APPENDIX 1
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ~~a~~ Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From To 01 02 24 31 01 25
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator
Reference and administration details
Charity name Balbirnie's Future Foundation (BFF) Balbirnie's Future Foundation (BFF) Other names charity is known BFF/ BFF Nature Pioneers BFF/ BFF Nature Pioneers by Registered charity number SC 052285 052285 Charity’s principal address C/o Shirley Denton C/o Shirley Denton Balbirnie;s Future Foundation Balbirnie;s Future Foundation 96 Sappi Road, Glenrothes 96 Sappi Road, Glenrothes Fife Postcode KY7 6ZU
Names of the charity trustees on date of approval of Trustees’ Annual Report
| Shirley Denton | Chair | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Ellis | Trustee | ||
| Chris McFarlane | Treasurer | ||
| Sarah Dale | Trustee | ||
| Brian Bradley | Trustee | ||
| Amy Thomson | Project Overseer | ||
| ~~tole)~~ & Youth Mentor |
|||
| ~~rontruster~~ | ~~rontruster~~ ~~tole)~~ (non-trustee role) |
~~rontruster~~ | ~~rontruster~~ |
| ~~rontruster~~ | ~~rontruster~~ ~~tole)~~ |
~~rontruster~~ | ~~rontruster~~ |
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APPENDIX 1
Reference and administration details
Names of all other charity trustees during the period, if any, (for example, those who resigned part way through the financial period)
| Name | Name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|
| Colin Thomson | 1.2.2024 to 28.1.2025 | |
| Tina Kench | 1.2.2024 to 2.7.2024 | |
| Structure, governance and management | ||
| Type of governing document Trustee recruitment and appointment |
||
| BFF is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) | ||
governed by its constitution adopted in 2023. Trustees meet regularly to review finances, project delivery, and governance compliance. |
||
| Durin 2024-25 overnance caacit was strenthened with | ||
| g , g py g new trustees and clearer division of roles. Independent verification of the 2024-25 accounts was undertaken by a qualified accountant in October 2025. A constitutional update is proposed to allow for remote attendance and decision-making by trustees working away from home. |
||
| Objectives and activities | ||
| Charitable purposes Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects |
||
| BFF’s purpose is to inspire youth leadership environmental | ||
| , stewardship, and community wellbeing through land-based learning and volunteering at Balbirnie Park, Markinch. |
||
| Weekl Nature Pioneers outh and communit sessions (ark | ||
| y y y p care, planting & conservation activities). Delivery of the Young Leader Development Programme supported by Fife Council CRF & Awards for All funding.Partnerships expanded with Fife Council & the community with Markinch Forum. Wellness sessions promoting outdoor mental wellbeing & skills. 22 young people engaged regularly, 6 progressing into employment. |
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APPENDIX 1
Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the financial period
Financial review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy Reserves Policy: on reserves BFF operates on project-based funding and aims to hold a modest unrestricted reserve (approx. 1–3 months’ running costs) to ensure continuity between funding cycles and provide resilience for core activities. Details of any deficit No significant deficit. All spending aligned with restricted funding conditions. Funds received in November 2023 and December 2023 (recorded within retained earnings) were applied during 2024-2025. Any temporary shortfall was covered by unrestricted funds within the normal project cycle. Donated facilities and services (if any) BFF base storage is provided by a donated unit with Fife Council's Community Investment Team, with additional space donated by Balbirnie Golf Club. Professional time was also donated by an independent accountant to verify Year-End 2025 accounts.
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APPENDIX 1
Other optional information
Future Plans:
Submit updated governance constitution to OSCR. Continue Young Leader Development Programme pilot with local high schools (2025-26).
Deliver Balbirnie Park Development Plan in partnership with Fife Council, Markinch Heritage Group and Markinch Forum.
Recruit additional adult volunteers and trustees to expand leadership capacity.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) OSCR will accept digital or typed signatures Full name(s) Position (e.g. Chair) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
Shirley Denton |
Amy Thomson | |
| Shirley Denton | Amy Thomson | |
| Chair | BFF Overseer & Youth Mentor(non-trustee) | |
| 30.10.2025 | ||
| 30.10.2025 |
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have
APPENDIX 3
’ Independent examiner s report on the accounts V2
| Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 | |
|---|---|
| Report to the | |
| trustees/members of | Balbirnie’s Future Foundation |
| Registered charity | SC502285 |
| number | |
| On the accounts of the | Period start date Period end date |
| charity for the period | Day Month Year Day Month Year |
| 01 February 2024 to 31 January 2025 |
|
| Set out on pages | Pages 1 to 2 IE Report P1 and attached accounts P2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) |
| 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) 2005 Act 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 | My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts |
| examiner’s statement | 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 viewgiven bythe accounts. | |
| Independent examiner’s statement |
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: |
| 1. 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, and | |
| • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with |
|
| Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations | |
| have not been met, or | |
| 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper | |
| understanding of the accounts to be reached. | |
| Signed:** | David Thomson Date: 24 October 2025 |
| Name: | George David Andrew Thomson |
| Relevant professional | |
| qualification(s) or body (if any): |
CGMA CIMA – Chartered Institute of Global Management Accountants |
| Address: | 15 Fernhill Drive |
| Windygates | |
| Leven | |
| FIFE KY8 5ED |
*Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. If the words do apply, set out those matters which have come to your attention on the following page.
** OSCR will accept digital or typed signatures
APPENDIX 3
Disclosure section
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose
BALBIRNIE'S FUTURE TRUST Profit & Loss Account 2024/25
| INCOME | £ |
|---|---|
| Large Grants | 0.00 |
| Small Grants | 12,128.71 |
| Donations | 1,071.17 |
| Other Income | 0.00 |
| Total Income | 13,199.88 |
| EXPENDITURE | |
| Subcontractor payments | 20,375.59 |
| Rent | 0.00 |
| Purchase of Equipment | 3,234.77 |
| Printing & Stationery | 696.10 |
| Travel Expenses | 75.30 |
| Protective Workwear | 182.88 |
| Volunteer expense/refreshments | 1,165.39 |
| Memberships & Insurance | 987.54 |
| Miscellaneous costs | 0.00 |
| Total Expenditure | 26,717.57 |
| Surplus /(Deficit) for the year | -13,517.69 |
| Balance Sheet as at 31 | January 2025 |
| £ | |
| Fixtures & Fittings | 0.00 |
| Total Fixed Assets | 0.00 |
| Cash in Hand | 11.67 |
| Cash at Bank | 8,714.89 |
| Cash at Bank and in Hand | 8,726.56 |
| Debtors | 0.00 |
| Creditors - Amy Thomson | 0.00 |
| Other Creditors | 0.00 |
| Total Creditors | 0.00 |
| Net Current Assets | 8,726.56 |
| Retained Earnings | 22,244.25 |
| Surplus /Deficit (-) | -13,517.69 |
| Charity Funds | 8,726.56 |
Balbirnie’s Future Foundation (BFF) SC052285 Chair Report - Year End 31 January 2025
I write on behalf of the Chair and Trustees as the Overseer and Youth Mentor of BFF. This year marked steady growth, reflection, and reconnection - a time of consolidating our programmes, nurturing young leaders, and strengthening our community roots.
Overview
BFF remains a youth-led, community project linking people of all ages through practical action, shared learning, and care for Balbirnie Park.
Our focus has been stability, partnership-building, and creating consistent opportunities for young people to gain confidence, skills, and belonging.
Delivery Summary
From February 2024 to January 2025, BFF delivered over 120 sessions, including:
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20+ school sessions across local primaries and Balbirnie Park
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34 community sessions and 12+ youth-led tree plantings • 44 tree aftercare sessions
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7 monthly youth litter-picks plus several holiday clean-ups
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16 weekday “Wellness” sessions with outdoor arts, crafts, and wellbeing walks
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The Golden Orchard Fruit Tree Planting event with Tree Wardens and Fife Coast & Countryside Trust
More than 180 participants - young people, families, and community members - engaged through volunteering, leadership, and partnership activities.
Key Outcomes
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6 young people supported into employment, college, or training via BFF mentoring
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Strengthened relationships with schools, councillors, and Markinch Forum
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Young Leaders gained accredited youth work and outdoor leadership awards
Finance & Governance
Accounts have been independently verified and meet OSCR standards. Expenditure aligned with project outcomes, funders and community benefit. Charity Funds Closing Balance as at Year End 2025 was £8,726.56. Trustees continued to review governance, budgets and policies while embedding a shared-leadership model for resilience and continuity.
Looking Ahead
The coming year focuses on:
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Expanding the Brighter Fairer Futures - Young Leader Programme
-
Deepening school and community partnerships and deliver a Balbirnie whole park plan
• Securing sustainable funding towards April 2026
BFF will continue to root local action in purpose and inclusion - enabling young people to lead, adults to mentor, and community and nature to thrive together.
With thanks to our young people, trustees, and partners,
Amy Thomson BFF Overseer & Youth Mentor (On behalf of the Chair and Trustees) Balbirnie’s Future Foundation - SC052285