Trustees’ annual report: 2020-21 Bucklebury Community Bus Registered Charity Number 1174111
The Trustees of The Bucklebury Bus Charity present their annual report and audited accounts for the year ended 31 July 2021 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the trust deed and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
Overview
The Bucklebury Community Bus (The Bus) provides transport for secondary school pupils from the village of Upper Bucklebury in Berkshire to the Kennet Secondary school in Thatcham, some 3 miles away. The bus also receives a payment to transport a small number of pupils from Thatcham who attend the Upper Bucklebury Primary school.
In addition to the primary purpose of school transport runs, the bus can also be borrowed by local individual or organisations for their own needs e.g. trips to local events or for local events such as the Bucklebury Beer Festival. Donations are requested for this in lieu of formal hire.
Finances
Our finances show an opening balance on 1[st] August 2020 of £2,121.39 for the Current account and £5,502.35 credit in the Savings account. Our income for 202021 for the Current account was £12,332.80 and with savings accrued (via bank transfer from the Current account) for the Savings Account of £4,500.
We continue to operate in surplus with no overdrafts or debts. The balance at 31[st] July 2021 was £641.20 credit in the Current account and £10,003.24 credit for the Savings account.
A local garage continues to carry out the required 10 week checks. The costs have kindly been covered by the local community pub, or by the garage itself.
Cash collection is managed by the Trustees, with parents reserving and paying for their child’s place(s) via direct bank transfer to the Charity’s Lloyds Bank Current account.
During the Covid lockdown period and school closure the bus did not run and reimbursements were offered to those who paid in advance. We continued to pay
the driver without being eligible for government funding in order to re-start the service at short notice.
Appointments
There were no changes to Trustees during the year.
Governance
The Trustees meet at least on a Bi-monthly schedule or more frequently if needed. Each meeting is minuted with the actions from the previous meeting being reviewed at each meeting. New matters arising are recorded and assigned owners at each meeting. All trustees give of their time freely and no remuneration or expenses were paid in the year.
Risk Management
The Trustees have reviewed all data storage and policies to ensure compliance with GDPR regulations. We renew our ICO membership / data protection fee on an annual basis.
Parents and pupils are reminded frequently about safety whilst using the bus, for example the mandatory use of seat-belts. We continue to ask passengers to wear face masks and use hand sanitiser when using the bus. Our driver also wears a face mask when driving.
Future Plans
Replacement Bus : Whilst the bus only does very low mileage (circa 8000 miles / year) we are mindful of the future need to replace the bus with a newer model in the coming years. With that in mind –we are setting aside circa £4,500 in our Lloyds savings account. This account is a subsidiary of the primary Treasurer’s Account. We anticipate that we will not have to replace the bus for 3-4 years.
VAT Registration: The Charity is registered for VAT and we claim VAT rebates using the HMRC electronic systems. We are also registered with HMRC to recover Gift Aid from donations; this has helped us to supplement our income without asking for additional donations.
Trustees
The following are Trustees of the Bucklebury Community Bus
| Title | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ms Janet Wild | Chair | Active |
| Mr Peter Weedon | Trustee | Active |
| Ms Anne Hillerton | Trustee | Active |
| Mr Phil Evans | Trustee | Active |
| Mr Paul Dick | Trustee | Active |
| XX Trustee with a dispensation | Treasurer | Active |
| XX Trustee with a dispensation | Trustee | Active |
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. BUCKLEBURY COMMUN Annual Accounts 1° August 2020-31° July 2021 For attount number: 17258468- Current Account INCOME Open5ng Balance 1st Aug 2020 £2,121.39 Donations £6,767.47 Bus Hire £0.00 VAT & Gift Aid Income £5,565.33 £14.454.19 EXPENDITURE Driver Pay £6,018.90 Bu5 Maintenan £604.40 Fuel £822.50 Tax, Insurance & Regvlatory £1,018.32 Security and ICO £321.80 Misc Expendlture £202.07 Misc refunds £325. Bbus Bank Transfers £4,5(X).00 É13.812.99 Closlng B31ance Jul 3tst 2021 £641.2 Having examined the financial records of the Bucklebury Commufiity Bus Scheme for the stated period l that the Receipts and Payments Account correctly reflects the transaction5 of the Scheme and the Balance Sheet correctly reflects the financial position of the Scheme at 31. Ju5y 2021. Verffied and signed Date
COIIMVNiri Annual Accounts 1° August 2020- 31.juty 2021 Fora¢count number.. 18739268-Savings Account INCOME Openlng 831ance115tAug 20201 £5,502.35 Interest £0.89 Passer*8er ContribuDons £o.cK) Bus Hire £0.00 Donations £0.00 Mi5cellanÈous Eo.00 Old Bus Sale etc EO.00 Tranfers to / from 8Bus Current Account £4.5(K).00 £10,003.24 EXPENDrruRE Bus Purchase Eo.(x) Miscellaneous £O.IK) £o.I Balance 31°July 2021 Having examined the financial records of the Bucklebury Community Bus Scheme for the ststed period l Certify that the Receipts and Payments Account correttly reflects the transaction5 of the Scheme and the Balance Sheet correctty reflects the financlal posthon of the Scherne at 31. Ju 2021. Verlfied ond s18ned Date