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← CanalAbility

2025-03-31-accounts

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Registered number 05246504

CanalAbility

Report and Unaudited Accounts

31 March 2025

DOUGLAS JONES PHILLIPS LTD

Accountants

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Contents

Contents
Page
Legal & Administrative information 2
Foreword by Chair of Trustees 3
Principle Activities and Charitable Aims 4
Objectives and Activities for the Public Benefit 4
Trustees Report
- Trustees 5
- Statement of Trustee Responsibilities 6
- Employment Policy 6
- Activities and Achievements 7
- Governance and Internal Control 8
Financial Review (including reserves)
- Statement of Financial Activities 9
- Income and Expenditure Account 10
- Balance Sheet 11, 12
- Independent Examiners Report 13
- Notes to the Financial Statements 14, 15, 16, 17

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Legal and Administrative Information

Trustees M Balkham
I Ramsay
C Fraser
B Seaton
R Bishop
Company Secretary C Fraser
Company number 5246504
Charity number 1108452
Registered office Lock View
Burnt Mill Lane
Harlow
Essex
CM20 2QS
Bankers HSBC Bank PLC
Canada Place
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5AH

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Foreword by Chair of Trustees

I am proud to have this opportunity to reflect on the many achievements of our charity during the year 2024/25.

Here at CanalAbility we place great importance on the broad range of strong partnerships that make it possible to achieve our goals. Our work with local community groups, charities, families and others is only possible due to the high standards of professionalism and care that trustees, staff and volunteers demonstrate in all of our interactions with clients and partners.

We recognise that disability is a wide-ranging set of conditions and alongside ever-changing demographics the needs of disabled or disadvantaged people constantly change over time. We are driven to be as responsive to these needs as possible, continually improve our offer and attract as many new and returning clients as possible Coupled with strong governance and a clear, strategic direction this enables us to focus on achieving those goals.

That direction is embodied in our Taking Stock and Moving Forward Strategy, launched in October 2022, which clearly stated our aim to purchase a new, electrically-powered boat. Since being advised by The National Lottery Community Fund that our bid had been successful, our “Electric Avenue” Project Team has worked hard to complete the legal work and specifications which has seen us receive the first instalment of funding and place our order to confirm our build slot in October of this year. We are hopeful of a launch in Spring of 2026.

This project aligns with our commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact while increasing the availability of trips for those who benefit from the wonderful experiences our charity provides to its clients.

CanalAbility sincerely appreciates the invaluable legal support and guidance provided by maritime law specialists, HFW, which has played a key role in helping us navigate important milestones, including our electric boat project.

On the subject of volunteers, this year they gave in excess of 7,500 hours of their time supporting CanalAbility with crewing, boat and mooring maintenance and vital administration. This extraordinary commitment is essential to our operation and we know that we could not exist without them. This dedication allows our organisation to function to the highest standards and a huge debt of gratitude is owed to all our volunteers.

This outstanding support allowed us to provide over 230 trips and help more than 2,500 people benefit from the mental and physical health benefits of getting out on the water. It also ensures that we are well positioned to plan and develop more opportunities for our communities to enjoy those therapeutic benefits. The open air, gentle cruising and surrounding nature are beneficial to our clients and volunteers alike.

This year I will end by restating my commitment to our exciting vision of the future for CanalAbility, towards which I am supported by my Trustee colleagues on the board and our inspiring General Manager, Doreen Goodall.

Marc Balkham Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Principal Activities and Charitable Aims

The principal activity and charitable aim of the company is the provision of recreational and leisure facilities associated with canal boats, for people who by reason of their disability, youth, social or economic circumstances have need of such facilities, in order to improve their spiritual, mental and physical well-being. This is achieved by providing holidays, short breaks and day trips on specially adapted canal boats.

Objectives and Activities for the Public Benefit

The Charities Commission guidance on public benefit has been considered by Trustees and is a focus in ensuring that CanalAbility (the Charity) delivers its aims and objectives whilst complying with that guidance.

The Charity operates to make boating activities on the inland waterways accessible to people with disabilities and to community groups, enabling them to achieve the benefits and enjoyment such activities provide. The benefits include building confidence, motivation and personal development by empowering our users – especially those with disabilities – to achievements and aspirations not otherwise available. An appreciation and understanding of the river is encouraged and simply being ‘on the river’ delivers a spiritual and mental wellbeing.

The Charity operates three boats to provide day trips and holidays and short breaks. Users are encouraged to take an active part in the boating activities and a range of specialist equipment is provided to enable this for people with a wide range of disabilities. Our users include hospices, care homes, members of disability support groups, families, community groups and educational establishments.

To cover its operating costs, the Charity relies on grants and donations as well as the fees charged for the boats and facilities offered. In setting the level of fees Trustees give careful consideration to the accessibility to the services by those on low income.

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Trustees Report

Trustees

The directors of the charity are its Trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the Trustees. CanalAbility has a board of Trustees who meet regularly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity.

Marc Balkham Chair of Trustees

Re-elected October 2022

Marc decided to become a trustee after meeting with the people who work and volunteer for CanalAbility to promote positive experiences for the local community. His other big passion is music and Marc runs music projects for young adults with learning difficulties.

Ian Ramsay

Director of Fleet & Site Re-elected October 2024

Ian joined CanalAbility in 2011 having found us online when looking for a canal boat holiday for a friend in a wheelchair. In January 2016 he took over as co-opted Trustee for fleeting and moorings. Before retiring, Ian had a long history working as an engineer in the merchant navy, ending with 7 years as a Chief Engineer.

Charles Fraser Company Secretary

Re-elected October 2023

Charles has a long history of boat related activities and spent numerous holidays on canal boats. Charles qualified as a solicitor in 1997, and is a Partner and Head of Private Client at Lightfoots Solicitors, specialising in helping clients and their families with additional needs.

Ben Seaton Treasurer

Re-elected October 2023

Ben joined CanalAbility in 2022 after learning about the valuable work that CanalAbility does to enable people with disabilities and special needs to enjoy the beautiful waterways across Essex and Hertfordshire. He is a Civil Servant at the Foreign Office and sits as the managing director of an art business in London.

Robin Bishop Trustee

Elected October 2024

Robin is a keen narrowboat enthusiast and joined the board of trustees in 2024 to help promote the awareness and fundraising activities of CanalAbility. He admires the charity’s cause to facilitate people who wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity or access to enjoy the pleasures of being on the water. He has spent his entire 50-year career in the printing industry and has been a board director of Perivan Limited since 2003.

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Statement of Trustee Responsibilities

Company and charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period.

In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Employment Policy

The directors of the company are also the charity Trustees for the purpose of the charity law. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the members of the management committee are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting.

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Activities and Achievements

Introduction

Income

Grants, donations and fundraising

Expenditure

Volunteers

The Mooring

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Thank you

This report was approved by the Trustees and signed on its behalf

Marc Balkham, Chair of Trustees

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Governance and Internal Control

Governing Document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 30th September 2004 and registered as a charity on 4th March 2005. The charity had previously operated as an unincorporated body, charity number 1006432 registered in November 1991. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.

Governance and Internal Control

Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. All policies recommended by The Charity Commission are adopted and procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers and clients. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity and Charity Commission

Reserves

The Trustees have examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be at least three months of the fixed running costs. The reserve target for 2024/25 was set at £60,000. The strategy is to build reserves through planned operating surpluses and increased fundraising.

Investment powers, policy and performance

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to invest in line with its financial policy.

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CANALABILTY

Statement of financial activities For the year ended 31st March 2025

Unrestricted Restricted Year Year
funds funds ended ended
31/03/25 31/03/24
Notes £ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Donations 8,830 57,898 66,728 12,602
Grants 1 4,385 4,385 5,381
Fundraising events 1,072
Income from charitable activities 43,643 43,643 63,268
Income from investments 3,604 3,604 2,347
Total incoming resources 56,077 62,283 118,360 84,670
Resources expended
Boat repair, maintenance and running costs 18,989 36 19,025 30,705
Staff costs 2 31,405 31,405 27,818
Training 656 656 873
Heat, Light & Power 2,041 2041 3,000
Insurance 3,871 3871 4,041
Advertising 259 840 1099 342
Telephone 298 298 566
Office expenses 2,030 2,453 4,484 9,228
General expenses 928 116 1,044 3,199
Accountancy 650 650 550
Depreciation and amortisation 3,125 3,125 5000
Total resources expended (64,252) (3,445) (67,697) (85,522)
Net incoming resources before other
recognised gains and losses (8,175) 58,838 50,663 (852)
Other recognised gains/losses
Gains and losses on fixed assets 69,000
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds 0 0 0 0
Net movement in funds (8,175) 58,838 50,663 68,148
Total funds brought forward 73,252 91,699 164,951 96,804
Total funds carried forward 65,077 150,537 215,614 164,952

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CANALABILITY

Income and Expenditure account

For the year ended 31st March 2025

Income
Total expenditure
Operating (deficit)/surplus
Income from investments
Gains and losses from disposals of fixed assets
Net retained (deficit)/surplus for the financial period		 Year
ended
31/03/25
£
114,756
67,697
47,059

3,604

50,663		 Year
ended
31/03/24
£
82,323
85,522
(3,199)
2,347
69,000
68,148

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CANALABILTY

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Notes

Fixed assets
Tangible assets
3
Current assets
Other debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after
more than one year
Net assets
Funds
Unrestricted
Restricted		 31/03/25

£
£
2,500
2,500
40,522
185,519
226,041
(9,081)
216,960
219,460
(3,846)
215,614
150,537
65,077
215,614		 31/03/24
£
£
5,625
5,625
178,676
178,676
(13,566)
165,110
170,735
(5,784)
164,951
91,699
73,525
164,951		 31/03/24
£
£
5,625
5,625
178,676
178,676
(13,566)
165,110
170,735
(5,784)
164,951
91,699
73,525
164,951
226,041
(9,081)
170,735
(5,784)
164,951
91,699
73,525
164,951

The trustees' statements required by the Companies Act 2006 are shown on the following pages which form part of this Balance sheet.

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CANALABILITY

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31st March 2025

Balance sheet (continued)

Trustees' statements required by the Companies Act 2006 For the year ended 31st March 2025

In approving these financial statements as Trustees of the company we hereby confirm;

For the year ended 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime. The profit and loss account has not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The financial statements were approved by the Board and signed on its behalf on;

Trustee – Benjamin Alexander Seaton

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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Canalability

We report to the trustees on our examination of the accounts for the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 2 to 17.

Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner

As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Douglas Jones Phillips Ltd Accountants First Floor, O-I Building, The West Wing, Edinburgh Way, Harlow CM20 2DB

August 2025

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

1.1 Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with FRS102, the Financial Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (as applied to small entities by section 1A of the standard).

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS1 from the requirement to produce a cashflow statement because it is a small company.

1.2 Incoming resources

Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold. Donated assets are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.

Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.

Income from investments is included in the year in which it is receivable.

1.3 Resources expended

Resources expended are recognised in the year in which they are incurred.

Management and administration costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Plant and Machinery 5% / 10% on cost or valuation

1.5 Stocks

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

1.6 Other debtors

This is the non-refundable deposit paid towards the new electric boat.

The business has a future commitment to pay a further £407,220, this will be mostly covered by The Big Lottery Fund who have committed to pay £329,740 and registered a legal charge attached to the asset.

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Grant Income Unrestricted Restricted Year ended Year ended funds funds 31/03/25 31/03/24 £ £ £ £ 0 4,385 4,385 5,381 Other Grants 0 4,385 4,385 5,381 2 Number of Employees Year ended Year ended 31/03/25 31/03/24 The average monthly number of employees (excluding the trustees) during the period 2 2

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

3 Tangible Fixed Assets
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Disposals
Charge for the Year
At 31 March 2025
Net Book Value
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025		 Plant &
Machinery
£
152,156
152,156
146,531
3,125
149,656
5,625
2,500		 Total
£
152,156
152,156
146,531
3,125
149,656
5,625
2,500

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