Scottish Charity No. SC048186
Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Contents of the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 - 8 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 9 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 10 |
| Statement of Balances | 11 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 12 - 14 |
Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Status of Charity and governing document
Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group (HCLNR) was registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 9 March 2018 (number SC048186). It is governed by its Constitution.
Principal address
Aims and objectives
The HCLNR is a 17 acre piece of land which is owned by Scottish Canals and Glasgow City Council. There is also a SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System) pond which is owned by Scottish Water.
The overall Aims of HCLNR management group are:
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To work in common interest with the landowners: Scottish Canals and Glasgow City Council.
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To promote and enhance biodiversity at the Reserve.
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To advocate for green and blue infrastructure and habitat networks on the site and beyond.
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To promote social involvement by attending to awareness and physical and social access; and to promote public involvement in decision-making and community pride in the Reserve.
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To develop a culture of partnership with stakeholders, communities, government, business and third sector interests; and to seek strategic management and working relationships.
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To take the time to reflect on management intentions and methods. Letting the past, present and future inform and enable iterative developments and improvements.
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To embrace communities, ecologies, social and cultural interactions as the ethos of our work. Collaboration, dialogue and participation will be the guiding principle
The Objectives of HCLNR management group are:
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To increase awareness of, access to and understanding of ecology and natural heritage.
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To provide opportunities to appreciate understand and value ecology and natural heritage for communities north and south of the canal and immediately upstream and downstream.
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To facilitate the access and interest of visitors and tourists.
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To enable and mediate between diverse interests and potential conflicts to engage the natural heritage on their own terms.
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To give consideration to the interests and learning needs of diverse abilities, communities, cultures, languages, age groups and interests; while staying attentive to the core mission.
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To accommodate and facilitate the generative and regenerative forces of nature, promote relationships between human and blue and green communities onsite and offsite, enabling protection and enhancement of ecology and natural heritage.
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To ensure best practices through consideration of the local, national and international Biodiversity Action Plans, ecological and strategic habitat corridors and grey, green and blue infrastructure projects with potential value and/or impact upstream and/or downstream.
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To promote awareness of relevant statutory designations, policies and regulations that can be used to protect, enable or expand urban ecologies and public space.
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To enable the organisation to assure that it is included in all relevant local and regional planning, while identifying the planning mechanisms that safeguard the site in the most appropriate and best way possible.
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To support the implementation or introduction of bylaws by local authorities or regulatory interests that will help to either protect or enforce the social and ecological resource and value of the Reserve.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees and Office Bearers
The management of the Charity is vested in a Committee of Office Bearers and a minimum of one ordinary member of the Organisation. The Office Bearers consist of a Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary and Treasurer. New trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting for a term of one year, but are eligible for re-election without limit. Should a Committee member resign during the year, they cannot be re-elected to the Committee for a period of 3 years.
The Trustees who served during the year, and to the date of this report were:
Activities and achievements
Overview
The following presents a summary of what we have been doing this year.
We have continued with bi-monthly Board Meetings on the second Tuesday of the month and we have a new Treasurer from within the Board.
We are approaching a conclusion to the ongoing discussions with the landowners to agree the terms of our future maintenance work as a Management Group. This has proved to be a lengthy process. The draft document described in last year’s report continues to be discussed.
The Nature Neighbourhoods project continues and has been extended to March 2026.
We have achieved funding for the Community Development Manager role and a programme of community activities from The National Lottery. This has been in place since January 2025 and is a major step forward for us. It will provide us with stability over three years and will allow us to develop our community connections and programmes.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Activities and achievements (continued)
Green & Clean Team/Volunteers
The Green & Clean Team continues to be a big part of what we do and it is keeping the Claypits clean and safe for visitors. The numbers participating each month is encouraging. We had our largest numbers ever in January 2025 with 53 people attending. The numbers typically taking part are between 25 and 35. The hard work and enthusiasm of all who attend is central to our work across all areas of our aims and objectives. It generates ideas, feedback and discussions which we, as a Board, try to keep up with and respond to. Our aim has been to develop and provide opportunities for conservation and maintenance work alongside litter picking.
We have a storage container on site – The Classroom. This is a vandal proof office space which has a meeting room and additional storage space. This was funded by the Canal Area Partnership fund. It has allowed us to ease the pressure on The Garden Shed storage and provides an indoor space for community groups and volunteers to meet when weather is poor. In addition, we can now host learning and education opportunities.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Activities and achievements (continued)
Green & Clean Team/Volunteers (continued)
We have allocated funds from the Nature Neighbourhoods fund to employ a part-time Ranger on site from August to December. This is in response to the need to maintain a safe and accessible Claypits and it means we can increase our community engagement and volunteering opportunities. This has already increased our visible presence on the Claypits and the Ranger has involved new volunteers. It also allows us to respond quickly to any issues of access, vandalism and maintenance. We will evaluate this and learn from it with a view to support applications to fund further.
We have had corporate volunteering days with BT and IWC Media in addition to days with community groups.
We held a Volunteer Thank You meal in February to show everyone who volunteers and helps out that their hard work is very much appreciated. The community and all those who give their free time, enthusiasm, expertise and hard work are what makes the Claypits a special place. It is inspiring and rewarding to work with people who do all that they do and with such good spirits. The meal was hosted by the Clay Cafe and was an excellent night with good food and fun.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Activities and achievements (continued)
Arts & Heritage
We continue to develop best practice in arts, nature & community at the heart of what we do and as one of our key aims and objectives. The Dialectogram is one of the main stops on our tours of the Claypits and offers a way into many conversations about the history and the future of the Claypits.
Birdwatching
The breeding bird survey was conducted again this year and we participated in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch event in January.
We have had volunteers observing the University of Glasgow Bird Ringing sessions. Two sessions were organised to provided similar opportunities for the local community and for Board Members & volunteers. They were both affected by poor weather conditions, but we are hopeful we can develop this relationship.
Family Easter Egg Trail
We had a good, fun day which was well supported by volunteers, in partnership with the Clay Community Church and Bethany Christian Trust. It was another day of bad weather but still had a good number of families braving the rain and finding the hidden egg clues.
Recovery Through Nature
The Recovery Through Nature Family Fun Day is our partnership event with North West Recovery Community and took place again this year.
We had to relocate, at short notice, to an indoor venue due to bad weather. Despite this, it was again an overwhelmingly positive day.
We were also host to a number of sessions on the Claypits in a twelve week Recovery Through Nature programme for 10 to 20 participants. This was very successful and enjoyed by those taking part. Our ability to support community groups in this way has been increased by The Classroom container and having someone working during the week onsite. This is something we would hope to develop for the future.
Environment/Ecology
We were delighted to be awarded the Environmental Champions in the Glasgow Times Community Champions awards. It was a great honour and source of pride for our communities.
The Ecology working group met and organised training, surveys and events throughout the year. Invasive species were surveyed across the site and we are now in position to develop the knowledge for all our volunteers and include the removal of these species as part of Green & Clean. Vegetation surveys and engagement with woodland specialists were also carried out.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Activities and achievements (continued)
Environment/Ecology (continued)
We had a very successful and well attended day of nature activities in partnership with CEMVO, Scotland’s Ethnic Minority Environmental Network.
Our Claypits species list was updated and can be found at the Glasgow Natural History Society website.
Throughout the year volunteers with expertise and interests record, and often photograph, the nature and wildlife of the Claypits. Their work is greatly appreciated by those who visit the Claypits and follow our social media.
We were able to record wildlife with our wildlife cameras on a consistent basis this year thanks to a determined board member. The footage we were able to share was very exciting and really helped bring nature closer to people and was a source of joy for many.
Guided Walks
There were fewer organised and themed Guided Walks this year. We have responded to community and educational requests and provided many tours. These are often led by our knowledgeable Vice-Chair and supported by Board Members and volunteers.
We held a women’s walk for International Women’s Day which was a really positive day.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Activities and achievements (continued)
Forest School
The number of Forest School activities have grown this year as we have started funded projects to deliver sessions to local nurseries, schools and community groups in partnership with Leigh’s Forest School and Outdoor Learning.
Nature Neighbourhoods
The Nature Neighbourhoods project, which we are proud to be part of, will end in March 2026. Our Community Development Manager and Vice-Chair represent us and lead on this for our Board. They have been working with the groups across the country. We have been to visit the groups and were also pleased to host a visit from Ligoneil members.
We have developed our Neighbourhood Plan for the future of the Claypits through a community co-design process. As part of this we held a community guided walk on the Claypits to talk to people about the Claypits Past, Present & Future. The day was a major success in the face of very bad weather and it was all down to our volunteers and the hardy local people and Claypits visitors who took part.
Dog Day
We had our third annual Dog Day. It is a great way of engaging with dog owners on the Claypits. We provided information and activities and it allowed us to talk to dog owners and encourage responsible dog ownership. It is in partnership with Animal Biology & Conservation students from New College Lanarkshire.
Looking ahead
Our Community Development Manager is working on our next round of funding applications to sustain and develop our work in the local community. We have a board member undertaking training to allow provision of Forest Bathing sessions on the Claypits funded by a training fund application to Queens Cross Housing Association. We are planning to update our website and have had meetings with an expert volunteer who can support us in this. We are discussing possible future arts and cultural events including film showings. We hope to finalise our agreement with the landowners and look forward to building on what the community has achieved so far on the Claypits. We would like to develop training and learning opportunities for people on the Claypits. We would like to develop our relationships with local politicians and have had an Early Day Motion raised in Westminster by our local MP and we have met with Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy as she toured the Claypits with Scottish Canals.
Above all we will be informed by our Neighbourhood Plan and dialogue with the community, volunteers and Claypits visitors and we look forward to another year on the Claypits, no matter the weather!
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Financial review
Results for the year
The financial results are set out on pages 10 to 14. As a result of the surplus for the year of £17,532 (2024: surplus of £7,645), the charity held total reserves at 31 March 2025 of £44,361 (2024: £26,829). Of this, £4,064 (2024: £5,503) was held as general funds and £40,297 (2024: £21,326) was held in restricted funds.
Reserves
The Charity has not required a reserves policy up until now as programmes were only funded when those funds were secured. However, as the work of the charity develops, the Trustees are now considering a new reserves policy which will be developed and implemented this year.
On behalf of the Trustees
Dated: 9 October 2025
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Report of the Independent Examiner
For the year ended 31 March 2025
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 10 to 14.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the 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 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 Examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). 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 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 accounts.
Independent Examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended), and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended)
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.
Cornerstone Accounting Ltd Chartered Accountants
Date: 9 October 2025
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Receipts and Payments Account For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes General fund Receipts £ Donations 28 Grants 2 - Grants returned - Other income 91 Total receipts 119 Payments Staff salaries - Consulting costs - Tools and equipment 549 Insurance 193 Refreshments 264 Event costs 30 Advertising and marketing 265 Travel costs 27 IT costs 139 Printing, stationery and consumables 91 Subscriptions - Donation to QCCF re sponsored walk - Paid to Cornerstone Accounting Independent Examination fee - 2022 - Independent Examination fee - 2023 - Independent Examination fee - 2024 - Payroll costs - Total payments 1,558 Surplus/(deficit) for the year before transfers (1,439) Transfers - Surplus/(deficit) for the year after transfers (1,439) Total funds brought forward 5,503 Total funds carried forward 4,064 |
Restricted funds £ - 49,132 (1,244) - 47,888 8,867 13,730 4,513 - 156 125 574 - - 11 29 - - - 600 312 28,917 18,971 - 18,971 21,326 40,297 |
2025 Total £ 28 49,132 (1,244) 91 48,007 8,867 13,730 5,062 193 420 155 839 27 139 102 29 - - - 600 312 30,475 17,532 - 17,532 26,829 44,361 |
General fund £ 250 - - 287 537 - - - 187 516 - 54 - 137 34 - 52 - 600 - - 1,580 (1,043) 3,349 2,306 3,197 5,503 |
Restricted funds £ - 26,549 (200) - 26,349 - 15,289 676 - 28 - 185 - 63 700 - - 720 - - - 17,661 8,688 (3,349) 5,339 15,987 21,326 |
2024 Total £ 250 26,549 (200) 287 26,886 - 15,289 676 187 544 - 239 - 200 734 - 52 720 600 - - 19,241 7,645 - 7,645 19,184 26,829 |
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The notes on pages 12 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Statement of Balances As at 31 March 2025
| Opening Surplus Closing balance for year balance £ £ £ Bank and cash 26,829 17,532 44,361 Total assets 26,829 17,532 44,361 Represented by: General fund 3 4,064 Restricted funds 4 40,297 44,361 Statement of assets Shipping container with tools & equipment No value provided Electric cargo bike (at cost) 2,700 2,700 Statement of liabilities Independent examination fee 600 600 2025 |
Opening Surplus Closing balance for year balance £ £ £ 19,184 7,645 26,829 19,184 7,645 26,829 5,503 21,326 26,829 No value provided - - 720 720 2024 |
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The financial statements on pages 10 to 14 were approved by the Trustees on 9 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by the undernoted:
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 March 2025
1. Accounting policies
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
Basis of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. All voluntary income, income from tax recoveries on Gift Aid, grant income and bank interest is accounted for when received. Expenditure is recognised when paid.
Receipts and payments account
For the purpose of the receipts and payments account, funds are defined as follows:
Unrestricted funds comprise grants and other income received for the objects of the church without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Restricted funds comprise income which has been received for the objects of the church and specified for a restricted purpose within these objects by the donor.
2. Grant income
Grant income was received in the year from the following organisations:
| National Lottery Community Led Fund Robertson Trust ASN Forest School National Trust - Nature Neighbourhoods grant Endrick Trust Co-op Foundation - Guided walks fund Glasgow City Council - equipment grant Foundation Scotland Hugh Fraser Foundation Queen's Cross Housing Association |
2025 2024 £ £ 29,882- 9,000- 6,25012,500 3,500- 500- -4,764 -4,400 -3,000 -1,885 49,13226,549 |
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3. Unrestricted funds
| General fund Total unrestricted funds |
Balance at Balance at 01.04.24 Receipts Payments Transfers 31.03.25 £ £ £ £ £ 5,503 119 (1,558) - 4,064 5,503 119 (1,558) - 4,064 |
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Explanation of funds
The General Fund represents all income and expenditure relating to the primary focus activities of the charity, other than those for which funding is restricted.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 March 2025
4. Restricted funds
| Garden shed fund National Lottery Community Led fund Endrick Trust fund Guided walks fund Deaf Scots trust fund Health and social care partnership fund Forest school project fund Glasgow Natural History Society fund GCC Area Partnership fund Nature Neighbourhoods fund Total restricted funds |
Balance at Balance at 01.04.24 Receipts Payments Transfers 31.03.25 £ £ £ £ £ 1,719 - (1,719) - - - 29,882 (5,995) - 23,887 - 3,500 (3,500) - - 322 500 - - 822 720 - - - 720 102 - (102) - - 337 9,000 (337) - 9,000 913 - - - 913 4,764 (1,244) (3,520) - - 12,449 6,250 (13,744) - 4,955 21,326 47,888 (28,917) - 40,297 |
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Explanation of funds
The Garden Shed project fund represents grant funding received to purchase a storage container and tools.
The National Lottery Community Led fund represents grant funding received to support the Claypits in ensuring the sustainability of a green asset through funding the Community Development Manager and delivering activities for the next 3 years.
The Endrick Trust fund represents grant funding received to fund the position of Community Development Manager.
The Guided walks fund represents funding towards the development of the social and natural heritage for visitors.
The Deaf Scots trust fund represents funding received to cover BSL interpreters at our activities.
The Health and social care partnership fund represents funding to hold community celebrations after Covid.
The Forest School project fund represents funding to enable 6 Nurseries to take part in Forest School activities.
The Glasgow Natural History Society fund represents funding to support ecological training and monitoring resources for volunteers.
The GCC Area Partnership fund represents funding for various costs, including refreshments and protective clothing. The remainder of this funding not utilised was returned in the year.
The Nature Neighbourhoods fund represents funding to create a blueprint for sustainability of the reserve.
5. Transactions with Trustees and related parties
No Trustees received any remuneration or expenses during the year (2024: nil). A number of trustees purchased items on behalf of the charity, such as equipment, refreshments and administration items. They were reimbursed as follows: Robert Alston £3,570; Reiko Goto £628; Angela McCormick £164; Martina Johnston-Gray £19.
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Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 March 2025
6. Volunteers and donated goods and services
The Charity relies heavily on the contribution of significant volunteer time for the delivery of its programme of activities. This year, we had input from approximately 40 volunteers who supported us with our activities and events. This has not been quantified for the purposes of these accounts.
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