Association of the Friends of the Burton Art Gallery and Museum Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
Objectives and activities
A summary of the objects of the charity as set out in the governing document. The charity exists for the education of the public by promotion, support, assistance and improvement of The Burton Art Gallery (currently renamed The Burton at Bideford) through the activity of a group of Friends.
The activities undertaken by the Association in the furtherance of its objectives include short-term exhibitions, exhibition support, lectures on artistic subjects, schools’ and young people’s education, and assisting with purchases for the permanent exhibition.
Public benefit that it provided by the charity
As trustees of the charity we have complied with the duty of sectionbb4 of the 2006 Charities Act to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any power or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
Achievements and performance of the charity
Fundraising activities in 2024 comprised two Open Art Exhibitions (one delayed from 2023 so as not to conflict with another Burton exhibition) to engage the support of local artists and, in turn, the creative economy around The Burton. two fundraising quizzes, the raffle of a stained glass object donated by an artist, and a special appeal for funds to redevelop. The Burton’s website. Friends received four newsletter, sent by e-mail to the majority of Friends, in order to reduce postage costs.
The customary annual grant was made to The Burton’s exhibition programme and to support other educational activities. The Friends also supported the acquisition of ceramics from the Fishley Collection. A total of £15,156 was given to The Burton in 2024.
A bequest of £6000 from the estate of Audrey Button was received. Gift Aid refunds of £2,635 for the five tax years to April 2024 were claimed and received.
The charity has no employees and no trustees are paid for their work. The charity uses no professional fundraisers or commercial participants. It has no property and no traading subsidiaries.
No serious incidents were experienced. The charity has no activities which involve children or adults at risk, but is aware of safeguarding requirements.
The Statement of Financial Activities shows net incoming resources for the year of a revenue nature of £10,747.
Total reserves at the year-end stand at £70,872. Free unrestricted reserves amounted to £70,872. All income is raised in the UK and spent in the UK.
Banking and payment arrangements
The trustees have in the course of the year made significant changes to their banking arrangements. These included;
Opening a new current account with Lloyds Bank, with the aim of a gradual move from CAF Bank.
Closing the account with Scottish Widows which was payin7g low interest Opening fixed-term fixed-rate accounts with Lloyds to earn more interest.
Opening an easy-access account, interest-paying deposit account with The Charity Bank.
Paypal was also introduced as a payment route for donations.
Significant future financial commitments
Following a review, the Trustees have agreed to maintain the annual contribution to The Burton of £15,000.
Policy on reserves
The trustees have agreed to retain an emergency reserve of £30,000, with other reserves to be utilised for annual contributions to The Burton’s work and exhibitions, should annual income not suffice.
This report and the financial report which follows were accepted and approved by the Trustees and members attending at the Annual General Meeting on 5 April 2025.
Pamlea Thompson, Chair of the Friends
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 2024
| Receipts and payments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Receipts | 2024 | 2023 |
| Donatons received | 5882 | 3365 |
| Gif Aid reclaimed | 2835 | - |
| Acquisitons of fxed assets | - | - |
| Legacies received | 6005 | - |
| Receipts from fundraising | 32968 | 4601 |
| Income from investments | 775 | 727 |
| Total receipts | 48265 | 8693 |
| Payments | ||
| Expenses for fundraising actvites | 21469 | 1376 |
| Payments relatng to charitable actvites - | - | |
| Grants and donatons | 15156 | 7500 |
| Governance costs | 893 | 221 |
| Total payments | 37518 | 9097 |
| Net of receipts/payments | 10747 | 404 |
| Cash funds last year end | 60125 | 60529 |
| Cash funds this year end | 70872 | 60125 |
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period to nearest £
| Current account | 18819 |
|---|---|
| Instant access deposit account | 12051 |
| Fixed term deposit accounts | 40002 |
Total cash funds
70872
Address: 28 Abbotsham Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3AH Date: 25th June 2025
lndependent examlner's report to the trustees of The Association of The Friends of The Burton Art Gallery {Registered Charity Number 281466}
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Association of The Friends of The Burton Art Gallery {the Association} for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As a charity the trustees of the Association are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements sf the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act'). I report in respect of my examination of the Association's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2S1 1 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5Xb} of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.