A charity registered in Scotland No. SC017374
THE BRIDGE OF EARN INSTITUTE
Annual General Meeting ~ Wednesday 18* February 2026 TRUSTEES REPORT
1. Overview
Bridge of Earn Institute continues to provide a well-resourced and comfortable community space for Bridge of Earn, Kintillo, Oudenarde and surrounding areas. The Institute is available for community related recreational activities. It can be booked by individuals, groups and organisations on a one-off, occasionalor regular basis for their different activities. Currently it is used by Girl Guiding groups, motivating health & fitness classes, creative art classes and a local nursery. It is also used by one-off parties, autojumbles and other events. It is the designated voting station for the ward and constituency. The Institute, therefore, remains an invaluable part of the community.
The aims and objectives of the of the Institute are:
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e To support and develop the use of the Institute by the community and to build community
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e To provide a clean, safe and welcoming space for the community to use
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¢ To involve the community in the running of the hall where possible
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e To bean accessible community hall for all
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e To ensure the long-term sustainability of the hall
Bridge of Earn Institute is managed by a committee of volunteers who act as trustees. The Trustees work hard to ensure that the Institute is maintained and looked after and adheres to current statutory regulations. Through their efforts, the Institute provides people with an opportunity to socialise, keep fit, learn new skills and access other services. The trustees meet every six or so weeks to discuss the running of the Institute, to respond to issues and plan for future developments.
2. Performance and Achievements.
Institute Flat: The Institute flat is currently rented out and income from the flat helps to maintain the property. In the previous year the roof structure to the adjoining stairwell was completely renewed, solving the issue of dampness that was entering the flat. This year extensive work was done to strip and renew plaster work in the hallway. It is recognised that the flat’s kitchen requires upgrading — and this will be done when funds permit.
Cellar: For different reasons the cellar tends to flood. This has been investigated over the years. This year an electrical supply to the cellar was installed and a pump now automatically pumps out water when it gathers.
Drainage: Drainage continues to be an issue for the Institute partly due to the age of the pipes in the grounds. To help reduce problems, pipes are power flushed and rodded twice a year to help with the flow rate. This is a considerable cost to the Institute.
The Rooms: The Main Hall, Earn and Moncreiffe rooms continue to be well used and are in a good state of repair. The Nursery funded a wonderful extension to the Earn Room, which has made an enormous difference to its day-to-day work. The trustees are, however, keen to discuss with the nursery how this new space could be used by other user groups- if required.
Toilets: After many years of discussion and fundraising, the toilets were refurbished and brought up to a modern standard at a cost of nearly £40K. This was by far, the largest project that took place this year. This
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has been welcomed by all user groups. The flat roof covering over the gent’s toilet now requires to be replaced. It is hoped that in the coming financial year, grant funders will be identified and approached.
Garden: The cutting of the grass and the hedges is now done by a gardener and the trustees are grateful for this. After many requests, the glass bins were relocated from the Institute’s ground to Victory Park.
Heating: During the winter months, the Moncreiffe Room has had difficulty in reaching a comfortable temperature. In the last year the heating system was serviced and power flushed. Although this has helped, the heating in the Moncrieffe Room has been enhanced through the purchase of a freestanding heater. | WIFI — The Institute has WIFI. Some joinery work has now been completed to house the router in a location that best suits user groups. Furthermore, the Institute has designated email accounts for office bearers.
Website: Over the year, much work has been done to improve the website, and it is likely to be launched very soon. This will likely include the online booking system which is proving to be very successful.
Cleaning: The trustees are extremely grateful to the services of diligent cleaner who helps to provide a clean and welcoming space for user groups. The trustees are also grateful for how she works around the needs of user groups.
Bookings: The Treasurer has overseen the development of an online bookings service, which seems to be working most effectively and helpful to both the Bookings Manager and user groups.
Looking ahead, the trustees are turning their attention to the external fabric of the Institute. The external render requires maintenance. In places it is old and tired. Quotes are being sought for this work. Furthermore, external paintwork requires maintenance and woodwork requires painting. Quotes are being sought for this work. Furthermore, the surface of the car park has been eroded and now requires maintenance. Large expenditure is expected to purchase more gravel/stones for spreading over the area. Both projects are likely to incur a large expenditure that will require fundraising and grants.
3. Finance
One aim of the Institute committee is to ensure the financial sustainability of the hall. The Institute’s main income comes from hall lets. Bookings remain healthy. This income is supplemented with fundraising and grants. The trustees are very grateful to the treasurer and grants secretary for all the work that they do.
4. Groups
The Trustees are encouraged to see a number of groups use the hall on a regular basis as well as one-off events. The trustees will do what they can to promote and encourage use of the hall by groups and organisations from outside the immediate area to supplement income.
5. Volunteers and People
The Institute is run by volunteers for the benefit of the whole community. These volunteers give of their time to help with repairs and garden work. The Institute is very fortunate to have dedicated office bearers such as its secretary and treasurer and the many volunteers who give so freely of their time to the benefit of the hall and the community. Through doing so, the Institute continues to be a well-liked and well-used community f space in the area. M , On behalf of the Trustees wtih he Ny Lt) Ny Lt) Lt)
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wtih he Ny Lt) Ny Lt) Lt) Ader:
Rev. AHa son, Chairperson
18 February 2026
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