THE WHILTON PAROCHIAL CHARITIES 
Annual Report prepared for the Annual Parish Meeting on May 10th 2017

The Trustees are able to report that there has been one successful application for grants of £300 this year. It assisted an elderly couple. It was necessary the previous year to sell some shares and in order to have in hand enough to pay another applicant should one come forward. As this was at the market share price high at that point in the year, having this unspent amount in cash helped compensate for the actual fall in share values of £713.94. This year however share prices have risen so our total assets are £4804.75, £441.38 more than last year.

People may recall that a previous year’s excessive demand on reserves had led to the Charity successfully registering for gift aid. However the appeal to current residents to make a modern contribution to the funds has not resulted in any further donations. The opportunity however remains for your consideration.   

During the year the Trustees have not had to meet. All three were agreed by Email that the application was appropriate. We continue to ask parishioners to be aware of situations where our help may be very valuable as the economic situation through job insecurity, benefit reductions and living longer on restricted income seems set to continue. Do suggest to individuals to speak with one of us, or mention to us, so we may approach the individual.
 Our view remains that if the need is there it should be met, and if the funds are thereby extinguished then this should be accepted.

As there are a number of new residents within the Parish I wish to remind all residents, young and old, of our criteria for giving help displayed on the two village notice Boards.  
i)	The Trustees are prepared to give grants in sums usually not exceeding £300 and limited to one application from an individual per financial year. 
ii)	These would be given on receipt of a written application to the trustees, in confidence, given to one of the trustees explaining the need and difficulty in financially meeting it, or if preferred, an interview with one of the trustees which they would record. 
iii)	The need may be for a piece of equipment or experience that anyone with reasonable means could be expected to acquire eg. A replacement mattress, TV licence, small house repair, musical instrument, evening class/skill giving course, playgroup fee, taxi fare to visit relative/friend in hospital, holiday break or significant school trip/DofE expedition that would fulfill potential. It could be help with fees for, or transport costs including insurance to further training. 
iv)	Eligibility for an older or disabled person is defined as living mainly on a basic state pension or benefit, for a family living on an income half the national average wage, and for young people in their own right in a situation where it would not be expected a parent would fund the expense required. The payment may be requested to avoid consequences of a loan or the incurring of further debt
 A notice will again be published in the autumn issue of the Village Newsletter reminding residents about to embark on university study or new work training of our existence, or of any age, in difficult circumstances, and continuing to indicate safeguards for confidentiality of applicants. 
We will discuss any 'What If’ situation before any name is mentioned if you, or an agency, approach one of us. Recipients of grants in previous years are welcome to apply again if circumstances remain the same or indeed if a new need has arisen. 

This fund remains for anyone normally resident in the Parish Boundaries and we would urge you to mention the possibility to those who should benefit from the forethought of previous wealthier generous parishioners. 
	
We remind you that the three Trustees to be approached are the community representative, Ann Gilbert at Langton Cottage, the Rector Reverend Sue Kipling at Brington Rectory,
and myself, Keith Hiscock, as the Parish Council nominee, at Langton House. 

Accounts			          2016-17		 2015-16	2014-15         2013-14	         2012-13 						           
Income from Coif Shares 	          £156.54		£164.66	£175.94            £173.70    	£178.59		  		  
Interest from Bank Account	      	      nil	                nil		 nil		    nil                 nil     	                 

Payments Made		          £300	      	£300	 	 £910                   £300             £300					    	  			  		  
Total Bank Balance as at 31.03.17  £279.43  	£422.89	   £58.23            £282.29	   £408.59			  	  	  		  
Capital Account Share Value        £2088.62           	£1823.31	£1911.49         £1724.59	  £1689.30		  					             		
Subsequent Share Purchases         £2436.70          	£2127.17	£2752.93         £2675.37      	  £2620.62		  			 		       		              		
Both at 13.04.15 value

Total Value of assets		      £4804.75         	£4363.37	£4721.65         £4682.25           £4718.51							              		
K Hiscock    18/04/2017