This letter to editor was written in response to this article.
Review: Crisis grows in Pevensey Town Trust, is it time to see the bigger picture?
The Trust would like to offer the following response to the proposed article which you intend to publish on the Bay Life website and in the Journal.
Like many other articles you have printed on the Town Trust it is wholly inaccurate and misleading as you have failed to check any facts with us.
As a Charitable Trust we are not permitted to use the charity’s money for any other purpose than that for which we were set up. If as Trustees we do not do our best to maintain, publicise and further the wellbeing of the Court House, Museum and Gaol, Market Square and Cattle Market then we would be failing in our duties as trustees and would be in serious trouble with the Charity Commissioners.
We are obliged to ensure that the Charity does not depart from its purpose and are not permitted to do anything that would put the Trust’s historic properties at risk. At present there are sufficient funds to meet maintenance and urgent repairs to the Court House and Gaol. We are also required to act prudently and to have enough reserve to meet any emergency that might arise (a new roof for example) plus ongoing costs such as insurance, electricity and daily maintenance.
At present we have enough funds to meet a substantial amount of works that will be carried out over the next 12 months and to have a prudent reserve. NO work is carried out without proper permissions or authorisation within the constraints of a Grade II Listed Building.
The reasonable parking charges plus a small amount generated from entry and sales to the Court House are our only source of income. (We receive no public money). This ensures sufficient funds to carry out our duties of making sure that the Trust’s properties are not put at risk by our inability to safeguard against future necessary and possibly significant outgoings. The Trust could be in serious trouble with the Charity Commissioners if we were seen not to be making every effort to ensure that our future planning and risk assesment was other than extremely prudent.
There are incidentally about 250 free passes issued to local residents in addition to free short stay parking in the Market Square. We have also allowed Local Businesses and Charities and the Church to use Market Square and Cattle Market free of any charges for concerts, services, events etc. One such example is the Pentacle Drummers who brought several hundred people to the village. We also provide the only Disabled Parking Spaces in Pevensey.
The Trust cannot be seen to be doing anything but our very best to preserve these historic buildings and to pass them on in a condition that safeguards their future enjoyment for generations to come. To be using our income to forward the prosperity of local businesses may seem to be a good idea but is not one that we can legally pursue. We are incidentally NOT seeking and do not intend to spend funds outside the area.
The Trust made the decision to move away from the Historic Deed of Trust (sealed 1890) as all the Trustees are volunteers and are personally responsible for carrying any liabilities that may occur which could exceed the current Insurance Policy.
In this age of increasing litigious action the Trust has taken this decision to move to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) model constitution from the Charity Commission in order to protect the Trustees from being sued personally. The details of the signed orignal Deed of Trust has been included in the CIO as far as possible and subject to the approval of the Charity Commission. So many public and charitable organizations are moving to this model constitution for the same reasons as Pevensey Town Trust.
Seven out of our nine Trustees come from the original area as defined by the original Trust documents of which five live within a few hundred yards of the Court House !!
The Trustees understand the strict obligations that must govern their activities and maintenance of these historic buildings and hope that local people will support the work of the Trust.
We would also welcome any concerns from local residents to be sent directly to the Trust Clerk, so we can reply to them with the facts and not fabricated rumours
Mr. R. Slater
Chair of Pevensey Town Trust on behalf of the Trustees.
