Charity Registration Number: 1165496
Poole Quays Forum
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
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Poole Quays Forum Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Reference and Administration Details
Charity name
Poole Quays Forum
Charity registration number
1165496
Charity’s principal address
Poole Quays Forum Jolliffe House 32 West Street Poole BH15 1LD
Trustees
Christopher Allenby (Interim Chair) – appointed 11/10/23 Lisa Fall – retired 11/10/24 Gordon Sutterby - appointed 25/03/21 Andrew Preston - appointed 23/01/23 Susan Bellamy – appointed 01/11/23
Poole Quays Forum Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
Poole Quays Forum is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’), which was created and registered with the Charity Commission on 9 February 2016.
Poole Quays Forum is a membership-based organisation. Membership of the CIO is open to:
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i. anyone who resides, or works or, in the case of a corporate body or a partnership has a place of business in the Neighbourhood Area; or
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ii. anyone who is an elected member of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council), whose area falls within the Neighbourhood Area; and is interested in furthering the purposes of the CIO.
The general management and control of the charity rests with a board of trustees, who are elected by the membership of the charity at each annual general meeting. The board of trustees may also appoint new trustees during the year, although such persons will hold office until the next AGM, where they may be re-appointed. Trustees are required to retire by rotation, with one third of the trustees retiring each year. Trustees who retire at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) may, if still willing to act, be reappointed.
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The board of trustees meet approximately once a month to manage the affairs of the charity. All trustees give their time voluntarily. They are assisted by a group of voluntary advisors, who provide advice and guidance to the trustees on a range of technical issues.
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity, as set out in its governing document, are to promote for the benefit of the public:
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a. the protection, preservation, improvement and revitalisation of the built environment:
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b. high standards of architecture and town planning:
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c. the provision or improvement of public amenities, open spaces and recreational facilities for the public at large or those who have need of them by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances; in the neighbourhood area, in particular but not exclusively by such sustainable means as may promote sustainable development, in order to improve the social economic and environmental wellbeing of the neighbourhood area.
The ‘neighbourhood area’ means the area known as Poole Old Town and Hamworthy East.
Poole Quays Forum (PQF) primarily pursues its objects as defined in the Neighbourhood Plan for the Poole Quays Forum area. Under the Localism Act 2011, a neighbourhood forum has the powers to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan and Development Order for a neighbourhood area. The PQF plan was adopted by the Local Authority (LA) in February 2017 and is now part of the LA’s planning policies. As a formal group recognized by the Local Authority, Poole Quays Forum can therefore represent the neighbourhood and the local community’s various interests. It is an opportunity for interested parties to share ideas and work together to make the neighbourhood area a better place.
Poole Quays Forum also pursues its objects by pursuing improvements to public amenities in the neighbourhood area. Such work involves working in partnership with other bodies to identify opportunities and bring forward plans to improve public space.
The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing aims and objectives and when planning future activities. The trustees are satisfied that the charity meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit test.
Achievements and Performance
A positive start to the year with BCP Council granting PQF accreditation, as a Neighbourhood Forum for a further 5 years to January 2028. This is the third consecutive renewal period.
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The first members meeting of the year, held in January drew 68 attendees, the meeting opened by welcoming the guest speakers Councillor Vikki Slade , Leader of BCP Council and Graham Farrant CEO of BCP Council and thanking the audience for attending. Some questions for the guest speakers had been submitted in advance.
In March with 48 attendees, we welcomed Kate Underwood, Interim Human Resources Director, at Sunseeker International Ltd
She showed several videos demonstrating how Sunseeker International has grown from a small family run business into an internationally recognised brand . The company was formed in 1969 by the Braithwaite brothers, initially building speed boats but have evolved to produce high performance powerboats. Sunseeker employ around two thousand permanent staff and around a thousand specialist contractors/sub-contractors and are one of the largest employers in Dorset.
Our October meeting was cancelled due to our speaker becoming unavailable.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in December, with 74 attendees. The Trustees welcomed Hilary Jones, Lush UK, Ethics Director and Steve Brackstone. Past, Present and Future of LUSH UK They gave a passionate presentation about Lush. Founded by Mark Constatine and Liz Weir, who wanted to create fresh products, handmade, with no animal testing and no or little packaging. The business started out as a herbal hair and beauty company operating out of 29 High Street, Poole. They supplied products to the Body Shop, but when Anneta Rodderick sold the Body Shop, the recipes for the products they provided were sold and a non competitive agreement was signed. Constatine and Weir then created Cosmetics to go, a mail order company. Whilst the products were popular, free delivery and free samples ate into the profit margin and the company went onto administration in 1994. They then created Lush, opening a store in Covent Garden and The Kings Road. They now operate out of 54 countries and have 811 shops, split between the Lush Group and Lush partners. COVID had a dramatic effect on the company and whilst still recovering they are looking to expand by taking on new partners and opening larger shops like the one in Liverpool.
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Harry Paye Day, is an annual event celebrating the Heritage of Poole and the historic link of pirates with the harbour and Quay. PQF were present with a stand on the Quay, welcoming new members and providing information on new developments within the area.
The High Street Action Zone (HAZ) project, jointly funded by Historic England and BCP Council has made significant progress with structural and visual improvements to Listed properties in the High Street. Also, in making contributions to the refurbishment and expansion of Poole Museum and Scaplens Court. All this work contributing to the celebration of the Heritage of Poole. PQF are represented as HAZ Board Member.
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Oct 24, PQF presented at a seminar held by BCP on the pro’s and con’s of establishing and managing a neighbourhood Forum.
PQF objective is to encourage the local community to play an active part in shaping the future environment for the PQF area. Providing, timely and accurate information on activities, developments and changes to the local environment, which may affect people’s work and/or living conditions. That means bringing people together, physically, to share concepts and work towards improvements in the area.
The Trustees and Advisors met regularly on 10 occasions through the year. The working group review all planning applications within the area, submitting comments to the Planning team, when appropriate. Information is passed to Members, who are encouraged to give their own views and comments. The objective is to inform people and encourage them to be active in the community. We continue to work closely with developers and BCP Council on potential developments and public realm projects. Regular meetings are held with the BCP Director of Planning. PQF objective is to encourage good and sustainable development, which will improve the environment and benefit the existing and future community of the Neighbourhood area.
Representative members of the Trustees and Advisor group continued engagement and contributed to other local organisations including Poole Business Improvement District (BID), the local Police Authority, the Society for Poole. PQF representatives were active in developing the “Poole Quay Design Code” and the BCP “Building Heights,” policy.
A proportion of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) paid by developers is available for bids from the local community for projects to enhance the local environment. As PQF have a registered Neighbourhood Plan any requests for CIL funding within the PQF area must be considered by the Trustees, who make recommendations to BCP Council, who allocate the funds. During the year PQF have recommended the following payments:
The Society of Poole submitted an application for funding towards The Beating of the Bounds, the application met the requirements, and we recommend approval.
We sanctioned a CIL Payment towards Skinner Street United Reform Church Community Gardens £26360
The Neighbourhood Plan is now firmly established as part of the BCP Council planning process. PQF will continue to work in partnership with other interested parties such as the Council, Poole Harbour Commissioners, local businesses, potential developers, and the Poole BID team to share ideas and work together to make the neighbourhood area a better place.
PQF Trustees wish to thank all members for their continued support. Membership at the year-end was 514, with an additional 142 interested parties and 11 BCP Council representatives, with a total mailing list of 680. All members are encouraged to participate in PQF activities and new members are most welcome.
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The Trustees wish to thank the RNLI for their continued support and assistance.
A special thank you is due to fellow Trustees and Advisors, who continue to give of their time, knowledge, experience and effort on a voluntary basis.
We look forward to another active year.
Signed on behalf of all the trustees.
Christopher Allenby Interim Chairman of the Trustees Date: 6[th] June 2025
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Poole Quays Forum Receipts and Payments Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | |||
| Grants | - | ||
| Donations and gift aid | 181 | 242 | |
| BCP & BoP | 1000 | - | |
| Total receipts | | | |
| 1181 | 242 | ||
| | | ||
| Bank Charges | (60) | (61) | |
| Workshop | - | - | |
| Print & publicity | - | - | |
| Website Domain | - | - | |
| Insurance | (198) | (185) | |
| Loans paid off | - | (1000) | |
| Other miscellaneous costs | (265) | - | |
| | | ||
| Sub-total | (523) | (1246) | |
| | | ||
| Net receipts / (payments) | 658 | (1004) | |
| | | ||
| Cash funds brought forward | - | - | |
| | | ||
| Cash funds carried forward | 658 |
(1004) |
All funds are unrestricted.
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Poole Quays Forum Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2024
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Cash funds | |||
| HSBC current account | 3909 | 3252 | |
| HSBC savings account | - | - | |
| | | ||
| 3909 | 3252 | ||
| | | ||
| Liabilities | |||
| Payments due | (100) | (100) | |
| | | ||
| (100) | (100) | ||
| | |
All funds are unrestricted.
Signed on behalf of all the trustees.
Christopher Allenby Interim Chairman of the Trustees Date: 6[th] June 2025
Accounts reviewed by
DEBBIE L. FERGUSON Date: 15[th] June 2025
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Poole Quays Forum Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
The following notes provide additional analysis to assist with the understanding of the accounts.
1. Basis of preparation
As a CIO, the charity is required to follow accounting and reporting requirements set out by charity law. As the charity’s annual income is below £250,000, it is permitted to prepare its accounts on a receipts and payments basis. The charity has therefore chosen to present receipts and payments accounts with a statement of assets and liabilities.
2. Independent examination of the accounts
An audit or independent examination is only required if the charity’s gross income is over £25,000. The trustees have therefore decided not to have an independent examination performed in accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance set out in ‘Independent examination of charity accounts: examiners (CC32) ’. The Trustees have, however, subjected the accounts to informal external verification by a suitably experienced person not connected to the charity.
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