DUMFRIES AND GALLIOWAY CHAMBER OF THE ARTS TRUSTEESY REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31- MARCH 2025 ScOlSH CHARITY NUMBER:. SC044658 CARSON & TROTTER CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 123 IRISH STREET DUMFRIES DG12PE
Dumfries and Gallowa ScottRsh Charitv N ort Chber ofthe A er ear ended 31$t Mare Trust Current Trnstecs Recruitment and Appointment ot Trustees Trustee recruitment and appointment is in accordance with the constitution and adheres to our policics of diversity. Inclusivity, and ensures we have a varied and experienccd mix of exp¢rtise and abilities to allow the clwity to meet its aims and objectives and servicc the Creativc sector in Dumfries and Galloway effectively. All the Chambcr's trustees arc apw)inted or r¢4ppointed by the tsustees at the annual genera] m¢¢ting each year. Our recent trustee recruitment in 2024 was managed and undertaken by cultu Radar as independ¢nL commissioned consultants supporting the Chambcr to recruit suitable trustees for the Board of Trustees. Structure, GovernaDC4 and Management Governing Doeument The Chamber is a Scottish Charitabl¢ Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). and the puOSe$ and Ih administration arrangements are set out in the constitution. The SCIO was incorporated on 13 February 2014 and prpor to this the Chamber operated as an uninCoOrated associatiofy known as the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Partnership. Charltable Purposes The Chamber's pUoseS are the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture in Dumfrics and Galloway and elsewhere and principally for the benefit of the people of Dumfries and Galloway. And in furthcrance thereof: _ advance the arts, heritage and culture in Dumfries and Galloway for the benefit of the people of the region, 2. pmvide expert advice to Dumfries and Galloway Council and others on policy, progrdD]mes and projects relating to the arts, heritage and culture: and encourage gr¢ater involvem¢Dt in the arts, heritage and culture by the provision of support to prdctitioners, participants and local organisatÈons.
Dumfries and Gallowa ritvN ccollnts for the Cha roft 0446 ear ended 1st Mar Objectives and Activities DGU (or DG Unlimited) is the day-t(Hlay operating name of the DLllnfries and Galloway Chamber of the Arts. It is a membership organisation that works with Dumfries and GaIloway's creative and Cultur sector, advocatin& suppOrtg, and giving creatives a collective voice. We are C1mpionS and advocates of th¢ vital Tole creative and cultural practitioners and community organisations play in contributing to the health and w¢llbeing of our communities and economy. Achievements and Performance Membership of the Chamber, DG Unlimited currently sits at 6(M) members. Membership is free and open to anyone with an InteSt in tbe arts and culture and living in or with links to Dumfrics and Galloway. New Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030 The n¢w Stratcgic Plan was completed and approved by the Board. Our Vision and Mission is b¢low: Vision Dumfri¢s and Galloway's creAtive and cultural sector is strong. innovative. accessible to all creative minds and is valued by all. Mission Our mission is to pmvide our cr¢ative Encmb¢rship working across the whoIe of Dumfrles and Galloway with pury)oseful and targcted advocacy, nctworking, and creative professional devclopment support to sustain and nurture th¢ir creative practices and organisations. Our Val4es We champion CxllenCe and best prdctice- by celebrating the successes of our creative membership, and striving for best prnctice in how we work, and in wbat we deliver. with and for our members and partn¢rs. We value transparency - in our governancc and decision-making. in our communications with our members, and in our rclationsbips with stakcholders and community organisations. We are agile and responsive - using new technology and collabordtive working to bring fr¢sh creative approaches to established methods. We are responsible for our environment - prioritising its care and sustainability it) our planning and delivery. The Portfolio of our tiVitieS in 2024 ar¢ attached in Appendix l. DG Unlirnited agreed SLA with Dumfries and Galloway Council for services supporting the creative sector in Dumfries and Galloway, and as founding partners of the Dumfiies and Galloway Council Cultural Partnership. Staff RecrUitellt The Board of TTUStees have been delighted to welcome a ncw freelance Communications Officer to the team. The Creative Director and Finance Officer remain in their commissioned freelance roles.
Dumfries and ish ritv N mber and Accounts for Ihe eare Arts ded 1st Membership Engagement and Annual Conference 25 The Chamber inv¢stcd in the dcvelopment of the charity's website and social channels as key mechanisms to attrdct new members and engage the sector in the charity's activities. The DG Unlimited Conference 25 was developed in partnership with D&G Arts Festival and a date set for May 2025. Remembering Together DG Unlimited and Dumfries and Galloway Council, in partnership witb greenspace scotland successfully completed ILS Direction and Financial Management of the Remembering Together Project. The Scottish Government and greenspace scoiland praised the Steering Group and thc board and team for its excellent work in steering the project to a success1 concl$10n. For its support to Community Planning partners and for its robust management of the project, particularly the financial &spects of the project and the complications around contrdcts, budgets, land ownership and perniissions for installing the memorials, and insurance agreements. The DG Unlimited was also praised for being the fitst in Scotland of the COIID Memorial Pro ects to be successfully complete(L on titne and within budget. The appointed artists ¢rc Prais for their beautiful work and for suc¢¢ssfully complcted their commissions on th¢ DuTnthes alld Galloway Dispersed Memorial Forest: five forest memorial sit¢s across Dumfries and Galloway. Key statistics from our activities in 202412025 Cultural organisations and creative practitioners supported with funding andlor direct supwrt services as in-kind support: 25 organisations, 200 practitioners. Regional Cultural Fund support to DGC - 19 organisations were funded via the Council VACMA Funding supported by Creative Scotland - two rounds of thc VACMA Funding were supported by DG Unlimited staff and 20 Visual artists and Craft makers were awarded VACMA bursaries. 600 n)emb¢rs werc supported with advice. information. the opportunity to apply for fimding and development opportunities. A total of 543 members of the public, members, and cr¢ative individuals participated in the programme of evcnts and activities as audience mernbers an(Vor workshop participants throughout the year. DG Unlimited is a founding mernber of the Dumfries and Galloway Cultural Partnership and sits on the Steering Group assisting with the development of the parttlership planned for 2025 and beyond. DG UDJimÉted will be bosling the new freelance roles of C(M)rdinator and Administrator for the Dumfries and Galloway Cultura] Parentship. Futsre Plans Over the next 12 months the charity plans to deliver a range of activities imcluding: Implement the plans and activities agreed in the Strategic Plan imd to scek additional funding for the project activities for 20251202612027. To serve the Dumfries and Galloway Cultural Partnership as a founding member of the partnehip and to strategically represent, support, advocate for and showcase the region's cultural sector in D&G and beyond.
Dumfries aud GalloTrva bam S ottish Chari Num er for tbe er of the 04465 Work with Dumfries and Galloway Council, South of Scot]and Enterprise, and the Museurns and heritage Network to amplify, advocate for and strategically support the cultural scctor. Delivery of 1st Regional Cultural Fund. Increase DGU membership by lOQ/.. Trustees, Remuneration and Expenses None of the trustees received remuneration for their servic¢s or were reimbursed for any expenditure during the year, except for the trustees receiving £458.21 re board expenses (2024: two trustees reclaimed travel expenses of £51.80 and one trustee reclaimed £163.45 for roorn hire). Reserves At the year end, the Chamber had restricted funds of £nil and unrestricted funds of £35,138. The accounts for the year are attached and forni part of this report. This rewrt was approv¢d by the trusttts on I rh November 2025 and signed on their behalf by.. Interim Chair
Dumfries alld GalloTrv Chamber of the Arts Scottish Chari ' Number SC044658 ments Account for the ear ended 3111 March 2025 Recei tsandPa Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds 2025 Total 2024 Creative Scotland Dumfrics & Galloway Council Dumfries & Galloway Council - Cultural Fund Greenscape Scoiland - Remembering Together Total Receipts Pa ments Charitabl¢ Activities: Finance & Admin Officer Pmgrammes Manager Arts Development Director Digital Communications Officer ICC fund payinents Creatives Unlimited Emerging Leadcrs Recovcry Fund Cultural Fund Remembering Together 12,500 72,088 72,094 72,094 3,000 3,000 I O,(KIO 10,000 93,793 72,094 13,000 85,094 178,381 12,480 12,480 8.864 10,425 37.81)0 7,050 500 40 37,8 7,050 7,200 43,949 2,600 10,920 373 3.000 3,373 66.406 66,406 24,611 58243 69,406 127,649 108,569 Governance Costs.. Comrnunieations Brand & Wcbsitc Travcl Subsistence Venue Hire Office costs Indcpcndent Examiners Fee InSUr¢Ce Sundry Expenses Board Expenses Strat¢gic Consultancy 8,401 6,935 1,540 634 2(K) 3.560 252 311 1,715 458 2,514 8,401 6,935 1,540 634 200 3,560 252 311 1,715 458 2,514 1,000 52 164 1,693 298 7.387 Purchase of IT equipment Total Payments 26.520 63 26,520 63 11,062 3.685 84,826 69.406 154232 123,316 Net (Payments)/Receipts (12,732) (56.406) (69,138) 55,065 Transfers between fidS 12,776 (J 2,776) (Deficit)/Surplus for the year 44 (69.182) (69,138) 55,065
umfries and GalloTrva Chamber of the Arts ottish hari ' Number C044658 em nt ch20 2025 2024 Bank and Opening Balances {DeficitySury)lus for the year Hand 104,276 (69,138) 49,211 55,065 Closing Balances 35,138 104,276 Reserves Restricted Funds General Unrestricted Fund 69,182 35,094 35,138 Total Funds 35,138 104,276 The Trust h&8 no other investsnents. a&8ets or material liabilities. Approved by the trustees on I W November 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Interim Chair
Durnfries and Gallowa Chamber of the Arts nde endent Examiner's Re or to the Truste st I report on the unaudited accounts of the charity for the year fflded 31 March 2025 set out on pages 5 to Respeetive Responsibilities of the Trustees And the Examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for th¢ preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation l O(l)(d) of th¢ Acwunts 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 Examiner's Report My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation I l of the Charities Accounls {Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 I do not ¢xpr¢ss an audit opinion on thc view given by th¢ accounts. Independent Examiner's Statement In the course of my examination, no matter has corne to my attention: (l } which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements. (a) lo keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 accounts Regulations" and (b) 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 rny opinion, attcntion should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Carson & Trotier Chartered Accountants 123 Irish Street Dumfries DGI 2PE 17th November 2025