Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 11[th] November 2021. To 31[st] March 2023
Charity name: Bexhill Heritage
Charity registration number: 1196525
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The conservation, protection and improvement of the Bexhill-on-Sea built environment |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The main activities of the Charity during this period included: - The full restoration of the town’s Victorian Bandstand which opened on 1stApril 2023. Bexhill Heritage’s financial contribution and other smaller projects was £23,587 during the 17 months of this accounting period. - Planning and preparation for projects to restore the Collins and Pallott mural on Town Hall Square, the RNLI collection box on the Marina and the K6 phone kiosk at Normans Bay. No cost. - Comments made on planning applications or development proposals with heritage implications including the proposed Town Hall extension. No cost. - Organising and presenting the 2022 Civic Pride Awards. This incurred negligible printing costs. - Hosting guest speakers on a variety of topics designed to increase public knowledge and understanding of the town’s history and heritage. Also, attending and organising town events to reach a wider public, and giving talks to local groups. The cost of these activities was £1660 over the accounting period. |
| Statement confirming | Para 1.18 | The trustees have taken full account of the |
whether the trustees have guidance issued by the Charity had regard to the guidance Commission on public benefit and are issued by the Charity confident that all the Charity’s activities are Commission on public consistent with this guidance. benefit
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The Charity does not currently award grants. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | Through this accounting period the Charity operated a business account with the Nat West Bank. There were no additional investments. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All the Charity’s officers are volunteers as are those members engaged on restoration work. A core group of eight volunteers was responsible for the planning, management and implementation of the Bandstand restoration project. The group was supported by professional tradespeople, local authority officers, and a local architect. Our volunteer historian and support officer made a huge contribution to the development of our website and design of the Bandstand booking system. Our volunteer planning officers made considerable progress on the issue of town centre window replacement and an extremely important contribution to local planning decisions including the withdrawal of the Town Hall extension proposal. Our volunteer surveyor used his expertise to advise on and supervise structural elements of the Bandstand renovation. His support for the project was invaluable. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | 1. The full restoration of the town’s Victorian Bandstand which opened on 1st April 2023. The restored Bandstand hosted a series of ‘free’ concerts including our opening concert, an additional Celebration Concert and concerts on both Sussex Day and Bexhill Day. A wide variety of entertainers used the facility for public benefit. Bexhill Museum, and a wide range of local organisations and clubs also booked the Bandstand. 2. Organising and presenting the 2022 Civic Pride Awards. These awards continue to raise awareness of the town’s rich heritage and of those individuals, groups and organisations that have made significant contributions to the conservation, protection and improvement of the built environment. 3. Continuing to promote the importance of heritage and highlight the town’s heritage assets. Presentations to local groups and organisations, and to groups of elected members brought Bexhill’s rich heritage to a wider and often influential audience. This helped to influence local authority decision-making. Permanent interpretation boards and temporary seafront displays brought the Charity’s message to a wider public. This helped in the recruitment of active members and meant that local fundraising was effective. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
We opened the restored bandstand in April 2023 rather than, as anticipated, in August 2022. This was due to delays related to shortages of suitable building materials and longer than usual lead-in times for planning permission approval. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The Charity was successful in raising funds to meet our share of the Bandstand restoration costs that were agreed in advance with the local authority. Items included: - electricity supply, lighting, and audio; - glazing; - door furniture and locks. - tables and chairs; - a notice board and signage. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Charity’s finances were robust at the end of this accounting period. Despite record expenditure of over £23,500 on projects and price uncertainty, we recorded only a small deficit of just over £500 and, it was possible to carry forward £12,091 into financial year 2023/4. This is sufficient to cover general expenditure and provide for a contribution of £5,000 to projects planned for 2023/4. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Charity’s policy on reserves is to retain the equivalent of six months average expenditure, not including spending on projects. This is to enable the Charity to meet its regular commitments and running costs should there be an unexpected collapse in membership subscriptions and donations. In this accounting period, there was a time lag between the receipt of grants and donations, and planned expenditure. This accounts for the significant variations in the Charity’s bank balance through the accounting period. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £4044 was available as a reserve at the end of the accounting period – March 31st 2023.This is based on the equivalent of six months of average expenditure, not including spending on projects. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | There are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
The Charity’s principal source of funds is through membership subscriptions and donations. The Charity sold calendars, badges and souvenirs, organised raffles and ran an annual tombola. In this accounting period, the Charity organised a local appeal for the additional grants and donations necessary to restore the town’s Victorian Bandstand. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | During this accounting period, the Charity ran only a current account. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | During this accounting period, the Charity faced the following risks: - insufficient volunteers to meet its commitments; - over-commitment of some committee members; - insufficient trustees to provide good governance; - possible reputational damage following a change of Chairman. The Charity has gone some way to mitigate these risks through the recruitment of additional active volunteers and a fourth trustee with governance experience. The successful opening of the restored Bandstand has gone a long way to restoring the Charity’s good reputation. |
|---|---|---|
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Charity Commission scheme. Our constitution specifies how the Charity is governed. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are elected for one, two, or three- year terms at the Charity’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June. Each member of the charity has one vote. They may vote in person, by proxy or by post / email. Trustees may co-opt additional trustees between AGMs but any co-opted trustee serves only until the next AGM at which point they must be elected by members should they wish to continue. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
All trustees are made aware of their legal responsibilities. Induction is through conversation with the Chairman. Formal policies and procedures have yet to be adopted but the trustee board intends to do this prior to its expansion to five members in 2024. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The Charity’s trustee board are responsible for strategy, oversight, and evaluation. They are elected by members and report to members. The elected committee acts as the Charity’s executive, making operational decisions consistent with the policies and plans set by the trustees. The committee is elected by members, and report to trustees and members. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Bexhill Heritage cooperates with Rother District Council and Bexhill Town Council in pursuit of its charitable objectives. We enjoy cordial links with Rother Voluntary Action, Bexhill 100 Motoring Club, the local Men’s Shed and St Barnabas Church. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Bexhill Heritage |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | None |
| Registered charity number | 1196525 |
| Charity’s principal address | c/o St Barnabas Church, Cantelupe Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1JG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Johnson | Chairman and Treasurer |
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| Simon Allen | Vice Chairman Projects’ Officer |
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| Alexis Markwick | Support Officer Vice Chairman |
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| Raymond Konyn | Chairman | 11th November 2021 - 25thFeb 2022 |
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– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name Not applicable
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| Not applicable | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not applicable safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser None
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Not applicable
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Other optional information
Please note that this report is based on a more detailed report to trustees that was circulated to members prior to the 2023 AGM.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Simon Allen Full name(s) Alexis Markwick Position (eg Secretary, Vice-Chairman Projects Officer Chair, etc)
Date
17/01/24
Charity Name No (if any) Bexhill Heritage 1196525 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 11/11/2021 3/31/2023
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts Membershipfees 5,145 Donations Sales and event income 1,677 Refunds and miscellaneospayments 1,367 Grants and sponsorship - - 8,189 - - Sub total - Total receipts 8,189 A3 Payments Communications -phone, post,internet 277 Fees,commission and refunds 343 Equipment 3,503 Venue hire and speaker fees 1,660 Cateringand events 530 Marketing 2,210 Office supplies 415 Insurance 338 Project expenditure Sub total 9,276 - - Sub total - Total payments 9,276 Net of receipts/(payments) - 1,087 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end 12,926 Cash funds this year end 11,839 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
to the nearest £ - 2,879 - - 21,139 - - - 24,018 - - - 24,018 - - - - - - - - 23,587 23,587 - - - 23,587 431 - - 431 Restricted funds |
to the nearest £ Endowment funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ 5,145 2,879 1,677 1,367 21,139 - - 32,207 - - - 32,207 277 343 3,503 1,660 530 2,210 415 338 23,587 32,863 - - - 32,863 - 656 - 12,926 12,270 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| - - - - - - - - - |
5,145 | - | ||
| 2,879 | - | |||
| 1,677 | - | |||
| 1,367 | - | |||
| 21,139 | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | ||||
| - | - | |||
| 32,207 | - | |||
| - - - |
- | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | 32,207 | - | ||
| - - - - - - - - - - |
277 | - | ||
| 343 | - | |||
| 3,503 | - | |||
| 1,660 | - | |||
| 530 | - | |||
| 2,210 | - | |||
| 415 | - | |||
| 338 | - | |||
| 23,587 | - | |||
| 32,863 | - | |||
| - - - |
- | |||
| - | ||||
| - | - | |||
| - | 32,863 | - | ||
| 431 | - - - - |
- 656 | - | |
| - | - | - | ||
| - | 12,926 | - | ||
| 431 | 12,270 | - |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Nat West current account Cash in hand Details None Details None Details Gazebo Publicity boards Projector Amplifier and associated equipment Tools Tabards Chairs and tables for Bandstand Details Refund to Lions club Signature #VALUE! #VALUE! Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Purchase of commemorative plaques in the ~~Bandstad~~ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 12,091 - 181 - - - 12,272 - OK OK Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) Unresticted - Restricted - Unresticted - Unresticted - Unresticted - Unresticted - Restricted - - - Amount due (optional) Restricted 1,500 Restricted 180 - - - Print Name STEPHEN JOHNSON SIMON ALLEN Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates |
to nearest £ Endowment funds |
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| OK | |||
| to nearest £ Endowment funds |
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| Current value (optional) |
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| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| #VALUE! | STEPHEN JOHNSON | 1/28/2024 | |
| #VALUE! | SIMON ALLEN | 1/28/2024 |