by Laura Tarry
The Parks Trusts’ Annual Report and
Financial Statements for 2015-16 have been published today. The long-term
future of the Trust is looking bright as we continue to move toward financial
sustainability.
The statements for the year ending
March 2016 show the charity has grown due to the success of its commercial
property and investments.
David Foster, Chief Executive of The
Parks Trust, said: “We have managed to
grow our property portfolio to some £89million and also have financial
investments valued at around £38m. Part of that growth has come from new
endowments as we have taken on new land as the city has continued to expand and
part from astute commercial management and investment over the years.
“As a result, the Trust is in pretty
good financial shape but we are all too aware of what another recession could
do to the Trust. In 2008 we had around
30% wiped off the value of our assets and had to cut expenditure and shelve a
number of projects that we are only now able to bring forward again. We still need to continue to grow our asset
base if we are to be able to weather financial storms that may come our way in
future. You have to remember we are entirely self-financing, the cost of
maintaining the parks is not getting any less and we have this job to do in
perpetuity. ”
The Parks Trust cares for 25% of the
city and continues to take ownership of additional areas of green space as
Milton Keynes expands.
Maintaining the green space is the
primary aim of the Trust, but we are also committed to enhancing biodiversity,
delivering environmental education, providing exciting leisure and recreation
facilities and events.
David added: “All of our work is
funded through our commercial property, our investments and various enterprises
on our parkland including the commercial leisure activities at Willen Lake and
our farming.
“The success of our business model
means that we have been able to spend more than ever this year (over £7.5m)
looking after our parks, lakes and woodlands and are able to put plans in place
to introduce new facilities into the parks and invest further in the operation
of Willen Lake to make it an even better all year round attraction in the years
to come.
“Most importantly, the parks, lakes
and landscapes under our control are in good shape and are being well used and
greatly appreciated.”
Looking ahead our three priorities
for the coming year remain:
1.
Continue to maintain the parks to a
high stand and improve the biodiversity.
2.
Continue to build the asset base to
ensure the Trust can be financially sustainable for the long term.
3.
Introduce new features and
facilities in the parks.
o
We
hope to be able to pursue our plans for a major restoration project in the
grounds of Great Linford Manor. We are awaiting the outcome of a bid with the
Heritage Lottery Fund.
o
Planning
permission is being sought for an adventure golf course and café at Furzton
Lake.
o
And
we’ll shortly be consulting on plans for exciting new facilities in Campbell
Park and Willen Lake.
To download The Parks Trusts’ Annual
Report and Financial Statements for 2015-15 visit: http://www.theparkstrust.com/downloads/final-2015-16-annual-report.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment