Five year plan final 2014

The Gower Society Registered Charity Number: 258372

Five Year Plan 2014-2018

Guarding Gower for all its worth

Contents Executive Summary

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1. Background Information 1.1 Brief History of the Gower Society 1.2 Aims and Purpose 1.3 Context and Beneficiaries

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2. Activities and Projects 2.1 Planning and Lobbying 2.2 Publications, Research and Information 2.3 Events Programme 2.4 Footpaths and Rights of Way 2.5 Education and Youth Activities 2.6 Grants, Projects and Awards

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3. Organisation and Management 3.1 Governance Structure 3.2 Membership 3.3 Policies and Procedures 3.4 Partnerships and Collaboration 3.5 Risk Management

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4. Finance and Marketing 4.1 Funding and Fundraising 4.2 Marketing and Publicity 4.3 Financial Forecasts 4.4 Forecast Notes

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This Five Year Business and Development Plan was prepared by PMDevelopments working in collaboration with the Gower Society Committee.

This is a working document and will be amended, updated and redrafted from time to time to reflect changes in circumstances and priorities.

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Executive Summary The Gower Society was founded in 1947 as a history society but has become of the largest local amenity societies in the UK and a well-respected and influential force for the protection and promotion of Gower.

The purpose of this document is to outline the Society’s past and current work and detail how the Society will build on this over the next five years. It identifies actions to improve the way the Society organises and delivers its activities and ensure its resources are used in an effective and prudent manner.

The Society’s aims have remained consistent since its inception and are focused on encouraging an appreciation of Gower and protecting its heritage, landscape, historic environment and biodiversity.

The Society is a registered charity and a membership organisation with around 1,500 members from all corners of the world. The Society is managed entirely by volunteers but provides an extensive range of services and activities to meet its aims. These include:  arranging about 150 walks, talks and other events each a year  publishing the annual Gower journal and other respected texts  supporting a programme of youth and schools activities  monitoring planning applications and policies that might effect Gower  lobbying and campaigning against inappropriate development  giving annual awards to celebrate and promote good practice  providing grants to Gower causes – approximately £300,000 in the last ten years The work of the Society has been recognised, both locally and nationally. In both 1979 and 1994, the Society was awarded Prince of Wales Awards for its conservation and education work, and in 2011, won the prestigious Bowland Award, presented by the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Some committee members have also received national honours for their work with the Society.

The Society has recently reviewed and adjusted its organisational structure and plans are in place for the Society to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation; a new legal status more suited to the Society as it moves forward.

The Society’s activities are funded primarily through membership fees, publication sales, donations and legacies. In response to receiving a significant legacy in 2012, the Society has established a comprehensive investment plan, a detailed reserve policy and strategies for managing risks. Whilst investing its assets prudently to secure income for the future, the Society also plans to put substantial sums to use over the next five years to support projects that will make a significant and lasting improvement to Gower.

The Society has a proud tradition of “Guarding Gower for all its worth”. It has done this for sixty-five years with passion and probity and has every intention of continuing to do so in the next five years and beyond.

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1. Background Information 1.1 Brief History of the Gower Society 1.1.1 The Gower Society was established in 1947 by a small group of enthusiastic ‘Gowermen’ who wanted to study aspects of the lordship of Gower, particularly its history and pre-history, and to publish their findings in an annual journal.

1.1.2 Within a few months of its establishment, the Society found itself leading a campaign to prevent a Butlin holiday camp being built at Rhossili. The developers withdrew their plans, and the Society took on a conservation role alongside its historical research. These two strands have continued to be the basis of the Society’s work.

1.1.3 Following its success with this initial campaign, the Society mounted a number of major campaigns to protect Gower including, in 1949, opposing the near demolition of Oxwich Castle; in 1952, forcing a public inquiry about the clear-felling of Nicholaston Woods; and, in the following year, campaigning against proposals for a shell-testing range in the Burry Estuary and a radar station with 450 ft. steel masts being built on Rhossili Down. The Society also influenced the 1957 Fairwood Airport Act to ensure that if the aerodrome ceases then the area would revert to a common. More recently, the Society has led campaigns against sand dredging on Helwick Bank and supports campaigns against wind farms, both onshore and offshore that detrimentally affect Gower.

1.1.4 Following the 1949 Countryside and Rights of Way Act, the Society was very active in lobbying for Gower to be a ‘Conservancy Area’ (later renamed Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty). On December 10th 1956, Gower became the first designated AONB in the UK. The Society has been adept at lobbying in the interests of Gower at a local and national level. Every MP and AM for Gower since 1947 has, at some time, been President of the Society, demonstrating that political representatives are sympathetic to the Society’s purposes.

1.1.5 To encourage an appreciation and love of Gower, the Society organises a programme of events and produces a range of publications in the belief that the more that people understand and love a place, such as Gower, the more they will do to look after it. The events programme includes over 150 events a year that are open to members and non-members. These are mainly walks and talks, but can include other activities too, for example, a folk-dancing group which meets regularly. The Gower Society Youth Action group, started in 2000, runs a programme of activities for primary-aged children. A youth worker is contracted to deliver this programme along with environmental activities and field study sessions for local primary and secondary schools.

1.1.6 The first Gower journal was published in 1948, and then almost every year since. The first Society publication other than the journal was Horatio Tucker’s Gower Gleanings in 1951. More than thirty books have been published by the Society since then. Some are of general interest, such as A Gower Guide, Swansea Bay to Worms Head and Gower in Focus whilst others are more specialist, such as Old Gower Farmhouses and Gabriel Powell’s Survey of Gower 1764. Most have a historical perspective, but there are also books on walking in Gower, vernacular architecture, flora and fauna, and poems and short stories.

1.1.7 The Society has through its history worked closely with and helped other organisations improve the natural or built environment in Gower and make a positive contribution to Gower communities.

The Society has provided grants to the National Trust, the Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust for land purchase, and to a wide range of organisations for conservation and community activities, including the renovation of traditional buildings, development of community halls, and landscaping 4

and ecological improvements. Some grants have been provided through partnership projects such as the Gower Commons Initiative and, currently, the HLF-funded Landscapes project. Over the last decade, the Society has issued grants totalling £300,000, much of it as match-funding, so bringing additional resources to Gower.

1.1.8 The work of The Gower Society has been recognised, both locally and nationally. In both 1979 and in 1994, the Society was awarded a Prince of Wales Award for its work, and in 2011 won the prestigious Bowland Award. Some committee members have also received national honours for their work with the Society.

1.1.9 The Society has a proud tradition of “Guarding Gower for all its worth”. It has done this for sixty-five years with passion and probity. It has every intention of continuing to do so.

1.2 Aims and Purpose Charitable Aims 1.2.1 The constitution was adopted at its AGM in March 1956 and, while other aspects of the constitution have been periodically updated, the aims have remained unchanged since their first adoption. The Society committee believe these remain relevant and comprehensive.

1.2.2 The aims of the Society, as stated in the Constitution, are “for the public benefit: a) to encourage an appreciation and love of Gower; b) to preserve its character and antiquities, and to oppose any threats to its amenities; c) to safeguard its rights of way and open spaces and to ensure access to its coast; d) to further the study of its antiquities and history; e) to record its features; f) to co-operate with other charitable organisations whose aims are similar.”

1.2.3 It has been proposed that a further aim be added – “to promote an environmentally friendly, sustainable rural economy.”

Statement of Purpose and Pledges 1.2.4 Since around 1990, the Society has been using an overarching aim or statement of purpose: “Guarding Gower for all its worth”. This slogan is used as a strap line on publicity materials and the website.

1.2.5 To mark the millennium, the Society published a promotional leaflet, “Beyond 2000”, which restated its purpose with a set of pledges that expanded on its aims:  Encourage an appreciation of the unique qualities of Gower, in the AONB and in the whole of the lordship of Gower  Protect the heritage of Gower; its landscape, its historical and its built environment  Support sympathetic coastal and marine management  Support farming practices that are economically and ecologically sustainable  Protect and enhance its diverse wildlife habitats, encouraging its rich animal and plant life 5

 Safeguard its rights of way and open spaces  Ensure that its common land is kept free of encroachments  Support green tourism that is both sensitive and appropriate  Work with young people, adults, local communities and organisations in Gower  Create and foster links with others who share out views  Lobby for support for AONBs including Gower, for enhanced protection, better management and increased financial support

1.3 Context and Beneficiaries The Lordship of Gower and the Gower AONB 1.3.1 The Society’s interests lie within the lordship of Gower, an area bounded by the rivers Tawe, Llwchwr, Cathan, Amman and Twrch and incorporating almost all of the current City and County of Swansea plus a small area of Neath Port Talbot Borough. The lordship was created in Norman times and the name Gower was adopted from the earlier Welsh area of Gŵyr. Many people are unaware of the extent of the lordship and tend to think of Gower as just the peninsula, a large part of which, in 1956, became the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. 1.3.2 The lordship incorporates a diverse array of landscapes and habitats including magnificent limestone cliffs and seascapes, some of the finest beaches in the country, hidden valleys, wind-swept uplands, ancient woodlands and salt marshes. The Burry Inlet, to the north, is a Ramsar Site and Special Protection Area and the peninsula also boasts five Special Areas of Conservation, three National Nature Reserves, twenty-five other reserves, twenty-five Sites of Special Scientific Interest and sixty-seven Ancient Woodland Sites.

1.3.3 Gower is also home to the oldest formal human burial in Europe, and has Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments and burial sites, Iron Age fortifications, Roman remains, Norman churches and castles, eighteenth-century houses and five registered Historic Gardens or Parks.

1.3.4 Whilst much of the Society’s work has been, and continues to be, focused on the Gower AONB, its aims, interests and activities also apply to communities, heritage and environment of the wider lordship.

Beneficiaries of the Gower Society 1.3.5 The Society brings benefit not only to its members and people who live or work within Gower but also to people who visit or study Gower and organisations that operate within Gower. The benefits that these various beneficiaries experience are derived from different aspects of the Society’s work which supports the enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of Gower and the protection and interpretation of Gower’s natural, built and cultural heritage.

1.3.6 The Society’s members are spread across the world and may fall into any of the beneficiary categories listed above. Many of the Society’s activities and publications are organised, influenced and enjoyed by its members. A members’ survey was undertaken in 2011 to gauge their involvement with the Society, their interests, and their views on the Society’s activities. Just over 200 members completed the survey questionnaire. It confirmed members’ support for the Society’s work and provided suggestions for future activities and priorities.

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1.3.7 Communities in Gower and organisations that operate within Gower can benefit from grants, information and resources from the Society and support for projects and campaigns. The Society collaborates with many other bodies and brings recognition to and promotes good practice through its award schemes and publications.

1.3.8 The natural environment, biodiversity and heritage features in Gower, as in other parts of the UK and wider world, are threatened by lack of awareness, inappropriate development, poor management, recreational pressures and climate change. The Society’s activities contribute to addressing these threats for the benefit of both present and future generations whose quality of life might be diminished by damage to the natural environment and cultural heritage.

2. Activities and Projects 2.1 Planning and Lobbying 2.1.1 The Society believes that planning and development decisions can affect Gower for better or for worse, and for generations to come. The Society’s work on planning issues is therefore extremely important in pursuit of its aims; most notably, to preserve the character and antiquities of Gower and to oppose any threats to its amenities.

2.1.2 The Society not only undertakes a systematic study of all planning proposals that relate to or might affect Gower, but also seeks to influence policies, strategies and guidance through lobbying, campaigning, responding to consultations and being represented in partnerships and on committees.

Planning Sub-Committee 2.1.3 The Society’s Planning Sub-Committee inspects and comments on planning applications on a structured and systematic three-weekly cycle. The focus is mainly on those applications that relate to the rural areas of the City and County of Swansea and which are considered to potentially have a negative impact. If necessary, additional meetings may be organised in order to discuss a pressing issue.

2.1.4 The weekly list of planning applications published by the local authority is circulated to all Committee and sub-committee members as soon as it is received. (This is also available on line.)

Every third week, members of the sub-committee meet at the Civic Centre to go through those applications that have been identified by committee members as being of possible concern. The Society sends a list of these applications to the local authority ahead of the search day so hard copies of the applications can be prepared by the authority.

2.1.5 The local authority are adopting a paperless application system that will mean that all applications, including third party comments or objections, will eventually be submitted and be available for inspection on line. The sub-committee has decided to continue to meet at the Civic Centre, even if paper applications are no longer made available, so that in the event of any accessing problems, assistance can be sought from the Planning Department. This will enable recommendations to be made on what actions to take. This approach will need to be monitored and it may be that in the future members of the sub-committee view applications on-line at home and compare notes either on-line or by telephone.

2.1.6 After each planning search, a report is prepared for the previous three weeks and circulated to the sub-committee team. This briefly describes the application, identifies any perceived problems 7

and makes a recommendation of ‘no action’, ‘comment’, ‘strong comment’ or ‘objection’. Where necessary, letters are prepared by the sub-committee and sent to the Planning Department Manager.

2.1.7 The Society maintains a spreadsheet of all the planning applications it has looked at with a brief description of the applications, the stance taken by the Society and the outcome. Once the Council’s on-line system is fully functioning, it may no longer be necessary for the Society to maintain its own record as their system will do this and be fully accessible.

2.1.8 The Society holds regular meetings with the local authority Planning Department, has collaborated with the local authority on planning appeals and has given grant aid for some of their work (£10,000 to commission the collation of information on caravan sites in Gower). When called upon, the Society has taken part in major public inquiries on issues such as close-to-shore sand dredging, wind turbines and caravan sites. The Society has also conducted aerial photographic surveys of Gower to support its work on planning issues.

The Society will continue to review its procedures for searching, inspecting and commenting on planning applications and adapt to changes to the planning authority’s systems.

Lobbying 2.1.9 Lobbying increasingly takes the form of considered responses to local or national consultations, sometimes to tight deadlines or in collaboration with others. Early examples include commenting on the ‘Leisure in the Countryside’ white paper (1966), the West Glamorgan Structure Plan (1976), The Sharp Plan (1964) and the first Gower Management Plan (1987). More recently, the Society has contributed comments to the development and review of the AONB Management Plan, the Unitary Development Plan and the Local Development Plan.

2.1.10 The Society has commented on numerous policy statements and papers from both the Welsh Government and UK Government including Local Government Plan Rationalisation, the Review of the Planning Enforcement System in Wales, the Commons Act 2000, the Planning Practice Guidance for Renewable Energy, the Marine Minerals Dredging Regulation and Procedure, and proposals for countryside access, heritage protection and tourism. The Society also commented on the EU’s draft Rural Development Regulations.

2.1.11 The Society has also been involved in developing and has commented constructively on Supplementary Planning Guidance for the AONB. The Society was invited to help produce a Design Guide for Gower in the early 1990s and, although it didn’t materialise at that time, many of the Society’s contributions were recognisable in the comprehensive guide published by the local authority in 2012.

2.1.12 The Society’s influence is made more effective through representation on a range of local bodies, and the breadth of this representation suggests that its input is valued. For example, the Society is represented on the Gower Partnership, the Swansea Built Heritage Group, the Rural Development Partnership and the Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Project committee.

2.1.13 Involving elected council members with the Society and actively engaging national politicians has also helped the Society to seek influence. Several politicians have held positions with the Society e.g. Honorary Life Members or Presidents.

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The Society will continue to respond to relevant local and national consultations.

The Society will provide representation on appropriate partnerships and committees.

The Society will continue to engage politicians and liaise with senior officers in government bodies and other organisations.

Campaigning 2.1.14 The Society has been involved in many campaigns throughout its history: in 1949, opposing the near demolition of Oxwich Castle; in 1952, forcing a public inquiry about the clear-felling of Nicholaston Woods; and, in the following year, campaigning against proposals for a shell-testing range in the Burry Estuary and a radar station with 450 ft. steel masts being built on Rhossili Down.

2.1.15 In 2006, there was a major public inquiry into dredging sand from the Helwick Bank. The Gower Society led a coalition which included the campaigning group Save Our Sands, the National Trust, CPRW, The Civic Trust for Wales, the Penrice Estate, local businesses and most Gower Community Councils. Although the appeal was lost, no sand was dredged from Helwick after this date and the Society persuaded the relevant Minister to make it a condition of the dredging company’s application for a modification of its licence at another site, that it relinquished its licence for the Helwick Bank. The Gower Society holds a fund of £1,753 on behalf of the Save Our Sands campaign and has the mandate to use this should a similar issue arise in the future.

2.1.16 The Society has also been involved in campaigns and public inquiries related to wind-farm applications. Whilst the Society has taken no view on the political or economic arguments surrounding wind power, it has objected strongly where it feels that the visual amenity of Gower is threatened by such development. In two public inquiries related to caravan sites, one appeal was allowed and one dismissed.

The Society will continue to support campaigns and collaborate with others for the protection of Gower.

2.2 Publications, Research and Information 2.2.1 In the early years of the Society, there were very few books written about Gower and over the past decades the Society has published journals, books and other materials covering many aspects of Gower. The availability of information about Gower has increased significantly over this time but the Society’s publications, old and new, remain much sought after and well respected. The Society is also regularly approached by email or telephone to provide information about Gower.

2.2.2 The publications and provision of information support the Society’s aims to further the study of Gower’s antiquities and history, and to record its features. But of course, these also encourage an appreciation and love of Gower and contribute to other Society aims.

Gower Journal 2.2.3 The celebrated annual journal – Gower – has been published virtually every year since the Society’s inception and has been described as “an encyclopaedia of all things Gower”.

2.2.4 The journal is based essentially on original research related to Gower, often, but not always, historical or archaeological. Articles on social history, geography and geology, and natural history are 9

also included, as well as literary and cultural interests. Each year, there is usually much more material submitted for inclusion than can be accommodated in a single edition.

2.2.5 Gower 64, published in November 2013, contained articles of original research on subjects as varied as Upper Paleolithic Rock Art, Farming in Gower in 2013, the Pre-Raphaelite painter John Brett and the influence of Gower on the poet Vernon Watkins.

2.2.6 The journal is published in November, and members either collect a copy on the annual Publication Night event or have one posted to them soon after, free of charge. It can also be purchased by non-members directly from the Society or through other outlets. Sales of the latest edition vary from year to year but are usually around 50–80 copies. The current cover price is just under £6.

2.2.7 Early editions of the journal are becoming rare and the Society keeps a list of members waiting for a chance to purchase a copy to complete their collection. In an average year, 40-60 back numbers are sold. An Index to the Journals is also available at a cost of £3. The journals (up to the 2005 volume 56) can now be accessed on the Welsh Journals website of The National Library of Wales (www.welshjournals.llgc.org.uk).

2.2.8 In a recent survey of members, 67% of those who responded said that they read all of the journal with the remaining 33% stating that they read some of it.

The Society will continue to publish the Gower journal on an annual basis and provide it free-ofcharge to members and to others at a fee.

Other Publications 2.2.9 Alongside the annual Gower journal, the Society has published a wide range of specialist publications. Notable early publications included Gower Gleanings (1951), A Portrait of Gower (1952), Ten Walks in Gower (1959) and The Plant Life of Gower (1962).

2.2.10 The Society’s Guide to Gower, first published in 1965, is widely considered the best reference book on Gower and has been updated and reprinted a number of times.

2.2.11 In 2003, the Society published Vernacular Gower which evolved from a photographic competition organised by the Society to document surviving aspects of traditional building in the Gower peninsula.

2.2.12 Recent publications include Swansea Bay – the Coastal Route, Gower in Focus, Edgar Evans of Gower and The Gower Society: the First Sixty Years and new editions of The Castles of Gower, The Caves of Gower, and The Churches and Chapels of Gower.

2.2.13 In 2013, the Society collaborated with the Glamorgan–Gwent Archaeological Society, West Glamorgan Archive Service, Swansea Museum, The Royal Institution of South Wales, Swansea Industrial Society, the Cambrian Archaeological Association in publishing a major hard-backed volume The Pleasure of Unravelling Secrets: Contributions to Swansea and Gower History, a memorial tribute to Bernard Morris, the Society’s honorary life vice-president, editor of the Gower journal for thirty years and contributor to many publications.

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2.2.14 Some of the earlier Society publications are no longer in print, but can sometimes be found in specialist bookshops and through the Internet. Occasionally, second-hand copies become available to the Society, which can be sold on to members.

2.2.15 In 2011, the Society published a series of celebration cards depicting the work of local artists Edward and Iris Martin, produced in the 1950s and 1960s. Many of their images appeared in early editions of the Gower journal and feature local views or customs produced using wood cuts or scraper board designs. The Society was granted permission by the artists’ family to reproduce the images. There are 25 different designs and the cards are sold at £1 each.

2.2.16 Also in 2011, the Society published Walking with Flowers – a DVD that was derived from an illustrated talk on Gower’s floral wealth given to the Society in 2010. This is sold at £5 a copy. A further DVD is being considered for 2014.

2.2.17 In 2003, the Society sponsored the production of a CD – The Gower Nightingale – featuring the music of traditional Gower singer Phil Tanner. The Society was donated a large number of the CDs which it sold and recouped the value of the contribution it had made.

2.2.18 Over the next five years, the Society plans to publish a young person’s guide to Gower, two collections of short articles on aspects of Gower life, and perhaps, two more specialised publications on the Oxwich Affray of 1557 and the life of Vernon Watkins.

The Society will continue to publish new books, new editions and other resources including at least three new publications within the next five years.

The Society will review its publications outlets and the way it manages its stock and sales.

Exhibitions 2.2.19 From time to time, the Society organises exhibitions to celebrate Gower and the work of the Society. In 1951, the Society organised an exhibition at Swansea Museum as part of the Festival of Britain and in 1998 toured an exhibition around libraries and other venues in Swansea.

2.2.20 The Society presents a major exhibition of its activities each year at the Gower Show and has a stall at the Royal Institution of South Wales's annual Local History Book Fair at Swansea Museum.

From time to time the Society also puts up exhibition stands at other venues, events and talks.

The Society will continue to take opportunities to exhibit displays linked to Gower and the Society’s activities.

Research 2.2.21 The Gower journal and other Society publications offer a means of both recording and reporting research findings and making them available to a wider audience and as such provide an important resource to members and others undertaking research projects.

2.2.22 The Society is also willing to provide grants to further research projects e.g. for universitylevel archaeological digs at Cefn Drum and amateur investigation of lead/silver mines at Brandy Cove.

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The Society will continue to support research work through its grants and publications.

Newsletters 2.2.23 The Society’s newsletter is published twice a year with Spring and Autumn editions. It provides an opportunity to update members on the Society’s activities and sometimes includes articles that could not be fitted into the annual journal. The newsletter is sent to members, together with the latest events programme, but is also available on the website.

2.2.24 In a recent members survey, 87% of those who responded stated that they read the newsletter thoroughly.

The Society will continue to produce the members’ newsletter on a biannual basis.

Website 2.2.25 The Society’s website was considerably redesigned and developed in 2013 and currently includes information on publications, membership, events, youth activities, grants and the Society’s achievements. There is also a news page and a list of links to other websites.

The Society will continue to utilise and develop the website to provide information to members and the wider community.

The Society will embrace different forms of social media in order to reach new audiences.

Information and Advice 2.2.26 Individuals and organisations regularly approach the Society for information and advice on matters relating to Gower. This is usually initially by email or telephone to the Chair or Secretary who then, when relevant, pass on the enquiry to the most appropriate committee member to deal with.

The Society will review the way information is accessed and advice provided.

2.3 Events Programme 2.3.1 The Society organises a programme of regular guided walks, talks and folk dancing, and occasionally visits and other activities. Both members and non-members are welcome to join. Most events are listed in a six-monthly programme sent out to members and posted on the website.

Guided Walks 2.3.2 Each year, the Society organises about a hundred walks with Saturday and Sunday walks throughout the year – some of which are joint events held with the local Ramblers – plus mid-week daytime walks and, in the summer, Thursday evening walks. All walks are led by volunteer walk leaders. There is usually no pre-booking required for walks so members and others can just turn up and meet the walk leader at the starting point. Because of this, the Society has tended to limit publicity of walks to avoid over attendance.

2.3.3 Most walks take place in the AONB but they may extend to other parts of the peninsula, the lordship and beyond. The programme aims to have walks to suit all levels of walkers and so the length of walks varies and may be full day or half day walks. Many are designed simply for the joy of 12

being out in the countryside but some, led by members with particular knowledge or expertise, have historic or natural history themes.

The Society will continue to organise an extensive programme of walks.

Talks and Lectures 2.3.4 The Society’s organises a programme of monthly winter talks which take place mainly on Saturday evenings. Talks are usually based on subjects linked to Gower and last about an hour to one and a half hours. The talks are currently held in the Sketty Parish Centre and are free to attend for members and non members, with the Society covering the cost of the venue and any speaker’s expenses. The level of attendance can vary considerably but is generally between 25 and 50 people.

2.3.5 The talks used to be held in Swansea Museum before they moved to Sketty. The change of venue was because of rising costs and to provide better and safer parking facilities. Refreshments had been provided after talks until the late 1990s, but are no longer offered. It appears that numbers may have fallen – though it is unclear that this is specifically due to the change of venue. Some talks have on occasions also taken place on Monday afternoons to make them more attractive to elderly people who may not wish to attend in the evening.

2.3.6 In addition to the Society’s talks, members of the committee give talks and lectures to other local groups on topics of local history and on the work of the Gower Society.

The Society will review the venue, time and subject matter of the regular talks, including the provision of refreshments at these events.

Folk Dancing 2.3.7 The Society’s folk dancing group meets on a fortnightly basis in Brynmill Primary School during term times and currently has almost thirty enthusiastic participants. Each session lasts about two hours with a short refreshment break in the middle.

2.3.8 The group originated in a desire to popularise the ‘Gower reel’, but it now has a much broader repertoire. It is a very friendly group and welcomes new participants to sessions, which are open and free to anyone.

2.3.9 Group members cover venue costs but the Society has purchased equipment for the group.

The Society will continue to support the folk dancing group.

2.4 Footpaths and Rights of Way 2.4.1 Safeguarding rights of way and open spaces in Gower is one of the Society’s aims. Maintaining footpaths and improving access contributes to encouraging an appreciation and love of Gower.

2.4.2 The Society’s Footpaths Officer works closely with the City and County Rights of Way Officers and has meetings with them to discuss proposed changes to public access, problems with footpaths and opportunities to make improvements. A form has been produced so that members and those on walks, etc. can report footpath and access issues to the Society Footpath Officer 13

Work Parties 2.4.3 Working parties, consisting of Gower Society and Swansea Ramblers members, work with the local authority on footpath maintenance and construction. This gives members the opportunity to actively assist in footpath restoration and similar projects whilst learning and practising appropriate skills. Other working parties have been organised from time to time to help with litter picking and beach cleaning.

The Society will continue to work closely with the local authority and other bodies to maintain footpaths and rights of way in Gower.

The Society will continue to organise, promote and participate in work parties to help with the maintenance and improvement of footpaths and environmental quality.

The Gower Way 2.4.4 To celebrate the Millennium, the Society created the Gower Way – a mid-distance linear footpath that extends from the lookout near Worms Head, Rhossili across the lordship of Gower to Penlle’r Castell high on Mynydd y Gwair.

2.4.5 The 56 km route follows permissive footpaths and rights of way and was designed to take the walker away from the more popular coastal areas and to introduce the quieter but no less interesting aspects of inland Gower. The aim of the project was also to promote ‘green tourism’ in the relatively less visited areas of the lordship, especially the unspoilt expanses of upland Gower. The route has marker stones placed at approx. 1km intervals. These were made from coping stones from Townhill reservoir donated by Welsh Water.

2.4.6 To help walkers travel along the route, the Society published a series of three bilingual sectional leaflets, beautifully illustrated with original watercolour paintings by local artist, Richard Dann. The leaflets are sold at a modest fee through the website and other outlets. The route is now shown on the OS Explorer map and is increasingly recognised as a recreational and economic asset to Gower.

2.4.7 The project was given royal seal of approval when it was inaugurated by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque on Cefn Bryn by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, in July 1998.

The Society will continue to promote and maintain the Gower Way. The Society will explore opportunities for creating additional walking and cycling routes.

2.5 Education and Youth Activities 2.5.1 The Society seeks to encourage young people living in or visiting the lordship of Gower to enjoy, understand and enhance the natural environment. It does this by organising a programme of youth activities; providing small grants to schools and youth organisations; and supporting the delivery of field studies and other environmental activities for schools.

Gower Society Youth Action (GSYA) 2.5.2 The Gower Society Youth Action was established in 2000 to encourage young people living in or visiting Gower to enjoy, understand and enhance the natural environment.

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2.5.3 It initially involved a range of activities for young people organised on a voluntary basis by Society members. After a year or two, an experienced professional environmental educator was paid to deliver a programme of regular free activities. Since 2007, GSYA activities have been organised and delivered by a local independent environmental education provider – Nature Days.

2.5.4 Membership of the group is open to young people up to the age of 25 years but the activity days tend to be attended by children of 6–10 years old. Children have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian which encourages the adults to share their children’s enthusiasms.

2.5.5 In addition to the monthly activities, members receive two newsletters each year (spring and autumn) and, since 2011, have been invited to join an annual camp. The activity sessions and the camp primarily provide the young people with the opportunity to explore the natural history of the area but also to play games and try crafts linked to the environment.

2.5.6 Separate to the GSYA programme, the Society has recently launched a poetry competition for pupils of primary and lower secondary age to encourage an emotional and cognitive engagement with Gower. The GSYA committee is also working with students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David Swansea to produce a digital media resource for young people 2.5.7 As most GSYA activities have previously involved primary-aged children, the Society is keen to find ways to better engage young people in the secondary age range and above.

The Society will seek to increase membership of the Gower Society Youth Action and expand its work with young people, particularly those in the 11-25 year age range.

School Activities and Field Studies 2.5.8 The Society’s contract with Nature Days includes the support of school field study sessions, primarily delivered within the Gower AONB. This provides subsidy of approximately 25% for about fifty sessions per year. The field study sessions include river activities in Ilston, navigation activities in Port Eynon and habitat studies in Oxwich.

2.5.9 In 2013, 24 primary schools and 7 secondary schools benefitted from the subsidised field work with many, particularly secondary schools, having more than one session.

2.5.10 Nature Days has seen a significant increase in demand for sessions in recent years, including from schools outside the area.

The Society will seek to increase the number of schools and field study sessions it supports.

GSYA Grants 2.5.11 The GSYA committee awards grants of up to £500 to schools and organisations involved with young people (up to the age of 25) to support environmental projects. The emphasis is on the active involvement of the young people in the project for which a grant is made.

2.5.12 Applicants must complete an application form, which is downloadable from the website along with an information sheet. The grants are not normally given to support running costs or routine maintenance and are not given retrospectively.

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2.5.13 A budget of £5,000 is available each year for GSYA grants. In 2013, projects in 7 primary schools and 3 secondary schools were supported and included a variety of school gardens, wildlife areas and allotment schemes.

The Society will continue to offer grants to schools and youth organisations.

2.6 Grants, Projects and Awards 2.6 1 The Society believes that by supporting others with the same aims, it will be furthering its own aims. From its earliest days, the Society has given grant aid to Gower-related projects and supported the purchase of land and restoration schemes, including the National Trust’s Enterprise Neptune.

2.6.2 The Society part-funded the purchase of Bishopston Valley by the National Trust in 1951, and made a significant contribution to the restoration of Pennard Castle in 1963. Other examples of land acquisition supported by the Society include the Wildlife Trust’s purchases of Gelli Hir Wood and Overton Mere; the National Trust purchases of the raised beach and Coastguard Cottages at Rhossili; and the Woodland Trust’s purchase of Common Wood, Llanrhidian. In 2008, The Society grant-aided the National Trust to undertake restoration work at Culver Hole.

2.6.3 Financial support is currently given in three key ways – small grants, special project funding and GSYA grants (outlined above). Projects differ from grants in that they are normally initiated and controlled by the Society, or have direct involvement of the Society, whereas grants are applied for and given to other organisations in Gower for specific tasks which the Society considers to be beneficial to Gower.

2.6.4 The Society also runs award schemes to promote and bring recognition to good practice.

Small Grants Scheme 2.6.5 The small grants scheme is funded through income generated from the Society’s investment portfolio. This included the Philip Beynon Charitable Trust which was established to manage Mr Beynon’s legacy and each year, since his death in 1998, it has paid half the income from its investments to the Gower Society (with the other half paid to the Wildlife Trust).

2.6.6 Under the small grant scheme, the Society awards grants towards projects which can be shown to help in preserving or improving the natural or built environment of Gower, or in supporting social, cultural or community based projects which benefit Gower, or are relevant to Gower or the local population.

2.6.7 In the last ten years, this grant support has totalled over £300,000. These grants have helped with building restoration, environmental and conservation projects, research, community halls and many other facets of Gower life. The grants are usually for up to 50% of project costs, though sometimes up to 100% has been given. It has been estimated that, taking into account match funding, the amount of money benefiting Gower has been at around half-a-million pounds.

2.6.8 Income from the Trust has reduced in recent years going from over £30,000 in 2008/9 to under £17,000 in 2012/13. In recent years, the Society has noted a decrease in the number of applications for funding and may look at promoting the grants scheme more actively in future years.

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The Society will continue to use funding from the Philip Beynon Charitable Trust and other sources to support the small grants scheme.

The Society will explore ways to better promote the grants scheme and seek better recognition for the contributions it makes.

Special Projects Fund 2.6.9 In 2012, the Society received a significant legacy donation amounting to £846,000. It was decided that most of this should be invested to secure the Society’s income for future years. The rest has been put into a fund to support significant projects in Gower over the next 5 years.

2.6.10 These projects may be undertaken entirely by the Society itself or by the Society working in partnership with other organisations or individuals. Additional funding to support such projects may be sought from sources other than the Society or its partners.

2.6.11 It has been agreed that the projects must be based in or be directly relevant to the lordship of Gower; must accord with the aims of the Gower Society; and preferably provide a long-lasting legacy for future generations. The projects should concern the preservation or enhancement of the natural or built environment of Gower; encourage an appreciation and love of Gower; further the study of Gower’s antiquities and history; or promote and enhance sustainable economic benefit in Gower.

Projects should also embrace the principles of sustainability and, wherever appropriate and possible, should employ local businesses, labour and materials.

The Society will look to spend at least £190,000 of its financial assets on supporting special projects over the next five years.

Design Awards 2.6.12 For a number of years, the Society sponsored a Vernacular Gower Award in the prestigious annual Lord Mayor’s Design Awards. The aim of the award was to highlight to architects, owners and builders alike, the wealth of local features worthy of consideration for inclusion or retention in building projects, including the sympathetic use of materials. This scheme ended in 2008.

2.6.13 The Society inaugurated its own Design Awards scheme in 2003 to recognise, highlight and publicise good design in Swansea and Gower and promote vernacular features which are sympathetic to the landscape of the AONB. 2.6.14 Each year, the judges select the winners from a short list of suggestions put forward by Gower Society members, property owners and architects. There is no application form or application process. There are usually between 3 and 6 awards made each year and it is felt that the standard of projects awarded, and judges’ expectations, continue to rise each year.

2.6.15 The awards are presented at a ceremony held after the annual AGM (usually in April). Each winner is given a circular bronze plaque, made to the Society’s own design at a west Wales foundry, and a certificate. In the past, the awards have gone to conversions, extensions, new builds and individual features in domestic, business and public buildings. The Society puts on a photographic display of past award winners at The Gower Show, which always stimulates discussion and interest.

The Society will continue to give awards to examples of good design in the lordship of Gower.

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Best Kept Village Award 2.6.16 The aim of this award is to encourage villages on the Gower peninsula to keep their area tidy.

Every village and hamlet west of, and including, Caswell and Three Crosses is included in the assessment which is based on several criteria: gardens, litter, signage, structures, walls, hedges and verges, plus an additional criterion of the panel’s general impression.

2.6.17 This award was initially introduced early in the Society’s history but the Society had not run the scheme for very many years until 2013 when it was revived. The winning village was Reynoldston and the runners-up were Ilston and Penrice. An award is £500 was given towards the cost of a project within the village.

The Society will continue to run the Best Kept Village Award and explore whether to extend it across the lordship.

3. Organisation and Management 3.1 Governance Structure Constitution and Legal Status 3.1.1 The Society’s governing document is its constitution, first adopted in 1956. The constitution sets out the aims of the Society; procedures for the election of its officers and committee members; procedures for the Annual General Meeting and other meetings; investment and reserves policies and procedures for the winding up of the affairs of the Society.

3.1.2 The Society became a registered charity in 1969 and submits annual accounts to the Charity Commission.

3.1.3 The constitution has remained, in the main, the same since it was first adopted with just a few minor amendments made from time to time.

3.1.4 In 2013, it was agreed that the Society should apply to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation – a new legal structure which provides a charity with some of the benefits of being a company, but without some of the burdens. It was felt that this would be well suited to the Society as it moved forward and would provide limited liability for the members and committee.

3.1.5 The change to a new legal status provides an opportunity to review and update the constitution. Proposed amendments will be agreed by the committee and a new constitution drafted in early 2014. This will then be presented for approval at the Annual General Meeting in March 2014.

With these changes in place and the preparations for CIO status complete, the change to a CIO will be put to an Extraordinary General Meeting in autumn 2014, after which, the assets of the existing Society will be transferred to the new body.

The Society will review and amend its constitution and transfer its status to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Management Committee and Honorary Officers

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3.1.6 The management of the day-to-day affairs of the Society are vested in a committee elected from its members. These committee members are regarded, under charity law, as the Society’s trustees.

3.1.7 The committee currently consists of honorary officers who are elected annually and twentyone other Society members – seven being elected each year, on rotation, to serve for a term of three years. No limit is placed in the constitution on the number of terms of office that an honorary officer or a committee member might serve. Up to three members can also be co-opted to the committee and the chairman continues to be a member of the committee for the year after he/she retires from the post.

3.1.8 The Society elects a President each year along with the honorary executive officer positions of chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, secretary or joint secretaries. The President is entitled to attend and vote at committee meetings.

3.1.9 New committee members (trustees) are each given an induction pack containing a welcome letter, a contact list of current committee members, minutes of the last meeting, a set of key policy documents (e.g. health & safety, conflict of interest, equal opportunities) plus an overview of the sub-committee structure.

3.1.10 An active search for new trustees took place after the 2013 AGM, with some success, and some new volunteers were invited to attend meetings as non-voting ‘invitees’.

3.1.11 A number of changes to the Society’s organisational structure are being considered and may be reflected in changes to the constitution e.g. the size of the full committee, and the role and length of tenure of honorary officers.

The Society will seek to recruit new committee members as and when required.

Sub-Committees 3.1.12 In order to facilitate the wide variety of activities undertaken by the Society, sub-committees and working groups have been established from time to time, involving committee members and coopted members.

3.1.13 Following a series of discussions in 2012, a revised structure of sub-committees was introduced. This was reviewed and reaffirmed in 2013. Most of the sub-committees in the new structure were developed from the previous sub-committees or sections, but were given additional powers to act on behalf of the committee, to reduce the number of decisions needing to be taken to full committee level. Instead, written reports from each of these sub-committees and working groups are circulated to committee members approximately a week before full committee meetings.

This gives full committee members advanced notice of the actions and decisions of the subcommittees and the opportunity to comment on and question the work of the sub-committees at full committee meetings.

3.1.14 The full committee retains the right to overturn decisions of the sub-committees and working groups and is ultimately responsible for all the actions of the Society. Members of the Society who are not committee members may be invited to sit on the sub-committees and working groups.

The Society will continue to review its organisational and governance structure.

The Society will produce an annual action plan to support the delivery of the Five Year Plan.

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Employed Staff and Contracted Services 3.1.15 Most of the work of the Society is undertaken on a voluntary basis by its members, particularly those that sit on the committee and sub-committees. The Society’s current constitution does not make provision for the employment of staff and the current legal status of the Society is not conducive to employing staff.

3.1.16 However, on occasions and where appropriate, the Gower Society contracts work to individuals or businesses. For example, since the early 2000s, many GSYA and school activities have been contracted to an environmental education officer – currently Dawn Thomas of Nature Days.

The development of this five year plan was contracted to a local project development specialist.

3.1.17 Whilst most of the Society’s work will continue to be managed and delivered on a voluntary basis, there may be some aspects of the Society’s work, such as project work or the provision of secretarial support, which may need to be carried out through contracts or the employment of staff.

The Society’s transfer to Charitable Incorporated Organisation status will confer appropriate powers and legal protection to enable the Society to employ staff, if it so chooses.

The Society will continue to contract project workers, as and when appropriate.

The Society will consider the employment of an administrative assistant.

3.2 Membership 3.2.1 The Society is a membership organisation and in recent years has maintained around 1,500 members in total.

3.2.2 The age demographic of the membership is acutely skewed towards the older age range. A survey of members, undertaken in 2011, suggested that 94% of members were over 50 years old and 50% of members were over 70 years old. It also suggested that 65% had been members for at least 10 years with just 6% being new members (1-2 years).

3.2.3 In the same survey, 29% of respondents lived in the Gower Peninsula, 35% in the wider Swansea area and the remaining 36% in other parts of Wales or other countries.

3.2.4 The Society has six classes of membership:  ordinary members  family members  group/corporate members  life members  family life members  honorary life members 3.2.5 Individual and family members over 18 years old have a say in the running of the Society and are able to vote at general meetings and can be elected to the committee or to an honorary officer position.

3.2.6 Group/corporate members have one vote at general meetings but are not eligible for election as officers or committee members.

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3.2.7 Honorary life members are those who have been deemed to have given distinguished service to Gower or a cause with which the Society may identify itself. These are elected at general meetings on recommendations from the Committee.

3.2.8 Annual membership is for one calendar year, ending in December. Members receive a newsletter twice a year, along with the Society’s programme of activities, and a copy of the annual Gower journal. Members are also entitled to wear the Society’s badge – depicting a gold portcullis on an azure background.

3.2.9 The subscription has deliberately been kept modest with only a few increases since the Society’s inception. Members who pay their subscription annually by standing order pay a reduced rate.

3.2.10 Membership records are currently managed on paper but membership data will soon be transferred to digital format to make its management easier in the future.

3.2.11 Membership is promoted at evening talks, walks and other events, and the membership form is available on the website. At the Gower Show, a discounted fee is offered to the end of the year and there tends to be an influx of new members and renewals at this time. The Society is keen to increase membership to build support for its aims and to increase the contribution that membership subscriptions make towards day to day running costs of the Society.

The Society will seek to increase and broaden its membership through improved marketing materials, publicity and the promotion of its activities.

The Society will transfer membership records to digital format.

The Society will undertake surveys of members, from time to time, to obtain members’ views and monitor membership demographics.

3.3 Policies and Procedures 3.3.1 The Society has a number of policies and procedures in place which are reviewed and updated from time to time. Committee members are required to become acquainted with these policies.

Health and Safety Policy 3.3.3 The Health and Safety Policy states that the Society:  will ensure that risks to members and to others arising from its events are minimised  recognises that every member and volunteer has a duty of care, both for his/her own personal safety, and the safety of others who might be affected by his/her actions or omissions  will endeavour to provide adequate information for its volunteers so as to minimise any risks to their health and safety  if required, will offer financial support for appropriate training  expects that any health and safety concern will be brought to the attention of the committee  requires that children under 16 years of age taking part in Society activities be accompanied by a responsible adult

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Equal Opportunities Policy 3.3.4 The Equal Opportunities Policy states that  We recognise the individuality of members and endeavour to meet their needs, wherever possible.  Membership is open to all, irrespective of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, race, colour, religion, ethnic or national origin.  Everyone has a part to play in achieving equality of opportunity. We expect all of our members to behave in a non-discriminatory way towards fellow members and the general public.

Conflict of Interest Policy 3.3.2 This is a document that sets out the responsibilities of committee members and provides guidance with regard to conflict of interest including payments to committee members and the declaration of conflicts of interest.

The Society will regularly review its policies and procedures and, when necessary, update or add to these.

3.4 Partnerships and Collaboration 3.4.1 The Society recognises that many other organisations contribute to the conservation of Gower’s landscape, ecology and heritage. The Society has a strong track record of working with and supporting other organisations that offer services and activities similar to and complementary to its own. This may be through the giving grants to other organisations or projects, involvement with partnership projects, or collaborating with others in campaigns.

3.4.2 The Society has worked with organisations such as the National Trust, the Civic Society for Wales, the Cambrian Archaeological Society, CPRW, the Ramblers Association, the South and South West Wales Wildlife Trust, the Open Spaces Society, the Council for British Archaeology, community councils and local authorities. The Society is a founder member of the National Association of AONBs and is affiliated to a number of national and local organisations 3.4.3 The Society provides representation on a range of local and national bodies. This includes the Gower Partnership, and its predecessor the Gower Forum, since it was first established. The Society’s current representative is Vice Chairman of the Partnership. The Society has also had representatives on the AONB Sustainable Development Fund, the HLF Gower Landscape Partnership, the Local Access Forum, Swansea Rural Development Partnership, Swansea Built Heritage Group, Swansea Biodiversity Partnership, Gower Commons Initiative, West Glamorgan Commoners Project, BayTrans Transport Initiative and Safer Swansea.

The Society will continue to create and foster partnerships with other organisations.

3.5 Risk Management 3.5.1 In recent years, the Society has identified a number of areas of risk that need to be managed in order to safeguard the Society’s future. Procedures and plans are being put in place to minimise 22

these risks and these will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis. Help and advice may be sourced from suitably qualified external organisations in order to ensure that the Society will continue to comply with any appropriate requirements.

Activities and Events 3.5.2 The Society’s general insurance covers activities such as walks, talks, folk dancing, the GSYA and meetings. Walkers are provided with guidance and a disclaimer on the front of the Society’s sixmonthly programme and are also given a verbal caution by the walk leader before the commencement of each walk.

3.5.3 The walk leader is expected to check the intended route in the week prior to the walk, to see whether there are any unforeseen obstacles – such as a fallen tree blocking the path or part of a cliff path having eroded away.

Financial Management 3.5.4 The accounts are inspected or audited by independent auditors. The finance committee, comprising the treasurer, the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and one other elected committee member, meet whenever financial matters require attention.

3.5.5 The bi-monthly full committee meetings provide an opportunity for the treasurer to provide a financial report and to respond to queries or concerns. Financial procedures are also in place to minimise the risk of fraud or theft.

3.5.6 An investment manager and Independent Financial Adviser were appointed in 2013 after a thorough selection process.

Assets and Staff 3.5.7 As the Society does not own any buildings or employ any staff there are currently no substantial risks in this area unless the situation changes. The Society’s general insurance covers the storage of equipment and stock at the rented property.

Investment Performance 3.5.8 The Society has invested substantial amounts of its assets in financial markets to generate income and to preserve and accumulate capital. If there is a major correction in financial markets, the Society’s plans may have to be adjusted. To minimise the risks, investments are closely monitored and managed on an ongoing basis.

3.5.9 As a significant proportion of the Society’s running costs are covered by membership fees, the capital built up through bequests and donations enables grants to be awarded. However, a substantial sum is held back in the event of a major issue occurring for which the Society may need to respond to.

Succession Planning 3.5.10 The sudden loss of key personnel will always present a challenge to any organisation. The Society tends to attract trustees who are retired or semi-retired and this poses an increased risk to 23

continuity if new people are not identified to take over positions when existing officers retire, perhaps through ill health or death. The Society seeks to mitigate this risk through regular contact between officers, committee members and members.

3.5.11 Persons who may not serve on the main committee often carry out vital roles, for example publication sales, leading walks, organising folk dancing and delivering talks, and these can also help to keep other members aware of any needs arising. The Society will also continue to recruit suitably qualified people to join its sub-committees as a means towards them becoming trustees.

3.5.12 In 2014, the Society is faced with the retirement of up to three officers and is taking appropriate steps to minimise the impact that such changes can make.

Membership 3.5.13 The membership is crucial to the Society: it is the source of management committee members and honorary officers, and determines the direction, priorities and activities of the Society. The strength of the membership, in terms of numbers and degree of involvement, can add strength to the Society’s voice, legitimacy and influence. Members are also a key constituent of the Society’s beneficiaries, participating in and enjoying its activities and services.

3.5.14 The membership is heavily skewed towards the older age range: a recent survey suggesting as much as 50% of members being over 70 years of age. The Society will seek to broaden the membership to ensure it can be sustained. This will include promoting membership to young people and their families through GSYA and conducting a general membership drive with new promotional materials and better publicity.

4. Finance and Marketing 4.1 Funding and Fundraising 4.1.1 From its initiation to the present day, the Society’s funding has primarily been based on membership fees and donations from members and other individuals. The Society has rarely needed to fundraise to cover the costs of its activities. Indeed, the Society has been able to distribute funding to other bodies in the form of grants for projects or land purchase.

Membership Subscriptions and Gift Aid 4.1.2 It was agreed at the 2012 AGM to increase membership fees from 2014. The previous time these increased was in 2000. The new annual membership subscriptions are:  individual member – £20 (£15 by standing order)  family member (parents and children under 18 years) – £25 (£20 by standing order)  group/corporate member – £25 (£20 by standing order)  individual life member (aged under 60 years) – £375  individual life member (aged 60+ years) – £265  family life member (oldest member aged under 60 years) – £525  family life member (oldest member aged 60+ years) – £350

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4.1.3 The Society aims to increase the proportion of day to day running costs that are covered by subscriptions, rather than funded from capital reserves. The Society will explore ways to increase membership and the income generated from it.

4.1.4 Gift Aid is claimed at the end of each year on eligible membership subscriptions. The membership form, available online and at events, provides an explanation of Gift Aid and includes a Gift Aid Declaration. As many members pay their subscriptions annually through a standing order, they may not necessarily remain eligible for Gift Aid even if they completed the declaration when they first joined the Society. In 2013, all existing members were sent Gift Aid Declaration forms to complete and return, even if they had previously done so.

4.1.5 When membership records are moved to digital format, it may be easier to monitor Gift Aid eligibility and make accurate claims. The Society will also look at the viability of claiming Gift Aid on donations and other income sources.

The Society will review its use of Gift Aid to maximise income from this source.

Legacies and Donations 4.1.6 From time to time in its history, the Society has benefitted from legacies from former members and others. Recent examples include a substantial legacy of £846,000 from the estate of W H Jones of Loughor bequeathed in 2012 and a £5,000 legacy from Susan John in 2013. Since 1998, the Society has also received regular income payments from the Philip Beynon Charitable Trust.

4.1.7 Each year, a number of incidental cash donations are made to the Society by members and other supporters. Sometimes, old editions of the Gower journal or other publications are donated and any funds raised through selling these to other members are included here.

Services and Sales 4.1.8 Events, activities and services are generally provided free of charge by the Society. Any dinner or lunch organised for members is ticketed with ticket sales covering costs. Membership badges are sold at £2.50 each.

4.1.9 Most publications are sold and, when mailed out, a charge is made for postage and packing.

The number of each publication sold each year varies but generally, sales of a publication are high when it is first published and then reduce in subsequent years. The sales of some older publications can also increase when a new publication is issued. Over time, income from sales often covers or surpasses the production costs of each publication.

4.1.10 The Society held stock with a value of just under £15,000 at end of 2012.

The Society will continue to offer most activities, events and services free of charge.

The Society will normally seek to recoup the cost of publications through sales.

Financial Procedures 4.1.11 The Society has three bank accounts; the main current account which is used for day-to-day activities; a capital (deposit) account, with 30-day notice, that holds an emergency fund equivalent 25

to a typical year’s expenditure; and a third account, also a current account, which holds funds for discrete projects such as the Save Our Sands scheme. The remaining financial assets of the Society are invested.

4.1.12 The Treasurer and the Chairperson both hold a cheque book for the Society’s main current account. Both are signatories, along with the Vice-chairperson and the Secretary. Any cheque up to the value of £5,000 requires the signatures of two signatories and cheques for amounts above that figure require three signatories. The deposit account is generally managed by telephone by the Treasurer. The additional current account (referred to as account no.3) has its own cheque book with similar signatory arrangements.

4.1.13 Financial statements are presented to the committee at each committee meeting and annual accounts are presented to members at the Annual General Meeting.

4.1.14 Grant of up to £3,000 are approved by the Rural Communities Sub-committee and the GSYA Sub-committee can approve grants up to £1,000. Any grants above these respective figures must be approved by the main committee.

4.1.15 The Society has few tangible fixed assets. Where the value of any item is £100 or more, it is capitalised and valued in the accounts at cost less accumulated depreciation at a rate of 25% per year.

The Society will maintain high standards in its financial procedures and continue to ensure that its assets are used prudently for the benefit of Gower.

Reserves Policy 4.1.16 The Society’s official Reserves Policy, as presented in its constitution, is to keep sufficient reserves in order: a) to counteract any potential threat to Gower b) to finance projects furthering the aims and objectives of the Society as set out in its constitution 4.1.17 A more specific reserves policy and investment plan were developed by the Finance Subcommittee in 2012 and approved by the main committee in 2013. These outline strategies for the short, medium and long term in relation to the Society’s assets.

4.1.18 The short term reserves policy is to keep approximately £100,000 in liquid cash assets: £30,000 in the main account as the working capital for day to day activities; and £70,000 (approximately one year’s cash reserves) kept in the 30-day notice deposit account for any short term emergencies.

4.1.19 The investment of all remaining financial assets (outlined below) is intended to produce income and accumulate capital to secure the Society’s future ability to deliver its aims and to respond to any potential threat to Gower. This long-term reserve was set at £340,000 in 2013 with a provision for it to increase with inflation. Any growth above this amount will be made available for projects and activities.

The Society will review and, if necessary, adjust its reserves policy on an annual basis.

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Investment Plan 4.1.20 An allocation of £770,000, as part of our medium term reserves policy, will be invested with the primary aim of generating an income of around £30,000 per annum which can be used towards grants for worthy causes in Gower. The secondary aim of these assets is capital preservation and the provision of a growing income over the longer term. A substantial part of these assets (£750,000) is invested with Quilter & Co, a discretionary fund manager, with the aim of helping the Society achieve these specific aims. A smaller amount (£20,000) is invested in Gilts.

4.1.21 The remaining assets, approximately £340,000, have been allocated for capital growth to help the Society counteract any major future threats to Gower in the longer-term. Any capital growth above the level of £350,000 will be drawn down and used to support future capital projects for the benefit of Gower. This will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, in order to ensure that it remains both prudent, appropriate and in line with inflation.

4.1.22 The Society has engaged the services of an independent financial advisor, PoppyRed Ltd, to advice on investments on an ongoing basis. The primary aim is to ensure that the Society’s investments remain appropriate for its ongoing needs and also remain balanced with regard to its overall attitude to risk. The overall investment portfolio has been constructed at risk level 5 (where 1 is the lowest level of risk, and 10 equates to the highest). The suitability of the Society’s investments will be reviewed at a meeting with the investment managers, Quilters & Co, which will take place on a quarterly basis.

The Society will review and, if necessary, adjust its investment plan on a quarterly basis.

4.2 Marketing and Publicity 4.2.1 The Society recognises the importance of using a variety of promotional materials and publicity outlets to promote its causes, expand its membership, encourage participation in organised events and activities, promote the sale of publications and engage new partners.

Promotional Materials 4.2.2 The Society promotes its aims, membership and activities through its website, publications, leaflets, members newsletters, exhibitions and events programmes.

4.2.3 The Society’s badge – depicting a gold portcullis on an azure background – was designed by the Society’s first Chairman, Ernest Morgan, and introduced in 1948. The portcullis represents strength and protection, and the two colours relate to sand and sea. He chose the portcullis symbol not only because of its connotation of ‘protection’, but also because it featured in the coat of arms of Swansea Borough and the Beaufort family, lords of Gower. This badge was used on the Society’s letterhead and later adapted into the Society’s logo.

4.2.4 Since around 1990, the Society has been using the slogan “Guarding Gower for all its worth” on publicity materials and the website. In 2000, the Society introduced a new leaflet which outlined its work and promoted membership. This leaflet included a reworking of its aims in the form of eleven pledges. This leaflet is still being used and there are still many copies available. Once these have diminished or the content becomes less relevant, a new leaflet will be produced.

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4.2.5 The website is increasingly seen as a means of communicating with members and publicising the Society’s work to a larger audience. The website had 17,000 ‘hits’ in 2013. At the end of 2013, the Society opened a Twitter account, which already has a number of younger people and schools as followers.

The Society will produce new materials to promote membership and its activities.

The Society will further develop its website and explore the use of social media.

Publicity, Press and Media 4.2.6 The Society has a good public profile and regularly attracts press and media interest. There are often local press articles, and occasionally national press and media features relating to the Society’s activities. The Society can sometimes be portrayed in a negative light when it campaigns or objects to development but this can be balanced with positive stories such as those relating to projects, awards, activities, publications and grants.

4.2.7 From time to time, members of the Society have also provided regular features such as the Bryn articles that focussed on natural history issues and the current Hidden Histories in the South Wales Evening Post.

The Society will seek to maintain its public profile by issuing regular press releases to promote its activities The Society will respond positively to requests from the press and media for information or interviews.

4.3 Financial Forecasts Income and Expenditure Accounts for 2011, 2012 and 2013

INCOMING RESOURCES Member subscriptions Donations Gift Aid Legacies Total voluntary income Income from listed investments Deposit account interest P Beynon Trust income Total investment income Publication sales Social events Other income Total charity activity income Total incoming resources

2011

2012

2013

12,551 2,339 2,630 0 17,520

11,733 1,000 2,198 856,203 871,134

14,290 330 2,000 4,633 21,253

11,801 29 16,508 28,338 5,696 2,787 2,084 10,567 56,425

15,659 1,894 16,592 34,145 5,867 0 1,050 6,917 912,196

20,913 1,270 18,255 40,438 11,821 1,587 8,591 21,999 83,690

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RESOURCES EXPENDED Insurance Postage and Stationery Rent Other expenditure Total cost of generating voluntary income Donations and grants Project grants (GSYA) Subscriptions Publication expenses Gower Show expenses Sundries Admin expenses Social events Depreciation of fixed assets Total charity activities Accountancy Legal fees Auditor remuneration Other professional fees Total governance costs Total resources expended Net incoming resources Investment gains/losses Total funds brought forward

1,224 7,984 879 0

1,022 8,586 1,084 0

1,056 8,713 1,010 884

10,087 18,961 10,297 378 6,925 1,071 1,751 933 2,424 15 42,755 901 15 0 0 916 53,758 2,667 -14,828 406,983

10,692 18,441 10,183 463 6,978 1,008 2,284 1,001 0 0 40,358 1,110 2,606 2,000 0 5,716 56,766 855,430 37,244 1,299,657

11,663 15,174 9,696 300 17,198 3,091 1,994 1,205 1,573 609 50,840 3,108 1,936 792 0 5,836 68,339 15,351 51,766 1,366,773

Income and Expenditure Forecast for 2014 to 2018

INCOMING RESOURCES Member subscriptions Donations Gift Aid Legacies Total voluntary income Income from listed investments Deposit account interest P Beynon Trust income Total investment income Publication sales Social events Other income Total charity activity income Total incoming resources

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

15,000 500 2,000 0 17,500

15,000 500 2,000 0 17,500

15,000 500 2,000 0 17,500

15,000 500 2,000 0 17,500

15,000 500 2,000 0 17,500

40,000 500 20,000 60,500 6,000 2,500 250 8,750 87,750

40,000 500 20,000 60,500 5,000 2,500 250 7,750 85,750

40,000 500 20,000 60,500 5,000 2,500 250 7,750 85,750

40,000 500 20,000 60,500 5,000 2,500 250 7,750 85,750

40,000 500 20,000 60,500 5,000 2,500 250 7,750 85,750 29

RESOURCES EXPENDED Insurance Postage and Stationery Rent Other expenditure Total cost of generating voluntary income Donations and grants Special projects Project grants (GSYA) Subscriptions Publication expenses Gower Show expenses Sundries Admin expenses Social events Depreciation of fixed assets Total charity activities Accountancy Legal fees Auditor remuneration Other professional fees Total governance costs Total resources expended Net incoming resources Investment gains/losses Total funds brought forward

1,000 8,000 1,100 0

1,100 8,500 1,100 0

1,200 9,000 1,100 0

1,300 9,500 1,250 0

1,400 10,000 1,250 0

10,100 30,000 70,000 12,000 500 7,000 2,500 2,000 7,600 2,500 500 134,600 3,500 2,000 500 2,000 8,000 152,700 -64,950 20,000 1,321,823

10,700 31,000 30,000 12,500 500 7,000 2,500 2,200 7,900 2,500 500 96,600 3,500 2,000 500 2,000 8,000 115,300 -29,550 20,000 1,312,273

11,300 31,500 30,000 13,000 500 7,000 2,500 2,250 8,000 2,500 500 97,750 3,500 2,000 500 2,000 8,000 117,050 -31,300 20,000 1,300,973

12,050 31,500 30,000 13,000 550 7,000 2,500 2,300 8,200 2,500 500 98,050 3,500 2,000 500 2,000 8,000 118,100 -32,350 20,000 1,288,623

12,650 32,000 30,000 13,500 550 7,000 2,500 2,500 8,400 2,500 500 99,450 3,500 2,000 500 2,000 8,000 120,100 -34,350 20,000 1,274,273

4.4 Forecast Notes Incoming Resources 4.4.1 Member subscriptions: In recent years, income from membership fees has been around ÂŁ12,000. By far the largest proportion of this is membership renewals with only a modest amount from new members. Membership rates will increase in 2014 and, though it is anticipated that there may be a drop in membership renewals, the fee increase is expected to result in a net gain in income from this source.

4.4.2 Donations: The amount received through donations of cash and items that can be sold varies from year to year and is difficult to predict so a nominal ÂŁ500 has been forecast for forthcoming years.

4.4.3 Gift Aid: Gift Aid is currently only claimed on membership subscriptions. It is anticipated that the amount claimed may initially fall with the predicted drop in membership numbers as a result of fee increases in 2014. It may also be affected by the switch of membership records to the computer as this could help identify both additional claims and members that are no longer eligible.

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4.4.4 Legacies: Though the Society has benefitted from numerous legacies in the past, including a major bequest in 2012, it is difficult to predict when these may arise. Therefore, no legacy income has been included in the forecasts for forthcoming years.

4.4.5 Income from investments: In recent years, the Society has gained investment income of around £12,000 to 16,000. Prior to 2009, the income was higher but was then affected by poor performing financial markets. With the large legacy donated in 2012 (received in 2013), the Society reviewed its investments and was able to increase the capital invested.

4.4.6 In 2013, the W H Jones legacy was invested in tranches between March and September, and this is reflected in the investment income for that year. It is predicted that from 2014, the income from investments will be significantly higher than in recent years, estimated at £40,000 (approximately £30,000 income from Gilts and the Quilter & Co. investments and approximately £10,000 from the M+G Charifund) – though this will depend upon the performance of financial markets.

4.4.7 Deposit account interest: The Society’s capital account is interest bearing. A balance of £70,000 is maintained in this account gaining interest of approximately £500 each year. From time to time, a large sum may be deposited temporarily in this account and held until it is expended or invested elsewhere. This may result in a higher than usual interest payment, as in 2012 when the W H Jones legacy was initially deposited here.

4.4.8 Philip Beynon Trust income: The Society is also a beneficiary of the Philip Beynon Trust and is entitled to receive one half of the income from its investments. However, the Society has no power to direct the investment of the Trust assets which are vested in HSBC Trust Company (UK) Limited.

4.4.9 Prior to the financial crisis, this amounted to around £30,000 each year but fell to below £17,000 in recent years. It is anticipated that as financial markets recover, the income will increase to at least £20,000 per annum.

4.4.10 Publication sales: Income from the sale of publications can vary considerably e.g. over £11,000 in 2008 but just over £3,500 in 2010. This largely depends on when new publications or editions are issued. The publication of the Bernard Morris tribute The Pleasure of Unravelling Secrets: Contributions to Swansea and Gower History will have helped to increase income in 2013 and is expected to continue to do so in 2014. As future publication dates are uncertain, an annual forecast of £5,000 has been adopted, reflecting income in recent years.

4.4.11 Social events: When the Society organises a dinner or lunch for members, tickets are sold.

This is balanced with social events under resources expended. (In 2012, the income and expenditure for this event was accounted for differently). It is expected that a similar level of income will be taken from ticket sales in future years.

4.4.12 Other income: This is income that is not allocated to other categories and in recent years has included a refund from the insurance brokers and a payment made to the Society in lieu of work undertaken by a committee member. As such income is unpredictable, no amount has been included for forthcoming years.

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Resources Expended 4.4.13 Insurance: The Society has a policy with AXA which includes public liability cover and cover for equipment. This is expected to rise with inflation.

4.4.14 Postage and stationary: This includes the cost of stamps, envelopes etc. associated with three annual mail outs to members, the post and packing of publications that are sold, and the correspondence of key officers in the course of their duties. It is anticipated that this will increase each year with inflation and increased membership and activity.

4.4.15 Rent: The Society rents a storage unit in Cwmbwrla which is used for storing publications and archived paperwork. It is anticipated that the rental fee will occasionally increase.

4.4.16 Other expenditure: This is expenditure not assigned to other categories. In 2013, this was mainly cleaning costs. No amount has been made included for forthcoming years.

4.4.17 Donations and grants: This includes payment made under the Small Grants Scheme and other donations made by the Society to other organisations and projects which contribute to the furtherance of the Society’s aims. Whilst the amount of funding from the Philip Beynon Trust decreased in recent years, the total amount allocated for distribution in grants was maintained. It is anticipated that as income from the Trust builds up again and with additional contributions from other investments, then the total fund allocated to donations and grants will increase.

4.4.18 Special projects: This is a new line of expenditure from 2014 and covers payments made by the Society to selected projects using part of the WH Jones legacy and any increase in the capital reserves (i.e. any increase over £340,000 plus an allowance for annual inflation). £70,000 has been allocated for 2014 and a further £30,000 for each of the four following years. This is dependent on the success of the investments and the level of income from other sources so may be increased or reduced.

4.4.19 GSYA activities and grants: This includes an annual contract of about £6,500 to Nature Days for delivering the GSYA programme and environmental fieldwork with schools. It also includes grants made by the GSYA committee to schools and youth organisations of approximately £5,000 a year. It is expected that the budget for GSYA work will increase, depending on the success of investments and other income sources.

4.4.20 Subscriptions: These are annual affiliation fees paid by the Society to other organisations including CPRW, the National Trust, the Civic Society for Wales, Cambrian Archaeological Society, the Wildlife Trust for South and South West Wales, and the Open Spaces Society. The number of affiliations may vary from year to year but it is anticipated that there is likely to be an increase in cost from time to time.

4.4.21 Publication expenses: This includes the printing costs associated with the production of the Gower journal, members’ newsletters and other publications. Whilst some of these costs are regular, the total may vary considerably depending on the timing of new publications, editions or reprints. An amount has been allocated for forthcoming years based on the average over recent years, though it is anticipated that in some years this will be much lower and in others much higher.

4.4.22 Gower Show expenses: This includes the cost of marquee hire and other infrastructure for the Society’s exhibition and stand at the Gower Show. Since 2002, the Society has sponsored the

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Gower Show programme, in recent years this has been approximately £2,000 but appears elsewhere in the accounts.

4.4.23 Sundries: This includes materials for marketing and activities, and incidental equipment. In 2013, the figure was higher as seven laptops and two printers were purchased. It is expected that the amount will gradually increase to reflect inflation and increased activity. An additional allocation has also been made in 2017 in anticipation of computer equipment needing to be replaced.

4.4.24 Administration expenses: This includes an allocation of £6,000 each year from 2014 to cover the cost of contracting administrative support or employing an administrative assistant.

4.4.25 Social events: This relates to costs associated with the annual Society dinner and approximately balances the income from ticket sales.

4.4.26 Accountancy, legal fees, auditing and other professional fees: The accountancy fee has increased in recent years reflecting an increase in the complexity of the Society’s accounts. It is expected that this fee may remain at a higher level.

4.4.27 In 2012, the Society’s income surpassed the threshold above which charity accounts have to undergo a full audit. This incurred additional auditing costs. There were also legal costs associated with the significant legacy, and fees to an independent financial advisor. In 2014, a professional fee was paid for professional support in developing this five year plan.

4.4.28 Budgets have been allocated to each of these aspects in future years anticipating that there may be a need from time to time to utilise such professional services.

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