The King George V Playing Field / Churchmans Meadow – RPC Charitable Trustee
(Charity Number 1082090)
Management of the land is subject to conditions enshrined in law via the Charity Commission. The charity is also monitored by the Fields in Trust (formerly the National Playing Fields Association) which provides guidance to the Council in its role as trustee.
Income from the charity comes from Hire fees paid by users of the Fields. Rudgwick Parish Council supports the Charity financially.
Number of members:
- The King George V Playing Field/Churchmans Meadow is made up of all Parish Councillors as Trustees.
The Quorum to be comprised of no less than four members.
Meetings:
- To fulfil its role as Trustee, the King George V Playing Field/Churchmans Meadow Trustees shall meet a minimum of once a year to agree legal duties, or as set by Rudgwick Parish Council at its Annual Council Meeting. To be held at Rudgwick Hall, Bucks Green at a time and date agreed.
Matters pertaining to the King George V Playing Field/Churchmans Meadow will be considered by the Trustee (Members of Rudgwick Parish Council) during these meetings.
The Halls, Recreation and Open Spaces Committee, as per the terms of reference, is authorised by the Council to manage any activity, including the day to day management of the KGV Playing Field and Churchmans Meadow on behalf of the Council as corporate trustee, and as defined by the Management Agreement executed as a Deed by Rudgwick Parish Council in July 2020.
The Agenda and Minutes for meetings are published on the Calendar of meetings page.
Roles and functions:
Charitable status (Reg 1082090) was awarded 3rd November 1936. RPC as a Charitable Trustee July 2025
Churchmans Meadow Deed of release and covenant was made on the 24th February 2006 and subsequent inclusion.
Declaration of Trust on 31st May 2007, the Parish Council covenanted with the National Playing Fields Association (now Fields in Trust) that it will not dispose of all or any part of the playing fields or erect any building without the prior consent of Fields in Trust.
July 2020, a Management Agreement was legally put in place. The effect of the Agreement is to confirm that responsibility for the facility is given to the Council for the period of the Agreement.
The Trustee is responsible for the provision of recreational facilities including Football, Cricket, Tennis, Skatepark, a children’s play area, woodland area and any other recreational activities agreed by the Trustee.
Responsibilities of the Trustee (Parish Council):
As Trustee, the Parish Council has responsibility for any proposed changes to:
1. Land use.
2. Income streams and these are considered at Parish Council meetings.
3. Setting Annual Maintenance Grants.
The King George V Playing Field/Churchmans Meadow Trustee has a responsibility for:
- The maintenance of the Playing Fields as a recreational ground including grass-cutting, maintenance of hedges, trees, shrubs and plants etc.
- The maintenance of Play Equipment and Independent Risk Assessment.
- The provision of Insurance for the King George V Playing Field and Churchmans Meadow.
- The maintenance of seats and other street furniture including Noticeboards.
- Ensuring that, as far as is possible, the Playing Fields offer value for money to residents of Rudgwick. This includes increases in rents and hire costs for which recommendations are to be made to the Parish Council.
- Authorising payments made from the King George V Playing Field/Churchmans Meadow Account.
- Submitting Grant Applications to the Parish Council, other bodies/organisations.
- Appointing Working Parties/Sub-committees, and receiving said reports.
- To carry out repairs as deemed appropriate by the King George V Playing Field/Churchmans Meadow Committee.
- To deal with the formal terms and conditions for hire in respect of the King George V Playing Field.
- To ensure that tree surveys are completed (frequency every 18 months).
- To ensure that the Car Park is maintained in good order.
Charitable Objectives
King George V Playing Field is a recreation and playing field, to be preserved in perpetuity as a memorial to King George V, under the provisions of the King George’s Fields Foundation.
Income (£25,000 or less)
Income for the charity comes mainly from field hire. Income is supplemented heavily by the Parish Council who oversees the maintenance and improvement of the area. The Council therefore transfers an annual sum to the charity accounts to help it to cover its costs.
Accounts can be found on the Charity Commission page and also from the link below:
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en
Charities with a financial period ending on or after 1st April 2009 are not required to send a Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts to the Commission if the Charity’s income for the financial period was not greater than £25,000. Charities with an income not greater than £25,000 will have the message ‘Not required’ for their accounts submissions. Charities with income between £10,001 and £25,000 are still required to send an Annual Return.