Chair’s Report

It seems only a short while ago that I sat down to write my first Chair’s Report for the Trust, the year has gone by with amazing rapidity.  We have instituted changes in the way the director’s work together with a meeting of the Finance Group every six weeks and creating other working groups as and when required.  This provides us with a less ponderous mechanism of bringing matters to the Board and allows a wider participation in the decision making processes.

The Trust has now begun building further business units on the Millfields site.  Richard Bayly from the Government Office came along to “cut the turf” you may have seen photos in the local papers of Richard and some of the directors on that day.  I am sure that when they are finished the new units will rapidly become as great an asset as our other units.

During the year we have had consultants reviewing the Trust on what we do, how we do it, and what we ought to do for the future.  It is exceedingly important for the Trust to evolve in step with current good practice.  If we do not keep pace with modern developments, our business will not be able to compete as a front runner. As a board we cannot allow this to happen.  It is, therefore, doubly important for the Trust to be aware of best practice and put this in place.

It is only right that our deliberations over our future plans and strategies are carried out “behind closed doors”.  A process that takes time and can appear to be secretive.  Members should however be reassured that your Board is working hard to bring benefit to the community and that our plans and visions for how this can be done will in time be shared with our members.

Your directors give a great deal of their time to make the Millfields Community Economic Development Trust the success that it is.  All of the directors do this on a voluntary basis, taking on the responsibilities and duties of a director, many of them while still holding down a day job.  Their contribution to the success of the organisation cannot be underestimated as they bring together a skills mix and dedication to the community while undertaking this in their own time.  On behalf of everyone I thank them for this contribution.

I would also like to record the Board’s thanks to our members.  Many of you have been with us from the outset and continue to faithfully attend events and meetings.  Your support and encouragement are one of the factors that keep us all focused on delivering better services for the people of this area.

Louise Stonley
Chair