Why should I be a member of the Whitstable Improvement Trust?

We strive to have a strong membership comprising a cross section of the community. There are no membership fees, just a simple annual registration, although donations are always welcome.

As a member you will be encouraged to suggest ways to improve the town and provide benefits to the community. You will also help promote the assistance we offer to local groups in achieving their own individual aims. Our members are important to us, they care about Whitstable and find their involvement in our work most rewarding.

Members are in a position to hold to account the Board of Trustees at Annual General Meetings through open debate and the election of Board members every year.

You are also entitled to stand for election to the Board of Trustees at Annual General Meetings, which will enable you to help control the management of the Trust’s funds.

The Trust manages funds from four sources.

• Rent from leasing the property in Harbour Street.
• Grant funding for specific projects.
• Contributions.
• Existing reserves and investments.

These funds enable the Trust to undertake its own initiatives or to provide assistance, in the form of small grants and/or advice, to chosen local organisations wishing to undertake projects of their own. In both instances, such initiatives must meet some or all of the Trust’s prime charitable objectives as follows.

• To promote for the public benefit the preservation, protection, development and improvement of buildings, land or features of particular beauty or historical, architectural or public interest in or around Whitstable.
• To promote the education of the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture and in particular of young people in the environmental studies in Whitstable.
• To promote any other charitable purpose in Whitstable.

The success of the Trust is totally dependent on a strong membership without which it would be unable to function.  This would be a sad loss to the local community.

If you would like to become a member of the Whitstable Improvement Trust download a membership application form. Should you prefer to talk to somebody to discuss becoming a member please contact us.