2022-12-31-accounts

Annual Report for 2022

LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st ] NOVEMBER 2022

The Leicestershire & Rutland Beekeepers Association was founded in 1882 and was registered as an unincorporated charity number 510687 on 11 November 1980. On the f i r s t o f January 2016 the activities of the charity were transferred to the incorporated charity 1163520 which was registered with the charity commission on 11[th] September 2015.

The charity revised the constitution at the 2022 AGM to take more account of the use of electronic communications

The registered address of the charity is Leicestershire and Rutland Beekeepers Association 1890 Melton Road Rearsby Leicester LE7 4YS

Notice of the AGM to be held on April 6 2022 was sent to all members. This meeting was held electronically using Microsoft Teams

The trustees (Jay Anderson, Caroline Beardsmore, Craig Turner, Paul Crookes, Mike Petty, John Randall, John Skeet, Nigel Collier,Christopher Heath and Perpetua O’Sullivan )continued to manage the charity

Our object is to preserve the honeybee, by promoting the craft of beekeeping and educating the public about the benefit of bees in the environment

The Association had 396 members at 31/12/22 - identical to the prior year.

Full members continue to constitute 90% of the membership, 35% of whom are female. Revenue growth is mainly driven by the increase in the Full Membership fee introduced for 2023 renewals.

During 2022 we have invested in improving basic facilities at the Walton apiary site, standardising a training curriculum and establishing a better understanding of what our members expect from the association.

Take-up of training courses was strong. 46 members attended the Theory training, with 35 going on to participate in the practical courses, including 10 at Walton, where training recommenced in 2022. 14 members joined the improvers sessions at Brooksby. In contrast with the prior year, only one taster day was run in 2022.

A 140th anniversary celebration day, incorporating an inaugural LRBKA equipment auction was held at Brooksby in August, which raised over £750 in total. Over £200 was also raised from the sale of old library books, which were offered to the membership.. Good savings have been made in the sourcing of general insurances for the Association. The intention is to further consolidate policies in 2023.:

We attended county shows with our revised bee tent experience, a reflection of the times and dwindling volunteer numbers, yet still managing to interact with the public.

Thanks must go, once again, to all those who have donated their time and/ or money to help the charity, without whom we would be unable to operate

The above statement complies with the S 162 of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Accounts & Report Regulations 2008

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

RECEIPTS	2022	2021	Notes
Membership Fees	13,494	12,260	1
Training Course Fees	3,340	2,282	2
Sale of Beekeeping Equipment	9,536	4,641	3
Sale of Honey / Wax	125	286
Sale of Bees	-	-
Sale of Sundry Items	728	-	4
Equipment Hire Fees	120	126
Event Registration Fees	540	907	2
Sundry Event Income (Teas, Rafes etc.)	404	98	4
Donations Received	1,128	(253)	5
Commissions Received	223	92	6
Gift Aid Rebate	2,708	2,070
Bank Interest Received	608	1,229	7
Other Income	302	34	8
Total Receipts	33,256	23,772
PAYMENTS
Direct Costs
Purchase of Equipment for Resale	11,682	7,942	3
Apiary Running Costs	3,268	663	9
Capital Items	20,244	1,534
Event-specifc Costs	154	-
Venue Hire	107	53
Payment Platform Fees	497	254	10
Membership Insurance Cover	1,507	1,705
Speaker Fees	490	400
Incidental Operating Costs (Memorials, Prizes etc.)	48	-
Subtotal	37,997	12,551
Overheads
Web Hosting and Computer Software	167	243
Computer Hardware (non capital)	60	179
Internet and Telephone	55	-
Postage and Stationery	117	410
Bank/Finance Charges	81	96
Association General Insurances	540	1,159	11
Sundry overheads	88	-
Total Payments	39,105	14,638
Year’s Surplus / (Defcit)	-5,849	9,134
Funds Brought Forward	144,098	134,964
Funds Carried Forward	138,249	144,098

Registered Charity No. 1163520

Page 1 of 5

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022

BANK ACCOUNTS AND CASH				Notes
Natwest Bank - Current Account	9,759
Charities Aid Foundation - Current Account	5,964
Market Harborough Building Society	120,500
PayPal	88
Cash in Hand	158
Cash in Transit (PayPal to Natwest)	1,780
Total Liquid Funds		138,249
OTHER ASSETS
Fixed Assets				12
Land and Buildings	32,032
Assets Under Construction	10,173
Fixtures and Fittings	2,000
IT Equipment	500
Beekeeping Equipment	17,629
Apiary Tools / Machinery	13,216
Bee Tent	7,150
Other Educational / Public Engagement Assets	7,334
Regalia	-
Total Fixed Assets		90,034
Current Assets (Stock)				13
Jars and Lids	5,750
Frames	1,000
Foundation	200
Feed	0
Honey	125
Beekeeping Sundries	100
Branded Merchandise	150
Total Current Assets		7,325
Total Assets			235,608
less Current Liabilities
Creditors due within one year			(268)	14
Total Net Assets			235,340
Represented by:
General Funds			227,758
Restricted Funds			7,582	15
Total Funds			235,340

Registered Charity No. 1163520

Page 2 of 5

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

Notes to the Accounts:

1. The Association had 396 members at 31/12/22 - identical to the prior year. Full members continue to constitute 90% of the membership, 35% of whom are female. Revenue growth is mainly driven by the increase in the full membership fee introduced for 2023 renewals.

2. Take-up of training courses was strong. 46 members attended the theory training, with 35 going on to participate in the practical courses, including 10 at Walton, where training recommenced in 2022. 14 members joined the improvers sessions at Brooksby. In contrast with the prior year, only one taster day was run.

3. The Association experienced significant demand for jars, frames and foundation (which is reflected in both the sales and the related expenditure on stock replenishment).

4. A 140th anniversary celebration day, incorporating an inaugural LRBKA equipment auction was held at Brooksby in August, and which raised over £750 in total. Over £200 was also raised from the sale of old library books, which were offered to the membership.

5. On a like for like basis, donations to the association increased materially in 2022. This included over £350 raised in the memory of our former member, Chris Davidson, who sadly died this year. Our heartfelt thanks are due to Helen and the family.

6. The membership appeared to make greatly increased use of the Simon the Beekeeper discount scheme during 2022, giving rise to related commissions. Unfortunately, Simon’s decision to cease trading brings this arrangement to an end. However a new, replacement discount scheme with Bee Equipment has been made available to members for 2023.

7. Bank interest suffered as a result of rate reductions from 2021 onwards, applying to building society deposits.

8. At 31/12/22, the Association was in receipt of a number of unsolicited payments and duplicated membership payments. £120 was due for refund to members.

9. Underlying apiary running costs did increase across the board; However, the large year-on -year increase in cash outgoings was driven mainly by: a) the ramp-up of the Walton apiary (~£1.5k), b) the payment of 2021 Brooksby toilet hire in FY22, and c) some costs arising from kit-out at Markfield.

10. Payment Platform fees continue to grow, as a result of the Association’s increasing use of PayPal and GoCardless (for membership and events) and Square (for point of sale). This will be monitored going forward.

11. Good savings have been made in the sourcing of general insurances for the Association. The intention is to further consolidate policies in 2023.

12. In line with previous conventions, fixed assets are valued at the lower of the acquisition cost or replacement value, and are due to be next revalued in 2025. Assets are not depreciated. This policy will be reviewed during 2023. Asset movements are as follows. There were no disposals during 2022:

Registered Charity No. 1163520

Page 3 of 5

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

	at 31/12/2021	Additions	at 31/12/2022	Notes
Land and Buildings	27,500	4,532	32,032	New sheds (all 3 apiaries)
Assets Under Construction	-	10,173	10,173	Walton access and groundworks
Apiary Tools / Machinery	10,042	3,174	13,216	Ride-on mower, Brooksby
Bee Tent	5,914	1,236	7,150	Portable AV; new gazebo
Beekeeping Equipment	16,500	1,129	17,629	Hives, nucs, stands - Walton
Educational Assets	7,334		7,334
Fixtures and Fittings	2,000		2,000
IT Equipment	500		500
Total	69,790	20,244	90,034

1. Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, in line with UK GAAP. Physical stock counts are pending.

2. Creditors comprise refunds due to members (£120) and expenses due to apiary managers in relation to routine expenditure on consumables (£148).

3. Restricted Funds are those ringfenced specifically for the construction of a new building at the Walton apiary. The Charity has a reserves policy. Restricted Funds movements are as follows:

Opening Balance	17,666
Capital Expenditure	(10,173)	Access and groundworks
Interest Earned	89
Closing Balance	7,582

Registered Charity No. 1163520

Page 4 of 5

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis, in line with Charity Commission guidelines (publication CC16b). They are in accordance with section 133 of the Charities Act 2011, the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012, and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.

As required by The Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012, we report:

a) particulars of any guarantee given by the CIO, where any potential liability under the guarantee is outstanding at the date of the statement of assets and liabilities.	None apply
b) particulars of any debt outstanding at the date the statement of assets and liabilities which is owed by the CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any of the assets of the CIO.	None apply

At current levels of turnover, an independent examination of the accounts is required (under sections 144 and 145 of the Charities Act 2011); the LRBKA Constitution also requires this.

None of the Trustees received any remuneration or honorarium.

Craig Turner ACMA - Treasurer and Trustee On behalf of the LRBKA Board of Trustees, 04/04/2023

AUDITORS STATEMENT

The Association’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements. It is our responsibility to form an independent opinion on those statements, and to report our opinion to you.

We have conducted an audit of all of the disclosures and amounts in the financial statements. We have obtained all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence that the financial statements are free from misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error.

In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the Association’s affairs as at 31st December 2022.

Alison Hercock, 04/04/2023

Registered Charity No. 1163520

Page 5 of 5