Registered Charity Number 1193109
Milton Creek Country Park Trust Trustees Annual Report 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024
Clerk to the Trustees
Mike Dendor 14 Downs Close Sittingbourne Kent ME10 21SP
Telephone: 0773 393 7102 Email: mike.dendor@kemsleycommunitycentre.com
The trustees present their annual report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024 and confirm that they comply with the Charities Act 1993, as amended by the Charities Act 2006, the trust deed, and Charities SORP 2005.
ANNUAL REPORT 01 OCTOBER 2023 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Registered Charity Number 1193109
- Reference and Administrative Information
a) Charity Name:
- b) Charity Registration Number:
c) Principal Office:
Milton Creek Country Park Trust
1193109
Kemsley Community Centre The Square Ridham Avenue Kemsley Sittingbourne Kent ME10 2SL
d) Board of Trustees:
Christopher Andrews Derek Carnell Stephen Davey Michael Dendor (Chairman) Susan Gent Lynda Marshall (Treasurer) Nicholas Vickers Antony Winckless (Vice-Chairman) Janet Williams (Minutes Secretary)
e) Principal Administrator
Mike Dendor – Chairman/Clerk
f) Independent Examiner of Accounts
Mr A Thorley 67 Chegworth Gardens Sittingbourne Kent ME10 1RJ
g) Bankers
Natwest Bank plc 81 High Street Sittingbourne ME10 4AW
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ANNUAL REPORT 01 OCTOBER 2023 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Registered Charity Number 1193109
2. Structure, governance, and management
a) Governing document
Milton Creek Country Park Trust (MCCPT) was constituted as a “Foundation” Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission on 14 January 2021 under charity number 1193109. It is governed by a deed of trust filed with the Charity Commission.
b) Management
MCCPT has been established to promote/enhance Milton Creek Country Park (The Park) supporting maintenance, environment, leisure, recreation in partnership with Swale Borough Council (SBC), owners of The Park.
c) Organisational structure
The charity trustees manage the activities of MCCPT, including cooperation and organisation of volunteers. Trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits, other than agreed expenses as incurred. The Trustees meet as a body regularly and are responsible for all decisions taken in relation to running and managing activities provided by the charity.
- d) Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Prospective trustees are invited to attend trustees’ meetings as observers and are given details of the charity’s aims and activities. If they wish to join MCCPT as a trustee, due consideration is given to their eligibility and personal competence including specialist knowledge and skills.
Prospective trustees are nominated to the MCCPT Trustee Board by existing trustees. Trustees are initially co-opted to the Board on the understanding that they stand for election at the next AGM at which time, if they are elected, they are elected for a term of 4 years. Any trustee may stand for re-election at the end of their term.
e) Induction and training of trustees
Following appointment, new MCCPT trustees are introduced to their new role and given copies of the trust deed and a guide to the policies and procedures adopted by MCCPT. Several publications from the Charity Commission are also provided, including the guidance on charities and public benefit. This ensures that new trustees are aware of the scope of their responsibilities under the Charities Act. New trustees work with an existing trustee for a time to get used to the charity.
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Registered Charity Number 1193109 ANNUAL REPORT 01 OCTOBER 2023 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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f) Hiring Agreement
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Use of the Park is managed and controlled by SBC. Use of units in The Park owned or leased by MCCPT is currently on an informal basis but this is being reviewed with plans to introduce a formal hiring agreement.
g) Licences
Performing Rights and Alcohol Licencing for the Park, including for MCCPT units, is managed by SBC. Organisations using The Park arrange Temporary Licences with SBC/PRS as needed.
h) Internet
MCCPT has a website https://miltoncreek.co.uk
- i) Policies and Procedures
To guide the trustees in its duty of care to members, contractors and users of the park, the following policy statements have been adopted:
Safeguarding Policy, including Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Health and Safety Policy
Equal Opportunities Policy
Data Protection Policy
Copies of these policies are available on our website for park and facilities users to read.
- j) Risk Management
MCCPT is insured with Zurich Insurance in respect to: Contents £25,000 (contents of MCCPT Units and equipment owned/leased by MCCPT); Loss of Money £250,000; Public Liability £5,000,000; Employer’s Liability £10,000,000; Trustee’s (Director’s) Liability £100,000; Personal Accident up to£10,000 or £100 per week.
The Trustee Board recognises that is under a legal obligation to protect its facilities, trustees, employees, volunteers, and users through adequate and appropriate insurance.
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ANNUAL REPORT 01 OCTOBER 2023 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Registered Charity Number 1193109
- k) Health and Safety
SBC are responsible for health and safety of personnel, equipment, materials, and buildings within The Park apart from MCCPT units and equipment.
For units or equipment owned/leased by MCCPT, the Trust is responsible for:
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Facilities condition survey every 5 years
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Portable electrical appliances tested annually
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Mains electrical connection/installation checked every 5 years
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Fire Safety Risk Assessment Certificate every three years
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Firefighting appliances inspected annually
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Legionella Control Checks done annually (for water supplies)
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Asbestos Survey and Register
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Food Hygiene Certificate in place and checked annually
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Other regular maintenance checks as deemed necessary
3. Objectives of the Charity
The objectives are:
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To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation at Milton Creek Country Park by individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity, disability, financial hardship, or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
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To promote the conservation of the environment through education, recording, and research.
In furtherance of these objectives, but not otherwise, the Charity Trustees shall have the power to secure the establishment of a Country Park at Milton Creek and to maintain or manage or cooperate with any statutory authority in the maintenance and continuation of such a park for activities provided by the Charity in furtherance of the above objectives.
The Trustees consider these objectives to be consistent with Charity Commission guidance on providing for the public benefit and these objectives have been pursued in the activities of the charity this year.
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ANNUAL REPORT 01 OCTOBER 2023 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Registered Charity Number 1193109
4. Principal Activities in pursuit of Objectives
The Park is used every day of the week for a variety of activities including
leisure, recreation, biodiversity, outdoor events, sport, education, and indoor exhibitions/creative activities.
5. Funding Strategy
The Trust uses fundraising through event ticketing, donations, and grants to finance activities.
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6. Volunteers Effort
The Park is managed by SBC park rangers with help from volunteers. On average, 25 hours of volunteer time (Trustees and other volunteers) are given each week to help maintain the grounds and cover routine tasks such as MCCPT fundraising, bookings, administration, and accounts.
7. Reserves Policy
The charity had a total of £14,304.92 in bank accounts at 2023/24 financial year end. The charity has a policy of ensuring that a minimum reserve of £1,000 cash in hand at all times with no expense commitments against that balance. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance/improvement of equipment and facilities they own or lease. On identifying any major works required, fundraising is undertaken with the object of meeting the costs in full. Such funds may be ring fenced for specific maintenance or projects.
8. Ongoing Plans
The Trustees have resolved to help SBC and its rangers to maintain and improve The Park, including expansion and access. The Trust also resolved to improve marketing of The Park through use of social media, website, and advertising. The Trust has an ongoing project “Space in the Park” to install a new building for hire to community groups.
9. Trustees Approval of Report
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Annual Report.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees:
Signature(s):
Full Name: Mike Dendor
Position: Chairman
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ANNUAL REPORT 01 OCTOBER 2023 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Registered Charity Number 1193109
Date:
10. Independent examiner's report on the accounts
The charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
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examine the accounts (under section 43 of the Act),
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 43 (7) (b) of the Act), and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and 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 the 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 accounts.
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the Trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
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proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 41 of the Act); and
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accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Date: Name:
Relevant Professional Body (if any):
Address:
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Milton Creek Country Park Trust
| Milton Creek Country Park Trust | Milton Creek Country Park Trust | |
|---|---|---|
| Financial | Statement 1st October 2023 - 30thSeptember 2024 | |
| 2022/2023 | Receipt for the year consisted of: | 2023/2024 |
| £3,093.00 | SBC Councillors members grants | £550.00 |
| £0.00 | Orchard Community Energy Grant | £2,770.00 |
| £0.00 | Community Infrastructure Grant fr Air Source Heat Pump | £7,000.00 |
| £0.00 | Donations from businesses & organisations | £1,060.85 |
| Donation for Orchard | £737.00 | |
| £5,000.00 | Kent Community Foundation | £0.00 |
| £9,920.00 | Lottery - Awards For All for Space in the Park | £0.00 |
| £24,345.00 | Peoples Postcode Lottery grant for Space in the Park | £0.00 |
| £5,000.00 | Forrester Family Trust Grant for Space | £0.00 |
| £10,000.00 | Queenborough Fisheries Trust Grant for Space | £0.00 |
| £1,105.47 | SBC Invoiced re purchases for Friends of Milton Creek (681) | £905.21 |
| £237.00 | Donations to PayPal account | £32.06 |
| £50.00 | Legacy - Angela Kitney | £0.00 |
| £1,891.38 | Fund Raising Events - Income & donation | £1,640.41 |
| £709.75 | Cash Income from Creations sales | £1,180.88 |
| £575.55 | Interest on reserve account | £925.66 |
| £61,927.15 | Totl Receipts fr the year wer, therfr | **£16,802.07 ** |
| From which must be deducted payment during the year; | ||
| £120.89 | Training, volunteer refreshments (282+285) | £140.04 |
| £157.00 | Insurance | £416.05 |
| £200.00 | Web site update including annual hosting fee (268) | £173.98 |
| £0.00 | Purchase of 2nd storage container (281) | £2,760.00 |
| £485.82 | Space • Licences & Permits (279) | £1,195.22 |
| £390.00 | Space - Subcontractor Costs (150) | £67,050.80 |
| £19.99 | Space - cost of materials mostly for roof (103) | £9,222.06 |
| £969.02 | Purchases from James Hunt members grant | £0.00 |
| £78.55 | Rosie Lancaster - Grow Wild grant expenditure | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | Purchases from Orchard Grant (202) | £818.39 |
| £2,000.00 | Purchase of Room | £0.00 |
| Activities & Event costs (200) | £26.79 | |
| £299.80 | Purchase of equipment from Creations profits (106) | £45.00 |
| £201.78 | Fund Raising items and expenses (Acivities) (101) | £21.70 |
| £578.94 | Purchases for Friends of Milton Creek | £844.67 |
| £50.88 | Reimbursement to Trustee | £0.00 |
| £163.76 £5,716.43 |
Trade Debtor (SBC invoice not yet paid) Total Payment for the year wer, therefre |
£0.00 £82,714.70 |
| £56,210.72 | Excess of Receipts over Payments was therefr; | -£65,912.63 |
| £4,721.23 | To which must be added the bank balance at 1/10/23 | £1,048.98 |
| £19,269.60 | and the reserve fund at 1/10/23 | £79,113.21 |
| £16.00 £80,201.55 |
and Petty Cash at 1/10/23 The Accumulated Fund at 30/09/23 was, therefre; |
£55.36 £14,304.92 |
Represented by; Bank Balance £1,126.29 Reserve fund £13,143.49 Petty Cash £35.14 £14,304.92 Prepared by Lynda Marshall Treasurer Checked and Agreed by /lir,1.l6rf 7ai't-� / I
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