Saturday 27 October 2012

LTT Strategy Review

It is no secret that the trustees of the Lancastrian Transport Trust (LTT) have found themselves under considerable pressure recently with ever falling levels of donations (the trust's primary source of income) due to the recession whilst costs have continued to increase. Highlights such as the return to service of the trust's "flagship" vehicle (Blackpool Coronation Tram 304) at Beamish have been countered by negative publicity surrounding the necessity of moving some of its other trams to temporary outside storage in Blackpool.

As a result of this the trustees themselves have made a decision to instigate a full independent review of all its activities with a view to developing, quickly, a strategy to deliver a sustainable future for its vehicles. The organisation needs to refocus on its key aims and objectives and to develop a business plan to move more quickly towards achievement of its key goals. 

This review will be led by Dave Holden. Dave will be working in conjunction with the existing Charity Trustees and other key individuals involved in the trust's activities. He has over twenty years experience in the fields of both vehicle preservation and public sector financial management. He was a Board Member of the North West Museum of Transport in St Helens for thirteen years, acting as Chairman for five years. He led the organisation through the period when its premises were being refurbished and when its collection of assets was reviewed in order to deliver a financially sustainable museum project for future generations to enjoy.

Areas to be considered as part of this review, so far identified, are as follows:

1) Existing and estimated future costs of premises for vehicle storage

2) Duplication of vehicle types within the collection

3) Duplication of vehicle types compared with others already deemed to be "preserved" elsewhere

4) Identification of the "core collection" of vehicles that best portray the transport heritage of the Fylde Coast

5) Ways of maximising donation income from supporters and the general public

6) Ways of increasing the profile of the trust and its activities

7) Ways to moved forward key projects to completion (eg: standard tram car 143)

8) Potential partnership working with other like minded organisations

9) Ways of obtaining commercial sponsorship to expedite certain restorations

10) Ways of generating more volunteer support to assist with the day to day running of the trust

Over the past fifteen years the trust has delivered some superb achievements (Coronation Car 304, OMO car 8, Blackpool PD3 529 for example) but has also, at times, struggled to cope with the demands that it places on the available free time of its trustees. This has, inevitably, resulted in certain difficulties that now need to be overcome to ensure that the organisation moves forward successfully.  

Further updates on the progress of the review will be published here on a regular basis.