Backwell Playing Fields
Annual Report and Financial Statements
31 March 2024
Registered Charity No 304470
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Contents Page
| Trustees, officers and advisors | 3 |
|---|---|
| Trustee’s annual report | 4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 10 |
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Trustee
Backwell Playing Fields Corporate Trustee Limited
Registered address
c/o Backwell Post Office 30 West Town Road Backwell North Somerset BS48 3HH
Bankers HSBC 40 High Street Portishead Bristol BS20 6EN
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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
The general information including the name of the Trustee, the registered address of the Charity and particulars of the Charity’s professional advisors is given on page 3.
HISTORY, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARITY
In 1929 local benefactors, Theodore Robinson and his sister Isabel, gave a piece of land in the village of Backwell, North Somerset, to the parish council for the use of the villagers as a park and place of recreation. For some years the 16.5 acres of land was administered by the National Playing Fields Association but, in the 1960s, it was returned to local management.
As a result of this, the management and administration of the playing fields was transferred to a registered charity, Backwell Playing Fields, with the title of the land being held initially by the parish council and then being transferred in 2005, to the Official Custodian for Charities.
The Charity was registered on 29 December 1967. Its governing document is a Scheme dated 9 June 1976 as amended on 16 August 1996, 14 November 2007, 3 February 2015 and 18 February 2015.
The objects of the Charity are “the provision and maintenance of a recreation ground for the benefit of the inhabitants of the parish of Backwell without distinction of political, religious and other opinions, including the provision, or assistance towards the provision, on the said recreation ground or any part thereof, of facilities for the recreation and other leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.”
In practice, these objects are met through the provision of publicly accessible play areas and recreation grounds and facilities for local clubs and societies. The current tenants are Ashton and Backwell United Football Club, Backwell Athletic Junior Football Club, West Backwell Bowling Club, Backwell Tennis Club, Backwell Scouts and Guides and Rainbow Pre-school. There are also two children’s playgrounds on the site, a bike track, zipwire and other equipment for older children and adults.
MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS
A sole corporate trustee company, Backwell Playing Fields Corporate Trustee Limited, holds the position as trustee of the Charity.
Where there is a requirement for new directors of the corporate trustee, these are identified and appointed by the existing Directors. The Chairman of the corporate trustee is responsible for the induction of new directors.
The Directors consider the risks faced by the Charity as part of their decision-making process at each of their meetings. The main risks relate to the potential injury of a member of the public using the facilities, in particular the play and fitness equipment, and the financial viability as the charity relies on donations to meet a proportion of day-to-day maintenance costs. The injury risk is mitigated by regular inspections of the equipment and the financial risk is mitigated by close scrutiny by the Directors and the regular production and examination of management accounts and forecasts.
The Directors meet at least four times a year.
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ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL REVIEW OF THE CHARITY
The Charity continues to support the activities of each of its tenants and residents. The playing field usage grows every year, with most of the tenant’s clubs at full capacity and finding ways to grow their activities. This growth in usage meets the Charity’s ongoing strategic goals and requires the trustees to continue to maintain the playing fields land, buildings and fixtures.
Improvements to the playground surfacing were complete during the year, ensuring a safe play environment that allows more children to use the equipment.
The large volume of planned new houses in the village is an important topic for the Directors’ continual review. During the financial year ending 2025 the Directors are generating their plan, which will include how to support the tenants and both existing and new residents over the coming years. This will continue to drive an increased usage of the equipment and green space.
The Directors would like to thank everyone who gave their time and made donations and grants to the Charity in the year.
Income totalled £63,563 (2023: £59,082) and the total expenditure was £52,540 (2023: £101,499) resulting in a surplus of funds of £11,023 (2023: £38,079 deficit) for the year. This surplus of funds will be used to increase the designated funds.
The in-year restricted spend of £21,043 on Park Improvements related to the final element of the upgrade to the Rodney Road playground, with the addition of rubber mulch surfacing for safe use of the play equipment. Most of this project spend incurred in 2023.
Bank interest received has increased in the financial year, driven by bank interest rate increases and a steady level of funds in the bank.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The Directors have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and have taken account of it in planning future activities.
The Charity provides free access to the playing fields, car parks, playground equipment and fresh air fitness equipment to the residents of Backwell and anyone visiting the village. Membership of and attendance at our tenant organisations is open to the residents of Backwell and surrounding communities.
INVESTMENT POLICY AND RESERVES
The Charity has no surplus funds for long term investment. Funds are held in an interest-bearing deposit account until a suitable project to spend them on is identified.
At the end of the year the Charity had reserves of £43,095 (2023: £32,071). £0 of reserves are restricted in use (2023: £0).
The Directors have created designated reserves to cover known risks and potential future expenditure as follows:
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Running costs reserve - £9,000 (2023: £9,000) to cover day to day maintenance costs in the event that a tenant is unable to make rent payments as they fall due.
-
Maintenance sinking fund - the Trustee recognises that a number of the properties it provides for tenants are increasingly in need of repair and as such has decided to designate £25,000 (2023: £15,000) as a sinking fund to make provision for future repairs.
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- Fiduciary reserve - Some individuals have delegated authority to contract the Charity to expenditure up to agreed thresholds. As the total amount of all individual thresholds could be committed at one time the Trustee has set up a designated fund for the total of these expenditure thresholds of £500 (2023: £500).
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The Trustee continues to work with local residents and tenants to ensure that the facilities and investments meet the needs of the playing fields for the Backwell community.
Approved by the Trustee on 25/11/2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Christopher Green
Andy Lloyd
Chairman
Director
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(HARITY COMMISSION Independent examiner's report on the FOR ENGLAND AND WALES accounts SectK)n A Independent Examinefs Report Report to the trustees Backwell Playing Fields On accounts for the year ended 3151 March 2024 Charity no lif any) 304470 Set out on pagos I report lo the Iru5tees on my examination ol the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust") lor the year ended Responsibilities and basis of report As the chanty's Iruslees. you are responsible lor the preparation ol the accounts In accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Act-i. I report in respect ol my examination ol the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 01 the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come lo my attention in connection with the examination lolher than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause lo believe that In, any material respect" the accounling records were not kept in accordance with section 130 ol the Charities Act, or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., I have no cOnrnS and have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examinalion to which attention should be drawn in this reFX)rt in order lo enable a proper understsnding of the accounts lo be reached. Signgd.. Date: 1611112024 Name.. Magdalena Mead Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body j lif any). FCCA Address.. Chelvey Hollow, Chelvey Batch. BrockÈy
| INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generating funds - Voluntary income: grants and donations - Investment income: bank interest Incoming resources from charitable activities: - Rents receivable and reimbursed overheads Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable activities: - Building and park maintenance - Grass cutting, weeding and hedges - Utilities and insurance - Bin emptying - Play areas and pathways - Administration and sundries - Park Improvements Total resources expended NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Fund balances brought forward at 1 April FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 MARCH |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £0 £33,043 £33,043 £29,665 £755 £755 £115 £29,765 £29,765 £29,302 |
|---|---|
| £30,520 £33,043 £63,563 £59,082 |
|
| £1,722 £139 £1,861 £4,033 £4,332 £2,330 £6,662 £8,639 £5,841 £5,841 £4,180 £2,426 £2,426 £2,556 £397 £397 £30,953 £0 £9,530 £9,530 £6,583 £4,779 £21,043 £25,822 £44,554 |
|
| £19,496 £33,043 £52,540 £101,499 |
|
| £11,023 £0 £11,023 (£42,418) £32,072 £0 £32,072 £74,490 |
|
| £43,095 £0 £43,095 £32,072 |
All incoming resources and resources expended are derived from continuing activities.
All gains and losses recognised in the year are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.
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| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Current assets | ||
| Debtors and prepayments | 666 | 941 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 42,844 | 31,330 |
| 43,510 | 32,271 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| - Accruals and other creditors | 415 | 200 |
| 415 | 200 | |
| Net current assets | 43,095 | 32,071 |
| Total net assets | 43,095 | 32,071 |
| Represented by: | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 8,595 | 7,571 |
| Designated funds | 34,500 | 24,500 |
| Restricted funds | - | - |
| Total funds | 43,095 | 32,071 |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustee on 25/11/2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Chairman Christopher Green
Director
Andy Lloyd
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1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Backwell Playing Fields is a charity registered at the Charity Commission in England and Wales. The principal address is c/o Backwell Post Office, 30 West Town Road, Backwell, North Somerset, BS48 3HH.
(a) Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice.
The Trustee’s directors consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Charity's functional and presentational currency is the pound sterling.
(b) Incoming resources
Grants, donations, fundraising income, rents and reimbursed overheads are recognised in the financial statements on a receivable basis.
Investment income, interest on short term bank deposits, is recognised on an accruals basis.
(c) Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under the headings that aggregate all costs relating to the category. All expenditure on play areas and pathways and on park improvements is written off when incurred.
(d) Fund accounting
The unrestricted fund comprises accumulated surpluses and deficits on general funds. They are available for use at the discretion of the Trustee in furtherance of the general charitable objectives.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside by the Trustee for specific purposes.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions imposed by the donors.
(e) Financial instruments
Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when it becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.
2. TAXATION
The Charity was a registered Charity throughout the year and, as such, was not liable to corporation tax on the surplus of income over expenditure for the year, nor to capital taxes on gains arising from the disposal of assets.
3. EMPLOYEES
The Charity did not have any employees in the year (2023: None).
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4. TRUSTEES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The directors of the corporate trustee do not receive any remuneration. Expenses reimbursed for park tidying, IT, stationery and maintenance undertaken on behalf of the Charity amounted to £nil (2023: £nil).
5. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
There were no capital commitments as at 31 March 2024 (2023: None).
6. DESIGNATED FUNDS
The Charity has a reliance on rental income from its tenants. The Trustee has created a designated fund equating to a proportion of the annual rent due to safeguard the Charity in the event that a tenant is unable to pay their rent. A sum of £9,000 (2023: £9,000) has been designated to cover day to day maintenance costs for this purpose.
The Trustee recognises that several of the properties it provides for tenants are increasingly in need of repair and as such has decided to designate £25,000 (2023: £15,000) as a sinking fund to make provision for future repairs.
Some individuals have delegated authority to contract the Charity to expenditure up to agreed thresholds. As the total amount of all individual thresholds could be committed at one time the Trustee maintains a designated fund for the total of these expenditure thresholds of £500 (2023: £500).
7. RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Play equipment, Park Improvements |
Balance brought forward at 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Balance carried forward at 31 March 2024 £ £ £ £ 0 21,043 21,043 0 |
|---|---|
| 0 21,043 21,043 0 |
During the year the Charity received funding to enable the Charity to utilise the services of contractors to run the maintenance and administration of the playing fields.
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