Minutes of the Thorncombe Village Shop Association Annual General Meeting 17th July 2024
The Chair, Anne Johnson-Rooks, opened the meeting at 7.30pm and welcomed everyone.
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of 24th July 2023
These were approved and signed. Accepted by Alan Morris and seconded by Julia Snellock.
Presentation of Accounts and Treasurer’s Report
The accounts and balance sheet for the year ending 31st January 2024 was accepted, proposed by Glenys Howard and seconded by Rose Richards.
Paul Roberts, as Treasurer, commenced his address by giving an overall view as to how the shop is performing. With no loan liability to the Parish Council, there is no rent payable until April 2029. This transaction is included in the accounts to 31 January 2024. This left the shop funds very low and Paul’s key objective was to try to boost the funds over the 12 months. Paul was pleased to report that this has largely been successful and the savings account balance stands at £18,000 today. will continue to increase, preferably to £20-25,000.
The shop’s trading performance in the year has seen turnover increase from £168,000 the previous year to £181,000 this year, which is largely due to the rate of inflation being over 10% at times.
Profit for the year was £6,000 compared to £8,500 the year before. Expenses were sharply up, again due to inflation, with increases mainly for wages, light, heat and credit card charges.
No corporation tax is paid on our profit, as we can take advantage of a specific element of tax case law to effectively boost our allowable expenses.
Grants have allowed us to pay for major capital expenditure and we will shortly be replacing the shop floor and kitchen cabinets. The rolling programme of replacement by using grant money has served us well in that many of the items in the shop have been renewed in recent years, such as the fridge freezers and the decking.
Paul confirmed that he would not be standing down this year and would carry on for one more year if elected.
Disapplication of the requirement to undertake a full professional audit for the year of account ended 31 January 2023
This was proposed by Marina Ateo, seconded by Geoff Edmundson and approved.
Appointment of Cadwallader and Co as accountants for the financial year ending 31 January 2024
This was proposed by Julia Snellock, seconded by Barbara Barnes, and approved.
Chair’s Report
Anne Johnson-Rooks acknowledged that the shop is still well supported by customers and so far, this year is running to our financial expectations.
Anne noted that the new manager, Marie, has been settling in over the past year. There is a lot to learn when starting such a job and Anne was immensely grateful to Wilna for her help and advice to Marie.
Anne stated that the shop has been given a lottery grant for a new floor in the shop, and this money, together with pledges from loyal customers will be used. Any surplus money will be put towards new units in the kitchen in our corporate sage green colour. She thanked Paul Abbey and Alan Morris for their work on this project, together with Nikki Parker for her work concerning the new floor. The results will be seen in late August/September, when we will hopefully have a beautiful new kitchen. The cooker has already been replaced, as it died during a particularly busy Saturday Baps morning!
The annual volunteers’ meal took place at The Bath House in May. It was a great opportunity for volunteers to get together away from the shop, and the evening was enjoyed by all. Other events during the year have been our annual Christmas late opening evening, which resulted in good sales, and our celebration recently of International Cream Tea Day, another well-attended and fun event. I would like to thank all the volunteers who were working so hard at these events, and particularly Phil Gordon, who was offering tastings of our non-alcoholic beer and the delicious Furleigh wines.
Richard Peacock has for many years kept the two dustbins full of bird seed in his farmhouse. He has been diligently weighing the seed, bagging it up for sale in the shop, and ordering replenishments when needed. Richard is not well and feels unable to carry on with this very important task. The bird seed is a good seller in the shop, and it would be a shame if we had to discontinue selling it for want of a volunteer, or purchase it ourselves ready bagged, which is expensive. Is there any kind soul who could take this task on? I won’t embarrass you by asking for hands up now, but if you feel able to help, please talk to me after the meeting.
Anne thanked the Committee for everything they do for the shop, and said she was stepping down from the Committee this evening, together with Mary Morris and Alan Hiscock. Margaret Fraser, who has been a hard-working and diligent Secretary, has already stepped down and been replaced on the Committee by Wilna Hawker. Pauline Holt stepped down from the Committee during the year, and we are all so grateful to her for everything she did. Cheryl Glazier replaced her on the Committee. Mary Morris will continue to cook, organise the volunteers, order the veg etc. until someone else comes forward to take on these jobs. The procedure is that all members step down from the Committee and those who are willing to be re-elected have let it be known that they are standing again. A maximum of eight is needed on the Committee. Their roles within the Committee are decided at the first Committee meeting after this AGM.
Both Richard Fletcher and Andy Sacha expressed their wish to be considered and gave details of their backgrounds to the meeting. Kate Green, who was unable to attend the meeting, had also expressed an interest in joining the Committee and had provided a written note, which was read to the meeting.