## **COWIE RURAL ACTION GROUP**
## **Annual Report & Financial Statements**
**For the year ended**
## **31st August 2024**
**Scottish Charity No SC045898**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **CONTENTS**
|Trustees’ Annual Report ......................................................................................................................|2 - 7|
|---|---|
|Independent Examiner’s Report ..........................................................................................................|8|
|Statement of Receipts & Payments .....................................................................................................|9|
|Statement of Balances .........................................................................................................................|10|
|Notes to the Financial Statements .......................................................................................................|11 - 14|
2
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
The trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements together with the independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31[st] August 2024.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
**Charity Name** Cowie Rural Action Group (CRAG) **Charity Number** SC045898 **Principal Address** 10 Roundhouse Cowie Stirling FK7 7AX **Current Trustees Trustees who resigned during the accounting year Bankers** Royal Bank of Scotland Unit 22/23 Thistle Shopping Centre Stirling FK8 2EA **Independent Examiner**
## **STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing Document**
The Charity is Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). It is governed by its constitution which was registered with OSCR on the 13th August 2015.
## **Appointment of Trustees**
Trustees are either elected by the membership at the AGM or can be co-opted at other times throughout the year. No employees of the charity will be eligible to be a trustee.
## **Organisational Structure**
The structure of the organisation consists of:-
MEMBERS - who have the right to attend members' meetings (including any annual general meeting) and have important powers under the constitution; in particular, the members appoint people to serve on the board and take decisions on changes to the constitution itself;
3
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
BOARD - who hold regular meetings, and generally control the activities of the organisation; the board is responsible for monitoring and controlling the financial position of the organisation.
The people serving on the board are referred to as CHARITY TRUSTEES.
## **Risk Assessment**
The Trustees regularly review the risks to which the Group is exposed. They do not consider that there are any substantial risks beyond the liabilities disclosed in the financial statement. CRAG has no employees. It holds public liability insurance.
## **OBJECTS, ACTIVITIES & VISION**
The objects of the charity are
- The advancement of citizenship and community development;
- The provision of recreational facilities and the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for all the residents of Cowie and for members of the public at large.
CRAG’s vision is for the Cowie community to have equal access to a wide range of services and communitybased activities which will improve the lives of all Cowie residents.
CRAG activities are aligned to five key aims:
- Cowie Community Centre as part of the Main Street should become the attractive heart of the village, with places to meet and connect
- Cowie should be a safe and healthy place in which to live and bring up children, and anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, and vandalism should be tackled more collaboratively
- There should be more opportunities for the whole community, including raising aspirations of children/young people and families
- Improve communications and link up activities
- To be a positive impact on the community, supporting community members pro-actively to identify community needs and helping to bring activities and resources to the community.
CRAG has been instrumental in consulting with the community of Cowie about changes that could be implemented, at local level, to improve the quality of life and the physical activity of the community. In particular, they have encouraged local children and young people to be involved in raising issues and identifying solutions.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE**
CRAG have continued to run a calendar of community events and activities from the community centre, throughout the accounting year.
In January 2024 CRAG took over the management and running of the community centre and made a range of changes to the centre to increase its usage.
During the year CRAG introduced several new initiatives, all of which received positive feedback from the community, and a high participation rate.
- Back on the Rack charity shop selling a whole range of clothing, toys, books and household items has been a huge success.
- Cosy Cup café is a donation café offering a warm space, where all ages can get together for a soup and a blether.
- Community gym, bringing gym to the village, save on travelling costs, plus a pay-as-you go fee to make it affordable and accessible to all.
4
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
- Table Tennis Over 50s has been another successful event. Bringing people together in the morning to play this sport.
-
Munch Bunch Club is a toddler group, allowing mums, dads, grandparents and guardians to bring their toddlers to centre to play, they are also given free snacks.
We continue to maintain our busy year of activities and events, that included -
-
- Over 50’s Group: offering information sessions with partner organisations, keep-fit classes and arts and crafts activities; reducing social isolation, and providing a platform for consultation with older residents.
- Cowie Rural Activities Group: offering opportunities to participate in bowling, bingo, lunch meet ups and social events
- Summer Family Programme
- Bicycle Repairs Workshops and Cycle Lessons
- Arts and Crafts
- Rugby
- Football Sessions
- Summer Trips
- Cookery Classes
-
- Keep Fit
- Dance Camp
The following events also took place over the year.
- Litter Pick
- Cowie 10K
- Summer Programme
- Family Fun Day
- Pumpkin Patch
- November Xmas Lights Switch On
- Breakfast with Santa
-
## Santa’s sleigh round village
Regular monthly Bingo sessions have helped to raise much needed funds to cover some of the costs of running the CRAG Community Centre.
Soup ‘n’ Blether offers free warm space and a light lunch on a Tuesday and has been well attended.
Eat ‘n’ Play are activities for school children to come straight to the community centre from school, have dinner with other families, play and run off some energy. These continue to be very well attended.
CRAG engages with the community through Facebook, a regular community newsletter,
5
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
presentations and through local schools. The charity also organised community events and meetings, including consultation events.
CRAG extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers who contributed their time and effort to the charity throughout the year.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Overview**
Our main source of funding this year has come from funders, local businesses and donations. CRAG would like to thank everyone for their funding contributions which have enabled the charity to provide crucial services and activities that have made such a positive impact to the community of Cowie.
Thanks to the Stirling Council and National Lottery Community Fund for awarding CRAG grants, and Fair Deal Tyres, Westfraser, Lothian Broadband, Cowie Community Enterprise and the many individuals for their kind donations.
## **Fund Raising**
Other funds raised through fundraising activities totalled £11,691. CRAG would like to thank all the volunteers who gave their time and support to running these events and raising these much needed funds through a variety of activities.
Total receipts for the year were £45,444 (2023: £38,734), total payments for the year were £53,857. (2023: £41,801). The charity had a deficit of (£8,412) (2023: (£3,067)). This deficit is due to retrospective funding not received from the UK Prosperity Fund by the year end. This will be received early in the next accounting year.
## **Reserves Policy**
Trustees maintain that they £3,000 for normal day to day running of the charity for a three-month period. Overheads include utility costs, maintenance and admin costs. As of 1[st] September 2024 there £4,390 (2023: £8,817) in reserves,
6
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
## **FUTURE PLANS**
CRAG have been in dialogue with Stirling Council about taking on a 25-year lease of the community centre and will review whether to assume ownership through Asset Transfer. This is still being progressed through solicitors and we are hopeful for a completion in early 2025.
CRAG also recognises that the Community Hub, which is also run by Stirling Council in Cowie, provides support and services to the local community and that the services CRAG would provide through the community centre would support, complement, and enhance the Community Hub provision.
In addition, the Community Hub is not suitable for all CRAG activities, some if which require considerable space for children and families, high volume community events and being accessible in the evenings and weekends.
By taking on the lease CRAG aims to:
- maintain their key role in the community.
- grow the membership through active marketing and profile-raising activities, which will help generate interest and create new income streams.
- improve communication and access to facilities for all age groups.
- strengthen the community voice.
- increase and improve activities.
- ensure wider involvement and participation.
To this end, CRAG have completed a feasibility study and developed a business plan this year.
CRAG will continue to look to improve the centre, replacing flooring, outdoor signage, internal heating and energy improvements.
This report was approved by the trustees on 17[th] March 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
7
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
AS AT 31ST AUGUST 2024
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Cowie Rural Action Group
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 4.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in aCrdanCe with the terms of the
Charities and Trustee Inveslrnent IScotland} Act 2005 {'Ihe 2005 Act") and the Charities Accounts (Scotland)
Regulations 2006 la5 amendedl ('Ihe 2006 Regulations')- The trustee5 consider that the audit requirement of
RegulathJn1101111{dl of the 2006 Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts
under section (441{11(c) of the 2005 Act and to stale whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
My examination is carried out in accordance wth Regulation 11 of the 2006 Regulations. An examination
includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charty and a comparison of the a¢Unts presented
ith those records.11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks
explanations from the trustees conmIng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the
evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view
given by the a¢wunts.
Independent Examinerfs Statement
In connection wth my examination, no matter came to my attenlion'.-
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements
to keep accounting records in aecordance with section 4411 Ila) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the
2006 Regulations, and
to prepare accounts whKh accord wth the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the
2006 Regulab'ons
have not been mel. or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts
to be reached.
## **STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS**
AS AT 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
|**Note**
**Receipts**
Donations
**5**
Grants
**6**
Fund Raising
**7**
Over 50's Group
Trading Income - Rent
Bank Interest
**Payments**
Fund Raising Costs
Governance Costs
Cost of Trading
**8**
Adjustment
Charitable Activities
**9**
Equipment
**10**
**Net movement in funds**
Transfers between funds
**Surplus/(Deficit) for year**|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2024**
2023
£
£
**£**
£
2,766
-
**2,766**
9,560
1,440
20,000
**21,440**
21,030
11,691
-
**11,691**
7,234
-
2,546
**2,546**
800
6,851
-
**6,851**
-
151
-
**151**
110
22,898
22,546
**45,444**
38,734
169
-
**169**
141
250
-
**250**
100
15,614
152
**15,766**
-
3
-
**3**
-
7,744
21,114
**28,858**
30,133|
|---|---|
||23,780
21,266
**45,047**
30,374
3,526
5,284
**8,810**
11,427|
||27,307
26,550
**53,857**
41,801
(4,408)
(4,004)
(8,412)
(3,067)
(20)
20|
||(4,428)
(3,984)
**(8,412)**
(3,067)|
The Notes on pages 11 to 14 form an integral part of these accounts.
9
STATEMENT OF BALANCES
AS AT 31ST AUGUST 2024
Lknrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
Funds Reconciliation
Baknce as at 01 septernb 2023
SurplusllDeficitl for year
BaLance a5 at 31 August 2024
8,817
14,4281
4,389
2,685
13,9841
1,299
11,502
{8,412)
3,090
14.569
{3,0671
11,502
Bank & Cash Balances
Cash at Bank
3,090
11,502
Other Assets
Skate Park lest)
cxrt%de Gym lest)
2 DefibrilLqtors (estl
Xmas Lights (estl
4 Gazebos lest)
2 BBQS {estl
TV lest)
sic Box lest}
CcKJker and Fridge lesll
Kmchèn Equipment lèst)
2 Mcrowaves18sti
2 Vacuums- Henry & Shark lest)
UK PrcGperty FuTrJiTrJ lo received in Ihe new cOunting year
231,946
14,400
3,000
6,522
259
462
315
176
450
350
170
250
200
100
300
200
100
200
12,000
Liabilities
IE Fee
350
250
CRAG has no other contingent liabilities
The Notes on pages 11 to 14 fomi an integral part of these accounts.
These accounts were approved by the trustees on 17th March 2025 and sMJned on their beha by:
10
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
## **1. Basis of Preparation**
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts & payments basis in accordance with:
- (a) The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005
- (b) The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
## **2. Fund Accounting**
- (a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity.
- (b) Designated funds are unrestricted funds that the trustees have set aside for particular purposes. The designation is administrative only and does not restrict the trustees’ ability to apply the funds. There are no designated funds for the accounting period.
- (c) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes. CRAG operated seven restricted funds during the accounting period (see Note 11).
- (d) The purposes of the funds are shown in Note 12.
## **3. Taxation**
- (a) The charity is not liable to corporation tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.
- (b) The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.
## **4. Transactions with trustees and related parties**
- (a) No remuneration was paid to trustees during the accounting year. (2023: £nil)
- (b) No expenses were reimbursed during the accounting year. (2023: £344.93)
- (c) Trustees do not have indemnity insurance.
## **5. Donations**
|**Donations**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted||Restricted|**Total**|Total|
|||Funds|Funds|**2024**|2023|
|||£|£|**£**|£|
|Westfraser - Defibribillator||-|-|**-**|1,500|
|Westfraser - Over 50's||-|-|**-**|500|
|Westfraser||250|-|**250**|-|
|Lothian Broadband||150|-|**150**|-|
|Fairdeal Autos||500|-|**500**|600|
|I sneddon - Xmas Lights||-|-|**-**|400|
|Sapphire Engineering - Xmas Lights||-|-|**-**|3,500|
|Cowie Communiry Enterprises||1,500|-|**1,500**|-|
|The Stirling Pizza Company||-|-|**-**|40|
|Xmas Buckets||366|-|**366**|-|
|Norbord - Over 50's||-|-|**-**|500|
|Xmas Lights Donations||-|-|**-**|2,350|
|Other Donations||-|-|**-**|170|
|||2,766|-|**2,766**|9,560|
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## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
## **6. Grants**
|**Grants**||
|---|---|
|Awards for All
Let's Get Together
Food Grant 2023 SC
SC Food Grant
SC Summer Programme
Stirling Council Community Grant
Community Pride|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2024**
2023|
||£
£
**£**
£
-
20,000
**20,000**
-
-
-
**-**
900
-
-
**-**
9,530
-
-
**-**
2,500
-
-
**-**
6,600
1,440
-
**1,440**
-
-
-
**-**
1,500|
||1,440
20,000
**21,440**
21,030|
## **7. Fundraising**
|**Fundraising**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted|Restricted|**Total**|Total|
||Funds
£|Funds
£|**2024**
**£**|2023
£|
|Music Event|180|-|**180**|-|
|Bingo|7,185|-|**7,185**|2,705|
|Charity Shop|838|-|**838**|-|
|Table Top Sale|80|-|**80**|-|
|Blackpool Trip|525|-|**525**|-|
|Fun Day|2,883|-|**2,883**|1,818|
|Pumpkin Patch|-|-|**-**|640|
|Panto|-|-|**-**|825|
|Xmas Lights|-|-|**-**|174|
|Breakfast with Santa|-|-|**-**|982|
|Other|-
11,691|-
-|**-**
**11,691**|90
7,233|
## **8. Cost of Trading**
|**Cost of Trading**||
|---|---|
|Utilities
Insurance
Maintenance
Refund|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2024**
2023|
||£
£
**£**
£
3,038
-
**3,038**
-
417
-
**417**
-
12,043
152
**12,196**
-
116
-
**116**
-|
||15,614
152
**15,766**
-|
12
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
## **9. Cost of Charitable Activities**
|**9.**
**Cost of Charitable Activities**||
|---|---|
|Rent
Fun Day
Summer Events
Winter Events
Other Events
Foodbank
Consumables
Entertainment
Hospitality
Marketing
Admin Costs
Training
Sessional Work
Volunteer Expenses
Maintenance
Donation Strathcarron
Insurance
**10.**
**Equipment**
Air Fryer
Trolley
Kitchen Equipment
Chairs
Chair Trolley
Gym Equipment
Cross Trainer
Computer
Table Cloths
Tables & Table Trolley
Storage containers
Xmas Lights
Gazebos
BBQs
BBQ Padlocks
Exercise Mats
Darts, Pool & Games
Televsion
Music Box
Defribillators x 2|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2024**
2023|
||£
£
**£**
£
-
690
**690**
2,429
-
-
**-**
1,795
723
10,269
**10,992**
5,989
5,073
683
**5,756**
6,464
80
579
**659**
-
-
-
**-**
4,543
1,201
7,425
**8,626**
1,721
-
-
**-**
1,322
-
84
**84**
572
261
983
**1,244**
535
406
-
**406**
305
-
401
**401**
-
-
-
**-**
1,575
-
-
**-**
559
-
-
**-**
1,943
-
-
**-**
50
-
-
**-**
331|
||7,744
21,114
**28,858**
30,133|
||Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
Total
Funds
Funds
**2024**
2023|
||£
£
**£**
£
246
-
**246**
-
100
-
**100**
-
94
-
**94**
-
-
1,134
**1,134**
-
-
102
**102**
-
-
2,000
**2,000**
-
-
150
**150**
-
-
634
**634**
-
-
175
**175**
-
2,817
-
**2,817**
-
34
-
**34**
81
235
-
**235**
6,522
-
792
**792**
259
-
222
**222**
462
-
75
**75**
-
-
-
**-**
54
-
-
**-**
222
-
-
**-**
315
-
-
**-**
176
-
-
**-**
3,336|
||3,526
5,284
**8,810**
11,427|
13
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
## **11. Movements in Funds**
||As at||||**As at**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||31/08/2023|Receipts|Payments|Transfers|**31/08/2024**|
|Unrestricted Funds|£|£|£|£|**£**|
|General Fund|8,817|22,898|(27,306)|(20)|**4,389**|
|Restricted Funds||||||
|Over 50's Group|479|2,546|(1,190)|-|**1,835**|
|Awards For All|-|20,000|(11,672)|-|**8,328**|
|Food Grant 2023|2,206|-|(2,226)|20|**-**|
|UK Prosperity Fund|-|-|(11,462)|-|**(11,462)**|
||2,685|22,546|(26,550)|20|**(1,299)**|
|Total Funds|11,502|45,444|(53,856)|-|**3,090**|
## **12. Purpose of Funds**
General Fund
An unrestricted fund that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
Over 50’s Group Restricted funding raised through donations from Norbord and Westfraser, and through events and activities, to help sustain this group.
SC Food Grant Restricted funding to be used to bring people together in social environments linked to food growing activities.
Awards for All Restricted funding cover the cost of equipment, training, events, employability costs, etc. This funding will be received after the year end which explains the deficit in this restricted fund.
UK Prosperity Fund Restricted funding to cover the cost training, events, employability costs, etc.
14