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FOR THEYEARENDED31/03/2024 |
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TRUSTEES' REPORT |
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The Trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their annnual report together with the unaudited financial statements of RAF Upper Heyford Heritage Centre(the charitable company) for the)yearended31/03/2024. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements of the charity'sgoverning document and the provisions of the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the Companies Act and the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to the charities preparing their accounts in accodrance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS) - effective 1 January.2015. |
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PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
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The principal activity of the charity in theyearunder review wasto run tours and events for a charitable purpose. The company is currently registering with the charity commission.. |
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STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
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CONSTITUTION
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The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 9 March 2012 as RAF Upper Heyford Heritage Centre. The charitable company is governed by the provision of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The objects of the charity for the public benefit, in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association are the advancement of education of the community and the advancement of heritage in the community through:
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1. The establishment and maintenance of a heritage centre at Heyford Park, Bicester, Oxfordshire ("the Site"), aimed at informing and educating the local and wider community of the history and heritage of the Site.
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2. The establishment of tours of the Site to the public for the aims specified in 1 above.
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3. The preservation and convervation of historic buildings and landmarks at the Site for the benefit of the public and in furtherance of the aims specified in 1 above.
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Every Trustee undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £5 to the assets of the charity in the event that it is wound up during their period of membership, or within one year thereafter.
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BOARDS OF TRUSTEES AND METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION
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The Board of Trustess consists of two independent non-executive Trustees and two corporate Trustees.
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In accordance with the rules and regulations set down in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, new Trustees are introduced to RAF Upper Heyford Heritage Centre by the existing Board of Trustees. Proposals for appointment are discussed and decided upon at board meetings.
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FOR THEYEARENDED31/03/2024 |
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TRUSTEES' REPORT |
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ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING
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The overall strategic direction of the charity is determined by the Trustees, who are also the directors of the charitable company. They meet four times per year to ensure the company's objectives are met, review and consider any funding requirements. The decision made by Trustees are at their collective discretion.
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The day to day management of the organsation is overseen by the Heritage Centre's manager who was appointed in 2018.
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RISK MANAGEMENT
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The main risk to the charity is to measure the funds requirement and provide assistance to support the goals by maintaining and increasing the levels of corporate donations and support. |
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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
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STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES
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Charitable Activities
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In pursuance of its overall goal, the charity undertakes all or some of the activites that are listed in point 5 of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, some of which are listed below:
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a) to raise funds without undertaking any taxable permanent trading activity
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b) to buy, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property
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c) to cooperate with other charities
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Indicators, Milestones and Benchmarks
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The Trustees receive reports and attend events to enable them to assess the benefits of the assistance provided by the charity.
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Public Benefit
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The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty in Section 17 of the Charitites Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The Trustees further confirm that the activities of the Company are carried out, in line with its objects, for the public benefit as described below.
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FOR THEYEARENDED31/03/2024 |
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TRUSTEES' REPORT |
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Relationships with Related Parties
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The charity was established by the corporate Trustees and the subscribers of the Memorandum of Association:
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- Dorchester Heyford Park GP Limited and
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- Dorchester Heyford Park Nominee Limited
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The related party transactions are disclosed in the notes.
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Representation on Other Bodies
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The charity does not have representations on any other bodies. |
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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE |
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REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
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Airbase tours were delivered on most Sundays between March and November. The importance of early release and promotion of tour dates, especially in the run up to Christmas, was highlighted and influenced planning for the 2024/25 season.
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Visitors from USAF veterans have increased, and successful events have been held for Heyford Park School children, coach parties and special interest groups.
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Airbase tour feedback continues to be very positive, with repeat visits being noted and increasing interest from the non-specialist local residents (within 30-40 minutes travelling time).
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There continues to be a significant interest in gaining internal access to buildings, and the more specialist visitors (e.g. Cold War enthusiasts) would like greater access to some areas. The unpredictable weather remains a factor to be managed as most of the tours are outside. The length of the tour and lack of access to toilet facilities on the Flying Field is deterring some visitors though this has been managed by offering short tours (particularly of the Battle Command Centre) during the off-season.
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Work with the Heyford Park Community Hub has proved mutually beneficial, particularly in promoting the Heritage Centre to Heyford Park residents.
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Social media remains confined to Facebook with the Heritage Centre page being the most popular (10K+ followers) of the relevant pages & the Heritage Centre having administration rights over the second most popular page (6K+ followers).
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FOR THEYEARENDED31/03/2024 |
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TRUSTEES' REPORT |
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The Heritage collections continue to develop in both range and scope, and the policy of replacing unprovenanced items continues. The addition of new exhibitions has been restricted by a lack of show cases.
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The Heritage offer continues to be developed and delivered by a single part-time staff member supported by a team of volunteers.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
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Reserve Policy
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As at 31 March 2024, the Company's unrestricted general funds stood at £40,485 (2023: £37,278).
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The company plans to utilise most, if not all of the funds received to acheive its objects after making due allowance for annual administration charges. Accordingly, it is not intended that any significant level of reserves will be retained.
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS & STRATEGY
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Priorities remain the interpretation of RAF Upper Heyford's rich aviation heritage and continuing history through heritage centre displays, airbase tours and events providing formal and informal opportunities for schools, researchers, veterans, residents, tenants and special interest groups.
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1. Access to Building 2010 (with functioning toilets);
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2. Recruitment and training of additional volunteers;
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3. Working with the site owners and tenants to improve housekeeping across site;
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4. Providing information and expertise to support site wide heritage interpretation (e.g. airbase perimeter heritage trail);
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5. Enhanced interpretation of Building 3009/ HAS 9 by acquisition of an appropriate aircraft and/or VR representation of same;
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6. Development of Heritage Centre retail offer, particularly by provision to accept payment by credit/ debit cards;
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7. Self-sufficiency in delivery of airbase tour by purchase of suitable mini-bus;
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FOR THEYEARENDED31/03/2024 |
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TRUSTEES' REPORT |
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TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT |
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The Trustees (who are also directors) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdon Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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Copmany and charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing thse financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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- make judgments and estimates that are responsible and prudent;
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- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequote accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements compky with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detectionn of fraud and other irregularities.
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In preparing this report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415Aof the Companies Act 2006.
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The report was prepared in accordance with the special provisions within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
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This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on08/04/2025 |
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Gavin Angell - Trustee |
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Statement of Financial Activities | |
for the year ended31/03/2024 | |
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| | | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | Unrestricted funds | | Restricted funds | | Total | | Total |
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Income | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from generated funds | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from charitable activities | | | | 20,386 | | - | | 20,386 | | 9,287 |
Other Income | | | | 45,215 | | - | | 45,215 | | 54,455 |
Total Income and endowments | | | | 65,601 | | - | | 65,601 | | 63,742 |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | |
Costs of generating funds | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenditure on Raised funds | | | | - | | - | | - | | 5,325 |
Expenditure on Charitable activities | | | | 62,394 | | - | | 62,394 | | 49,387 |
Total Expenses | | | | 62,394 | | - | | 62,394 | | 54,712 |
Net gains on investments | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | | | 3,207 | | - | | 3,207 | | 9,030 |
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Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assests | | | | | | | | | | |
Net movement in funds: | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income for the year | | | | 3,207 | | - | | 3,207 | | 9,030 |
Total funds brought forward | | | | 37,278 | | - | | 37,278 | | 28,248 |
Net funds carried forward | | | | 40,485 | | - | | 40,485 | | 37,278 |
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This statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities | |
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BALANCE SHEET AT 31/03/2024 |
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| | Notes | | | | £ | | | | £ |
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CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash at bank and in hand | | | | 58,358 | | | | 38,448 | | |
| | | | 58,358 | | | | 38,448 | | |
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year | | 3 | | 17,873 | | | | 1,170 | | |
NET CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | 40,485 | | | | 37,278 |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | 40,485 | | | | 37,278 |
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CAPITAL AND RESERVES | | | | | | | | | | |
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Unrestricted funds | | 5 | | | | | | | | |
General fund | | | | | | 40,485 | | | | 37,278 |
| | | | | | 40,485 | | | | 37,278 |
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For the year ending 31/03/2024 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. |
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. |
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Approved by the board of trustees on 08/04/2025 and signed on their behalf by | | | | | | | | | | |
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G Angell | | | | | | | | | | |
Trustee | | | | | | | | | | |
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