How the Wensum Valley Trust works
This page has information on:
1 The Structure of the WVT - how it functions as an organisation.
2 How the WVT works - what it does to achieve its objectives.
1 Structure of the WVT
- The Wensum Valley Trust is a charitable organisation, governed by trustees who meet regularly to oversee matters of policy, fundraising and employment.
- Day to day management of the organisation's work is by Trust Manager, Robin Goolden, based at the WVT office in Gressenhall.
- The resources of the former Wensum Valley Project are in the process of being transferred to the WVT. When this has been completed the WVT will register with the Charity Commission.
Trustees
- Six trustees were elected at the public inaugural meeting. In the future they will be elected from and by WVT members at the Annual General Meeting.
- The current trustees are Roy Church (chairman), Robert Testro
(treasurer), Frances Collinson (secretary), Lucy Eyers, Gordon
Bambridge and Peter Jermy.
Members
- Anyone interested in the work of the WVT may become a member. Members will have voting rights at full meetings of the Trust, normally once per year.
- Initially membership will be free. At some point during 2007 people on the membership list will be invited to sign up to the objectives & pay an annual subscription fee.
- There will be individual, concessionary and corporate subscription rates.
- If you would like to become a member please see
'How the WVT can help you (and
you can help it)'.
Technical Advisory Group
A variety of countryside interests that affect the work of the WVT will be represented at meetings of the Technical Advisory Group. Representatives of the following (and other) organisations may be invited to attend meetings of this group, when appropriate.
- county and district councils: countryside, access and planning officers.
- agriculture : DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs , Country Land and Business Association, National Farmers’ Union.
- nature conservation: Natural England, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Hawk and Owl Trust.
- water management: the Environment Agency, Kings Lynn Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards.
- recreation: Norfolk Anglers Conservation Association (NACA), WVBS, Ramblers, Eagle?
2 How the WVT works
The Wensum Valley Trust does not own or have direct responsibility for the management of any land in the Wensum Valley. However, it seeks to influence what happens there in the following ways.
- By helping those who manage land in the Wensum Valley.
WVT aims to help
individuals or organisations to carry out countryside management
that will meet WVT objectives. The people and organisations that we
help include farmers, parish councils, householders, local authorities, conservation charities and government bodies. The help could be in the form of verbal advice, a written management plan, provision of materials or funding for practical work.
- By directly carrying out practical work. Improvements on the ground can be as small as a footpath stile and as large as a wetland conservation project. Small tasks to improve
countryside access or enhance wildlife habitats are often carried out with the help of volunteers. Contractors are employed to do larger tasks and specialist work.
- By giving out information. Leaflets, guided walks and educational trips are used to increase understanding and enjoyment of the Wensum Valley, its wildlife, history and landscape. Newsletters and slide shows keep people informed about the work of the Project. Comments to local authorities on planning applications and contributions to policy consultations help to promote the WVT’s objectives.
