Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1/1/2023 Period start date To 31/12/2023 Period end date
Charity name: Bumble Hole Conservation Group Charity registration number: 1054674
Objectives and Activities
| Objectives and Activities | Objectives and Activities | Objectives and Activities |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 The Object of Bumble Hole Conservation Group (BHCG) as outlined in the Constitution is: For the public benefit, to conserve, develop, and enhance the flora, fauna and heritage of Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Local Nature Reserves by educating and informing visitors about conservation and the heritage of the reserves, and encouraging involvement in the care of the reserves by being fully inclusive of the local community and reflecting its diversity. |
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| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Visitor Centre,located at Bumble Hole,is the headquarters for BHCG. The premises are provided by Dudley MBC on a long-term lease. Activities on the Reserves are co- ordinated from the Visitor Centre. These include litter picking across the site, landscape management, removing fallen trees, planting wild flowers and bulbs, weeding pathways and steps and mowing towpaths as required. There are established line of communication with DMBC and SMBC where issues beyond the capabilities of the volunteers can be reported. The Visitor Centre is open to the public from 10-2 on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and additionally on Fridays during school holidays – subject to there being sufficient volunteers available to safely open the Centre. Hot drinks and refreshments are sold for fundraising purposes, along with small souvenirs – key rings, canal boats, calendars, Christmas cards etc. There are several items of local history on display and reference books for members of the public to use. |
| The current Trustees were appointed in April 2023. Membership stood at 73 and grew to c140 by the end of 2023. The Visitor Centre had its Silver Jubilee which was celebrated by a cake sale and BUGS Ukelele Band performing for the members. The Black Country Boating Festival in September was an exceptional fundraiser for BHCG with sales of crafts, cakes, toys and jigsaws. Charitable events were held in the year for both Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer Research. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have regard to the guidance on public benefit. Now the Visitor Centre is open on a regular basis, the local community enjoy using the Centre for meeting up. The volunteer base has also grown and there is a strong community feel being generated. Local walking groups, canal boat owners, boat trips and Let’s Fish events hosted by Canal and River Trust (CRT) have all benefited from using the facilities in the Visitor Centre. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
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SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38
Policy on social investment Para 1.38
including program related
investment
Without volunteers, BHCG would cease
Para 1.38 to exist. The team undertake a variety
Contribution made by of activities. Outside on the Reserve
volunteers they litter pick, plant, weed and maintain
the site. Once they have received
training on power tools, they can use
the equipment purchased by the charity
for strimming, hedge trimming, mowing
etc. When there is a Trustee available to
lead activities, these occur daily from
10-12. Inside the Visitor Centre,
volunteers make drinks, keep the centre
clean, chat with the visitors and provide
information on local heritage.
All volunteers are provided with
equipment needed, along with
protective clothing and footwear. The
uniform provided includes polo shirts
and fleeces.
Other
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Achievements and Performance
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SORP reference
BHCG made a loss in first 3 months of
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| Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| BHCG made a loss in first 3 months of | ||
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | 2023 and the Charity would have closed as the incumbent Trustees all resigned at an EGM held on 13 March. 6 new Trustees put their names forward and were elected at the AGM on 1 April. Starting from a zero handover, the new Trustees were grateful for the support of Dudley CVS providing training on the essential duties of a Trustee. In the 9 months since April, the Trustees have met regularly, put systems in place, reviewed risk assessments and improved the facilities within the Visitor Centre including WiFi and card payments. This was a welcome addition for many visitors. Members of BHCG and the general public have benefited from the consistent opening of the Visitor Centre. Plans for future improvements to the Centre and to provide more events such as guided walks and local community group involvement were discussed for implementation in 2024. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 At 31 December 2023, the amount of
financial position at the end income over expenditure stood at
of the period £12,664.81. For the same period in 2022,
the figure was £3,102 so the newly
appointed Trustees were very pleased
that their efforts to engage with the local
community were being successful as
demonstrated by the strong
performance of both sales and increase
in membership.
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 All funds held within the BHCG Bank
policy for holding reserves Account are classed as reserves. No
stating why they are held individual Trustee can sanction any
spend in excess of £200 without getting
full agreement from all Trustees.
There is a strong likelihood that on
lease renewal, DMBC will change the
lease to a fully-repairing lease and the
charity will then be wholly responsible
for the building and its maintenance. A
level of reserves will be needed to be
ringfenced to cover any emergency
repairs, for example roof leaks,
electrical faults etc.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £61,587.44
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 Not Applicable
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 Not Applicable
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 None
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
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Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are appointed by the Members of the BHCG at the AGM. Existing Trustees must resign and put themselves forward for re-election at each AGM. Additional Trustees can be appointed by the Trustees – again, these Trustees must resign at the next AGM. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
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Charity name Bumble Hole Conservation Group
Other name the charity uses N/A
Registered charity number 1054674
Charity’s principal address Visitor Centre
Windmill End
Netherton
Dudley
DY2 9HU
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Brenda Myers Chair 1/4/23 – 31/12/23 Membership at AGM
2 Jayne Walker Vice Chair 1/4/23 – 31/12/23 Membership at AGM
3 Angela O’Shea Treasurer 1/4/23 - 31/12/23 Membership at AGM
4 Kirsty Roberts Secretary 1/4/23 – 26/7/23 Membership at AGM
5 Ann Horton Secretary 1/4/23 – 31/12/23 Membership at AGM
6 Tess Phillips-Silk 1/4/23 – 31/12/23 Membership at AGM
7 Maureen Tierney 19/10/23 – 31/12/23 Trustee Appointment
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– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s) ~~mein~~ Full name(s) Ann Horton Position (eg Secretary, Secretary Chair, etc) Date 23rd October 2024
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination of the books no matters of concern have come to my attention. Therefore I believe that the Statement of Accounts is a true and fair representation
of the finances of Bumble Hole Conservation Group for the year ending 31st December 2023.
STATEMENT of ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st December 2023
Neil Roberts 95a St Peters Road, Netherton, Dudley. DY2 9HN 8th February 2024
Reg. Charity Number 1054674
STATEMENT OF INCOME and EXPENDITURE
12 Months to 31st December 2023
BALANCE SHEET
at 31st December 2023
RECEIPTS
Takings and Items Resold 29806.65 Donations and Memberships 1439.65 Canal & River Trust 190.70 Insurance Refund 621.85 TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 32058.85
PAYMENTS
| Items for Resale | 8427.68 |
|---|---|
| Donations | 2452.00 |
| Training | 270.60 |
| Utilities | 2175.32 |
| Insurance | 215.05 |
| Office Equipment and Sundry Expenses | 1919.10 |
| Maintenance | 479.10 |
| Outdoor Expenses | 1610.73 |
| Uniforms | 1383.40 |
| Ukulele Band Hire | 420.00 |
| Sum Up Card Charges | 41.06 |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | £ 19394.04 |
| Amount of Income over Expenditure | £ 12664.81 |
| Balance at 1st January 2023 | 48922.63 |
|---|---|
| Plus Income over Expenditure | 12664.81 |
| Balance at 31st December 2023 | £ 61587.44 |
BALANCES IN HAND at 31st DECEMBER 2023 Balance at Bank 61327.44 Cash in Hand 260.00 £ 61587.44
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination of the books no matters of concern have come to my attention. Therefore I believe that the Statement of Accounts is a true and fair representation
of the finances of Bumble Hole Conservation Group for the year ending 31st December 2023.
STATEMENT of ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st December 2023
Neil Roberts 95a St Peters Road, Netherton, Dudley. DY2 9HN 8th February 2024
Reg. Charity Number 1054674
STATEMENT OF INCOME and EXPENDITURE
12 Months to 31st December 2023
BALANCE SHEET
at 31st December 2023
RECEIPTS
Takings and Items Resold 29806.65 Donations and Memberships 1439.65 Canal & River Trust 190.70 Insurance Refund 621.85 TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 32058.85
PAYMENTS
| Items for Resale | 8427.68 |
|---|---|
| Donations | 2452.00 |
| Training | 270.60 |
| Utilities | 2175.32 |
| Insurance | 215.05 |
| Office Equipment and Sundry Expenses | 1919.10 |
| Maintenance | 479.10 |
| Outdoor Expenses | 1610.73 |
| Uniforms | 1383.40 |
| Ukulele Band Hire | 420.00 |
| Sum Up Card Charges | 41.06 |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | £ 19394.04 |
| Amount of Income over Expenditure | £ 12664.81 |
| Balance at 1st January 2023 | 48922.63 |
|---|---|
| Plus Income over Expenditure | 12664.81 |
| Balance at 31st December 2023 | £ 61587.44 |
BALANCES IN HAND at 31st DECEMBER 2023 Balance at Bank 61327.44 Cash in Hand 260.00 £ 61587.44