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THE PEOPLE’S PROJECT (SCIO) TRUSTEES REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 315" JULY 2025 SCOTTISH CHARITY NUMBER:- SC050335
CARSON & TROTTER CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 123 IRISH STREET DUMFRIES DG1 2PE
The People's Project (SCIO)
Trustees report for the year ended 31st July 2025
Reference and administrative details
Scottish charity number $C050335 Other names known by The People's Project (Dumfries) Registered office Three Crowns Court Dumfries DG1 1HU Independent Examiners Linda E. Brannock B.A., C.A. Carson & Trotter Chartered Accountants 123 Irish Street Dumfries DGI1 2PE Bankers Bank of Scotland 91 High Street Dumfries DG1 2BN
Trustees
The trustees who have served the charity during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Mark Jardine (Chair) Lorraine Wilson (Vice Chair) resigned Anne Simpson (Secretary) resigned Patricia McKenzie (Treasurer) Jock Simpson (Vice Chair) Mari Findlay (Secretary) Maggie Monro (Grants & Funding)
Other trustees also included:
Doug Monro Meg Watson Christine Anderson Robert Anderson Maggie Nicol
Appointment and training
The Charity's trustees are appointed or re-appointed by the board at the annual general meeting each year. All trustees were appointed on incorporation of the SCIO.
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and the purposes and administration arrangements are set out in its Constitution. The SCIO was incorporated on 30th July 2020. The charity was previously an unincorporated association but changed its legal form to a SCIO. The assets of the unincorporated association were transferred to the SCIO on 30th July 2020.
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The People's Project (SCIO) Trustees report for the year ended 31st July 2025
sereereeeeees CONtiNUEK
Charitable Purposes
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To give people of all ages the opportunity to make a difference to their town and the lives of other people locally. - To create an eco-friendly environment, making Dumfries and Galloway the cleanest place in the UK anda top tourist destination. - To develop the history and natural environment of Dumfries and Galloway.
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The provision of recreational facilities
Achievements and performance
2024-25 has proved to be another busy and eventful year with the People's Project building on partnership working with multiple organisations and the newly formed Dumfries Town Board. Two major projects were completed with partners as well as all the general gardening, litter collections and educational liaison undertaken with local schools. In addition, the People's Project secured two awards which were:
Winner of Dumfries and Galloway Life Award for Best Voluntary Group Keep Scotland Beautiful "It's Your Neighbourhood" Level 5 - Outstanding achieved for the new Remembrance Garden in Brooms Road.
Our Main Projects in 2024
We have:
Remembrance Garden
After two years in the planning, the Remembrance Garden was completed and planted up by the People's Project and officially opened by Lord Lieutenant Dr Fiona Armstrong for the Royal British Legion Scotland commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. This was a considerable project which involved grounds works, creation of sandstone walls and flower beds, walk ways for disabled people, wood carved benches by local artist Sam Bowsher depicting soldiers from both World War I and II, various granite memorial stones, flagpoles and appropriate planting which included red poppies which were skilfully grown from seed by volunteers Maggie and Doug Munro to flower on cue for the ceremony. The garden will provide a reflective and suitable area to sit and contemplate the sacrifices made by service men and woman in the pursuit of peace. The garden has been well received by the public with many compliments received on the design and quality of the workmanship. One of the veterans attending the commemoration service Edna McGarva, has just celebrated her 100th birthday and requested that any presents for her birthday should be in cash and given to the People's Project towards their running costs. A cheque presentation of £610 was held with a press release and photo issued to the local press.
St Michael's Church
As part of the opening ceremony a service was held in St Michael's Church, directly opposite the Remembrance Garden. Volunteers removed moss from the flagstone entrance making the walkways safe for church goers and visitors to the historic church and churchyard. They also planted up all the flowerbeds with sustainable plants, bulbs, and poppies to complement the Remembrance Garden. The church hall was used for refreshments, following the commemorative service and members of the People's Project decorating the hall with wartime posters and flags to add to the atmosphere. Asa token of appreciation, the Church Officer gave a guided historical tour of the church and churchyard to the volunteers.
Plant and Seed Share Stand, Dumfries Town Centre
A stall in the town centre was held in the Spring made up ofa large variety of volunteers grown plants and seedlings which were shared with the public. Volunteers were able to provide horticultural advice to any interested members of the community.
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The People's Project (SCIO)
Trustees report for the year ended 31st July 2025
dtseeeseoeee CONtiNUEd
Market Square
Maintained the seating area including weeding, new planting, pruning and mulching of the flower beds.
Old Bridge House
General housekeeping, maintaining seated area keeping it free of litter. Weeding and planting of flower boxes. Maintenance of Rose bed at front of the house.
Whitesands Planters
Whitesands planters were weeded and planted up for the summer, along with Spring bulbs.
Stoop Planter, Lockerbie Road
Planter at Stoop area was maintained and planted throughout the year.
Litter Picking
Ongoing litter picking in and around the town by members continues with emphasis on the A710 and Dumfries bypass laybys. Picking equipment was provided to any interested individuals wishing to help or work in their own communities.
Litter picking with St Teresa's and Lincluden Primary schools were also undertaken as part of community and educational role,
Lights of Hope
The Lights of Hope, sponsored by The People's Project, adorned the town with extra lights along the river and bridge areas. Staying illuminated well into the New Year, the lights aim to help brighten the environment and contribute to the community's overall wellbeing during the winter months.
Castledykes Park
Volunteers collaborating with the council continue to weed, plant up, prune back unwanted growth and mulch the extensive flower beds in the park. This year has been challenging as there was a lot of storm damage suffered, and several trees had to be cut down and removed.
Adult Resource Centre, Burns Street, Dumfries
Members undertook a general tidying up in ARC centre garden. Work included cutting back overgrowth of bushes and foliage, removal of weeds and planting of new plants giving colour to the garden display.
Northwest Resource Centre
The People's Project were contacted directly by the After School Group as their entrance area was sadly overgrown and neglected. A general tidy up of the paving stones, flower beds including cutting back overgrowth and planting up of new plants was successfully undertaken. The centre has now identified two volunteers who will continue to maintain the entrance.
Keep Scotland Beautiful - Our Heritage, Our Future events
The People's Project volunteers supported Keep Scotland Beautiful, with their new "Our Heritage, Our Future" events through a series of workshops held in the Loreburne Shopping Centre aimed at children. Interactive workshops with activities based on nature-based materials were supplied by Peoples Project.
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The People's Project (SCIO)
Trustees report for the year ended 31st July 2025
letteteeeeeeee. CONtiNUEd
Dumfries Town Board Projects - Shine Campaign
The People's Project advised and assisted the newly formed Dumfries Town Board (appointed by local council to help revitalise Dumfries town centre) with their Shine initiative which involved a week long campaign by volunteers to help clean and improve the town centre and community environments. Projects undertaken by the People's Project included:
Tam O Shanter Garden, Globe Inn Close
The Veteran's Gardening Group undertook to cut away overgrowth of bushes and ivy. The People's project then undertook further weeding to remove bramble roots etc and planted a variety of new plants and grasses suitable for a shady garden.
Market Square
Members weeded, cut down growth in flower beds and planters. They also removed weeding and overgrowth from kerb areas. Washed sign boards depicting local history and added to planting within the flower beds and added mulch to discourage weed growth.
Town Centre
Several members worked further on litter collections, sweeping of streets and closes, washing of bus shelters and bins and the removal of chewing gum and vapour labels from street furniture in the High Street.
Merchant Navy Memorial, Dock Park
The Merchant Navy Association invited the People's Project to be involved in the creation of a dedicated memorial stone to honour the role of the Merchant Navy in World War J and I, along with the more recent Falklands, and Gulf Wars. The deadline was very tight but local sculptor David Little was able to produce a suitable ship like memorial made from sandstone, which is positioned in the Dock Park. An Unveiling and Dedication Service was arranged by Dumfries and Galloway Council, with Lord Lieutenant Dr Fiona Armstrong unveiling the stone. This was followed by a buffet lunch at the Railway Club.
Car Boot Sales
The Chair and his wife regularly hold a car boot sale selling bric a brac at Park Farm on Sundays to help raise funding towards the People's Project funds.
People's Project Calendar
A dedicated photographic calendar, with photography undertaken by Ruth Jardine highlighting the beautiful region is also produced and sold in several outlets. This raises awareness of the People's Project and helps contribute to their funds to cover equipment and plant costs.
Website and Social Media
A dedicated website has been developed to explain and promote the role of the People’s Project and to encourage volunteers to join the group. Social media is undertaken most weeks by Maggie Munro, featuring photographs of before and after work has been undertaken are used.
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The People's Project (SCIO)
Trustees report for the year ended 31st July 2025
Jeesereeeeses CONTINUE
Financial review
The accounts show a net surplus for the year of £351 (2024: deficit £44,004). Reserves at the year end were £16,188, all of which were unrestricted.
This report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 9th October 2025 and signed on its behalf by
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A [om] awh
Mark Jardine x
Chair
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The People's Project (SCIO)
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The People's Project (SCIO)
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st July 2025 which are set out on the following pages.
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 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 the 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 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.
Independent examiner's statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
a. 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; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
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have not been met, or
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b. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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CL n LC “te l
oeSanda. KAif DUCK
Mrs Linda E Brannock, B.A., CLA.
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Carson & Trotter Chartered Accountants 123 Irish Street Dumfries
DG1 2PE
Date: 1st April 2026
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The People's Project (SCIO)
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st July 2025
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||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|Note|Funds|Funds|2025|2024|
|£|£|£|£|
|Receipts|
|Donations|2|69,694|-|69,694|56,440|
|Fundraising|income|3|12,269|-|12,269|11,305|
|Bank|interest received|-|-|149|
|Total|receipts|81,963|-|81,963|67,894|
|Payments|
|Fundraising|expenditure|4|-|-|-|4,161|
|Expenditure|on|charitable|activities|5|81,612|-|81,612|107,737|
|Total payments|81,612|-|81,612|111,898|
|Surplus/(Deficit)|for year|351|-|351|(44,004)|
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The notes on pages 7 to 8 form an integral part of these acounts.
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The People's Project (SCIO)
Statement of Balances as at 31st July 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Bank and cash in hand | ||
| Opening balances | 15,838 | 59,843 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) fortheyear | 351 | (44,004) |
| Closing balances | 16,188 | 15,838 |
| Reserves | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| General funds | 16,188 | 15,838 |
| 16,188 | 15,838 |
The charity has no other investments, assets or material liabilities.
Approved by the trustees on 9th October 2025 and signed on their behalf by
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\
Ary « fa ’
i Cc ’ —~
Mark Jardine CA fo.
Chair aa
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The notes on pages 7 to 8 form an integral part of these acounts.
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The People's Project (SCIO)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st July 2025
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|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|1.|Basis|of accounting|
|These|accounts|have|been prepared|on|the|receipts & payments|basis|in|accordance|with|the|Charities &|Trustee|
|Investment|(Scotland) Act 2005|and|the|Charities Accounts|(Scotland)|Regulations|2006|(as|amended).|
|2.|Donations|received|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|General donations|69,694|56,440|
|69,694|56,440|
|All|income|is|unrestricted.|
|3.|Fundraising|income|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Calendar sponsorship|4,264|3,500|
|Calendar sales|8,005|7,805|
|12,269|11,305|
|All|income|is|unrestricted.|
|4.|Fundraising|expenses|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Calendar expenses|-|4,161|
|-|4,161|
|All|expenditure|is unrestricted.|
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4
The People's Project (SCIO)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st July 2025
tees. CONtINUEd
| 5. | Expenditure on charitable activities | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Insurance | 356 | 349 | |
| Sundry expenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Repairs andmaintenance | - | 66 | |
| Planter expenses | 234 | 1,786 | |
| Printing and advertising costs | 39 | 12,540 | |
| Postage and stationery | - | 88 | |
| StarofCaledoniaexpenses | - | 3,000 | |
| Castledykes Park expenses | 1,056 | 20 | |
| Memorial Garden expenses | 9,364 | - | |
| D Arts expenses | - | 1,000 | |
| SW Scotland Coastal Trailexpenses | - | 70,000 | |
| Market Square expenses | - | 16 | |
| RbtThe Bruce Anniversaryexpenses | 4,080 | 5,565 | |
| Sundry | 659 | 30 | |
| Donation - Queen ofthe SouthFC | 51,500 | 450 | |
| Donation - Scotlands Garden Scheme | - | 250 | |
| Donation - StMichaels School | - | 1,925 | |
| Donation - LindaNorgrove Foundation | - | 1,000 | |
| Donation -The Usual Place | - | 1,000 | |
| Donation -The SouthernUpland | 10,000 | - | |
| Donation - Dalbeattie Mens Shed | 500 | - | |
| Donation - Bruce Medieval Trust | 200 | - | |
| Donation - Dark Skies Ensemble | 350 | - | |
| Donation - LindaNorgrove Foundation | - | 1,500 | |
| Donation - Solway Skating Club | - | 1,000 | |
| Donation - Roan's Shelter at theKipp | - | 3,000 | |
| Donation - Save Sandyhills | - | 1,000 | |
| Donation - GuidNichburris Festival | - | 1,000 | |
| Donation -MyelomaUK | - | 1,000 | |
| Donation - Queens Trust | 100 | - | |
| Donation - HiddenGem Festival | 250 | - | |
| Donation -RotaryClub ofCD (Christmas Lights) | 1,000 | - | |
| Donation - Battle ofThe Bands | 900 | - | |
| Donation - LIFTD& G | 1,000 | - | |
| Bankcharges | 22 | 151 | |
| 81,612 | 107,737 |
All expenditure is unrestricted.
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