Page 34 - ALG Issue 3 2022

retired after over 35 years with NAS and Lisa Fox has now taken over the Finance Administrator position. This led to the appointment of Susan Garley as Administrator. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome and thank all the Head Office team and look forward to working closely with everyone for the challenges that are ahead in 2022/23 as we move the Society forward.
I would also like to thank all our fantastic volunteers who do work so hard for the National Allotment Society; without them we would not be able to deliver all the services that are clearly so much required by our members.
TREASURERS REPORT - YEAR ENDED JANUARY 2022-WRITTEN BY TREASURER JEFF DAVIES, PRESENTED IN HIS ABSENCE BY JENNY SCALDWELL FROM MH LLP ACCOUNTANTS
Over the last 12 months, government restrictions have gradually been lifted and life is beginning to get back to normal. The pandemic has changed the lives of many and to a certain extent has reshaped the way the organisation is run.
From a financial viewpoint the accounts for the year ended 31st January 2022 show continued financial stability in
an unstable environment. Membership continues to be robust on the back of continued rising demand for allotments with Affiliation Fees up by just over 4%. Last year’s Kings Seeds commission was a record for the organisation reflecting a massive switch to online purchasing in the wake of restrictions. Very pleasingly, this has held up well this year over last year’s increase
which is still considerably more than pre-pandemic levels. There continues to be an increase in Allotment Liability Insurance take up with figures up 23%.
The costs of running the organisation have continued to benefit from reduced management and travel costs. The enforced restrictions have meant cancellation of shows and curtailed activities in regions. As activity
now begins to increase, we expect expenditure to be back to normal in the future.
The overall result is a healthy surplus
of £126k and this includes an upturn of £26k in our investments on revaluation. This is excellent considering the economic downturn but we are yet to learn of the impact of the war in Ukraine on our portfolio.
We continue to investigate switching some of our assets to sustainable companies and markets with better practices relating to environment, social and governance. This will also incorporate a review of banking facilities. Initial proposals will be discussed at our next Management Committee meeting.
Finally, I would like to thank all those
at Head Office for their support in producing information and looking after the day-to-day running of the finances.
Phil Gomersall, NAS President, confirmed that membership fees would not be increased this year.
ATTENDEES QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCE REPORT
Is the organisation introducing a policy to withdraw investments from Barclays as they support fracking? Liz Bunting (Legal and Operations Manager) – Yes, we are doing this in stages to move investments to more sustainable funds; we are also in the process of changing our day-to-day banking to the Co-op.
Where do charitable donations go to?
Sonia Gallagher (Administration and Facilities Manager) - These funds were from show produce last year that we sold at the end of the show. All monies went to West Midlands charities, one of which was Perennial.
There is a staff training figure of £6,000 - could this be increased to develop staff and volunteers?
Liz Bunting (Legal and Operations
I would also like to thank all our fantastic volunteers who do work
so hard for the National Allotment Society; without them we would not be able to deliver all the services that are clearly so much required by our members
Manager) – Yes, that is something we can look into.
There are two pots of money for publicity and advertising separately. One is £6,000 and the other £10,000 – what are they for?
Sonia Gallagher (Administration
and Facilities Manager) – The higher figure covers the cost of the quarterly magazine, the lower one is for regular advertising costs.
Can we print the magazine on more sustainable paper?
Liz Bunting (Legal and Operations Manager) – The paper that we print on can be recycled and although we have looked into changing it, it would not be robust enough to sustain the quality of the magazine in sheds and outbuildings on allotment sites.
Under pension costs, there is an amount of £12,300 - what is that? Sonia Gallagher (Administration and Facilities Manager) - Part of this is
the legal contribution required of the organisation to offer a workplace pension and contribution. The reason
it seems high is that it also includes the contributions made from the employees.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE ACCOUNTS YEAR END JANUARY 2022 Accepted – 50 in favour
APPOINTMENT OF ACCOUNTANTS
Accepted – 50 in favour
VOTE FOR INSPECTION OF ACCOUNTS RATHER THAN AUDIT VOTE ACCEPTED - 50 in favour
After the vote, Jenny Scaldwell explained that the cost of a full audit would begin at £15,000 opposed to £5,000 of the inspection. This will be voted on again at the 2023 AGM.
John Irwin closed the meeting by thanking King’s Seeds for attending as well as Jenny and all delegates.
Meeting closed 12.45pm
34 Allotment and Leisure Gardener