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← Devon General Omnibus Trust

2024-04-05-accounts

Trustees’ annual report for the period

From:

6 April 2023 To: 5 April 2024

Charity name: Devon General Omnibus Trust Charity registration number: 1153451

Company number: N/A

Objectives and activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 To advance the education of the public in the
history of public road passenger transport
and in particular the history of the Devon
General Omnibus & Touring Company and
its successors through: a) establishing and
preserving for posterity a representative
collection of passenger service vehicles
formerly operated by the Company and its
successors in the county of Devon and the
wider area covered by the South West of
England, b) facilitating public access to the
collection by providing opportunities to view
and travel on the vehicles and thereby
experience an earlier era of public transport
in the county of Devon, c) providing a focus
for retention, development and training for
students of all ages in the traditional crafts
and specialist skills required for the
restoration and maintenance of the vehicles
and associated relics, and d) enabling the
raising of funds for the above purposes. In
doing so, the charity must not raise any
substantial permanent trading activity.
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		 2023/24 saw the completion of the
restoration of the vehicles in our collection,
with the public debut of our 1964 AEC
Regent V 503 RUO on 4thJune 2023. The
bus carried a party of Devon General
Society members and their guests on a
Torbay Trams and Trains Tour, visiting sites
with historic links to Torquay Tramways, and
the Dartmouth Steam Railway’s base at
Churston.
We were delighted to display our unique
‘Light Six’ETT 995 at the Tiverton Pannier

Market on Saturday 1st July 2023, on the occasion of the restarted Farmers’ Market. It was great to present a piece of Devon General history and see it spark nostalgia, wonderment and curiosity amongst locals and visitors, young and old. We were pleased to welcome a couple of ex Devon General employees, too.

Two of our double deckers were displayed at the Mid Devon Show at Tiverton on Saturday 22nd July 2023. 1952 AEC Regent III NTT 661 and 1937/1953 AEC ‘Light Six’ Rebuild ETT 995 proved to be popular attractions, notwithstanding the rather wet weather.

On Sunday 13th August 2023 we displayed our 1952 AEC Regent III NTT 661 at the North Devon Festival of Transport in Bideford. We were pleased to support this new event, organised by the Bideford Bridge Rotary Club and the North Devon Sports & Classic Car Club.

Five DGOT buses took part in the ‘Devon General Remembered’ Running Day organised by the Devon General Society at Newton Abbot on Sunday 3rd September 2023. The event was based at Highweek Way and recreated local bus routes of the 1960s.

The DGOT vehicles concerned were NTT 661, our 1952 AEC Regent III; ETT 995, our 1937/1953 AEC ‘Light Six’ Rebuild; VDV 798, our 1957 AEC Reliance; VDV 817, our 1957 AEC Regent V and CTT513C, our 1965 AEC Regent V. 503 RUO, our 1964 AEC Regent V, also travelled to the event but experienced a breakdown and was unable to take part. 1,152 passenger journeys were made on our buses during the day, giving free trips to Bovey Tracey, Combeinteignhead, Ideford, Lawes Bridge (Torquay) and Teignmouth, as well as on the shuttle service to/from Newton Abbot railway station.

Communicating via social media with our supporters and the general public continues to be a key activity. Our Facebook page now has over 1,100 followers, and our X/Twitter feed over 240 followers. These enable us to reach out to our audience even if they are unable to make it to see our buses at events.

We are also committed to presenting a professional and informative face to the world via our website. This was viewed by around 1,600 users in the last 12 months.

We are grateful for the continued generosity
of our trustees and other interested parties
who support our work, including the Devon
General Society.
We remain indebted to one of our trustees
who has placed his own vehicle on loan to
the Trust.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The trustees are fully aware of the
obligations imposed upon them by way of
the Charities Act and Charities (Accounts
and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the
extent to which the trust is fulfilling its
charitable objectives is reviewed at each
trustees’ meeting. These obligations remain
paramount when planning activities for the
forthcoming period and considering means
by which the trust’s other central objectives
can be met.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 N/A
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment		 Para 1.38 N/A
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 The trustees readily acknowledge the huge
contribution made by our volunteers.
This manifests in a variety of ways, such as
undertaking the physical work in preparing
and restoring our historic vehicles, assisting
us when we attend events and assisting us
with governance.
During 2023/24 our volunteers and trustees
contributed 1,152 hours of their time at our
Knowstone base.
Skills retention continues to rest with a
relatively small group of volunteers.
Other

Achievements and performance

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 The trustees believe that the main
achievements of the Trust during the year
may be summarised as:
•
We were able to display our vehicles at
public events and achieve good
engagement with visitors. This is the
main way for us to deliver our charitable
objective of educating the public about
the history of road passenger transport.
•
We continued to receive a steady flow of
donations from our supporters and
claimed Gift Aid thereon.
•
We carried out further significant
restoration work on our vehicles.
•
We continued to maintain links with
other groups where relationships can be
of mutual benefit.
•
We continued our good relationship with
the Devon General Society, ensuring
that they remain fully supportive of the
trust’s activities (the DGS has 200+
members, all of whom share a common
interest in the Devon General company
and its activities). The work of the Trust
is independent of the Society, but it is
important that good relations are
maintained. The Society is supportive of
the Trust’s objectives and assists on a
regular basis by keeping members
informed of our activities and publicising
forthcoming events.
•
We continued to make use of our social
media presence on Facebook and
Twitter to inform followers (and the
wider community) of progress on our
restoration activities, upcoming events,
etc.
•
We continued our good relationship with
key personnel within Stagecoach South
West (the modern-day successors of
Devon General) who are fully
supportive of our aims and objectives.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

N/A Para 1.41 Achievements against objectives set

N/A Para 1.41 Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set N/A Para 1.41 Investment performance against objectives N/A Other

Financial review

Financial review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 The out-turn for the year was a surplus of
£4,356. In part this was due to the accrual of
bank interest on our funds invested on the
CAF Charity Deposit Platform.
We remain conscious of the need to
increase our regular income to cover our
overheads and we are looking to attract new
funding streams such as by giving talks.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 The trustees maintain reserves in order to
maintain financial security for future needs,
opportunities, commitments or risks. The
level of reserves and their use is reviewed at
each trustees' meeting. Use of reserves may
include asset purchase and improvement to
premises.
The trustees may retain up to £10,000 in
readily accessible accounts to cover two
years' maintenance and standing costs (e.g.
rent, insurance).
In the event that surplus funds become
available with little or no prospect of these
being required for a period of at least 12
months, the trustees will consider whether
longer term investment would produce more
favourable returns than a simple deposit
account.
We anticipate that the 2021/22 legacy will be
utilised mainly to secure improved premises
to house our collection, and to this end we
have drawn up an accommodation policy to
guide our search. In the meantime, we are
holding the legacy funds in reserve.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £199,708 as at 5thApril 2024
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 N/A

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 N/A
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46 Our investment policy sets out the likely calls
on our funds over the short, medium and
long terms and takes a risk-averse approach
to matching them with investments in
interest-bearing accounts.
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46 N/A
Other N/A

Structure, governance and management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document:
for example, trust deed,
memorandum and articles of
association etc.		 Para 1.25 Constitution dated 6 April 2013.
How is the charity
constituted?
for example limited company,
unincorporated association,
CIO		 Para 1.25 CIO.
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.		 Para 1.25 Potential new trustees are identified by the
existing trustees in accordance with Charity
Commission guidance.

election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees

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 N/A
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51 N/A
Relationship with any related
parties		 Para 1.51 Relations with the Devon General Society
and with other bus-related groups remain
active and strong.
Other N/A

Reference and administrative details

Charity name Devon General Omnibus Trust
Other name the charity uses N/A
Registered charity number 1153451
Charity’s principal address 22 Sandstone Road, Swindon SN25 2FE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Graham Bailey Chairman
Paul Jenkins Treasurer
Martin White

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name None

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
None

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets
held in this capacity		 N/A
Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects		 N/A
Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own assets		 N/A

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)
Type of
adviser
Name
Address
N/A
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (optional information)
N/A

Other o tional information None Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees. report (including directors, report) above. Signed on behalf of the charitvs trus Signature(sl Full name(s> Position (for example Secretary. Chair. etc.) Graham Bailey Marttn White ChaIrn￿Tr Trustee Date 11(z+

Devon Genernl Omnil>us Trust 1153451 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For period OfApT43 To OMpr.24 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted Endoyfflient funds Total funds Last year A1 Recelpts Donations Itru5teesl Donations lunrestricledl Oonations Irestnrtett) Grant Refund Rate5 Events Bank Int8r8st sa￿ or Items Tax f￿￿lMed from Grft Ab 10 7283 10 3,145 Sub total(Gross income for AR) $25 11262 A2 Asset and investn￿nI sales, {see table). Sub total 2152 22.525 11262 Bank Charge5 124 Insuran Centaner Busness R&tes Pcis%age Stationery & Priitny Sundry Expenditu 665 130 21 130 122 31 16 95 2.567 2.032 Vehide Expenditure- 5D3RLIO Vehide Ex rOrfure- CTfs13C Veh￿e Expendilure. VDVI98 Expendrfure- VDV817 Vehide Expenditure- rirr661 Vehide Expenditure- EFf995 Vehide Expenditure- Gener Vdunteers, Expense5 Websrt8 2.032 1297 1.297 1*12 2069 931 1.136 624 6A50 1.136 824 1,605 180 18.169 Sub totsl 18.1 10, A4 Asset and investsnent urchases. (see table itsl nditure 275 Sub total 1&16 18,169 10,828 Net of recelpts/(paymentsJ A5 Trdnsfets betwggn fvnds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 4351 195.352 199. 195.352 199,709 194.918 195.352 CCXX R1 ac£ounts (SS) 02111r2024

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Un￿St￿cted Restrlcted Endowment funds funds Categories Detslls Its nèarèst£ B1 Cash funds 190A87 Total cash funds 199.709 •yx4ffj$lJ funds funds funds Details to np8fBSt£ to Tre8re5t£ Details lo wfvl¢h CuYrent¥alMe na Detsils Fundlo B4 Assets retsined for the charity's l)wn use 10.000 5,000 Vèh*k-VDV817 10.000 Veknkk. p¥rr661 12,lJOO I2￿00 ve￿￿￿. E￿595 20mO Details Fund to whKh Pkmtsntdye Tllhen due B5 Llabllities NIA WA Print Nam8 Date of roval Wof the trustees P RJenkins 02-Nov-24 G Balley 02-Nov-24 CCXX R2 aee4Junts {SSI 0211112024

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| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection
;
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in
order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: A 0 <e Date: 11 October 2024
ips
Name: , T W Bennett
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body ACIB (retired)
(if any):
Address: 16 Manor Close, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6RN
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Oct 2018