Showground sale damages the society
THE Requisitionists, members of the Newbury and District Agricultural Society as defined in the society’s rules, are not satisfied that development of the showground is the right way forward.
As a registered charity the society has to comply with the Charity Commission’s (CC) guidance which includes, inter alia, consultation, and consideration of the damage which might be caused to the charity’s reputation. Each member has a duty to the charity.
The trustees conceived a strategy of promoting potential development (letter from trustees dated May
20, 2021) and made submissions to the West Berkshire Local Plan Review in February 2021 (email from the trustees May 29, 2021). A written copy of this strategy itself has not been made available to the membership.
Any site adjacent to two arterial roads is particularly sensitive to development and the society owns other agricultural land which if sold would clear its debts. The showground lies within an AONB. The trustees are advised by land agents, ‘who are to be paid by the developers assuming the trustees are able to conclude a deal’ (email from the trustees, May 29, 2021). Whilst the society does have significant debts, it is not believed that they are being called in at present. The Requisitionist members have asked for access the society’s accounts, thus far denied.
The purpose is to see whether with prudent administration the financial situation can be managed.
The Requisitionists believe that there should be discussion of all options, consistent with the society’s charitable objectives which include, ‘to educate the public in the need to preserve the countryside for the public benefit including by the holding of shows for the exhibition of livestock etc’ (society’s memorandum of association). CC guidance indicates that the members should be consulted having been given the necessary information to discharge their duties properly.
Returns to the Requisitionists website show overwhelmingly, thus far 100 per cent, that development of the showground is not popular and by inference the society’s charitable reputation would be damaged by such a sale. Acknowledging the divisive nature of this debate the Requisitionists would like to see a balanced and mature discussion with full disclosure of relevant material. STEVE ACKRILL
Great Shefford