2024-02-29-accounts - Darwen Masters Swimming Club

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 March 2023 Period start date To 29 February 2024 Period end date

Charity name: DARWEN MASTERS SWIMMING CLUB

Charity registration number: 1200203

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The key aims of Darwen Masters Swimming Club are the advancing of health or saving lives and health education or sickness prevention. It exists for the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation, primarily but not exclusively, for the benefit of the inhabitants of Darwen, Blackburn and the surrounding areas by the provision of facilities for swimmingand associated activities.
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	Provision of swimming sessions at an indoor pool, delivered by a coach qualified to Swim England standards. • Sessions are tailored, dependant on the abilities and fitness of the participants. • As a result, members improve their overall health, fitness and wellbeing. • Members are encouraged participate in competitive swimming events for adults indoors and in open water, in line with the ethos and values of Swim England • The charity has run on a not-for-profit basis. Charity specific events that generate a surplus revenue, enable donations to local/national charities.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The charity was granted charitable status with the Charity Commission in 2022. The membership voted to incorporate as a charitable organisation to reflect its values and the club constitution. These include treating everyone equally and with due respect for difference of individuals. The club caters for any local adult members of the public (local to Blackburn with Darwen) and its neighbouring communities. It provides opportunities for adults to improve their health fitness and wellbeing in an area of the country with relativelyvery poor health outcomes.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Pre-pandemic, events that were organised by the charity, included competitions which produced a small financial surplus. These led to donations to local/national health related charities (i.e., local hospice, Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Nurses) as determined by the committee and the wider membership (as per the constitution). Since 2020 there have been no additional events to date due to Covid.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	The charity is run on a not-for-profit basis and the outcomes for members are better health and wellbeing. Thus, the charity contributes to the health and wellbeing of the community overall and reduced demands on the NHS.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The committee and trustees form the main volunteer body.
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	“Stronger Affiliation” status as a Masters Swimming Club within Swim England (SE) the national body, meeting all the required regulatory frameworks including risk assessments, Safeguarding and general welfare. • In the year 2023-24 more than 100 coached pool sessions were delivered. • Considerable changes in membership which recovered to 48 by February 2024. Virtually all swimmers being regular attendees. • As a result, members reported their own improvements in health, fitness and wellbeing. • 12 members entered Swim England local and regional competitive swimming events. • 15 members swam in open waters regularly at events across the north and south of England and in Wales. • Continued prudent management of resources and increased membership post- Covid and has brought greater financial stability. Reserves are inplace and well

managed.

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
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity continued to consolidate its financial position through a two-year plan. • In the year to 29 February 2024, the charity made a loss of £1418.70p. Although this was greater than the previous year, it represented positive progress with the two-year recovery plan agreed by all members at the AGM in 2023. • The committee have been successful in re-invigorating membership and the financialposition.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Whilst the charity exists on a not-for-profit basis – for the benefit of the community it serves, the committee has steered a deliberate course to sustainability, including setting aside reserves which reflect advice for the charity sector(3-6 months operational costs).
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£6000.00 of reserves are in place and well managed.(Policyavailable on request)
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	Potential financial risks remain managing the balance between outgoings (mostly pool hire/coaching) and increasing membership (balance of the number of members and capacity of the pool). These moved towards a balance by the end of the reporting year. • The committee had consistently used attendance data, the financial accounts and forecasts to inform decisions at regular meetings. • Monitoring procedures are in place to minimise and mitigate uncertainties. • There were no issues about the charity continuingas agoingconcern.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

• Membership subscriptions. The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted

A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	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	The committee (Trustees) are elected by the wider membership, in accordance with the constitution. The officers and the committee are the de facto Trustees

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	The charity operates through a constitution which is endorsed and regulated by Swim England NW.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	Swim England NW is the relevant national body for swimming.
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Darwen Master Swimming Club
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1200203
Charity’s principal address	C/o 41 Sandringham Drive Brinscall Chorley PR6 8SU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Geof Dodd	Trustee	From 30 August 2022	The wider membership
Gerard Johnson	Trustee	From 30 August 2022	The wider membership
Kevin Massey	Welfare Ofcer	From 30 August 2022	The wider membership
John Holland	Chairman	From 8 November 2023	The wider membership
Keith Eagle	Treasurer	From 8 November 2023	The wider membership
Lee Blackburn	Secretary	From 8 November 2023	The wider membership
Tracey Yates	Trustee	From 13 January 2024	The wider membership
Johnathan Cooney	Trustee	From 13 January 2024	The wider membership
Anthony Gotweiss	Trustee	From 13 January 2024	The wider membership
David Henry	Trustee	From 13 January 2024	The wider membership
Harry Hayden	Trustee	From 13 January 2024	The wider membership
Craig Blackburn	Trustee	From 13 January 2024	The wider membership

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

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity

Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for N/A 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

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Kevin Massey Full name(s) Kevin Massey

Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc)

Date

5 October 2024

TREASURER’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2023-24

Darwen Master Swimming Club Proft and Loss Account Year ending 29/02/2024

Darwen Master Swimming Club Proft and Loss Account
Year ending 29/02/2024 Income Subscripton income Other training ASA income Sale of merchandise Postal swim entries 100 x 100 Building society interest Other income Expenditure Pool hire costs Coach's fees ASA costs Purchase of merchandise and logo design Postal swim fees Donaton East Lancs Hospice 100 x 100 Other expenses (Loss) / Proft for the year	2023-24	2023-24
			2022-23	2022-23

	10,652.00		9,178.20
	0.00		0.00
	471.05		0.00
	378.50		0.00
	0.00		0.00
	0.00		0.00
	0.00		9.13
	0.00	11,501.55	0.00	9,187.33


	7,922.50		6,197.40
	2,448.75		1,980.00
	1,583.95		903.45
	554.00		0.00
	0.00		0.00
	0.00		0.00
	411.05	12,920.25	200.60	9,281.45


		-1,418.70		-94.12

Treasurer role transitioned from Kevin Massey to Keith Eagle in the early part of the financial year.
A year of considerable change within the club. Membership started at 37 and ended at 48 with virtually all swimmers being regular attendees. To support this growth and ensure a good quality of swim for all, pool lane hire increased through the year from four to all seven.
In the summer, the Committee recognised that this approach would result in an operating loss but considered this the right course of action given that the funds at the bank exceeded six months of operating costs, the level recommended by the Charity Commission as a financially robust level.
Overall, the club operated at a loss of £1,418.70 in the year.
The club agreed at the AGM in November to adopt a strategy to take action to return to breakeven over a two-year period. The first element of this was the increase of the monthly subscription by £4/month commencing January 2024. The financial position will be reviewed during the 2024-25 year and further proposals made to bridge the remaining gap.
Income increased by £2,314.22. £849.55 was additional payments by members for merchandise, and for the Swim Compete category of Swim England membership. The remainder of the increase reflects the growth in membership, and two months impact of the £4/month subscription increase.
The three key expenses remain; pool hire, coaching fees and Swim England affiliation fees. All had inflationary increases of between 5 and 10%.
Expenses increased by £3,638.80 from the previous year.
a. Pool hire costs increased by £1,725.10 mainly driven by the increase in the number of lanes hired.
b. Coach fees increased by £468.75 as the coach supported more sessions as well as receiving a pay rise.
c. Swim England fees increased by £680.50 mainly due to more members electing for the Swim Compete category. This increase being offset by the Swim England income of £471.05 received from members.
d. Design and purchase of merchandise cost £554, though this was offset by sales to members of £378.50.
e. Other expenses increased by £210.45 to £411.05. The major element was the AGM which accounted for £307.25 of the total.
Reserves remained healthy in the short term and within the Charity Commission guidelines of “up to 6 months operating costs”, however, as noted above action is being planned to retain this position going forwards.
The legacy donation of £500 designated for the development of the club has been identified to be used on training additional coaches early in the new financial year.
The club opened a deposit account during the year which currently holds £6,000. This will deliver interest during the coming year.
The club fulfilled its responsibilities to the Charity Commission and published audited accounts within the scheduled time limit.

Darwen Master Swimming Club Balance Sheet at year end 29 February 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
2023-24 2023-24 2022-23 2022-23
Current Assets
Cash at Bank 9,267.41 11,695.21
Prepayments and stock 0.00 0.00
Total Current Assets 9,267.41 11,695.21
Current Liabilites
Accruals 5.40 1,014.50
Donation provision 500.00 500.00
505.40 1,514.50
Total Current Liabilites
Net Assets 8,762.01 10,180.71
Member Funds
Funds brought forward 10,180.71 10,274.83
Profit / (Loss) for the year (1,418.70) (94.12)
Funds carried forward 8,762.01 10,180.71
----- End of picture text -----

The accounts were independently examined and verified by

Mrs B Hoyle B Hoyle Dated 1 September 2024