Belhelvie Community Trust
Scottish Charity No – SC045563
Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31[st] December 2025
Ref SC045563
Trustees Annual Report
For the year ended 31 December 2025
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
Charity Name: Belhelvie Community Trust
Charity Number: SC045563
Address:
Current Trustees:
==> picture [91 x 156] intentionally omitted <==
Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee
Accountant:
Independent Examiner
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Belhelvie Community Trust is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) which was registered in its current legal form on 22 April 2015. It was previously a constituted community group but changed its legal form to a SCIO. It has a single tier structure, and as such the trustees are members of the charity. All of the work of BCT is carried out by volunteers. Since 2015, Belhelvie Community Trust has maintained its charitable status and has submitted required returns to OSCR to comply with regulations.
TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS
The management committee is made up of the charity’s trustees. Meetings are held quarterly. Membership of the Trust is open to all residents in the Parish of Belhelvie and to anyone outside the Parish with an interest in the activities of the Trust. All meetings are open to all members. Trustees and office bearers are elected at the Annual General Meeting which is usually held in January.
OBJECTIVES
Belhelvie Community Trust operates throughout the Belhelvie Parish in Aberdeenshire, in the settlements of Balmedie, Belhelvie, Potterton, Whitecairns and Blackdog, and all other dwellings within the parish. The charitable purpose of Belhelvie Community Trust is the advancement of community development. The organisation was formed to benefit the community of Belhelvie Parish with the following objective:
- @® community development, including the advancement of rural regeneration, by working as an umbrella group to support existing community projects and organisations and to create new initiatives throughout the Parish of Belhelvie, all for the benefit of its residents.
OPERATION OF BELHELVIE COMMUNITY TRUST IN 2025
Throughout 2025, BCT aimed to maintain its core projects and work with other appropriate organisations, rather than expanding the scope of its work. Core projects are The Sand Bothy, Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs, Balmedie Sensory Garden, Potterton Volunteers, Balmedie Litter Squad and Balmedie Hub. We have worked alongside Aberdeenshire Council, RSPB, East Grampian Coastal Partnership and other local community organisations. BCT is represented by our development worker on the parish Community Resilience Group and the Balmedie Country Park Management group.
In 2022, BCT was awarded Scottish Government funding through the Supporting Communities Programme which enabled us to recruit a fulltime development worker,a: for a period of 3 years up to end of March 2025. Early in 2025, this funding was extended by a further year until the end of March 2026. In addition to Scottish Government funding, we were awarded a grant by The People’s Postcode Lottery, with which we employed a part-time ranger from March to September, commissioned a consultant to review and revise all our policies and procedures, and a temporary supervisor in The Sand Bothy kiosk to support our Sand Bothy co-ordinator. In September 2025 we secured further funding from The National Lottery with which we can extend i post until the end of September 2027 and a part time ranger for the same length of time.
Early in 2025,ME, our chairperson of several years, retired and her place was taken by HM We are so grateful toJ her support of BCT since its inception, and are delighted that she is continuing as a volunteer at The Sand Bothy during the summer season.
THE PROJECTS
It’s been another busy year for all the existing BCT projects and for potential community involvement. We have retained volunteers from previous years and recruited new ones. They are involved in a wide range of tasks, from gardening to Bothy maintenance, from looking after wheelchairs to staffing the refreshment kiosk. Without them we could not provide the facilities we do. Our volunteers give a lot, and they also report that they get a lot from their involvement in the local community.
e The Sand Bothy
It has been a very successful year for The Sand Bothy, despite poor weather throughout most of the season, with activities co-ordinated by MM. Her responsibilities are wide ranging including recruitment and training of volunteers, organising rotas for the kiosk, organising classes, workshops and events and liaising with other organisations including Council staff and schools Jj has continued to work alongside East Grampian Coastal Partnership, RSPB and Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service. She also organised a very happy, successful summer family event despite external obstacles which threatened to shut down the event.
Local people and visitors from further afield have continued to support the Bothy in kind and in cash, so we have been able to maintain the building and pay the bills during 2025. Thanks to lots of hard work this year we have a balance of £20,962.19 in The Sand Bothy bank account at the end of 2025, though we have to be mindful of growing electricity and ongoing maintenance costs as we go into 2026. We are also considering buying a new coffee machine and freezer and will be allocating funds to local community projects to support their activities. Thanks tol and all the volunteers who help in all sorts of ways to keep the Bothy going.
e Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs
2025 saw recruitment of more volunteers and promotion of the chairs and other inclusive facilities at Balmedie Country Park to a wider audience. Despite the changeable, unpredictable weather, the chairs were busy, with 141 individual hires and several bookings from groups. One chair was loaned to Balmedie School during term times and to local cubs and scouts for their beach events. Thanks to everyone who donated money throughout the year so that we can keep the chairs maintained and insured with particular mention of BCT member Nick who raised over £2000 by taking part in a boxing event!
During 2024 Beach Wheelchairs volunteers continued to be based at both Bothy and Bunker as required. This works very well, giving volunteers the chance to meet more park users, promote the chairs and achieve several impromptu hires. Many thanks to all the volunteers and to for coordinating the project throughout the year.
e Balmedie Country Park
The Sand Bothy is set in Balmedie Country Park which is owned and managed by Aberdeenshire Council. There are no permanent Council staff based at the Country Park, and Council resources are limited. BCT is happy to be involved in any Council led projects in the park, however we cannot take on the responsibilities of the council as we depend entirely on volunteers and voluntary financial contributions.
In 2025, BCT continued to be involved in taking forward some of the proposals in the Country Park Management Plan, working with Landscape Services and Ranger Service managers, although Council budget cuts have meant that improvements to the park have been restricted. We are still hopeful though that this plan can guide future actions and lead to clarity of roles and better partnership working in future.
As there are no Council staff based in Balmedie Country Park, much of the maintenance is carried out by volunteers from BCT and other organisations e.g. litter-picking. BCT has employed a temporary ranger as this service is no longer provided by the Council. Over 700 trees were obtained and planted by BCT.
During 2025 Aberdeenshire Council has applied for funding to carry out improvements to the park, which could be of considerable benefit for residents and visitors. This application will be assessed in 2026. BCT has played a part, by successfully applying for funding for a second Changing Places facility, but this award will only be used if whole project application is successful.
• Changing Places Facility and Inclusive Play equipment in Balmedie Country Park
Our Changing Places facility in Balmedie Country Park has been well used in 2025. BCT is proud of this facility which enables disabled people and their families who would otherwise be unable to visit, to enjoy a day at the beach. It complements our Beach Wheelchair service and our inclusive playpark equipment. The Changing Places facility is cleaned by Aberdeenshire Council who also maintain the building, but BCT is responsible for insuring and maintaining all the equipment. Our inclusive roundabout and swings continue to be popular. They are maintained jointly by ourselves and Aberdeenshire Council. In 2024 Aberdeenshire Council replaced one of the swing seats which was damaged by vandals, and in 2025 replaced the surface around the roundabout which was cracking.
• Balmedie Community Sensory Garden
The Sensory Garden continues to provide a popular space for local residents, whether walking through with children and dogs or spending time playing, picnicking or looking after the plants. We have a regular group of volunteers who develop and maintain the garden. At the beginning of 2024 we were delighted when Deeside Willow installed our Willow Tunnel. It has been much enjoyed in 2025, especially by our youngest visitors, and is growing well.
With the consent of the Council Landscape Manager, we have taken on a piece of land behind Balmedie Library, providing basic maintenance of the land, installing a bench and planting donated trees, including fruit trees, forming a tree nursery. Many thanks to the Sensory Garden volunteer team for your hard work and enthusiasm. Aberdeenshire Council no longer provides plants or bulbs, so we raise funds for these. Volunteers from the Sensory Garden have been working at the School Nursery during autumn 2025, Tidying up, planting bulbs and perennials and fruit trees which were donated by BCT.
• Balmedie Hub
Founded in January 2023 after vicious storms, Balmedie Hub continued to operate throughout 2025 and will continue into 2026. It is based in the tiny Balmedie Congregational Church. It is funded by BCT, with help from Granite Heart, Formartine Rural Partnership, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action Mental Health Fund, and donations from the folk who regularly attend. This Balmedie Hub provides a meeting place where people can chat, eat, play puzzles and games. The main need identified is companionship as many of the folk attending have experienced bereavement, as well as long term effects of COVID isolation. The Church was successful in getting funds for a generator, so that the building can open during a power. The Wee Kirk Hub has become an important venue for a small group of local residents who have formed friendships and now venture beyond the hub e.g. for meals together and theatre visits. Thanks go to our volunteers for running the Hub, 50 weeks a year!
• Balmedie Litter Picking Squad
The Balmedie monthly litter-pick squad continued to meet and carry out litter-picks around the village and through the woods. Thanks to volunteers for organising throughout the year. We have a band of regular helpers who join in when they can. Despite publicity on Facebook asking folk to stop dropping litter and
dog poo bags, the problem persists, with a few local residents continuing to ignore attempts to look after the village. BCT is also involved in beach cleans with East Grampian Coastal Partnership.
• Potterton Volunteers
In 2025 the reclaimed Potterton burn continued to flow well, but became congested in late summer. BCT employed a contractor to clear the burn and its bank son that volunteers could continue their work. A small group of loyal volunteers have worked hard, clearing the water weeds, planting, mowing, weeding, strimming etc They have installed and maintained a water tank next to the burn to assist with watering plants. They have developed the perennial bed along the roadside fence and planted bulbs and fruit trees. They have also taken responsibility for Christmas tree lights during the festive season.
Thanks go to the group of loyal volunteers who continue to maintain the park, particularly when the Council seems to be doing less and less there. Recruiting volunteers in Potterton is difficult, despite recruitment publicity. Hopefully further attempts will be more productive in 2026.
WORK WITH OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS
Throughout 2024 Belhelvie Community Trust has given support to other community groups, including Belhelvie First Responders, Balmedie Village Walks and Better Balmedie. Belhelvie First Responders in turn maintain the Sand Bothy defibrillator and attend BCT events, and Better Balmedie volunteers often work alongside BCT volunteers.
FUNDING AND FINANCE
During 2025 we have achieved a very good income at Sand Bothy Kiosk, and received donations from friends and supporters. Other funding achieved includes:
-
Supporting Communities Programme for salary costs at Sand Bothy until end March 2026
-
National Lottery Funding for salary costs through to September 2027
-
Postcode Lottery Open Funding for ranger salary and other costs
-
Scottish Landfill Community Fund for storage shed for Sand Bothy and Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs
-
Donations from Wood Group staff and Kellas Midstream towards Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs
-
Formartine Rural Partnership for equipment for Balmedie Hub
-
Granite Heart grant for Balmedie Hub
The process of applying for funds is rarely an easy one. Funders prefer to give for capital costs, for which we are grateful. However, it is much harder to get help towards ongoing revenue costs.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
While the business plan for 2025-2027 has not yet been developed, our focus will be on sustaining our existing projects which are currently working well. We welcome and support new initiatives and project ideas, however their success depends on residents being willing to take an active role in the organisation, operation and implementation of running these projects.
-
continuation of existing projects
-
participation in development of Balmedie Country Park Management Plan
-
participation in development of Belhelvie Community Resilience Plan
Thank you again to all our trustees, members, volunteers and funders for all your help and support Secretary BCT January 2026 Belhelvie Community Trust SC045563
Scottish Charity Regulator
APPENDIX 3
==> picture [124 x 17] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
rr Se 4tae: rs}
----- End of picture text -----
Independent examiner’s report onthe accounts « Report to the Charity name , _ aa ae ieiceiaiiabena earn ot BELHELViIE Communit? TRUST
Registered charity SC Ou55¢ 3 number On the accounts of the Period charity for the period Day
==> picture [539 x 93] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
;
Period start date Period end date
Day Month Year Day Month Year
O/] | @f ZO25 to 31 ,2 ZO25
~ OSCR0001a and OSCR 0002 natibare{ berscarto include Geantthe
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [114 x 21] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
et Out cn REge
----- End of picture text -----
-
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 fotherthanthat— Statement disciosertorthe-attectertpages)
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
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
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: q(2]26 Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): - ee Please delete the 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 following page. ** OSCR will accept digital or typed signatures
Belhelvie Community Trust
45563
Receipts and payments accounts For | Period startdate | |[Period] eenddate ifai riod =
01 January 2025
31 December 2025
==> picture [733 x 976] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Section A Statement of receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted ae ain ee Total funds Total funds last
funds funds endowment endowment current period: period:
funds funds
to nearest£ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Ai Receipts
Donations | 3aza] | [3,682] | 6,994 | 10,917
Grants 3095] | [81,600] | 54,695 | 60,100
Receipts from fundraising activities |g. 305 | P| | 9 305, 3,718
Gross trading receipts Se 23,384 | 18,818
Income from investments other than
land and buildings
Rents from land & buildings ee hia”
Gross receipts from other charitable
activities
Aq Subtotal| 39,420] [____ 65,282) 94372 | [93.883
A2 Receipts from asset &
investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of investments
A2 Sub total
A3 Payments
Expenses for fundraising activities 44.085 P| 44.085 P|
Gross trading payments 8739 Po 8.739 47.385
Payments relating directly to
charitable activities 74,178 56,717
A3 Sub total 44,787|| 52,515| 97,302 74,402
A4 Payments relating to asset and
investment movements
Purchases of fixed assets
Purchase of investments
A4 Sub total
Surplus/(deficit) for year
(5,667) 2,737
----- End of picture text -----
APPENDIX 2 Belhelvie Community Trust
45,563
==> picture [147 x 9] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Section B Statement of balances
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [543 x 612] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Expendente PORANOA Total current
funds Restricted funds endowment endowment Total last period
funds funds period
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
61 Cash funds Cash and bank balances' at start of year 45,745 2,479 48,224 29,073
Surplus / (deficit) shown on receipts and i
payments [account] (5,667) 2,73737 (2,930) 19,15151
Cash and bank balances at end of year 40,078 5,216 esther | 45.206) 48,224
(Agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Fund to which asset belongs Market valuation Last year
to nearest £ to nearest £
7 —=
Total
Fund to which asset belongs Cost (if available) Current value (if Last year
available)
to nearest£ to nearest £ to nearest £
/ = =
Total
Fund to which liability relates Amount due Last year
i _ __ _ | — to nearest £ to nearest £
Total
Fund to which liability relates mont ee Last year
(estimate)
to nearest £ to nearest £
— — —
Total
Signed by one or two trustees Date of
on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name approval
{ fo> f23 26
tif 2| 2%
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [4 x 63] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
°
----- End of picture text -----