THE FRIENDS OF BENNERLEY VIADUCT
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1187044
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THE FRIENDS OF BENNERLEY VIADUCT
INDEX
Contents Page Annual Report 3 Trustee’s Report 4 Clients’ Certification 7 Independent Examiner Report 8 Income and expenditure account 9
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THE FRIENDS OF BENNERLEY VIADUCT
ANNUAL REPORT
The charity numbered 1187044 registered with the Charity Commissioners is administered by a committee comprising:
Chair of Trustees John Scruton Vice-Chair James Dawson Chair of Operations Glynn Lowth Chair of Audit Nick Tooley Treasurer Tim Reed Other Members Ron Lee, Melvin Bailey, Bill Tomson
The report of this committee is available as a separate appendix on request.
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THE FRIENDS OF BENNERLEY VIADUCT
TRUSTEE’S REPORT
The twelve months since the last annual report have probably been the most eventful in the FoBV’s short history.
The twelve months of the 2022/23 operational year have continued to be very eventful for the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct (FoBV).
Purpose of FoBV
The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct are dedicated to restoring, conserving and celebrating Bennerley Viaduct for the wider public good.
Activities of FoBV
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The viaduct continues to be open for public use, and is enjoyed and used by walkers and cyclists from near and far.
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FoBV has continued to maintain it’s charitable status, and follows the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. It is a Charitable incorporated organisation, operating under a constitution available to all
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A 99-year lease has been agreed between Railway Paths Ltd (RPL) and FoBV enabling FoBV to have greater control and influence over the management and development of the viaduct. This was signed on June 20[th] 2022. RPL remain responsible for the maintenance of the structure of the viaduct.
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The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Bridging the Gap project was established and developed with the appointment of 3 staff to explore the opportunities to develop a range of activities at the viaduct, explore the future financial viability of FoBV, and develop the resilience and sustainability of the organisation. The progress of the project is regularly monitored by the NLHF.
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FoBV had partnered with Kimberley Town Council and Broxtowe Borough Council to submit a Levelling Up bid to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) during 2022. In January 2023 it was announced that in the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bid had been successful, so that FoBV would have the funds available to construct an eastern ramp, visitor centre and car parking. An architect and planning consultant were appointed in order to submit a planning application in July 2023. Extensive negotiations and consultations took place with trustees, members and volunteers, RPL and Harworth Estates and Broxtowe Borough Council. Successful negotiations have taken place with Harworth regarding the potential future transfer of land at the eastern end of the viaduct to the Friends for the erection of the proposed ramp, visitor centre and car park.
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FoBV continues to benefit from an active and engaged membership and a number of active volunteers, without which it could not function.
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6 trustees were co-opted during the year following an extensive publicity campaign, interviews and selection.
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The Severn Trent (ST) Access to Nature project began in May 2021 was successfully concluded at the end of July this year. £25,000 was secured by an application made FoBV.
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Bridging the Gap. The National Lottery Heritage Fund application for this project was written, submitted, approved and started between June 2021 and 01 March 2022. The three members of staff funded by the project are all now in post.
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The FoBV financial report for 22/23 has been circulated with the AGM papers. It shows FoBV to be in sound financial health.
Funding of FoBV
The FoBV continues to be funded through grants, donations and trading activities. The accounts are prepared by the treasurer and subject to an independent examination by an external firm of accountant.
The organisation has appropriate policies and procedures in place, and maintains a minimum reserves policy. The charity remains a going concern.
Trustees of FoBV
John Scruton Appointed 29[th] April 2019 – Chair of Trustees James Dawson Appointed 22[nd] December 2020 – Vice Chair Glynn Lowth Co-opted 4[th] October 2022 – Chair of Operations Nick Tooley Co-opted 14[th] December 2022 – Chair of Audit Tim Reed Co-opted 17[th] May 2023 - Treasurer Ron Yee Co-opted 4[th] October 2022 Melvin Bailey Co-opted 16[th] May 2023 Bill Tomson Co-opted 4[th] October 2022
Risk Register
FoBV maintains and regular reviews a risk register.
Risks identified by the Trustees going forward include:
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Failure to deliver the NLHF and LUF project as required
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Failure to retain trustees and/or staff
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Inability to raise sufficient income & grants to ensure sustainability.
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Risks & liabilities arising from being a lessee of the viaduct
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Inability to progress the eastern ramp and/or visitor centre for whatever reason, and failure to create an effective staffing & financial model to manage the visitor centre.
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Reputational damage concerning the community and/or key stakeholders
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All these risks are being mitigated by appropriate action & planning.
We continue to be grateful for the on-going support of volunteers, members, trustees and staff, and all external stakeholders during the development of FoBV and Bennerley Viaduct.
John Scruton, Chair of FoBV Trustees July 2023
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THE FRIENDS OF BENNERLEY VIADUCT
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2023
CLIENTS’ CERTIFICATION
I approve the attached accounts which show a net surplus for the year of £32,952.
I confirm that I have made available to Briants all the information and explanations necessary for the production of these accounts and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all income due to the business has been shown in the accounting records.
I confirm that the accounts will not be released to any other party other than the members of the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct without the written consent of Briants.
I understand that you will accept no liability to any third party using these accounts without your express permission.
J Scruton Chair
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THE FRIENDS OF BENNERLEY VIADUCT
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2023
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Friends of Bennerley Viaduct (Registered Charity Number 1187044) for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 9 to 10.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011(‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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(3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Name: Ian Briant
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Date: 25 August 2023
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FRIENDS OF BENNERLEY VIADUCT
FINANCIAL SUMMARY - RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH
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