## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 1/08/23 Period start date To 31/7/24 Period end date** **Charity name: Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths (FOCVTB)** ## **Charity registration number: 1198658** ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP
reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para
1.17|For the public benefit to advance education in
the historical use, architectural and
constructional heritage of the Carlisle Victorian
Public and Turkish Baths, being a listed building
of particular historical and architectural interest,
and in its preservation.| |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 Carlisle Turkish Baths were the last
remaining, fully operational Turkish Baths in the
Northwest, and one of only twelve in the UK, until
November 2022 when they were mothballed by
the then City Council, and due to a combination
of factors, including local government
reorganisation, their future was uncertain.
Were it not for our campaign it is highly likely that
plans would have been made to dispose of the
public Turkish Baths for private development,
and a key part of the nation’s living heritage
would have been permanently lost.
Through our campaigning and charity works we
have achieved the following.
1. For the public benefit advanced education in
the historical use, architectural and
constructional heritage of the Carlisle Victorian
Public and Turkish Baths (FOCVTB). Our
heritage tours and talks are a key tool for
educating and inspiring the public with the history
and purpose of the Public and Turkish Baths.
Over 600 members of the public have attended
our tours and talks.
2. The campaign has raised awareness of both
the heritage and facilities on offer at the VTB
through social media, our Facebook reach is
currently in excess of 184,600 unique users. We
secured regular local media coverage, appeared
on regional ITV and BBC television and radio
programmes.
3. Our ambition has not been to simplysave| Carlisle Turkish Baths, but to develop the entire complex, as a Centre for Health and Wellbeing that celebrates both the heritage of Public Baths and Washhouses and responds to the modern needs of residents in and around England’s most northerly city. 4. Were it not for our campaign summarised above and additionally supported by funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF PVG687, 6/7/22, £14,900) and Cumbria LEP (£2500) for a Viability Study, it is highly likely that plans would have been made to dispose of the public Turkish Baths for private development, and a key part of the nation’s living heritage would have been permanently lost. 5. Our Viability Study in 2022, supported by funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF PVG687, 6/7/22, £14,900) and Cumbria LEP (£2500) has allowed us to continue to test our Vision for the Baths beyond RIBA stage 1, and to determine a development option that takes full advantage of two existing large-scale city centre regeneration projects. Our preferred option will tie the Baths into the current transformation of Carlisle’s high street and town centre, helping both people and place thrive and prosper to make Carlisle an attractive place to live, work and visit. 6. Through conducting this study it has become clear to us that to ensure a future sustainable model for the Turkish Baths, the ‘Core Offer’ has to focus on the viability of any future Spa and Turkish Baths experience. The business plan has shown that such an offer can be financially viable. To enable this we propose a two-phase approach; first delivery of the ‘Core Offer’ and a second phase centred around the delivery of community facilities, including a community laundry and hub, within the building. At this stage we propose to reserve space for these facilities and explore their individual viability in our planned development study. 7. The next stage centres on working with key stakeholders on co-creation of the business plan. This is been managed under the aegis of our ‘Sustainability Group’. To this end we began working with the new authority Cumberland Council towards a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). Once successfully completed this will enable us to apply for development funds across a range of funders to enable us to develop our proposals to RIBA 3 during 2024/25. Joined up discussions with these funders, have now begun including Heritage England, Heritage Lottery Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund. 8. Activities related to in the accounts cover fund raising to help leverage external funding bodies, but also to provide means to support for our sustainable vision for the building including for example future legal costs. |||9. Through a competitive process appointed
Wrigleys Solicitors to support our work with the
CAT.| |---|---|---| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para
1.18|The trustees of the Friends of Carlisle Victorian
and Turkish Baths have carried out their roles
and responsible in accordance with Charity
Commission Guidelines and for the public
benefit.
The charity trustees shall manage the affairs of
the CIO and may for that purpose exercise all the
powers of the CIO. It s the duty of each trustee:
1. To exercise his or her powers and to perform
his or her functions in their capacity as a trustee
of the CIO in the way he or she decides in good
faith would be most likely to further the purposes
of the CIO; and
2. To exercise, in the performance of those
functions, such care and skill as is reasonable in
the circumstances having regard in particular to:
(i) Any special knowledge or experience that they
have or holds and,
(ii) If they as charity trustees of the CIO in the
course of a business or profession, to any
special knowledge or experience that it is
reasonable to expect of a person acting in the
course of that kind of business orprofession.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: ||SORP
reference|| |---|---|---| |Policy on grant making|Para
1.38|All grants are discussed and approved by the
trustees before submission to ensure they are in
alignment with the aims and objectives of the
charity. This is particularly important when a
contribution from the charity is required to enable
release of grant funds. Each grant has a named
lead, which can either be a trustee or associate
members. Progress is monitored at monthly
meetings. It is our intention to appoint a trustee
with grants skills to manage this core activity.
Having successful concluded the AHF Viability
Study, we are developing applications for further
Grant funding from the AHF and / or Historic
England to progress this project to RIBA stage 3.
Our ‘Sustainability Group’ is managing this grant
activity. We will seek additional funding for the
development plan from other bodies including
the Cumbria LEP, Cumberland Council, and
National Lottery Heritage Fund (with whom we
have begun discussions) and the Pilgrim Trust.
We have identified specialist legal advisors to
support our application for a Community Asset
Transfer, prepared a shortlist of architects/project
leads that we will approach to tender for the
project, and begun a programme of engagement
with the elected members of the Cumberland| |||Council.
We have prepared a list of large capital funders
and smaller scale grants. We will commence
applications to these funders/grant bodies in the
next financial year as we reach greater clarity
regards thepotential CAT.| |---|---|---| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Para
1.38|Not applicable.| |Contribution made by
volunteers|Para
1.38|The FOCVTB began as a campaign group in
May 2021, in response to CaCC’s feasibility
study looking at repurposing the Turkish Baths.
We formed specifically to save the Northwest’s
last remaining Turkish Baths from closure. We
were formally constituted as a CIO in April 2022.
The heritage nature of the building and the
continued involvement of the FOCVTB would
continue to provide volunteers with opportunities
to lead tours, talks and events. As well as
facilitating specialist use of the building for arts
and heritage activities. Volunteer on-boarding is
managed by trustee Price with a bespoke
package around background, roles and
expectations.
Our activities are planned and coordinated by a
twelve strong committee of Trustees and
Associate Members with each committee
member having lead responsibility for a defined
and dedicated area of work. We meet monthly,
all our meetings have an agenda and our
minutes with actions and decisions are recorded
and kept in a digital folder that is only accessible
to committee members in accordance with
GDPR.| ## **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|Through our campaigning and charity works we
have achieved the following.
1. For the public benefit advanced education in
the historical use, architectural and
constructional heritage of the Carlisle Victorian
Public and Turkish Baths (FOCVTB). Our
heritage tours and talks are a key tool for
educating and inspiring the public with the history
and purpose of the Public and Turkish Baths.
Over 600 members of the public have attended
our tours and talks.
2. The campaign has raised awareness of both
the heritage and facilities on offer at the VTB
through social media, our Facebook reach is
currently in excess of 245,500 unique users a
increase of ca.33% over previous reporting
period. We secured regular local media
coverage, appeared on regional ITV and BBC
television and radio programmes.
2. Our ambition has not been to simply save
Carlisle Turkish Baths, but to develop the entire
complex, as a Centre for Health and Wellbeing
that celebrates both the heritage of Public Baths
and Washhouses and responds to the modern
needs of residents in and around England’s most
northerly city.
3. Through conducting this study it has become
clear to us that to ensure a future sustainable
model for the Turkish Baths, the ‘Core Offer’ has
to focus on the viability of any future Spa and
Turkish Baths experience. The business plan
has shown that such an offer can be financially
viable. To enable this we propose a two-phase
approach; first delivery of the ‘Core Offer’ and a
second phase centred around the delivery of
community facilities, including a community
laundry and hub, within the building. At this stage
we propose to reserve space for these facilities
and explore their individual viability in our
planned development study. Additionally, as part
of this study we held further stakeholder events
to engage the wider community and partners in
these findings.
4. The next stage centres on working with key
stakeholders on co-creation of the business plan.
This is been managed under the aegis of our
‘Sustainability Group’. To this end we have
begun working with Cumberland Council towards
a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). Once
successfully completed this will enable us to
apply for development funds across a range of
funders to enable us to develop our proposals to
RIBA 3 during 2024. Joined up discussions with
these funders have now begun including
Heritage England, Heritage Lottery Fund and
Architectural Heritage Fund.| |---|---|---|---|---| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Achievements against
objectives set|Para
1.41|| |---|---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para
1.41|Our creative and engagement centred approach
to fundraising has utilised both public support
through physical and online events as well as
from prestigious heritage funding bodies. Our
fundraising has included: check figures against
accounts
1. Just giving and stripe donations totalling ov
£1289.25.
2. Ticket sales for heritage tours of the site and
surrounding area and headline event film
showing of ‘steaming’ in collaboration with
Cumbria University which raised £1470.
3. Stalls at community, city and county events
such as the Cumberland Show, Cumbria
Archives Open Day, and Carlisle Farmers
Market
4. Talks to local community groups
5. Produced and sold merchandise of ca.
£1830.
6. Partnership with Carlisle based chocolatier
for limited edition Turkish Baths chocolates,
including £1 donation for every box sold
raising over £122 in the reporting period.
7. Charities trust donation of £1000.| |Other||| ## **Financial Review** |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para
1.21|Balance period start date 1/8/23: £7341.80
Balance period end date: 31/7/24: £10602.88| |---|---|---| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para
1.22|All funds held in single Lloyds Business account
and balance used both for the running of the
charity, whilst maximising the sum available to
leverage external grants.| |Amount of reserves held|Para
1.22|| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para
1.22|We aim to always have a positive financial
consistent with the scale of funding required for
ambitions, notably in having sufficient leverage
funding available as required by certain funding
bodies.| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para
1.24|None| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para
1.23|No current uncertainties.| ## **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|Our creative and engagement centred approach to
fundraising has utilised both public support
through physical and online events as well as from
prestigious heritage funding bodies. Our
fundraising has included:
1. Just giving and stripe donations totalling ov
£1289.25.
2. Ticket sales for heritage tours of the site and
surrounding area and headline event film
showing of ‘steaming’ in collaboration with
Cumbria University which raised £1470.
3. Stalls at community, city and county events
such as the Cumberland Show, Cumbria
Archives Open Day, and Carlisle Farmers
Market
4. Talks to local community groups
5. Produced and sold merchandise of ca. £1830.
6. Partnership with Carlisle based chocolatier for
limited edition Turkish Baths chocolates,
including £1 donation for every box sold raising
over £122 in the reporting period.
7. Charities trust donation of £1000.| |---|---|---| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para
1.46|| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para
1.46|A risk register is maintained and reviewed by
trustees for likely hood, severity, mitigation actions
and ownership. Principle risks are identified as
(risk, severity, mitigation):| |||**1.**Following closure the Baths may be lost forever,
(Medium) Secure Baths entry on national at-risk
registers. Working with Heritage organisations to
secure evidence of need & value. Secure local
political & officer support and work with
Cumberland Council (CC) on Community Asset
Transfer.
2. Accelerated deterioration due to poor
mothballing procedure, (High), work with CC to
secure improved monitoring and meet regularly
with CC officers to monitor progress.
3. New CC fails to support our intentions / low
priority,(Medium), Maintain good liaison with CC
and build our role in supporting them maintain
social media and press interest.
4. Failure to secure additional funding,(Medium),
appoint effective grant lead & monitor available
grants.
5. Health and Wellbeing Centre proves non-viable,
(High), ensure effective & appropriate business
plans are developed.
6. Loss of public / political interest / support,
(Medium), maintain good liaison with CC and
engage positively with local organisations &
stakeholders. Maintain regular tours / talks &
events and establish Meanwhile Use to increase
access.
7. Loss of Friends support / interest in project,
(Medium), Ensure good communications and
engagement across Friends Group.| |---|---|---| |Other||Since our income for the reporting period is was
less than £25,000an independent examiners
report is not required.| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated
Organisation whose only voting
members are its charitytrustees(23/8/21).| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association,CIO)|Para 1.25|Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Registered in England and Wales| |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|In accordance with the Charity Constitution.
Founding trustees (4) selected on the basis
of professional experience, contribution to
the establishment and running of the charity,
being cognisant of gender, ethnicity and
diversity considerations. New trustees
identified and appointed from the associate
members with consideration of future
required skills mix.| ## **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|| |---|---|---| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|To prepare for a development of a
Community Asset Transfer we have
developed a supportive ecosystem including
membership of Historic Pools of Britain,
Heritage Trust Network and the Meanwhile
Foundation, and held introductory
conversations with specialist charity
accountants and legal advisors. We have
engaged with regional representatives of the
National Trust and Eden North1along with
Save Grange Lido Ltd and Cumbria LEP to
ensure our plans complement existing
regional cultural and creative initiatives; and
secured agreement from Faculty of Arts and
Social Science at Lancaster University for an
MSc internship to build the Baths’ historic
narrative.| |Relationship with any related
parties|Para 1.51|Regular briefings and updates to City and
County Councillors, Local Enterprise
Partnership, University, National Trust,
community groups and healthcare
organisations have been critical to
demonstrating the potential of the VTB to
amplify the regeneration impact of both the
£20m Gateway project, and adjacent £77.4m
University Citadels Project. We hosted tours
with key stakeholders, to show our vision
andgain support. These included Cityand| County Councillors and officers, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Cumbria University, National Trust, Local MP to name but a few. Other ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|| |Registered charitynumber|1198658| |Charity’s principal address|Silverdale,
Aglionby,
Carlisle,
Cumbria,
CA4 8AQ| **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
2
3
4
5
6|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not**
**for whole year**|**Name of person (or**
**body) entitled to**
**appoint trustee(if any)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Julie Minns|Chair|19/4/22 -present|Board of Trustees| ||Emeritus Professor
Stephen Yeates|Secretary
Acting
Treasurer|19/4/22 – present
1/5/23 - present|Board of Trustees| ||Lynn Graham||19/4/22 – 12/5/24|Board of Trustees| ||Alan M Lindsay|CAT lead|1/5/23 -present|Board of Trustees| ||Elsa Price||1/5/23 - present|Board of Trustees| ||Marian Barradell|Grant co-
ordination|13/5/24 - present|Board of Trustees| Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved **Director name** None Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for**
**wholeyear**|| |---|---|---| |None||| ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** |Description of the assets
held in this capacity|None| |---|---| |Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects|None| |Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own assets|None| **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** |**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**| |---|---|---| |**Type of**
**adviser**
**Name**
**Address**||| |Business
Development|Fourth Street|Fourth Street Place Consultants Ltd. Ground floor right, 5
Maidstone Buildings Mews, 72-76 Borough High Street,
London SE1 1GN| |Historic
Pools
Architects|Studio Octopii.|1c Burrows Mews| |||London SE1 8LD| |||| |AHF
appointed
mentor and
heritage
building
specialist|Marc Collett|Burns Collett
The Town Hall
Hebden Bridge
HX7 7BY
UK| ## **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 No non-disclosure of key personnel details ## **Other optional information** No optional information **Declarations** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s)** Julie Minns **Full name(s)** Stephen George Yeates **Position (eg Secretary,** Secretary and Acting Treasurer. Chair **Chair, etc) Date** 28/5/25 Friends Of Carli51e Victorian and Turkish Baths Cornpany accounts for HMRC reporting wriod 118r23 to 31n124 Profit ?nd LDSS Account c8sh basis" Year lo 311071￿4 Oalante V8123 7.341.80 Nei GoFundMe dDrotions' Just Giving and sthpe GIftAid Reclaim Tour Iithels Granlslonf off funding Cash donÈtions ereh8ndise Castle Choco￿teS 1,289.25 1.470.00 1,00000 1.838 77 122. 5.720.02 ExpeRses Promolio Merchandis Mem￿r6h1P Slalionery Legal and profeswoDal 160.001 1273.001 171.001 11.360 001 140001 3261.08 Balantèckise3117124 111,602.BO crefary and TrustÈ EmÈrStus Prot5.G.VeatÈs