Park Palace Ponies CIO
Report of the trustees for the year ending 31 August 2025
The trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial accounts of the charity for the year ending 31[st] August 2025.
Chair’s report
In taking over as chair this year from Mrs Jane Beirne, I am very aware of the great strides forward in the provision for pony care and riding in our area during her time as chair.
This year was the first year as a registered charity so there was much focus on adjusting to this new status and building the future strategy. At a time when the media has focussed on the cost-of-living crisis, we have seen an impact on attendance at riding lessons and other pony care events, particularly from the education sector who have limited funding now.
Working with the team at Park Palace Ponies, we seek to ensure our programmes remain affordable and attractive. We are also seeking to run the CIO as economically and sustainably as possible.
In closing, I would like to thank our sponsors, staff, volunteers and community for their support in making our work possible and as you read our report, remember, as we do, that it is all about the people and the ponies.
Our purposes and activities
The purposes of the charity are for the public benefit in Liverpool and the surrounding areas:
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To provide or assist in the provision of horse and pony riding and associated skills (e.g. pony care and stable management) in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have charitable needs of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity, disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life in the city of Liverpool and its surrounding area.
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The advancement of the amateur sport of horse and pony riding in Liverpool for the public benefit by the provision of facilities for participation in the sport of horse and pony riding.
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To promote awareness of the public on the subject of equine management and how interaction with equines can benefit physical and mental health and wellbeing.
The charity also has the general aim of contributing to the quality of life of the people of inner-city Liverpool by expanding their horizons through the provision of equine interaction where this would not usually be accessible.
The vision that shapes our annual activities remains the promotion of equine interaction to improve the quality of life for the community and make ponies commonplace in Liverpool once again.
Park Palace Ponies is a community riding school in the heart of Liverpool and offers low cost (unless we have received funding to contribute towards the cost of the sessions) equine education and pony riding lessons in an inclusive environment, as well as volunteering opportunities for those keen to learn about and care for horses and ponies.
Groups or individuals can learn equine management skills such as grooming, feeding and general stable management, tack maintenance, exercising the ponies and walking them to the grazing field at the local allotments which are half a mile away from Park Palace Ponies.
Park Palace Ponies gives children, young people, vulnerable adults and other individuals the chance to experience the special bond between horses and people, regardless of age, race, gender or ability, especially for those who may not be fortunate enough to learn, interact or engage with ponies in their day to day lives. Park Palace Ponies allows access to sport with equines, whilst delivering the opportunity to learn from the instructors, interact with each other and develop valuable life skills.
Park Palace Ponies has an education area on site which is used for small groups of all ages and abilities on their visits to educate on pony care and stable management. These groups include school children from local schools, SEND schools, local community groups. A lot of these children have not had any contact with animals before, have no pets and many are home schooled so they are completely new to animal experiences, and it is beneficial for them to understand how equine interaction can improve both physical and mental health. Schools come to us regularly for classes or sessions with the ponies as the schools recognise the benefits of the associated activities on the pupil’s health and wellbeing. School groups learn about pony care, welfare and stable management and the associated physical, emotional and psychological benefits which can help to encourage a healthier lifestyle and promote exercise.
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance on public benefit and fee charging. Park Palace Ponies CIO relies on grants
and the income from fees and charges to cover its operating costs. In setting the level of fees and charges, the trustees five careful consideration to the accessibility of Park Palace Ponies for those on low incomes.
The strategies employed to achieve the charity’s aims and objectives are to:
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Present a broad range of activities for the enjoyment, wellbeing and education of our local community
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Offer opportunities for people who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to interact with equines at reduced rates
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Provide facilities for a broad range of people to develop
Putting these strategies into action we have three main areas of activity which are: riding lessons, pony care and yard management.
Our programme of activities focusses very much on bringing horses to the community of Liverpool and the surrounding areas. As our strategy makes clear, we endeavour to encourage all within our community to take part in our activities. The activities and interactions we provide is to be enjoyed by all those attending local schools, home schooling through to programme with particular appeal to older residents. Affordability and access to equines is important to us and is reflected in our pricing.
Our volunteers
Park Palace Ponies is very involved in the community and relies on voluntary help. Over 15 volunteers assist with pony care, leading rein management in lessons and fundraising, enabling lower staff costs that would otherwise be the case.
Reference and administrative details
Charity number: 1210233
Principal Office: Park Palace Ponies CIO, 253 Mill Street, Liverpool, L8 6QN
Trustees
The trustees serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Jane Beirne Melanie Foo Katie Ellis Richard Jones Stephen McNally Deborah Owens Karen Scott David Stott Laura Fenton
Guy Mitchell Pamela Allen-Rudkin
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
Park Palace Ponies CIO has a governing document and is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
Appointment of trustees
Trustees must apply in writing for the role with a CV detailing relevant experience. Two trustees will then carry out an interview, following which a recommendation is made to the rest of the board. A vote is then taken to appoint the new trustee to the board.
Trustees’ induction and training
New trustees undergo a briefing and are provided with access to the Charity Commission to understand their legal obligations under charity law, the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, content of the Governing document, the committee and decision-making process, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where this will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
Organisation
The board of trustees, which has a minimum number of X administers the charity. The board meets monthly. A manager is appointed to run the day-to-day operations of Park Palace Ponies CIO.
Related parties
None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any connection between a trustee or manager of the charity must be disclosed to the full board of trustees in the same way as any other contractual relationship with a related party. In the current year no such related party transactions were reported.
Risk Management
The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises
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An annual review of the risks the charity may face
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The establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified
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The implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
This work has identified that financial sustainability is the major financial risk for the charity. Attention has also been focussed on non-financial risks arising from health and safety, building maintenance and riding school licence renewal.
Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law.
The trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the CIO an of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. The financial accounts have been independently reviewed and verified by Mr. Nicholas Stanley.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with relevant regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable step for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
By order of the trustees
Pamela Allen (Chairperson)
31[st] August 2025
Balance Sheet
Park Palace Ponies Charitable Incorporated Organisation As at 31 August 2025
| Balance Sheet Park Palace Ponies Charitable Incorporated Organisation As at 31 August 2025 |
Balance Sheet Park Palace Ponies Charitable Incorporated Organisation As at 31 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| 31 AUG 2025 | |
| Fixed Assets | |
| Tangible Assets | |
| Livestock at PPP 9,000.00 |
|
| Total Tangible Assets 9,000.00 |
|
| Total Fixed Assets 9,000.00 Current Assets |
|
| Cash at bank and in hand | |
| Petty Cash 44.00 |
|
| CIO account 24,931.62 |
|
| Total Cash at bank and in hand 24,975.62 |
|
| Accounts Receivable 592.00 |
|
| Prepayments 1,443.96 |
|
| Total Current Assets 27,011.58 Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year |
|
| Accounts Payable 2,334.71 |
|
| HMRC Control (DD set up) 1,045.51 |
|
| Sum-up 269.38 |
|
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 3,649.60 |
|
| Net Current Assets (Liabilities) 23,361.98 |
|
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities 32,361.98 |
|
| Net Assets 32,361.98 Capital and Reserves |
|
| Current Year Earnings 32,361.98 |
|
| Total Capital and Reserves 32,361.98 |
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NS Balance Sheet Park Palace Ponies Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Profit and Loss
Park Palace Ponies Charitable Incorporated Organisation For the year ended 31 August 2025
| For the year ended 31 August 2025 | |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| Turnover | |
| Autumn 2024 Donations | 8,876.68 |
| Donations & Sponsors | 64,396.17 |
| Employment Allowance | 6,048.58 |
| Events | 1,672.20 |
| Lessons | 50,212.60 |
| Rescue Donation (towards old deficit) | 10,000.00 |
| Received from PPV Ltd | 6,123.49 |
| Access Sport | 4,800.00 |
| Total Turnover | 152,129.72 |
| Cost of Sales | |
| Freelance People | 17,010.69 |
| Payroll People | 74,051.64 |
| Redundancy | 560.00 |
| Total Cost of Sales | 91,622.33 |
| Gross Profit | 60,507.39 |
| Administrative Costs | |
| Advertising & Marketing | 153.55 |
| Bank Fees | 637.49 |
| Feed and Farrier | 10,829.56 |
| Insurance | 3,159.55 |
| Legal and Licences | 426.00 |
| Office and Admin | 525.29 |
| Other Pony Expenses | 194.32 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 1,085.99 |
| Software | 360.00 |
| Subscriptions | 277.69 |
| Transport & Travel | 154.60 |
| Utilities | 7,064.79 |
| Vet | 3,276.58 |
| Total Administrative Costs | 28,145.41 |
| Operating Profit | 32,361.98 |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | 32,361.98 |
| Profit after Taxation | 32,361.98 |
Profit and Loss Park Palace Ponies Charitable Incorporated Organisation
22 May 2026 Page 1 of 1