FRIENDS OF CHURCH STRETTON SWIMMING POOL - STRETTON POOL ACTION (SPA) Registered Charity Number 1195071 Trustees’ Annual Report Financial Year ended 31st December 2025
Stretton Pool Action (SPA) was formed in 2016 as a group of concerned users of Church Stretton Swimming Pool and local residents, established to lobby Shropshire Council for the retention of the pool in response to their proposed Indoor Leisure Facilities Strategy 2018–2023. The group adopted the Charity Commission’s standard Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) constitution at a meeting on 1st December 2016.
Following an application by the SPA Steering Group, the organisation was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation under the name Friends of Church Stretton Swimming Pool - Stretton Pool Action (SPA) in July 2021. All assets and liabilities were formally transferred to the new charity at that time, and the new name and registered charity number were adopted. The charity continues to operate under the Charity Commission’s standard CIO constitution.
Governance & Trustees
The trustees are responsible for the overall management and administration of the charity, and act in accordance with the constitution and charity law. Trustees are appointed or reappointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), held each February or March. Members are regularly informed at general meetings that new trustees are always welcome, and individuals may also be approached directly to join the board. The 2025 AGM was held on 13th March 2025.
During the financial year ended 31st December 2025, the trustees were:
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David Betton (Chair)
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Emma O’Donohue (Secretary)
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Angie Walshaw (Treasurer)
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Ann Spandrzyk
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Chris Ball
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Ana Ireland
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Jackie Betton
All trustees are eligible to serve, and no conflicts of interest were declared or recorded during the year.
Correspondence address: Stretton Pool Action, c/o Leisure Centre, Shrewsbury Road, Church Stretton, SY6 6EX
Bankers: TSB Business Internet Banking
Cash assets at 31 December 2025: £1,195.61
The accounts have been approved by the trustees, and no material matters of concern were identified.
Charitable Objects
The objects of the charity are: - The promotion of community participation in healthy recreation by providing or assisting in the provision and development of facilities for swimming in Church Stretton and surrounding areas. - The advancement of amateur sport in Church Stretton and surrounding areas for the public benefit, through the provision and development of facilities or opportunities for participation in swimming. - To advance the education of the public in water safety and the health and social benefits of swimming and sport.
Public Beneft
In line with the Charity Commission’s public benefit requirement, the trustees have considered the guidance issued by the Commission. All activities undertaken during the year were designed to further the charity’s objects for the public benefit, with access open to all sections of the local community without discrimination.
Activities & Achievements 2025
The trustees held four formal meetings during the year, including one meeting with Church Stretton Mayor, Andy Munro — building on earlier discussions with him — to strengthen links and discuss future plans. Relations with Leisure Centre staff were further developed, and we continued to raise awareness of the pool as a vital local community facility.
Key activities during the year included:
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Receiving donations from the local Rugby Club and local bunkhouse, for which we are very grateful.
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Attending the local Christmas Fayre to engage with residents, share information about the pool, and explain the charity’s role and work. - Consulting with Leisure Centre staff to identify equipment and improvements needed to enhance sessions for all age groups; we have agreed to purchase specific items to support this.
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Commissioning a structural engineer to assess the pool building and identify potential improvement works, to inform future planning.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the charity plans to expand fundraising through community events, grant applications, and partnership working with the council, to deliver necessary improvements to the pool facilities.
Volunteers & Resources
The charity has no paid employees and relies entirely on voluntary time, effort, and support. The trustees are extremely grateful to all volunteers who contributed during the year; their help is invaluable in enabling us to raise funds and deliver our charitable aims.
Risk Management
The trustees regularly review the main risks facing the charity, including funding levels and the delivery of planned activities. Steps are taken to mitigate these risks, including maintaining good financial records, building community partnerships, and diversifying funding sources.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees confirm that this report has been prepared in accordance with the Charity Commission’s requirements, and that the information given is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge.
The trustees declare that they have approved this Trustees’ Annual Report.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
Signature
Full name: Emma O’Donohue Position: Secretary
Date: ________
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