## CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION **Registered Charity 1162659**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **and**
**Financial Statements for the year ending**
**31[st] December 2021**
## _**CHAIRMAM’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 2021**_
_**Our new Skerry FLOREAT on its maiden voyage**_
_**The year ending 31[st] December 2021 ended up much as was predicted, due primarily to the ongoing effect of the Covid epidemic.**_
_**For those who have forgotten the details, the Covid pandemic started with the first UK cases in January 2020, followed by a national lockdown on 23[rd] March 2020. A further lockdown was ordered on the 5[th] November 2020 and another on 4[th] January 2021, followed by restrictions ending on 19[th] July.**_
_**Towards the middle of the year 2021 some outdoor sporting activities were permitted and using guidelines provided by British Rowing, our National Governing Body, we produced the necessary Covid Risk Assessments and Method Statements that enabled a few boating activities to take place before the end of the school and academy year.**_
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_**We managed to take out three boats with Darell Road primary school, including the Queen’s Shallop Jubilant, loaned to us by our friends at 14[th] Richmond Scout Boating Centre and another two boats with our friends from St Phillip’s SEN school.**_
_**Darell Road School rowing Jubilant as an appreciation of good performances**_
## _**during the difficult Covid year**_
_**In addition, we assisted a large not for profit Company, the Change Foundation, by loaning two of our boats for some charitable fundraising they were doing.**_
_**The effects were widespread, ranging from increased boat maintenance, due to nonuse, our key client base, the primary and secondary schools and academies in our Borough, continuing in a lock down situation, skills fading of our Coaches, a worrying reduction in our income from these and inevitably some loss of volunteers owing to employment changes and location.**_
_**However, on the positive side we were able**_
_**to place an order for a new Skerry boat, in respect of the very generous donation from The Thames Traditional Boat Society. We were also blessed with a sizeable donation from The River Thames Society to facilitate the setting up of a Base at Blakes Lock, on the River Kennett and River Thames junction and this enabled us to extend an existing floating pontoon at the Reading Sea Cadet Corps base and meet our obligations there which enables us to use the base for storage of PPI, oars and equipment and mooring of the boat without further cost for a period of five years.**_
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## _**Naming of the boat Floreat at Blakes Lock, Reading**_
_**The funding of the boat was obtained and we delayed procurement as long as possible, recognising that we were unlikely to need any new boat in the circumstances, but also taking into account the needs of the boat builder who was also experiencing a loss of income due to the pandemic and also needing to keep his specialised boat building staff employed.**_
_**The boat was built and transferred to Reading where it was launched from a nearby water centre and rowed with a crew which represented Skerries for Schools, the Reading Sea Cadet Corps, the local visually impaired community, the donors, The Traditional Boat Society, and British Rowing to its new base at Blakes Lock, where a naming ceremony took place with it being named Floreat and a toast given to all involved.**_
_**We were also fortunate to attract funding from a number of sources including our then patron, Bamber Gascoigne, the Dolan Charitable Trust through our patron Peter Dolan, The River Thames Society, The London Community Foundation and Latif Adam Karimjee, all who enabled us to endure the losses the pandemic imposed on us. The London Community Foundation grant enabling us to fund training for a few years for new coaches.**_
_**The year also found us participating in a locally run British Rowing Level 2 Club Coach course and one trustee and two new coaches completed the course after a set-back when the original was postponed due to Covid lock down.**_
_**We have continued to have discussions with Habitats and Heritage regarding the planned refurbishment of the derelict Victorian deep water boat house situated on the Twickenham embankment and the charity subsequently being chosen as a preferred tenant. The success of the project will greatly depend on the provision of a floating pontoon which, whilst it falls outside of the boat house envelope, still needs to be included in the bigger proposed Twickenham riverside development to make our use of the boathouse viable.**_
_**The Reading base essentially remained out of use due to timing and the pandemic and has been of concern to the charity not least because of the loss of our site manager, due to relocation of his work.**_
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_**We have maintained a regular presence there, including visits to refit its cover and bail the boat, as and when needed.**_
_**We are intent on commencing operations in the long term at Reading and have had a number of meetings with British Rowing in order to assist us in finding a manager and staff and envisage this continuing through 2022. We are grateful to TTBS in keeping a watchful eye on the boat during the year and Reading Sea Cadet Corps.**_
_**At the Richmond Base, a major change occurred at the end of the year with the removal of the pontoon used by S4S. It is due to be refurbished and replaced in 2022, prior to the start of the new season. Once this has happened, we will need to review our risk assessment for the pontoon as it is likely to change radically with the likely return of a restaurant boat replacing the main pontoon.**_
_**The trustees have met regularly with much done on line and we have set ourselves a task to increase the number and diversity of trustees and look at reviewing our essential policies during 2022 and further develop the S4S, Thames Community Rowing (TCR) arm.**_
_**So, a difficult year likely to extend through 2022 but full of promise.**_
_**Robin Corti Chair of Trustees.**_
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## **Annual Report, and Financial Statements**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Governing Document**
**Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees adopted 13[th] July 2015**
## **Objectives**
- **To provide opportunities for school children and other community groups such as the disabled to discover the pleasure, team spirit, discipline and vigorous exercise of rowing.**
- **To make these groups aware of the safety issues connected with water.**
- **To make these groups aware of the environment and their interconnection with it.**
## **Patrons**
**Bamber Gascoigne** Founder & Patron **Peter Dolan** Patron
## **Trustees**
All served from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 unless indicated. Details regarding recruitment/appointment and training of Trustees are shown under Governance & Management
**Robin Corti** Chairman & Secretary **Peter Dolan Patrick Ducker** Treasurer **David Golton Victor Griffiths Chris Shaw**
## **Advisers**
Operations Manager – to **Steve Kemsley** March 2021 **Mark Edwards** Master Boat Builder Administration (and **Chris Leeson** Operations – from March 2021)
**Charity Registration Number:**
1162659
**Bankers** : CAF Bank Ltd., West Malling, Kent
**Custodian Trustee**
## None
**Principal Address:** c/o 14th Richmond Scout Boating Centre, The Hut, Retreat Road, Richmond, TW9 1NN **Website:** www.skerries4schools.org
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## **Structure, Governance and Management**
Skerries For Schools is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees. Trustees are appointed by existing members. No specific training is required or given.
Day-to-day operations are in the hands of the Operations Manager.
From March 2021, with the resignation of the Operations Manager, Steve Kemsley, Chris Leeson took on additional Operations supporting-work for S4S.
**The development of Thames Community Rowing:** Skerries for Schools has a dormant ‘second arm’ to its charitable activities – Thames Community Rowing (TCR). This secondary arm, once operational, will be used to engage with adult disadvantaged communities. During the year a working group was established to develop the form of TCR, and the initial work resulted in a ‘Vision and Mission’ and a set of ‘Values’ being agreed and adopted by the trustees. A small competition was also held for the development of a logo for TCR and both S4S and TCR logos and the Values statement (‘Time to ….Shine’) will be used going forwards to market the activities of the charity; in the year this included producing polo shirts for the charities’ rowing coaches. Further work will be required to establish the scope and terms-andconditions for work with disadvantaged and vulnerable adults.
## **Background**
Skerries for School started as an unregistered charity (referred to as the “Legacy Charity”) with the same objectives seeking funding from loans, supporters and grant awarding bodies to build the skerries it needed. The CIO was registered on 14[th] July 2015 and the Legacy Charity transferred its assets and liabilities to the CIO on 1[st] January 2016 by means of a General Vesting Document dated 22[nd] December 2015. The transfer was accepted by the Trustees on 31[st] January 2016.
## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities**
Complying with the Charity’s Governing Document, the Trustees have a duty to act in the Charity’s best interest, to act with reasonable care and skill, and to ensure all regulatory requirements are met.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the CIO. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the CIO and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are also responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission.
## **Investment and Reserves Policy**
The Trustees have adopted an Investment and Reserves Policy.
The Trustees agreed that a reserve of £3,000 should be established to cover the risk of an unexpected fall in bookings due to major events beyond the control of the Trustees.
7
## **Financial Review**
The CIO does not raise funds from the general public, either directly or through other people or organisations. It does seek grants from those organisations which award them and welcomes donations from organisations, and individuals, with similar aims and objectives.
The charity’s trustees have elected to prepare accounts on a Receipts and Payments basis under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011. Under Guidance Note CC 16b, depreciation is precluded. While the value of the trailer and skerries have not been subjected to depreciation, the Trustees estimate that they have a ten-year useful life.
During 2021 several generous donations were received, both unrestricted and subject to restriction as to the use made.
## **Operations**
In order to fulfil its objectives the Charity arranges the training of volunteers to British Rowing Standards. All coaches are subject to enhanced clearance from the DBS and are given First Aid Training.
New Coaches are always being sought, and suitable training arranged subject to a commitment from the persons concerned. In the year in question, two further rowing coxes were put through the British Rowing L2 Coaching Course to increase both the number of coaches overall (due to the recent loss of four coaches associated with the resignation of the operations manager) and also to increase the number of female coaches volunteering with the charity.
Skerries are fixed seated rowboats designed for less experienced crews, with greater stability than a skiff or wherry. They carry a team of eight rowers, a coach and up to two extra passengers (e.g. teaching staff).
Participating schools are able to book coached sessions in Skerries, for which they pay an hourly rate. The rate has been set to recover the Charity’s marginal costs. Local Boroughs have been approached to help fund schools who might have had difficulties in meeting costs.
To enable the Charity to cover its operational costs, skerries are made available to other organisations and groups at times when schools are not using them, at more commercial rates.
The main base of Skerries For Schools is the pontoon near Richmond Bridge. To enable schools in the Kingston area to use the skerries, and to make use of the non-tidal section of the Thames, the use of a second base is being sought near Kingston Bridge. An earlier arrangement had to be cancelled as a result of Covid restrictions
A base has been established near Reading, and the S4S Floreat, newly built thru’ sponsorship, in 2019, from the Thames Traditional Boat Society, is based there.
**Sale of assets:** The Trustees agreed that the double trailer owned by the charity was no longer required as the boats were not regularly moved by road. They considered that one could easily be hired if required. Consequently they sold it to London Youth Rowing in March 2021.
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## **Public Benefit Guidance**
The Trustees are confident that Skerries For Schools has been run for public benefit as evidenced by efforts to keep costs to schools as low as possible, by the provision of suitably trained and qualified coaches who give their time unpaid, and by direct contact with schools to encourage participation. Since their discussions leading to the registration of Skerries For Schools with the Charity Commission, the trustees have had due regard to the Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
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## **Policies**
Trustees have adopted policies as follows:
- Volunteers Policy
- Complaints Handling Policy
- Conflicts Of Interest Policy
- Safeguarding Policy
## **Objectives, Activities, Achievements and Performance**
The number of skerry sessions booked remained steady in 2016, but has showed an increase during 2017 and 2018 but reduced slightly in 2019. No sessions were possible in 2020 due to Covid-19 Restrictions. The number of individual skerries booked, and paid for, excluding the “taster” and other promotional sessions. – some schools use two skerries at the same time - were
|were|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**2015**|**2016**|**2017**|**2018**|**2019**|**2020**|**2021**|
|32|35|48|60|48|None|7|
Sessions with Schools were very limited in 2021 due to Covid-19 Restrictions Other sessions were promotional or “taster” sessions..
## **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit**
- The acquisition of suitable skerries through donations and grants.
- The training and DBS Clearance of volunteer coaches.
- Encouraging the participation of Schools and pupils in safe sporting activities on the river.
- Arranging the coached rowing sessions, detailed above, for Schools at minimum or no cost.
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## **Independent examiner's Report to the Trustees of Skerries For Schools A Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity 1162659**
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st ] December 2021, which are set out on pages in this report.
## Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 you 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
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Name: Stephen Alexander FCA
Address: 5, Cole Park View, Twickenham, TW1 1JW 7[th] June 2022
## **Skerries 4 Schools**
## CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION
## **Registered Charity 1162659**
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
for the Period 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
£
£
£
**Incoming Resources**
Donations & Gift Aid Repaid
5,000
9,021
14,021
Sale of Assets (Trailer)
1,325
1,325
Sponsorship of Skerry "Caroline"
-
Donation - for Skeries Purchase
-
Use of Skerries
140
140
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
**Total Incoming Resources**
6,465
9,021
15,486
**Outgoing Resources**
**Direct Activities**
Skerries etc. (Acquisition)
-
-
Operational Costs
5,413
5,413
Promotional Fees & Costs
240
240
Repayment of Short Term Loans
-
-
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
**Total for Direct Activities**
5,413
240
5,653
**Overheads & Administration**
691
-
691
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
**Total Outgoing Resources**
6,104
240
6,344
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
**Net Incoming (Outgoing) Resources**
361
8,781
9,142
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
**Change in Fixed Assests**
**Construction of S4S Floreat**
-
**Sale of Trailer**
(1,325 )
(1,325 )
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
**Net Movement in Funds**
(964 )
8,781
7,817
**Funds Brought Forward**
74,970
19,192
94,163
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
**Funds Carried Forward**
74,006
27,973
101,980
==========
==========
==========
**of which**
Tanagible Assets
75,923
75,923
Current Assets
(1,917 )
27,973
26,057
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
74,006
27,973
101,980|**Total**
**2020**
£
10,545
-
-
17,592
505
-------------------
28,642
15,312
11,673
88
-
-------------------
27,073
60
-------------------
27,133
-------------------
1,509
-------------------
22,848
-------------------
24,357
69,806
-------------------
94,163
==========
77,248
16,915
-------------------
94,163|
|---|---|
## **Skerries 4 Schools**
CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION
**Registered Charity 1162659**
## **Balance Sheet**
||**Balance Sheet**||
|---|---|---|
||as at|as at|
||31-Dec-21|1-Jan-21|
||£|£|
|**Fixed Assets**|||
|Tanagible Assets|77,248|54,400|
|add S4S Floreat|-|22,848|
|less Trailer|(1,325 )|-|
||-------------------|-------------------|
|Total Fixed Assets|75,923|77,248|
|**Current Assets**|||
|Debtors||350|
|Cash in Hand and at Bank|34,117|24,625|
||-------------------|-------------------|
|Total Current Assets|34,117|24,975|
|**Current Liabilities (due with one year)**|(60 )|(60 )|
||-------------------|-------------------|
|**Current Assets**|34,056|24,914|
|**Long Term Liabilities**|(8,000 )|(8,000 )|
||-------------------|-------------------|
|**NET ASSETS**|101,980|94,163|
||==========|==========|
|represented by|||
|Unrestricted Funds|74,006|74,970|
|Restricted Funds|27,973|19,192|
||-------------------|-------------------|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|101,980|94,163|
||==========|==========|
## **Notes**
Signed
Robin Corti Chairman 18th August 2022
Patrick Ducker ACG Treasurer 18th August 2022