- Feughside S CommunityAssociation
serving the community of Feughside, Aberdeenshire
Feughside Community Association [SCIO]
Trustees’ Annual Report Period From 1*' May 2024 to 30 April 2025
Registered with OSCR as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) No. SC052558: not registered for VAT
Registered Office: Burn Of Rhoda, Strachan, Banchory. AB31 6LN
Charity Contact Information
Feughside Community Association [SCIO]
Scottish Charity Number: SC052558
Address: Burn of Rhoda
Strachan
BANCHORY AB31 6LN
Facebook — Feughside Community Association
Charity Trustees
Purposes
The charity has been formed principally to benefit the community served by Feughside Community Council in Aberdeenshire with the following purposes:
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e The advancement of community development (including the advancement of rural regeneration) principally within the Community;
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e The provision (or advancement of the accessibility) of recreational facilities, and/or the organisation of recreational activities, which shall be available to members of the Community and the public at large, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the Community.
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e The advancement of community development through the provision and maintenance of community gardens, public areas and open spaces in order to promote people's physical and mental health and participation in community life.
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¢ The provision of educational opportunities in the Community, increasing awareness of the environment, culture, heritage and/or history, including the improvement of the Community's knowledge of gardening and environmental protection.
But only to the extent that the above purposes are consistent with furthering the achievement of sustainable development.
Structure, Governance and Management
Type of governing document
FCA was previously a Private Limited Company registered as a charity by OSCR.
At the AGM on 13" February 2025 two resolutions were proposed and agreed unanimously:
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e To convert FCA from a charitable company to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation [SCIO].
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e To adopt a proposed constitution of
a SCIO.
On 15" April FCA was converted into a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and simultaneously Companies House cancelled our company registration.
Trustee recruitment and appointment
At the AGM on 13' February 2025 two trustee/directors (Caroline Clephan and Christopher Caldwell) retired and were re-elected unanimously. One additional trustee/director (Michael Sanderson) was elected unanimously.
At the Board Meeting on 11th March 2025 the following officers were elected — all unanimously:
On 22" April 2025, the Board approved a Trustee’s induction pack and code of conduct.
Membership
At end April 2025, FCA had 77 members. The secretary to the Board holds a register as required by OSCR for a SCIO.
Activities
Last year (2023/24) was focussed on attempts to complete a Community Asset Transfer of Strachan School Garden to FCA. Negotiations between FCA
directors/trustees and Aberdeenshire Council were eventually unsuccessful as we were unable to secure rights of access to the garden through the lane beside the school. No further work was done regarding the Strachan School Garden.
On 30" September 2024 we completed purchase of the Manse Croft Plot an area of 4.2 acres on the west side of Strachan including a static caravan and shed. The purchase price was £78,750 and this was raised through a grant of £50,000 from the Midhill Community Benefit Fund (via FCC) and the remainder by private donations from the community.
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We believe the Manse Croft Plot will prove to be a fantastic amenity for Feughside residents. It is south facing, located between the road and the river, is adjacent to the Strachan Playing Field and comprises both woodland and meadow areas. We believe there are massive opportunities for the community to further develop the plot including improvement of paths for walkers, active tree management in the wooded area and development of the upper area into a community garden. _ It will be a long term project but work has started to clear part of the meadow and the community garden area including an overgrown hedge on the North side.
In February 2025, we received a generous proposal from a member of the local community offering to gift Ardlair Wood and Footpath to FCA. The wood extends to around seven acres and is mostly mature trees served by a footpath up from the centre of Strachan. Whilst it is early days, the Trustees believe that Ardlair Wood will provide an excellent long-term amenity for the Community and we are looking forward to engaging with FCA members on how it might be best used and managed. We hope to work with Banchory Paths Group to see what can be done to improve the path but any major work will depend on funding.
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Although the Wood and Footpath will be transferred to FCA on a no-cost basis, there will be some modest legal costs associated with the transfer: however these will be covered by specific pledges from Feughside residents. Burnett & Reid are working on the transfer for us but the deeds are still in the old Sasine register so it is a bit of a jigsaw piecing them all together!
After Aberdeenshire Council announced they will not be providing bedding plants for the summer flower display. The Strachan Garden Group (as part of FCA) have placed an order for bedding plants from the Seed Box in Ballogie (a local company) and they have replaced the flower tubs at Strachan Village Hall. Having ordered almost 1,000 plants, we expect to have a great display this year.
Financial Review
Accounts
Accounts for the period 1/5/24 to 30/4/25 are attached at the end of this report.
On 30" April 2025, the charity had £9,972.55 cash in the bank. This includes £851.14 held as restricted funds to support the activities of the Strachan Flowers Group.
Assets
On 30" September FCA completed purchase of the Manse Croft Plot in Strachan. The purchase price was £78,750 plus solicitor’s fees etc of £1,064.
With the help of a grant from Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund of £12,314.45 — various services and equipment have been purchased towards clearing the Manse Croft site and starting the creation of a community garden.
Statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
The board has agreed to retain reserves of £1,000 in order to ensure the charity remains solvent at all times and can meet unexpected emergency expenditure for health and safety, environmental protection, insurance or legal reasons.
Details of any deficit
The charity has no deficits
Donated facilities and services
The charity has not made any donation of facilities or services.
Future Plans
In the near term our efforts will be concentrated on the Manse Croft Plot including improvement of paths for walkers, active tree management in the wooded area and development of the upper area into a community garden. The upper area was originally the car park for the old concrete works in Strachan so has a gravel base with little soil. Work has already been started to clear this overgrown area including removing an overgrown leylandii hedge on the roadside. With community resources voluntary and paid, we plan to convert this upper space into a wildflower gravel garden and vegetable area allowing us to make the transformation without considerable expense.
The next phase will be focused on the Community Garden:
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Purchase and install gabions along the north side of the garden
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- Purchase and fill behind the gabions with rubble and topsoil to support the bank along the road. This bed will enable volunteers to plant a native mixed hedge later this year which will provide screening from the road.
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‘Fill the hedge returns with topsoil in preparation for the native mixed hedge - Establish a gravel garden
The results of the recently commissioned Local Place Plan (LPP) for Feughside Community (which included a survey and interviews representing the views of 100 people) demonstrate that there is significant support for the community garden as an outdoor space for working with other volunteers, attending outdoor workshops and walking in the established wooded area.
Residents of Feughside of all ages and abilities are encouraged to have their say
in the development of the garden through the LPP, membership of the Feughside Community Association (there are 77 members), monthly Garden Group meetings and the Feughside Community Association Facebook page (which has 149 members). The Community Garden has already provided
opportunities to bring the community together as evidenced by the four volunteer days held so far which attracted on average 28 people at each. Local contractors have already offered to sponsor the next phase by providing free gabion rocks, free gravel and free ungraded topsoil. Graded topsoil has been offered at cost price.
The Strachan Flowers Group will be working on the summer display of bedding plants from late May 2025.
We also expect to complete the transfer of ownership of Ardlair wood and path to FCA during the year.
Declaration
Signed on behalf of the charity trustees:
Designation: .....CMAMAl ooo cececcccscecececesesesceveveseseevevevereevevevese.
Date: wae AOS ZG oc ccecccssessesstessessestesstestessensessessee:
Enter SC} $C052558
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APPENDIX 2
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AUN
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(gI%) <fos (rites em} Receipts; and payments accounts
ws J hrs \ For the period | [psy J[vont _J_vear J tolDexJ|_tonts Jl_veu
Section A Statement of receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted xpendable Permanent Total funds Total funds last
funds funds endowment:funds endowmentfunds current period period
to nearest£ to nearest£ to nearest£ to nearest£ to nearest£ to nearest£
Ai Receipts
|9a
| ESFeee |
Income from investments other than
land and buildings
Rentsfromiand&buidings| |
Pe CC” ee ae
| Riga ana]
At Sub total| 44,387 [58132|
A2 Receipts from asset &
investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | is
Proceeds from sale of investments I
A2 Sub total] ___-]
A3 Payments
Gross racing payments Ts
vesimentmenagemertcons dF EES
[AutGovernanceTT costsindependent examination] | CCdY[ EESeetAa
eT 02a|
Aa Sub total 11884] 17,508
A4 Payments relating to asset and
investment movements
Purchaseofrwesmmeris Saaeateel
Ad Sub total 25760] [1988 [30,693|
Surplusre / eee(deficit) tr eerfor year oie) (eesed Eas Dee) Eee)
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APPENDIX 2
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Section B Statement of balances - $C052558
7 Expendable Permanent
Categories Unmesircted Restricted funds endowment endowment «Toul eutrent Total last period
Details - funds funds eo
B1 to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Cash funds Cash and bank balances at start ofyear 36 P ea |
paymentsSurplus / (deficit)account shown on receipts and 9,085
Cash and bank balances at endof year | gaat Iz 9,972
(Agree balances with receipts and payrrents
account(s))
Details. Fund to which asset belongs Market valuation Last year
-_ =—— — to nearest £ to nearest £
Total
Details Fund to which1 asset belongs Cost (if available) Currentavailable) value (if Last year
B3 Other assets Manse Croft Plot, Caravan & Shed Unrestricted Funds tonearesté78,750 to nearest£80,607 to nearest £
Bosch AXT25D Shredder 240V Unrestricted Funds p82
Border Fork and Digging Fork Unrestricted Funds a)
2 Garden Spades Unrestricted Funds | | a)
Husqvarna 535iFR Battery Brushcuter
olw Batteries, Charger & Helmet Unrestricted Funds
Total 80,684] | [__82,502}]
Dotsile Fund to which lability relates Amount due Last year
- ——— =: to nearest £ to nearest £
Total
Details Fund to which liability. relates Amount(estimate) due Last year
— — ——— to nearest £ to nearest £
Total
Signed by one ortwo trustees,
i Date of
ee jf
2015-02-24-rp-accs-cs-version-excel-with-amended-cell (1) / Staterrent of balances 2 December 2007
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APPENDIX 2
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- $C052558
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|Section|C|Notes|to|the|Accounts|
|C1|Nature|and|purpose|of|
|funds|(may be|stated on|
|analysis|of funds|worksheets)|
|C2|Type of activity or project supported|celia|a|~ai|.|
|Grants|a|ee|
|Midhill|Community|Benefit Fund|(see note C6|||50,000|
|C3a|Trustee remuneration|If no|remuneration was|paid during the|period|to any|charity|trustee|or person|connected|to|
|a|trustee|cross|this|box|(otherwise|complete|section|3b)|
|Authority|under|which|paid|.|
|C3b|Trustee|remuneration|-|
|details|
|C4a Trustee expenses|If no expenses were|paid|to any charity trustee|during the|period|then|cross|this box|
|(otherwise|complete|section|4b)|
|Number|of|£|
|C4b Trustee expenses|-|trustees|
|details|
|Transaction|Balance|
|C5|Transactions|with|Nature|of relationshi|Nature|of transaction|amount (£)|outstanding|at|
|trustees|and|connected|
|persons|
|C6|Other|information|Purchase|of Property|
|During the year, a grant|of £50,000 was awarded|to the|charity towards|the purchase|of property.|The grant was|paid|directly|
|by the funder to the|solicitor|handling|the|purchase. As the charity did|not receive|or disburse|the funds,|the transaction does|
|not appear|in the Receipts and Payments account.|However,|the|property acquired|is now held|in the name|of the|charity.|
|Transfer|of|Funds|
|The transfer of £647 between|funds|In|box AS relates|to|Feughside Community Association's|contribution the|purchases|
|attributed|to the|Just|Transition|grant.|
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2015-02-24-rp-accs-cs-version-excel-with-amended-cell (1) / Notes 3
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December 2007
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APPENDIX 3
é ‘ ¢ an 4 P=
X
5 Z a 5 Q _- y
Scottish Charity Regulator
Report [to] [the] (Charity nameIndependent examiner’s report on the accounts v2
trustees/membersRegistered charityof SC Feughside. Community; AssociationLo
aneeas 052558
Oncharitythe accounts of the _ Period start date | Period end date
for the period Day Month —___‘Year Day __Month Year
01 | 05 2024to 30 04 | 2025
Set out on pages (remember to include the page
numbers of additional sheets)
Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
responsibilities of with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the
trustees and examiner 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 |
Basis 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
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, | do
Independent not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
examiner’s _ In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention [other than that
statement disclosed on the attached page]
1. which givas 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
Signed: ched.
Name: Date: / / ef 202%
Relevant professional
qualification(s) (ine The institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
Address: The Grant Considine Partnership
Chartered Accountants
46 High Street, Banchory
Aberdeenshire, AB31 5SR
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“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.
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Give here brief details of |
any items that the |
examiner wishes to |
disclose |
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