Treasurer’s Report for Year Ended 31 December 2015

The accounts for 2015 are set out overleaf. My predecessor, John Ponting, maintained the accounts from 1 January until he stepped down at the AGM, on 20 March 2015.

The Society made a loss of £1,022.65 in 2015 but this was expected following the Committee’s decision to go ahead with The Mosaic Project. The financial outlay for this project was £1,000.00 for the Mosaic, £148.87 for the wooden frame, and a planning fee of £195.00. The gross total of £1,343.87 was slightly offset by donations totaling £120.00 (for the planning fee), giving a net cost of £1,223.87.

However, this loss has to be set against the gain that this project has given to the community of Chudleigh. The Mosaic more than enhances the street scene, and The Society hopes that it can be added to in the future as funds become available.

The subscription income in 2015, was £754.00 but it needs to be noted that £300.00 of it relates to 2016 subscriptions. The membership total for 2015 was 104. For new members, joining between September and December, their subscription will run until the 31 December of the following year.

I have provided a comparison of the accounts from 2013 to 2015. It should be noted that there is a large increase in the Stationery, Postages & Equipment expenditure. This is explained by the purchase of two display boards, mentioned in the Chairman’s report, at a cost of £170.40. Hence the comparable figure for stationery and postages in 2015 is £26.77.

Along with the need to increase the positive impact of The Society, our finances were reviewed in the same light. The Committee’s view was, that in the long term, the finances were not viable. The following measures were taken from January 2016, to make our finances more secure:

1. the raffle, with its waning receipts, would be replaced by a £1.00 entry fee for members on the Lecture Evenings. (This also puts us in line with other Chudleigh societies.)
2. Guests would pay £3.00 per entry.
3. Committee members also decided that they would meet in each other’s houses instead of hiring the Rest Centre. Thanks go to our Chairman for his hospitality.
4. the annual subscription would remain unchanged at £6.00 for single membership and £10.00 for two people living at the same address.
5. the decision to cease charitable status is (virtually) financially neutral.
6. to encourage better take up of membership and speaker events. In 2016, greater diversity in our talks has been put in place.
7. the Committee is looking to provide funds for minor projects without external assistance. eg The plaques for the Dipping Places at a cost of £25.

The accounts will be available for inspection at the AGM on Friday 18 March 2016. If you have any questions or observations I will be pleased to receive them.

Clare Lillington has kindly offered, once again, to examine the Society’s accounts.

B W Groves
12 February 2016