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
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