BENFIELD BOWLING CLUB
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 30 September 2021
The Trustees of Benfield Bowling Club present their annual report and audited accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021 and confirm compliance with the requirements of the Charities Act, 2011.
The Club operates as a registered charity through the Charities Commission for England and Wales and was formed duly as a charity in July 2016.
Aims
The aim of the Club is the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for the benefit of the local inhabitants and its surrounding area by the provision of facilities for playing the sport of flat green bowls. We aim to encourage the local community to be involved in the sport of lawn bowls through participation, spectatorship or, indeed, in many other areas where that support can benefit all.
Where possible we aim to offer the opportunity for members to take up coaching roles which would further encourage the local community to take part gaining confidence to then join the Club and facilitate the growth of all who take part.
Objectives
One of our main objectives is to manage the Club’s future under our own steam after an agreed set of terms and conditions, through a ninety-nine year lease of the grounds and facilities, which will enable the Club to move particular objectives at a faster rate. We are currently in negotiation with Newcastle upon Tyne local authority as to the final stages of wording for these terms and conditions of the said lease. We hope to see conclusion and full implementation of the said lease in the short term.
We look to ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club especially in accordance with Safeguarding and Vulnerable Persons Protection Policies of both Bowls England, our governing body, and through the Laws of England. We especially look to forever endeavour to offer all services in a way that is fair to everyone.
The Club have further objectives in that:
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We aim to constantly improve our facilities whether this is the playing surface or the clubhouse and its surrounds for the betterment of the Club and its members including the local community
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Allow the use of our facilities by the local and surrounding community for free or with a small charge which will help toward running costs
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To keep membership fees as low as possible to encourage the local community to join the Club and keep its current members through loyalty without it being detrimental to the Club as a whole
Board of Trustees
The affairs of the Club are conducted by a Board of Trustees which consist of the following:
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President
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Vice President
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Club Secretary
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Club Treasurer
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Four or more Trustees
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BENFIELD BOWLING CLUB
The Club’s Welfare Officer (normally the Club Secretary) and Head Coach are Board Members in an advisory role only but in a non-voting capacity in relation to their positions as Welfare Officer and Head Coach.
Governance
The charity is governed by a Constitution and is an unincorporated association but has agreed to become a CIO (Charities Incorporated Organisation).
Membership
Membership of the Club is open to anyone interested in promoting, coaching, volunteering or participating in flat green bowls , regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs and shall consist of the following categories:
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Full Member
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Life Member
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Junior Member
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Social Member
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Second Club Member
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Casual Playing Member
Other membership schemes can be introduced dependent upon the benefits to the Club or potential member/s. All members are subject to the regulations of the Constitution and by joining the Club are deemed to accept these regulations, any codes of practice or rules that the Club has adopted including all rules relating to leagues and competitions that the Club or individual has entered. Members in each category pay membership fees determined by the type of membership on offer as determined at the Annual General Meeting.
Sports Equity
This Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:
“Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.”
The Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and shall treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status. The Club operates in accordance with Safeguarding and Vulnerable Person Protection Policies adopted by the national governing body of the sport of bowls.
The Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse and all Club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity while the Club shall deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour according to Club disciplinary procedures.
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BENFIELD BOWLING CLUB
Future Plans
The Club aim to finalise the signing of the lease agreement between Newcastle upon Tyne local authority and the Club with an already agreed term of ninety-nine years which gives us the right of use of the facilities and its surrounds for that term. We also have to maintain the grounds and facilities to a minimum standard for that term and we shall seek on a constant basis financial help to allow the Club to operate during this time.
We shall also seek help from the local authority for any purpose which shall be deemed to the benefit of the Bowling Club and the authority’s asset.
We mutually share car parking facilities with our neighbour, Newcastle Benfield Football Club, although maintenance of the said facility is carried out by the football club for the term of their lease, also ninety-nine years.
There is the possibility for extension to the Club’s current pavilion as there is plenty of unused land either side, and to the rear of, the current pavilion which forms part of our remit under the agreement of the lease with Newcastle upon Tyne local authority for maintenance as discussed above. Ultimately this means the Club’s future can be further cemented by improvements to the facilities under such an extension. To obtain such works the Club has a desire to seek funds through grants and, of course, planning permission that would help with our cause. These plans are ongoing.
Finances
The Club’s finances are generally generated through Club Membership of which there are several types which suit the individual’s needs whether through full membership or casual etc. We aim to keep these at a low premium year on year to help benefit both the Club and its participants.
The Club are allowed to offer the facilities for use by other groups and individuals for their own purposes but these are strictly controlled by the local authority under the terms and conditions of our lease. This can generate valuable income for the Club when it is not used by our own members especially outside of the summer playing season. The Club are currently open to such groups and activities.
The Club received a restricted grant from Newcastle Building Society (£750) for a project designed to carry out work around the green, primarily the backboards.
Newcastle upon Tyne City Council awarded the Club a restricted grant of £500 for post covid building cleanliness (Community Buildings Fund) in order to keep members safe whilst occupying the building.
Other, unrestricted, grants from Newcastle upon Tyne City Council were awarded post covid and these were two separate grants named Winter Business Grant (£9,720 and £2,968.50 respectively). The Club were also awarded a Restart grant, unrestricted, for £8,000 which was to help the Club restart after being shut down through covid.
These grants are one time only awards and will not be available again.
Costs to the Club for green and repairs maintenance were £3,239.37 and £799.86 respectively.
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BENFIELD BOWLING CLUB
Development and maintenance
This is to be carried out by the Club within the remit of the lease agreed by the same under the control of Newcastle upon Tyne local authority. We are able to carry out any maintenance which does not alter the structural integrity of the pavilion for which permission will be required through such authority and via the terms and conditions of our lease.
We have developed our playing surface by shrinking the size so we now have a walk around of the playing area on all four sides. Further, we have developed the access to the green to allow wheelchair users and other members to gain access to the playing surface where flat access is required where it would otherwise be impossible for some to use the high bank sides for access. We also have a ramp to enable access to the facilities from the car park whereas before we had steps which were not suitable for wheelchairs especially.
This allows for a full range of people with different needs the access required to fully partake in the sport of lawn green bowls no matter their ability.
Improvements under guidance will be sought on a continuous level.
Administrative Detail
Name of Charity Benfield Bowling Club Registered Charity Number 1168108 Principal Address Sam Smith’s Sports Ground Benfield Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 4NU
Names of Trustees managing the Charity
Name of Trustee Office (if held) Dorothy Taylor President Jim Taylor Secretary Terence Carson Vice President, Treasurer Brian Rootham Data Controller Eddie Humble Brian Hill Paul Proctor Cam Anderson Alan Welsh Patricia Browne
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BENFIELD BOWLING CLUB
Management
Club President : Chairs all meetings and, upon a tied vote during a Trustee’s meeting, has the casting vote should the President desire to use it.
Vice President : Stands in for the Club President when they are unavailable for Club duties.
Secretary : (also, but not obligatory) can take on the role of Welfare Officer. Takes care of all day to day running of Club business, including taking minutes and distribution of such, keep a accurate record of Club business and a record of all members of the Club.
Vice Secretary : Assists the Club Secretary in the running of the Club where necessary.
Treasurer : Keeps a record of all monies, income and expenditure, in accordance with English law and also governing rules of the Charities Commission of England and Wales plus Club Rules. Informs the Trustees and membership as to the status of current record of accounts including bank statements and other accounts such as financial year-end documents. Compiles said year-end accounts and forwards such to an auditor chosen by the Club Trustees.
Data Controller : Is responsible for overseeing data held by both the Club Secretary and Club Treasurer and ensuring that the collection, storage, handling and usage of personal data is managed in accordance with the GDPR, May 2018 legislation. Is the ONLY officer who will respond to requests by members for removal, addition or editing of any new fields of data to any current database, paper or electronic format, held for the benefit or running of the Club under the aforementioned Regulation.
Greenkeeper : Responsible for the maintenance and running of the playing surface and its immediate surrounding areas such as banksides and ditches. Is responsible to the Trustees only and shall have rink rotation and direction of play utilised in the best interests of the playing surface and of the Club.
Welfare Officer : The Club’s Welfare Officer’s primary role is to assist the Club in fulfilling its responsibilities to safeguard all vulnerable persons within the Club and, indeed, all others who attend the Club’s facilities. The Welfare Officer’s duties are fully explained in the Club’s Safeguarding and Vulnerable Persons Protection Policy. This Officer has a seat on the Board of Trustees but only in an advisory position with no voting rights unless the Welfare Officer also occupies a seat on the Board of Trustees in their own right.
Achievements and Performance
Improvements made to the playing surface certainly made a difference to our successes on the green and has attracted new members. This will be an ongoing target for the Club in the years to come with further improvements being targeted all of the time.
Club and personal successes are shown in the following list (all winners unless stated):
County Singles Champion (men), Northern Counties Singles Champion (men), Champion of Champions (men), Champion of Champions (ladies), Inter Club Mixed Pairs, Inter Club Junior Pairs (junior),County Pairs (ladies), Edwardson Cup (men), Edward Grey Cup (men), Senior Fours (men), Clegg Cup (runners up).
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BENFIELD BOWLING CLUB
Declarations : Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees…
Full name: Brian Rootham Full name: Terence Carson Position: Trustee Position: Treasurer, vice President Signature: B. Rootham Signature: T. Carson Date signed: 22 Oct. 2022
EOD
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