Belford Development Trust

Ros Simpson Heather Westcott

Ian Carruthers

Belford Development Trust was formed as a result of the closure of Barclays Bank in Belford some ten years ago. As a gesture of good will Barclays gifted the Bank Building to the community and the Development Trust was formed as a result.

BDT is a charitable organisation which aims to improve the social and economic wellbeing of the population of the Parish of Belford and Middleton.

Over the years the Trust has helped young people with music lessons and ocean going sailing trips. It has successfully run a Christmas market for many years and has helped to fund and maintain the village Christmas lights, as well as hosting regular visits from a French market and many other popular events.

Funding has been granted for two new developments this year. The first has seen the Bank Building adapted to allow for disabled access and the second to develop the Belford Village website.

The President of the Trust is Lord Walton of Detchant

The Development Trust exists to solely for the benefit of the community and we are always happy to hear fromanyone who has ideas for projects which can achieve this goal or who wishes to become involved with the trust in any way.

Belford Development Trust Meeting.

Monday 15th February 2101

Minutes

Present: Ian Carruthers, Ros Simpson, Heather Westcott

Apologies: None

Minutes of last meetings:

HW distributed minutes of the last two meetings, which were signed by IC. Meetings dates 8thOctober and 20th October 2009

Matters arising:

The current financial situation was discussed and it was clarified that the Carnival funds are still held in the Belford Development Trust current account.

There were plans to remove the rubbish from the bank building on 4th November 2009. This has not happened but the matter still needs to be addressed

The trustees confirmed that the insurance for the bank building is up to date

It was confirmed that David Simpson vacated the managers office in the bank building at the end of October 2009

Website:

Steve Newman has been paid £200 per month since June. His original estimate was to reduce this to £100 per month from November but the work load has meant he has had to put in many more hours than anticipated. The trustees commended Steve for his excellent work.

Financial Matters:

The financial situation was discussed by the trustees. With the help of the income from the village website the trust is managing to maintain control of its finances.

The trustees confirmed, yet again, that ALL War Memorial funds are held in a separate deposit account. HW has made enquiries at Barclays Bank as to how the Trust might transfer these to the Parish Council. PC will be approached and asked formally if they are willing to accept the transfer of War Memorial funds.

Future of the Trust:

Over the last year the COMMA fund money has been spent on improvements to the main banking hall at the Bank Building and the website is now up and running.

At a public meeting in December no new Trustees came forward. It was felt by the trustees present that in these difficult financial times some tough decisions need to be made as to the future of the Trust. Due to the current financial situation and lack of support, the trustees discussed their options and agreed to have the Bank Building valued with a view to a possible sale.

The Trustees were adamant that the possible sale of the bank building would not mean that the Development Trust will cease to exist but could breathe new life into the Development Trust and enable the it to support the social and economic welfare of the community as outlined the Trust’s constitution.