2022-03-31-accounts - Nenthead Mines Conservation Society

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Nenthead Mines Conservation Society

NENTHEAD MINES CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1166281 Nenthead Mines, Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3PD

TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT

APRIL 2021 TO MARCH 2022

Trustees 31[st ] March 2022

Sheila Barker, Graham Derbyshire, Nicholas Green, Andy Hopkirk, Anne Hopkirk, Peter Jackson, Allan Richardson, Rosemary Vidler

Other Trustees during the year

None

CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES

The objects of the CIO are to advance the education of the public about mining, quarrying and smelting at Nenthead and in the North Pennines by:

researching, restoring, maintaining, owning and exploring the historic and natural features relating to mining, quarrying and smelting at Nenthead and adjacent mining areas;
encouraging and advocating the conservation of the remains of the mining, quarrying and smelting industries; and conservation of the geological features and natural environment, both above and below ground level;
undertaking archaeology projects,
recording and archiving information, and
sharing available information with the public.

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Charity was registered on 30[th ] March 2016 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation using the Charities Commission model document. The document is published on the Society’s website and is available from the principal office at Nenthead.

The members present at the meeting appoint trustees at the Annual General meeting of the Society by election.

The Trustees may also appoint other Trustees during the year but their appointment is only valid until the next Annual General Meeting.

The Annual General Meeting during this year was delayed by the Covid restrictions and eventually took place on 5th June 2021. This was held as a Video Meeting following the advice published by

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the Charity Commission which allowed for video meetings, provided the members approved that method of meeting.

Because of COVID19 restrictions, the Trustees held regular online video conference meetings during this year. When Covid restrictions were changed to allow in-person meetings, the Trustees agreed to continue with on-line video conference meetings because accessibility was improved by removing the time and expense for travelling to meetings. This method of holding meetings has been kept under review during the period.

The Trustees operate Working Groups in order to handle the detail of regular operations. The objectives are to involve more people in discussions, allowing timely decision-making, and allow the Trustees meetings to be focussed on strategic decision-making. The groups are:

Site Working Group
Visitor Working Group
Member Experience Working Group
Collections Working Group
Conservation Working Group
Infrastructure Working Group.

A Membership Committee reviews and decides membership applications.

The Treasurer maintains the accounts of the Charity and, in partnership with the Trustees, accepts and makes payments. Anne Hopkirk was the Treasurer and a Trustee at the start of this period. During the year, the Trustees appointed David Gough as Treasurer. David is not a Trustee.

Joyce Jackson attends Trustee’s meetings as Convenor of the Visitor Working Group and Bunkhouse Manager. Joyce is not a Trustee.

The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charities Commission.

The Trustees have produced and reviewed policies for Equality and Diversity, Member Code of Practise, Purchasing Procedures, Safeguarding, and Compliance with GDPR regulations.

VOLUNTEERS

During this period, most of the work on the Nenthead Mines site was carried out by volunteers. This work included preparing for and operating Public Open Days, hosting University and Group visits, carrying out site maintenance, constructing an archive store and office, and sorting and cataloguing archive documents.

Volunteers also carry out all administrative and management duties of the charity. This includes attending meetings with Government departments and agencies. The volunteers do not receive any payment for time and travelling costs.

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Nenthead Mines Conservation Society

ACHIEVING THE CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY

WORKING WITH HISTORIC ENGLAND

The majority of the Nenthead Mines site is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Legal consents are required for many operations on site. During the year we have maintained a working relationship with the Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the North West region.

In April 2021 we signed a “Section 17” agreement with Historic England which allows the charity to undertake certain maintenance works on the Nenthead Mines site without requiring individual legal consents. Trustee Nick Green negotiated and arranged this agreement on behalf of the charity.

This agreement reduces the amount of administrative time required when planning maintenance and enable Trustees to devote more time to meeting the objectives of the charity.

MAINTAINING THE NENTHEAD MINES SITE

Flooding caused by Storm Ciara in February 2020 had increased the humidity in the walls and the rooms of the Barracks building. Our educational displays were being affected by the rising humidity in the building. We engaged a contractor to remove the ground floor flagstones and underlying sand and cement layer. After drying the foundation surfaces, the sand and flagstones were replaced by the contractor. This work was funded from the charity resources.

All shelving and interior walls were removed to allow the flagstones to be removed. When replacing the shelving, we constructed a new interior wall which provides a store for more valuable tools and consumables.

A contractor was engaged to construct new Access steps for our geology walk. The Access steps were completely funded by a grant payment from the DEFRA department of Government which was arranged by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership (AONB).

OPEN DAYS

Due to the COVID19 restrictions, there had been no Public Open Days or Private Visits to the Nenthead site until July 2021. As restrictions were changed by Government to allow public visits, we restarted educational open days for both the public and university students. We also arranged private group visits for geology interest societies.

Places on our public Open Days were in great demand and we were able to host full capacity Open days.

APPROVED MINE ROUTES

We are members of a scheme that manages and finances an engineer’s report for certain routes into Smallcleugh and Rampgill Levels to allow their use by Adventure Groups. Due to Covid restrictions and a review in progress by the Health and Safety Executive, the scheme has not

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operated during this year and no expenditure has been required. Although Covid restrictions were removed from July 2021, the review by the HSE has not been completed.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER COMPLEMENTARY ORGANISATIONS

The Society is a member of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership (AONB). We are represented on the Geopark Advisory Group and the Historic Environment Working Group by Peter Jackson.

The AONB Partnership funded the development of a new site interpretation panel during this year and we worked with the contractor to develop this panel. The panel was installed alongside the main approach route during this year.

We have continued our membership of the National Association of Mining History Organisations and we have also continued our membership of the Alston Moor Business Association during this year.

During the year, we joined the Cumbria Local History Federation.

WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

As in previous years, we have continued to assist the Environment Agency (EA) and the Coal Authority (CA) with their work on methods of treating the mine water pollution in the River Nent at Nenthead.

The siting of water treatment facilities is a contentious issue, especially for people living nearby. We have not made any comment on the suitability of proposed sites, other than any consideration of their heritage status and historic value. The Trustees’ view continues to be that the heritage and legal status of the mines should be protected and that access to the mines for leisure purposes should not be obstructed.

The Coal Authority, working on behalf of the EA, has examined possible sites for Caplecleugh Level and Rampgill Level mine water treatment. We have joined several meetings with managers and engineers and it is possible that the preferred location for the treatment plan may be to the south east of Handsome Mea reservoir. Whichever location is preferred by the EA and CA, the proposal will require public consultation.

Our discussions with the EA and CA have included our desire to include education and information for the public about any water treatment facilities that might be constructed.

WORKING WITH THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE)

The operation of Carrs Mine requires that we comply with the law including the Mines Regulations 2014. We have maintained our working relationship with the principal Mines Inspector of the HSE. Carrs Mine was reopened to the public in July 2021 following a closure period caused by the national Covid epidemic restrictions.

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DEVELOPING, SHARING AND MAINTAINING ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS

The Collections Working Group has continued the work of cataloguing the Society’s collections. Current catalogue information is published on the NMCS public website.

During this period, we constructed a new archive storage room and office, within the Workshop building. This facility is designed to maintain the appropriate climate conditions for archive storage whilst minimising the requirements for heating. This work was funded from charity resources.

ENCOURAGING AND DEVELOPING MEMBERSHIP

At the end of this period, we had 144 members on 31 March 2022. This number is slightly less than for the previous period and we have assumed that Covid restrictions have had a negative effect on our acquisition of new members.

We have invested in developing and refining the on-line membership application process, and have introduced an on-line membership renewal process. We introduced the on-line processes in order to minimise the amount of time required Trustees and Officers to maintain an efficient membership administrative scheme.

FINANCE

The cash account report for the year follows at the end of this section.

Given this year has been so strongly negatively impacted by Covid19 shutdowns, the Society has been fortunate that its reserves coming into the year have been sufficient to cover unavoidable expenses and essential works.

Society members and visitors have continued to give generous donations during the year.

RESERVES POLICY

In September 2018 the Trustees adopted a reserves policy.

The policy states, “NMCS aims to maintain sufficient reserves to finance 12 months routine operating expenditure and an appropriate long-term program of maintenance of the Nenthead Mines site. The site includes many industrial structures and natural features, which requires regular maintenance, some of which is programmed and some of which is reactive. The level of such work and the expenditure thereon will vary from year to year. Some maintenance requirements may well require resources, which are larger than NMCS alone can sustain. In such a case NMCS will seek support from other organisations and grant making bodies to allow the Nenthead Mines site to remain a valuable, healthy and accessible location rich in mining history, industrial heritage and natural resources”.

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Nenthead Mines Conservation Society

FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022

FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022	FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022	FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022	FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2022		2021/22


INCOME	Open Days' takings	£ 2,590.42	Carrs Mine tripdonations, refreshments
	Private Visit takings	£ 952.50	Carrs Mine trip donations, refreshments
	AssayHouse Fees	£ 1,270.00	Overnight stays in AssayHouse
	Membership Fees	£ 1,430.35	Membership & Associate fees
	Donations	£ 1,646.68	All Donations
	Gift Aid	£ 511.42	Adjusted for repayment of £421.10
	Other Income	£ 25,658.31	Book etc. sales and one-offs - includes Covid-19 restart grant of £8000 & refund plus grant from AONB £7100
	Total Income	£ 34,059.68

EXPENDITURE	Maintenance	£ 11,955.91	All maintenance, including flood repair plus drying room rebuild
	Barracks Floor repair	£ 3,981.30	Completed May 2021
	Insurance	£ 113.00	BCA insurance for the site
	Purchases re CB donations	£ 448.99
	Open days expenses	£ 431.56	Any expenses for Open Days
	Utilities	£ 3,687.95	Gas, Electricity, Mobile Phone, Broadband
	Development	£ 8,781.80	New Office, new tool store
	Website	£ 183.07	Hosting & Functionality costs - annual
	Asset Transfer	£ -	Costs to date - about £100 to come
	Other expenses	£ 453.88	AGM, Book purchases, Subscriptions.

	Total Expenditure	£ 30,037.46
SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR to date		£4,022.22

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

31 March 2022

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FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022

FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022	FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022	FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022	FINANCIAL REPORT 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2022		2021/22


INCOME	Open Days' takings	£ 2,590.42	Carrs Mine tripdonations, refreshments
	Private Visit takings	£ 952.50	Carrs Mine trip donations, refreshments
	AssayHouse Fees	£ 1,270.00	Overnight stays in AssayHouse
	Membership Fees	£ 1,430.35	Membership & Associate fees
	Donations	£ 1,646.68	All Donations
	Gift Aid	£ 511.42	Adjusted for repayment of £421.10
	Other Income	£ 25,658.31	Book etc. sales and one-offs - includes Covid-19 restart grant of £8000 & refund plus grant from AONB £7100
	Total Income	£ 34,059.68

EXPENDITURE	Maintenance	£ 11,955.91	All maintenance, including flood repair plus drying room rebuild
	Barracks Floor repair	£ 3,981.30	Completed May 2021
	Insurance	£ 113.00	BCA insurance for the site
	Purchases re CB donations	£ 448.99
	Open days expenses	£ 431.56	Any expenses for Open Days
	Utilities	£ 3,687.95	Gas, Electricity, Mobile Phone, Broadband
	Development	£ 8,781.80	New Office, new tool store
	Website	£ 183.07	Hosting & Functionality costs - annual
	Asset Transfer	£ -	Costs to date - about £100 to come
	Other expenses	£ 453.88	AGM, Book purchases, Subscriptions.

	Total Expenditure	£ 30,037.46
SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR to date		£4,022.22

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

31 March 2022

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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Nenthead Mines Conservation Society.

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Nenthead Mines Conservation Society (the Society) for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

Responsibilities and basis of report

As charity trustees of the Society you are responsible for the preparation of accounts in accordance with the requirements of Charities Ac t 2011 (‘the Act’) .

I report in respect of my examination of the Society’s 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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Society as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in the report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to reached.

Signed: Chris Butler Date: 25[th] January 2023 Name: Mr Chris Butler F.M.A.A.T. Address: Butler & Gee Accountants 7 Newgate Barnard Castle Co Durham DL12 8NQ