clevelode, picnic tables at Tank Quarry and<br />
footbridges on <strong>Malvern</strong> Common.<br />
A project that has been developed over the last two years is the Memorial Orchard<br />
situated just off the junction of Northend Lane and Rectory Lane, Madresfield.<br />
People are invited to donate an old variety of apple or pear tree in memory of loved<br />
ones.<br />
Investment Policy<br />
Fishing platform at Clevelode Common<br />
It is the Board’s policy to review its investment policy every three years, the next<br />
review being in May 2010. However, in view of the financial crisis at the end of 2008,<br />
a decision was made split the investments between two banks Lloyds TSB and the<br />
Charities Aid Foundation.<br />
Land Registration Update<br />
The ongoing project to register title to all land managed by the <strong>Conservators</strong> is at last<br />
reaching a conclusion. Four areas on east side of Worcestershire Beacon, Blackhill<br />
Jubilee Drive and two areas on the north-west side of Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall<br />
have been completed this year. The final three are nearing completion.<br />
6
Waste Storage Facility<br />
Land on the east side of the Worcestershire Beacon<br />
Following advice from the Environment Agency it was considered best practice to<br />
have an area to where all grass cuttings, wood chip and scrub is delivered. It is<br />
contained and fitted with a sump to catch any run off. The waste is allowed to semicompost<br />
before being collected and taken to a recycling centre. The facility situated<br />
at Upper Wyche Quarry is now up and running.<br />
Waste Storage Facility<br />
7
St Ann’s Well<br />
The lease of St Ann’s Well expires at the end of March 2010. The decision was<br />
made to give notice to the tenant of the Board’s intention to terminate the lease at the<br />
end of its current term in order for the premises to be directly managed by the<br />
<strong>Conservators</strong>.<br />
125 th Anniversary of the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong><br />
To recognise this important milestone in the history of the <strong>Conservators</strong> the following<br />
events were held:<br />
• A 12 page insert in the <strong>Malvern</strong> Gazette & Ledbury Reporter commemorating<br />
125 th years of conservation.<br />
• A display of maps of the area through the ages entitled “Mapping the <strong>Malvern</strong><br />
<strong>Hills</strong>, 125 Years of the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong>”, prepared by<br />
Worcestershire County Council’s Records Office in conjunction with the<br />
Board’s Honorary Archivist, Valerie Goodbury, will continue to be exhibited at<br />
venues in the area for the remainder of the year.<br />
• The maps were the basis for a talk given by Mrs Goodbury to the Annual<br />
General Meeting of Council Tax Payers in July.<br />
• A Treasure Hunt, devised by Board member, Pete Watson, with clues<br />
encompassing the <strong>Hills</strong> was well received.<br />
• The Three Counties Show had the anniversary as its theme.<br />
Planning<br />
The Urgent Business Sub-Committee had a meeting with Planning Officers to obtain<br />
the <strong>Conservators</strong>’ views on the effects of the South Worcestershire Joint Core<br />
Strategy on <strong>Conservators</strong>’ land. The three areas were at Newland, the east side of<br />
Mayfield Road and the QinetiQ site at Poolbrook.<br />
<strong>Staff</strong><br />
• Matthew Rouse, who had shepherded our flock over the latter part of the<br />
Heritage Lottery funded grazing project moved to an independent position as<br />
a farmer with commoners rights and thanks to the DEFRA stewardship grant<br />
is managing the stock on the northern <strong>Hills</strong>. Matthew had been employed by<br />
the Board since 2002.<br />
• In December 2008 Josh Loader was recruited to the Field <strong>Staff</strong>. Josh carried<br />
out his work placement whilst at Hartpury College and did well in an open<br />
interview to obtain a permanent position.<br />
• After four years service Daniel Lovatt left us in October to travel to the<br />
southern hemisphere.<br />
• For the second year the <strong>Conservators</strong> gave a placement to a student<br />
undertaking a Bulmers Foundation Masters Degree in Sustainable<br />
Development Advocacy. Amanda Barton, spent a month working with staff<br />
on further developing the website.<br />
• Our thanks are extended to volunteers Carol Burgess and Jenny Cheale who<br />
have helped in the office throughout the year.<br />
8
LAND MANAGEMENT<br />
The Land Management Committee oversees the management of the 3000-acre<br />
estate.<br />
The <strong>Hills</strong> and Commons are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)<br />
this places a legal duty on the owners to conserve the land and its wildlife.<br />
There are two Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM), British Camp and the Shire<br />
Ditch, both legally protected.<br />
10 th Anniversary of Conservation Volunteers<br />
One of the biggest benefits for the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong> over the last decade<br />
has been the response and enthusiasm we have had from local people wishing to<br />
volunteer.<br />
The appointment of Nicky Quinn as Warden in September 1999 provided the lead for<br />
work to start on the ground. Nicky lost no time in her new job making contacts with<br />
people she met on the <strong>Hills</strong> encouraging them to come out and help. On 18 th<br />
December 1999 the first “Conservation Day” was born.<br />
From that day on Conservation Days has been an important part of our commitment<br />
to the <strong>Hills</strong>. The development of volunteer activities has not stood still, expanding to<br />
include a Friday conservation work party, Voluntary Site Wardens taking<br />
responsibility for wildlife sites and more recently volunteers have been providing<br />
valuable support in the office.<br />
Volunteers<br />
9
<strong>Staff</strong> featured on Countryfile<br />
Julia Bradbury and team with Warden, Rich Vale<br />
The timing of BBC1’s Countryfile featuring the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> in the spring of a<br />
recession year, gave a valuable insight into the work of the Wardens and Field staff<br />
carrying out their work often unseen by the public. The programme was watched by 6<br />
million viewers and boosted tourism in the area.<br />
Managing anti-social behaviour<br />
With 19,000 residents as your neighbours, together with receiving over a million<br />
visitors in a year, it is always good to record that there are few incidents that cause<br />
problems. From time to time we do have the occasional incident where we have to<br />
act in the public interest. At Guarlford tyres were being dumped on common land<br />
under our jurisdiction, a quote for removing the tyres was in the region of £1 per tyre.<br />
Disposing of some 2,000 plus would have cost the organisation dear. The<br />
Environment Agency stepped in to help and through contacts traced those that had<br />
placed the tyres on the land and through negotiation, got them moved.<br />
10
Other incidents that have been concerning the staff have been the number of<br />
vehicles parked on the common. On the one hand it is part of life today that people<br />
have more than one car and therefore cannot always accommodate them inside their<br />
property. However parked cars not only cause damage to the common by<br />
compacting the soil but also cause obstructions in the summer when mowing<br />
operations are carried out.<br />
Wildflowers on Link Common and Townsend Way<br />
Grass cutting not only keeps the Field <strong>Staff</strong> busy in the summer but many calls are<br />
made to the office either telling us to leave the grass or to cut it. Our policy is worked<br />
out by the Land Management Committee and that is relayed to the parish councils for<br />
comment. We have three major cutting regimes: shorter grass in urban areas, hay<br />
crops in semi-rural areas and finally the grazed areas.<br />
The public generally are more aware of their environment. In responding to requests<br />
to leave areas uncut, or given a late cut to allow wild flower seeds to set, we have left<br />
two large areas on Link Common and along Townsend Way. Response from the<br />
public has been generally favourable.<br />
Colwall Bridge<br />
Wildflowers on Link Common<br />
One of the defining projects for Colwall was the construction of a new railway bridge.<br />
The closure of the old bridge and construction of a new one right next to the Village<br />
Green under the management of the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong> involved staff in<br />
negotiations with Network Rail. The steer from <strong>Conservators</strong> in Colwall indicated they<br />
did not want the project to be delayed because of meeting our requirements. We<br />
therefore agreed to the contractor having access to the areas adjacent to the bridge<br />
for working compounds and agreeing to the reshaping of the banks. However we<br />
made sure that specimen trees on the football pitch side of the green were protected<br />
and that the area was reinstated afterwards. Towards the end of the construction we<br />
tried to reduce the impact of signs on adjacent greens and prevented unlawful<br />
structures associated with the bridge from being placed on the Green.<br />
11
Coppice Project at Park Wood<br />
Park Wood is 25 acres of woodland on the western slopes of the <strong>Hills</strong>. It is an<br />
ancient woodland coppice that has been used for lime extraction and charcoal<br />
production over the past centuries. Some fascinating quarries, derelict lime kilns and<br />
archaeological remains give us the clues to its past uses, but due to the economics<br />
of woodland management it has not been managed for many years.<br />
The multiple stems of the hazel coppice stools are either “over-stood” (too old) or<br />
they are dying off through lack of light. When the woodland was managed intensively<br />
there would be regular canopy breaks created when each area or “Coup” was<br />
cleared for the timber. This provided a great habitat for wildflowers, dormice and<br />
butterflies.<br />
In order to restore this habitat for the wildlife and bring the wood back into<br />
management we have teamed up with local woodland crafts worker Dave Jackson to<br />
restore the ancient coppice rotation. He is even making charcoal in the wood again.<br />
After the Clearance of the first coup last year, woodland flowers like Herb Paris and<br />
Violet Helleborine (a type of orchid) were found along with an abundance of Bluebells<br />
and Ramsons. Dave has also replanted and “layered” the hazel trees in the<br />
traditional way to restore the coppice to what it once was.<br />
Quarry Fencing<br />
As usual we continued with our programme of restoring and replacing the fences<br />
around the quarries on the <strong>Hills</strong>. We have over 70 quarries that need attending to<br />
and so it is a never-ending job. This year, by working in partnership with the Earth<br />
Heritage Trust, we have secured funding to replace the fencing around Gardiners<br />
Quarry and to fence the Upper Dingle Quarry for the first time. We have also<br />
extended and replaced the fencing around the Wyche Quarry and fenced along the<br />
wall around Earnslaw Quarry for safety reasons.<br />
Sustainable Tree Management<br />
For many years now it has been completely uneconomic to manage our planted<br />
woodland areas. Many sites on the <strong>Hills</strong> were planted with trees in the past but until<br />
now it has been far too costly to carry out thinning or felling for the benefit of the<br />
plantations. However, with the increase in timber and firewood prices we now have<br />
the opportunity to carry out this work. In fact we have even been offered a price per<br />
standing tonne for plantation thinning.<br />
We are working with local firewood processors and contractors to manage these<br />
areas and provide a sustainable fuel source. Because these areas are managed<br />
sustainably it is also a carbon neutral fuel source.<br />
12
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP<br />
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust<br />
The Trust was awarded a grant towards a Champions Project. The project proposal<br />
involves local communities conserving and utilizing their own sites of geological and<br />
landscape importance. The Trust approached the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong> as<br />
natural partners and four quarries were proposed under the scheme. As well as<br />
involving local people in the management of the quarries under the tutelage of our<br />
wardens the landscape around the quarries will benefit from the grant.<br />
Geo-Volunteers working with our volunteers.<br />
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership<br />
Our close association with the AONB team has resulted in national funding via the<br />
Heritage Lottery Fund supporting the reintroduction of grazing on the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong><br />
and the restoration of eight water features on the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> and Commons.<br />
Grazing Project<br />
The Grazing Project continues to evolve and this year we have active commoners<br />
turning stock out on the Northern <strong>Hills</strong> for the first time in 17 years. Sheep and cattle<br />
have grazed the <strong>Hills</strong> for thousands of years and with help from the Higher Level<br />
Stewardship grant scheme, run by Natural England, we have secured grazing on the<br />
<strong>Hills</strong> by local commoners for the near future.<br />
Trevor Bayliss and his son George are managing stock on the Middle <strong>Hills</strong> under a<br />
similar stewardship grant. These grants pay farmers to graze the <strong>Hills</strong> which are a<br />
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) providing government funding for 10 years to<br />
get the SSSI into favourable condition.<br />
13
The <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong> have been in a joint Stewardship Agreement with the<br />
Bromsberrow Estate on Chase End Hill for the last few years. Finally this year the<br />
cattle grids became fully operational and some of the magnificent old Yew trees were<br />
fenced off to protect them from the livestock and to protect the livestock from these<br />
potentially poisonous trees. We now just await the livestock to help restore the<br />
habitat of the rare butterly – the High Brown Fritillary.<br />
Livestock on the <strong>Hills</strong> and Commons<br />
The tradition of commoners turning out livestock on the <strong>Hills</strong> and Commons goes<br />
back many centuries. In fact one of the main duties conferred on the <strong>Conservators</strong><br />
by the Acts of Parliament is to protect the rights of commoners. As such, the Board<br />
supports the grazing of the <strong>Hills</strong> and Commons by the livestock of local people with<br />
commoners rights. This is a long held tradition in the local area that needs protecting<br />
for the future.<br />
Over the last year there has been approximately:-<br />
• 14 cattle and 50 sheep grazing on the Northern <strong>Hills</strong><br />
• 30 cattle and 100 sheep grazing on the Central <strong>Hills</strong><br />
• 169 sheep and their lambs (167) on the Southern <strong>Hills</strong><br />
• 80 cows and their calves and 240 sheep and their lambs on Castlemorton<br />
Common.<br />
Water Features<br />
Commoner<br />
The following water features were enhanced for the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong> with<br />
advice from the <strong>Malvern</strong> Spa Association and help from the AONB Partnership:-<br />
Hayslad Willow Spring Westminster Bank<br />
Weaver’s Well Lower Wyche Spout Barnards Green Trough<br />
Ellerslie<br />
St Ann’s Well including landscaping the gardens<br />
Walks leaflets were produced guiding visitors to the water features on the Northern<br />
and Central <strong>Hills</strong>.<br />
14
Hayslad Spring<br />
Views from the <strong>Hills</strong><br />
Another initiative that we have been involved in is the desk study by the AONB<br />
Partnership in plotting key views from and towards the <strong>Hills</strong>. This work will be<br />
particularly helpful to the Land Management Committee when commenting on<br />
planning applications. The Committee’s remit is to take account of the impact of the<br />
development as it affects their land and the view from the <strong>Hills</strong>. Previously this was<br />
done by climbing the <strong>Hills</strong> and looking down on the area; now we will use the study to<br />
inform our deliberations.<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> in Bloom<br />
This may be seen as a strange activity for the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong> to be<br />
closely associated with given that their remit is to keep the <strong>Hills</strong> natural. Increasingly<br />
the In Bloom competition recognises conservation and wildlife as an important part of<br />
the judging process. The <strong>Hills</strong> provide a rural back drop to the town and the<br />
commons are recognised for their wildlife value. <strong>Malvern</strong> won Gold this year in the<br />
town category.<br />
Walkers are Welcome<br />
This initiative by the Town Partnership recognises the part that visitors to the town<br />
can play in helping local businesses. Encouraging visitors to enjoy the <strong>Hills</strong> and come<br />
down to the town has been an aspiration in the <strong>Conservators</strong>’ Forward Strategy.<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> Walking Festival<br />
The <strong>Malvern</strong> Walking Festival now in its 7 th year has grown from a small band of<br />
volunteers leading walks to a major event in the walking calendar. This year for the<br />
first time the <strong>Conservators</strong> have sponsored the event which produced a record<br />
number of people attending for the week. Next year it is planned that the Walking<br />
Festival will be spread over nine days.<br />
15
Picture of walkers taking part in the Festival<br />
The fact that so many organisations are interested in our management of the <strong>Hills</strong> is<br />
reflected in the number of official visits we have received, we have hosted the<br />
following events:<br />
Association of AONBs Annual Conference<br />
Regional meeting of the Countryside Management Association<br />
Cleeve Common <strong>Conservators</strong><br />
Country Landowners and Business Association<br />
Cheltenham and Gloucester University<br />
Hartpury College<br />
Worcester University<br />
Hereford and Worcester Recorders<br />
CLA visit<br />
We have supported the community in having a stand at the Three Counties Show,<br />
Poolbrook Community Day and the Charities Fair.<br />
16
FINANCIAL INFORMATION<br />
A statement of the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong>’ financial activities showing incoming<br />
resources and resources expended for the year ended 31 st March 2009 is shown on<br />
page 22. Total incoming resources were £753,525. Of this, £158,953 was restricted<br />
funds and the balance was unrestricted and designated funds. Total expenditure<br />
was £757,930. Expenditure from the unrestricted and designated funds was<br />
£593,163 and from the restricted funds £164,767. The charts on page 20 provide a<br />
breakdown of the incoming resources and resources expended.<br />
The Board’s policy with regard to its restricted and designated funds is clearly<br />
defined and is set out in the Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts.<br />
The levy for the year ended 31 st March 2009, charged to the Council Tax payers in<br />
the parishes subject to precept, was £359,700. This represents an amount of £25.89<br />
for a Band D equivalent tax-base (2007/08 £25.27).<br />
The Board has maintained its policy of updating plant and machinery with modern<br />
equipment.<br />
The Board is required to maintain sufficient unrestricted funds to enable it to finance<br />
its principal activity of conservation. At 31 st March 2009 these amounted to £240,739<br />
representing approximately five months’ expenditure.<br />
17
MALVERN HILLS CONSERVATORS<br />
Summarised extracts from the audited financial statements<br />
for the year ended 31st March 2009<br />
Summarised Statement of Financial Activities<br />
Incoming resources<br />
2009 2008<br />
Incoming resources from generated funds:<br />
Voluntary income<br />
- Grants 80,807 70,250<br />
- Donations 14,871 586<br />
Activities for generating funds<br />
- Easements and wayleaves 13,249 6,778<br />
- Rental income 12,951 11,926<br />
Investment income<br />
- Bank interest 75,880 106,587<br />
Total incoming resources from generated funds 197,758 196,127<br />
Incoming resources from charitable activities:<br />
Conservation activities under the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> Acts 359,700 349,250<br />
Car parking fees 156,353 167,222<br />
Total incoming resources from charitable activities 516,053 516,472<br />
Other incoming resources 39,714 20,176<br />
Total incoming resources 753,525 732,775<br />
Less Governance costs 5,050 28,384<br />
Net incoming resources available for charitable application 748,475 704,391<br />
Resources expended on Charitable Activities<br />
Conservation activities under the <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> Acts 704,660 672,899<br />
Car parking expenses 48,220 60,504<br />
Total resources expended on charitable activities 752,880 733,403<br />
Net movement in funds (4,405) (29,012)<br />
Reconciliation of funds<br />
Total funds brought forward 1st April 2008 3,117,117 3,146,129<br />
Total funds carried forward 31st March 2009 3,112,712 3,117,117<br />
19
Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2009<br />
FIXED ASSETS<br />
2009 2008<br />
£ £<br />
Tangible fixed assets 1,157,096 1,085,671<br />
CURRENT ASSETS<br />
Stock 18,370 14,760<br />
Debtors 17,298 18,964<br />
Short term deposits 1,972,508 2,027,243<br />
Cash at bank and in hand 200 200<br />
2,008,376 2,061,167<br />
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 52,760 29,721<br />
NET CURRENT ASSETS 1,955,616 2,031,446<br />
NET ASSETS 3,112,712 3,117,117<br />
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY<br />
Unrestricted 240,739 258,626<br />
Restricted 2,812,037 2,810,240<br />
Designated 59,936 48,251<br />
3,112,712 3,117,117<br />
AUDITORS’ REPORT<br />
The summarised figures have been extracted from the full accounts. In our opinion,<br />
these summarised accounts are consistent with the full accounts which have<br />
received an unqualified opinion.<br />
Little & Co. Chartered Accountants, 45 Park Road. Gloucester<br />
TRUSTEES’ REPORT<br />
The financial information on pages 19 to 22 represents summarised extracts from the<br />
full statutory accounts and therefore does not contain sufficient information to give a<br />
full understanding of the financial affairs of the charity. The full statutory accounts,<br />
approved on 9th July 2009, carried an unqualified statutory audit report and have<br />
been submitted to the Charity Commission. A copy may be obtained from the<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong>, Manor House, Grange Road, <strong>Malvern</strong>, Worcestershire,<br />
WR14 3EY.<br />
Signed on behalf of the trustees - R. G. Roberts, Chairman of the Board<br />
20
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD<br />
at 1 st November 2009<br />
Appointed by:<br />
CHAIRMAN: Ray Roberts<br />
VICE CHAIRMAN: Clive Smith<br />
Sue Adeney<br />
Richard Chamings<br />
Chris Cheeseman<br />
Martin Cordey<br />
Roger Hall-Jones<br />
Terry Hunt<br />
Jennie Kelly<br />
Mike Morgan<br />
Andrew Myatt<br />
Beverley Nielsen<br />
Tony Phillips<br />
Brian Pilcher<br />
John Plant<br />
Chris Rouse<br />
Joe Smith<br />
Bryan Smith<br />
Mike Soley<br />
Helen Stace<br />
Roy Stockton<br />
Sue Thetford<br />
Paul Tuthill<br />
David Watkins<br />
Pete Watson<br />
Peter Watts<br />
Will Watts<br />
Brian Wilcock<br />
Vacant<br />
Chase Ward<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> Link Ward<br />
Church Commissioners<br />
Guarlford Parish<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> District Council<br />
Worcestershire CC (Powick)<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> District Council<br />
Colwall Parish<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> District Council<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> District Council<br />
Dyson Perrins Ward<br />
Worcestershire County Council<br />
Worcestershire CC (Newland)<br />
Pickersleigh Ward<br />
Worcestershire CC (Castlemorton)<br />
West Ward<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> District Council<br />
Worcestershire County Council<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> District Council<br />
Colwall Parish Council<br />
Herefordshire Council<br />
Mathon Parish<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> District Council<br />
<strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> District Council<br />
Priory Ward<br />
Herefordshire Council<br />
Colwall Parish<br />
Wells Ward<br />
Mathon Parish Council<br />
Committee Chairmen<br />
Brian Wilcock<br />
Sue Thetford<br />
Administration and Resources<br />
Land Management<br />
21
<strong>Staff</strong><br />
at 1 st November 2009<br />
Ian Rowat<br />
Val Moore<br />
Rob Havard<br />
Linda Churchill<br />
Paul Saunder<br />
Martin Cottrell<br />
Simon Davies<br />
Matthew Gardner<br />
Antony Griffiths<br />
Josh Loader<br />
Nicky Quinn<br />
Richard Vale<br />
Robin Hill<br />
Jill Hopkirk<br />
Voluntary Wardens<br />
Malcolm Brown<br />
Alan Greatwood<br />
David Cheale<br />
Stuart Trigg<br />
Trevor Wilson<br />
Michelle Phillips<br />
John Pole<br />
Simon Wood<br />
Director<br />
Administrative Officer/Deputy Director<br />
Conservation Officer<br />
Financial Assistant<br />
Operations Manager<br />
Field <strong>Staff</strong><br />
Field <strong>Staff</strong><br />
Field <strong>Staff</strong>/ Assistant Stockman<br />
Field <strong>Staff</strong> (p/t)<br />
Field <strong>Staff</strong><br />
Warden<br />
Warden<br />
Warden<br />
Site Warden (Tank Quarry) p/t<br />
Volunteer Site Wardens<br />
Diana Maiden<br />
Pete Watson<br />
Malcolm Brown<br />
David Hope<br />
Mike O’Brien<br />
Douglas Castle<br />
Peter Parkes<br />
Brian Davies<br />
Daphne Davies<br />
CONSULTANTS: Financial - Cheryl Gentry<br />
Legal - Harrison Clark<br />
Whatley Recordon<br />
Valuation - Halls of Worcester<br />
AUDITORS<br />
Little & Company<br />
The <strong>Malvern</strong> <strong>Hills</strong> <strong>Conservators</strong> would like to recognise support from DEFRA<br />
Rural Development Service, Worcestershire County Council as well as many<br />
members of the public who give donations, pick up litter and offer us support.<br />
22
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