Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 BeachwAtch Bute 'frustees' Annual Report- YeRr ended 31 March 2025 Reference and Administrative Informfition Chllrity NAme Beachwatch Bute SCIO Charity Registration No. SC029603 Contact Address The Treasurer 10 Crlchton Road Rothesay Isle of Bute PA20 9JR Trustees: Principal Office BeArers: C.hairper$on Sccretary Treasurer Independent Examiner One 2 One Accountancv 10 Gallowgate Rothesay Isle of Bute PA20 OHR BnkerS Bank Of Scotland Montague Street Rothesay PA20 08U BeAeh Ranger
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Trustees, Annual Report- Year ended 31 March 2025 Objectlves and Actlvltles To monitor and report on the condition of all beaches and shoreline walks, co-ordinate the removal of marine litter and to maintain the highest environmental standard around Bute's coastline. In doing so we aim to advance the education of the public about physical heritage, natural habitat and coastline of the Isle Df Bute and their management for the benefit of the public and to preserve, enhance and conserve the environmental quality of such coastal heritage. Strutture Governance and Mana ement Governlng Document The charity 15 a Scottish Charitable I ncorporated Organisation (a SCIOI. It was registered in its current legal form on 30/09/2019. The charity was previously incorporated as a company limited bv guarantee. The Assets of the Incorporated Company were transferred to the SCIO on the 01/10/2019. It has a single Tier structure and as such the trustees are the members of the charity. Recrultment and Appolntment of Trustees All Charity Trustees are appointed or re-appointed by the members at the annual General Meeting or co-opted onto board as and when required. Trustee Inductlon and Tralnln8 The appointment of a new trustee is made after the 8oard's discussion regarding the skills, abilities and experiences that they can bring to Beachwatch Bute. On the recruitment of new Trustees, thev are given guidelines and documentation on their responsi bilities, There is also an explanation and discussion of roles and responsibilities during their first committee meeting. Rlsk Management The Trustees asses5 the risks of the Charity regularly and have noted the main risks found as Health and Safety and Financial. These are being monitored, and the Trustees are doing everything to minimi5e these risks. Risk Assessment has been compiled for Bute Beaches by the Beach Ranger. Organlsatlonal Structure Management of the charity's affairs are vested in its board of Trustees. The board meets on average every quarter to discuss charity affairs.
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Trustees, Annual Report- Year ended 31 March 2025 Related Partles The trustees are not aware of any related party transactions during the year. Introductlon Beachwatch Bute SCIO continue5 to dellver a valuable service for the Island of Bute as it has for the last 27 years. Thanks to the efforts over these years. Bute is in the fortunate position of having the scourge of marine litter under control, unlike many other islands which are still dealing with a backlog of marine plastic litter built up over the last 50 years or more. Constant effort is still required to remove plastic litter which arrives with each tide to ensure that Bute's beaches continue to be amongst the cleanest around. Cleaning up the coastline has never been more important, and our Beach Ranger continues to remove marine litter deposited by the tides and beach visitors. There have also been some more unusual finds as well, such as catheters, syringes, several dead seals/porpoises, waste oil, large ropes and nets which could have been dangerous for wildlife, beach users, shipping, and the environment. Unfortunately, our Beach ranger is still having to deal with irresponsible behaviour such as depositing human waste and fly-tipping on the beaches. Unfortunately, the major local landowner no longer has a countryside ranger so it is likely that this will be a bigger burden on the charity in the peak summer months. Achlevements and performance Between I, April 2024 and 31" March 2025, the Beachranger removed 3.05 tonnes of small marine litter from the beaches of Bute and delivered them to the waste disposal site. This represented many reused animal feeding bags of small items such as bottles, cans, small pieces of polythene and wrappings, short lengths of twine/rope and other miscellaneous small items. This will amount to many hundred thousand, if not millions of smal l items, all of which require liftin8 individually. The weight is lower than in some previou5 years, but this probably reflects fluctuations in weather patterns as well as limitations on Beachranger availability and a greater determination to reuse and repurpose where possible Also included in the tally were heavier lengths of rope and damaged fishing gear, oil drums etc., which could not be bagged. Thi5 weight excludes items which can be reused such as floats, useable rope undamaged fish-boxes and lost prawn and lobster creels which are returned to the fishing fleet, shellfish farmers and boatyards for reuse. Some of these items can also be repurposed for use by farmers, gardeners etc. This year, in addition to the usual repurp05ing, we were able to pass on several items including a large section of trawl net to another local charity, which wa5 enhancing an area of public open space using a nautical theme. We are pleased to have been of assistance to this project. Sadly, several dead seals and porpoises, were also removed in cooperation with the local council. Whilst these are sad occasions, they reflect the fact that local populations are strong and that illness and injury is inevitable when number5 are good.
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Last summer was a strong one for tourism, however, it didn't result in an improvement in behaviour and the Beachranger continued to be faced with several instances of dumped human waste. Our marine litter benches were also being used inappropriately for disposal of domestic and dog waste. Dog waste does remain a problem with plastic bags being a continued feature of litter on the beaches and along footpaths. Some dog owners appear to think they are acting responsibly bv picking up but then discard the plastic bag5 With no regard to their long-lasting polluting effect. We are awaiting assistance from the local Council to install a further litter storage bench at Kilchattan Bay, which had been requested by the local community. Unfortunately, Council cutbacks have delayed this installation, but we hope this will be resolved soon. The benches continue to be a big Success, and the design has been picked up by a few other organisations. Locally, they are well used with several people unofficially adopting their own favourite stretches of beach and clearing litter at their leisure. The upgraded equipment and pickup truck acquired over the last few years are performing well and has significantly improved our capabilities, particularly on more remote and hard to access beaches. We have done further work to improve the condltlon of our tractor and our plckup now carrles the Beachwatch Bute SCIO logo and contact details. As in previous years we acknowledge our main funders EB Scotland, whose funding has allowed us to function efficiently throughout the year, and they have awarded funding which should see us through the 2025-26 financial year. Having a reliable main funder is a huge advantage, but we are always aware of the risk that this represents. The ban on landfill in Scotland comes into force at the beginnlng of 2026 because of legislatSon on landfill changlng. It isn't clear what the future holds for the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCFI which was distributed by EB Scotland. The charity did contribute to the public consultation on the future of the SLCF making clear that the lack of money from this source could have a direct effect on the level of service we are able to provide. The Beach Wheelchair project ran through last summer with a volunteer rota from the charity organising the hiring of the chairs. Again, poorer weather in late summer limited the use, but we were reasonably happy with how the project was establishing. Unfortunately, there was mlnor damage to the container and chairs because of Storm Eowyn in January, but all should be well for the main summer season. We continue to look to partner with other local charities to make best use of the equipment. We organised a community beach clean to help catch up with marine litter deposited by Storm Eowyn which was very successful despite poor weather conditions. Another similar clean has been held, although strictly outwith the reporting period. These events are good for raisi ng pu blic profile and it is likely that further cleans will be held,
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 We find social media is a useful way to inform the public about what the charity does and with our photographs and videos of various beaches and coasts, let them see the difference that our work makes. It also allows us to highlight i55ue5 that we are faced with in our work, and it is an easy wav for people to communicate with us. Currently we have 2500 followers on Facebook and on our Instagram account, we have 412 followers. Both accounts are growing steadily. Links to both pages are below: htt www.facebook.com beachwatchbute htt www.insta ram.com beachwatchbute We will continue to collaborate and work with organisations such as SEPA, Scottish Marine Animals Stranding Scheme, Argyll and Bute Council, Ioc31 farmers, and Police Scotland. Our chairman continues to chair the Scottish Island Federation ISIFI Marine Litter Working Group {MLWG), despite some difficulties with funding cuts by Scottish Government. The quarterly surveys of a sample of island beaches from Arran to Shetland in conjunction with Marine Conservation Society are an important part of its work. There is starting to be a body of evidence showing that islands Suffer from a greater degree of plastic pollution when compared with mainland locations and that the litter is from different sources. The fishing and aquaculture industries are much more significant polluters on the islands, where in mainland locations sewage derived plastics and domestic rubbish generally are much more common. There are also other academic studies ongoing which are showing similar results. This is a very different situation from what wa5 predicted through scientific modellingi and it is hoped that this data will lead to a change of attitudes in the industries through education and possibly policy changes. MLWG is also involved in some pilot studies on recycllng of marine litter and in research on the use of drone5 to identify remote locations badly affected by marine litter and analyse its sources. Beachwatch Bute SCIO has contributed fully to this, adopting Ardroscadale Beach as a monitoring stretch and we are proud to say that we have maintained our record of completing all the monitoring on time for another year. htt www.scottish-islands-federation.co.uk Plans for future perlods In addition to maintaining our core activities we hope to become more involved with education around marine litter. We are looking to partner with GRAB Trust who have greater educational resources to visit the 3 island primary schools during the 2025-26 reporting period. We hope that the beach wheelchairs will get more use during this summer although this is weather dependent to a large degree. We now have the operational organisation fully in place for this to be a successful addition to our service. We will apply again to Co-op Community Fund and to EB Scotland, as well a5 Other funding streams locally. We are very conscious of the risk surrounding changes in Scottish Government landfill tax. We are fortunate to be funded by both organisations this year and happy that EB Scotland funding
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 should see us through 2025-26. However, there is considerable uncertainty around funding thereafter and we are alert to other opportunities. Overall, we are happy to have got through 2024-25 with our service intact and to have maintained the good condition of our beaches despite various challenges, thereby contributing to health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors alike and we are positive that we can continue to do so throughout 2025-26 financial year. We will contribute actively to the SIF MLWG and assist with setting up similar groups on other islands as required. We are pleased to say that the group that we provided with initial advice in Westray are doing very well albeit using a different model and are themselves now encouraging others in Orkney and Shetland. We will continue to supply data a5 required and will consider involvement in future academic research and projects as the opportunities arise.
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Trustees, Annual Report-year ended 31 March 2025 Prlnclpal Funding Sources Our main source of income continues to be E8 Scotland. Other funding has come from other generous sources and private indivldual donations. We also contlnue to receive donatlons through our collection boxes and by standing order to our bank account. Reserves Pollcy Our policy is to keep three months of annual expenditure based on 2025 figures this equates to £4558.00, this would enable us to wind down charity in an orderly manner and honour any commitments we may have if the Charity was to cease. At 31.03.2025 unrestricted reserves amounted to £8,135.00 which 15 above the target level. Statement of Trustees, Responslbllltle5 The charity Trustees are responsible for preparlng 3 Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements In accordance with applicable requirements with the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotlandl Act 2005, the Charltles Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 2006. The Trustee5 are sponsible for keeping proper accountlng records, which, on request, must reflect the financial position of the Charity at any time. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charlty and must take reasonable steps for the prevention and/or detection of fraud and other irregularities, Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf,
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Beachwatch Bute SCIO. l Report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which arc sct out on pa&Tes I to 10. Re%pective responsibilities of trustees Hnd exllmincr Tlic cliai"ity's ti'ustees dre responsiblc for thb prcparation ot. the accounts in accordance with Ihe terni.q of tlie Charities and Trustee Investincnt (Scotl&tnd) Act 2005 and the Charitios Accounts (Scotland) R¢gulations 2006. The chai'ity trustees consider that thc audit Irquireillent of Reg7ulation l O( l )(d) of thc Accounts Regulations doLs nol ¢ipply. It is my respoiisibility to exainine the accounts as requii'ed under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether Jnatters havc come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's statement My examination is carricd out in ilCL()rdance witli Regulation I l of the CharitiC8 Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An cxainiiiation includes a review ot.tlic accountiiig recor(Is kept by tlie charity and a Loinpcirison urthe accounts presented with thuqe records, It al.$0 inLludes consideration of aiiy uiiusual iteins or disclosures in ihc accounts and seeks explanations fi'oin tli¢ trusl¢es Loncerningr any SULh mallors. The procedures undcrtaken do not provide all tlie evidence tliat would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not expre.%s an audit opinion 01) the view given by the dccounts. Indcpendcnt cxrdminer's statement DLiring Jny exaininatioii no iyiattci. lias come to my attention wl)ich givcs inL' rL'tisull£ible cause to believe tlial in any material respcct tlic rcquireinents: *To keep accoiiiiting records in accordancc witli Section 44(1)(a) ot. thc 2005 Act and RebTulalion 4 ot'the 2006 Accounts Re&iulations, and To prepare accounts which accord with tlie accounting rccords and coinply witli Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulalions have not been met, or 2. to which, in Iny opinion. attcntion should be drawn to enable a pr(Iper understanding of thc accounts to be reaLhed. AIAAP, MIAB One 2 One Accountancy Services, l O Gallowgate Rolhesay 20 OHII Date".
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Be4chwAtch Bute Receipts and Payments Account- Yegr ended 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2025 2025 Total 2025 Total 2024 Receipts Donations Activities for generating Funds Mcrcliatidi5c Sold Note 2,291 2.291 7,512 189 2.291 2,291 7,701 Grants (EB Scotland) Sea Cliangyer% Mariiie Grant Co-op Commuiiity Fund Miscellaneous 8,593 8.593 16,927 500 500 Total Recelpts Payments Cost of Gcncrating Fuiids Cliaritablc Activitics Otlicr A%sctS Govemance Costs Total Payments 16.884 714 63() 16.884 714 636 17,508 636 I xcess of Receipts over Payments (Payments over Receipt) for the year
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Be2chw8tch Bute Statement of Balances on 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds TotAI 2025 Total 2024 Bank and Deposit Balances BalanLC4 broughi Ibrward 14.985 14.985 8,501 Movement in year Excess of Rcceipty over Payments (6,850) (6,850) 6,484 Bank Mnd Dcpo$lt Balances Balanccs caLTicd forward ASSETS Blliwd. FixturL¥ & Fittings Equipment Tractor Bench I'ractor Bucket Bench Toyota Ili-Lux Whcelchthlrs Container Added 94 8()6 9,950 3,391 450 619 18.770 7.58() 94 66 9,950 4,105 450 619 18.770 7,586 94 866 9,950 3,391 450 619 18.770 7,586 714 Totsl 714 Tlie Accounts were approved by the Board of ljeacliwatch Bule on io
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Beachwatch Bute Notes to the Accounts l. Trustee RemunerRtion and Related Party Transactions DuriLig thc ycar no trustccs of Bcachwatcli Butc rcccivcd any moiiics for providing scrviccs. No tnistccs rcccivcd Expcnscs oli bohalf of the cl?arity in tlic financial ycar to 31.03.2025, 2. Movements in Funds At 01.04.24 Receipts Payments Transfers At 31.03.25 Unrestricted Funds Gcncral Fund 14,985 11,384 18,234 8,135 Restricted Funds Total Funds Pur oscg of Rcstrictcd Funds li
Beachwatch Bute SCIO - Charity Number SC029603 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 3. Analysis of Donations Scottish Flying Club Anchor Tavern Mar%hall Trust Tax recovered on Gift Aid Donatioiis Cuinulative Iiidividual Donations Bute Fainily Trust WRI Collcction Boxcs MisccllaiiLous 300 150 300 150 3,750 355 998 2,000 100 309 336 1,038 336 1,038 467 467 4. Analysis of Payments Cost of Fundraising Events Fundraisiiig Expetises CharitabRe Activities Rangrcr Wagcs Motor Vchiclc Cost Mobile"fclephone Adverti%in Repairs Postag?e Insuraiicc Cliaritablc Donation Usc of Ilall Mcinbcrship Mi.4ccllancous Governance Costs AccountaLicy Fccs 13.668 2,123 360 106 13.668 12.720 2,123 2,654 360 316 106 597 597 459 597 30 30 25 636 17520 17412 12
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