BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION
CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION NUMBER 1163228
REPORT, ACCOUNTS AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY 2024 TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
7 The Close, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 4DJ
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BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES REPORT
The Trustees present their annual report and accounts for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
The Blakeney Harbour Association (BHA) is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation with voting members (No. 1163228) established by its governing document (Constitution) dated 20 August 2015. The BHA evolved from the Blakeney Harbour Boatmen's Association whose members agreed to become a charity and whose assets were transferred to the BHA under a Deed of Transfer. The accounts are compliant with current statutory requirements in accordance with its Constitution.
Committee of Trustees
The Committee of Trustees consists of
N. Thompson Trustee S. Green Trustee A. Ruff Trustee (Hon. Treasurer) J. Cowan Trustee J. Bean Trustee W. Darby Trustee H. Archer Trustee M. Mirams Trustee W. Athill Trustee S. Rutt Trustee
The Trustees are supported by the Association’s Secretary Alex Hinton.
STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE
Governing Document
The charity is governed by the provisions of its Constitution as detailed above.
Governing Body
Trustees are generally appointed in accordance with the Constitution and confirmed at the Annual General Meeting. Meetings are held regularly throughout the year as both planning and reviewing process for the activities of the charity.
Methods, policies and procedures for the recruitment, appointment and induction of new trustees
The Trustees are appointed to serve based on their skills, experience, enthusiasm and high ethical standards.
OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY AND PUBLIC BENEFIT
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1) The maintenance, improvement, protection and conservation of Blakeney Harbour for the benefit of the public including all users of the Harbour and the residents of Blakeney, Morston, Stiffkey and Cley.
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2) The advancement of education through the provision of advice and information to the users of Blakeney Harbour and the communities of Blakeney, Morston, Stiffkey and Cley relating to the Harbour and its surrounding areas.
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3) The promotion of public safety and the prevention and deterrence of crime in and around Blakeney Harbour.
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the general guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s objectives.
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BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION
REVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR
During the period covered by this report the Association has focused its efforts on the following:
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Safety
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Education and communication
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Environmental work
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Sustainability
Safety
Due to the significant extension and reprofiling of Blakeney Point and the development of the main channel, work has been undertaken to reposition channel markers and to install a new South Cardinal buoy.
The harbour entrance has remained mostly unchanged this year other than showing signs of breaking through again close to the Hjordis Wreck.
All aids to navigation from the Harbour entrance to the Old Lifeboat station have been inspected and serviced and where necessary and all Blakeney and Cley channel markers were lifted at the end of the season for servicing, cleaning and to have sponsors names renewed. The markers will be replaced for the 2025 season.
In April 2024 Morston Quay retaining wall was rebuilt by Trustees and volunteers.
The annual Trinity House inspection of Navigation Aids in Blakeney Harbour was undertaken and the buoyage covered by the inspection was found to be in good and efficient order.
Following storm damage, the weather station on the South Sands beacon has been repaired and the beacon has subsequently been re-anchored.
Education and Communication
The Harbour Wardens have continued with their excellent work giving advice to members of the public. The notice boards have been updated to their usual high standards. We have continued to update members with regular email updates of navigational and other information and produced two member newsletters.
Environmental work
During the period being reported work has continued to clear abandoned craft from the Harbour along with re-uniting displaced boats with their owners via BHA mailouts. Work is underway to develop a technique for the safe disposal of abandoned boats.
In September 2024 a beach clean was carried out in conjunction with the National Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust with support from Jason Bean and Jane Temple.
Sustainability
Membership decreased during the year. Our membership database confirms the number of voting members as 512.
Administration.
The trustees would like to thank Linda Millett for her work and commitment and wish her all the best in retirement. We welcome Alex Hinton who continues with secretarial duties for the Charity.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Committee have reviewed the charities risk register and the significant risks that may impact the charity. Actions and safeguards to mitigate such risks are being taken where necessary
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BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Policy
The Associations accounts are produced on an accruals basis. Non-cash assets consist largely of buoys and associated ground tackle which are treated as revenue expenditure and written off on purchase / acquisition. As such the Association has no fixed assets and therefore no depreciation charges appear in the accounts.
Financial Performance
The attached statement of income and expenditure demonstrates in financial terms the activities of the charity for the period being reported. A surplus of £2,889 was produced during the period on a total income of £22,098 (of which £19 is restricted) and includes expected Gift Aid income from donations during the year of £3,004. The Majority of the expenditure during the year was the purchase of Buoy maintenance equipment to include chain and connections to be installed. The remainder was devoted to meeting the Associations other objectives with Safety and Security rightly taking priority.
Reserves Policy
The BHA maintains its reserves in an interest-bearing account with its bankers. A minimum level for reserves has been set at £20,000, which is considered adequate to deal with any unexpected expenditure needs beyond those anticipated in the annual budget.
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BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION
Income and Expenditure for the period 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2024
| BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION | BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION | BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION | BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION | BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and Expenditure for the period 1st January to 31st December 2024 | ||||
| Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted Funds £ |
Total £ |
Previous Period £ |
|
| Income1 | ||||
| Membership Donations | 13,788 | 13,788 | 14,130 | |
| Restricted Donations | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Other Donations | 125 | 125 | 595 | |
| Other Income and Interest2 | 5,162 | 19 |
5,181 | 3,734 |
| Gift Aid3 | 3,004 | 3,004 | 3,480 | |
| Grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total Income | 22,079 | 19 | 22,098 | 21,939 |
| Expenditure4 | ||||
| Safety and Security5 | 10,362 | 0 | 10,362 | 27,342 |
| Conservation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Education | 66 | 0 | 66 | 0 |
| Other | 8,781 | 0 | 8,781 | 4,887 |
| Total Expenditure | 19,209 | 0 | 19,209 | 32,229 |
| Surplus/(deficit) | 2,870 | 19 | 2,889 | (10,290) |
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| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Total | Total | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2024 | Funds | 2024 | Funds | 2024 | Funds | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Cash at bank | ||||||||
| Current Accounts | 14,238 | 1,408 | 15,646 | 15,543 | ||||
| Capital Account | 76,729 | 0 | 75;729 | 73,559 | ||||
| Total cash at bank | 90,967 | 1,408 | 92,375 | 89,102 | ||||
| Representedby | ||||||||
| Opening balance at period | 87,713 | 1,389 | 89,102 | 99,888 | ||||
| start | ||||||||
| Cash Surplusl(Deficit)in | 3,254 | 19 | 3,273 | (10,786) | ||||
| period | ||||||||
| Total Cash Assets | 90,967 | 1,408 | 92,375 | 89,102 | ||||
| Debtors3 | 3,004 | 0 | 3,004 | 3,388 | ||||
| Total Assets | 93,971 | 1,408 | 95,379 | 92,490 | ||||
| Liabilities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total Assets less Liabilities | 93,971 | 1,408 | 95,379 | 92,490 |
BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION
Notes to the accounts:
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Income is brought into the accounts on an accruals basis.
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Made up primarily of interest from cash in the Capital Account.
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Gift Aid of £3,004 is due on 2024 donations and has been taken into income and reflected as a debtor in the assets and liabilities statement.
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Expenditure is brought into the accounts on an accruals basis and has been allocated to groups reflecting the three objectives of the charity.
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Safety and Security expenditure includes spending on buoys, ground tackle, weights and associated consumables.
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H. Archer, a Trustee, is a director and shareholder of Archer Engineering Ltd which has during the year supplied Scaffold Boards for rebuilding the Morston Quay retaining wall at a cost of £1,500 Inc VAT. Type 1 granite for Morston Quay retaining wall rebuild at a cost of £752.70 Inc VAT. Replacement of a weather station anemometer at a cost of £240.95 Inc VAT. These costs have been invoiced to the charity at cost.
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N. Thompson, a Trustee is a director of coastal hire which provides hire of Buoy maintenance vessels to the charity of which there are two invoices for the period totalling £1,323 Inc VAT. This was just for Equipment Hire, Labour was Free of Charge to the charity.
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BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION (Charitable Incorporated Organisation number 1163228)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Blakeney Harbour Association for the year ended 31[st ] December 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 8.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities act 2011(The Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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Accounting records were not kept as required by section130 of the Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Christopher Dugdale FCA MA Partners LLP 7 The Close Norwich NR1 4DJ
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