Report of the Branch Treasurer
for AGM - 2 Mar 05

The Branch Treasurer for the year 2004 / 05 was Dave Parsons, and the Assistant Treasurer was Mike Dunstone.

The Branch Auditor was John Goldfinch.

It is recommended that these members be re-elected at this Annual General Meeting, and that an additional Auditor be sought.

The major issue for the financial officers this year was a full audit by HQ staff, and Barry Lyons came to visit the Branch for several days in July. His report concluded that 'the accounting records were in good order' subject to eleven recommendations.

Of these, four related to standard auditing procedures on the annual returns and four related to Branch practice, all of which have been implemented through the Finance and General Purposes Committee, and one related to an item that had already been implemented.

The two remaining issues were the use of the Branch Welfare Fund which will be dealt with under that Committees report, and the arrangements for the paying of honoraria where appropriate which is dealt with elsewhere in this meeting.

Overall, the Branch made an 'operating profit' of £2330 on an income of £170,583 on its current accounts.

Administration accounted for the bulk of expenditure, amounting to &100,000 in total which is slightly lower than Y2003. This is considered to be acceptable but it should be pointed out that there were considerable saving on staff salaries from mid-July onwards, and the Local Action Fund was used to help with temporary and additional staff during the year.

The Local Action fund was also used to fund a Branch Development Officer and their activities during the whole year and this is reflected by the fact that income and expenditure from the Local Action Fund were very similar.

The amount spent on Branch meetings and conferences were also lower than Y2003, however both education and publicity in particular saw increases in expenditure reflecting the efforts made by their Officers over the year.

The accounts now reflect the true position of the Welfare Fund as holding £13000 with approximately £7000 of debt, a situation that is reported elsewhere.

None of these Y2004 accounts give any reason for concern, especially as it is understood that we are owed several thousand pounds from HQ. However committees and fund holding officers will be required to maintain a careful control over budgets in order to maintain our prudent but effective spending.