## **BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION** 

## **CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION NUMBER 1163228** 

**REPORT, ACCOUNTS AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT** 

**FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY 2025 TO 31 DECEMBER 2025** 

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 2025 to 31 December 2025 

## **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 (Chair) 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** 

- 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. 

- 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. 

- 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: 

- Safety 

- Education and communication 

- Environmental work 

- Sustainability 

## **Safety** 

There was significant activity relating to buoyage of the harbour during the year. 

All the inner-harbour channel markers had been lifted at the end of the 2024 season and were refurbished, cleaned and re-stickered where the sponsors names had become worn or difficult to read. All mooring gear was inspected and replaced where necessary before the markers were re-laid. Given that almost 70 markers were re-laid, this was a major undertaking. 

The harbour entrance moved East, away from the Hjordis wreck, and the relevant buoyage was repositioned accordingly. The entrance has subsequently started to move West again. 

Outer-harbour bouys were inspected and serviced as required and the South Sands beacon was moved further South to reflect the movement of channels. 

The annual Trinity House inspection was very positive confirming that harbour buoyage was appropriate and wellpositioned. Both the Morston and South Sands beacons were repainted in the correct colours following an advisory comment from the 2024 inspection. 

We continued to attend regular water safety meetings with the RNLI. 

## **Education, Communication and Events** 

BHA Harbour Wardens continued their challenging but important work advising members of the public and helping to ensure positive and safe behaviour in the harbour. 

Thanks to Linda and Colin Millett for continuing to maintain and update the BHA noticeboards on Morston and Blakeney quays. 

We continue to inform members with about activities and navigational matters with regular email updates and our Secretary, Alex Hinton, reactivated the BHA Facebook page. We also published a newsletter. 

We held our first BHA Boat Jumble, an event which will be repeated in 2026 but unfortunately had to cancel a planned laying-up event due to a clash of dates. 

## **Environmental Activities** 

Through the period we continued to work with the National Trust on the clearance of abandoned or unsafe craft, a number of which were safely destroyed. This is likely to become an increasing challenge and we are working on an improved process. 

The BHA Sedimentation Committee continued their excellent work supported by EXO Environmental on monitoring sedimentation of the Blakeney Channel and have been working on expanding this across the inner harbour. It is essential to have good data to inform possible interventions. 

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Water quality in the harbour was monitored across the year and apart from a spike in August, was consistently very good. We remind all boat owners to continue to be responsible with black water waste and contaminants in and around the harbour. 

In September 2025 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 slightly during the year. Our membership database confirms the number of voting members as 501. 

## **Administration.** 

We thank Alex Hinton who continues with secretarial duties, Helen Ward who compiles monthly accounts and Chris Dugdale who undertakes an Independent Examination of the accounts. 

## **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. 

## **BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION** 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Policy** 

The Association’s 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 £2,001 was produced during the period on a total income of £18,922 (of which £15 is restricted) and includes expected Gift Aid income from donations during the year of £2,610. 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 Association’s 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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STATEMENTS OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance
with applicable law and the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice)
The law applicable to Charitie5 in England and Wales requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each
financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and
application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are
required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistentlv-
Observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP,.
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,.
State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures dlsclosed
and explained in the financial statements,.
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity
will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accountin8 records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time
the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial ststements comply with the Charities
Att 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of its Constitution. They are a150
responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and
detettiorb of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Committee and signed on their behalf by:
Andrew Ruff - Hon. Treasurer
Dated:

## **BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION** 

|**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 2025**|||||
||||||
||Unrestricted<br>Funds £|Restricted Funds<br>£|Total<br>£|Previous Period<br>£|
||||||
|**Income**1|||||
|Membership Donations|12,910||12,910|13,788|
|Organisation Donations|600||600|0|
|Other Donations|64||64|125|
|Other Income and Interest2|2,723|<br>15|2,738|<br>5,181|
|Gift Aid3|2,610||2,610|3,004|
|Grants|0||0|0|
|**Total Income**|18,907|15|18,922|22,098|
||||||
|**Expenditure**4|||||
|Safety and Security5|11,731|450|12,181|10,362|
|Conservation|0|0|0|0|
|Education|1,155|0|1,155|66|
|Other|3,585|0|3,585|8,781|
|**Total Expenditure**|**16,471**|**450**|**16,921**|19,209|
||||||
|**Surplus/(deficit)**|**2,436**|**(435)**|**2,001**|**2,889**|
||||||



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BLAKENEY HAR80UR ASSOCIATION
Statement of Assets and Llabilities as of 31 December 2025
Unrestricted
Funds 2025
Restrirted
Funds 2025
Total
Funds 2025
Total
Funds 2024
Cash at bank
Current Accounts
14,450
15,423
Capital Account
79,347
79,347
76,729
Total cash at bank
93,797
973
94,770
92,375
Represented by
Opening bolonce at period stort
90,967
1,408
92,375
89,102
Cash Surplus/(DeficitJ in period
2,830
14351
2,395
3,273
Total Cash Assets
93,797
973
94,770
92,375
Debtors
2,610 '
2,610
3,004
Totsl Assets
96,407 ,,
973
97,380
95,379
Total Assets le￿ Liabilities
96,407
973
97,380
9S,379
The above accounts were approved by the Committee of Trustees and signed on their behalf by..
Neil Thompson. Chairman.
Andrew Ru
Hon Treas
Dated:
/ &/os/20

## **BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION** 

## **Notes to the accounts:** 

1. Income is brought into the accounts on an accruals basis. 

2. Made up primarily of interest from cash in the Capital Account. 

3. Gift Aid of £2,610 is due on 2025 donations and has been taken into income and reflected as a debtor in the assets and liabilities statement. 

4. Expenditure is brought into the accounts on an accruals basis and has been allocated to groups reflecting the three objectives of the charity. 

5. Safety and Security expenditure includes spending on buoys, ground tackle, weights and associated consumables. 

6. N. Thompson, a Trustee is a director of Neil Thompson Boats Ltd who have in the year repaired the charities pressure washer and sent the charity an invoice for £266 Inc VAT for this work. 

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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 2025, 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: 

1. Accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. 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 

## 17th March 2026 

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