The Bedfont Lakes Trust Panel met to approve the audited accounts for the Trust Fund for 2023/24, and to consider the proposed budget for 2025/26. Also included for discussion was the auditor's report on the Trust’s accounts for 2023/24.

Bedfont Lakes Trust Fund Budget 2025/26

The Trust Fund exists to promote public recreation and education at Bedfont Lakes Country Park. The park is managed day-to-day by Lampton 360, a company wholly owned by the council, and the Trust Fund pays for the maintenance of the park using the proceeds of a portfolio of investments managed by Cazenove.

The panel was scheduled to approve the Trust's budget for 2025/26. It was noted that the Trust had run a small deficit of £5,325 in 2023/24, but this was offset by a gain on the Trust’s investments of £298,962. The report noted:

The revaluation gains were reflective of worldwide investment market performance, which has improved over the last year and the funds invested have followed this trend.
—“BL Budget Report for year to 31 March 2026”, p. 3.

The report proposed a budget of £265,418 for 2025/26, a significant increase over the £243,676 spent in 2023/24. This was attributed in part to an expected increase in the costs of park maintenance. The report also predicted that income from the Trust’s investments would fall. The report concluded by noting:

The income generated by the investment fund will not meet the 24-25 budgeted income, however there is £500k approx. in the Bedfont Trust bank account as at November 2024 which could absorb any cash shortfall.
—“BL Budget Report for year to 31 March 2026”, p. 3.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair for the Municipal Year 2024-25

The Trust was scheduled to appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair for 2024-25.

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 21 November 2023

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2023 were scheduled to be agreed.

Auditor's Report to the Trustees

The panel was scheduled to consider a report of the Trust’s finances from Clemence Hoar Cummings, the Trust’s auditors.