Dr Ian M Varndell Chairman, Devon Gardens Trust Board Member, The Gardens Trust

Charitable companies limited by guarantee, established for many years operating in the same space – the designed landscape – with very similar Aims and charitable Objects. Each managed by a board of Trustees. Reliant on volunteers. A recent history of working together – JCC – HLP etc. Umbrella organisation with 35 affiliated CGTs Independent organisation with 1200+ members Members are individually constituted and varied Members of a single organisation Research/conservation varies; frequently high quality Research is academic & sometimes esoteric Some CGTs engage with planning Statutory consultee for gardens and parks Significant funding from Historic England (EH) Significant funding from Historic England (EH) Volunteer base Some paid employees, insufficient to meet ‘obligations’ Both organisations identified a reduction in external core funding – PSR – limited alternatives

Perceived benefits of a merger Perceived problems of a merger A single entity protecting and promoting the designed landscape – clearer for LPAs, funders, heritage policy makers Likelihood of retaining some external funding to support core activities A large volunteer base to respond to planning applications affecting local designed landscapes A stronger platform for the Statutory Consultee Cost saving Perceived problems of a merger The two organisations followed own interests for many years with certain degree of animosity 1200+ individual members paying £35 min. (GHS) vs. 35 CGT members paying fee + capitation Several publications annually (GHS) vs. Yearbook and occasional publications (AGT) “GHS taking over the AGT to get CGTs to do for free what the GHS should be doing with paid staff”

Background to the Merger of the GHS and AGT 2010 Discussions on how to work more closely together begin 2012 ‘Working Together’ strategy commences – JCC and HLP being key successes 2013 Project Board tasked with negotiating the details of the merger 2014 Vote ‘in principle’ to merge agreed at the AGMs of both organisations 2014 Transitional Board tasked with structuring the legal framework for the merger the Name | the Articles of Association | the Initial Business Plan | the Initial Financials 2014 Merger website created and publicised | Consultations commenced 2015 Vote to merge agreed at the AGT and GHS AGMs in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (24 July) 24 CGTs in favour 7 CGTs against 1 CGT abstained 3 CGTs did not engage 2015 First Board of 12 voted in en masse – equal representation from CGTs and GHS (24 July) 2015 Interim website – www.thegardenstrust.org launched (31 July) 2015 First Full Board meeting (16 September)

The main concerns Why the need to merge to create a single organisation? Name – The Gardens Trust Benefits of membership The Business Plan Statutory Consultee status What is expected – or worse – assumed that the CGTs will perform If you have other issues please raise them for discussion

Why the need? The designed landscape is under increasing pressure from unsympathetic development – housing, infrastructure, power sources (fracking, wind turbines, solar farms) and a passionate, vociferous group, able to share and learn from cases around the country makes for a stronger voice to minimise impact. A single unified voice for the designed landscape is important when dealing with planners (LPAs, HER), policy makers (at local, regional and national level) and other ‘like-minded’ groups with whom we may need/wish to collaborate, e.g. CPRE, Natural England, the Heritage Alliance, CB300, CBF16, HHA, NT, WT, CWTs, Georgian Society etc. Central funding for heritage is under threat – the 2015 PSR is likely to impact Historic England and in turn this will result in less funding for groups, programmes and projects. It is also wrong to believe that HE can – or should – support the same organisations indefinitely. Fundraising is a priority for The Gardens Trust and, together, a more compelling case for potential funders is made

Why the name? The name for the new Trust was always going to be emotive. The Transitional Committee took the view that it should be: Short and simple with no competing abbreviation Should have gravitas and be memorable The GHS specifically requested that ‘History’ or ‘Heritage’ should NOT appear in the name The objects include supporting the creation of new gardens, not just historic landscapes Not restricted by national boundaries Appropriate URL must be available THE GARDENS TRUST was selected

Benefits of membership Must not be reduced and, if possible, should be enhanced It was agreed early on that the annual subscription for CGTs to join the new Trust, and the capitation fee should not be increased….. Thus, any enhancement in benefits to CGTs must be resourced from reserves, from the GHS membership, or from third parties CGTs will receive 5-6 copies of publications prepared for, and distributed to, Individual Members (= enhanced membership for CGT members) CGTs are, by affiliation to The Gardens Trust, able to claim “association” with the Statutory Consultee (wording to be approved)

The Business Plan The Transitional Committee had no executive authority to impose a financial burden on the First Board, but it was imperative that a business plan was created to set the task for the First Board, hence a one year plan was produced It would have been disingenuous to take two organisations with static or declining reserves and show that merging would, in the first year, return the new organisation to surplus for the following reasons: Direct costs of merging Legal fees, advisory costs regarding employment etc. Creation of a new website and rebranding all publications Indirect costs Project and Transitional Committee travel It is the First Board’s intention to work towards cashflow neutrality, with initiatives to cut costs and raise funding where it is appropriate for the Aims and Objects to be promoted

Statutory Consultee status There is no central funding for Statutory Consultees The Department of Communities and Local Government has added THE GARDENS TRUST to the list of Statutory Consultees as the successor organisation of the Garden History Society Leaflet………..

What do we hope the CGTs will do Support TGT in the same way that you supported the AGT Help TGT to preserve and protect the designed landscape in each county and country by responding to planning applications that will continue to be notified via the Casework Log Help TGT and HLP to measure the success of involvement by notifying the Casework Officer of responses and outcomes Help TGT to publicise successes and failures via TGT website, publications, social media etc. Tell TGT what you “need” – we cannot promise anything other than we will listen and consider, but it is important we understand what the barriers are (if any)

My contact details Ian Varndell membership@thegardenstrust.org chair@devongardenstrust.org.uk 07769 335506