2023-03-31-accounts - Lincolnshire Rural Activities Centre

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Chairman's Report 2023

Another year coming to an end and another year added to LRAC’s successful progress since it became a charity. It is interesting to note that the Charity LRAC was established on 30[th] December 1993. This then will be our 30[th] Anniversary. That the efforts to provide a suitable building for the two local Riding for the Disabled groups started a couple of years earlier, the 30 years of progress as a charity is therefore something of a milestone. A fitting tribute to those individuals who were involved from 1991 and to those trustees and the Charity’s staff who are still working to ensure we continue for another 30 years, at least.

There will be more work to do in the coming years but now is the opportunity to reflect on last year’s Anniversary efforts.

On a personal note, one of our achievements last year which warms my heart, has been the refurbishment of the Round House. Such an impressive structure that was beginning to show its age. Not from the Bronze and Iron Age, I hasten to add, but from when it was first constructed on site. It is pleasing to see that the structure remains in good condition and now it has had a short back and sides from a Master Thatcher, it looks as good as new or should that be old.

To maintain our environmental credentials, we have also been looking at the introduction of Solar Panels to improve our carbon footprint. That we also maintain prudent financial management in trying to secure the best deal has meant that we haven’t yet completed this particular project, but I am sure in the year to come this will be achieved.

On the issue of financial management, I would like to thank Matt, our treasurer for his continuous efforts to ensure we keep the books balanced. His efforts as always supported by the prudent administration of Sarah, our Centre Manager. Sarah continues to try and secure any funding streams that help maintain our existing resources and supports development of the site to meet the needs for the vulnerable groups who rely on this provision.

This year therefore has seen support from Tesco in the garden area, Heritage Lottery to refurbish the Round House and more recently a National Lottery fund for a Catalytic Kitchen – For Improving Lives, Saving Energy .

We have in place a funding application to the Lottery Partnership Fund which we understand has got through to the next round for approval. We await a successful outcome for Sarah’s efforts.

That finances are tight, and every effort has to be made to make the most of whatever money we generate, brings me to the topic of how the current Government seems to be working towards hindering our efforts to continue as a charity. This relates to the Red Diesel issue which continues for another year. We are no further forward in securing a positive outcome for the charity in being accepted that as a Charity providing Sporting Opportunities for Vulnerable groups, we are not financially disadvantaged by having to buy White Diesel when compared to our neighbours Kenwick Golf Club et al.

Despite trying to get support from our MP Victoria Atkins, her response and the progress in resolving this matter has been seemingly un-supportive, unhelpful and ponderously slow.

A second letter which has been forwarded to the treasury, sent early this year is still sitting in someone’s in tray. We waited six months for the first letter to be responded to. That first response from the Treasury official, was more content to repeat a series of platitudes and good advice than to address the core issue of the clear bias in favour of providing a dubious exemption to Golf Clubs than to a Charity providing Sporting/ Recreational activities to vulnerable groups. We await a further response but despite efforts to speed up the process of getting a response, it looks like we will be waiting another six months.

I spoke earlier about this being an Anniversary for LRAC and the need to look forward to further years as a vibrant and effective Charity. To do this we need to address the issue of future proofing our past and our current efforts by recruiting new and committed trustees onto the board. So again, a plea to existing trustees, that this year we make a concerted effort to try and recruit more trustees.

As always, I would like to thank the employees of the Charity for their conscientious and hard work in their respective roles in keeping the centre running.

To Sarah, our Centre Manager who as the sole manager, administrator and the ‘go to person’ to get things done, as usual trustees are profoundly grateful for the work she does. I would also like to thank our long serving and enduring Groundsman, Stuart. Without his efforts to keep the centre well maintained and functioning the centre would not consistently be looking so well cared for.

Just to note this year that following re assuming oversight of the direct management of the site and it’s activities from GIFHE the frequency of meetings has changed. We no longer meet on a monthly basis but now operate a quarterly cycle throughout the year. Should this arrangement prove unsatisfactory in terms of providing Trustee oversight I am sure we will make any appropriate adjustments to these arrangements.

So, another year ends and we strive towards another decade of progress and success. I hope that as a dedicated group of individuals/trustees we are all around and involved with the Charity as we hit that next milestone along this journey. Plus, I hope some new friends being recruited along the way.

Lincolnshire Rural Activities Centre Kenwick Hill Louth LNII 8NR Eastfield Low Church Road Middle Rasen Market Rasen 19/7/23 Lincs Dear Sirs LN8 3TY 07572540945 Independent Examination 2023 er cassellsaccountants.co.uk As requeste(L we have completed the examination of the accounts of the centre for the year ended 31/3/23. Our testing and ConfationS were carried out as per nornial practices. We were unable to confirnl the balances on the bank accounts at Virgin and Hampshire as these were not supplied. A copy of the accounts is enclosed, and your records can be collected from the office. Yours sincerely P A Yarnell Registered in England & Wales Company number 4769063 VAT number 801404778

Lincolnshire Rural Activities Centre Year ended 31/3/23 31/03/2023 31/03/2022 Income Grants Covid Grant Interest 97618.94 18906.00 0.00 0.00 76466.36 43995.00 1224.00 1712.23 Total income 116524.94 123397.59 Wages Telephone Heat & light Cleaning pps Repairs Misc 60385.06 1473.60 10520.63 9110.18 933.70 18210.38 15230.39 58377.80 1306.08 8514.84 1644.75 943.97 31199.86 13693.93 Total expenditure 115863.94 115681.23 Surplus for the year 661.00 7716.36 brought forward reserves 275176.09 267459.73 Reserves carried forward 275837.09 275176.09 Funded by Lloyds Cambridgeshire Virgin Hampshire Cash 91924.15 77806.09 31670.82 74359.06 76.97 91263.15 77806.09 31670.82 74359.06 76.97 Total funds 275837.09 275176.09 Examined & Approved by P A Yarnell BA(Hons) FCCA Cassells Limited 20/07/2023