Community transport for the Harwich region. Access to 8 and 15 seater mini buses, a wheelchair vehicle and a box van.
Offering free information about the local area and Great Britain to both visitors and local residents.
A 26 Bed Hostel in the heart of the Harwich Heritage conservation area, offering Group Accommodation.
Harwich Connexions Location Maps. From UK wide map down to local street level maps. Links to other sites of interest.
Links to pages that misspell Harwich Connexions
Links to pages that misspell Harwich Connexions
2004 ANNUAL REPORT
HARWICH CONNEXIONS TRANSPORT CO-OPERATIVE LTD
Company registered number 4715958
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 31ST MARCH 2004.
Some commentary refers to events in the past six months)
FINANCIAL AND COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
TURNOVER £195,862.00
SURPLUS £ 97,117.00
BORROWING £ NIL
SET ASSET VALUE £ 170,938
FUNDING/GRANTS £149,558.00
We are, a Stakeholder Co-operative Company Limited by Guarantee.
We are a mutual organisation, locally owned by our members.
Membership is open to all regardless of race, religion or political views.
Our Company seeks to pursue a wider social purpose by involvement in, and support of our local community.
We have democratic structures, which allow members to elect a Board of Directors to represent their interests.
Some key developments during the first year of operation.
Company launched 28th March 2003.
perational management of transport project transferred from Community Association.
ord ‘Chairman’ vehicle purchased in June.
hird Iveco minibus purchased in October
cquisition of Harwich Tourist Information Centre from Essex County Council on
st January 2004.
reehold of the 1912 Centre purchased on 31st March 2004.
‘The story so far’
Background
In early 2001 Harwich was invited to bid for funding from the Government’s Market Town Initiative (MTI). The town was subsequently awarded £250,000 to be defrayed on community projects in a three-year programme. The Harwich Connexions Market Town partnership was formed and a town ‘health check’ undertaken in order to set a vision, strategic objectives and prioritise the key action areas. The key priorities included: - Dedicated Community Transport, Expanding Tourism and Town Centre issues.
During the above process Harwich Town Council received a letter from Essex County Council inviting Parish and Town Councils to participate in the latest Rural Bus Challenge round. Together with the County Council the partnership despatched a £294,000 funding bid to the Department for Transport and supporting bid to the East of England Development Agency for £25,000 MTI funds. Both bids were successful; the Community Bus Co-operative project was born.
Founding and launch of the Co-operative
Initially it was agreed the County Council would manage the project until Co-operative incorporation; however, the council experienced difficulties recruiting staff resulting in a six months delay. To facilitate resolution of the delay Harwich and District Community Association agreed to act as a local host to enable staff recruitment, employment and co-operative company founding. The Council agreed and transferred funding to the Community Association. Within six weeks the key member of staff (transport co-ordinator) was employed and office accommodation arranged. Two part time drivers and a clerical assistant were then engaged. The community transport scheme commenced trading early February 2003 operating two Iveco Minibuses and a Ford Luton van.
The Founders meeting took place on the 24th February 2003; a Board of nine were elected. The RT Hon Alistair Darling MP Secretary Of State for Transport officially launched the Co-operative on The 28th March 2003.
The Community Transport operations continued to grow during the first year. At the first year-end the Company now owns and operates four minibuses a Ford Chairman (single wheel chair vehicle) a Ford Luton Van, has a membership approaching 150 (180 Aug 04) organisations and individuals and has carried in excess of 16,500 passengers. All this activity in a Town where some transport practitioners suggested there was no demand for a dedicated service.
Whilst the Co-operative was formed primarily to manage the community transport scheme it was always envisaged it would evolve to play an important social enterprise role in the regeneration of Harwich and as successor of the Market Town Partnership.
Development 1 ‘Harwich Tourist Information Centre’
In the autumn of 2003 Essex County Council announced its intention to close the Harwich Tourist Information Centre on the 24th December. The consequence of this would be the loss of an international gateway TIC and four jobs.
The Co-operative opened negotiations with the Council with intention to transfer the engagements, management and control of the TIC subject to an initial fifteen-month funding package being sourced. Once the funding was in place a Special General Meeting of the Company was arranged to obtain members consent for the plans. Our negotiation with the Council resulted in a TUPE agreement, cash support together with the gift of the TIC building, fixtures fittings, equipment and stock in trade.
On the 5th January 2004 the TIC re-opened after the extended Christmas and New Year break as Harwich Connexions Tourist Information Centre. The service saved and more importantly four jobs safeguarded.
After four months operation the transfer has been seamless and the service is gaining in strength week by week producing a financial surplus against forecast.
Development 2 ‘the 1912 Centre’
Hot on the heels of the County Councils announcement regarding the TIC came news that the Youth Service intended to close its hostel in Harwich and declare the accommodation property surplus to requirement by the end of 2003. Rumour about the future of the hostel had been fertile for some time resulting in a growing lobby of opinion that the property, a former town Fire Station known locally as the 1912 Centre, be acquired for the use of the community and retained as a twenty six bed group hostel and meeting venue.
The Co-operative mindful of local opinion contacted the council and negotiated a deal to acquire the property, for the community, on an eighteen month ‘tenancy at will’ with option to purchase the freehold during that period.
The ‘tenancy at will’ route to acquire the property was abandoned when the company was invited, at the beginning of March, to submit a bid to support the spend of a ‘windfall’ capital pot of £100,000 offered to the market town partnership by East of England Development Agency. The offer from EEDA had one condition; the money was to be spent by the end of the financial year. Contracts were exchanged, money transferred and the purchase completed by close of business on the 31st March. As well as purchasing the building the £70,000 award from EEDA provided £10,000 toward fees and refurbishment of the centre.
As planned the refurbished ‘1912 Centre’ opened for business under our management in mid June 2004.
Future
Not wanting to rest back on its laurels, the company through its emerging development plan will work toward a sustainable future, whilst continuing to provide capacity to support the regeneration of the Market Town of Harwich and its rural hinterland.
Summary
During the first year of operation the company has demonstrated a clear vision, passion, leadership and the ability to identify public assets at risk in all its activities and roles in the community. It has been very successful in sourcing multiple public/private sector funding streams for projects. Arising from meetings with other town organisations the company has been requested to act on behalf of the town in seeking external funding solutions for town managed regeneration initiatives. The Connexions partnership and company as a unique multi-disciplined stakeholder co-operative are testament to the advantage of social enterprise delivering local authority externalised or abandoned services.
The co-operative with its members and partners can not deliver in isolation they need the support of funding bodies such as East of England Development Agency, but most of all they need the support of the Harwich Market Town extended community.
Secretary of State for Transport Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP at the official launch
Directors Report Operating performance and developments
Your Directors are pleased to present their first Annual Report for the year ended
1st March 2004 to the membership, who are owners of this successful Co-operative enterprise.
TRANSPORT
Thursday 27th May 2004 Harwich Connexions Transport Co-operative Ltd won, amid tough opposition, the Transport category at the East of England Market Town Awards. The award presented by the Bishop of Norwich is a just reward for a year of hard work by all involved in the co-operative.
Receiving the award from the Bishop of Norwich
Highlights
From a three-vehicle launch, the company now operates six vehicles.
Initially, we contracted a vehicle maintenance contract from Essex Fire and Rescue Service. We now operate our maintenance contract with a local business ‘Barnhawk’ of Little Oakley.
We receive fuel allowance under the governments ‘bus service operator grant’.
We continue to receive free vehicle parking, courtesy of Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society at their ‘Fiveways’ store.
We have operated a successful seat sponsorship scheme.
We are grateful for the financial support from Sure Start. Their grant has allowed us to purchase baby and toddler seats for our vehicles.
It is disappointing to report that on two occasions our vehicles sustained damage whilst parked. The first occasion was an act of wanton vandalism by persons unknown. The second, accidental glass broken by nearby workers.
During the first eighteen months of operation we have seen the operating cost and subsidy cost per passenger reduce in line with increased income and passenger journeys and the economies of scale in operating costs
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Photograph of TIC stand at Hoek van Holland Harbour Day
Highlights
The centre was transferred to the Company on the 1st January 2004.
We extended the range and diversity of products and services available at the TIC.
With sponsorship from DFDS we have reprinted the ‘Harwich and Dovercourt’ leaflet.
We have negotiated an agreement with Essex County Council for the TIC to continue managing the ‘Real Essex’ mail/call centre operation.
A team of staff, directors and supporters presented a TIC roadshow at the Hook of Holland Harbour Days on the 12th and 13th June this year. Our thanks to all the organisations that supported this venture.
Our manager has given presentations about the TIC to a number of local groups during the year. The presentations have been popular and have enhanced the local understanding of what we have to offer at the Centre.
We have had a presence at various local events during the past eight months.
We were pleased to provide a work experience placement for a pupil from the Harwich School during this summer term.
During July and August we have been running an opening hours pilot. We have extended our evening closing time to 20.00 hours Monday to Saturday. We will assess the benefits of the pilot in terms of cost, income and service level before setting future seasonal opening times.
We have created a TIC Forum representing the Company, funders, providers and tourism professionals.
The TIC has a logo that supports the corporate image.
1912 CENTRE
Highlights
The Centre opened for business mid June, its first paying guests, a youth brass band from South Wales.
Prior to the opening and during unoccupied periods since the Centre has been decorated and refurbished.
The refurbishment has gone to plan and within initial cost estimation, with the exception of the kitchen cooker upgrade. We have been required to install a fan-assisted extraction; this work was not considered in the original estimates and has a price tag of £4524.00. The work has been carried out and the account paid with the support of Harwich Town Council.
Whilst we need to develop a marketing strategy for the Centre, we are pleased with the initial interest. Bookings for 2004 are growing and we have dates booked and enquiries being made for 2005.
We are in early stages of discussion with the Youth Hostel Association regarding joint marketing.
We have engaged a cook/housekeeper.
The Centre is a twenty six-bed group hostel. We do not offer accommodation for individuals.
During the coming months we will be focusing our attention to the second phase of refurbishment, compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
GRANT SUPPORT
We are grateful to the following: -
Department for Transport ‘Rural Bus Challenge’, Essex County Council,
East of England Development Agency Market Town Initiative and Investing in Communities funding programmes, Tendring District Council,
Harwich Town Council, Sure Start Harwich Peninsular, Tendring Tourism Group, Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society Ltd,
Harwich International Port, Morrison’s/Safeway, DFDS, Chelmsford Borough Council, Uttlesford District Council, Braintree District Council, Southend Borough Council, Maldon District Council, Stena Line, Harwich Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Harwich Haven Authority, The Harwich Consortium, Hook of Holland Council, Dovercourt Caravan Park, Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk Development Agency, Homestead Lake Park, Colchester Borough Council, Wilkin and Sons ‘Tiptree Jams’, The Pier at Harwich, Harwich Antique Centre, Clacton Shopping Village, Freeport Shopping Village, Beth Chatto Gardens, Clacton Pier, Hyde Hall, Kier Eastern, The Cherry Tree PH, Harwich and Dovercourt Rotary Club&ldots;&ldots;and the many contributions from individuals.
For their valuable support.
Role in the Community
Harwich Connexions Transport Co-operative Ltd is a social enterprise founded to deliver solutions to local needs. Our Co-operative whilst being efficient and effective, also pays attention to the needs of our community. The company is a viable community business involved in neighbourhood regeneration.
The Company enjoys good relationships with many partner organisations, from the public, private and voluntary sectors of our community, who together touch the lives of a great number of local people. It is difficult to pick out any particular partner organisation for special mention, but it would be wrong not to highlight at this time the support we have received from: - Harwich and District Community Association, Harwich Town Council, Harwich Connexions Market Town Partnership and Essex County Council.
As part of our communications strategy, we send regular newsletters to all our members, during the coming year we intend to extend this newsletter service to our partner organisations. We are presently developing an Internet website to provide faster up to date news and information.
Our individual and organisational membership is 191, representing an inclusive membership of many thousands.
Corporate Governance
Board of Directors
Les Double&ldots;Chairman
Les is a local councillor and immediate past Mayor of Harwich. He was Chairman of Harwich Connexions Market Town Partnership and The Harwich Dimension SRB Partnership. He is currently a board member of Colchester & East Essex Co-operative Society Ltd and The Harwich Haven Authority. Category: Supporter
Peter Brand
Peter is a local Town and District councillor and past Mayor of Harwich. Peter is respected, in the community, for his long service with the RNLI. He is a governor of Harwich Community Primary School and employed by our local Member of Parliament Ivan Henderson. Peter is a volunteer driver, he previously volunteered for Tendring Community Transport. Category: Worker
Dale Cheesman
Dale who is General Manager of the Harwich and District Community Association is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Park Pavilion and the Long Meadows Centre. She is a volunteer driver. Category: User
Richard Colley
Richard who is a Wrabness Parish Councillor was the co-ordinator for the Harwich Connexions Market Town Partnership during the life of the project. He is a governor of St Joseph’s RC Primary School and prior to retirement was Head of Planning at Tendring District Council. Category: Supporter
Mark de Roy
Mark is a district councillor representing the villages of Wrabness, Wix and Bradfield. He is a local businessman; among other activities he grows and processes lavender on the banks of the River Stour. Category: Supporter
John Hughes
John is a retired businessman and until May last year he was district councillor, the administrations cabinet member for ‘ Benefits and Revenues’. Immediately prior to joining the board John was a Director of Tendring Community Transport. Category: Supporter
Debbie Rotchell
Debbie is the Company Secretary and Executive Co-ordinator. Category: Worker
Bernie Sadler
Bernie a Chartered Surveyor by profession is the Chairman of the Harwich Society. For many years Bernie has been a local Justice of the Peace sitting in Harwich and Colchester. Prior to the founding of the Co-operative Bernie was a volunteer driver for Tendring Community Transport. He is a volunteer driver. Category: Worker
Jeff Spall
Jeff was a Town and District Councillor and past Mayor of Harwich. A retired Master Mariner Jeff worked for Trinity House as a North Sea Pilot. He is a founder member of the local branch of the Merchant Seaman’s Association. Jeff serves as governor of St Josephs RC Primary School and is on the Executive Committee of the Community Association. Category: User
Your Board, elected by and from the membership, representing the three categories of membership in accordance with the Company’s Articles and Memorandum of Association, holds regular meetings and is responsible for the Company governance, policy and strategic direction. Members of the Board are not remunerated for the role.
Board of Directors’ meeting attendances
3 meetings have been held in the period ending 31st July 2004
Les Double 13; Peter Brand 9; Dale Cheesman 12; Richard Colley 12;
Mark de Roy 4; John Hughes 8; Debbie Rotchell 13; Bernie Sadler 11;
Jeff Spall 11.
Employees
The employee remuneration and conditions of service are based on those currently in operation within Local Government.
Corporate: Debbie Rotchell&ldots;Executive Co-ordinator
Transport: Lisa Youngman&ldots;Clerical Assistant; Jane Holman&ldots;Driver; Tony Eves&ldots;Driver; Andrea King&ldots;Driver.
Tourist Information Centre: Jacqui Howells&ldots;Manager; Peter Spencer&ldots; Information Assistant; Gabrielle Judd&ldots;Information Assistant; Ineke Stevenson&ldots;Information Assistant; Rebecca Bridge&ldots;Seasonal Information Assistant.
1912 Centre: Deryn Macrae&ldots;Cook and Housekeeper.
Volunteers:
he Company is indebted to our volunteers, particularly our volunteer drivers who give their time free to support the needs of others, and without whom our transport scheme could not operate so efficiently.
Advisors
Auditors: Finnigan and Co, 138 Fronks Road, Dovercourt, Harwich.
Solicitors: Ellison and Co, London House, Kingsway, Dovercourt, Harwich.
Bankers: Barclays Bank Plc, Kingsway, Dovercourt, Harwich.
Financial monitoring and control
The Directors are responsible for the company’s internal financial control.
Financial monitoring is designed to provide reasonable assurance with regard, the safeguarding of assets and the maintenance of proper accounting records and the reliability of financial information.
The Directors receive financial reports at each of their regular meetings.
The Board and Management recognises a clear responsibility for identifying any risk facing the business and to put in place procedures to mitigate and monitor risks. The Executive Co-ordinator is charged to report to the Directors on significant matters as appropriate.
Information Communication Technology
The Company has invested in ICT and currently operates two local networks. One at the Park Pavilion, comprising of three desktop computers and a server; the second at the Tourist information Centre, comprising two desktop machines. Computers at both locations are Internet enabled using ‘broadband’ technology. To support book- keeping, recording of financial accounts and pay role information, the Directors approved the purchase of licences and a software package from ‘Access’ Accounting. During the autumn we will be developing a website to support the Company’s activity. We acknowledge a Tendring Rural Activity Grant of £1000.00 towards the website development and twelve months maintenance.
ww.harwichconnexions.co.uk
Training
Quality of service relies on quality training. The company is committed to training for employees, volunteers, directors and our members. We take advantage of internal and external training providers. To reflect the level and diversity of training during the first eighteen months of operation the directors are pleased to report that: -
·Our Executive Co-ordinator received induction training and support from the Transportation Department of Essex County Council.
·Two members of staff have qualified under the DAT scheme to provide and accredit Midas Minibus Driver training. The DAT courses were provided over five days in Brentwood by the Borough Council.
·Directors and managers completed a residential course on the ‘Roles and Responsibilities’ of Co-operative Directors. A peripatetic tutor from the Co-operative College delivered the course. We are indebted to the Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society Party Council for their grant of £1500.00 towards the cost of this training.
·All employed and most volunteer drivers have received and passed Midas Minibus Driver Training.
·A member of staff has recently completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Management with the University of Greenwich. The Company supported the member of staff allowing time for study and travelling costs.
·Three Directors attended the Community Transport Associations Convention and Exhibition. All three attended workshops and seminars covering various aspects of managing a community transport scheme.
·At our first Annual General Meeting all attending will hear a presentation on Community Regeneration and Development by Professor Paul O’Brien.
Values and Principles:
Our Co-operative subscribes to The International Co-operative Alliance Statement on the Co-operative Identity.
Values
co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, responsibility, democracy,quality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
Principles
Voluntary and Open Membership&ldots;Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
Democratic Member Control&ldots;Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote), and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
Member Economic Participation&ldots;Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Autonomy and Independence&ldots;Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
Education, training and Information&ldots;Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
Co-operation among Co-operatives&ldots;Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
Concern for Community&ldots;Co-operatives work for sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Annual Accounts
Auditors report and annual accounts attached
After making all appropriate enquiries the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they adopt the business as a going concern from the prepared accounts.
Contact Details
Transport:
Telephone:01255 552010 (2 lines)
Fax:01255 552010
e mail:harwich.ctcl@btopenworld.com
Address: Harwich Connexions Transport Co-operative Ltd
Park Pavilion
Barrack Lane
Harwich
Essex
CO12 3NS
Tourist Information Centre:
Telephone: 01255 506139
Fax: 01255
Real Essex Line:0845 600 7373
e mail:harwich@eetb.info
Address:Harwich Connexions Tourist Information Centre
Iconfield Park
Harwich
Essex
CO12 4EN
1912 Centre:
Booking Telephone:01255 506139
Booking Fax:01255
Booking e mail:harwich@eetb.info
General inquiries: 01255 552010
Location Address: Harwich Connexions 1912 Centre
Cow Lane
Harwich
Essex
CO12 3ES
Website:www.harwichconnexions.co.uk
We are always looking for more people to join our group of invaluable volunteer drivers. We give full MiDAS training and offer 24hr contact when you are driving. If you think you could give us some of your time to support this community venture, please call either Lisa or Debbie on 01255 552010.