Charity No: 119265
Annual Report December 2021
We were officially recognised by the Charity Commission on January 4[th] 2021, approximately three months after we made our application. We are formed as Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) using the foundation template. This means that we do not have a membership, the only members being the Trustees. It was decided that this was the best structure for a small organisation such as ours, and that we would attract volunteers more easily by not charging membership fees. Interested persons are invited to become ‘Friends’.
We immediately arranged our public liability insurance and also became a Corporate Member of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA). Farmcares land agent, Bidwells, was informed of our new status and we reiterated our request for a lease. A comprehensive document was submitted to them outlining our planned works. In the interim we requested from Bidwells a ‘License to Work’ in order for us to be able to carry out basic maintenance. Unfortunately, it took until July for the License to be granted, but we were then able to restart our work parties.
We have also been given written ‘Permission to Work’ on the section of towpath and canal between the Rivers Thames and Churn.
A good working relationship has been established with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust (WBCT), and their support is greatly appreciated.
As neither the Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) or WBCT have any plans to re-water either Basin or the section of canal between the Basin and Cricklade, we are focussing on the public benefit of maintaining and improving the towpath and canal bed between the River Thames and the Basin. The towpath forms part of a circular walk incorporating the Thames path, a disused railway, and the Thames & Severn Canal.
The renovation of the historic and unique infrastructure is a high priority, but only limited work can be undertaken keeping the site safe until the lease is granted.
Ongoing research into the history of the Basin, and the surrounding district, and to the people who lived and work on or it, continues.
In November we were registered with HRMC for gift aid and will be submitting a claim in the new year when all the declarations have been signed by donors.
Thanks to the Crapper & Sons, all the rubbish has been removed from around the Basin, including two large old trailers and a very solid cement mixer.
In spite of several requests, we have not been given any time scales for the granting of a lease, therefore, we will carry on with our maintenance regime in 2022. Although frustrated by the delay the future for LBR is looking good.
LBR Trustees 31[st] Dec 2021
Charity No 1192965 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Income and Expenditure for the period 4[th] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021
| Income | General | Restricted | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||||
| Openingbalance | 5.00 | ||||||
| Donationsgeneral | 711.00 | ||||||
| Transfer of funds from WBCT | 2127.98 | ||||||
| Wayland Estates Grant | 750.00 | ||||||
| Donations restricted | Lease fund | 1200.00 | |||||
| Totals | 3,593.98 | 1200.00 | |||||
| Expenditure | General | Restricted | |||||
| £ | £ | ||||||
| Tools,fuel & materials | 741.32 | ||||||
| PPE | 397.68 | ||||||
| Misc(gratuity) | 10.00 | ||||||
| Insurance 2021 | 336.00 | ||||||
| Insurance 2022 | 468.16 | ||||||
| Totals | 1,953.16 | ||||||
| Balance of Lloyds Account | £2,840.82 |