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REPORT FROM CHAIR
It seems to be a regular feature of
this part of the Annual Report to say that there has been a great deal of
activity going on over the past year. Well this year is no exception and you
will see from other sections of the report details of these activities. I
would like to deal with two matters in my report:
- People issues
- Organisation and structure
PEOPLE
We were joined by last year by Simon
Loveitt. In his role he is working very closely in the community and
enhancing all the Centre’s links. He brings an energy and dedication to his
work – and also many years of experience. We welcome him aboard.
Through our contacts with Business
in the Community and Bradford Vision we now have a mentor working with us
and assisting in our development and structural rethinking. She is Anne
Harris, HR Manager with Yorkshire Water. She brings skill and objectivity to
us that we find invaluable.
On the other hand we have losses as
well. Keith Manchester who has served well on our Management Committee and
brought sound judgment to our deliberations tendered his resignation in the
spring. He is not leaving us however, since he remains on our Board of
Trustees. Howard Jones who has been a driving force in getting this centre
to where we are today retires this year. I thank both for the invaluable
work that have contributed.
ORGANISATION AND STRUCTURE
Last year I reported that we had
spent a great deal of our time on revisiting the aims and objectives of the
Centre and seeking to clarify where future funding and income streams would
come from. We need now to ensure that our organisation is the best to
deliver these plans. We are now well through a review of our structure.
Initial ideas, formed before the centre came into being, have proved to be
effective, but now it is important to get them right for the future. What
should the relationships be between Trustees and Management; what role
should representatives of bodies such as URC District and Synod play; how
best should the local community be involved? You will see from other parts
of this report that we now have a wide range of involvement with outside
bodies and major contracts in place. We have an obligation to manage them
well.
CONCLUSION
St John’s Centre is a strong,
financially healthy organisation performing a valuable service in this area
of Bradford
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