In the months since Scargill Movement acquired the property in April, a great deal of work has been done to develop a sustainable business plan for the future for Scargill as a prelude to defining a development project to provide the necessary facilities at Scargill for the forthcoming ministry. This work was started with the Council clarifying the mission and strategic objectives (see Vision statement).

The statement defines the ministry of Scargill which is the basis for business planning. The priority in business terms has been to demonstrate the financial viability and sustainability of Scargill and this has been achieved by the recent development of a realistic, balanced budget for Scargill in its completed form. The Council now believes that with income from a programme similar to that run in Devon by Lee Abbey, the development of youth activities including summer camps and support from churches in the North of England, a turnover in excess of £1m per annum can be generated. The business case is closely modelled on Lee Abbey, where viability has been demonstrated in business terms over many years. Although much has been done to complete the Scargill business plan, much remains to be done, especially in the identification and development of markets.

Since Scargill is a registered charity, the basis of funding is that new buildings, capital developments and bursaries etc will be funded through charitable giving including the start-up phase while Scargill gets re-established. However, in the medium term, ongoing revenue and day-to-day running costs must be covered by income from operations. Since Scargill was purchased by a mixture of loans and donations, there is a significant need for external funding, both from local fund-raising and major donations from trusts and grant-making bodies both to repay loans and to fund refurbishment and new developments. Progress on the development project will crucially depend on the cash flow from gifts and donations. A major fund-raising initiative is being launched this autumn.

A survey of the estate and property was carried out prior to purchase and from that a comprehensive work list has been generated of necessary repair and restoration to put Scargill into a satisfactory condition, including meeting the requirements of current legislation. In addition, there is a considerable need for the upgrading and improvement of Scargill as well as the provision of additional new facilities.

Last June, Scargill Movement appointed a resident Project Director, Simon Browning, who has the responsibility of overseeing this work. Recently, Halliday Clark of Shipley, who know Scargill well, have been appointed architects for the project.

The work is likely to be phased, the process of planning is to take more detailed shape early in September as meetings taking place with the architects.

With the establishment of a Scargill Director (Warden) by the end of 2009, the priority will be to establish a serving Christian Community in the spring of 2010 with a view to achieving a partial opening of Scargill House to guests in the summer of 2010. The development of a viable programme will be an important aspect of the work of the Director during spring 2010. Whilst the development project is proceeding, there will be the need for close liaison between the Project Director and the new Scargill Director with the formal transfer of site responsibility as the work is completed. The programme for all this work is still being developed with the architects.

Stephen Weatherley
Trustee, Scargill Movement
19th August 2009