Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
THE LOCHGAIR ASSOCIATION (SCIO) Scottish Charity No – SC049176
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
Signed by , Joint Chair
on 9th December 2025
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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
The Trustees of The Lochgair Association (SCIO) have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity name
The Lochgair Association (SCIO)
Address
Lochgair Hall, Upper Lochgair, Argyll, PA31 8SB
Current Trustees
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Constitution
The Lochgair Association (SCIO) - referred to in this report as ‘The Association’ - is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It was registered in its current legal form on 28 March 2019.
It has a two tier structure which consists of the Members, who have the right to attend members' meetings (including annual and extraordinary general meetings) and have important powers under the constitution such as appointing Trustees to serve on the Board and take decisions on changes to the constitution itself; and the Board, who hold regular meetings, and generally control the activities of The Association including responsibility for monitoring and controlling the financial position of The Association.
The maximum number of Trustees is 10 and the minimum 4; out of that no more than 9 and no less than 4 shall be charity trustees who were elected/appointed by the membership, a
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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
majority of whom shall always be elected charity trustees; and no more than 2 shall be charity trustees who were co-opted non-members of the SCIO.
The Board must arrange a meeting of members (an AGM) in each calendar year.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Charitable Purposes of The Lochgair Association (SCIO) are:
1) To provide recreational facilities and activities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the residents of Lochgair and adjacent settlements, and the public at large, for whom these facilities and activities are primarily intended by:
2) Improving community facilities and amenities in Lochgair and adjacent remote rural settlements which lack the range of facilities or activities available in urban areas;
3) Promoting community-led educational, recreational, and social activities, and volunteer services, geared to the needs of all.
Achievements and Performance
The financial year 2024/2025 has been a very busy year for The Association, now that the hall is refurbished and the range of activities in the hall has increase. Further improvements have been made to the hall including reconstruction of the front stairs to improve disability access, and improvements to the building’s external lighting, thanks to funding by Nadara A’Chruach Windfarm Community Fund.
A sub-group was established to take forward preparation of costings for repair of the church belonging to the Association, and submission of change of use and planning proposals to Argyll and Bute Council.
Following successful negotiations for transfer of land to the Association by Forestry and Land Scotland for the development of car parking, and public consultation on plans for the car park, a successful planning application was submitted. Balfour Beatty have agreed to help construct the car park under their community benefit scheme.
Lochgair was adversely affected in February by electricity cuts, and following this discussion with SSEN was undertaken to develop Lochgair hall as a warm space and place of safety during storms and power outages.
As a result of fund-raising activities the Trustees have managed to cover the significant running costs involved in running the hall. The Village lottery has raised £1700 over the year. Donations by groups to cover running costs, in addition to specific fund-raising
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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
activities and public donations have raised almost £8,000, which is a major achievement for such as small village.
FINANCIAL REVIEW (TO BE CHECKED WITH SANDY AND THE COMMITTEE)
The cost of improvements to the hall fabric, namely new external stairs and improved lighting was £6,411 and grants received for this work in this financial year were £6,989, from Foundation Scotland [Nadara A’Chruach Windfarm Community Fund], and small grants from West Lochfyne Community Council’s disbursement on behalf of A’Chruach Community Fund. The costs of delivering charitable activities was £6,493 including ongoing costs such as insurance, rates, website registration, electricity bills, and safety checks. Fundraising and governance costs amounted to £2,270.
However as a result of Intensive fundraising, income from charitable activities including hall hire, donations from the public, and membership subscriptions, £10,559 was raised to cover these costs.
The net balance for the year was £10,111 with a surplus of £2,624
Reserves policy
We have no staff costs to meet but we will be developing a reserves policy in the coming year.
PLANS FOR 2025/6 (TO BE COMPLETED BY CTTEE)
Our proposed plans for the coming year are:
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To take forward the construction of the new car park which will make this very vibrant community a much safer environment by providing a safe area to pack away from the dangerous A83.
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To paint the inside of Lochgair Hall
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To take forward the repair and refurbishment of the church building, construction of corridor to join the church to the hall; and to seek funding to develop these plans.
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To take forward negotiations with SSEN re creating a ‘warm place’ during storms and power outages.
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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Year ended 31/3/2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Grants | 7239 | 7239 | |
| Donations | 10559 | 10559 | |
| Bank interest | 0 | 0 | |
| Total receipts | 10559 | 7239 | 17798 |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Cost of charitable activities |
6493 | 6411 | 12904 |
| Fundraising costs | 2153 | 2153 | |
| Governance costs | 117 | 117 | |
| Totalpayments | 8763 | 6411 | 15174 |
| SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR |
1796 | 828 | 2624 |
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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Statement of Balances - As at 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Total 2024/2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening cash at bank and in hand |
209 | 209 | |
| Surplus/(deficit) for theyear |
2625 | 2625 | |
| Closing cash at bank and in hand |
19 | 19 |
Bank and Cash Balances
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Year ended 31/3/2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank deposit account |
12735 | 12735 | |
| Year ended 31/3/2025 |
|||
| Other assets | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Liabilities | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
-
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
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Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day-to-day running of the Association.
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes. During the year the charity received grants from The Scottish Foundation A’Chruach Windfarm larger grant programme, West Loch Fyne Community Council (A’Chruach Windfarm Microgrant), towards costs associated with improvements to the external fabric of the hall. repair and refurbishment.
3. Related party transactions
No remuneration was paid to the trustees or any connected persons during the year.
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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
4. Donations
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Total 2024/2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership subscriptions |
965 | 0 | 965 |
| Fundraising for hall |
2587 | 0 | 2587 |
| Charitable activities, including hall hire |
6479 | 6479 | |
| Donations from general public |
528 | 0 | 528 |
| TOTAL | 10559 | 10559 |
5. Grants Received
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Total 2024/2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Loch Fyne Community Council (A’Chruach Community Fund micro-grants) |
1829 | 1829 | |
| Foundation Scotland (macro grant from A’Chruach Community Fund) |
5040 | 5040 | |
| West Loch Fyne Community Council |
120 | 120 | |
| Grab Trust | 250 | 250 | |
| TOTAL | 7239 | 7239 |
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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
6. Cost of charitable activities
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total 2024/2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Charitable activities | 2143 | 2143 | |
| Hall running costs; Hall & Church refurbishment/planning requirements |
4350 | 6411 | 10761 |
| TOTAL | 6493 | 6411 | 12904 |
7. Fundraising costs
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Total 2024/2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xmas cards | 150 | 150 | |
| Xmas Bazaar | 321 | 321 | |
| Lotterylicense | 20 | 20 | |
| Lottery payments | 760 | 760 | |
| Pub night supplies |
901 | 901 | |
| TOTAL | 2153 | 2153 |
8. Governance costs
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Total 2024/2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundry | 117 | 117 | |
| TOTAL | 117 | 117 |
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Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Report to tha trust••3JMwr5 of THE LOCHGAIR ASSOCIATION (SCIO) R•glthred charfty , SC049176 number On the accounts of tho charlty for th• p•rlod _ Period start date P0d end date Month APRIL 2024 31 MARCH Set out on page8 Rmpecdvo responslbllltles of truste•s and examlner The charity's Iruslees are responsible for the preparation ol the accounts in accordance with the temis of the Charities and Trustee InvEStment (Scolland ) 2005 Acl and the Charilies Accouirts (ScotlarKJ) Regulaiions 2006 (as amended). charity ITU51ees conslder that Ihe a(kl11 requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts R&Julatlons does not apply. It is my SPonsibl11tY to examine Ihe accounts as required under section 44(1) (cl of the Act and lo state Kthelhw particular matters have come lo my attenlion. Basls of Ind•p•nd•nt My 8xaminatlon is carrie(l out In accordance th Reg sjation 11 of Ihg 2006 Accolmls •xarninorf6 ststoment Regulations. An examination includes a r8vithv of the accounting records kept by IF charity and a comparison of the %counts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosur8s in tt accounts and seeks explanations from lh8 tnjstees conceming any such mattets. The procedures undertaken rjo not provide all the evidence thal would be requlrod in an audit a1. consequently, l th) not express an a#11 opinion on the vlew given by the accounts. Independent examlnefs 8t8t8ment In the couTre of my examination, rK) matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause io believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accord8nce 1th section 44(1) (a) of Ihe 2CMYJ Aci arnl Reg ation 4 of the 20C6 Accounts Regulaliorts, arKI to pr8pare acColS whbch accord with Ihe accounlirvJ records arml comply with Regation 9 of the Accounts R&3ulations . have not been met. Slgn•d.' Name. Relevant professlonal quallfflcatlon($) or body (11 any).. Addr•88.'