THE CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN VILLAGES TRUST Report of the Trustee for the year ended 31" March 2024 The Parish Council as Trustee presents its report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Reference and administrative information Charity Name The Churchill and Blakedown Villages Trust Charity registration number 1163029 Organisation type Charitable Incorporated Organisation Governing document Foundation CIO, Registered 06 Aug 2015 Registered Office C/0 The Clerk to the Parish Council, Clerk to the Trust Louise Harris, 18 Winds Point, Hagley, Worcestershire DY9 OPN Auditor to the Trust George Powell FCCA- Powell & Associates, 28-29 New Road, Kidderminster, DYIO IAF Bankers to the Trust CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ Structure, governance and management The Trust has a sole corporate Trustee (the Parish Council) and has adopted Standing Orders parallel to those of the Parish Council. Councillors sit as a management committee to represent the Parish Council as Trustee. Management committee The members of the Parish Council of Churchill and Blakedown Our purpose, aims and objectives The purpose of the Charity is to benefit the residents of the Parish of Churchill and Blakedown as set out in the governing document registered with the Charities Commission as summarised below: To promote such charities and charitable purposes according to the laws of England and Wales in such ways as the Trustees shall think fit in the Civil Parish of Churchill and Blakedown, in particular but not exclusively, purposes concerned with recreation, conservation and local heritage. What are our pemiitted activities in the Parish? General Charitable Purposes Environment/Conservation/Heritage Recreation Who can benefit? The General Public/Mankind How do we deliver our objectives? Provide Buildings/Facilities/Open Space Our aim is to improve the wellbeing of residents in the Parish through general charitable purposes, including providing and maintaining facilities, and to support other Parish organisations which do the same.
The primary focus of our work during the year The Trusys main current activity is to hold and manage the reconstructed former Churchill and Blakedown Signal Box as a community asset on a long lease from the Parish Council as a locally listed heritage asset. The site was maintained and supervised by the Historical Society during the year in accordance with th the Occupation Agreement dated 24 October 2023. After the business interruption caused by the Covid pandemic, April 2023 to March 2024 was the second full year of operation for the Signal Box, with the possibility of developing regular bookings and patterns of use. Throughout the year the Historical Society has been very effective in continuing to open the Box on two occasions in every month for coffee mornings which aimed to inform visitors about the story of the Signal Box, stimulate interest in the history of the locality, encourage local use of the facility and regular bookings, and at the same time provide a welcoming and supportive environment. The Signal Box also hosted private bookings for other events throughout the year. The Signal Box has seen an increase in utility charges in the year together with an increase on maintenance costs compared to the previous year, for a window cleaning and gutter clearing. Also necessary was continued protection against a risk of fire with new smoke alarms and fire extinguishers being installed. A new storage box was purchased, and we incurred the cost of an end of year auditor. During the year income to the Trust totalled £1,344 against outgoings of £2,573, showing a deficit of £1229. The Trust commences the new financial year with a debt of £2211 owed to the Churchill & Blakedown Parish Council. How our activities deliver public benefit The Trust seeks to involve the public in its local heritage by continuing to hold and preserve the Signal Box for community use. Its other powers remain available. Plans for future periods Over the year, the Trust agreed on new heating for the space and this will be completed in the next financial year subject to a decision on funding from another local Trust. It is hoped that further funding can be sought to replace the current flooring with commercial grade, hardwearing flooring that will remain in keeping with the heritage of the Signal Box. Discussions are underway about how the Trust can strengthen the regular income from private room hire. Financial review The Trust has its own banking facilities, and as this financial year closes, is in the process of switching over to a new account. Signed on behalf of the Trustees by: Date 24 October, 2024 (Clerk to The Churchill and Blakedown Villages Trust)
urc own ages Trust Recelpts & Payment Account 202312024 Private Bookings £1,160.00 £1,796.10 Interest Donations £15.34 £168.70 £11.40 Bank Charges Utilities Telephone & Communications Repairs & Maintenance Miscellaneous & Consumables Professional Fees £60.00 £1,082.04 £696.36 £439.00 £170.67 £125.00 £72.00 £706.00 £590.30 £50.00 £0.00 £27.40 NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) Balance Sheet as ..IC•JiV41yj, Bank £9,931.91 £8,949.75 Creditors- Churchill & Blakedown PC £2,211.19 £7.720.n Opening Balance Net Surplus/(Deficit) for the year £8,949.75 -£1,229.03 £8,587.95 £361.80 Notes: The Trust (1163029) was registered on 0610812015 The First meeting on the Trust took place on 2010712016 The Charities Aid Foundation Bank Account was opened on the 1311012016 George Powell & Associates Ltd 28-29 New Road Kidderminster, Worcs DY10 1AF 01562 68926 Accounts audlted Signed: Auditor Fo Signed: Clerk to the Trust oLJIS£ sAkirA