Feckenham Village Amenity Trust
Registered Charity: 1060836
This page explains what the charity is and how it is operated.
The Charity’s stated purpose is “… to provide a village green or square for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Feckenham and other amenity areas for the benefit of the inhabitants of the said Parish”.
History:
- The Square is Feckenham’s Village Green. It is a registered village green (1993: Village Green. Feckenham. Located in Feckenham, 7 km SW of Redditch.)
- Until the early 1980s it was owned by the estate of the Earl of Coventry. It was then offered for sale. The Parish Council considered buying it but was unable to raise the money needed. The Square was sold to a private owner.
- In the early 1990s The Square was again offered for sale. Seeking to preserve the amenity Mr. Lionel Hill of Dunstall Court bought the land and offered it to the village in exchange for a substantial donation to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The purchase was made in 1993.
- A great village fundraising effort ensued and £15,000 was raised. This was paid to the Hospital for the purchase of specialist incubator equipment.
- Hill passed the property to a Trust formed by Feckenham Parish Council in May 1996. The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission.
- In 2010 the Trust purchased Moors Lane Allotments. This was made possible by a major donation by Mr. & Mrs. Whitehead and a grant from Redditch Borough Council.
- Both sites have been vested in the Charity Commission and are operated for the use and benefit of villagers.
Structure:
The Charity’s Governing Document takes the form of a Deed. You can view a copy of the Document by clicking HERE.
- Feckenham Parish Council (as a corporate body) is the sole Trustee.
- The Official Custodian of Charities (The Charity Commission) has been registered with the Land Registry as the proprietor of the two lands. This is an administrative arrangement that ensures that, should the Parish Council cease to exist, the Charity could continue to operate.
- The Square and the Allotments are operated on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Trust by two separate volunteer committees:
- The Square is in the care of Feckenham Square Management Committee while the allotments are looked after by Feckenham Allotments and Leisure Gardens Society. Both of these organisations operate their own bank accounts and act independently within the parameters set by the Trust.
- Both Committees report to and submit accounts to the Trust. The Trust submits combined annual accounts and reports to the Charity Commission.
- In accordance with the Governing Document, two Parish Council members sit on and monitor each of the management committees.
Feckenham Square Management Committee:
- Maintains The Square by mowing and carrying out repairs and improvements.
- Carries out safety checks and maintenance of the mature trees on the site.
- Ensures that the site is safe for public use.
- Ensures that the site is fully insured.
- Administers the use of The Square for functions by local people.
- Mounts fundraising and social events on The Square. Recent events include the annual Carols on The Square event, the village Scarecrow Festival, Fun on The Square and various celebrations of Royal occasions.
To contact the Square Management Committee email: square@feckenham.f9.co.uk
Feckenham Allotments and Leisure Gardens Society:
- Administers The Moors Lane Allotment Site – including plot rentals.
- Carries out maintenance and improvements to the site.
- Ensures that the site is safe for public use.
- Ensures that the site is fully insured.
To contact the Allotments Society email: falgssec1@gmail.com
For general information about the Trust please email The Clerk: clerk@feckenham-parishcouncil.gov.uk
