BUCKNELL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION – REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1174582 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
CONTENTS
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES | 2-3 |
| 2 | FINANCIAL SUMMARY RECEIPTS AND | 4-5 |
| PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| 3 | STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 | 6 |
| JULY | 2024(and notes to the accounts) |
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BUCKNELL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION – REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1174582
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
1 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees are pleased to present their seventh annual report following formation of the charity as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 11 September 2017.
Reference and Administration Details
The Trustees are listed below and have held office for the year ended 31 July 2024 to the date of approval of this report, unless otherwise indicated.
H Somerville R Blakey
S A Woodrow D Hedges
The correspondence address for the charity is 10 Middleton Road, Bucknell, Oxfordshire, OX27 7LT
The charity’s bank is Lloyds Bank plc, 9 Sheep St, Bicester OX26 6JE.
Objectives
The objects of the CIO, Bucknell Playing Field Association, based in the village of Bucknell in Oxfordshire, are to provide and develop facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, disability, financial hardship or social circumstances or for the public at large with the object of improving their conditions of life.
Creation of the charity
The CIO was created on 11 September 2017 as a result of an existing voluntary community organisation applying for charitable status. The Board of Trustees minuted their acceptance of the assets and agreements from the predecessor organisation.
Structure, Governance and Management
The initial Trustees were appointed for a 3 year term. At the end of term of service, a Trustee may be reappointed as a Trustee for a further 3 year term. The maximum length of service is 3 consecutive terms, after which a further term can be served only after an interval of at least 1 year has passed.
Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
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BUCKNELL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION – REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1174582
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Trustees Summary
It is noted that the playing field association is on a good financial footing. However maintenance can be both unexpected and expensive. Therefore, it is recommended that further fund raising continues in 2025 and beyond to create higher reserves.
The Trustees declare that they have approved the report above on 17 May 2025
Signed on their behalf by
H SOMERVILLE RBlakey
H SOMERVILLE R BLAKEY
(Trustee)
(Trustee)
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BUCKNELL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION – REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1174582
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
2 FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2023/2024
The financial activities for the year ended 31 July 2024, are summarised on page 5 to 6 and key elements are described below.
Although the Trustees had previously agreed that the charity should maintain reserves at a minimum level of £8,000, the fund-raising events did not generate enough income to meet this target. Consequently, the reserve account balance remains around £5,000.
During this period, income was primarily derived from the margin generated by the fireworks event held in November 2023.
Overall, the balance going into FY 2024-2025 stands at £11,253 indicating that the Playing Field Association remains on a solid financial footing.
Fundraising activities during the year
A fireworks event was the sole activity through the year.
Repairs and equipment
Repairs and remedial work will need to be carried out on an ongoing basis. Priorities for this should be taken from the then current independent inspection report.
Volunteers and Sustainability
The charity is fully operated by a small group of unpaid volunteers. The Committee rganizes the fundraising events and grant applications.
Progress has been made in expanding the number of informal volunteers in place to support committee members.
Usage
In the spring and summer periods, there continues to be an influx of visitors from outside of Bucknell to use the area. Most visitors arrive by car, which can cause issues for residents in the area regarding parking. Despite our best efforts, we know that signage does not adequately address this issue. On-road parking remains the only viable alternative, and while it is generally accepted by residents, it can occasionally cause some issues. The committee will need to keep this under review.
Compliance and Governance
Policies are now in place to cover Safeguarding, Event Management, Finance, Volunteers and Complaints. Trustee meetings are now planned to take place immediately prior to the planned committee meetings in November (AGM) and May of each year.
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BUCKNELL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION – REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1174582
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT For the year ended 31 July 2024 Income – Fundraising Activities Voluntary income – donations Interest Total income Expenditure – Fundraising expenses Rent Insurance Running costs Total expenditure Net (expenditure) / income and movement in funds Balance brought forward Balance carried forward |
Unrestrict ed Funds 2024 Unrestrict ed Funds 2023 2,545 1,895 250 618 62 19 |
|---|---|
| 2,857 2,532 |
|
| 1,143 958 250 250 1,100 1,035 210 162 |
|
| 2,703 2,405 |
|
| 154 127 £11,099 £10,972 |
|
| £11,253 £11,099 |
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BUCKNELL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION – REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1174582
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
3. STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 JULY 2024
| Current Assets Cash at bank – current account Cash at bank – reserve account Cash foat Total assets |
Unrestricte d Funds 2024 £ Unrestrict ed Funds 2023 £ 6,024 5,932 5,089 5,027 140 140 |
|---|---|
| £11,253 £11,099 |
The Trustees confirm their approval of the accounts on 30 April 2025.
Signed on their behalf by
H SOMERVILLE RBlakey H SOMERVILLE R BLAKEY (Trustee) (Trustee)
Notes to the accounts
1. Transfer from predecessor organisation
On 13 September 2017, the charity acquired the following assets and agreements from the unincorporated predecessor organisation, the Bucknell Playing Fields Association, an unincorporated and unregistered non-profit organisation:
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a. Cash of £7,529
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b. Playground equipment with a net book value of £0.01
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c. A 21 year lease dated 3 September 1997 from the owners of Manor Farm Bucknell for rental of £250 per annum for use of the land on which the playing fields are situated.
2. Leases
The lease was renewed by the charity on 29 September 2018 on similar terms, including a requirement for the charity to insure the play facilities.
3. Related Party Transactions
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BUCKNELL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION – REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1174582
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
During the period, £250 was paid to D Hedges, who is one of the owners of Manor Farm Bucknell, in accordance with the lease.
4. Trustee expenses
During the period, none of Trustees made claims nor were reimbursed for any expenses incurred.
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