Shap Community CIO Annual Report and Accounts
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2023
The Trustees of Shap Community CIO present its report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Reference and Administrative Information Charity Name: Shap Community CIO Charity registration number: 1160966
Registered Office and operational address: The Old Courthouse Main Street Shap Cumbria CA10 3NL
Trustees
Mrs Janet Wood (Chair) Mr George Payne Mrs Lynne Rumsey Mr Alan Sowerby Mrs Jane Newton (January 2023)
Bankers
Cumberland Building Society, Cumberland House, Cooper Way, Parkhouse, Cumbria, CA3 0JF Co-operative Bank, P.O. Box 101, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester M60 4EP
Introduction
During 22/23 we gradually saw a return to a more normal pattern of use of the building. A varied programme of exhibitions was held in the gallery and we held several music and poetry events. We continued to collaborate with other organisations to enrich our provision of activities and events for the benefit of the community. During 2022 work commenced to make improvements to lighting inside the building and install outdoor lighting and CCTV cameras. This has greatly enhanced the indoor rooms and improved security of the building and its surrounds. A new noticeboard fixed to our boundary wall makes event information much more accessible to pedestrians and visitors.
Trustees
Individual trustees take responsibility for different areas and, in consultation with members of interested parties and supporters of the project, have regular monthly meetings to discuss various aspects of day-to-day operations and future planning. Responsibility is designated as follows;
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Finance & Lettings – G Payne,
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Funding – G Payne, J Wood
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Building – A Sowerby
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Media – J Wood, L Rumsey (Facebook), P Neaves (website)
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Exhibitions – L Rumsey
Jane Newton began volunteering at The Old Courthouse during 2022 and was proposed and accepted as a Trustee in January 2023.
Shap Community CIO continues to look for more people to assist in the management of the Charity.
Volunteers
In June ‘22 Cumbria Voluntary Service joined with ourselves and Shap Parish Council to organise a ‘Celebrate our Community’ day at the start of Platinum Jubilee events. This helped to highlight the great work done and the volunteering opportunities in our community. Our own volunteer numbers remained stable throughout the year. We continue to look for ways that new volunteers can be involved.
Policies and Procedures
In January 2023 as part of our work on Policy reviews we began working with a representative from Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership who provided useful points for consideration. Policies identified for full review; Safeguarding, Data Protection, Treasury and Finance, Health & Safety. Work began on these areas.
Risk Management
The Trustees of the Charity continue to regularly review and assess the risks encountered in the dayto-day operation of The Old Courthouse as well as the risks inherent in managing exhibitions and events organised by the Charity; whether held within the building or at external venues. We continue to work with Ansvar Insurance for our Building, Contents, Public Liability and Trustees Indemnity insurance.
Building Issues
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•Improvements to lighting to enhance various rooms (nearing completion)
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•New furniture and fittings to improve the visual aspect and create more flexible display space for the gallery (completed)
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•Security Cameras- to improve overall security of the building (completed)
Due to lack of volunteer capacity we were not able to make any progress re improvements to the rear yard and entrance.
Funding
CCC – Noticeboard grant £1412.09
SCE - CCTV security cameras £2250
CCC – Marketing (website development) - £2500
Reserves
The Trustees regularly review the level of reserves in the light of the needs of the Charity and the Trustees' assessment of the level of financial risk facing the Charity. Risks to operating finances are assessed as low. The Charity may need to set aside funds for other purposes, most likely concerning the fabric of the building, although funding will continue to be sought for any major works. The Charity's reserves are sufficient to manage an extended period of operation. The Trustees have agreed to maintain a reserve of £10,000 to cover unanticipated maintenance costs and to support operations.
Social Events
The following groups met regularly through 2022/23; Playgroup, Library users, Zero Carbon Reading group, Writing Group, Gardening Group. The Knit and Natter group started to meet again and there was some take up for the Cuppa and Company Friday afternoon social group.
Arts and Outreach Events
Our monthly exhibitions commenced in April through to October showcasing work of both amateur and professional artists on a variety of subjects. These exhibitions provided the local and wider community the opportunity to view and meet the artists. During the summer we staged a collaborative exhibition with the Fell Pony Society as part of their centenary celebrations. We provided a venue for displaying information, artworks and also talks, art workshops, poetry and music. In September the Yorkshire Dales used our venue for their ‘A Way Through’ project’ illustrating the history of routes through Shap from Neolithic to present day, and the Westmorland Services celebrating 50 years. We continue to create the opportunity for local art and craft people to display their work from November to February. In February until March we displayed a touring exhibition of work from The University of Cumbria, Institute of Arts on Pollination. . All exhibitions throughout the year have been well attended by both the local community including Shap C of E school as part of their curriculum and visitors from further afield.
We continued to work with The Wordsworth Trust throughout the year, and have introduced Poetry Reading evenings including a live poetry event with, Scottish poet, Kenneth Stevens. During the winter months we continued to be a venue for the Evan Artistic Network monthly music evenings. Other events provided were; a Fairtrade event, family events and workshops arranged in conjunction with Penrith Library and Wordsworth Grasmere, a creative collage event arranged with Lakeland Arts and Cumbrian Library Services and in March ‘23 Business Support drop-in events arranged with Eden District Council. We involved the community in creating a calendar of local views with poetry captions provided by the Shap Writing Group.
Throughout the year we worked in collaboration with Shap Parish Council and put much effort into helping to organise and publicise the monthly March to December Farmers’ and Makers’ Markets. This provides a good opportunity for local artisans and food producers to trade and is a vibrant event for local residents and visitors.
Future Plans During 2023/24
we plan to ;
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encourage community groups to re-engage with activities at The Old Courthouse
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provide a safe place for social interaction
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progress plans to improve the rear entrance and playgroup outdoor play area
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progress plans re a feasibility study regarding development of the site at the rear of the building
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continue to support our local community and seek ways to reach out to the disadvantaged
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continue to work with Westmorland and Furness District Council and the Yorkshire Dales National Park to develop our capacity to deliver information for visitors
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