To: All Club and Charity Members
From: The Chairman and Board of Trustees
Date: 30 July 2025
Subject: Governance, Financial Model and Site Improvements – Chairman’s Statement & Member Update
Dear Members,
We wish to extend our sincere thanks for your continued commitment to the charity and your support for the developments undertaken since our recent Annual General Meeting.
Over the past several months, the trustees have been working diligently behind the scenes to place robust governance at the heart of our charity’s strategy. In alignment with Charity Commission best practice, we have prioritised sound financial stewardship, transparent communication and a unified operating model across all sporting sections.
We also welcomed Carol Morgan as a co-opted member for Ormesby who brings a wealth of local government experience to the board of trustees.
New Financial Model and Governance Framework
We are pleased to inform you that following a series of productive meetings between the trustees, section treasurers and respective chairpersons, a significant milestone has been achieved:
- We have moved away from the traditional capitation-based model and introduced a formal Licence Agreement and Legal Service Level Agreement (SLA) with each section.
- This is the first time in the charity’s history that such formal agreements have been implemented. They clearly define the working relationship, expectations and responsibilities between each section and the charity’s Board of Trustees.
These agreements were developed collaboratively and we are grateful to all sections for their constructive engagement, thoughtful questions and positive outlook during the transition. As a result, we are pleased to confirm that all sections have now paid their year-to-date (YTD) contributions, providing a solid financial foundation for the charity moving forward.
Charity Legal Status Update
The trustees continue to work diligently to resolve the complexities surrounding the charity’s legal status, which the current administration inherited. This process has needed extensive time and cost, legal review and strategic planning. While this work remains ongoing, we are encouraged by the progress made and we remain optimistic that a clear resolution will be reached in due course. Updates will be provided as matters develop.
Site Investments and Maintenance
Significant improvements have been made across the charity’s facilities, including:
- Roof repairs over the Rackets section.
- New shed facilities, gantry installation and pitch-end repairs installed for the Quoits section.
- Enhancements to the playing fields, including investment in high-quality seed, fertiliser and the installation of new watering facilities.
- Planned repairs to external doors , fencing and drainage covers to be conducted in August.
- Ongoing monthly compliance checks routinely conducted.
These improvements reflect our commitment to enhancing the user experience and protecting the long-term integrity of our site.
Strategic Projects and Future Plans
Looking ahead:
- Working with Nunthorpe Parish Council and Nunthorpe Community Council planning is well underway for our 60th Anniversary Celebration Event, which promises to be a flagship occasion for the community. Our aim is to make this bigger and better than our earlier successful VE Day celebration.
- The Padel Court Project continues to progress, and we remain hopeful of commencing groundworks in the near future.
- Plans are also being developed to modernise our door entry systems, allowing members to access facilities via smartphones and benefit from a more cloud based integrated membership experience through a centralised access platform.
- We are hopeful that in conjunction with Nunthorpe Athletic Junior Football club and The FA Football Foundation upgrades to our kitchen facilities will be further progressed and further updates on this exciting project will follow.
In closing, while there remains significant work ahead and no doubt some unknown obstacles, the trustees are confident that the charity is on a much stronger footing.
We deeply appreciate all the volunteers who give their valuable time and the support and flexibility shown by all sections during this important phase of change.
The collaborative spirit and shared commitment to the charity’s success are what continue to drive improvements across the board.
Thank you once again for your dedication to the charity and its mission. We look forward to updating you further as we continue to build a sustainable and vibrant future for all.
Warm regards,
Chris Foggin – Chairman
On behalf of the Trustees
Nunthorpe & Marton Playing Fields Association
Recent Comments