Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
Reference and administrative details
Charity name Peak and Northern Footpaths Society Other names charity is known by PNFS Registered charity number 212219 Charity principal address Taylor House 23 Turncroft Lane Stockport SK1 4AB
Names of the charity trustees who manage the society
Trustee name Office (if any) Kathy McLean Chair David Gosling Vice Chair Paul Easthope Treasurer David Brown Secretary David Morton Mel Bale Tim Lewis Simon Robinson Suzanne Longworth (resigned) Chad Wilkinson
Names and addresses of advisors
Bank Cooperative Bank, PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale WN8 6WT Direct debits CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4TA Financial advisor Redmayne-Bentley
Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document 2024
How the charity is constituted Trustee selection method
Constitution amended 16 November Unincorporated association Trustees are elected or reappointed at the AGM in April
Additional governance issues
The Society is a statutory consultee on all proposed changes to public rights of way in our area, which comprises the ceremonial counties of Lancashire (south of the River Kent), Cheshire, West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity as set out in its governing document
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a) Creating, preserving and improving open spaces, public access rights and rights of way (other than for mechanically propelled vehicles); particularly in Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Staffordshire, the former Metropolitan Counties of Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South and West Yorkshire and in Blackburn & Darwen, Blackpool, Derby, Halton, Stoke-on-Trent and Warrington
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b) Preventing the abuse of such rights
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c) Monitoring, supporting and opposing proposals and orders for the creation, closure, diversion and regrading of public rights of way
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d) Erecting and maintaining direction posts, signs, footbridges and commemorative and other structures which improve access
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects
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Scrutinising proposals to modify the public right of way network in our area
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Arranging a programme of inspection for that network
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Taking legal action to deal with faults on that network
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Funding improvements to that network
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Erecting signposts
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Funding footbridges
Additional details of objectives and activities
We are grateful for the many hours volunteers have spent working, both inside and outside. Without these volunteers, the Society would be unable to function.
Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
Our membership has dropped slightly from 1418, to 1407 and we have 97 affiliated walking groups and parish councils.
As statutory consultees we have examined 210 public paths orders and dealt with 272 consultations, 8 objections and 65 other matters. These numbers are very similar to the previous years.
Our inspector numbers stand at 165, another slight reduction on last year as a number inactive inspectors have stood down. We now cover 47% of the total number of parishes in our region. 7,500 inspections were carried out and 2,550 faults were recorded. The inspectors inspect the footpaths in their parishes under the guidance our Area Officers.
The Path Checker App, which allows walkers, who do not wish to commit to being inspectors, to report faults through their smart phones, continues to be a valuable asset.
Path checkers reported 476 faults in total, which was similar to last year.
But we do not hesitate to be robust about dangerous or persistent faults and our 6 Courts and Inquiries Officers (C&IOs) have been authorised on several occasions to serve notice (under s56 or s130A of the Highways Act) on highway authorities. We always precede serving the notice with sending a letter before action. This often prompts them to repair the fault without our needing recourse to serving the order.
The Society has been involved in a number of cases to claim paths on behalf of the walking public where the route is not recorded on the definitive map (DMMOs). This involves extensive work in collecting both verbal and historic evidence.
7 new signposts have been erected throughout our area making a total of 582. The programme of inspecting and maintaining each signpost every three years remains on track, helped by the addition of a number of people to the signpost team. . Many signposts are funded by member’s donations often in memory of deceased relatives.
We are continuing to fund improvements to the public rights of way network despite the reluctance of many Highway Authorities to take on addition commitments. And have spent £5,975 on these improvements We are now approaching other organisations such as Wildlife Trusts, Walking Groups, National Park Authorities and Parish Councils.
Financial review
Brief statement of the Society’s policy on reserves
Our balance sheet at year end 2024 was £459.457 held in a combination of cash, investments, and fixed assets (our office building, computer equipment, furniture, and fittings).
Within this figure we have restricted funds of £57,860 and fixed assets of £60,654. We maintain a contingency fund of £10,000 for repairs to the aging office building and have ring-fenced legacy funds of £140,408
This leaves a reserve of £190,535. We look to maintain our reserves at between £190,000 and £255,000.
Details of any funds materially in deficit
None
Further financial review details
Our main sources of income are subscriptions (gift aided where possible); dividends from investments; donations; and legacies. Since donations and legacies are sporadic and not guaranteed, we strive, successfully, to meet our day-to-day running costs from subscriptions and dividends and use other income to fund our programmes.
Since we are an unincorporated charity, we have vested title to our office building with the Official Custodian for Charities. The building is valued in the accounts at its purchase price rather than its current market value.
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Other optional information
The society launched a 5 year strategy towards the end of 2024.
The strategy identified 13 Strategic Priorities. These included Increased Impact/Public Profile, Succession Planning, Growth and Fund Raising. Three subcommittees have been created to progress the strategy.
The strategy document can be viewed at pnfs.org.uk/5ys.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.
Name Mel Bale
Position Membership Secretary and Trustee Date 28th October 2025
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