Review of the Year
This year has seen a further expansion in our activities.
Following last years strong financial performance we are pleased to report another strong performance with a surplus of £32384 compared with £11,717 in the previous year. This puts en-form in a strong financial position and able to fulfil its commitments over the next 3 years. Our current projections expect income to decrease and expenditure to rise significantly over the next 3 years with a deficit occurring next year, which will be met from our current surplus. A number of funding streams are due to end in the next financial year. Next year will be a year of consolidation.
Local food issues have been the most dominant feature of our work with the preparation and publication of the first issue of the North East Essex local Food Directory. This was launched on 6 February 2004 at the Colchester Farmers' Market. Because of logistical difficulties we were unable to distribute it as evenly as we would have liked across the area covered but it has proved to be a success for both producers and customers. The second issue, which is about to go to print, is larger and has incorporated the comments and suggestions made by both producers and members of the public. We have also been able to identify a business who will ensure even distribution, and regular top ups, at Visitor Information Centres and other high profile outlets through out the coming year. The monthly Colchester farmers' Market has continued to attract a growing number of customers, and we were also contracted to run a monthly weekend market from May to November by Clacton Factory Village. This has been successful not only for the market stallholders but also in attracting customers to the factory outlets on the site. We have been asked to arrange a similar programme for 2005. Unfortunately because of lack of support we had to close the Dedham Farmers' Market in June 2004. Farmers' Markets are springing up all over the area and it seems inevitable that this will affect the customer support for nearby markets.
In conjunction with the Directory and markets we also promote an Organic Fruit and Vegetable Box Scheme. This has now attracted in excess of 250 customers throughout NE Essex and the number is growing month by month. There are now 2 suppliers meeting the demand.
Recycling is also a major part of our activities and we have been working closely with Colchester Borough Council in the launch of their enhanced kerbside collection scheme, which has significantly raised the Borough's recycling rate. We conducted a participation survey over an 8-week period in all wards of the Colchester area to ascertain effectiveness of recycling in the borough. The launch of our Paint Recycling (Re>Paint) Scheme, in Clacton and Colchester, which is expected to divert 22.4 tonnes of re-useable paint per annum from the waste stream over 3 years, will enhance the recycling initiatives in both Colchester and Tendring.
We helped organise Colchester's first In Town without my Car Day on 22 September 2004. While this was a relatively low key affair, with only 2 small streets closed, it did help to raise the profile of Transport Issues locally and we learned a lot about planning for future events. If the event is repeated in 2005 we need to enlist more support from bus and train companies if we are to succeed in getting commuters to switch to public transport. We are also acting as a host for a Cycle Training Project, which aims to train cyclists to the National Standard.
We have initiated a Fuel Poverty Project (The Harbour Ward Energy Project) in conjunction with Colchester Borough Council to undertake a trial survey of up to 100 homes in one of the wards designated as deprived in Colchester to help alleviate fuel poverty. This trial will start in January 2005 and if it proves successful it may be extended subject to funding being obtained.
Our Education Officer has been working with a number of schools in the Borough on various environmental and recycling issues. She has also assisted 2 scout groups in obtaining their Global Challenge Badges. We are hoping to extend the programme in 2005 subject to funding being obtained.
We have been more selective in the events we have participated in over the past year ensuring the themes match our aims and objectives. We organised a very successful Coastal Awareness Day, which attracted over 200 visitors.
Our visitor numbers have remained steady at 50 per month but the telephone and e-mail enquiries have increased greatly as we have become more widely known. Our web site, which is continually being reviewed, and is now being comprehensively revamped, is attracting 250 visitors per month.
Our quarterly newsletters are proving ever more popular and we continue to contribute a monthly column in one of the free local papers.
I am pleased to report that we were awarded Investor in People Status in November 2004, which recognises the importance we place on staff and volunteer development and management.
We are grateful to Colchester Borough Council for their support this year in funding our Centre Manager post and contribution towards the Local Food Directory, Harbour Ward Energy Project and other projects. We feel this co-operation has helped raise Colchester's profile as one of the cleanest and greenest boroughs and we look forward to helping them enhance this further. We are also grateful to the SEED and CRED funds of the Lottery for their support in the Local Food and Paint Recycling schemes, and to the Essex Community Foundation for a substantial contribution to the Harbour Ward Energy Project.
We are grateful to our staff and volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to help us achieve our objectives for the year, and who were out and about very early during the recycling survey. We also thank the members of the public who have supported our projects, particularly the Farmers' Markets.
Rowly Castiglione
Chairman of Trustees
30 April 2005
