GREATER MANCHESTER FIRE SERVICE MUSEUM TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024
The year under review has passed without any particular issues and Fireground continues to thrive.
The Museum is now firmly established as a Rochdale attraction and plays an important role in the town’s regeneration, particularly around Milkstone and Deeplish, sitting in the centre of some intended exciting new developments around the railway station.
The dedication, versatility and enthusiasm shown by the management team and the whole volunteer force remains a credit to the Museum and serves as an example to the whole sector.
Relations with our two key partners – Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and Rochdale Borough Council (through Rochdale Development Agency) are as strong as ever, with Fireground representation at events and on projects becoming the norm now. This support was also demonstrated by another substantial rise this year in the level of GMFRS grant support. Representatives from both organisations continue to serve on our governing body.
Two Trustees meetings were held during the year under review with a full Annual General Meeting in April 2023, at which three Trustees were re-elected in accordance with the Constitution. The Board remains at full strength at this time.
The delivery phase of the National Lottery Heritage Fund project ended in August 2023 and, despite some unavoidable under-spending, it is true to say that all funders have been delighted with what has been achieved.
Trust finances remain healthy at the present time.
Finally, the Board was delighted with the award of the BEM to our Secretary and Curator, Bob Bonner in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours list.
Bob Bonner Trustee and Secretary
GREATER MANCHESTER FIRE SERVICE MUSEUM TRUST - FIREGROUND MUSEUM Income and Expenditure April 2023 to April 2024
| INCOME Cash in Hand April 2023 Admission tickets Shop Sales GMFRS grant support Education work Donations Open Day stalls, rides etc Memorabilia sale Member subscriptions Fireman Sam ride Scrap metal Fireground Café Rental Christmas meal Bacup Fire Stn Open Day Mossley Fire Stn Open Day Sale Fire Stn Open Day Oldham Fire Stn Open Day Blackley Fire Stn Open Day Hollins Fire Stn Open Day Chadderton Fire Stn Open Day Bury TC Retired Members event Room hire Fire Heritage Network UK AGM Refunds (various) TOTAL INCOME |
£171,622.14 £ 25,627.69 £ 17,585.33 £ 16,647.00 £ 17,076.00 £ 1,263.52 £ 225.10 £ 974.50 £ 490.00 £ 253.10 £ 607.40 £ 4,999.92 £ 757.90 £ 190.19 £ 204.78 £ 610.96 £ 495.14 £ 291.60 £ 380.98 £ 604.26 £ 75.35 £ 370.00 £ 145.00 £ 460.43 £ 90,336.15 £261,958.29 |
EXPENDITURE Salary/Payroll/Tax/NI/Pensions Training and Conferences DBS checks Materials and tools Vehicle restoration/repairs (Hatfield) (6900 NF) (PDK 717) (K 630 KMB) MoT and Road Tax (K 630 KMB) Road fuel AED maintenance Shop stock Fireground Café equipment Stationery and printing Office equipment and IT EPoS//Bank charges/Internet etc Mobile phone UV screening Insurance Table hire LGV medical Advertisements Postage Children's uniforms Catering and hospitality Affiliation fees/Listings Business rates Christmas Meal Direct Mailing Digital Museum project Events/Open Days materials Garden Furniture and storage Scrap cars Artist in Residence TOTAL EXPENDITURE Cash in Hand April 2024 |
£ 27,778.35 £ 3,719.40 £ 61.00 £ 1,243.54 £ 28.80 £ 1,144.15 £ 2,168.48 £ 1,169.84 £ 242.00 £ 551.75 £ 523.01 £ 8,019.50 £ 1,904.98 £ 2,860.47 £ 406.56 £ 1,078.43 £ 625.05 £ 3,165.60 £ 5,079.47 £ 130.00 £ 55.00 £ 720.00 £ 138.71 £ 269.75 £ 591.70 £ 730.38 £ 2,320.35 £ 757.90 £ 307.20 £ 4,000.00 £ 391.17 £ 88.83 £ 1,185.04 £ 300.00 £ 1,793.44 |
£ 75,549.85 £ 186,408.44 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 261,958.29 |
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum Trust. Charity No. 1189175
I submit a report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 8[th] April 2024.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
Having completed my examination, I confirm that no matter has come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
In conclusion, 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.
Name: Graham Veevers
Former Financial Manager, Greater Manchester Fire Authority:
Address: 38 Ashley Close, Rochdale, Lancashire OL11 3EP Date: 2[nd] December 2024
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