Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 12 May 2023 To 31 March 2024 (partial year as CIO was first registered on 12 May 2023
Charity name: WARSHIP HAZARDOUS PROJECT CIO
Charity registration number: 1203039
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | This has been a very busy and successful first (setup) year for the CIO. The object of the Warship Hazardous Project CIO is to provide an incorporated charity, with legal identity, to support: 1. The preservation and protection for the public benefit of the historic wreck site of Warship Hazardous Prize (1706) and its archaeological heritage in Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex and conservation, storage, research, analysis, curation and display of artefacts recovered from the wreck site. 2. To advance education for the public benefit in the historical and archaeological significance of the historic wreck site of Warship Hazardous Prize (1706) in Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex and the artefacts associated with the site and in the techniques of investigation, recording and monitoring at the site. |
| 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 |
(1) Establishment of the CIO as a legal entity and registered CIO with the ability to hold the project archive in order to secure its future, to disseminate the information it contains and to prevent its physical dispersal and loss from public benefit. (2) Ongoing logistical support for the Warship Hazardous Project Group (WHPG) who undertake the archaeological work on the wreck site. (3) Liaison with Historic England and the UK’s Receiver of Wreck on behalf of the CIO & project volunteers (WHPG). (4) Dissemination of information about the wreck site and efforts to investigate and record it. This is achieved through the CIO website, social media, talks, publications and the formal, annual report to Historic England on the site of the designated historic wreck. (5) The CIO continues to represent the wider community who work on the UK’s protected wrecks through the committee of the Protected Wreck Association (PWA), where it is able, through its experience on the designated wreck site, to assist the Association in its work and to offer information and guidance to other designated sites. (6) The CIO continues to act as representative of the PWA on the UK’s Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee, |
| where it is able, through its experience on the designated wreck site, to assist the Committee in its deliberation, policy making and lobbying efforts. (7) The CIO has continued to liaise with the UK’s Receiver of Wreck and the National Museum of the Royal Navy concerning the possibility of the Museum acquiring the site’s artefact collection from the designated wreck by donation from the CIO and such discussions are ongoing. (8) The CIO continues to analyse, collate and archive the records of work on the designated wreck site of Warship Hazardous Prize. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We confirm that the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public 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 | n/a – The CIO does not presently hold any funds, or issue grants. Like most small charities, the CIO is finding it extremely challenging to secure any external funding. Presently its activities are supported entirely by its volunteers. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The CIO has no staff, only volunteer Trustees who support the work of the volunteers who form the Warship Hazardous Project Group |
| 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) Establishment of the CIO as a legal Identity to secure the project archive for public benefit. Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (MSA) any item raised from a wreck site (or believed to have originated from one) is legally classified as wreck, is covered by the wreck and salvage provisions of the MSA and must be declared to the Receiver of Wreck to allow its legal ownership to be investigated. Moreover, the UK Government has adopted the Annex to the UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001 as policy for Underwater Cultural Heritage. This states that all artefacts from a site should be kept together as a unified, single collection and not dispersed. The CIO reports wreck recovery to the Receiver with the intent of holding title to these items to ensure that the collection is not dispersed but held together for the public benefit. (2) Provision of logistic support for archaeological work on the wreck site conducted for the CIO by the WHPG volunteers. Over winter 2022-2023, winter storms had removed protective sediments from an area of the wreck site, exposing ship structure, especially a well-preserved gun port, and placing it at risk of decay. The CIO provided ongoing logistical support for the WHPG to undertake underwater archaeological work to excavate and record the forward section of the gundeck. (3) Ongoing liaison with Historic England and the UK’s Receiver of Wreckto inform them of physical changes to the wreck site, updated survey data and recoveries of artefacts. (4) Dissemination of information about the wreck site and efforts to investigate and record it. In late 2023 the 3 trustees published a major, peer-reviewed academic report on the previous 30 years of work on the archaeological site/ (Pascoe, D., Grant, I., & Johnston, D. (2023). The Warship Hazardous Prize – Site Investigations 1992–2022. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 53(1), 74–102. https://doi.org/10.1080/10572414.2023.2255294). The article was published under open access provisions, making it available in perpetuity and without charge. Additionally, work on the site was disseminated through a public www site (www.hazardousproject.info) and social media. |
| 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: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | This was the first (and partial) year of the CIO’s existence, so no specific activities were set other than the continuation of existing work as described above. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | No fundraising activities were undertaken. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | n/a |
| Other: Relationship between CIO and WHPG |
During its first reporting period, the formal CIO has deliberately maintained a separate identity, distinct from the group of volunteers who form the Warship Hazardous Project Group (WHPG). The CIO chose to not set up a bank account because the WHPG operates its own bank account and the intent is to absorb the WHPG, its activities and its finances into the CIO at the earliest practical opportunity. During the 2023-2024 reporting period the WHPG was in the final phase of a specific grant from Historic England to undertake specific project activities. That grant represented restricted funding awarded to WHPG and it was deemed appropriate to let the WHPG complete that grant before it becomes incorporated into the CIO. That grant funding to WHPG comes to an end in late 2024 / early 2025 at which point its activities and finances will be incorporated into the CIO and reported as part of the CIO's annual return. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | During the reporting period the CIO did not set up and operate a bank account its initial operations, aims and objectives did not require one. As noted above, once the WHPG’s current grant funding from Historic England ends, it’s activities and finances (including its bank account and reserves) will be incorporated into the CIO. Neither did the CIO hold any assets during the reporting period. Due to legal errors by the UK Receiver of Wreck Office going back decades, title to recovered artefacts had been vested in the WHPG, which had no legal identity and so could not actually own anything). Consequently, title to all artefacts from the wreck site has been revoked by, and currently resides with, the Receiver. One of the purposes behind setting up the CIO was to be able to legally hold title to the artefact collection as part of the project archive. We have no control over the Receiver’s timelines for transferring the artefacts to the CIO. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Currently the CIO has no reserves. As noted above, once the WHPG’s current grant funding from Historic England ends, its activities and finances (including its bank account and reserves) will be incorporated into the CIO. Those reserves will be used to support the ongoing work on the wreck site and archive should grant funding not be available. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Nil |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | The CIO is run by volunteers and its current aims and objectives do not require it to hold any reserves. As noted above, once the WHPG’s current grant funding from Historic England ends, its activities and finances (including its bank account and reserves) will be incorporated into the CIO. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | n/a - the CIO is run by volunteers and its initial aims and objectives were not inherently financial in nature, although its constitution does allow for such activity when relevant. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The principal risk to the CIO remains the backlog in the Receiver of Wreck’s office, which is outside of our control and if the Receiver declines to transfer title to artefacts to the CIO (though this would likely be in breach of salvage law). |
Additional information (optional)
| You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: | You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: | You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | n/a at this point in time, although its constitution allows for such activity when relevant. Once the WHPG becomes incorporated within the CIO, the CIO will become responsible for fund raising to support its work. The principal source of funding will be through grants from heritage agencies. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | n/a - it is unlikely that the CIO would ever hold sufficient funds to require an investment policy. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The CIO’s aims and objectives are not inherently financial in nature, although its constitution does allow for financial activities like fundraising activity when relevant. The chief risks to the CIO are: (1) cutbacks in government and other funding to support heritage through grants, which will restrict the CIO’s ability to record the wreck site before nature destroys it. (2) if title to the artefact collection is not vested in the CIO, as a primary function will cease, and the CIO will have a much- reduced function. |
| 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 | Constitution approved by The Charity Commission |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Foundation model 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 | For specific legal reasons described below, trustee selection for the CIO does not follow conventional practice. The Warship Hazardous Project COI was established specifically to support the work of a team of volunteers (The Warship Hazardous Project Group (WHPG)) who perform underwater archaeological work and historical research into the wreck of Warship Hazardous Prize (1706). In particular, the CIO is a legally-recognised entity with the legal authority to own, hold, manage, promote, disseminate and secure the future of the project archive for public benefit. The wreck site is designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) (PoWA) and all work on the site by the WHPG is undertaken under licence from the Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, managed through Historic England. The PoWA licence (annual renewal) appoints a principal licensee for the wreck site and Historic England nominates an archaeological advisor for the project work. In order to fulfil legal obligations under the PoWA, the CIO constitution specifies that both the following shall, at all times, be appointed as trustees, provided that they are otherwise eligible to be charity trustees and not prohibited by law from being so: (a) the person appointed under the PoWA (1973) or any successor legislation as the Principal Licensee of the Warship Hazardous Protected Wreck Site (as CIO Chair). (b) the person appointed under the PoWA (1973) or any successor legislation as the Nominated Archaeological Advisor for the Warship Hazardous Protected Wreck Site (as CIO Vice Chair). On retiring from these roles, the persons concerned shall be required to stand down |
as charity trustees but are free to stand again as general trustees and be appointed by the existing trustees.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and procedures Para 1.51 adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charity’s organisational Para 1.51 structure and any wider network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | WARSHIP HAZARDOUS PROJECT CIO |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | n/a |
| Registered charity number | 1203039 |
| Charity’s principal address | Warship Hazardous Project CIO c/o Dr David Johnston, 15 Pointout Close, Southampton, SO16 7LS. |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Iain Grant | Chair | 12 May 2023 – 31 Dec 2023 |
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| Dr David Johnston | Chair | 1 Jan 2024 – 31 Mar 2024 |
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| Dr Daniel Pascoe | Vice Chair | 12 May 2023 – 31 Mar 2024 |
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| Dr David Johnston | Trustee | 2 May 2023 – 31 Dec 2023 |
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| Mr Iain Grant | Trustee | 1 Jan 2024 – 31 Mar 2024 |
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– 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)
No staff
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
n/a
Other optional information
n/a
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Dr David A Johnston
Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc)
Date 04/05/2025
| Charity Name WARSHIP HAZARDOUS PROJECT CIO |
Charity Name WARSHIP HAZARDOUS PROJECT CIO |
Charity Name WARSHIP HAZARDOUS PROJECT CIO |
No (if any) 1203039 |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
Period start date 5/12/2023 |
To | Period end date 3/31/2024 |
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| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||
| A1 Receipts 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sub total 0.00 Total receipts 0.00 A3 Payments 0.00 Sub total 0.00 0.00 Sub total 0.00 Total payments 0.00 Net of receipts/(payments) 0.00 A5 Transfers between funds 0.00 A6 Cash funds last year end 0.00 Cash funds this year end 0.00 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 £ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Restricted funds |
to the nearest £ Endowment funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | 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 Details Details Details Details Signature #VALUE! Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ to nearest £ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 OK OK to nearest £ to nearest £ 0.00 0.00 Cost (optional) 0.00 Cost (optional) 0.00 0.00 Print Name Dr David Annandale Johnston Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) |
to nearest £ Endowment funds |
| 0.00 | |||
| 0.00 | |||
| OK | |||
| to nearest £ Endowment funds |
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| 0.00 | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| 0.00 | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| 0.00 | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| #VALUE! | Dr David Annandale Johnston | 5/4/2025 |