The Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (CIO)
Registered Charity No. 1184766
Report and Accounts
2024
The Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (CIO) (“HBKA”)
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Trustees
John Palombo Chair John Daffern Secretary Les Riley Peter Wilson Laurence Longe from 29 March 2024 Robert Croft from 29 March 2024 Gary Hammond to 29 March 2024 Paul Cassidy to 31 December 2024
Executive Committee
John Palombo Chair John Daffern Secretary and representing Hertford & Ware BKA Laurence Longe Treasurer from 29 March 2024 Robert Croft Examinations Secretary and representing Bishops Stortford BKA Steve Smith Training and Representing Central & South Herts BKA Patrick Maxwell Membership Chris Mercer Co-opted member Les Riley Representing St Albans BKA Diane Bruce Representing West Herts BKA Peter Cairns Representing South East Herts BKA Gary Bellamy Representing North Herts BKA Paul Cassidy Treasurer to 29 March 24
Independent Accounts Examiner: Thomas Meadows
Bankers: Lloyds Bank
Objectves
The objectives of HBKA, as set out in its constitution, are "to promote and further the craft of beekeeping within the County of Hertfordshire and to advance the education of the public within the County of Hertfordshire in the importance of bees in the environment."
Affiliated Local Associations (“ALA”)
Seven regional beekeeping associations covering Hertfordshire are affiliated to HBKA pursuant to clause 9 of the constitution; affiliation provides automatic membership of HBKA to members of the ALA in designated classes and this in turn provides membership of the British Beekeeping Association ("BBKA") to those members. Paid members for 2024 were 790 (2023: 800).
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Activities
2024 was a mixed year for beekeeping in Hertfordshire with a wet spring and early summer hampering the build-up of colonies and making queen rearing difficult, but with warm weather later in the summer giving many Herts beekeepers a good honey harvest. During the year HBKA ran a full set of training and events. We started the season with our Spring Show and AGM in March where we had a presentation from Peter Davies (our Regional Bee Inspector) and a Honey Competition. Over the summer we ran several training classes, including a Basic Assessment training course and a Queen rearing day. Finally, HBKA ran its third annual Honey Show in the autumn, with competition in eleven different classes and speaking sessions from Steve Riley, Jane Ridler and Jack Silberrad.
In addition to running events, HBKA has continued to provide a number of other services to Hertfordshire beekeepers, including:
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running module and practical exams on behalf of BBKA;
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preparing for Yellow Legged Asian Hornet sightings in Hertfordshire; and
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enabling membership of BBKA, including participation in the BBKA Annual Delegates Meeting.
Governance
Subject to a small number of reserved matters, the Trustees have delegated management of HBKA to an Executive Committee which comprises most of the trustees plus function leads and representatives of each ALA. The committee met four times during 2024; in addition the trustees usually meet once a year on their own to cover certain narrowly governance focussed matters.
Annual General Meeting
The next AGM of HBKA will take place on 22 March 2025 at the Christchurch Peartree Hall, Welwyn.
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The Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (CIO) ("HBKA")
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of HBKA
I report on the accounts of HBKA for the year ended 31st December 2024 (“Accounts”).
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts, it is my responsibility to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by HBKA and a comparison of the Accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the Accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the Accounts.
Independent Examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to (a) keep accounting records and (b) prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records have not been met; or
2) to which in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached.
Thomas Meadows
Independent Examiner 10 March 2025
10 Monks Horton Way, St Albans, Herts AL1 4HA
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The Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association CIO Receipts & Payments Accounts Year Ended 31 December
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2024 2023 (Restated 1)
Net Net
Received Paid Receipt Received Paid Receipt
£ £ £ £ £ £
Member Capitation Subscriptions 16,847 15,267 1,580 16,957 15,357 1,600
Events & Training
AGM & Spring Show 32 284 -251 406 -406
Autumn Honey Show 53 1,032 -979 1,045 -1,045
Queen Rearing Course 1,992 2,088 -96 1,445 1,431 14
Healthy Bee Day 190 43 147
Microscopy Course 270 180 90
National Honey Show 80 -80 80 -80
Examinations 550 -550
Events & Training Totals 2,077 4,033 -1,956 1,905 3,185 -1,280
Operating Costs
Trophies & Equipment 141 -141 426 -426
Administration - Meeting rooms 55 -55 94 -94
Gift Aid South East Herts 354 354 0
Reversal prior period accruals 1 -43 -37 -6
Operating Costs Total 354 551 -196 -43 483 -526
Net deficit 19,278 19,850 -573 18,819 19,024 -206
Statement of Assets at 31 December 2024 2023
Bank Account £ £
Balance brought forward 1 January 11,395 11,600
Net deficit for year -573 -206
Balance carried forward 31 December 10,822 11,395
Initial 2020 Endowment 9,178 9,178
Annual surplus brought forward 2,216 2,331
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Reversal prior period accruals 91
2,422
Deficit for year -573 -206
Surplus carried forward 1,643 2,216
Net HBKA Funds 10,822 11,395
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Note: 1. To ensure the current accounting period and the comparative are on the same accounting basis, the prior year comparative has been restated to the simpler receipts and payment basis by reversing prior period prepayments and accrued expenses.
Approved by the Trustees on 24 February 2025
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