LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO December 31[st] 2024
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
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
Notice of the AGM to be held on April 9 2024 was sent to all members. This meeting was held online.
The trustees (Jay Anderson, Caroline Beardsmore, Craig Turner, Paul Crookes, Mike Petty, John Randall, Nigel Collier, Christopher Heath, Emma Musson, Andy Stuart, Simon Castleman and Duncan Bellamy) continued to manage the charity
The Association had 376 members at 31/12/2024.Full members constitute 94% of the membership.
Our beekeeping theory course was able to continue using the internet. Practical training was carried out at Brooksby; Walton and Markfield, in addition to taster day events. Monthly meetings continued to be run online, with the exception of the Christmas meeting.
At our Walton Apiary work has continued to improve the site including specifying and putting in hand the provision of a Clubhouse.
The Association attended 7 local events with their observation hive containing live bees together with other beekeeping equipment to educate the public in the craft of beekeeping.
Financially we were able to end the year with an excess of income over expenditure of £7589. Our reserves stand at £161,144. The reserves donated for the construction of a building at the Walton Apiary have been wound down to £0 The charity has a reserves policy.
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 | 2024 | 2023 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership Fees | 11,163 | 10,188 | 1 |
| Training Course Fees | 2,940 | 2,890 | |
| Sale of Beekeeping Equipment | 10,023 | 10,520 | |
| Swarm Collector Fees | 240 | 160 | |
| Sale of Honey / Wax | - | - | |
| Sale of Sundry Items | 155 | - | 2 |
| Equipment Hire Fees | 169 | 80 | |
| Event Registration Fees | 455 | 1,150 | 3 |
| Sundry Event Income (Teas, Rafes etc.) | 177 | 164 | |
| Donations Received | 661 | 420 | 4 |
| Gift Aid Rebate | 2,197 | 3,146 | 5 |
| Bank Interest Received | 3,461 | 1,812 | 6 |
| Other Income | - | 60 | |
| Total Receipts | 31,641 | 30,590 | |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Direct Costs | |||
| Purchase of Equipment for Resale | 7,648 | 7,360 | |
| Apiary Running Costs | 950 | 2,044 | 7 |
| Capital Items | 8,075 | 1,893 | 8 |
| Bee Tent Running Costs | 430 | - | 9 |
| Event-specifc Costs | 72 | 59 | |
| Venue Hire | - | 114 | |
| Payment Platform Fees | 470 | 451 | |
| Swarm Collection Platform Fees | 240 | 144 | |
| Membership Insurance Cover | 1773 | 1,740 | |
| Speaker Fees | 395 | 220 | |
| Incidental Operating Costs (Memorials, Prizes etc.) | 3,985 | 273 | 10 |
| Subtotal | 24,038 | 14,298 | |
| Overheads | |||
| Web Hosting and Computer Software | 325 | 149 | 11 |
| Computer Hardware (non capital) | - | - | |
| Internet and Telephone | - | - | |
| Postage and Stationery | 74 | 46 | |
| Subscriptions | 59 | - | |
| Bank/Finance Charges | - | 45 | |
| Sundry overheads | - | 305 | |
| Total Payments | 24,496 | 14,843 | |
| Year’s Surplus / (Defcit) | 7,145 | 15,747 | |
| Funds Brought Forward | 153,996 | 138,249 | |
| Funds Carried Forward | 161,141 | 153,996 |
Registered Charity No. 1163520
Page 1 of 5
LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024
| BANK ACCOUNTS AND CASH | BANK ACCOUNTS AND CASH | 2024 | 2023 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natwest Bank - Current Account | 6,924 | 12,837 | ||
| Natwest Bank - Business Reserve | 40,203 | - | 12 | |
| Market Harborough Building Society | 80,500 | 120,500 | 13 | |
| Loughborough Building Society | 30,350 | 20,000 | ||
| PayPal | 3,164 | 659 | ||
| Cash in Hand | - | - | ||
| Cash in Transit (PayPal to Natwest) | - | - | ||
| Total Liquid Funds | 161,141 | 153,996 | ||
| * of which restricted: | 0 | 7,038 | 14 | |
| OTHER ASSETS / LIABILITIES | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Other Current Assets | ||||
| Stock | Jars and Lids | 4,832 | 5,414 | |
| Frames | 1,396 | 2,190 | ||
| Foundation | 747 | 385 | ||
| Other | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total Other Current Assets | 6,975 | 7,989 | 15 | |
| Current Liabilities | ||||
| Creditors due within one | year | - | (179) | - |
| Summary schedule of Non-Current Assets | retained for the charity’s own use | 16 | ||
| Land and Buildings | Land at Kilworth Rd, Walton | |||
| Removable apiary buildings | ||||
| Fixtures and Fittings | (Various) | |||
| IT Equipment | PA System | |||
| Beekeeping Equipment | Hives and Hive Parts | |||
| Extractors | ||||
| Sundry | ||||
| Apiary Tools / Machinery | Mowers (sit-on x1 / scythe | x1) | ||
| Power Tools | ||||
| Generators | ||||
| Sundry | ||||
| Educational / Public Engagement Assets | Bee Tent Trailer | |||
| Tents / Gazebos | ||||
| Bee Suits | ||||
| Professional-grade microscopes (x2) | ||||
| Sundry | ||||
| Regalia | Chains of Ofce | |||
| Cups and Trophies |
Registered Charity No. 1163520
Page 2 of 5
LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
Notes to the Accounts (subject to inspection):
-
The Association had 376 members at 31/12/24 - (vs. 385 prior year). Full members constitute 94% of the membership (vs. 91%), 35% of whom are female (vs. 33%). The increase in revenue is accounted for by timing differences arising from late payments of 2023
-
Membership Fees - settled in early 2024, and the timely settlement of 2025 fees. Membership revenues for the Membership Year 2024 were £10,946, with receipts spanning both FY23 and FY24.
-
Sales of Sundry Items arose from second-hand equipment sales at Brooksby, and the introduction of candle rolling at bee tent events.
-
Event registrations arose from a successful Taster Day event, which was attended by 16 members of the public in early August. (Note that 2023 figures were boosted by a Nosema Day event).
-
Donations increased principally due to a generous £300 donation from Gates Garden Centre, in lieu of support kindly provided to them by Mike Petty.
-
Gift Aid receipts are markedly lower than in 2023, due to timing differences still working their way through the accounts from the changes to the timing of membership renewals (in 2022, inflating the 2023 claim).
-
The Association continues to make efforts to ensure adequate interest is earned on all its deposits. This included the opening of a new Business Reserve account during 2024. Additionally, the interest rate landscape was comparatively favourable.
-
Apiary Running Costs fell back to more normal levels in 2024, following expenditure incurred in 2023 to continue the kit-out of the Walton apiary.
-
Capital Expenditure in FY24 comprised the following items.
| in 2023 to continue the kit-out of the Walton apiary. Capital Expenditure in FY24 comprised the following items. |
in 2023 to continue the kit-out of the Walton apiary. Capital Expenditure in FY24 comprised the following items. |
|
|---|---|---|
| FY24 Additions (£) | ||
| Walton Building Project related | ||
| Planning and related fees | 280 | |
| Design / engineering consultancy | 810 | |
| Prefabricated Building - Initial Deposit | 6,300 | |
| Subtotal (Building Project) | 7,390 | |
| Plus: | ||
| Walton Apiary infrastructure (pathways / hive stands) | 580 | |
| Sundry Equipment | 105 | |
| Total | 8,075 |
Capital Expenditure is expected to continue to increase in FY25 as a result of the
development of the Walton site, which is now fully underway, and which involves the erection of a substantial timber clubhouse (currently in manufacture), and related groundworks. Furthermore, the Association expects to sign a long-term lease of the Brooksby site in early 2024, with the security of tenure expected to serve as a platform for future investment.
Registered Charity No. 1163520
Page 3 of 5
LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
Asset disposals extended only to the scrapping of a projector, for which no proceeds were realised.
-
Bee Tent Running Costs comprised the purchase of new polo shirts for event volunteers.
-
Incidental Operating Costs include £3,600 transferred to the client account of the solicitors acting on behalf of the arrangement of the Brooksby lease.
-
Web Hosting and Computer Software costs increased due to the purchase of an Association subscription for Zoom
-
A Natwest Business Reserve Account was opened in 2024. Sitting alongside the current account, this is instant-access and interest bearing.
-
Deposits at MHBS were reduced below the £85,000 threshold implied by the FSCS deposit guarantee, as a risk mitigation measure.
-
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:
| follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance | 7,038 | |
| Interest Earned | 180 | (prorated) |
| Walton Building Project CapEx released from Restricted Funds | (7,218) | See note 8 above |
| Closing Balance | 0 | |
| Walton Building Project CapEx released from Unrestricted Funds | (172) | See note 8 above |
-
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, in line with UK GAAP. ‘Other’ stock (comprising branded merchandise, and small amounts of honey and sundry beekeeping kit) is recorded at zero value, as a result of its low materiality and questionable saleability.
-
In line with what is permitted by the Charity Commission (per notice CC16b), and with accepted conventions for accounts produced on a receipts and payments basis, the Association no longer publishes either a valuation of its fixed assets nor - as a consequence - a full balance sheet. This approach is endorsed by the independent examiners, and is reflective of the subjective nature of any related valuations. Asset registers are, and will continue to be available for review by members on request.
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, 15/03/2025
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS
We report to the Trustees on the examination of the accounts of the Leicestershire and Rutland Beekeepers Association (the Association) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Trustees of the Association are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
We report in respect of our examination of the Association accounts set out on pages 1 to 4. We have completed our examination.
We confirm that no material matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination giving us cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Association as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
The accounts do not accord with those records.
We 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.
Stephen Boyd, 31/03/2025
Alison Hercock, 31/03/2025
Registered Charity No. 1163520
Page 5 of 5