2024-04-30-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01.05.23 Period start date To 30.04.24 Period end date

Charity name: Buxton Football Club Foundation

Charity registration number: 1199080

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The Buxton Football Club Foundation aims to increase access to football for children and young people in our locality, who are facing financial hardship, by subsidising fees and kit costs. Beyond this, the Foundation supports initiatives that align with its objectives, including promoting community participation in sport, improving access to sports facilities for disadvantaged groups, supporting physical and mental health and advancing education. By fostering strong links with the local community, the charity identifies potential areas for support to ensure its work has the greatest possible impact. As it has begun to establish itself locally, the focus remains on ensuring that funds spent are done so in a way that most benefits the need.
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 Buxton Football Club Foundation fulfils its charitable objectives primarily through grant making. Funding requests typically fall into two categories: • Support for junior football participation – applications from local families seeking assistance with subscription and/or kit costs for children wishing to play. These are assessed based on household income measured against a set threshold for financial support.

		• Ad hoc financial support requests – requests from individuals or organisations for one-off grants or project funding. These are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering alignment with the charity’s objectives, overall mission, potential impact, feasibility and budgetary constraints. For the first time, the charity also coordinated and delivered community projects, with the financial support of the National League Trust, aimed at providing an offering for several specific groups where a clear need had been identified. For the reporting period in question, this included specialised sessions for local schools at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium, men's mental health football and walking football, all of which were delivered at nil-cost to participants.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	In accordance with our responsibilities as trustees, we confirm that we have given due regard to guidance issues on public benefit as outlined in the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) reference 1.18. All requests for funding and suggestions for projects received during the reporting period were reviewed and assessed, both against the charity objectives, and with regards to their impact and therefore to the public benefit. With the charity still being in its relative infancy during the period under review, the Trustees’ focus remained on establishing positive links both with groups that we work alongside to support (particularly schools) and with local businesses, who were felt to be an excellent prospective target for fundraising, given the community nature of much of the work that the charity does. The plans and projects were subject to regular review and assessment, to ensure all activities sat firmly within the scope of our objectives and were delivered in the most efficient way possible. As in the year before, this was possible thanks to regular meetings, both informal and formal, of Trustees involved in day-to-day operations, which sat alongside the formal Board meetings attended by all Trustees. Charity activities, along with the grant application and funding allocation processes, were reviewed at the end of the season. Changes to operational practices made the previous reporting year, specifically the adjustment of household income thresholds for financial support, contributed to a positive number of applications received for junior football subscription assistance. We actively engaged with stakeholders, including potential beneficiaries, donors, and community groups, to obtain feedback and ensure our charitable initiatives remain responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve. Additional feedback gathered from families and volunteers also led to a redesign of the application form itself, making it more streamlined and user-friendly (both for the applicant and in terms of processing and administering the grants), whilst ensuring that all necessary information was collected. As a charity, we are aware of the responsibility we hold to spend funds raised wisely and recognise the paramount importance of ensuring that our activities align with our charitable objectives, to effectively serve the public benefit. Factors including our reach, the diversity of beneficiaries served, and the long-term sustainability of our charitable activities underpinned all discussions that took place as part of our on-going review processes.

In conclusion, the trustees of Buxton Football Club Foundation affirm that our duty to have due regard to guidance issues on public benefit as set out in SORP reference 1.18 has been upheld for the period to which this review applies.

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	The charity began this year in a positive position financially, having exceeded our reserve target the previous year, putting us in a strong position as we proceeded with grant making and other activities. Applications for financial support with junior football were strong, however it was still felt (following the collection of anecdotal feedback from partner organisations) that there are more families out there who are eligible but not applying for help. There was initial concern that this could be due to some over-complexities of the application process and/or the thresholds being set at the wrong level, therefore a review of both was undertaken at the end of the season. However, the Trustees, supported by other stakeholders consulted, felt that to simplify the form any further would result in critical information needed to assess eligibility being lost, and the process would not stand up to due diligence testing were it to have anything further removed from it. The form remains relatively short (2 A4 pages), and the thresholds are felt to be at the right levels, although will continue to be reviewed every year and may be amended in future. Additional consideration was given to marketing and promotional approaches to ensure the reach and awareness-raising is as strong as it can be. The reporting period saw a strong increase in income, largely thanks to work done to obtain higher levels of corporate sponsorship and donations, as well as the charity’s first grant application. The Foundation made a meaningful impact by expanding its scope during the reporting year to deliver a range of community-focused projects, with the support of the National League Trust, who were instrumental in providing funding that allowed the BFCF to deliver range of extremely well-received programmes: • Men’s Mental Health Sessions – providing a safe and supportive space for men to connect, improve well-being, and reduce social isolation. • On-Site School Football Sessions – encouraging physical activity, teamwork, and confidence among young people, promoting healthier lifestyles and engagement in sport. • Walking Football Sessions – enabling older adults and those with limited mobility to stay active, socially connected, and engaged in the community. By broadening its reach, the Foundation has enhanced well-being, inclusivity, and participation in sport, reinforcing its commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of its beneficiaries and the wider community.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Financial statements show that the charity raised £18,958 in the reporting year. As is charity policy, costs were kept as low as possible and no salaries or expenses were taken out, as all fundraising and operational activity was undertaken by trustees. Where external staffing or equipment resources were required, these were funded by a successful grant application that allowed us to deliver a number of community projects at nil-cost to attendees, all of which were extremely well received. At the end of the period, the Foundation remains in a strong financial position, with reserves well-protected and managed responsibly. All spending on current and future projects is carefully assessed to ensure sustainability and maximum community impact. The charity continues to operate with financial stability, enabling ongoing support for its initiatives and future growth.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	At the time it was set up, BFCF set its desired reserves’ figure at £10,000. This was following discussion amongst the Trustees as to what a sensible figure would be, based on our projected income and expenditure. £10,000 was agreed by Trustees based on the following factors: - it was felt to be a suitable amount in terms of providing financial stability; with predicted levels of fundraising being only projections at the time the charity was created, Trustees agreed that £10,000 would give a strong financial buffer against unforeseen circumstances, such as economic downturn, a higher than expected level of applications for financial support or fluctuations in donations, and would ensure our ability to continue operations, even during potentially challenging times. - in maintaining this level of reserves, the charity can better navigate periods of instability or uncertainty and £10,000 was thought to be a strong figure to help mitigate possible risks. - strategic usage to invest in long-term sustainability and growth initiatives, such as expanding programs, possible investments in infrastructure, or developing new fundraising strategies, as well as providing the flexibility to pursue opportunities for positive impact and organisational advancement. - building and maintaining reserves demonstrates financial prudence and responsibility, which enhances the charity's credibility and reputation with donors, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities. - although not an emergency-service charity, the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the key role that smaller, local charities can play in responding swiftly to emergencies, disasters, or urgent needs within the communities they serve. Should any such emergency arise again, having funds readily available would allow us to provide immediate assistance when required, without having to wait for additional donations or external support. In summary, Trustees agreed with the previously-agreed stance that establishing strong reserves was essential for ensuring the financial stability, resilience, and sustainability of the charity. That being said,

		the decision to set the figure at £10,000 was always made with a view to reassessing the amount on an on-going basis, taking into account the funds raised each year and the level of requests for financial support the charity received. The Trustees have always been in agreement that the desire to ensure financial stability should be balanced with ensuring that the charity’s activities can have a real impact on the communities we serve. If at any point the level of reserves is felt to be too high, i.e. if the amount could be lowered without compromising financial prudence and some of the money could be better-used in delivering charity activities and meeting our objectives, the figure of £10,000 would of course be reduced.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£10,000
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	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	Buxton Football Club Foundation’s principal sources of funds are donations (both corporate and individual), grants and fundraising events.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Buxton Football Club Foundation still faces very little risk moving forward in terms of its continuation. Reserves were established in the previous reporting year (our first year of operation) and are protected at the level agreed by Trustees. This ensures that, even if fundraising efforts were to fall short of predicted levels in coming years, there remains a comfortable level of funds for Trustees to call upon, should this be needed to continue with the charity’s planned activities. Out-goings are kept as low as possible; wherever possible, Trustees ensure that costs are met through gifts in-kind. This includes examples such as the decision not to create a stand-alone website for the charity, but rather to host all information about us on the Buxton Football Club website, which BFC kindly pays for in order to ensure no charge is payable for IT/site hosting services.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	The charity’s governing document is its Constitution (‘The Buxton Football Club Foundation Constitution’).
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	BFCF is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), whose only voting members are its charity trustees (‘Foundation’ model constitution).
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	The charity’s Constitution sets out the eligibility criteria for Trusteeship as follows: • All charity trustees must be natural persons. • An individual cannot be appointed as a charity trustee of the CIO if they are under 16 years old or if they would automatically be disqualified under sections 178-180 of the Charities Act 2011. • No one may act as a charity trustee, whether newly appointed or reappointed, until they have formally acknowledged their acceptance of the role in a manner determined by the charity trustees. • At least one trustee must be 18 years or older. If no trustee meets this age requirement, the remaining trustees may only act to convene a meeting or appoint a new trustee. The charity must have a minimum of three trustees. If the number falls below this, the remaining trustees may only take action to convene a meeting or appoint a new trustee. The maximum number of trustees permitted is 12, and no further appointments may be made if this limit is reached. With the exception of the initial trustees, all subsequent trustees must be appointed for a three-year term through a resolution passed at a properly convened trustees’ meeting. When selecting new trustees, the charity trustees must consider the skills, knowledge, and experience required for the effective management of the CIO.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Buxton Football Club Foundation
Other name the charity uses	BFCF
Registered charity number	1199080
Charity’s principal address	The Tarmac Silverlands Stadium, Silverlands, Buxton, SK17 6QH

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	Jennifer McBain
	David Hopkins
	Lorraine Kilvert
	Daniel Hopkins

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name N/A – no corporate trustees

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A – no title topropertyheld

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity	N/A – no funds held as custodians on behalf of others
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects	N/A
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets	N/A

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A – information provided as required

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature(s)
David Hopkins
Full name(s) Jennifer McBain
Position (eg Secretary, CEO Trustee
Chair, etc)
Date
19.02.25
----- End of picture text -----

Charity Registration Number: 1199080 Charity Financial Statements & CC16a for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

CHARITY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 APRIL 2024

CONTENTS	PAGE
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 30/04/2024	2
CC16a Receipts & Payments Accounts	3

1

Buxton Football Club Foundation

Statement of Financial Activities for the year end 30th April 2024

Income Donations and legacy Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Separate material item of income Other Total Expenditure Raising Funds Grants Charitable activities Separate material expense item Other Total Net Income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Total Funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	30th April 2024 £ 18,958 0 0 0 0 0
	18,958
	- 2,503 - 547 5,721
	8,770
	10,188
	10,188
	-
	10,188

2

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