SHS Newsletter SPRING 2024.
As we enter another year, the stormy winter weather continues, with Storms Elin and Fergus passing through, and more to come before the new sailing season, stressing our buildings and infrastructure and reminding us of the impact of Global Warming.
Thank you to all the members who attended the General Meeting on 9th December in The Ship, the meeting was quorate. The next General Meeting will in future be held after Lift Out, hopefully in November 2024. This fits well with our financial year end of 31st December and allows the Society to set and collect charges for the next year. In 2025 we will have a formal audit which will cost about £600.
Charges for 2024 have had to be raised to keep up with ever rising costs. Having avoided any increases for 2022 and 2023 we have had no choice but to increase charges for 2024. We have, however kept the overall rise to less than the rate of inflation for the three year period. In future we anticipate an annual rise in costs in order to remain in financial balance. This will be set at the annual Committee Budget Setting meeting in October. Shareholders are all equally accountable under FCA Rules.
Detailed accounts will be published on the website at the end of year. In brief SHS made a small loss of £5,000 in 2023 (in 2022 we had a surplus of £11,000). On our charges for 2024 we again anticipate a small planned loss.
In 2024 we intend to spend a minimum of £8-9000 on essential repairs to the Quay walls. We are considering upgrading our toilet and shower facilities and are exploring Grant funding. We are also considering fitting solar panels to reduce our electricity bills which are in the region of £10,000 per annum.
In 2023 our expenditure was £74,000. Income from members was £11,000 and from seasonal Visitors £10,700. As of 9 December, we had £52,444 of available cash.
Every time a shareholder volunteers for a task, for example being a Steward on the Quay or joining a working party, this reduces our need to increase charges.
The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and President have decided not to accept any payment to help keep costs as low as possible.
The Chairman, Vice Chair, Treasurer, President and Clerk meet every Wednesday for 1-2 hours to carry out day to day Management and pay bills. SHS is a small to medium sized enterprise and Community Interest Company. The Operational Group has to seek approval from Committee for any expenditure greater than £5,000 . Solva Harbour is a recognised Port, and the administrative burden is considerable, for example: Border Agency, Waste Management Plans, Child Protection and Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Solva Community Council, HMRC, FCA, Licences, Insurers, Trinity House, the County Council, the National Parks, and the National Trust and the Welsh Cooperative Society . Membership correspondence and administration, routine maintenance and site management and enquiries from Tourists all take time and effort.
The monthly Committee Meeting now has to have a minimum of two Directors and four Committee members present to be quorate and allow business continuity.
Shareholders might like to think about joining the Committee in future to allow succession planning to take place.
Full members should be aware that if they would like a change of mooring, that they can approach the Moorings Committee in writing before the 1st January each year. There is currently scope for a few members to move further up the Harbour.
Lift In and Out dates will be announced shortly and two small social events will be planned for 2024.
On Lift In day between 10-1230hrs, the office on Trinity Quay will be open for the issue of car park and boat stickers to those eligible. Stickers will only be issued to those who have paid their fees, have insurance in place and a nominated agent. Boat stickers and Parking stickers will only be posted to shareholders on receipt of fees and footage.
Please help to reduce the administrative burden by paying on time. Payments must be made to ‘SOLVA HARBOUR SOCIETY’, see invoice for bank details. Please note: SBOA accounts are all closed! Stickers on boats and cars MUST be put in place as soon as you get them.
Shareholders are reminded that the Clerk is only present on Wednesdays in the office on Trinity Quay from 0900-1230hrs each week. Emails and communications will be replied to within seven days of receipt.
Finally, As Chairman I would like to thank the other Directors (The Treasurer and President) the Vice Chair and Committee Members, our hard working and indispensable Clerk, Nicola, and the Harbour Master for their hard work and efforts in 2023 without which the Harbour Society would not be as successful and secure.
All the best for the 2024 season.
David Phillips, Chairman SHS Ltd 13th Dec 2023
