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← Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust

2023-12-31-accounts

CALDON & UTTOXETER CANALS TRUST

(A charitable incorporated organisation)

Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2023

Registered Charity Number 1156812

Registered Office: C/O Unit 16B, First Floor, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road Industrial Estate Asheridge Road, Chesham, HP5 2PX

www.cuct.org.uk

To restore, preserve, maintain in good order and improve the existing Caldon Canal - and all former arms of the canal including the branch known as the Uttoxeter Canal - for the use and benefit of the public.

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Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust – Report and Financial Statements 2022

Contents

Page
Legal and administrative information 3
Report of the Board of Trustees 4
Appointment of Trustees 4
Aims and Objectives 5
Independent Examiners Report 8

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Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust - Legal and administrative information

Directors and Trustees

The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout the report and accounts are collectively referred to as the trustees.

The Trustees serving during the year and since the year-end were as follows:

Directly Elected Trustees Alison Smedley MBE Susan Dutton Peter Matthews

Mike Maryon (retired September 2023)

Charity number 1156812

Registered office C/O Unit 16B First Floor, Chiltern Court Asheridge Road Industrial Estate Asheridge Road Chesham HP5 2PX

Independent Examiner

Mrs Laura Bird BSc MSc CIPFA (Affil) Abbeyfields Church Lane Draycott in the Moors Staffordshire ST11 9AG

Bankers Nat West Bank, Market Street Longton Stoke on Trent ST3 2HW

HSBC Bank Plc Crown Bank Hanley Stoke on Trent ST1 1DA

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Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust - Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2023

The Board of Trustees who are the charity trustees, are pleased to present their report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust in Brief

Aims & Powers

The objects of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) are to restore, preserve, maintain in good order and improve the existing Caldon Canal and all former arms of the Caldon Canal including the branch known as the Uttoxeter Canal for the use and benefit of the public.

The CIO has power to do anything which is calculated to further its objects or is conducive or incidental to doing so. In particular, the CIO has power to:

Organisation

The Board of Trustees consists of elected trustees. Trustees usually meet once every month and met formally for 7 meetings during 2023.

The charity trustees manage the affairs of the CIO and for that purpose exercise all the powers of the CIO. There must be at least three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustee or trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity trustees, or appoint a new charity trustee.

There is no maximum number of charity trustees that may be appointed to the CIO.

Appointment of Trustees

At every annual general meeting of the members of the CIO, one-third of the charity trustees shall retire from office. If the number of charity trustees is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one-third shall retire from office, but if there is only one charity trustee, he or she shall retire;

The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in the office since their last appointment or reappointment. If any trustees were last appointed or reappointed on the same day those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree among themselves) be determined by lot;

The vacancies so arising may be filled by the decision of the members at the annual general meeting.

The members or the charity trustees may at any time decide to appoint a new charity trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee who has retired or been removed.

A person so appointed by the charity trustees shall retire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting after the date of his or her appointment, and shall not be counted for the purposes of determining which of the charity trustees is to retire by rotation at that meeting.

The principal and other Officers of the Trust and members of the Committee shall retire each year at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election. Nominations for election as an Officer or a member of the Committee

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may be made to the Secretary during the four weeks preceding the Annual General Meeting. Election of Officers and Committee members, by ballot if necessary, shall be by a simple majority of members voting. Election of Officers shall precede the election of Committee members. Nominees not elected as Officers shall be eligible for election to the Committee.

The Principal Officers of the Trust shall be as follows:

c) Secretary to be responsible for the proper conduct of the business relating to the Trust and its activities; to arrange and prepare agenda for and maintain records of all meetings;

d) Treasurer to be responsible for the proper conduct of the finances of the Trust including the banking and investment of its income, the payment of its debts and the presentation annually of a Statement of Accounts. These duties may be performed by more than one person.

Other Officers of the Trust shall be appointed or elected annually according to the needs of the Trust and the range of its activities and may normally include Officers with duties:

Trustee Remuneration and Insurance

Insurance cover is provided through The Inland Waterways Association. No trustee received any remuneration in respect of services to the Trust, other than reimbursement of expenses incurred in providing such services.

Principal Appointed Officers:

Trust Chairman: Julie Arnold Vice Chairmen: Alison Smedley MBE Trust Secretary: Peter Matthews Trust Treasurer: Christopher Gurney Work Party Organiser: Alison Smedley MBE Membership Secretary: Peter Matthews Sales Officer: Susan Dutton

Structure Governance and Management Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust Constitution

The Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its constitution dated 10 February 2014.

The Trust has no contractual arrangements with any other party that materially affects the management of the Trust. It is the Trust’s policy to work closely with all other associated interests, including navigation authorities, local and national government and its agencies, private and public landowners, commercial boating and other waterside businesses, voluntary organisations and others to promote the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and appropriate development of the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals.

Our aims and objectives

In furtherance of its Aims and Objective (detailed above) it shall be the duty of the Committee to develop and implement the general policy of the Trust in accordance with its declared aims and, subject to any conditions imposed upon it by the Trust at a General meeting, to provide for the administration, management and control of the affairs and property of the Trust.

The Committee shall comprise Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer plus other members and such other Officers as may be deemed appropriate at the Annual General Meeting; it shall meet at intervals of not more than two calendar months.

All members of the Committee shall have equal voice and vote in the proceedings of the Committee except that, if necessary, the Chairman shall have a casting vote. In addition to the elected and ex-officio members, the Committee may co-opt further temporary members in a consultative, non-voting capacity.

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The Committee may delegate any of its powers to Sub-Committees.

It shall be the duty of the Committee to develop and implement the general policy of the Trust in accordance with its declared aims and, subject to any conditions imposed upon it by the Trust at a General meeting, to provide for the administration, management and control of the affairs and property of the Trust.

Risk Management

The Trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

The management of this risk is via a regular review by the Work Party Organiser of any potential new forms of risk on a case by case basis and referral to Trustees as deemed appropriate.

Attention has also been focused on non-financial risks arising from health and safety of the general public, volunteers and employees. These risks are managed by ensuring that the training and competence requirements are up to date and in place and site specific risk assessments are carried out for all projects.

GDPR

The Trust has a formal GDPR policy.

Public Benefit

During the first half of the year the Canal was closed to through traffic whilst work progressed on the rebuilding of Bridge 37 at Hazelhurst Locks. This meant that boats could not travel towards Froghall from the Trent & Mersey Canal. During this period work was also carried out on Hazelhurst Top Lock balance beams. However the local Inland Waterways Association branch had submitted an objection to a planning application by Canal & River Trust for Listed Building Consent for alterations at Hazelhurst Top Lock (Lock 10). They objected strongly on both heritage and health and safety grounds to one aspect of the application, which was for the proposal for a fabricated ‘restrictor’ on the end of the balance beams. Despite what the ‘Heritage Design and Access Statement’ said, they were concerned that this would have had a detrimental impact on the heritage setting of the listed lock (which is also part of a Conservation Area), and would have introduced a new unexpected hazard to boaters operating the lock, who would no longer be able to pass around the end of the balance beam in an emergency, for example if the gate was swinging closed on its own accord. The Trust fully supported this objection and CRT adopted the proposal.

The Trust was involved with an informal group that had got together to investigate the possibility of reinstating the Dane Feeder to Rudyard Reservoir, in the context of drought, water shortages and other issues that have led to the reservoir not having been filled to capacity in recent years, which didn't help the summer's water shortages and resulting canal closures. A meeting was held with CRT's regional engineer to discuss a potential project involving volunteers carrying out some work on the feeder, which should feed the top end of Rudyard Reservoir from the River Dane, when the Dane is in flood. This was followed by a site visit to determine what work needed to be carried out and during the year some vegetation clearance was carried out on the Rudyard Feeder.

In 2022 discussions were held with the local authority re the Cornhill site in Leek to establish a canal basin at the site so as to provide better access into Leek as well as mooring facilities. These discussions continued through 2023 in respect of the basin and the aqueduct which would allow the canal to enter the basin. The Trust commissioned a Feasibility Study into the viability of the Trust’s proposals and a grant of £5k was obtained through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, small feasibility grant.

Concern had also been expressed over the condition of the Straddle Warehouse at Cheddleton and the Trust took initial steps to preserve the building.

Work Parties

Having insufficient volunteers to maintain a working party the Trust has played host to WRG NW who carried out two weekends of work in March and November. The work centered on the Uttoxeter Canal in the Bridge 70 and Carrington’s Lock Area.

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Fundraising and Publicity Activities

Most of the Trusts income during 2023 was derived from membership subscriptions and sales as below..

The Trust attended the Etruria Boat Festival on 3/4[th] June and combined its stall with the local IWA. There was a steady stream of visitors.

Audlem Mill have continued to sell books on our behalf and this has generated a regular income to the Trust but sales were much reduced as the amount of ‘stock’ declined, there being no new additions..

Cheddleton Tea Rooms sold a number of items on behalf of the Trust.

Two issues of the Trusts Newsletter, Cherry Eye, were produced, detailing the work of the Trust and other matters relating to the Trust. It was agreed that with the increased cost of postage that the number of editions each year would be reduced from three to two.

Financial Review

The Trust maintains three accounts. A general account and two savings account. The Trust retained the HSBC savings account following the current account transfer.

Investment Policy

The Trust has no investments.

Reserves Policy

The Trust’s income varies from year to year due to a number of factors including opportunities to receive grant funding for projects, the level of donations from supporters, and the amount of funds raised from sales and other activities. Expenditure can also vary, particularly around which projects are being progressed in any particular year.

The Trust therefore needs to hold a minimum reserve that allows it to continue its day-to-day activities and committed annual expenditure.

Restricted funds represent monies set aside for particular projects or purposes and are administered in accordance with the instructions or intentions of the donors or the Trust’s objective for which the funds were restricted. The Trust’s unrestricted funds is therefore represented by the current balance less any restricted funds.

In 2018 the Trustees agreed a minimum amount to be kept in reserve in the bank account of £2000. This has remained unchanged.

Trustees will review this reserves policy annually.

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Independent examiner's report

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Report to the trustees of Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust CIO

I report on accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 9 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that neither an audit nor independent examination are required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act), but have opted for a voluntary independent examination.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below

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 this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Laura Bird CIPFA(Affil)

Abbeyfields Church Lane Draycott-in-the-Moors Staffordshire ST11 9AG

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CALDON & UTTOXETER CANALS TRUST

INCOME/EXPENDITURE AS AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Income Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Membership subscriptions 829 - 829 859
Sales 505 - 505 (36)
Book Sales 75 - 75 62
Gift Aid 162 - 162 216
Donations 688 - 688
 10,411
Grants - 5000
 5000 -
Talks - - - 40
Miscellaneous - - - -
Bank Interest 297 79 375 56
2,556 5,079
 7,635
 11,608
Expenditure
Insurance 764 - 764 874
Print and Post 363 - 363 536
Stock - - - -
Meeting Expenses 10 - 10 -
Subscriptions 165 - 165 114
Secretary’s Expenses - - - -
Work Parties 511 - 511 -
Projects* 4,120 5,000
 9,120 -
Miscellaneous 523 - 523 177
Independent Examiner Fee 100 - 100 100
6,556 5,000
 11,556
 1,800
Surplus/(deficit) (4,000) 79 (3,921)
 9,808

*Leek Feasibility Study

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CALDON & UTTOXETER CANALS TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

Presentation piece
Current Account
Saving Accounts
Stock
Represented by
Capital b/fwd
Surplus/ (deficit) for year to 31/12/23		 2023
£
225.00
6,325.26
24,503.34
1,915.97
32,969.57
36,890.83
(3,921.26)
32,969.57		 2022
£
225.00
6,626.65
28,136.90
1,902.28
36,890.83
27,083.07
9,807.76
36,890.83

Asset Bridge 70

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council transferred title of Bridge 70 to CUCT on 16th January 2016 for the sum of £2.00. The bridge has not been included as an asset in the balance sheet due to its low purchase price and the difficulty in valuing the bridge other than for build costs.

The significance of Bridge 70 as a Heritage asset is that it is the original bridge from the date of the canal construction and forms a footpath link across the valley. Without the bridge it would not be possible to cross the remnants of the canal to gain the statutory access to either side. The footpath is well used and a bridge other than the original would not be in keeping with the landscape.

Bridge 70 has not been revalued since it is an isolated construction and its value lies only in its heritage. The land which it traverses is effectively a canal and therefore of no commercial use and the bridge itself serves as a footpath thereby negating any other form of use.

Bridge 70 is to be maintained under the conditions of the CPO in force, for this reason CUCT insure the bridge for a rebuild value of £350,000, this will be reviewed every 5 years.

£5000 is ringfenced for the Froghall Tunnel Survey

Signed for the Trustees

……………………………………………….

Position Secretary

Name (Printed) Peter Matthews

Date

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