The Bailiff’s Report

Operational developments

The 2011 AGM on 27th April 2011 was an auspicious day for Lench’s Trust.We opened the doors of William Lench Court for this event, the first of many in this wonderful new development. On that day, too, James Lloyd, retiring after 39 years as Trustee, laid the Foundation Stone in front of over 100 friends of theTrust.The residents of William Lench Court have rapidly become part of a caring, lively community.This is in part due to successful partnership arrangements Yardley GreatTrust for extracare, and the Jericho Foundation for catering at Lench’s Close and now also atWilliam Lench Court.We are pleased that these arrangements are working so well.

We are also undertaking a refurbishment at Lench’s Close as well as regular maintenance on all properties. Heath Avery, the architects for William Lench Court, drew up plans and for the building work for new communal and office facilities at Lench’s Close. Our chosen contractors, Neil S Shipley will complete by the end of April 2012.We have also replaced the 30-year old boilers used for communal heating at Lench’s Close.

With the sale of 271 Hagley Road, our Head Office moved intoWilliam Lench Court on 3rd May 2011, and we welcomed our first residents on 16th May 2011.

The quinquennial survey was completed and presented to the December 2011 Board Meeting.The only major requirement was for replacement windows and frames for both Lench’s Close andTanner’s Close.This work will be carried out during 2012.

Residents

Trustee Sarah Davis instigated a Scrutiny Panel.This is a resident-led committee which will audit and monitor those of theTrust’s activities and standards related to the residents and the almshouses. Its first meeting was in June, with a second in September.This Panel has decided that its first task will be to audit how theTrust communicates with the residents.

During 2011 the Trust appointed Mo Sajad as our Activities Co-ordinator.Working initially with residents atWilliam Lench Court, his remit has now widened to our other schemes.There are now regular activities on all schemes; for example, there is tai chi atWilliam Lench Court and a cookery club at Moseley with computer clubs, film clubs and bingo on all schemes.

Staff, Befrienders & Volunteers

This year has been one of exciting change, which does not happen without much aforethought and sheer hard work by everyone involved in the Trust. I should like to record here theTrustees’ gratitude to our staff, led by our Chief Executive, Jean-Luc Priez for their expert management of the day-to-day business of the Trust.The cheerfulness, sensitivity and effort of them all makes the Trust what it is.

It is with sadness that I report the passing away of Kevin Boyd, our Maintenance Officer for over 12 years. He will be missed greatly; it is movingly appropriate the residents of Lench’s Close bought a bench in his memory, a reminder to us all of what he did for the Trust.

In December 2011 Mark Boden was appointed our new Maintenance Officer.

Finances

Although we did not receive a full year’s income from William Lench Court we still remained in surplus for the year. Stock markets were volatile, plunging in August 2011 but recovering their losses over the remainder of the year.We managed to enjoy a small rise in the value of our investments in 2011.

Cash generation has improved from our original estimates and consequently the mortgage needed to complete the fundingWilliam Lench Court was £2.5 million, down from the £4.0 million we originally envisaged.As a consequence the term of this mortgage is 15 years against our original plans of 25 years.

Incorporation

TheTrustees agreed to incorporate the charity and this was finally approved by the Charities Commission in January 2012.The Trustees of the existing charity have become Members of the new incorporated body.

Board of Trustees

Having said farewell to James Lloyd on his retirement at the start of the year, we are delighted to welcome Amarjet Snehi to the Board. His investment expertise will prove invaluable to us. Len Clark, formerly a Council nominee, has now joined us in his own right. Councillor Peter Smallbone was nominated by the Council in September.

My final words in this my first Bailiff’s Report is to thank my co-Trustees for their service to the Board.Their dedication, combined with their breadth of experience, is of immeasurable benefit to the Trust.

KateCooper,Bailiff