## **Chichester Youth Adventure Trust**
Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31[st] December 2025
The Trust owns and manages the Tyle Morgrug Cottage and Bunkhouse, Halt Road, Rhigos, Aberdare, South Wales www.cyat.org Registered Charity No. 288717
## Chichester Youth Adventure Trust
Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31[st] December 2025
||Table of Contents||
|---|---|---|
|Public Benefit Declaration||3|
|Report of the Trustees and Officers:|||
|Chair’s report||3|
|Honorary Treasurer’s report||4|
|Building Maintenance, fabric, furnishing and fittings||5|
|Outdoor maintenance||6|
|Bookings 2025||6|
|All Things IT||8|
|List of contributors||9|
|Trustee Declaration||9|
|Receipts and Payments account for the year ended 31stDecember 2025||10|
|Statement of assets and liabilities at 31stDecember 2025||11|
|Notes to the Accounts for the year ended|31stDecember 2025|12|
|Trust Information||13|
|Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Chichester Youth||14|
|Adventure Trust|||
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## Chichester Youth Adventure Trust Annual Report 2025
## Public Benefit Declaration
The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Our Charity’s aim is to help and educate young people through their leisure time or educational activities.
Continued work has been undertaken at the bunkhouse to improve the accommodation and to ensure the Health and Safety requirements are met.
The young people not only experience and develop skills in the outdoors, but also develop their independence and their social skills whilst away from home and living with others. The Trustees will continue to monitor the usage to ensure young people benefit from using and staying at the bunkhouse.
There are also a number of adult groups who use the bunkhouse when it is available, and their revenue assists with the day-to-day expenses of running the place, enabling the young people to stay at the centre at a reduced price.
The following reports incorporate how the Charity continues to meet its aim.
Spring flowers in the grounds of the bunkhouse. All planted a few years ago
## Report of the Trustees & Officers
## Chair’s Report
I took over as Chair of Trustees from John Robbins in March 2025 and thank him again for all his work as a Trustee and Chair over many years. John stood down as a Trustee in October 2025 but remains a very committed volunteer and I thank him again for his ongoing service to the Trust.
My first 9 months in the Chair has not been entirely smooth, but I am pleased to say that both the Trust and the building are in a fairly good position. Bank balances, income, bookings, bed nights and occupancy are all at a healthy level.
Our overall bank balance has dropped a bit over the year but given the expenditure on a variety of improvements this is understandable. This is why we have reserves. Over the year we have made improvements to the wellhead and the water treatment process, we have had a new boiler and refloored and made other improvements to the large dorm. The Trustees did consider solar panels and heat exchangers, but it was decided to replace the old gas boiler with another gas boiler. There have been a few teething issues with this but once sorted this should give us reliable heating for a good few years. Improvements to the large dorm have been well received and improvements are now being planned for the barn toilets and wash basins.
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Bookings, bed nights and occupancy are very much in line with last years. These all vary considerably from month to month but average out to much the same each year. It was noticeable that we had much lower bed nights in Aug 25 compared to previous years but there is no obvious explanation for this.
Income covered the day to day running costs of the building but not all of the capital expenditure. We are already taking bookings for 2027 so we need to set our pricing a long way in advance which has to involve a bit of guesswork. I am pleased to say that baring major disaster we will keep the 2027 Youth Rate the same as we are currently charging in 2026 with a modest increase in the Adult Rate. The Welsh Government has now approved the introduction of a so called 'Tourist Tax' and we are waiting to see if the local council choose to levy this charge. If the council do bring this in it will have to be added to our charges and will be shown as a separate charge.
Trustees and volunteers give a lot of time, skill and effort to look after the building and ensure its smooth running so my thanks must go to all of them.
Nigel Colenutt Chair
## Honorary Treasurer’s Report
The annual return was filed with the Charity Commission with trustee details updated Changes to the constitution were submitted to bring it up to date and permit payment to trustees in certain situations and we await approval for the majority before we can formally amend the constitution.
Further improvements to the water supply were made totaling £3,153 as well as other minor works included in repairs and maintenance.
As regards the accounts, income from groups staying at the centre on a cash received basis increased from £27,556 to £31,133. The amount received in advance of future bookings is £4,665, £515 higher than in the year ended 31 December 2024.
We have again received support via the local authority in the way of a reduction of business rates making the charge for the year ending 31 March 2026 only £107.
A donation of £500 was received from the employer of one of the trustees and £165 from a hirer.
Waste collection at the centre has proved a challenge to groups staying as everything must be bagged up correctly to be collected and the local authority has been taking all our waste away weekly if it is. Only glass must be taken away by groups for recycling.
Calor gas costs per litre have increased from 59p to 65p + VAT during the year. Electricity charges have reduced owing to a change in supplier.
Insurance has increased owing to a revaluation of the property.
We ended with a deficit of £3,529 on unrestricted funds (2024 surplus £1,648) for the year and accumulated unrestricted funds decreased to £51,281 (2024 £54,810) which given the major projects carried out in the year is an excellent outcome.
The balance on deposit with United Trust Bank reduced to £43,000 (2024 £47,000) with interest received of £1,799 (2024 £1,863).
It is still not clear whether we will meet the Welsh Government’s new tests to pass as a business for rating purposes which would appear to require a significant increase in the nights, rather than days, that the centre is in use for the year ending 31 March 2026, but there is little more that we can do about
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increasing this if they apply it to bunkhouses due to the seasonal nature of our business and closures for major maintenance work.
Wales has passed the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Act 2025, its first locally determined tax in five centuries. The law introduces a mandatory register for all visitor accommodation providers from autumn 2026 and empowers councils to impose a visitor levy from April 2027 with proposed rates of 75p per night if we qualify as a hostel. Under 18s in shared rooms will be exempt
Any charges levied will have to be passed on to hirers, but it is up to the local authority to decide whether to levy it.
_Michael Merritt Honorary Treasurer_
## Building Maintenance, fabric, furnishing and fittings
## Water System
Remedial works to the bunkhouse water system were completed in May 2025. These works included:
- Installation of a new filtration system
- Relocation of the UV lamp
- Installation of a pH adjustment filter
Unfortunately, subsequent water analysis produced unsatisfactory results despite the extensive work undertaken.
Following further remedial and disinfection works, and an inspection by the Council, water analysis completed in August returned satisfactory results. The Council will continue to monitor the water services as part of an ongoing maintenance and remedial programme. Works to the water system, like all maintenance, are continuous rather than one-off events.
Additional procedures are being developed in relation to responding to any unit alarm within the boiler room. This remains ongoing.
## Replacement of Dormitory Floor
The replacement of the dormitory wooden flooring and partitions has been completed, including installation of additional power sockets.
This was an excellent piece of work — thanks are extended to all involved.
The work in progress of the replacing of the floor in the dormitory
The completed partitions in the dormitory
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## Gas Service
All scheduled gas servicing has been completed.
There is now an issue with low system pressure, likely due to leakage within the central heating pipework. This had been identified as a potential risk. Now that inhibitor has been added to the system, it may be possible to trace the source of the leak. Ongoing monitoring will be required .
## Electrical Works
Annual electrical testing (PAT) has been completed, including testing of the microwave, which should continue to be checked annually.
Newly installed dormitory sockets were tested and certified.
## Emergency Lighting
All emergency lighting has been replaced, and additional lighting has been installed at the front entrance. Some fittings are particularly bright and are under review.
## Fire Alarm
Some issues with the fire alarm system were found and have since been rectified.
## Security Alarm
A new alarm system has been installed at the bunkhouse. Some initial teething issues were encountered but are being addressed.
## General Maintenance
Additional works have been completed, including curtain repairs, painting, and wall filling within the bunkhouse.
_Richard Dickson & Peter Harvey Trustees_
## Outdoor Maintenance
The wellhead has had a new cap and has been refenced with drainage ditches just inside the fencing. The compound has been cleared of all vegetation but that will be an ongoing task. These improvements will improve the biosecurity of our water supply which is from a spring.
Reflectors have been placed along the track to mark the position of the speed humps. These are particularly noticeable in the dark and mean people are less likely to be caught out by the bumps but this should not be seen as an invitation to speed. Remember, not only are there 'sleeping policemen' but there could be sheep or even cows on the track and some of the verges are soft.
Unfortunately part of the retaining wall next to the gas tank collapsed, probably due to old age and waterlogged ground. We are currently waiting for a contractor to repair this.
_Nigel Colenutt Trustee_
## Bookings 2025
It can be seen that this year the number of bed nights is more or less the same as 2024. there were fewer groups occupying the building, 44 different groups, of which there were 29 youth groups and 15 adult or family groups. Of the youth groups 3 groups stayed more than once, 2 staying twice and one staying 4 times. There were 50 bookings in 2025.
It seems that in 2025 there were some bigger groups again, some where the building must have felt very full!
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A gold DofE group using the bunkhouse after some training in the area and planning a further expedition
Feedback has been generally positive, with particular mention made of the barn dormitory upgrade. The time taken out for the boiler replacement and the barn dormitory upgrade may have made a difference to occupancy, but the times were chosen as being quiet times for groups.
## Occupancy and bed nights
||2023|2023|2024|2024|2025|2025|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Month|%
Occupancy|Bed
nights|%
Occupancy|Bed nights|%
Occupancy|Bed nights|
|Jan|32|138|45|145|35|104|
|Feb|46|126|45|104|36|64|
|Mar|83|284|58|177|58|234|
|Apr|93|257|67|226|53|214|
|May|35|76|55|126|87|397|
|Jun|47|86|40|94|47|181|
|Jul|77|328|74|200|61|226|
|Aug|87|468|100|375|58|152|
|Sep|62|212|23|52|20|35|
|Oct|39|107|45|141|45|157|
|Nov|39|96|43|101|40|150|
|Dec|26|82|52|154|26|75|
|||2260||1895||1989|
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## Breakdown of groups
||2021|2022|2023|2024|2024|2025|2025|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||%|%|%|%|No|%|No|
|W Sussex Youth inc
Chi &RCT|8|22|28|26|14|30|13|
|Chi &RCT|2|3|15|20|11|9|4|
|Other Youth|18|48|22|15|8|36|16|
|Youth overall|26|70|50|41|22|66|29|
|Adult overall|74|30|50|59|32|34|15|
As of 21 January 2026 we have 32 bookings for 2026, and 2 for 2027
_Kate Colenutt Bookings Secretary_
## All Things IT
Throughout 2025, we did not undertake any major IT changes. We continued to maintain our website to ensure it remains up to date and meets our visitors' needs. We have also made consistent use of the Google for Nonprofits suite to support trustee administration; this includes using Google Meet to allow remote trustees to participate in our meetings. To enhance collaboration, we purchased a speakerphone to improve audio quality during these remote sessions.
A key focus area has been the organisation and consolidation of the data we hold as a group. We have undertaken work to structure our Google Drive so that documents are stored in a single location, making them easier for the trustee team to find. For example, our secretary now stores and manages minutes and other secretarial documents in one shared folder. Key documents relating to the bunkhouse have also been moved to the Google Drive for easier access. During 2026 we will integrate more supporting trustees along the way.
## Website performance
## Traffic overview
2025 saw a slight uptick year on year in visits to the website. This is a nice improvement on the previous year which was down on the previous.
_Figure 1: Jan 01 2025 – Dec 31 2025_
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**----- Start of picture text -----**
Figure 2: Jan 01 2024 – Dec 31 2024
**----- End of picture text -----**
What next?
In 2026, we’ll continue to keep the site up to date as well as consulting with our Board of Trustees to identify new opportunities and actions that are needed.
Do look at www.cyat.org. We hope you enjoy using the site. If you have any suggestions, just let us know by
## List of Contributors
The following individuals and organisations, amongst others, have contributed towards Cynon Valley Cottage and Bunkhouse in cash, kind or time in 2025.
They are listed in alphabetical order.
Andrew Jones Kate Colenutt Cathy Childs Legal and General Claire Ward Martin Tomlinson David Goode Michael Merritt David Hatton Muriel Burrows Elfed Bowen-Davies Nigel Colenutt Graham Almrot Peter Harvey Jack Brown Rick Knight Jared Cockings Sandra Hopkins John Robbins
The Trust is indebted to all the volunteers who make a real contribution to its working parties by keeping maintenance costs much lower than otherwise.
## Trustee Declaration
There were no serious incidents in this reporting period.
Approved by the trustees on 21 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by Nigel Colenutt, chair
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## Chichester Youth Adventure Trust
## Receipts and Payments account for the year ended 31 December 2025
|_Notes_
Income
Letting Fees
Grants and Donations
_2_
Gift aid
Bank Interest
Damage and cleaning recharged etc
Direct Charitable Expenditure
Provision of Cottage & Bunkhouse
Caretaker and cleaner
Business rates
Insurance
Electricity
Calor Gas
Water supply -testing and cleaning
Safety certificates and inspections
Waste collection
General Repairs & Maintenance
Working Parties' Travel and subsistence
Cleaning materials
Furniture and Equipment purchases
Special Works -
Tree felling, landscaping and planting
Replacement boiler
Barn dormitory upgrade
Replace and upgrade intruder alarm system
Improving water supply system Inc. springhead
Stone Wall rebuilt and improved
Publicity & Advertising
Broadband
Miscellaneous
Other Expenditure
Governance Costs
_3_
Total Expenditure
Net (Deficit)/Surplus for the year
Cash and bank balances brought forward
Cash and bank balances carried forward|Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
31,133
31,133
27,556
815
815
600
25
25
25
1,799
1,799
1,863
-
-
50|
|---|---|
||33,772
-
33,772
30,094|
||2,991
2,991
3,219
107
107
24
2,560
2,560
274
1,275
1,275
1,712
3,424
3,424
2,650
1,594
1,594
535
865
865
1,260
371
371
990
8,907
8,907
4,642
1,501
1,501
947
47
47
170
1,333
1,333
237
-
-
425
3,351
3,351
-
2,255
2,255
-
1,676
1,676
-
3,153
3,153
5,136
-
-
5,041
20
20
20
591
591
597
-
-
293|
||36,021
-
36,021
28,172
1,280
1,280
274|
||37,301
-
37,301
28,446|
||(3,529)
-
(3,529)
1,648
54,810
54,810
53,162|
||51,281
-
51,281
54,810|
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## Chichester Youth Adventure Trust
## Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 December 2025
|_Notes_
Bank balances
Barclays Community a/c
United Trust Bank
Represented by Funds
_6_
Other assets and liabilities
Fixed Assets
Cottage & Bunkhouse
Declared value
Equipment
Declared value
Current Assets
Gas stock
Debtors - hire fees due
Interest accrued
Other payments paid in advance
Current Liabilities
Creditors and accruals
Deposits in Advance|£
Unrestricted
8,281
43,000
51,281|£
Unrestricted
8,281
43,000
51,281|£
Restricted
-
-
-
2025|£
Total
8,281
43,000
51,281
51,281
1,000,000
42,072
1,600
394
250
26
2,270
1,994
4,665
6,659|2024
£
Total
7,810
47,000
54,810|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||51,281|-||54,810|
|||1,000,000
42,072
1,600
394
250
26
2,270
1,994
4,665
6,659|||604,333
42,072
860
1,444
320
518
3,142
863
4,150
5,013|
Michael Merritt Honorary Treasurer and Trustee Date 21 March 2026
Nigel Colenutt Chair of the Trustees Date 21 March 2026
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## Chichester Youth Adventure Trust
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025
## 1 Accounting policies
These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
|2 Grants and Donations
Donations - unrestricted
3 Governance Costs
Post, Printing, stationery and DBS
Hall hire
Legal fees to amend constitution
Independent Examination Fee
Website maintenance|**2025**
**2024**
815
600
**2025**
**2024**
74
14
26
-
900
-
90
88
190
172
1,280
274|
|---|---|
## 4 Trustees' Remuneration, Expenses and Benefits
No trustee or person connected to them received any remuneration or benefits during the year _(2024: nil)_ A total of £1,360 _(2024 £519)_ was reimbursed to five _(2024: seven)_ of the Trustees in the year. This was reimbursement for actual costs incurred in travel to and from the Cottage & Bunkhouse for work party weekends, postage, telephone and some subsistence and accommodation costs.
## 5 Risk Management
The Trustees have carried out a Risk Assessment audit of all the major risks relating to its operational base i.e. the Cottage & Bunkhouse. They actively review this on a regular basis, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate their exposure to major risks.
## 6 Reserves Policy
Unrestricted Income funds are funds arising from past operations.
The trustees aim to keep sufficient reserves to maintain services to hirers, to meet any unforeseen maintenance expense and to keep the property well maintained.
The aim is to keep at least one year's running costs in reserves
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## Chichester Youth Adventure Trust
## Trust Information
Founder Anne Scicluna
Trustees John Robbins _(Chair to 8 Mar 25, retired 12 Oct 25)_ Cathy Childs Michael Merritt _(Honorary Treasurer)_ David Hatton _(Honorary Secretary)_ Martin Tomlinson Ray Creasey Peter Harvey David Goode _(appointed 26 Nov 25)_ Richard Dickson Nigel Colenutt _(Chair from 8 Mar 25)_
Trustees are recruited from persons who are familiar with the aims and policies of the charity and have appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to undertake specific roles.
Correspondence address held by Charity Commission
Treasurer: Michael Merritt, 87 Worcester Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 5EB
Bankers:
Barclays Bank plc, East Street, Chichester United Trust Bank
Independent Examiner: Trevor James FCA, DChA
## Constitution:
Trust Deed dated February 1, 1984 as amended by deed of variation dated 13 February 1998, 1 January 2001 and 9 December 2004
Charity Registration Number: 288717
Web site: www.cyat.org
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Chichester Youth Adventure Trust
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Chichester Youth Adventure Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's Report**
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,
Signed: TE James
Name Relevant professional qualification or body Address
Trevor James FCA DChA Dormer Cottage West Broyle Chichester West Sussex PO19 3PR
Date: 15 April 2026
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