Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01.01.2021 Period start date To 31.12.2021 Period end date Charity name: Cleethorpes and District Astronomical Society Charity registration number: 1186764
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the CIO are to advance education in the science of astronomy and related subjects by furthering the knowledge of its members and amongst the local community, promoting and conducting observations and by providing facilities for active participation in astronomical observation. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
We are a long-established astronomical society with our own observatory and meeting room situated at Beacon Hill, Montgomery Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 9JQ. Although a members’ society, all our activities are open and welcoming to the general public and promoted on our website, on Facebook and the local press. We organise and deliver talks, informal meetings, dedicated sessions for newcomers to astronomy and outreach activities for schools, scouting groups and other organisations. The society website www.cleethorpesastronomy.org.uk Is well maintained and a regularly accessed source of up-to-date information. In addition to open evenings the society welcomes members and the public to daytime observations of Solar events such as eclipses and transits. In addition to the 16 inch aperture Cassegrain / Newtonian telescope in the purpose built observatory dome, we own and maintain a variety of smaller portable telescopes for demonstration purposes and for use by members, beginners and visitors. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees of Cleethorpes and District Astronomical Society are acquainted with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and comply with the requirements under section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to ensure that the activities of the society are available to and suitable for the public at large. The prioritisation of public benefit is regularly reviewed at trustee and committee meetings to encourage inclusion, particularly of younger members of the public, through promotion, range of activities and charges. The trustees also ensure that the society caters for a wide variety of interests, commitment and abilities. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The society does not make grants but is prepared, with guidance, to temporally loan telescopes to members |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | We do not engage in investment activity. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The society has no paid staff, so all its activities are undertaken voluntarily by its members. These include secretarial, governance, organisation of meetings and speakers, practical observing, catering for beginners, upkeep of premises, grounds and equipment, website maintenance and social interaction. During the enforced closure of the observatory and meeting room some of our members have freely spent a great deal of time decorating, improving and refurbishing the premises. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | As with many other organisations the Covid pandemic and the necessary closure of our premises continued to seriously impact our activities throughout 2021. On the positive side the opportunity has been taken not only to refurbish and improve our facilities but also to revise our policies on child protection and data protection. Regular scheduled committee and trustees meeting have continued virtually with future actions and priorities being agreed and actioned. Our main meetings have experienced some reduction in participants and were able to continue via Zoom. A variety of speakers took part including our own members, Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society, University lecturers and experts from other astronomical societies. Using the internet also allowed us to join meetings held by other astronomical societies. Zoom has opened the possibility of engaging speakers from further afield which could continue to take place alongside physical meetings in future. Sessions for beginners who are new to astronomy continued unabated, again using Zoom. Unfortunately, practical observing sessions in support of the theory were still not possible. We do however encourage our beginners to conduct their own observations of the night sky and our sessions highlight what they can see with the naked eye or through binoculars. Most are looking forward to the observatory re-opening in 2022. Regular informal sessions provided a virtual platform for participants to meet in a relaxed atmosphere, discuss topical issues, share experience and to ask questions. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | All the activities of the society / CIO emphasise and support our set objectives. We continue to be a valuable and needed service to the local community where members of the public are more than welcome to join or just visit in order to learn about astronomy and experience practical observing. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | In normal times the society raises a small amount of funds through the provision of refreshments and running lotteries during meetings. These, together with the collection of membership subscriptions, have been considerably reduced during the year. All income has nevertheless been used in support of the society’s objectives. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The financial position of the society remains healthy with end of year unrestricted funds totalling £7,899. This has been achieved despite a reduction in income due to Covid and expenditure on much needed improvements to our premises. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The society is a simple and transparent organisation with predictable outgoings. Holding reserves is therefore not necessary at the present time. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | None. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Predicted expenditure such as insurance, fees and utilities can always be met through subscriptions. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | The society has no funds in deficit. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The future of the society requires a sufficient number of members to provide subscriptions. We are therefore aware of the need to attract younger members to future-proof the society. |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The society’s principal sources of funds are membership subscriptions and meeting, visitor, refreshment and raffle charges. These are supplemented by donations, including those given in appreciation of outreach activities. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Not applicable. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The society has been in existence for over 50 years. We have our own premises and a regular membership. The only risk is not being able to attract new members. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | The society / CIO is governed by its constitution which was reviewed and amended on 29th April 2019. |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission on 5th December 2019 |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Membership of the society is open to the public. The trustees, along with the society’s committee members and officers, are elected from the general membership at each annual general meeting. All posts are open to any of our members and are advertised prior to the AGM. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | The society / CIO has an elected committee and executive posts of chair, secretary and treasurer. The elected trustees operate within the society’s organisational structure to ensure that its activities, priorities and expenditure are in line with and support the CIO’s charitable and public benefit objectives. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Trustees are an integral part of the society’s organisational and committee structure. The society is a member of the Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS) which is a national body established to promote co-operation between astronomical societies and provide information and advice. Public liability insurance is obtained annually from the FAS and the society has adopted the national policies on child protection, general data protection regulation (GDPR) and risk assessment. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Not Applicable |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Cleethorpes and District Astronomical Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Not Applicable |
| Registered charity number | 1186764 |
| Charity’s principal address | 144 Chichester Road Cleethorpes Lincolnshire DN35 0JJ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Brightmore | Chair | Societymembership | ||
| Susan Parr | Secretary | Societymembership | ||
| Barrie Watts | Vice Chair | Societymembership | ||
| Christopher Truelove |
10.03.2021 to present | Society membership | ||
| William Scutcher | Treasurer | 09.11.2021 topresent | SocietyMembership | |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name Not applicable
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| Not applicable | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
Not applicable |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
Not applicable |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address |
|||
| N/A | |||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | |||
| N/A |
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not Applicable
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Michael Victor Brightmore | Susan Elizabeth Parr | |
Chair |
Secretary | |
| 09/10/2022 | ||
| 09/10/2022 |
Cleethorpes and District Astronmomical Society
1
Receipts and payments acco
Jan 1, 21
For the period from
To
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
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Membership Subscriptions 629 - -
On the door payments 40 - -
Visit Donations - - -
Other donations 71 - -
Refreshment Payments 16 - -
Book sales - - -
Raffle money - - -
Grants - - -
Equipment Loan Deposits - 40 -
756 40 -
Sub total (Gross income for AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - -
- - -
Sub total [ - ] - -
Total receipts 756 40 -
A3 Payments
Speaker fees and expenses 70 - -
NELC Rent and Rates - - -
Water supply payment to allotment soc
50 - -
Refreshements - - -
Maintenance 524 - -
FAS Membership & PLI 58 - -
Other insurance 115 - -
Electricity 207 - -
Major building work 5,595 - -
Astro equipment and consumablles - - -
Non-astro equiment and consumables
- - -
Equipment Loan Deposit Refunded - 20 -
- - -
Sub total 6,619 20 -
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - -
- - -
Sub total - - -
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| Total payments 6,619 | 20 | - | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net of receipts/(payments) - 5,863 | 20 | - | ||||
| A5 | Transfers between funds - |
- | - | |||
| A6 | Cash funds last year end 13,742 |
- | - | |||
| Cash funds this year end 7,879 | 20 | - |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of
| Unrestricted | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | funds | |
| B1 Cash funds | Cash held as cash NatWest current account Total cash funds |
to nearest £ 7 7,872 - 7,879 |
|
| (agree balances | with receipts and payments account(s)) |
OK | |
| Unrestricted | |||
| funds | |||
| B2 Other monetary assets | Details | to nearest £ - - - - - - |
|
| Fund to which | |||
| B3 Investment assets | Details | asset belongs Fund to which |
|
| B4 Assets retained for the | Details | asset belongs | |
| charity’s own use | Fund to which | ||
| B5 Liabilities | Details | liability relates |
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print N
186764
ounts
CC16a
Dec 31, 21
Total funds
Last year
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
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629 1,078
40 175
- 186
71 300
16 36
- -
- 33
- 10,000
40
796 11,808
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-
- -
- -
796 11,808
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70 30
- -
50 25
- -
524 831
58 85
115 -
207 456
5,595 -
- 418
- 290
20 -
- -
6,639 2,135
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-
-
- -
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6,639 2,135
- 5,843 9,673
- -
13,742 4,069
7,899 13,742
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the period
Restricted Endowment
funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £
- -
20 -
- -
20 -
OK OK
Restricted Endowment
funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Current value
Cost (optional)
(optional)
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Current value
Cost (optional)
(optional)
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Amount due When due
(optional) (optional)
-
-
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-
-
-
Date of
Name
approval
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