I have pleasure in presenting my report and accounts of the Central Fund for the year ended 31st December 2023. 2023 was the first full year with the increased membership fees effective from the AGM in June 2022, the first year without the Channel Islands District and also one which happily saw an influx of new members through Ring for the King and other initiatives.
Income levels received by the Guild recovered to close to that in 2021. Total subscription income from the districts is shown in the table below:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Alton & Petersfield | 727.65 | 0.00 |
| Andover | 443.45 | 46.20 |
| Basingstoke | 730.80 | 5.60 |
| Channel Islands | 211.00 | |
| Christchurch & Southampton | 769.30 | 23.80 |
| Isle of Wight | 453.25 | 15.05 |
| Portsmouth | 792.15 | 6.65 |
| Winchester | 980.35 | 20.65 |
| £4,896.95 | £328.95 | |
The Central Fund balance has decreased by £1,259.22. The Training and Development Fund fell significantly because of support for the youth teams at York RWNYC, a simulator grant and other expenses. It will be topped up in 2024 by a one-off transfer from the Central Fund as agreed at the 2022 and 2023 AGMs. The 200 Club which supported the Training and Development Fund was closed down at the end of 2023 because of a lack of support.
Balances held are considered to be sufficient for foreseeable needs. Total financial assets held by the Guild at the year-end were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| Central Fund: | ||||
| General Fund | 5,076.68 | 4,648.52 | ||
| Training and Development Fund | 49.81 | 1,737.19 | ||
| Central Reserve Fund | 8,310.39 | 13,436.88 | 8,227.93 | 14,613.64 |
| Districts | 24,867.45 | 28,004.31 | ||
| Sub-Committees | 1,664.42 | 1,313.28 | ||
| £39,968.75 | £43,931.23 | |||
R Milford
16th March 2024