Penicuik Community Development Trust

Letters and other documents (2006-07)

Financial records: issued 12th September 2006

For the first year, that is up to 13th May 2006, financial records were kept by the Treasurer, Anne Dalrymple, and the Secretary, Roger Hipkin. There was almost weekly oversight of the spreadsheet recording all financial transactions, so that both knew in detail of all activity. These financial records were the basis of the scrutiny by the Chartered Accountant Mr Ron Sheridan, who kindly donated his time and skills to the Trust and signed a Financial Statement of Account confirming the truth and accuracy of the Trust's financial records.

After the Annual General Meeting and election of Sheila Findlay as the new Treasurer, the form of record keeping changed. Although Mrs Findlay has so far not responded to our request to see a copy of the spreadsheet recording financial transaction for the period between 13th May and 17th August, there is absolutely no reason to suppose that any irregularities have taken place. In this period, the detailed record of income from Saturday Open House and a few minor items of expenditure have not yet been made available, but bank transactions are completely recorded. The bank deposits of £680 are broadly in line with expected income and the large payments correspond to the expected purchase of equipment for the Oral History Group after their Awards for All grant.

After August 17th 2006, Mrs Findlay unilaterally and quite unconstitutionally felt the need to have the Trust's Bank account frozen, persuading the bank of potential fraud. The items of income and liabilities at that period are recorded in a letter to Mrs Findlay sent just before the account was frozen. Their entries in the spreadsheet are preceded by the letter d and are items where cheques can neither be issued nor redeemed.

At the earlier Steering Committee meeting Mrs Findlay expressed concerns over the financing of the Postcard for Penicuik Project and she and Mr Macdonald subsequently conducted their own inquiry into the printing of the Annual Report. Both are fully accounted for in the Report prepared by the Secretary, with a detailed history of the Postcard for Penicuik Project given in the Appendix.

Income after August 17th is currently being entered into the continuation of the spreadsheet by the Secretary, under the scrutiny of the former Treasurer, Anne Dalrymple.

Statements from the Chair

Two statements from the Chair, the first issued on 26 Aug 2006 and a shorter version issued on 1st September 2006.


News - Events The Trust - Aims - Our story so far - Office bearers - Oral History - Links - Users - Records Penicuik - Cowan Institute - Buildings - History - People - Pentland Hills Feedback - Contacts - Guestbook		Letters and other documents (2006-07) Financial records: issued 12th September 2006 For the first year, that is up to 13th May 2006, financial records were kept by the Treasurer, Anne Dalrymple, and the Secretary, Roger Hipkin. There was almost weekly oversight of the spreadsheet recording all financial transactions, so that both knew in detail of all activity. These financial records were the basis of the scrutiny by the Chartered Accountant Mr Ron Sheridan, who kindly donated his time and skills to the Trust and signed a Financial Statement of Account confirming the truth and accuracy of the Trust's financial records. After the Annual General Meeting and election of Sheila Findlay as the new Treasurer, the form of record keeping changed. Although Mrs Findlay has so far not responded to our request to see a copy of the spreadsheet recording financial transaction for the period between 13th May and 17th August, there is absolutely no reason to suppose that any irregularities have taken place. In this period, the detailed record of income from Saturday Open House and a few minor items of expenditure have not yet been made available, but bank transactions are completely recorded. The bank deposits of £680 are broadly in line with expected income and the large payments correspond to the expected purchase of equipment for the Oral History Group after their Awards for All grant. After August 17th 2006, Mrs Findlay unilaterally and quite unconstitutionally felt the need to have the Trust's Bank account frozen, persuading the bank of potential fraud. The items of income and liabilities at that period are recorded in a letter to Mrs Findlay sent just before the account was frozen. Their entries in the spreadsheet are preceded by the letter `d` and are items where cheques can neither be issued nor redeemed. At the earlier Steering Committee meeting Mrs Findlay expressed concerns over the financing of the Postcard for Penicuik Project and she and Mr Macdonald subsequently conducted their own inquiry into the printing of the Annual Report. Both are fully accounted for in the Report prepared by the Secretary, with a detailed history of the Postcard for Penicuik Project given in the Appendix. Income after August 17th is currently being entered into the continuation of the spreadsheet by the Secretary, under the scrutiny of the former Treasurer, Anne Dalrymple. Statements from the Chair Two statements from the Chair, the first issued on 26 Aug 2006 and a shorter version issued on 1st September 2006.

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