Please make a difference and vote for Andy Cook – below are the reasons why
Summary
I have been a co-opted member of The Box Moor Trust Finance Committee for most of 2015 and as such have come to understand the commercial workings and challenges they face. During this period I have become involved, and supported directly, with some of the longer term financial issues the committee are trying to manage. It is with this experience that I took the serious decision to put myself forward as a candidate in the Trustee election.
I believe as a Trustee I can bring three main areas of benefit to the Trust:
- Hands on business experience and guidance for generating future income and revenue
- Organisational governance and management expertise for running a company
- Representation for local residents who enjoy recreational activities on the Box Moor Trust land
I expand on these 3 items below; however, I should also say there are a few things I cannot help with: I have little or no experience in conservation, although I have opinions. I know almost nothing about how to manage forestry / meadows / livestock. I can probably name only 10 types of UK birds and trees and I certainly couldn’t tell you why all the local conker trees currently look ill.
With this in mind, let me expand on the areas as a Trustee I can help with and hopefully convince you to vote for me to become one of the five new Trustees in this year’s elections:
1. Generating future income & revenue
Running and maintaining an estate the size of The Box Moor Trust requires significant money and resources. The Trust is lucky enough to benefit from many local volunteers to help with the a huge range of projects and initiatives; however it does also require a significant amount of money to cover its day to day running costs.
In The Box Moor Trust 2014 accounts they reported an annual income of £826,742.00 which is split £741,392 (Investment income) & £85,350 (Charitable activities):
The Investment income of £741,392 has two main sources being £481k (Commercial rent) and £250,022 (Rent from residential properties). The commercial rent (£481k) comes from a single property with a lease which expires in 2020. At the moment it is unclear what will happen with the current tenant on this site and whether they will wish to renew the lease. It’s very likely they won’t.
The Trust has been very prudent in putting aside funds each year to manage the eventuality that the £481k lease is not renewed, however at best this will only cover one or two years and can by no means mitigate the long term impact.
If the Trust were unsuccessful in replacing the £481k income it would certainly face financial hardship and inevitably impact their ability to maintain the local green spaces. In the worst case it could potentially force them to sell some of their land stock for development. This is not a scenario I think is likely, however, I believe the Trust need practical help and expertise to address this challenge.
As a local resident, who enjoys the benefits of The Trust, I would like to offer my many years of business expertise, contacts and experience to help generate new income streams. In doing so I also want to ensure it minimises the potential for unwanted developments on and around the land the Trust owns.
My mission, if elected as a Trustee, would be to support the long term financial and business management of the Trust to increase its financial strength so that it can grow its land bank and resources and maintain its land to high standards.
2. Support running a company
The Box Moor Trust employs some fantastic staff, many of whom have years of service and experience doing their jobs. I believe they do a wonderful job and having got to know a few of them in recent years, I’m impressed with their dedication & commitment.
Like most companies The Trust management face daily challenges as they juggle priorities, activities and resources. Having run my own companies and sat on the board in a non-exec role over my business life I hope I could provide an external perspective to their organisational challenges and priorities. I believe the basis of a well run company is its governance and people management. If elected, as a Trustee I would help provide good practical advice, guidance and experience to the organisational challenges they face.
3. Represent locals who enjoy recreational activities on Trust land
As a local resident I consider myself very lucky to have such beautiful and well managed green spaces locally. It’s a privilege having access to this land whether it be for walking our Golden retriever, running with The Gade Valley Harriers club, watching rugby or cricket or just sitting and enjoying the wild life. Needless to say it’s rare that a day goes by that either I, or one of my family, doesn’t enjoy what the Box Moor Trust land has to offer. With this in mind I have experience and views as to what’s important for locals like us and I will provide feedback, comments and direction from the perspective of a local who enjoys the land and wants it to be maintained for the future.
By the way….the role of Trustee is unpaid and totally voluntary. It provides no financial benefits to the individual and the governance of the Trust ensures any interests there maybe are fully declared so that ‘conflicts of interest’ are avoided.
If you think any of this is of value to The Box Moor Trust and you think I can help them as a Trustee – please vote for me in the Trustee election which close on 21st October 2015.
Thank you for reading.
Andy Cook
Supporting Box Moor Trust 