**Charity No 1162758 Bingley Pool, Myrtle Place, Bingley BD16 2LF Bingleypool@gmail.com** ## **Annual Report 1st September 2020 - 31st August 2021** ## **1. Organisational Structure** **Trustees:** Jagruti Amin, Marcus Dearden, Joseph Wheatley, Christopher Willetts, Andrew Morris, Brendan Murphy, Fiona Dunne, Diane Fairfax, Maureen Carney **Co-Chair of Trustees:** Marcus Dearden & Fiona Dunne Fiona Dunne & Andrew Morris (since 10/21) **Secretary:** Maureen Carney **Treasurer:** Joanne Smeele Jagruti Amin (since 11/21) **Biathlon Organisers:** Iain Wild **Former Trustees:** Isaac Wilkinson, David Heseltine, Matthew Martindale, Richard Holmes, Anna Mdee, Polly Skerratt, Ros Dawson, Mark Shaw, Jenny Woodward The last 12 months have been another period of intense activity and dedication from the trustees in trying to achieve a positive outcome for Bingley Pool. We were joined by Maureen Carney, Diane Fairfax & Isaac Wilkinson who have given valuable contributions to the group. We would like to thank Isaac Wilkinson for the amount & quality of work that he carried out during his short time with us. We would also like to thank Jo Smeele for her excellent work as our treasurer for the last 6 years. Working Groups were formulated to concentrate on specific areas such as Property, Health & Wellbeing, Community, Fundraising & the CAT itself. **Charity No 1162758 Bingley Pool, Myrtle Place, Bingley BD16 2LF Bingleypool@gmail.com** ## **2. Activities** The Covid-19 pandemic has continued to impact on our ability to carry out our normal activities. We have been holding all meetings either by Zoom or if face to face, in a Covid Safe manner. We have made an effort to engage the public face to face at Bingley Market. ## **Community Asset Transfer (CAT)** In November & December 2020 meetings were held with Bradford Metropolitan District Council (BMDC) where we proposed a more formal working partnership with the council, we also considered the alternative possibility a of a new build community run pool. This led to contact with various individuals and funding groups to investigate the possibility of such a project. Examples of successful campaign groups were studied such as Minsthorpe Pool & Bramley Baths, both had different obstacles and both resulted in successful outcomes. These conversations looked positive but Friends of BIngley Pool (FOBP) still needed to ensure we had working capital and we had to address the now outdated Sport England working model for pool provision as it had previously applied to Bingley. Despite incessant lobbying, it was three months before we received a response from BMDC regarding our proposal or answer to our requests for information concerning the pool building. Our disappointment was conveyed to the Chief Executive & Leader of the Council, we felt we had been ignored and dealt with disrespect for quite some time. However, we kept active, releasing 4 statements which were well received even though they were not always of a positive nature, but we have always been honest and given the residents of Bingley updates on the situation at the pool as and when we had information to share. Trustee representatives have fed back to Bingley Town Council when invited to do so. Further conversations were had with Bramley Baths who were a great source of information and experience. In spring it became increasingly apparent that meeting with BMDC was proving pointless as the officers were most unhelpful and offered very little. **Charity No 1162758 Bingley Pool, Myrtle Place, Bingley BD16 2LF Bingleypool@gmail.com** This was coupled with the report of further deterioration of the pool building with plaster falling off the ceiling and the pool being drained off. After relentless pressure from Trustees, a meeting was finally arranged which was preceded by a tour of the building which highlighted the sad state BMDC had allowed the building to fall into. We were again led down a garden path whilst we awaited the results of a Council commissioned external report on the maintenance and repair costs. A further meeting was held with the Strategic Director of Place Jason Longhurst, Assistant Director of Estates Ben Middleton & Assistant Director of Sport and Leisure, Phil Barker. This resulted in a costing for repairs ranging from £1.25 to £4.25 million which was not backed up with any evidence. In conclusion, the future of the existing pool looks very bleak but we are still not backing down from the CAT, the Council (BMDC) have an obligation to maintain the pool and to ensure at the point of the asset transfer to the FOBP, that the building is fit for purpose. If they do not intend to do this they will have to cancel the CAT and not attempt to apportion any failure to the FOBP. The one bit of positive news is the council’s (BMDC) commitment to apply to the government for up to £20 million levelling up fund to be spent in Bingley, this would include redeveloping the pool building site along with other council owned sites creating a leisure and community facility. We have asked for a commitment from the Director of Place that this would include a swimming facility, as yet no commitment has been made. ## _**Membership**_ Current membership stands at 244. Membership continues to be free to all with donations appreciated. ## _**Community SOS Save Our Swimming Campaign**_ We have launched a community based public letter writing campaign to Sport England asking them to revisit their swimming provision modelling exercise which was undertaken in 2013 as it is significantly outdated due to the previous inclusion of the Bingley Grammar School Pool (now closed) and Nuffield, Cottingley (a private gym & pool requiring paid membership). **Charity No 1162758 Bingley Pool, Myrtle Place, Bingley BD16 2LF Bingleypool@gmail.com** ## _**Fundraising**_ Local author, Alan Cattell penned a book on the history of Bingley Baths with all the proceeds going to FOBP. Sponsorship was received from local businesses who each contributed £100 each. Our thanks go to: - Wilkinson & Whitley Ltd. Motor Engineers - Five Rise Locks Café - Bingley Physiotherapy & Sport Injury Clinic (Richard Kunz) - Tax Assist Accountants - Illingworth Mcnair Ltd Insurance Brokers We would like to thank The Stationery Cupboard, Bingley, who donated 10% of the proceeds of selling their 2021 Bingley Calendar to FOBP. We have continued to receive donations from members over the last year, for which we are very grateful. Despite the current situation, our finance and fundraising team have continued to look at methods of funding any model that is proposed for maintaining a swimming and leisure facility in Bingley. ## _**Bingley Biathlon**_ Due to the fact that the pool was not reopened and also the ongoing situation with regard to Covid there was no Biathlon in 2021. At present it is unlikely that we will be able to organise one in 2022 due to the continued closure of the pool. ## _**Accounts**_ Please see the attached Treasurer’s report. Our bank account is being transferred from Barclays Bank Plc to The Cooperative Bank. ## _**Governance**_ All trustees are required to provide a Conflict of Interests Declaration. Further Governance documents are being constructed using NCVO templates and guidance. **Charity No 1162758 Bingley Pool, Myrtle Place, Bingley BD16 2LF Bingleypool@gmail.com** ## _**Plans for 2021– 2022**_ The FOBP remain committed to ensuring the town retains a swimming facility, even though there is now more uncertainty than ever, especially with the news the Squire Lane complex is to be built. FOBP extend their thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past year, we must now press on with the help of residents to raise our profile and campaign for a swimming pool. We know Bingley deserves better and will do all we can to retain swimming in our town. ## **Charity No. 1162758** ## **Accounts For Charity Commission Return Year 01/09/20 - 01/09/21** Account balance 01/09/20: £2932.55 Banked Income: £1650.08 PayPal Income: £263.22 (Not transferred to bank until 27/01/22) Total Income: £1913.30 Total Expenditure: £450.48 Net Income: £1462.82 Account balance 01/09/21: £4132.15 + £60 banked from previous year - £263.22 PayPal (late transfer) = £4192.15 Please see pages 2 & 3 for details Page 1 Charity No. 1162758 ISaLUJNt¢JA IIIO OIPOSITS posn r•otyA PAYI￿ KCOV ijs 19 ' 2VIJI1020 LATt DI•OSITS FIIOM ST•&I AND d•dl 2020 r•lwn 21AV1021 P(YJlT ID,( JOn120h CMP41Y 5QQO L SYSiV. Èl• z ÉSlf•J• •ctth•l dprn•tyon• iJ•poM• 2•20Q1 iy412mJ (OSTS 21V413nll 77141￿1 x￿••14CATfELL FOA P￿￿ cftsTS INIAKI 2714l¥Jll TrE Flllé RISE iocK fxy4ATfJM FOA x)A (OST$ 216TIfjZI h(IOK WE5ACwGAR￿￿S LTD 12S.83 216TIfjII •IXIK S•US fUNDAI*NT4•AW •OOI¢ JOAW4A CATIIU JW￿1 •OOI¢ AW4NA CATTfiL 21)TlllOII 1001¢ 3w4ISA(We•l*iXIIS LTO 146.79 . •nvyJ ' FUNDAMEPIThl54 bOOX SIIESThE AISE IC Nool 216.6• r•lum y•• £179&8H 416.69 1134.19 WTAL 174.77 OltlM120. IM*gQI • £1610A Page 2 Charity No. 1162758 TrEASUIERS IIEPOftT OCTO*R 1020 10 MCWEWIII IIHI IOOA8 250 ' IyiJnts21 •OOK IIUN C¢61S $90A) -s•0. Ui11KE OW 1711Vlm f4166Jl KEY u•lTr¥nls m•d• lot Ch•rlty CommlMlon A¢￿￿nI ￿•r •11M120 . Q1rtIVI1 Page 3