2024-12-31-accounts

CALDON & UTTOXETER CANALS TRUST

(A charitable incorporated organisation)

Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2024

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 2024

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

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

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Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust - Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

The Board of Trustees who are the charity trustees, are pleased to present their report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

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:

• borrow money and to charge the whole or any part of its property as security for the repayment of the money borrowed. The CIO must comply as appropriate with sections 124 and 125 of the Charities Act 2011, if it wishes to mortgage land;

• buy, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and to maintain and equip it for use;

• sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the property belonging to the CIO. In exercising this power, the CIO must comply as appropriate with sections 117 and 119-123 of the Charities Act 2011;

• deposit or invest funds, employ a professional fund-manager and arrange for the investment or other property of the CIO to be held in the name of a nominee, in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the trustees of a trust are permitted to do by the Trustee Act 2000.

Organisation

The Board of Trustees consists of elected trustees. Trustees met once every month, however this was altered to BiMontly during the year. 7 meetings were held during 2024.

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.

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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 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:

• a) Chair of the Committee;

• b) Vice-Chair of the Committee;

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:

• a) Membership Secretary to collect subscriptions and issue reminders when necessary;

• b) Work Party Organiser to arrange work parties to maintain the canal; c) Publicity Officer to foster the public reputation of the Trust and liaise with patrons and sponsors.

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 Chair: Julie Arnold Vice Chair: Alison Smedley MBE Trust Secretary: Peter Matthews Trust Treasurer: Alison Smedley MBE Work Party Organiser: Alison Smedley MBE Membership Secretary: Peter Matthews Sales Officer: Susan Dutton (retired June 2024)

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 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.

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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. 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:

• An annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the Trust faces;

• The establishment of policies, systems and procedures designed to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review; and

• The implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.

A regular review is carried out by the Committee 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 recent summer droughts, it became clear that the low water levels in Rudyard Reservoir, while being unavoidable, could have been less drastic had the Dane feeder been able to function fully. In many places it was out of water and/or clogged with vegetation so that a free flow of water was impossible. In 2024 The Trust formed a partnership with other bodies with a view to clearing the feeder and allowing it to function properly. A survey was carried out to determine the work that was necessary and this has progressed throughout the year and some clearance work has been completed as well as some funding being made available. A number of interested parties have joined the partnership and talks have been held with CRT. So whilst progress is slow, it is ongoing.

During 2023 and 2024 the Trust has been involved with a planning application at the Barnfields site in Leek. The original concept included a small marina at the terminus of the canal, providing a small number of moorings. Following on from this, a feasibility study was made to demonstrate the advantage of bringing the canal into the basin, which has funds set aside for its construction. However, to connect the basin to the canal, the existing aqueduct would need to be reinstated and no funds had been set aside for this. The study has been produced and it is hoped to move the project forward over the coming year.

Unfortunately owing to lack of support the monthly work parties have not been able to resume. CRT had organised a Himalayan Balsam bashing day in June and cleared some of the pathway. Two OS surveyors had been present and said that they could arrange for the Uttoxeter Canal to be shown on the OS map. Following discussions with the Trust it was agreed that the wording should be; Uttoxeter Canal (Disused). The line of the canal, with wording, will then appear on the next edition of the map.

On a local level, the Trust erected a planter at Froghall Basin in memory of a local boater and resident. CRT helped in providing the site and planks with which to erect the planter as well as some manpower. A commemorative plaque is to be installed and many passers by have enjoyed the colourful floral display.

Work Parties

Having insufficient volunteers to maintain a working party the Trust was to have played host to WRG NW for a weekend of work in November but sadly heavy rainfall meant that the work could not go ahead.

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Fundraising and Publicity Activities

Most of the Trusts income during 2024 was derived from membership subscriptions and sales as below.

The Trust attended the Etruria Boat Festival on 1/2[nd] June and combined its stall with the local IWA and had a successful two days when many members of the public visited the stall and information panels. As this year represented the 50[th] Anniversary of the re opening of the Canal, the Trust included a memory stall where members of the public could recount their memories of the canal.

In an attempt to increase membership the Trust held a Social evening at the Foxlowe Centre, Leek where members of the Public were invited to attend a talk on the history of the Canal to which over 140 people attended. Whilst most were local residents, some attendees were visiting the Area and showed enjoyed the evening. Sadly it did not produce any new members.

The 50[th] Anniversary of the opening of the Caldon Canal was also celebrated by Stoke on Trent Boat Club on 21[st] September and the Trust repeated its stall and memory book from the Etruria weekend. Again this was a successful event though neither produced any new members.

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.

Financial Review

The Trust maintains two accounts. A general account and one savings account. During the year the savings account held at HSBC was closed and the funds transferred to Nat West Bank.

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 2024 Reporl to the trustees of Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust CIO I report on accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to l O. Respective responsibilities of trustees and.examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's truslees consider that neither an audit nor independenl 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: examine th¢ accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act. and to state whether particular matters hav¢ come to my attention. Basis of independenl examiner's slalemenl My examination was carried oul 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 accounls pr¢senl¢d with those records. It also includes consideration of an>. unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such mallers. The pr(x¢dures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequenily no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statemeni below Independent examiner'j 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 thal in, any material respect: the accounting ￿ordS were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act: or the accounts did nol accord with the accounling records. or the accounls did not complv with the applicable requirements concerning ihe forni and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requiremeni that the accounts give a 'true and fatr, view which is noi a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come a¢TOSS no other matters in connection with ihe examinalion to which atteniion should be drawn in this rew)rt in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 2￿[. Laura Bird CIPFA{Affil) Abbeyfields Church Lane Draycott-in-the-moors Staffordshire STI19AG

CALDON & UTTOXETER CANALS TRUST INCOME & EXPENDITURE AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024

	2024			2023
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Total
Income
Membership subscriptions	£779.00	-	£779.00	829
Sales	£802.68	-	£802.68	580
Gift Aid	£182.45	-	£182.45	162
Donations	£101.14	-	£101.14	688
Grants	£0.00	-	£0.00	5000
Talks	£0.00	-	£0.00	-
Miscellaneous	£0.00	-	£0.00	-
Bank interest	£398.72	-	£398.72	375
Total income	£2,263.99	-	£2,263.99	£7,634.00
Expenditure
Insurance	£1,030.40	-	£1,030.40	764
Print and Post	£406.13	-	£406.13	363
Stock	£0.00	-	£0.00
Meeting expenses	£390.00	-	£390.00	10
Subscriptions	£154.60	-	£154.60	165
Work parties	£60.00	-	£60.00	511
Projects	£144.57	-	£144.57	9120
Miscellaneous	£0.00	-	£0.00	523
Independent Examiner fee	£100.00	-	£100.00	100
Total expenditure	£2,285.70	-	£2,285.70	£11,556.00
Surplus/(deficit)	-£21.71		-£21.71	-£3,922.00

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CALDON & U￿OxETER CANALS TRUST 5T BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 Presentation Piece 225.00 225.00 Current Account 4,791.51 6,325.26 Savings Account 25,993.49 24,503.34 Stock 32,947.86 32.969.57 Represented by Capital blfwd Surplusl(deficit) for year to 31112124 32969.57 36.890.83 32,947.86 32,969.57 Assei Bridge 70 Stafrordshire Moorlands District Council transferred iitle of Bridge 70 to CUCT on 16th January 2016 for the sum of £2.00. Th¢ bridge has not been included as an asset in the balance sheet due to its lo￿. purchase price and the ditTiculty in valuing the bridge other than for build costs. The significance of Bridge 70 as a Heritage assel is that il is the original bridge from ihe date of the canal conslruction and fomis a footpaih link across the valley. Withoul the bridge il would not be possible to cross the remnants of the canal to gain the statutory access to either side. The footpaih is well used and a bridge other than the original would not be in keeping with the landsca￿. Bridge 70 has not been revalued since it is an isolated construction and ils 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 fom) 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 £420,000 this will be reviewed every 5 years. £5000 is ringfenced for the Froghall Tunnel Survey Signed for the Truslees Position Secretary Name (Printed) Peter Matthews Date M4TI klrws io