37. The Water Conservation Trust Board meeting, January 18, 2022


The WCT Board met by Zoom on 17 January 2022. The Agenda including a number of compliance duties – now commonplace for charities registered with the Charity Commisson, and the current year’s expenditure programme. This focuses on an extension to the successful Universities Bursary Programme – three new universities are to be offered support for by contributing to fees of needy students undertaking Masters degrees in our subjects. The programme also seeks to extend the opportunities for London primary schools to participate in STEM and biodiversity activities, and further engagement with the Student Eats project, which supports FE and HE students and staff wishing to learn how to grow food sustainably whilst minimising the use of water.


Student Eats at Exeter

Trustees noted that the action to ensure that the Trust’s investment funds had objectives which matched their own had now been completed, with changes to both.

Trustees reviewed and approved the medium term financial plan which included doing more and better communications about the outcomes. The course is set to incorporate the Trust as a Charity Commission regulated Charitable Incoprated Organisation, which better protects all partners.

Trustees thanked the 50+ Company Members who are regular supporters of the Trust and planned to increase that number over the coming year.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

76. The Tudor Pull, June 11, 2022

Image
  The Tudor Pull is an annual river Pageant when Her Majesty’s Royal Watermen, with a flotilla of City Livery Company Cutters, deliver the River Stela from Hampton Court to the Tower of London. The Stela is a cross-section of an ancient wooden water pipe, now enclosed in a glass travelling case. For a number of years, Her Majesty’s Row-barge, Gloriana, has been used for the journey, including this year.   The Master Water Conservator with Derek Mann, Master Waterman, entrusts the transport of the Stela to the Queen’s Bargemaster in a ceremony, attended by Wardens, Christine Jarvis and Martin Bigg. The ceremony commemorates the use of the River Thames as a liquid highway for centuries.   The Gloriana arrived at Richmond Bridge for lunch and then left, escorted by 13 Livery Company Cutters, for the Tower. Among the Cutters was our own, The Water Forget-me-not , with Thames Warden, Christine, and David, on board for the thrill of a lifetime, steered by Merlin, son...
Read more

74. Livery Charity Chairs Group, June 6, 2022

Image
In May 2021 nearly 200 delegates from over 60 Livery companies attended the ‘ Who was found to be naked when the tide went out ?’ charity conference. Delegates expressed an interest in forming an informal network of Livery Charity Chairs to share experiences and ideas. And the Livery Charity Chairs Group came into being. The 2022 First Annual Conference at Ironmongers Hall celebrated a year of successful cooperation, and included a ‘ Review of the year’ , led by Alderman Sir Charles Bowman and Hilary Lindsay, ‘ The Importance of Impact Measurement and Reporting’ , chaired by Peter Alvey, ‘ Getting the structure right ’– the benefits of converting to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), chaired by Steve Graham, and ‘ ESG Investing and Other Climate Issues for Livery Charities’ , chaired Julia Sibley, and featuring Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman. Alison discussed the issue of charities’ powers to contribute to climate action projects. The Conference discussed many Charit...
Read more

73. The Master’s Trip to Venice, May 25-29, 2022

Image
It is customary for the Master to arrange a visit to somewhere that reflects his and the Company’s interests. For the last year, my Consort, Georgina, has been trying to get the Venetian authorities to allow us to visit the flood defences. Due to the pandemic, this was not possible but the boat we stayed on, the Michelangelo , did approach some of them. Mostly tied up near St Mark’s Square, we had the opportunity to visit the main sights using the water buses, as well as taking the ‘secret itinerary’ tour at the Doge’s Palace, visiting the prison cells where Casanova was held – until he escaped!   As usual (for us anyway) we got lost on day 1 – but they say if you haven’t got lost walking in Venice, you haven’t been there! I am grateful for Georgina’s hard work, without which this visit would not have been possible, and the endless good humour of the Conservators and partners who made this visit so enjoyable.
Read more