Blackburn & District Outdoor Pursuits Centre Trust
Trustees Annual Report 2025.
For the period 01/02/2024 - 31/01/2025
The trust again succeeded in its remit of providing suitable, low cost, accommodation in an outdoor environment for a large number of groups, which generated sufficient income to maintain and improve the facilities on offer. There were 38 completed bookings in 2024 with 1939 bed nights over 110 nights. Youth groups accounted for 950 bed nights (49% of the total) enabling many young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoor life in the hills of the Eyri (Snowdonia) National Park which surround Bron-yGader.
Although the income for 2025 was substantial, the expenditure was also increased. It was therefore agreed that the financial reserve to be maintained would be increased to £5000. During the year work started on renovating the management block. The year was also the 50[th] anniversary of operating the centre, and a celebratory day was arranged. It was also agreed that the web site (bron-y-gader.org) would be updated. During the year the agreed fee was paid to solicitors to register the property, Bron-yGader, with the Land Registry. We will be informed when this is completed. The water from the bore hole was satisfactorily tested by Conwy Council in July, and the lounge chimney swept in November.
There have been 4 volunteer working parties throughout the year, plus other day visits by volunteers to check the site. There were about 15 volunteers, including Trustees, who assisted in running the centre during the period. Time was spent on repairing the track, the car park, and other maintenance tasks. Contractors have also been involved in repairing or maintaining onsite fittings. Three trees identified by the National Park as unsafe have been felled by a contractor. As normal the centre closed over the winter period in order to prevent the water system freezing.
The accounts for the year are attached to this report.
BLACKBURN & DISTRICT OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE TRUST
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 JANUARY 2025
PM+M SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS LLP Chartered Accountants Greenbank Technology Park Challenge Way Blackburn Lancashire BB1 5QB
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BLACKBURN & DISTRICT OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE TRUST Page 1
CONTENTS YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
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| Page | |
|---|---|
| Accountants’ Report | 2 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 3 |
| Balance Sheet | 4 |
| Declaration | 5 |
ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT
BLACKBURN & DISTRICT OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE TRUST Page 2
YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
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HONORARY ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT TO BLACKBURN & DISTRICT OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE TRUST ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
You have approved the accounts for the year ended 31 January 2025 set out on pages 3 to 4. In accordance with your instructions, we have compiled these unaudited accounts from the accounting records and information and explanations supplied to us.
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PM+M Solutions for Business LLP Chartered Accountants Greenbank Technology Park Challenge Way Blackburn BB1 5QB
10 March 2025
BLACKBURN & DISTRICT OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE TRUST Page 3
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
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| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
|
| RECEIPTS | ||||
| Charges in respect of current year | 21,913 | 20,761 | ||
| Deposits in respect of next year | 4,500 | 4,260 | ||
| Donations received | 194 | 56 | ||
| Bank interest received | 278 | 281 | ||
| EV Charges | 276 | 70 | ||
| Breakages | 38 | - | ||
| Extra cleaning charges | 190 | - | ||
| ---------- | ---------- | |||
| 27,389 | 25,428 | |||
| EXPENSES | ||||
| Insurance | 919 | 833 | ||
| Rates | 222 | 211 | ||
| Water | 214 | 1,025 | ||
| Electricity | 4,806 | 3,720 | ||
| Gas | 394 | 195 | ||
| Service & maintenance of fire extinguisher/alarm system | 587 |
266 | ||
| Repairs and renewals | 6,054 | 11,456 | ||
| Refurbishment (1.5 – Management block) | 4,741 | 7,267 | ||
| New equipment | - | 3,234 | ||
| Advertising/marketing | 270 | 250 | ||
| Management expenses | 4,361 | 325 | ||
| Laundry and Cleaning | 1,372 | 1,040 | ||
| Emptying bins and septic tank | 1,099 | 855 | ||
| Accountancy | (4) | 470 | ||
| Bank charges | 60 | 60 | ||
| ---------- | ---------- | |||
| 25,095 | 31,207 | |||
| ---------- | ---------- | |||
| EXCESS OF RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) | 2,294 | (5,779) | ||
| ====== | ====== |
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BLACKBURN & DISTRICT OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE TRUST Page 4
BALANCE SHEET
YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
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| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||
| Cash at bank – CAF Gold Account | 12,115 | 10,287 |
| Prepayments | - | - |
| ______ | ______ | |
| 12,115 | 10,287 | |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||
| Accruals | - | 466 |
| ---------- | ---------- | |
| NET ASSETS | 12,115 | 9,821 |
| ===== | ====== | |
| CAPITAL EMPLOYED | ||
| At 1 February 2024 | 9,821 | 15,600 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the year | 2,294 | (5,779) |
| ----------- | ---------- | |
| At 31 January 2025 | 12,115 | 9,821 |
| ====== | ======= |
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BLACKBURN & DISTRICT OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE TRUST Page 5
DECLARATION
YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
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DECLARATION
I approve these accounts and confirm that I have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation.
Signed: B M Clarkson
Date:
BLACKBURN & DISTRICT OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE TRUST
– 2024/25 Accounts Year End Financial Report to Trustees
This year saw the near-completion of the 1.5 refurbishment and the 50[th] anniversary of the Official Opening of Bron-y-Gader on 4[th] May 1974.
– PAGE 3 RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| RECEIPTS | £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Charges in respect of current year |
21913 | No bad debts as all booking fees received within the year | |
| Deposits for future bookings |
4500 | £4320 – Booking deposits for 2025 received from 24 groups. This is another new highest figure ever held on deposit. £180–Booking deposit for 2026 from 1stCrawley Scouts |
|
| Donations | 194 | £5 from Kassia Academy £189 collected at theAnniversaryweekend |
|
| Bank interest | 278 | Much improved interest received | |
| EV Charges | 276 | Electric Vehicle Charges received from 4 groups | |
| Breakages | 38 | From Yaakhov Lehman for broken chair | |
| Other | 190 | £90 from Carlo’s group for extra cleaning £100 from Heliya Badakhshan for extra cleaning |
|
| TOTAL | 27389 |
Page 1 of 4
| EXPENSES | £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | 919 | 10% increase on last year | |
| Rates | 222 | 5% increase on last year | |
| Water | 214 | Water sampling. Unchanged from 2023. Last year’s figure included £811 for a Bore Hole service |
|
| Electricity | 4806 | 29% increase on last year | |
| Gas | 394 | 2 x refills this year compared to only one last year | |
| Fire extinguishers and alarms |
587 | 2 x service visits plus 4 replacement extinguishers No alarms servicing |
|
| Repairs/renewals | 6054 | See separate list on Page 3 | |
| 1.5 Refurbishment | 4741 | £1846 - Flooring £2143 - Bunkbeds £533 - Two sofa beds £219 – Sundries This brings the total spent on the 1.5 refurb over two years to £12008 |
|
| New equipment | 0 | Previous year’s figure related to the installation of the EV chargers |
|
| Advertising/marketing | 270 | Subscription to ‘Independent Hostels’ website. 9%increase on last year |
|
| Management expenses |
4361 | See separate list on Page 3 | |
| Laundry/cleaning | 1372 | £390 - Cleaner, 6 visits Feb - April £780 - Contract cleaner for 2 x kitchen deep-cleans £70 - Flue clean £132-Sundries |
|
| Bins/septic tank | 1099 | £864 - Waste collections £235-Septic tank empty |
|
| Accountancy | (4) | Process of accruals is being stopped. This is the difference between last year’s accrual figure of £466 and this year’s actual payment of £462. I have shown the accountant’s explanations on Page 4 |
|
| Bank charges | 60 | 12 x Bank charges at £5 per month | |
| TOTAL | 25095 |
Page 2 of 4
2024-25 REPAIRS & RENEWALS
| 2024-25 REPAIRS & RENEWALS | 2024-25 REPAIRS & RENEWALS |
|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | £ |
| Car Park resurfacing | 2336.00 |
| Kitchen items | 108.83 |
| Valances | 39.95 |
| Brushes | 39.93 |
| Badminton set | 30.48 |
| Coat hooks | 37.14 |
| Door mats | 59.44 |
| Room 2 replacement window | 675.00 |
| Replacement Shower | 119.00 |
| Lincatgrill | 381.59 |
| Hardcore | 600.00 |
| Food Storage Cupboard | 189.00 |
| Oven repair | 492.92 |
| Plumbing | 48.93 |
| Water heater | 105.22 |
| Drain channel | 101.32 |
| Shower | 165.65 |
| Sundries | 523.31 |
| TOTAL | 6053.71 |
| 2024-25 MANAGEMENT | EXPENSES |
|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | £ |
| Premises checks x 2 | 40.00 |
| Travellingexpenses | 44.80 |
| Logs | 60.00 |
| 50th Ann. Open Day | 585.36 |
| Land Registryregistration | 1440.00 |
| Webhosting | 47.92 |
| Vacbags | 6.99 |
| Window brushes | 18.60 |
| Manhole keys | 10.99 |
| Water treatment | 19.00 |
| Tree Surgery | 1980.00 |
| Domain name | 31.42 |
| Telephone number | 8.31 |
| Sundries | 67.11 |
| TOTAL | 4360.50 |
Page 3 of 4
– PAGE 4 BALANCE SHEET
CURRENT ASSETS
£12115 cash at bank carried forward to current 2025/26 year.
CURRENT LIABILITIES
The accountancy charges have been treated as accruals since we started paying these fees in May 2022. In July 2024 I queried it, as accruals normally refer to goods & services which are supplied in one accounting period but are not paid for until the next accounting period and this was not the case with our accounts. This was the accountant’s reply:
- We can put the accountancy fees onto a cash basis but please note that there will be no accountancy charge in this year’s accounts as the accrual brought forward will match off the invoice paid this year and then going forward it will be on a payments basis.
The system has now been changed so that the accountancy fee is on a payments basis. The accrual from the 23/24 accounts has been cleared and this year’s 24/25 accounts therefore shows a nil accrual figure in the Current Liabilities section. This is the accountant’s explanation to be attached to the accounts:
- Please note, as discussed previously that this year the accountancy fee is the amount it is as we are matching off the accrual brought forward for the 2024 accounts fees against the payment for the 2024 accounts. Going forward this will be on a cash basis so the 2025 accounts bill will be paid during the 2026 year and so will be the accountancy fee in the accounts and so on in future years.
From the 25/26 accounts onward the accountancy charge will be shown as an expense in the year it is paid.
CAPITAL EMPLOYED
£9821 brought forward from 23/24 plus a £2294 surplus in 24/25 making £12115 being carried forward to 25/26 year.
Despite the greater expenses on the 50[th] Anniversary and the finishing of the 1.5 refurbishment, we have had a surplus because of the increase in booking numbers and charges, so it has been a very healthy year.
Barbara Clarkson Hon.Treasurer Blackburn & District Outdoor Pursuits Centre Trust
09/04/25
Page 4 of 4