2002

Trustees' Report - 2002

A Year of Development and Growth

The theme for 2002 has been one of continued development. The dedication to growth, both of the services new and existing members receive and of the number of associations who choose to take up membership, has continued.

Membership at the end of 2002 was 12,025 - yet again breaking all past records. Net membership income increased from £667,612 in 2001 to £714,223 in 2002. The increase in total income was less dramatic than last year at some 3% (7% in 2001) due to the absence this year of exceptional profits on sale of property and lower investment income. The growth in total income (£25,967) was a major factor in the increase in direct charitable expenditure from £694,673 in 2001 to £707,777 in 2002.

A Focus on Member Services

Member events, communication, information, research, consultation and representation were all features of the activity in 2002.

The two Field Officer pilots in Greater London and the Yorkshire and the Humber region continued and in the autumn were extended by another pilot in the North West region. This enabled additional PTA seminars and training events to be organised with very encouraging feedback from members.

Communication was also the focus for a number of developments the most noticeable of which was the launch of a much re-vamped house magazine now entitled PTA. We continued the extension of the range of PTA Info leaflets which our research continues to tell us are much valued by members. Liaison with Government, focussing particularly on the Department for Education and Skills, and others is ongoing and we are grateful for the support and contributions from members in this area.

We continue to enhance our Website and completed additions and modifications during the year both to extend its value and ease of use.

Research into PTA activities and members' opinions of NCPTA services continued with the feedback generated contributing to future service development.

Partnerships with Others

During the year we finalised a partnership approach with Learning Through Landscapes (a charity much involved in the development of school grounds and environments) which saw the launch of a good practice award scheme Learning Together. We also continue with our own awards scheme and have now renamed it as the Outstanding Achievement Awards so that we can recognise achieved good practice. As one means of furthering this work in 2003 successful projects will be mounted on a special area of our website so that as many member associations as possible can benefit from these examples of achievement. We were also active in building links with Planet-Science (who promote the value of science in education) the results of which should be seen in 2003.

Our links with the European Parents Association continue and, following a change in its leadership, may develop further in 2003 and 2004.

Premises

2002 also saw the negotiation of a new lease for the premises we occupy in Sevenoaks yet we still keep an interested eye on the possibility of purchasing a suitable freehold property. The designated property fund set up last year remains.

Staff Commitment

Finally we would like to thank the Chief Executive and his team for their drive and continued enthusiasm and commitment in a year that has seen many achievements.

Regulatory Issues

The Board again reviewed its policies, procedures and operational authorities. With a few small changes all were reaffirmed as appropriate. General reserves of between one and two year’s expenditure are held to fulfil commitments and to meet obligations for the repair and maintenance of facilities. The Board’s management of risk continues together with the necessary steps to mitigate those risks.

The trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with applicable law and accounting standards. They are required to: select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently, make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent, prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business, keep proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity, safeguard the assets of the charity and take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees discharge their responsibilities in line with these regulations and the powers contained within the Charity’s governing document.

NCPTA is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. As such its objects, to advance education by encouraging the fullest co-operation between home and school, education authorities, central government and all other interested parties and bodies, and its powers of governance are contained within the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association. These make provision for the appointment of up to six Appointed Trustees and up to eleven Elected Trustees. Both groups form the Board of Trustees and from amongst their number also form now (following a review during the year) four working committees. One deals with issues related to membership services and development, one with issues of policy representation and consultation, one with issues related to finance and insurance and one with human resources and legal issues. Minutes of these committees are always reported to the Board. The Memorandum of Association includes the power of investment and the power to delegate the management of investments to professional advisers. The powers also include the ability to establish subsidiary companies, one of which was incorporated in 1999, NCPTA Enterprises

In accordance with the Companies Act 1985, a resolution proposing that King & Taylor be reappointed as auditors of the company will be put to the annual General meeting.

Summarised Accounts - 2002

A copy of the full report and accounts can be obtained by writing to NCPTA at 39 Shipbourne Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 3DS.