15th April 2024

 Duloe Community Shop (CIC) AGM 2024 Chairman's Report

 The period 2023/24 has been a year of transition and change for the Community Shop whilst maintaining and enhancing the value service to the residents and visitors of Duloe and the surrounding area.
 The first change followed the decision of the former Chairman Tony Barrett to stand down along with a number of the then committee members including Andrea Barrett, Anne Blackwell and John Geach and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their hard work and efforts in making the shop the success it is and further send our best wishes to Tony and Andrea and looking forward to her returning as a volunteer.
 Following my appointment along with new committee members Jeanette Turpin, Lorna Harris, Carrie Richards and Lynda Rigler (Secretary) alongside the existing members John Massey (Deputy Chair), Derek Hilton, Tania Beaumont and Jackie Hayden, our first task was to appoint a new member of staff in anticipation of the retirement of Jim Eames.
 Following an extensive series of interviews Emma Hawke was appointed and became a valued and much liked member of the team alongside Mandy.
 Following Jim's decision to retire as Manager on 8th November 2023 and following an approach from Mandy and Emma the committee agreed to their appointment as Joint Shop Managers sharing the daily responsibility for the day to day running of the shop.
Unfortunately due to health reasons earlier this year Emma has had to step down and left the employ of the shop on 22 March, we would like to wish her well and hope that she will be able to join us a volunteer when her health improves.
 Fortunately we had a volunteer and committee member waiting in the wings and Carrie Richards stepped into the role and now assumes the position of Joint Shop Manager with Mandy and we wish her well for the future as part of the team.
 The committee would like to take this opportunity to extend its thanks to Jim (along with his wife Sue) from the members, volunteers and the wider community for all all his hard work over many years in both establishing and making the shop a success and especially in keeping it going during difficult times in 2020/21. We all wish him well and hope he enjoys the free time he now has, however he remains an important part of the team and will work one day a week and provide cover when and if required, so not total freedom quite yet.
I would also confirm that Lynda Rigler has stood down from her position of Secretary and Jeanette Turpin has kindly accepted that position with immediate effect.
As you will hear from Derek the shop continues to trade profitably and has developed reserves and the main focus of the new committee has been to ensure that the reserves are preserved to cover future expenses and maintenance of the shop, however we are pleased to confirm that we have also been able to make contributions and donations to a number of local community based organisations including £1000.00 in 2023 to Duloe Community Fund which provides financial support to all 16/18 year olds living within the Duloe Parish and helps with costs associated with transferring from full time education into College or Apprenticeship. 
The committee further hopes to make a similar donation in 2024 if asked £1500.00 over 3 years to support and provide clothing and contribution to insurance for the Duloe Short Mat Bowls Club. The club is very successful being League Champions and Ray Francis Cup Champions for the last 3 Years and Beddington Cup Finalists once again this year and we hope that this money will help ensure their continued success.
 £768.00 to provide new playing shirts for the Duloe Cricket Team so that they can look smart when they win the league again in the coming season.
 The committee have also agreed in principle to provide up to £10,000 towards the cost of the installation of solar panels on the Jubilee Hall roof, following recent high energy costs this is an important project to ensure that the Hall, Marquee Bar and Shop has a sustainable future.   The project is being led by the Hall Committee and is currently being assessed for best option and match funding from Cornwall Council. Further details will be given when available. Finally we are pleased to confirm that we were able to make a series of smaller donations in cash and kind to a number of local groups including:
 1. Paying for the Christmas Tree located outside the Jubilee Hall and around which Carols were once again sung this year.
 2. Providing prizes for the Quiz Evenings supporting various local and national charities.
 3. Produce Cricket Club teas.
 4. Support for the Cancer Research Relay for Life.
​ 5. Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch.
 6. Senior Citizens Christmas Hampers.
7. Uncle Dave's Sunday Roast for local charities In addition we are looking to support the Church Fete and Liskeard Relay for Life in the coming months.
Looking forward we face a number of challenges including recruiting additional committee members (Carrie had to step down as employees cannot be committee members) and more importantly volunteers for the shop as without them the shop cannot function. therefore if anyone would like to or knows anyone who may wish to join the team please just let Mandy or Carrie know. 
 In addition during these difficult financial times we will actively look to provide lower cost products wherever possible, however due to the small volumes this can prove challenging and it is important that we continue to maintain our quality and support to local suppliers.
 In conclusion 2022/23 was a good year as shown by the certified accounts which Derek will shortly present and the current year to date turnover of £253,885 net of VAT as of 24th March with a projected year end figure of around £290,000 against 22/23 full year figure of £281,310 net of VAT, therefore looking as if we will exceed the 22/23 figure by a small margin, however increasing costs will impact on profits and therefore availability of disposable funds may be affected. However the shop continues to be a valuable resource for the Village and surrounding area and as a Charity will endeavour to support and make contributions wherever possible.