Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] . August 2023 Period start date To Period end date 31[st] . July 2024
Charity name: Rhondda Tunnel Society
Charity registration number: 1162646
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Restoration of Rhondda Tunnel as a walking/cycling route thereby to improve the economic prospects for the wider area. |
| 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 |
Making monthly visits to the tunnel to record its air quality. We are able to take special guests with us. Fundraising through a Gala Ball (Feb. ’24), membership subscriptions, sales in its charity shop when staff are available and the weekly “Tunnel Tote”. Talks about the tunnel to community groups Telling the story of the tunnel to local schools. Lobbying people who might be able to help re-open the tunnel (politicians, business interests, philanthropists, etc.). |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees know that it must perform in accordance with its stated purposes. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The charity applies for grants for specific items or programmes whenever the opportunity/need arises. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The charity continues to invest in the air quality programme, which requires it to pay for safety and calibration checks on the equipment. This enables it to invite special guests who might be able to promote the project. We also make |
| visits to schools to talk about the tunnel in relation to its history and the social history of the region. We tailor these talks to the age of the pupils but also do talks to community groups throughout South Wales. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All the work carried out by the Society is done by volunteers, and most of their incidental expenses, such as travel, have been met by their own donations. All fees earned from talks have been donated to the Society. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
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SORP reference
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| SORP reference | SORP reference | SORP reference |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Society took ownership of a 12-acre plot of land close to the Blaencwm entrance which we expect eventually to turn into a country park. The Society’s Technical Team has drawn up detailed proposals to expose the Blaencwm tunnel entrance which is currently buried. In February, the Society held a Gala Ball that raised some £16k. This has enabled the Society to pay a planning consultant to prepare an application to expose the tunnel entrance at Blaencwm. We installed our own communications system within the tunnel which enables us to enter it without having to borrow comms equipment from MRSL which is generally unavailable in summer. In June, the Society unveiled an updated information board in Blaengwynfi, and invited all the local residents to attend. It was unveiled by Stephen Kinnock MP & David Rees MS, and in a subsequent Q & A session in the local pub, the Society was able to discuss the options for exposing the entrance there and get valuable feedback. A small team visited the Bennerley Viaduct in Notts. which provides a useful model of ownership and restoration that the Society is keen to follow. |
Additional information (optional) You choose to include further statements where relevant about:
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Our Patron, TV Presenter Martin
Roberts, has continued to revive
Achievements against Para 1.41 interest in the project, and discussion
objectives set about its prospects was the subject of
First Minister’s Questions in the
Senedd.
A future Channel 4 programme will
show the Society’s activities.
No fundraising objectives were set
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives Para 1.41
set
Not measured.
Investment performance Para 1.41
against objectives
Other
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Financial Review
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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 The charity made a profit of
financial position at the end £8371 during the period
of the period
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 The reserve is held against future
policy for holding reserves activity towards re-opening the tunnel.
stating why they are held
The Society expects to have to raise
many thousands of pounds in order to
fund the exposing of the Blaencwm
entrance to supplement funds already
promised by the Railways Heritage
Trust.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £28986
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 The Society’s charity shop in Treorchy
deficit continues to lose money but it is
considered an asset to promote the
project to the local population. Losses
in 2023-24 have much reduced and are
being monitored by the trustees against
its benefits.
Explanation of any Para 1.23 None
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
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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 | Membership at £10 p.a. with approx. 800 members, due to increase to £15 - Donations - “Tunnel Tote” – our weekly draw - Website sales - Shop sales |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The bulk of funds are in a Barclays current account, due to be moved to its Principality Savings Account which gives a better interest rate. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Poor trading performance of the shop, shortage of volunteers to run the shop and other activities & the health of those volunteers as they are all ageing. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
None | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Posts elected at the AGM. The Society has a main committee which meets along with the trustees, with the provision that the trustees only may vote on financial matters. Main committee members can become 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 | Trustees will have spent time as members of our main committee to familiarise themselves with our activities before becoming trustees. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The Society’s main committee meets regularly, mostly by video meeting. Its Technical Subcommittee also manages the Business Plan, last updated in May 2024 |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | We work with Railway Paths Ltd. which manages much UK walking/cycling infrastructure, including tunnels. Sustrans Welcome to Our Woods |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
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Charity name Rhondda Tunnel Society
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1162646
Charity’s principal address 1 Station Road, Treorchy RCT CF42 6UA
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Stephen Mackey Chair
2 Jim Maggs Vice-Chair
Tony Moon Project Secretary &
3
Acting Treasurer
4 Lesley Crew Trustee
5 Aubrey Green Trustee
6 Brian Rees Trustee
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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– 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
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Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
none
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser | ||
| none | ||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) |
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
none
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
|
|---|---|
| Antony George Moon | |
Project Secretary |
|
| 23rd. August 2024 | |
| 23rd. August 2024 |
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Charity Name No (if any)
Rhondda Tunnel Society 1162646
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 01/08/2023 31/07/2024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Donations 210 - - 210 247
Fundraising 16,186 7,870 24,056 4,756
Income from Talks 150 - - 150 110
Interest from bank 482 - - 482 -
Membership Subscriptions 9,060 9,060 8,898
Sales 2,366 - - 2,366 2,756
Sundry Income 50 50
- - - -
-
Cash waiting to be deposited in
1,072 1,072 -
Principality
Sub total (Gross income for
29,576 7,870 - 37,446 16,767
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 29,576 7,870 - 37,446 16,767
A3 Payments
Cost of Sales 856 - - 856 1,461
Equipment, fixtures & fittings 1,892 - - 1,892 2,014
Establishment 5,200 - - 5,200 5,431
Fundraising Expenses 6,282 - - 6,282 930
General Admin 155 - - 155 840
Insurances 146 - - 146 114
IT 1,068 - - 1,068 814
Legal & Professional Fees 2,490 - - 2,490 1,373
Motor Expenses 1,173 1,173 8,338
Sundry 37 37 175
Telecommunications 432 432 1,157
Tote consolation prize 25 25
Utilities 1,448 1,448 804
-
-
Sub total [ 21,205 ] - - 21,205 23,451
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 21,205 - - 21,205 23,451
Net of receipts/(payments) 8,371 7,870 - 16,241 - 6,684
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 20,615 - - 20,615 27,299
Cash funds this year end 28,986 7,870 - 36,856 20,615
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
23/08/2024
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities CCXX R2 accounts (SS) |
Details | Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barclays Bank Account …857 Barclays Bank Account …834 Principality Cash waiting for Deposit |
19,757 4,077 3,629 1,523 |
- 7,870 |
||
| Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Neath Port Talbot Council - Payment for Blaengwynfi Notice Board Caxton Press - Advertising revenue from Gala Ball Details Details Vehicle Stock in Shop Air Quality Monitors Fall Arrester Gear Harnesses, overalls, lamps Generators Details Cancellation of Internet Provider Signature 2 |
28,986 7,870 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 857 - 650 - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 3000 - 1000 - 300 - 400 - 200 - 350 - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) 150 - - - - - Print Name |
- | ||
| OK | ||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval 23/08/2024 23/08/2024 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
23/08/2024
accoun Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees1 members of Rh¢)ndda Tunnel Soa On accounts for the year onded 31 Juty 2024 Charlty no (If any 1162646 Set out on pagos I report to the trustees on my examinats'on of the arxounts of the above charrty (Ih8 TTusf) for the year ended Responsibllltles and basls of report As the cha8 trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the aoUnt5 in a(ordanCe with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's acrx+unts carried out under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directs'ons given by the Charity Commisslo under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent trhe charity's gross income ex¢xded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's ststement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable listed b(Kly]]. Delete I l rfnot 8pplicabl8. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have corre to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disdosed belcw I which giNes me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Ch8rtties Acl; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.. or the accounts did not comply wth the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and ntent of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requireme that the ac£ounts give a 'true and fairf wew which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems have come across no other matters in connectio with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. ' Please d8lete Ihe w0S in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: 23 August 2024 Name: Emlyn Huish Rolevant professional qualificationls) or body Associate of the Chartered Instituie ol Bankers IER Oct 2018
Ilf any): Addrnss: 20 Nant y Fdin Efail Isaf CF38 1YY Section B Disclosure Only complele If the examinei needs lo highlight maleiial mattels of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of chanty accounts.. directions and guidan for examiners). Glve here brlef detslls of any Items that the examiner wlshes to dlscloso. l am satisfied Ihat the published Income & Expenditure and Balance Sheet figures of the Rhondda Tunnel Society give a true representation of its finances as at 31 December 2023