Burghfield & Mortimer Handybus (Registered Charity Number 1170252)
Annual Report 2021/22
REMIT
Burghfield and Mortimer Handybus provide a Community Minibus Service for the local areas of Burghfield, Mortimer, Aldermaston, Sulhampstead and Ufton Nervet in the county of West Berkshire. The service is provided by two 10/12 seater minibuses which have been modified to provide easy access, including passenger lifts to enable wheelchair bound passengers to be carried. The service operates to help those with limited mobility and people who are unable to use, or do not have access to, public transport.
OPERATION
The service is provided on a not for profit, voluntary basis and operates under a Section 19 Bus Permit in accordance with Transport Act:1985. The service relies financially on Grants from West Berkshire Council, Department of Transport Bus Service Operators Grants (BSOG) and donations. In addition, for each journey made, passengers are asked to make a small contribution towards running costs.
OBJECTIVES – 2021/22
i) Continue to provide our services to the elderly and disabled members of our community in a safe and secure way.
During the early part of the financial year we were subject to Government restrictions on operating during the Covid pandemic and as such the number of passenger trips we were able to make were seriously curtailed. As the year progressed and restrictions eased we were able to provide our services on a regular basis and towards the end of the year we were operating close to pre-pandemic levels. By the end of the year we had implemented all of the regular shopping and social club trips we had established some two years previously. During all this time we complied with all Government rules and regulations with regard to pandemic conditions. Seats were removed from the minibuses to ensure social distancing, face masks were worn by passengers and volunteers and after each journey the minibuses were given a disinfectant clean.
- ii) To increase the number of volunteers and passengers so that we can maximize the use of our minibuses.
Following a recruitment drive in local Parish newletters and magazines we were able to recruit an additional 4 volunteers ensuring that we were able to reinstate all our previous regular trips plus adding on an additional shopping trip and an additional social club event. These extra trips, and the reinstating of all our previous regular trips meant that, by the end of the year, we were carrying 10 percent more passengers compared to pre-pandemic times. One of our two minibuses is now
running at near capacity and the second minibus is operating at around 60% of capacity. More passengers, and volunteers, are required to be found to fill in the couple of spare days this minibus is not on the road. Something we are endeavoring to address.
- iii) To maintain control on our finances such that any shortfall in Grants or passenger contributions are made up by other fundraising activities. The overall financial objective is to continue to increase the fund for a minibus replacement – something we will have to do in the near future.
After a slow first part of the year, where pandemic restrictions prevented us from operating, the passenger trips, and fares, have increased considerably in the second part of the year. Overall the effect of reduced fares in the first half year and less donations than normally plus higher minibus Insurance costs has resulted in a small deficit this financial year. We see this as a one off situation and as we are now generating passenger fare revenue at the pre-pandemic levels, together with the regular West Berkshire Transport Grant, means that our revenue stream will covering our operating costs and will start again to re-build the replacement minibus fund.
FINANCE
See accounts.
The Charity is dependent on its funding from grants, donations and contributions from the passengers we carry. Once again West Berkshire Council provided us with a Community Transport Grant and we were able to claim the Department of Transport Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) based upon the passengers carried. With limited journeys being made in the first half of the year our passengers fares revenue was considerably lower than pre-pandemic years. With journeys and passengers increasing in the second half of the year, fares revenue has now returned to near normal levels. Whilst passengers fares have increased 10 fold from the previous financial year (£6,102 versus £686) they were still down on prepandemic levels (£8,822 in 2019/20 , £9,390 in 2018/19). This overall loss of fare revenue contributes most to the year-end deficit of £1,380. However with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and with services now operating at normal levels this financial shortfall has now been recovered.
With the continued financial support from West Berkshire Council in the form of a Community Transport Grant and with passenger services now operating back at prepandemic levels, the outlook, both financial and operationally, is encouraging for the future.
Burghfield and Mortimer Handybus are extremely grateful to all its funders, supporters and volunteers without whom we would not be able to continue with providing this service. We thank you all and hope that you will continue this valuable support into the coming year.
P.I.CHURCH Chairman of Trustees November 2022
BURGHFIELD & MORTIMER HANDYBUS
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH 2022
| 2022 2021 Payments 6,102.00 £4,801.21 Bus Expenses 5,845.56 £493.53 Fuel 2,143.75 £2,202.19 Insurance 2.83 £1,292.13 Operational Expenses £10.65 Volunteer Expenses £7,200.00 Minibus Depreciation 14,094.14 £15,999.71 -£1,610.50 Defcit/Surplus for year £14,094.14 £14,389.21 60,944.11 £9,094.59 Current Account Balance at 31/03/22 -1,379.42 £25,167.34 Savings A/c (towards Bus replacement) £0.00 Invoices not yet paid £152.18 Cash Float £750.00 Fuel Genie Deposit £23,780.00 Minibus Asset DK67 CVN £2,000.00 Minibus Asset YF59 YVA £59,564.69 £60,944.11 |
2022 2,288.50 1,995.03 2,348.90 898.23 542.90 7,400.00 |
|---|---|
| 15,473.56 -1,379.42 |
|
| £14,094.14 | |
| 8,926.60 30,870.17 0.00 637.92 750.00 18,180.00 200.00 |
|
| £59,564.69 | |
P.I.Church, Chairman of Trustees