A Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales – No 1180762
Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement
2021
Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
Chairman’s Report
This year has again been affected by Covid19 and we have continued with online trustee and members meetings.
Thank you to all the presenters who have continued to provide new content working from home.
In May 2021 we started using our studios again for broadcasting and recording programmes. members had to report to Voluntary services to get their temperature checked before being allowed into the studios, another new requirement has been for lone working. Every member is now required to let security know they are working alone in the studio complex in the evening or weekend. This information also needs to be provided to the Voluntary services co-Ordinator. Best Practice would suggest you also check in with Voluntary services during the week if you are going to be working alone.
In the last 12 months Anker Radio has provided a radio service to the George Eliot Hospital 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a week. Our service can currently be heard on 1386am also on 88.9fm and online via our website ankerradio.co.uk. You can also ask your Smart Speaker to play Anker Radio.
Our schedule is made up of a wide variety of programmes, from Folk to Rock, Eighties and Seventies Programmes. Plus sport and health promotion messages and we have continued to take part in mental health minute in 2021
On average we broadcast 70 Hours of programmes a week that have been produced by Anker Radio Volunteers.
The rest of our schedule is made up of programmes that are shared with other stations.
Since September 2021 Anker Radio has been broadcasting on 88.9fm across the George Eliot site as part of an Ofcom Limited Coverage FM experiment. Anker Radio is one of just 12 stations across the uk to be chosen to take part in these trials. They are due to run until September 2022, but we are hopeful that this will be extended by Ofcom.
Anker Radio will continue to develop a pragmatic and sensible digital strategy. Nuneaton & Surrounds did not appear in Round 3 of small scale DAB multiplex licensing plan.
At the time of writing Ofcom have not announced the areas for round 4 of license applications. (round 4 may or may not include Nuneaton and the surrounding areas) Round 4 areas are expected to be announced in the 1[st] quarter of 2022, with applications opening in the 2[nd] /3[rd] Quarter of 2022.The Trustees recognise the need to respond to any opportunities provided in a way that is cost effective and supports the charitable objects, as appropriate.
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
We currently have 28 members a mixture of life members, active & non active members, but we can always do need more volunteers.
Thanks once again thanks go to Louise Smith for securing Bede Village’s sponsorship of the weather for another year.
I congratulate everyone that has kept Anker Radio going in these exceptional times and also thank the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust for their continued support.
John Goodman Chairman
The Trustees of Anker Radio are pleased to submit their Report and Accounts for the year 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021.
Organisation Anker Radio is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales on 20[th] November 2018 and governed by a constitution last amended on 9[th] December 2020.
Anker Radio is managed by the Charity Trustees who are elected by the membership in accordance with the published constitution. In the period covered by this review, the Charity Trustees consisted of four members of the CIO, Until Bob Hansford resigned as secretary in May 2021, which brought the number of Trustees down to three members. Two of the Trustees, John Goodman and Barry Hayward were elected by the membership at the 2021 AGM.
The Members were also invited to apply for the positions of:-
Head of Music
Head of Fundraising
Membership Secretary
Unfortunately, no applications were received for these posts. Any workload associated with these posts during 2021 was picked up by the trustees.
The Trustees will look at re-advertise these posts in 2022
Throughout the year Anker Radio continued to operate with no paid staff, being run entirely by a membership of volunteers.
These are the objects of the CIO
- (1) the relief of sickness, poor health and old age amongst people living in the area served by The George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust or its successors by providing a local broadcasting service for hospitals, residential homes and similar institutions, and for patients receiving community care; and
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
- (2) the advancement of health and prevention or relief of sickness for the public benefit through the promotion of the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, and the importance of maintaining good personal mental and physical health by (mainly, but not exclusively) the means of broadcasting health education messages to people living in the area served by The George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust or its successors.
Object 1 is very similar to the aims of the former charity (Nuneaton Area Hospital Broadcasting Service) which ran the broadcast operation.
Object 2 is a new objective centred around health promotion
In furtherance of the first object, Anker Radio provides a hospital radio service to patients at the George Eliot Hospital via 1386am, 88.9fm. the bedside entertainment system, also known as Hospicom, was discontinued during 2021 and we are yet to be advised of a replacement system.
Anker Radio also streams its service online via the internet and downloadable iOS and Android Apps such as TuneIn Radio.
This allows hospital patients and listeners in residential homes and similar institutions to listen to the service.
The second of these objects is a localised version of the second model object agreed between the HBA and the Charity Commission, and allows Anker Radio to target its services at the local population outside the hospital with the intent of helping and encouraging them to live a healthy and active life in the local community, and thus requiring to make less use of the health services.
Anker Radio also uses its social media presence to disseminate information and messages in support of this object.
We amended our constitution in December 2020 (following advice from The Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA)) to facilitate remote attendance at hybrid and fullyvirtual General Meetings in future without recourse to emergency legislation.
Related Organisations Anker Radio is a member of the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA), the national charity that supports and promotes hospital broadcasting in the UK.
Vice Chairman’s Report
2021 was an interesting year as towards the middle of the year things started to get back to normal but with some workarounds still needing to be in place.
Sport returned to broadcasting from venues as opposed to commenting from home while watching the event live on TV, like many broadcaster had to do in order to restrict people at those events. So our Sports OB kit was tested and set back into
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
use, and whilst the shows were still broadcast from home studios, this meant a change of working to enable this to happen as we could no longer use our old tieline OB kit that was in the studios.
More software updates were carried out to out fleet of computers and also saw the transition of pretty much all the bespoke software we use migrated over to a more current and supported system, the Microsoft dot net framework. This included a completely new and re-written playout system.
I was also involved in the application and then subsequent installation of our temporary FM radio licence, something that has proved a useful exercise and comes at a time when AM radio receivers are very much now on the decline and the nonexistence of the bedside entertainment system, Hospicom.
I’ve also been assisting our head of output and chairman with programming matters throughout the year.
Considering the restrictions, it’s great that the station continues to evolve, and proves that those restrictions which we have had to abide by are not an obstacle or to be used as an excuse for not being able to get on and get things done.
Chris Ward
Vice-Chairman.
Reports from The Management Committee Sports Editor Report
This past 12 months has returned to some kind of normality, at last. Not only has COVID-19 become more under control, which means we are now able to broadcast live from our local teams, but also Coventry City have returned to their “home” city. It means they are, once again, sharing a home ground with Wasps Rugby. From a technical point of view, this makes it so much easier for Anker Radio to cover both clubs using the same equipment.
As far as the Sports Team is concerned, we are definitely in need of some new members. This season we have been short of two very important reporters. Bob Hansford, who covers The Nuns and Wasps, has decided to take time out, but hopefully I would love to see him back behind the microphone very soon. Pete Swain announced that he would have to retire from covering Nuneaton Borough and Coventry City. Again, he’s greatly missed. I’m hoping that Chris
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
and John will continue to link everything together at the “studio” end. What a fantastic and professional job they both do.
As for myself, well after living in North West Wales for nearly 5 years, my wife and I have decided to return to the Midlands..Leicestershire to be precise. That means I’ll be able to attend a lot more matches. I must admit, the journey was really starting to get me down a little bit. Nearly 4 hours each way! Also, the increase in travel costs was limiting the number of matches I could afford to attend.
Really looking forward to next season already.
Richard Todd
(Sports Editor)
Head Of Output Report
Since taking over the Head of output role with Anker radio, it has been an intention of mine to fill as much of the Music jam's as I possibly can with live, recorded or voice tracked shows.
As you are aware my tenure in this role has been dogged with the Covid 19 epidemic meaning that special shows such as celebrating Anker radio's 40th birthday during the weekend of 5th - 7th November 2020 didn't go ahead, I did put it on ice with the hopeful intention of "Anker radio @ 40 (+ 1)" but again Covid restrictions stopped play.
A similar problem was experienced with Christmas special shows during Christmas period 2020 & 2021, Christmas 2020 slots were filled with what we had in the archives with my recorded Christmas eve spectacular & if my memory serves, Anker folk at Christmas, Christmas no.1's with Chris & Late with Karl shows.
Christmas 2021 was a lot better with again me dipping into the archives, I also used quite a number of free bought in special shows as well as Karl voice tracking his Christmas day breakfast show & his Late with Karl shows, Christmas no.1's with Chris, Anker folk at Christmas, I recorded a Classic Christmas & Christmas extravaganza & also Mark Thomas was back up & running creating a couple of Christmas special shows.
One of my thoughts as I've already mentioned is to replace as much of the Music jam's as possible, this includes during the night hours midnight to 07.00 (Sun - Fri) & 08.00 (Sats) I was able to experiment with this at Christmas, repeating or airing shows between midnight of Christmas eve & 08.00 on Christmas day, thank you to John Goodman for his help & advice for this experiment. Should I remain in the role as Head of output I'm hoping Christmas 2022 will be much better & presenters will be able to record special shows in the studio's, I'm certainly hoping to produce a special show with retired BRMB D.J. Les Ross as was being planned when I saw him cleaning his locomotive at Rugby in very late 2019.
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
Having the facilities at home I'm fortunate to be able to create & voice track the Wednesday " A different sort of dedication show" and now produce "Anker radio rocks!!" that goes out every Saturday evening 9 - 11 pm. I have also provided voice tracking for other shows.
Anker radio now broadcasts voiced shows 24 hours a day with various shows being aired & repeated during the night hours, this has been like this for around 6 weeks now although schedule is to be put on the Anker radio site. We also have a few new (ish) radio shows which are bought in from other hospital radio stations, Pat Godfrey Young has been given the ok to record his classical music show at the studio (I'm hoping others will be able to follow suit very soon.)
Finally I am really hoping to find a presenter to voice track the Mon to Fri breakfast shows 07.00 - 09.00 but realise this is not going to be an easy task. Head of output, Rob Newbold.
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
Anker Radio Treasurers Report & Financial Statement 2021 Charity Number: 1180762
Following yet another challenging year, I am pleased to precis Anker Radio’s current financial status, along with a brief background to what we have been able to achieve, or decisions taken, whilst the Pandemic has continued to impact all our lives:
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The two CAF Bank accounts became the predominant day to day banking route, utilising an on-line Current Account & a Gold Reserve Account. There have been issues with paying in ‘small change’ at branches, but CAF Bank are in discussion with other Banking partners about making things simpler & easy to pay in funds.
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We made a major transfer of funds from our old Yorkshire Bank current account into our new CAF Bank cash account in March, to ensure that we remained solvent & as a pre-cursor to closing the old Yorkshire Bank account.
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NBBC had an outstanding BACS payment to submit for services rendered in 2020, which necessitated a direct call. Payment did follow shortly after.
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It was originally agreed that the Yorkshire Bank account would stay open until at least the end of April as changes & notifications to our Licence providers & Insurers would be a possible issue with staff & organisations still not having the infrastructure to deal with changes or even deal with cheques sent to cover bills. It was felt prudent to leave major Direct Debits to be taken from the Yorkshire account where feasible for a minimum of a further 6 months, then to be reviewed monthly.
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We continued to find ourselves frustrated by communication issues with Licence/Insurance providers, who kept their offices mostly unmanned. To avoid ‘missing’ any payments, leading to a breach of Broadcasting/Charity standards, direct contacts were made via the phone or registered mail.
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I am sure that all Members will not be surprised to learn that Income from Fundraising events remained virtually nil for 2021. There was no work from NBBC in any form, & we had just one welcome contribution throughout 2021. This was a late & much protracted £1,000 from the Heart of England Society in November. Easy Fundraising contributed just £40.93 for the year, as the nation reduced its spending.
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Bills have to be paid, however, & outgoings for our Insurances, Licences, Internet providers & other sundries have amounted to £ 3,292.34 ( although this is down by over £1,700 on 2020, due to managing our costs)
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As Treasurer, I continue to investigate where we can make further cost savings by switching to new Insurance/Licence/Service providers. We were pursuing a cost saving on our Public Liability Insurance, one of our biggest outlays, but due to Covid, we could not get a better deal. As the Insurance sector settles down, I will be looking at this again prior to renewal.
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The OB bus remained grounded in 2021, but we must continue to pay insurance on this vehicle for obvious reasons. Currently this costs us around £100 per month, but
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
we cannot risk not having cover. I have turned to our local business sector to see if they can help us get the OB bus back to a usable state. This will be reported upon later.
- This year’s Subs were all accounted for, with postage being saved by not issuing receipts. We will return to normality next year (fingers crossed!). Several of our Life Members very kindly opted (again) to donate to our funds, for which I thank them sincerely.
In conclusion, 2021 whilst improving on a nationwide health front, was disastrous financially for many businesses & public facing Charities. With no call for OB events & the population hankering down for the long game, we have experienced the new order first hand. The GEH is under increasing pressure from the Government to deliver its health services, so who knows what plans they may have for the future of the Hospital & how they will view their resources on site. In the meantime, a thankyou to all those supportive Members who still burn a passion to serve, albeit in a much-restricted way.
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
‘Anker Radio’ Charity Number 1180762 – Accounts 1[st] January -31[st] December 2021
Opening Balance (CAF Bank cash A/C) as at 01/01/2021
£ 607.69 (+)
OUTGOINGS:
| Insurances | £ 1,491.27 |
|---|---|
| Licences | £ 1,484.27 |
| FM Transmitter | £ 1,114.10 |
| Equipment/Studio | £ 431.15 |
| PlusNet | £ 316.80 |
| A/C Fees | £ 96.00 |
| HBA Fee | £ 50.00 |
| Admin (Post) | £ 20.00 |
| -------------- | |
| Total: | £ 5,003.59 |
| INCOME: | |
| Transfer from NAHBS A/C | £ 5,049.00 |
| Donations | £ 1,399.80 |
| Membership Fees | £ 280.00 |
| OB Fee Payment (NBBC) | £ 250.00 |
| Easy Funding Payments | £ 40.93 |
| --------------- | |
| Total: | £ 7,019.73 |
Closing balance (CAF BANK Cash A/C) as at 31/12/2021
£ 2,623.83 (+)
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Anker Radio Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statement 2021
GOLD RESERVE ACCOUNT:
Opening Balance: £ 5,104.53 (+)
Funds Transfer (Cash) £ 500.00 Donation Tin(s) £ 63.10 Interest Payments £ 0.54
Closing balance 31/12/2021 £ 5,668.17 (+)
Comments & Observations:
The above figures reflect that we were still obliged to run in conjunction with the previous NAHBS Bank Account (Yorkshire Bank). The Trustees discussed & agreed that it would be prudent to continue to run both Accounts alongside each other during 2021, for a further minimum period of an extra 6 months. Spending was gradually changed over to our CAF Bank account, to allow the old Yorkshire Bank account to be closed. Again, we also had expected donations from sources that did not wish us to contact them (as in the case with the Heart of England Trust, who once again came up with a welcome donation, but late in the year) & the inevitable problems of communication with Licence Suppliers etc, whose workforce were continuing, in the main, to work from home. We did not want to miss a payment or fall foul of any Licencing agreements, placing Anker Radio in a vulnerable position. Knowing many were unable to simply process cheques that we would usually send to cover our Fees, where a DD was not in place. In the event, this again worked well for us. The full closure details of the old NAHBS Account will be issued separately.
Despite the continuing Pandemic issues throughout 2021, we remain in an excellent financial position, considering no FR activity took place, other than the occasional tin donations throughout 2021 for Anker Radio. Our biggest cost investment was the FM Transmitter but required following the winning of the FM licence. This gives us a wider scope of engaging with the patients of the GEH & may replace the current AM set up if our tenure ship is successful. Cost remains king, & we will continue to search for ways to stretch our funds as far as possible, ensuring that the GEH has a stable & solid radio service.
Regards Barry Hayward
Anker Radio Treasurer
John Goodman Chairman
Chris Ward Vice Chairman
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