2025-01-31-accounts

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 January 2025

Charity Name: Applecross Community Hall Report Date: 22[nd] April 2025 Reporting Period: 1 February 2024 - 31 January 2025

CHARITY DETAILS

Charity Name: Applecross Community Hall Charity Registration Number: SC027220

Principal Address: Applecross Community Hall, Applecross, By Strathcarron IV54 8AD

TRUSTEES

The Volunteers who served on the Hall Committee during the year were:

• Barbara Gillies (Chairman)

• Elodie Mathews

• Ishbel Ferguson

• Rhona McPartlin (Bookings)

• Anne Macrae

• Agnes Krahelska

• Daniella Joyce

Christian Burgin (Treasurer) and Saara Viitanen (Secretary) provide support to the Hall Committee.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Legal Structure

The charity is currently an unincorporated association working towards conversion to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Significant progress has been made in 2024 towards achieving SCIO status, with the conversion process nearing completion.

Governance

The charity is governed by a Committee of volunteers who meet regularly to oversee the management and operation of Applecross Community Hall. All Committee members give their time voluntarily.

Recruitment and Training of Trustees

Committee members are elected annually at the AGM. New trustees are welcomed to join throughout the year to support the charity's work in maintaining and developing community facilities.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Charitable Purposes

To provide and maintain community facilities for the benefit of residents of Applecross and surrounding areas, promoting community cohesion and providing opportunities for recreation, education, and social interaction.

Main Activities

• Operation and maintenance of Applecross Community Hall as a community facility

• Hosting diverse events and activities for all age groups

• Supporting mental health and wellbeing initiatives

• Providing accessible community space for local groups and activities

• Cinema club operations

• Educational and cultural performances through touring networks

Public Benefit

All activities are designed to benefit the general public, particularly residents of Applecross and surrounding areas. The charity operates a "Pay as you can afford" policy for events to ensure accessibility regardless of financial circumstances.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Major Achievements in 2024

Infrastructure Improvements:

• Completed major car park drainage repairs (funded by North Highland Initiative)

• Comprehensive painting of hall corridors, reception areas, toilets, and shower rooms

• Ongoing maintenance and repairs managed by volunteer team

Event Programming:

• Successful partnership with the Touring Network's Micronetwork, delivering 3 top-class performances

• Continued operation of popular Applecross Cinema Club throughout autumn/winter season

• Introduction of "The Sharing Table" community initiative, which has been well-received

New Health and Wellbeing Initiatives: Funded through mental health grants, the charity introduced and supported access to all:

• Regular hairdressing sessions

• Podiatry sessions

• Zumba classes

• Yoga classes

• Art workshops

• A new weekly mother and toddlers group

• Silent disco events

• Roller disco sessions

• Community cinema events over the winter/spring

• A community gallery space to show case local talent

• Children’s after school activities: football, shinty, scouts, school holiday Forest school

• Subsidised entry to ensure all families could attend live performance events at the hall

• Helped to keep meal costs affordable for seniors attending a weekly lunch club

• Subsidised a whole community Christmas event for seniors

Licensing and Compliance:

• Completed annual gas and fire safety checks

• Updated bar premises licensing with new license holder

• Maintained all required policies and documentation

• Successfully submitted all financial records to OSCR

Community Impact

The hall continues to serve as the primary community gathering space for Applecross, hosting a wide range of activities that promote social cohesion, physical and mental wellbeing, and cultural enrichment for residents of all ages.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Management

Under the leadership of the Honorary Treasurer, the charity successfully organized its financial records and achieved compliance with OSCR requirements. All records were submitted and approved by OSCR in 2024, enabling access to various funding opportunities.

Principal Funding Sources

• North Highland Initiative grants

• Scottish Government Children's Mental Health Grant

• Scottish Government Adult Mental Health Grant

• Touring Network funding

• Vegeware donations (biodegradable supplies)

• Local fundraising activities and raffles

• Hall rental income

Reserves Position

Mental Health Grant Funding Status (as of AGM date):

• Children's Mental Health Grant: £3,783.73 remaining (no spending deadline)

• Adult Mental Health Grant: £2,610.93 remaining (to be spent by July 2025)

Financial Controls

The charity maintains appropriate financial controls with regular oversight by the Committee and annual external scrutiny through OSCR reporting requirements.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Strategic Objectives for 2025

1. Complete SCIO Conversion: Finalize the transition to Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation status

2. Energy Efficiency: Begin exploring options to make the hall building more energy efficient

3. Facility Improvements:

• Redecorate main hall (painting and new curtains)

• Improve toddlers' outdoor play area

• Relocate sharing table to outdoor storage for easier community access

• Program Development: Continue expanding community programming using remaining mental health grant funding

Funding Strategy

The charity will continue to pursue grant funding opportunities while maintaining diverse income streams through hall rentals, events, and community fundraising activities.

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing this annual report and ensuring it provides a true and fair view of the charity's activities during the reporting period. The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by OSCR.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The trustees wish to express sincere gratitude to:

• All Committee volunteers who have contributed their time and effort

• Community members who have supported events and activities

• Local businesses including Applecross Inn and Walled Garden for their ongoing support

• All funding bodies and donors who have enabled the charity's work

• Professional service providers including Donald Mackenzie, George Graham, Sean Kilbride, Deborah Carr and Dave Abraham

Date: 22/4/2025

Signed on behalf of the Hall Committee: Chair: Barbara Gillies

Date: 22/4/25

Treasurer: Christian Burgin

Christian Burgin

Date: 22/4/25

This report covers the period from 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2025 and should be submitted to OSCR within the required timeframe along with the annual return and financial statements.

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