Chairperson’s Statement – FAN AGM 2025
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Falkirk Arts Network AGM for 2025. Thank you for joining us this evening.
As many of you will know, it’s been a relatively quiet year for FAN. There are several reasons for this, which I’ll touch on shortly. But first, I want to reassure you that FAN is still very much active. While our presence may not have been as visible, work has continued behind the scenes. We’ve maintained our relationship with Falkirk Council and kept communication open with the Culture and Leisure team to ensure FAN has a voice in the development of the new Town Hall — whenever that may finally be completed.
Our trustees have also been working diligently to finalise the details of our new funding programme, which I’m pleased to announce will launch in early October. Here’s a brief overview of how it will work:
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An annual funding pot of £3,000 to begin with
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Two funding rounds per year, each offering £1,500
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Member organisations may apply for one grant of up to £500 per year
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Applications will be assessed on merit by a panel of appointed trustees
We know that funding is a key reason many member organisations engage with FAN, and we’ve worked hard to ensure this programme is fair, accessible, and beneficial to our community.
Aside from the funding programme, it’s true that FAN’s public activity has been limited this year. While we did host the annual Personality, Young Personality, and Civic Awards, attendance was lower than hoped. Unfortunately, we also had to cancel the Top of the Town Quiz due to lack of interest.
As Chair, I want to acknowledge that part of this slowdown is due to my own personal commitments, which have occasionally conflicted with my responsibilities to FAN. I also want to recognise that many of our trustees have faced challenging personal circumstances this year. While this isn’t an excuse, it is a reality — and one that has prompted reflection and a renewed commitment to moving forward.
FAN relies on the support and participation of its members. To address the challenges we’ve faced, the trustees are proposing a restructuring of sorts. While the formal office bearer roles will remain unchanged, we’re looking to introduce new positions within the organisation to help drive FAN forward, increase engagement, and restore the energy and purpose that have defined us in the past.
We’re currently seeking volunteers for the following roles:
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Social Media/Website Manager
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Membership Coordinator
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Fundraising Co-Ordinator and sub-committee members
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Tryst Festival sub-committee members
We know there are other arts organisations in Falkirk, but FAN — formerly the Falkirk and District Arts and Civic Council — was the first. We have a proud legacy, and it would be a shame to see that legacy fade due to inactivity or lack of support.
So, my plea to you is simple: please continue to support FAN. We have a plan to revitalise the network, and with your engagement, we can make it happen. This past year may have been a pause, but it has also been a period of reflection — one that has helped us identify our challenges and begin to shape solutions.
Thank you again for being here tonight and for your continued dedication to FAN. I’m hopeful that the year ahead will see us grow stronger, more active, and more valuable to our members and to the arts community in Falkirk.
FALKIRK ARTS NETWORK
| ACCOUNTSFORYEAR | YEARENDED 31 March | YEARENDED 31 March | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | £ | ||
| Annual tees | 423.00 | ||
| Raffles | 112.00 | ||
| TOTALINCOME | £535.00 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | £ | ||
| Programmeadvertising | 290.00 | ||
| Website | 304.50 | ||
| AwardsCatering | 234.00 | ||
| Insurance | 96.00 | ||
| Wreaths | 70.00 | ||
| TOTALEXPENDITURE | £ 994.50 | ||
| DEFICIT | £994.50 | -£535.00 | £ 459.50 |
| BALANCESHEET | £ | ||
| Balanceasat31 | March2024 | 14027.86 | |
| Less deficit in2024-25 | -459.50 | ||
| Balance as at31 March 2025 | 13568.36 | ||
| BalanceinBank | 13568.36 |
APPENDIX 3
Scottish Charity Regulator[examiner’s][report][ on][the][accounts] » |[Independent] Report to the Charity name trustees/members of FALKIRK AND DISTRICT ARTS AND CIVIC COUNCI SCIO Registered charity $C002879 number On the accounts of the Period start date Period end date charity for the period Day Month Year Day Month Year 1 APRIL 2024 to 31 MARCH 2025 Set out on pages is naiofeto etainclude selsth 9 Respective The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance responsibilities Of with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the trustees and examiner Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination Is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts examiner’s statement Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual Items Or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner’s In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention lothectharthat—— statement diselesed-en-the-atiached-page’ | 4. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met, or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper ina of the accounts to be reached. Signed™*: Date: 30 November 2025
Signed™: Date: 30 November 2025 Name: Relevant professional gualification(s) or body (if any): Address: “Please delete th ds | ) ‘ets | following ma e words in the brackets if they do not apply. If the words do apply, set out those matters which have come to your attention on the “ OSCR will accept digital or typed signatures