STRICHEN TOWN HOUSE TRUST SCIO
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 November 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland)
Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and 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 published 16th July 2014.
Scottish Charity Number
SC049749
Current Appointments
Mr Robert Chapman, Trustee Chairperson
Mrs Brenda Kinghorn, Trustee - Secretary
Mr Hebbie Fowlie, Trustee
Mr George Morgan, Trustee
Mrs Donna Mooney, Trustee
Mrs Eileen Sutton, Trustee
Ms Susan Nicol, Trustee
Mrs Natalia Cojocaru, Trustee Treasurer (Appointed 15 August 2023)
Mr Gerald Banks, Trustee Vice Chair
Contact Address
Strichen Town House Bridge Street Strichen
Fraserburgh AB43 6SR
CONSTITUTION
The charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (a SCIO). It was registered in its current legal form on 19 November 2019. It has a two-tier structure.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
The recruitment and appointment of trustees follow the procedure laid out in the constitution. Prospective trustees are generally nominated and appointed at the AGM which usually takes place in August.
There must be a minimum of three and a maximum of ten trustees.
STRICHEN TOWN HOUSE TRUST SCIO
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued)
YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025
Charitable Purposes
Strichen and include:
The advancement of the arts, heritage and culture through:
-
Restoring, enhancing and further developing the Grade A listed Town House in Strichen, and other such property that the charity may acquire.
-
The creation of an archive, documents and exhibits relating to Strichen's local history and traditions.
-
Inspiring the people of Strichen and the surrounding area to explore and engage with the history of their community, environment and families.
The provision of recreational facilities with the object of improving the conditions of life for whom the facilities are primarily intended through:
- Provision of a flexible space that can be used for a variety of community activities by local people and groups.
Summary of main activities
The existing Grade A Listed Strichen Town House building was substantially renovated over Winter 2024-25, with work ongoing in Winter 2025-26 to complete the final elements, it is our intention to commence work on the proposed extension once funding has been sourced.
During the 2024-25 year, Aberdeenshire Council decided to review its policy of providing Library Services in Strichen. Strichen Town House Trust teamed up with The Friends of The Woodman and Anderson to take over the ownership of The Woodman and Anderson Library, at 59A, Water Street, Strichen. A licence to occupy the building was agreed from 6[th] May 2025, whilst the Asset Transfer process ran its course. On 11[th] November 2025, Aberdeenshire Council agreed to the Asset Transfer of 59A, Water Street. The conveyancing of the Title took place in March 2023. In May 2025, STHT agreed to open a second bank account to manage the income and expenditure of The Anderson and Woodman Library.
Achievements and Performance
Town House:
The net restricted outgoing resources for the year were (-£5,780.02) and the net unrestricted outgoing resources for the year was (-£4,756.98), giving a total net outgoing resources for the year of (-£10,537). Regular fundraising activities.
Grants were received from:
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant of £69,366 met a substantial part of the costs of demolishing the toilet block, re-lining and insulating the walls of the Upper Hall, plaster boarding and redecorating the Upper Hall, repairing the windows, doors and re-pointing the granite walls.
The Rural Communities Challenge Fund grant aided £45,469 towards a substantial part of stripping out the Upper Hall, installing electrics, secondary glazing, revising the building warrant, replacing the original cornices and final decorations.
STRICHEN TOWN HOUSE TRUST SCIO
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued)
YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025
The FCC Communities Foundation Ltd, the administrators of the Landfill Communities Fund, provided £20,000 of match funding towards the toilet demolition, secondary glazing and re-instatement of the Upper Hall.
Foundation Scotland administered the allocation of £20,500 from the Vattenfall Communities Fund towards the match funding for the UKSPF and RCLLD grants towards the costs incurred with window and door repairs, pointing, and the ceiling repairs and decoration of the Upper Hall.
Anderson and Woodman Library:
The net outgoing resources for the year amounted to £603.80. Regular fundraising activities.
Reserve Policy
The trustees aim to maintain reserves equivalent to three months of normal running costs, in order to meet ongoing commitments and provide cover for any unforeseen expenditure. Any shortfall in the running costs of Strichen Town House will be met by the Trustees.
Following the year end on 30[th] November 2025, STHT received additional funds through fundraising, donations and other income. This demonstrates that the organisation remains viable and is able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.
Future Plans
To manage both the restored Grade A Listed Strichen Town House building together with the newly acquired Anderson and Woodman Library, at 59A Water Street. Completing improvements to enable full accessibility in both buildings, for the benefit of the People of Strichen and surrounding area, providing a library facility, meeting rooms, and a business centre for individuals and Community Groups, and providing a centre for enabling access to historic artefacts of the Strichen Area.
Funding for initial works at Strichen Town House have been sourced and this work completed in March 2025. Funding from RCLLD and CARES for the further restoration work of the Strichen Town House has been sourced in November 2025 to repair the existing stairs in the Tower, install solar panels and battery storage, replace the Upper Hall floor, improve the entrance lobby, toilet facilities and POU water heating, to be carried out in winter 2025/26.
Estimates of the costs of completing the extension to The Town House are being sought to enable grant assistance to be sought for this final stage in bring this Grase A listed building back into full use.
Plans have been drawn up, together with Aberdeenshire Council Listed Building Officer, with a view to submitting a planning application to improve the facilities at the Anderson and Woodman Library, prior to submission of grant aid, and potential funding from the Anderson and Woodman Library Trust.
Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
STRICHEN TOWN HOUSE TRUST SCIO
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued)
YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025
The law applicable to charities in Scotland requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland)
Act 2005 and the Charities Regulations (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf.
Signature N Cojocaru Full Name Natalia Cojocaru
Position Treasurer Date 18[th] August 2026
STRICHEN TOWN HOUSE TRUST SCIO STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT) FOR PERIOD TO 30 NOVEMBER 2025
SC049749
| RECEIPTS Notes Grants 1 Donations Receipts from Fundraising Activities 2 Receipts from Charitable Activities 2 Trustee Loans Investment Income Total Incoming Resources PAYMENTS Donations Payments relating directly to Fundraising Activities 2 Payments relating directly to Charitable Activities 2 Trustee Loan Repayments Governance Costs Total Resources Expended Net Incoming / (Outgoing) resources for Year Total Funds at 1 December 2024 Total Funds at 30 November 2025 |
Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds £ £ 144,326 - - 2,760 - 5,300 - 1,536 - 25,000 - - 144,326 34,596 - - - 494 150,106 11,084 - 24,000 - 360 150,106 35,938 (5,780) (1,343) 5,780 4,984 - 3,641 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 144,326 2,760 5,300 1,536 25,000 - 178,922 - 494 161,190 24,000 360 186,044 (7,123) 10,764 3,641 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 74,990 318 685 1,616 - - 77,609 - 147 73,872 120 74,139 3,470 7,294 10,764 |
|---|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. The above receipts and payments are split between restricted and unrestricted funds.
Page 7
STRICHEN TOWN HOUSE TRUST SCIO STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2025
SC049749
| Balance at Bank at 1 December 2024 Surplus/(deficit) for the year Balance at Bank at 30 November 2025 Bank Balances as at 30 November 2025 STH Account 226.69 A & W Library Trust (designated funds) 3,414.37 £3,641.06 |
Total Total Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds Funds Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 5,780 4,984 10,764 7,294 (5,780) (1,343) (7,123) 3,470 - 3,641 3,641 10,764 |
|---|---|
Fixed Assets
Strichen Town House is a listed building purchased for £1 and gifted to the Charity. At renewal on 13 May 2025 the value for insurance purposes was £2,700,588.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on........18th August 2026.................................... and were signed on its behalf by: N Cojocaru Natalia Cojocaru Traesurer
Trustee
Page 8
STRICHEN TOWN HOUSE TRUST SCIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025
SC049749
Nature & Purpose of Funds
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 organisation.
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes as specified by the funder/donor.
Designated funds are 'ring-fenced' for specific purposes.
Trustee Remuneration & Expenses
No remuneration was paid to any charity trustee or person connected to a trustee in this period.
Trustee loans of £25,000 were received from 2 trustees to assist with cashflow during the period. £24,000 was repaid to 2 trustees, with an outstanding balance of £1,000 to be paid to 1 trustee in due course.
Notes
| Grant Funding (restricted) | £ | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeenshire Council (UK Prosperity Fund) | 119,825.88 |
| FCC Communities Foundation | 24,000.00 | |
| Foundation Scotland | 500.00 | |
| 144,325.88 |
- 2 Strichen Town House SCIO currently hosts the Anderson & Woodman Library Trust library service in Strichen on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council. They manage the income and expenditure for the library at 59A Water Street, Strichen and retain funds in a separate bank account for this purpose. These funds are held as 'designated' within the Strichen Town House SCIO accounts. See Notes (2) for breakdown of funds.
Page 8
STRICHEN TOWN HOUSE TRUST SCIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025
SC049749
Strichen Town House SCIO
| Strichen Town House SCIO | |
|---|---|
| Receipts | £ |
| Grants | 144,325.88 |
| Donations | 1,791.00 |
| Fundraising | 2,290.62 |
| Room Hire | 1,495.00 |
| Loans from Trustees | 25,000.00 |
| Miscellaneous | 1.06 |
| 174,903.56 | |
| Payments | |
| Heat & Light | 12.00 |
| Insurance | 2,175.10 |
| Fundraising Expenses | 394.72 |
| Building Warrant | 3,114.00 |
| Fire Alarm System | 3,037.47 |
| Windows (glazing) | 2,843.68 |
| Electrical Work | 14,184.00 |
| Toilet Demolition/Upper Hall | 135,216.00 |
| Equipment | 96.47 |
| Bank Charges | 7.10 |
| Trustee Loan Repayment | 24,000.00 |
| IE of accounts | 360.00 |
| 185,440.54 | |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Anderson & Woodman Library Trust (designated funds) | Anderson & Woodman Library Trust (designated funds) |
|---|---|
| Receipts | £ |
| Donations | 969.17 |
| Fundraising | 3,009.00 |
| Room Hire | 40.00 |
| 4,018.17 | |
| Payments | |
| Heat & Light | 504.42 |
| Fundraising Expenses | 99.38 |
| 603.80 |
Strichen Town House Trust SCIO
Registered Charity Number: SC049749
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 November 2025 which are set out on pages 5-8.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
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 2006 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.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
-
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
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
-
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: Jacquie Milne Date: 19 August 2026
Name: Jacquie Milne
Designation: Finance & Administration Manager, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action Address: AVA, PO Box 18706, Peterhead, AB42 9BA