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2025-03-31-accounts

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1. CHARITY INFORMATION

Bloomin’ Bo’ness

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2. INTRODUCTION

ABOUT US

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of Bloomin’ Bo’ness’s first year for OSCR after being awarded charitable status in March 2024 to present. We will demonstrate that our various activities and the way we use our finances are cohesive with OSCR’s recommendations of what an effective and well-run charity should look like.

OVERVIEW OF THE CHARITY

Our mission is to ensure that the flowerbeds and other areas that we maintain are well maintained and are healthy and attractive. Importantly everything in our displays is now sponsored so it’s vital to ensure that our sponsors feel they are getting a valuable return for putting their trust in us, while those who simply enjoy the displays can see the benefit we bring to the landscape in our town.

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We recognise that the loss of our local authority withdrawing all gardening services in the town created an opportunity for change and this inspired us to fulfil our main purpose which is to maintain the current flowerbeds and areas we have already tackled while identifying new areas that can be beautified. We actively –

Our target beneficiaries are quite simply anyone who lives in the town of Bo’ness and appreciates that once again the flowerbeds are well kept, and previously ugly areas are now beautiful and well cared for. We have tentatively begun to speak with other groups within the community to try and engage a more multi-faceted approach, such as the clean-up group (litter picking) and other relevant organisations. We recognise that schools, nurseries and care homes have lots to offer, and we are excited about nurturing our relationships with these.

3. ACTIVITIES & ACHIEVEMENTS

Summary of Activities, Achievements and Impact.

March 2025 - Community Garden at Bridgeness was nearing end of

construction - all materials used were donated by various community groups including sleepers from the railway, wood from tradesmen for composting and bottom layer of raised beds our own freshly made compost. Our polytunnel was ordered and erected. Town decorated for Easter and easter event launched.

May 2025 - first 11 tenants were welcomed into the garden and given a 16.x 8 raised bed to plant - many were first time growers.

We asked three of our volunteers to take on the roles of Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Community Payback Officer CPO)

Sponsorship scheme renewed for 2025 overseen by our Sponsorship Coordinator – all 150 Sponsors renewed.

Craft Table at local Fair - all crafts made by volunteers

Massive summer planting across all our areas

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JUNE 2025 - Bloomin Bo'ness provided the Bo'ness fair committee 36 planted troughs to decorate the stage on the fair day - these are used to enhance the town the rest of the year and will be freshly planted for the fair day again every year.

Tesco's contacted us and asked us to upcycle and save over 100 trays off almost dead plants which we did successfully. Planted in the community. AUGUST 2025 - Some of our group worked on the garden of

New tower at Richmond Corner area and Bo'ness road garden created. Craigview, a local nursing home garden transformed, the residents were involved with this.

our CLO visited all schools with a puzzle pack and letter of introduction asking all schools to contact us to arrange a visit to the community garden.

our CPO is working very well with the community payback team who carries out work in the community as and when it is needed. This work is done using tools and equipment that we don’t have access to and is slowly making a massive difference in areas not accessible to us.

SEPTEMBER 2025 - We developed an APP which shows a walking route of our gardens, sponsorship information and photos etc. 2 fundraising nights planned - a quiz night and a tribute act. Social Media Poll launched for feedback, over 2500 positive responses. Shows we are having a massive impact on the community.

OCTOBER 2025 - Halloween competition launched 64 goody bags delivered to children who took part - town decorated for Halloween. CAT application submitted.

Lean to and shed constructed at Community Garden to erect drainpipes to collect water. 5 water butts and fitting now collecting rainwater. Winter planting and spring bulb bonanza over all areas.

December 2025 - 200 advent calendars donated to local food bank - 3 cages of bulbs donated from Sainsburys planted in pots at polytunnel for summer planting all Christmas decoration's placed and competition launched - 120 selection boxes delivered to kids who took part

January - March 2025 - CAT awarded - polytunnel prepared for planting - all summer planting will be grown by us - easter growing day for 32 kids happened in bothy - making bird food, potting plants, seed bombs, new area completed at bus station – 6 new areas planned for 2025 - easter decorations made by our volunteers.

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4. FINANCIAL REVIEW

BRIEF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

From April 2024 – March 2025

Opening £7,819 Income £13,431 Expenses £16,096 BALANCE £4822.63

Most of our income is generated by our sponsorship scheme which runs from May-June each year. When the accounts are examined, you will find that the lion’s share of our money was spent on plants, decoration/displays, aggregate and equipment all of which is ploughed directly or indirectly into the decorated areas we maintain. We are aware that the initial outlay for these was substantial, especially display & decoration, equipment and aggregate however these items will last us for years and we deliberately buy the best quality that we can afford with the view that they will last.

In October 2024 we accepted a donation from a local business on behalf of another community group who do not yet have charitable status. The group in question “Bo’ness Community Cleanup” work extremely closely with us and we share many volunteers. This transaction of money coming in to us then being transferred straight out to the Clean Up group was questioned by our bookkeeper who was completely satisfied with our explanation and financial all financial integrity. I highlight this for complete transparency.

COMPARED TO BUDGET

We Budgeted to spend £8000 on the construction of the community garden which included the polytunnel and materials for raised beds and aggregate. We came in under budget spending £6800 as we were able to negotiate a better deal on the aggregate because of the quantity bought.

RESERVE BUDGET

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We wish to hold £4000 in reserve as this is what is costs us to buy plants for a year should we not develop any new areas.

5. TRUSTEE INFORMATION

We have not changed the trustees this year. Our trustees are –

As our charity flourishes, we aim to increase our board of trustees. The 4 people above have been involved in the group since the very beginning and have contributed to its success in more ways than can be specified. All are hands on, reliable, organised, trustworthy and most importantly passionate about keeping the town of Bo’ness Blooming just as it deserves.

6. COMPLIANCE & LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Governing Document

We have complied with our governing document and are in the process of obtaining a premises from our local authority using the Community Asset Transfer Scheme - CAT. Our governing document has been scrutinised, and we are now using a lawyer to complete the transfer and have been fully compliant with this.

Trustees Responsibilities

Together with the treasure s involved in the financial aspect of the charity. Gathering receipts and liaising with the bookkeeper to help present an accurate, easy to follow set of accounts. She works closely with the Sponsorship Co-ordinator identifying sponsorship opportunities and ensuring that the annual renewal runs smoothly. recently worked with a local company to develop the APP for Bloomin’ Bo’ness which is an amazing tool for information about the group.

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– works tirelessly for the group combining Bloomin’

Bo’ness with other commitments. She is the Vice Chair of the Local Community Council and was instrumental in securing the opening of the public toilets for the community and is invaluable as a direct liaison between some aspects of the local authority and Bloomin’ Bo’ness. s an

excellent ambassador for our charity, she is a delivery driver and chats and brags to everyone in the town about us. She collects donations and hosts our annual quiz night to raise funds for the group.

is a Councillor with our Local Authority and has been

instrumental in assisting us with securing a successful application for our premises as part of the CAT scheme. champions us every day to anyone who will listen all over the council and has been responsible for our being mentioned in the Scottish Parliament dispatches on 2 occasions.

is responsible for the Woodland Garden and keeps it beautifully maintained – he loves nothing more than chatting to the school and nursery children when they visit and is an excellent advert of how to keep busy when retired. He is active also in the community garden helping to introduce the concept of our flowers from seed.

We have followed diligently recognised accounting and principles, and a full set of our scrutinized accounts have been submitted to OSCR

7. Future Plans

Strategic Goals –

Future Activities –

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Funding –

8. Additional Information

Bloomin’ Bo’ness were delighted to be awarded charitable status in 2024, we feel this validates our group and gives us more credence. Without the OSCR we would not have been able to apply for the Bothy using the CAT scheme and there are various sources of funding we can now investigate. As with all voluntary groups there are never enough hours in the day to complete the tasks we want to, far less strive to achieve more – most of our volunteers work full time but we are an extremely motivated and passionate bunch, especially when it comes to keeping Bo’ness Bloomin. We hope this trustees’ reports meets your expectations.

30.05.25

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  1. Additional Informat(on Bloomin, Bo'ness were delighted to be awarded charitable status in 2024, we feel th(s validates our group and gives us more credence. Without the OSCR we would not have been able to apply for the Bothy using the CAT scheme and there are various sources of funding we can now investigate. As with all voluntary groups there are never enough hours in the day to complete the tasks we want to, far less strive to achieve more Ynost of our volunteers work full time but we are an extremely motivated and passionate bunch, especially when it comes to keeping Bo'ness Bloomin. We hope this trustees, reports meets your expectations.

OFFICIAL Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of Bloomln, 80'nes8 My N8me is Marion McKay, and I hold the position of Bookkeeper. I w89 8sked to report on the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 2024-2025. Respectlve responsibilities of tNstees 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) Re8ulations 2006 (8S 8mended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(I) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the 8ccounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether matters have come to my attention. B8SiS Ot independent examinerfs statement 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 8udit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examinerfs statement During my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirerrents: 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 8ccountin8 records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Re8ulations Relevant Professional qualificationlprofessional body: Bookkeeper D8te: 31.05.2025 Si8n8ture'. OFFICIAL

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