OSCR – Trustees’ report to 31 May 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (September 2024).
List of current trustees
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Governing document
The charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). It was registered in its current legal form on 20 July 2016. It has a two-tier structure and, as such, the members elect the trustees.
Objectives of the SCIO
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To develop Annan harbour and surrounding area as a community asset; promote water-based and shore-based activities linked to the maritime environments and acquire and regenerate historic buildings and land, bringing these into purposeful use for the benefit of all.
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To work with the community to promote the harbour and Annan as a hub for performance, events, and festivals which celebrate, and make the public aware of, the maritime heritage, history and natural environment.
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To improve the infrastructure and facilities of the harbour and surrounding area with the aim of promoting public participation in sport and recreational activities such as boating, rowing, sailing, other water-based activities and sports, cycling, nature tourism and walking
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To promote and/or provide training in traditional skills especially in building coastal rowing boats to ensure that the heritage of these crafts is maintained and passed on to the next generation.
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The advancement of citizenship and community development in Annan harbour and its environs through trade and industry or otherwise.
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the financial period
Although the announcement that AHAG would receive funds for the Harbour Regeneration Project was made in 2023, which was towards the end of the 2024 accounts period, the grant agreement was not finalised until December 2024. We were relieved to be able at last to be able to pay the Project Team for their outstanding invoices so that they could recommence work. The delays caused a great deal of stress and frustration among the Board, particularly for our treasurer, , who has only recently stepped down. However, we are grateful to , our Advancement and Development Officer, for maintaining contact with all those involved and ensuring that the project nonetheless stayed on track.
Fortunately, despite the difficulties with the capital side of things, we were able to continue to deliver activities and projects to the community. The monthly Harbour Markets are well attended, and the Harbour Festival in September was a huge success. Children enjoyed the Pumpkin Patch at Hallowe’en, and even the traditional Solstice Walk proved popular, supported in 2024 by Annan The History Town with a forging workshop, despite the rain which only made the soup back at the harbour particularly welcome.
In addition to planning these larger events, our Project Officer, , continued to develop and organise regular environmental activities including water testing and bird surveys in conjunction with our partner organisations, along with craft sessions and film workshops, all of which draw in different groups of people from our community. None of these things would happen without the support of volunteers, staff and trustees, so our thanks go to everyone who has taken part. We are also delighted that the wider community responds to our promotions and clearly appreciates our efforts
Control of the Harbour remains an issue as no progress has been made with the Harbour Revision Order, and it may be necessary to revive the Harbour Trust as an alternative course of action.
Five of our Trustees will reach the end of their terms during the next accounting period, including the longstanding Chairman, , and , who has also filled the role of Secretary. AHAG would not be where it is now without all their contributions, and we are fortunate to have valuable advice from of Community Enterprise on how to strengthen the Board to take on the challenges of the next stages of the redevelopment.
Also beyond the year end we have been fortunate to appoint an experienced Project Manager, who will guide us through the final stages of planning permission and tendering before the chosen contractors begin work. It will be exciting to see scaffolding going up and workers in hard hats, but no doubt there will be more challenges ahead.
Reserves
The trustees’ policy is to retain a minimum of £20,000, or three months operating costs, whichever is the higher. At the year-end our reserves are slightly below this at just over £18,000. Nonetheless the trustees believe this to be an acceptable financial position given the funding arrangements going forward.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
At each AGM the members may elect any member (unless he/she is debarred from membership under clause 56) to be a charity trustee.
The board may at any time appoint any member (unless he/she is debarred from membership under clause 56) to be a charity trustee.
Signed on behalf of the trustees by
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Date
28/02/2026
Date
28/02/206
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