News

    Tiptoe Green

August 2024

Tiptoe Green Trust – Have Your Say

The Tiptoe Green is a community space at the heart of Tiptoe.  More than anything, the Trustees want to ensure that the Green remains an amenity for the community as per the original purpose of the community securing the Green. 

Under the Charities Commission rules, it is the duty of any Trust to review its purpose. Recently the Tiptoe Green Trustees have been looking at options to ensure that the Trust and its objects are secure for the future.  The Tiptoe Green Trust’s objects are the following:

(i)  To provide and maintain in perpetuity the open space known as The Tiptoe Green as amenity land for the benefit of the community of Tiptoe. 

(ii)  To promote the conservation of the physical and natural environment of The Tiptoe Green by promoting the diversity of plant and animal life and to advance the education of the public in the same.

​

Background of the Tiptoe Green Trust

A field on Wootton Road in Tiptoe became available in 2008. A Tiptoe Green steering committee was formed and looked at ways to raise funds to purchase the land with the intention of turning it into a village green. They needed a legal structure to accept donations and apply for grants, and at the time, it was agreed that the best structure was a Charitable Trust.  This gave those donating funds and grants the confidence to invest in the project. As an unincorporated charity cannot hold a land title, Tiptoe Green is vested with The Official Custodian for Charities in trust for the Tiptoe Green Trust.

The Tiptoe Green has now been open and used as a village space for the past 13 years; after 20 years the Green can gain official Village Green status.

Current Administration of the Trust

The Tiptoe Green Trust is administered by the Trustees who have been granted powers through the Trust Deed to further the objects.  The Trustees are appointed from the Tiptoe village (5), Hordle Parish Council (2) as well as those with specialist experience (2) for the benefit of the Trust.  A minimum of five trustees are needed to operate the Trust. We currently have eight Trustees out of the nine available positions.

The Trustees meet on a periodic basis to further the management, maintenance and conservation of the Tiptoe Green, such as organising work parties, replacing broken infrastructure, community engagement, among others.  Regarding the administration of the Trust, since the inception, one Trustee, an accountant, manages the financial and insurance aspects of the Trust including submitting annual statements of accounts and an update of Trustees to the Charity Commission.  The Trustees also organise the two main fundraising events, the Quiz and the May Fayre.  This year has also been particularly active with a Hedge Laying Day, orchard planting with Tiptoe Primary School and a Village Cricket Match.  All this would not be possible without the support of our volunteers.

​

The Review

Having been in operation for 15 years, in early 2023, the Trustees felt it was the right time to review the legal structure of the Trust. A working party of Trustees was formed in May 2023 with the remit to explore options for the Trust’s future.  The two most suitable options being proposed for the village consultation are:

1. Village and Hordle Parish Council Trustees:

• Continue as it is with the Trust being administered and managed by Trustees both from the village and Hordle Parish Council

1. Corporate Trustee (Hordle and Sway Parish Councils):

• The principle entails the Councils becoming Corporate Trustees, replacing the current Trustees. The Councils would carry out the administration of the Trust with representation from the village.

With either option, the land of Tiptoe Green would remain with the Tiptoe Green Trust.

​

The Pros and Cons of Options 1 and 2

The Trustees have debated the following pros and cons of the two options. 

Option 1: Village and Hordle Parish Council Trustees.

Pros

• Village retains ultimate control of the Green

• Been successfully run for the past 13 years

• Community ownership, pride and care

• Small group dedicated to the benefit of the Green, able to make autonomous and quick decisions

• Control of the bank account and monies raised from fundraising

• People contributed specifically to establish a village Green, attracts donations and pro bono work in support of the Green

Cons

• Dependency of recruiting new Trustees

• Dependency of volunteers to participate in work parties and maintain the Green

• Legal liability of a Trustee as the Trust is currently structured

• Time required being a Trustee; attending meetings, discussing management and administration issues often in a contentious atmosphere (e.g. about the legal structure of the Trust)

​

Option 2:  Corporate Trustee (Hordle and Sway Parish Councils).

Pros

• Take on administration, insurance, health and safety, and expenses of running the Green

• Better able to manage new regulatory requirements such as GDPR

• Potential to draw on resources from two parish councils

• Potentially more people from the village, Hordle and Sway would come forward to be involved in a community group (eg Friends, Association)

• Potentially allows village representatives to devote more time improving quality of the Green for community and nature

• Current parish clerks are receptive to this option

Cons

• No longer named on the Trust document, local people lose ultimate control and powers stated in the Deed

• Legal fees and associated costs to transfer the Trust (from the Trust or Parish Council or combination)

• Potentially demotivates local people in becoming involved/ volunteering

• No clear need to hold fundraising events (e.g. Quiz/May Fayre); ie to support the Green

• Dealing with two councils (potential conflicts)

• Would need council permission/ approval, potentially more bureaucratic and fees

• Bank account (current/from future fund raising) held by council, would need to ask for monies for events/replacements/improvements

• Setting up something new such as a Friends or Community Association

• Unclear how councillors will select village representation, raise volunteers, hold events. Full details of this option would need to be agreed.

What are your views on the options?

The Trustees would like to ask the village for their views on this review and the two options being proposed. We would like you to consider:

• What would be your preferred option for the Green going forward (option 1 or option 2)?

• Are there additional pros and cons for each option that should be taken into account?

• Would you be able to offer any support to the Trust by becoming a Trustee or volunteering in other ways?

• Do you have any other ideas or comments on the amenities, management and conservation of Tiptoe Green that you would like to add?

Meet the Trustees

A drop-in consultation took place for all Tiptoe residents to have a chat with the Trustees about these two options on Monday, October 14th at the Young Farmer’s Club. Representatives from Hordle and Sway Parish Councils were available to answer questions.

​

The Review Decision

The consultation has now closed, and The Trustees will make the final decision in November taking the views of the village into consideration.  Whatever the Trustees decide, it will be in the best interests of the Trust and its objects. The Village will be updated in the Winter edition of Tiptoe News as well as through the website (https://www.tiptoegreentrust.org) and social media (Facebook).

​

Thank you for your kind consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.

*****************************

​​

June 2024: 

Summer has arrived and with it some more wild flowers on the Green including in the hedgerows.  The Green has also dried out sufficiently for the central area to be mowed and was just about ready to support the very successful May Fayre!

​

The hedge that was laid on 3 March is now sprouting leaves and is looking good.  It has now been supplemented with some hedgerow trees, and wildflowers have been planted along that edge of the Green.  In addition, the Community Orchard near the main gate has received some welcome additions thanks to the efforts of the CPRE, the Hampshire Forest Partnership and local children who did an amazing job of planting the new fruit trees - see photos below.

​

Work is continuing on updating the management plan (see link below) in line with advice received from Bob Lord about enhancing both wildlife interest and use of the Green by local people.  You can see the report from Bob Lord (link below) outlining some possible ways the Green could be organised.  A particular priority is the wildlife area which has become overgrown with brambles and scrub. Work is also needed to maintain the path.