Annual Report
and
Financial Statements
For the period
4 January 2024 to 31 January 2025
(Scottish Charity Number: SCO53038)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT: PERIOD 4 JANUARY 2024 TO 31 JANUARY 2025
The trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements together with the independent examiner’s report for the period 4 January 2024 to 31 January 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity Name: Bridge of Allan Allotment Association
Charity Number: SCO53038
Principle Address:
Trustees:
There were no other appointments or resignations in the period 4 January 2024 to 31 January 2025.
Bank: Cooperative Bank
Independent Examiner:
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Bridge of Allan Allotment Association is a one tier Scottish Charitable Organisation (SCIO) registered with OSCR on 6 January 2024 and is governed by its constitution which was adopted on 4 December 2023.
Appointment of Trustees
The charity governance and strategic direction is overseen by a committee consisting of 7 members, 4 of whom are Trustees of the Charity, and an additional Trustee who is not a member of the committee.
The Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is held in March and in line with our constitution we can have up to nine committee members.
Aims and Commitments
The aims of the association are to encourage residents from Bridge of Allan and the surrounding area to participate in and promote community food growing.
Provide an opportunity for local youngsters to actively participate in horticultural activities.
The advancement and protection of environmental improvement through the creation of a community orchard highlighting the benefits of gardening, growing food, nature conservation and other outdoor related activities, to all ages and abilities of individuals living in the Stirling Council area.
Engage and where possible co-operate with other organisations to further the interests of allotment holders and / or community leisure gardeners.
The Association is committed to:
Supporting a culture of equality and respect for all involved in looking after the site, working the allotment plots or maintaining the community orchard space.
Promote and encourage environmental responsibility and ecologically sustainable practices wherever possible in caring for the site.
Maintain and improve the site and facilities as may be required.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
This is our first full period as the Bridge of Allan Allotment Association after being granted charitable status in January 2024, a lot has happened in the 12 months since.
Lease Negotiations
There have been lengthy communications/negotiations with Stirling Council to draw up and issue the lease for the site. Unfortunately, this has still not been concluded. It is hoped that the lease will be issued in the financial year to 31 January 2026.
The Association have sought support from Local and
who wrote to the council on our behalf. Negotiations are ongoing.
My thanks to and for their persistence and patience during the negotiations and as we head into 2025, we will continue to press for the lease to be finalised and signed.
Community Orchard
In February 2024 we received a grant from Forth Environment Link for £569.00 for the formation of the community orchard.
met with of Scottish Fruit trees, who was appointed as a consultant, for advice on how best to establish the orchard and which fruit trees would be best suited for the site. In March 2024 a tree planting day was organised with the first batch of trees planted with the assistance of the local scout group and members of the local community. The event obtained excellent coverage in the Stirling Observer which helped promote the Association. Thanks to for all his efforts in getting this project started.
Additional grant funding was received in November 2024 from the Forth Valley & Lomond Youth Local Action Group for the purchase of 34 fruit trees. The next round of tree planting, assisted by pupils from Wallace High School as part of their ‘Sprout for Change’ project is scheduled for 21 February 2025, weather permitting.
Plot Allocation
. The allocation of vacant plots was completed in May 2024 by the Secretary, The Council handed management of the plot allocation to the Association. New plot holders were welcomed to the Association in May 2024 and were introduced to their plots by . This is a big step forward; it is pleasing that since forming the Association we have been able to fill all the plots on site for the first time in years. We also have a growing waiting list which shows there is a keen interest locally for an allotment plot.
Grants and Projects
Grant funding was received from Stirling Council Community and Wellbeing Fund for the purchase of a communal greenhouse for the Association plot, allowing all plot holders to have access to greenhouse facilities as not all plots have poly tunnels/greenhouses. This was successfully built and completed in June 2024. A special thanks to partner Sandy for his expertise during the construction process and to all those involved in the project.
In June 2024 a Butterfly Identification workshop was held at the Community Orchard by Butterfly Conservation.
In September 2024 grant funding was received from Arnold Clark Community Fund for the design of an Association logo and two signs for the main gate and Community Orchard. Local design company, Arken Creative, were appointed to design and produce the signs. Both signs have been produced with an unveiling scheduled for late summer, early autumn 2025.
We welcomed two new members to the committee, as the new Allotment Site Manager and to provide advice and support with our charity governance and assist with grant applications and membership funding.
I would like to end by thanking all members of the committee for their time and efforts in establishing the association and looking forward to 2025 we will continue to work towards finalising the lease negotiations with the council. Securing the lease for the site will allow us to seek further funding from grant bodies and funding through plot holder subscription fees, allowing further development and maintenance of the site.
I am confident there is a lot to look forward to and I am sure the Association will continue to grow and develop in the years ahead.
Chair, Bridge of Allan Allotment Association
RESERVES POLICY Tnis is tne iiT¥I Iuil Iindnciai perioo ior ine a5s¢xI?Iion. ine commiiiee ine ajrn ci nawng one ye¥r 8XP8Cted ienial incom8 availabl8 as unrestricted funds. Due to the delay in the conclusion of a lease wilh Stirling Council tha asso¢iation h88 been unable to charg8 its rnembers a rentalfea. This should be resolved in the comingfinancial year and 88SiSt th8 8B89¢iation in reaching its Teserve8 target. Flnanclal R•vl•w Overv5ew Total receipts foi the period £5.515.2912023: £nill total payments loi the period w8s £2,908AO12023.' £nill. The ehBrity h8d 8 surplus of £2.606.4912023: £nill. io•pgnoeni ÉxamineT'S nepon to the Tru•ive¥ 6riu8e OT Aiian AiioimBn AssvGi•iion l ieported on the accounts ofthe charltyfor pèrlod end 31 January 2025. sét out In th8 following pages. A•Sp•¢t regpon8lb5Utl88 of tru•too• •nd •x•mlnor Thp. r.ho>ritv'8 trJ8t8 arp. rft8nTrn.sihlp. Inr thp nr8n8ratinn nf thp. arrnijnts in arr.nrdHnr.p. with thp. tp.rmk nl thp. Charilies 8nd Trustee Inveslmeni jSLotlan(5j Act 2005 and the Ch8Tlties Accounts ji¢olianaj Regu18tions 200 la8 amendedl. The charity trustees con8iderthatthe audit requirement of Regulation 10111 Idl 0¢ the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. h is my responsibility to examine the accounts as requlred under 58Ction 44111 Icl ol the Aci and to state whether particular matter8 have come to my attention. oasis or inovponoenT vxamin•r'> s•ment My examinoiion 15 GaTried oul in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 AccoL¢n18 Regulations. An examin8tion includes a rewew of the accounting records kept by the charity 8nd a compaiison of ihe accounts presented th those records. It also InclLdos consideration ol any unusual Items ordlsclosures In th8 8ccounts and setrks exo18natlons from the trustees concernin¢ 8nv such matters. The Drocedures undertaken éo not pruyide alklhe evidenGe thal would b$ reqbired in an audit. and ¢onsequentlyl do not 6Apress an audit opinion on theview given bythe aceountS. Indopondent axamln•r' t8tomeni Durinq the course of mv ex8min81ion. no matter has come to mv attention which oives me reasonable cause to believe thal in arty materièl iesp6ci ttiÈ l-fsqUlleil-i¥iTrls. to keep accotsnting rgcoids in accordance with S8Ction44111181 ol the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 ofthe 2006 AcGoLtrnts Regulations to DreD8re accounts which accord with the acCntIn records and comt)Ivwlih Requlatlon 9 of the uyrj nv¥uidiiLli Iiav(¥ livi b6vn n)dt, 01 to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of ihe aeeounts to be reached.
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS FOR THE PERIOD TO 31 JANUARY 2025
| Receipts | Note | Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Total 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Donations | 5 | 0.40 | - | 0.40 |
| Grants | 6 | - | 5514.89 | 5,514.89 |
| Total receipts | 0.40 | 5514.89 | 5,515.29 | |
| Payments | ||||
| Professional Fees | 8 | - | 569.00 | 569.00 |
| Plants & Trees | 8 | - | 850.40 | 850.40 |
| Payments related directly to charitable activities |
1,419.40 | 1,419.40 | ||
| Purchase of fxed assets | 8 | - | 1,489.00 | 1,489.00 |
| Total payments | 2,908.40 | 2,908.40 | ||
| Net receipts | 0.40 | 2,606.49 | 2,606.89 | |
| Transfers to / (from) funds | (0.40) | 0.40 | - | |
| Surplus for the period | - | 2,606.49 | 2,606.49 |
STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS OF 31 JANUARY 2025
| Funds Reconciliation | Note | Unrestricted Funds | Restricted Funds | Total 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Balance as at 4 January 2024 | - | - | - | |
| Surplus for the period | - | 2,606.49 | 2,606.49 | |
| Balance as at 31 January 2025 | - | 2,606.49 | 2,606.49 |
| Bank & Cash Balance | 2025 |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Cash at Bank | 2,606.49 |
| Cash in Hand | - |
| Total bank and cash | 2,606.49 |
These accounts wÈre apprDved bythe Trust6&S On the 25 Februaryand signed on their behalf by.. NOTESTO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: PERIOD ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025 1. 8411• ot Prnpar•tlon Th888 8CCOUnts h8ve been prepar•d on the ieceipts & payments ba$18 in accord8nce with.. 81 Ihe Lhintses an(J Ir888 Investment Ibcotlanai Act duo bl The Charitie8 Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 2006 las amended) Fund Accountlni ! I InrgStrir.t8d fiJnrlR AfrthnR• th#t r.#n hA YPAndfd XT thA diAr.rAtinn nl thp. triitftR9 in thA IiirthArAnr.A nf the objects oiihe charity. bl Rostrlctgd funds are those that may onlybts uÈ8d for speclth"o purpo88s. R85tri¢tsons hrise when specSfled bythe donor. orwhen fvnd8 sra ia188d for specific PUTPOSOS. TA al Th6 not118ble to corporstlon t8x or capital g8ins tsx on it8 charitable 8Ctivitie bl The ¢h8rltyis not vegi8tar8d fo¥VAT- thu$. all costs are $hown irlgIVe of VAT charged. TranÈa¢tlon• wlth tni•ts85 and r•i•t•d p•rtl•J ai r40 remuneraiion w88 P810 10 trustees (buring ine accouniing perio(J. bl Notr8velfy'ng expenses wer& paid totrustees dUn¥the accountlng period. cl Trustees do not have indemnty Insurance. Don•tlons. A dtingfihn pn.4n provsdA iothe. r.hxrity Grants Unrnstrlct•d Funds R•strf¢t•d Fund8 Tot1 2025 Forth Environmeni Llnk 569.00 1568.00 Stlrllng Council Community And Wellbeing 1,489.00 1489.00 Arnold C18rk Ctsmmunrty Fund 1.000.00 1000.00 Forth Valley & Lotnoiid Youth Locèl Action Group 1.710.49 Stirlin8 Council Community and Wellbeing 746.00 748.00 Totsl grarit income 5.514.49 5,514.49
7. Cost of Charitable Activities .
During the period £569.40 was incurred for professional fees in establishing a fruit tree orchard. A further £850.40 of fruit trees were purchased.
8. Breakdown of unrestricted funds.
During the period to 31 January 2025 the association received a donation of £0.40. This was transferred to the Forth Valley & Lomond Youth Local Action Group restricted fund (see note 9). The closing unrestricted funds at 31 January 2025 are £Nil.
9. Breakdown of restricted funds
| Forth Environment Link Grant |
Stirling Council Community and Wellbeing |
Arnold Clark Community Fund |
Forth Valley & Lomond Youth Local Action Group |
Stirling Council Community and Wellbeing |
Total restricted funds |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Grants | 569.00 | 1,489.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,710.49 | 746.00 | 5,514.49 |
| Total Receipts |
569.00 | 1,489.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,710.49 | 746.00 | 5,514.49 |
| Payments relating directly to charitable activities |
(569.40) | - | - | (850.00) | - | (1,449.40) |
| Purchase of fxed assets |
- | (1,489.00) | - | - | - | (1,489.00) |
| Total payments |
(569.40) | (1,489.00) | - | (850.00) | - | (2.908.40) |
| Net receipts | - | - | 1,000.00 | 746.00 | 2,606.09 | |
| Transfer to / (from) funds |
0.40 | - | - | - | - | 0.40 |
| Surplus for period |
- | - | 1,000.00 | 860.49 | 746.00 | 2,606.49 |
10. Purpose of Grants
Forth Environment Link - Restricted fund for establishment of a community orchard.
Stirling Council Community & Wellbeing – Restricted fund for construction of a communal greenhouse on the allotment site.
Arnold Clark Community Fund – Restricted fund for the establishment of signage for the allotment site and community orchard.
Forth Valley & Lomond Youth Local Action Group – Restricted fund for tree planting at orchard site.
Stirling Council Community & Wellbeing – Restricted fund for the establishment of signage at the allotment site and community orchard.