## **ALICE HOLT INLUSIVE CYCLING AGM 24 October 2024**
## Chairman’s Report
Howard gave the following report outlining the Charity’s activities year to date.
1. It had been a very good year for AHIC, particularly in terms of the numbers attending together with their carers, teachers and families. The stats speak for themselves: (paying users)
2022 - 661 (average number 13.22) 2023 - 1137 (average number 15.79) 2024 - 1108 (ytd) (average number 17.05)
2. In addition to our regular Thursday morning visitors, such as Post 19, we welcomed and provided special sessions for the following groups: Portesbury School, Pathways School, Dementia Friendly Alton, Pond Meadow School, SHIFA (Active Surrey), Linkable Adult Services, Surrey Coalition of Disabled, 3 groups from Woodlarks Summer Camp : Trekkers, Odyssions and Pioneer II, KEF Kids, Alton and Petersfield Stroke Support Group, Hampshire Childrens Services, Hollywater School, Henry Tyndale School and 555 Project.
3. AHIC re-commended operations this year on 8 February 2024 after the usual Christman/New Year break. On 1 February we had a maintenance day when most of our volunteers set to with soapy water, brushes, spanners and oil cans to give our bikes a “wash and brush up”. My thanks to all who helped – a not very glamorous task!
4. During the year, donations had been received from Haslemere Velo, Hart Road Runners, and Yvette Sowerby (following the sale of her e-bikes). Recently we had also been gifted two fairly new hybrid 2-wheelers from Ian and Brenda Scott which had already been pressed into service. An e-bike trike had been gifted to AHIC, but as this was a very fast machine, the Trustees felt it was too dangerous for our clients to use. Sale/exchange or other solutions were being explored for this machine.
5. The AHIC bank accounts had finally been moved to new accounts (still with Nat West Bankline) to reflect the change to a Community Bank Account which allows up to four signatories. Currently the President, Chairman and Treasurer (Peter, Howard and Dave) have access to these accounts. The old accounts will remain open for a short period to allow pending transactions to take place, and then they will be closed down.
6. In addition to maintenance and repairs carried out by our own volunteers, AHIC had started to use a company called “Crank it up” run by Leon Bissonnet for major repair work. Leon was found to be very reliable, and ongoing discussions were being held with him to enter into an annual arrangement to service our bikes in exchange for the e-trike (mentioned in 4 above).
7. Lack of storage for our bikes continued to be a major problem for AHIC. The unsatisfactory solution of having to hang the 2-wheelers from a rope on the ceiling of the container continued and several of our volunteers were struggling with lifting the bikes up high. It also meant that, despite the success of AHIC and a growing demand, we were not able to expand our operation and meet the need. We have funds to purchase more badly-needed new bikes, but no space for them.
Following years of campaigning by AHIC and several meetings with Forestry England, we were no further forward. Howard had drawn up a comprehensive paper outlining the case for more cycle
storage and submitted this to both Forestry England and the South Downs National Park Authority. A meeting was held with them on 2 May 2024, but nothing has come of it, despite several chase-ups. We will continue to press strongly for more storage and explore other avenues to this end.
8. AHIC continues to operate under an “Annual Permission” agreement with Forestry England, and this has recently been renewed to 31 August 2025 following completion of the necessary application by Howard. There has been talk of moving this to a “Partnership Permission” but so far nothing has come of it. AHIC awaits further contact from Forestry England.
9. AHIC continues to enjoy good relations with the FE staff at Alice Holt, and attends the monthly Stakeholders meetings, together with other interested parties. Sadly, in July we had to say goodbye to Helen Littlejohn who had left to pursue a career with another organisation. Helen had been the Activity Co-ordinator at Alice Holt for a number of years, and had been a good friend and supporter of AHIC. A small leaving presentation was made to her on 18 July. Currently her role has not been filled.
10. The commercial cycle hire company – Southern Ebike Rentals – had ceased operations last year, and AHIC were able to enjoy a brief period when there was more space available for their bikes. This year Go Ape had started a cycle hire operation at Alice Holt as an extension of their existing outdoor activities there.
11. The AHIC Trustees continued to have quarterly meetings in accordance with the recommendations of the Charity Commission. Annual reports featuring financial statements, activity, policies and procedures, and the number of volunteers were submitted timely.
12. Lastly, my huge thanks go to our dedicated and enthusiastic team of 14 volunteers, without whom AHIC would not exist.
## **Alice Holt Inclusive Cycling Year to 31st December 2024 Receipts and Payments Accounts**
|£
**Receipts**
Clients
Donations
Interest
Park Leisure
Sale of old cycles
Special events
Other
**Total receipts**
**Payments**
Admin fee
Affiliation fee
Insurance premium
Cycle purchases
Spares
Stationery
Subsistance
Thank you gifts
Other
**Total payments**
**Net receipts/(payments)**
Cash funds last year end
**Cash funds this year end**
**Cash funds**
Cash
Bank
**Assets for charity's use**
Cycles at insurance valuation
**Other monetary assets**
Due from Weekly Clients and Special Events
**Liabilities**
Amounts owed by charity|2024
Year
3,093.00
2,606.06
133.29
0.00
0.00
1,383.00
0.00
7,215.35
32.87
0.00
441.41
0.00
335.81
132.00
120.00
0.00
170.08
1,232.17
5,983.18
6,816.03
12,799.21
153.49
12,645.72
12,799.21
45,000.00
60.00
0.00|2023
Year
2598.00
10461.00
81.94
74.00
500.00
669.00
321.44|
|---|---|---|
|||14,705.38|
|||24.74
0.00
440.00
10274.00
1100.73
110.85
162.94
50.00
381.44|
|||12,544.70|
|||2,160.68
4655.35|
|||6,816.03|
|||205.74
6610.29|
|||6,816.03|
|||45000.00
129.00
0.00|