Trustee Annual Report for the Financial Year 1[st] April 2025 to 31[st] March 2026
Introduction
The Derwent Valley Trust CIO is a registered charity number 1058609. The Derwent Valley Trust was converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 20 January 2023.
The Trustees, as of 1[st] April, 2025, were:
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Derek James Latham (Chair)
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Dr John Joseph Hambley (Chair Cycleway)
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Dr David John Moreton (Heritage Way and Treasurer)
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Jim Bosworth (Secretary)
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Dr Tanya Spilsbury (West Bank Project Manager)
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Timothy John Wilmshurst (Vice Chair & West Bank Project Manager)
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Alan Mellor (Paddle Peak)
Purpose and Main Activities of the Charity
The Derwent Valley Trust was founded in 1996. It is exclusively charitable and the objects of the trust are amongst other things to enable and encourage active travel and to identify, preserve and enhance, for the public benefit, the area comprised in the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire and the abutment area and whatever natural, historical, cultural, geological, architectural and constructional heritage may exist in the area of benefit.
The trust established the Derwent Valley Heritage Way in 2003 which enables the public to benefit from the experience and exercise when walking along this trail.
The trust has also actively promoted the potential to develop an off-road multi-user trail (for cycling, walking, mobility vehicles and horse-riding) to be known as the Derwent Valley Cycleway from the old port of Shardlow to Hathersage, a paddle trail down the length of the River Derwent and a horse trail to extend the Pennine Bridleway to Derby. The trust partners with other organisations to achieve these goals.
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Structure, Governance and Management
The governing document of the Charity is a constitution which was last amended on 20[th] January 2023.
The Derwent Valley Trust is a small charity with responsibilities clearly defined, between the trustees and other members, to set objectives, plan implementation, track progress and to deliver. The Board of the charity meets once every three months and the Steering Group every six weeks. The Board comprises the trustees and the Steering Group comprises the trustees plus any other members with specific responsibilities. Minutes are prepared, circulated and approved for each of the meetings and this includes important meetings with third parties.
Financial Policies and Financial Review
At the 31st of March 2026 the Trust had £ 6,921.82 credit; there were no restricted funds.
During the financial year under review, the Charity did not hold any funds as custodian trustee for others.
The charity continues to keep up to date with its responsibilities and current financial controls.
Achievement and Performance
The Steering Group focused on tracking progress and recommending corrective measures to progress towards the main deliverables for the charity in terms of creating a new trail along the Derwent Valley, maintaining and promoting the Heritage Way and to developing Strategic Partnerships and governance.
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Derbyshire County Council (DCC): funded a study, by Aecom, on the feasibility of constructing the Derwent Valley Cycleway .
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Belper West Bank : a section of the Derwent Valley Cycleway, has continued to be a priority for the trust and planning permission, has now been granted.
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The Heritage Way (HW) : the established network of Rangers continued to work well, with regular inspections of the Heritage Way leading to a well maintained and signposted route. Biennial reports by the Rangers, covering the route, are compiled. Sales of the HW guidebook continued to be an important source of income.
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Paddle Trail: (a representative from Paddle Peak, a separate charity, is a Board
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Member) worked on various initiatives including a proposed “Joint Community on the River”, and a “Paddlers Code”.
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Communications: The Derwent Valley Trust newsletter, web site and participation in relevant local shows were used to promote the trust, communicate its aims and activities, and recruit new supporters.
The Directors very much appreciate:
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Support in kind by the county, local and parish councils.
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The substantial contribution of Lubrizol to a range of initiatives
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The support of volunteers.
Financial summary 1[st] April 2025 – 31[st] March 2026
On 1[st] April 2025 we had £1,290.54 credit.
On 31[st] March 2026 we had £6,921.82 credit
Over the period, the trust had income of £6,680.77
Income:
£3,243.15 crowdfunding receipts
£1,945.65 Derwent Valley Heritage Way guidebook sales
£966.24 grant from Lubrizol Ltd to help towards ecology survey needed for Belper West Bank cycle path planning application
£460.73 Easyfundraising
£65.00 Derwent Valley Heritage Way completion badge sales
Over the accounting period, the Trust had expenses of £1,049.49
Expenses
£436.49 Derwent Valley Heritage Way guidebook P&P
£397.60 Insurance
£215.40 Meeting room bookings
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All projects, carried out by the Derwent Valley Trust, enhance the Social Capital value of the Derwent Valley and the wider community of Derbyshire. The trustees continue to have due regard for their duty to comply with guidance of the Charity Commission on public benefit in the exercise of their powers or duties.
Signature
Derek Latham
Chair of Derwent Valley Trust CIO
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