The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the the trust's [governing document], the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
Taigh-Tasgaidh agus Ionad-Ealain Taigh Chearsabhagh / Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre champions heritage, visual arts, and the Gaelic language, music and culture on the isles of North and South Uist, Berneray, Benbecula and Barra, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. In our galleries and award-winning museum located in Lochmaddy we offer a stimulating and dynamic programme of cultural events throughout the year for our island community and the many visitors to these islands.. We present contemporary visual arts and heritage exhibitions, poetry and literary and traditional music events, as well as small festivals and conferences.
We provide our community with an essential service by housing the local post office and gift shop. Our cafe is a busy hub for people to meet in and socialise. We also host and support the University of the Highlands - Lews Castle College visual arts degree courses. Our artists’ residencies and community-focused workshops programmes complement and inform the work exhibited in our galleries and museum.
Through our outreach Education and Therapy Services we provide young people and vulnerable groups throughout the islands with opportunities to learn, build confidence, recover and integrate. Inclusion, care and respect are at the core of all our activities.
Taigh Chearsabhagh’s ethos and activities aim to reflect and celebrate the Gaelic language and culture which is integral to North Uist’s identity.
Public benefit
The objectives of the charity are for the public benefit.
Volunteers
Members of the Uist Art Association and the North Uist Historical Society contribute considerable voluntary help in the operation of the Arts and Heritage programmes.
Through our efforts, we help create greater:
Quality of life, mental and physical health and wellbeing through better and more frequent opportunities and our therapy services for access to rich, meaningful, rewarding cultural and social experiences
Opportunity to develop meaningful personal and professional transferable skills and expertise
Inclusivity through meaningful understanding of and respect for other cultures and ways of life
Resilience of our communities through a more robust, diverse and sustainable creative economy
Meaningful engagement with and care for our natural environment
Employment opportunities in a remote and economically disadvantaged location
During the year 2024-25, continuing on our path of recovery from the covid pandemic, Taigh Chearsabhagh delivered a full programme of arts and heritage exhibitions, live music performance, poetry readings, workshops, talks, lectures and film screenings. Due to the end of the funding for our Arts Therapy project, the service was discontinued. Our Music Therapy service programme continued, and high demand was experienced by our therapist throughout the area we serve.
The development milestones and targets agreed with Taigh Chearsabhagh’s principle funder Creative Scotland, at the start of 2024-25 were regularly monitored , and fully assessed at the end of the year. Taigh Chearsabhagh was able to report positive achievement against each of the goals agreed, although on restricted budgets.
The above performance record demonstrates that Taigh Chearsabhagh successfully fulfils its charitable objectives. They also highlight how vital the organisation is to the cultural and economic life of North Uist and this is a tribute to the enthusiasm and commitment of its hard-working, dedicated staff, board members and volunteers.
Principal funding sources
The principal funding sources in the year under review were Creative Scotland, Comhairie nan Eilean Siar and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Taigh Chearsabhagh secured renewal of regular funding status from Creative Scotland, which with the covid pandemic was extended to 31st March 2025 and during this financial year received £102,000 of revenue funding; the next triennial award funding review, now referred to as Multi-Year Funding, was successfully processed and concluded during the year and will be effective from 1st April 2025. In addition, funding for specific projects was provided. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Arts and Leisure revenue funding is awarded on an annual basis, and Taigh Chearsabhagh was awarded £14,366 of revenue funding for 2024-25 in addition to Museum and Economic Development Grants. Highlands & Islands Enterprise provided both direct grant funding and invaluable managed client advice to assist with the Economic Sustainability and Development of Taigh Chearsabhagh.
Outreach Projects are an important part of Taigh Chearsabhagh’s Creative and Economic delivery, and during 2024-25 a Music Therapy Programme funded by Scottish Government and Third Sector Interface served the Uists and Barra.
Taigh Chearsabhagh is grateful to all its funding sources without which its objectives could not be fulfilled.
Reserves policy
The Directors have examined the requirement to retain free reserves which are those unrestricted funds not invested in fixed assets, designated to a specific purpose or otherwise committed and these stood at £65,333 (2024: £35,293) The improvement in reserves derives from tight financial management through a very difficult year and with the understanding and financial support from our funders as referred to in the financial review above. The Directors are pleased to advise that a Going Concern note as recorded at note 1.2 in the Statutory Accounts for 2023-24 is not in their opinion required this year.
The unrestricted free reserves include intercompany balances of £58,636 (2024: £39,167) due from the company’s trading subsidiaries, Taigh Chearsabhagh Trading Co. Ltd and UistFilm Ltd, which jointly held cash reserves of £62,782 (2024: £18,769) therefore the liquid unrestricted free reserves balance is £88,309 (net of creditors) for the group. The equivalent group position at 31 March 2024 was £14,895.
Funds in deficit
At the year-end there were no funds in deficit (2024-nil).
The charity is controlled by its governing document, the memorandum and articles of association, which constitutes the Trust as a company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The Directors are responsible for policy, approving budgets and the appointment of staff. The Director of Business is responsible for the day-to-day operation.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The number of Trustee/ Directors shall be not less than five and not more than twelve. Recruitment is by invitation of the Board among Members and Supporters of the Charity.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the the trust for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 18.
The the trust’s trustees, who are also the directors of Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investments (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
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 financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, 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 view given by the financial statements.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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 financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is Lochmaddy, North Uist, Western Isles, HS6 5AA.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the the trust's [governing document], the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The the trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The the trust has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the the trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The charitable company has not prepared consolidated financial statements on the basis that it qualifies as a small group.
There are no Going Concern issues to report this year.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for a particular purpose by the trustees. Grants received towards fixed assets, once fully expended in accordance with the terms of the conditions imposed, are held as designated funds in order to track the net book value of related assets.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from charitable activities includes grants for specific purposes, income from service level agreements and other fees and income raised from activities carried out in furtherance of the charitable objectives.
Other incoming resources comprise management fees charged to the trading company, the Post Office contribution towards the manager's salary and other miscellaneous income.
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the company in the delivery of its activities and services to beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be directly allocated to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Support costs in connection with generating voluntary and investment income are not significant and have therefore not been apportioned.
The charity is VAT registered and performs a partial exemption calculation each quarter and as recovery rates vary and the calculation is subject to an annual adjustment, it would be impractical to attribute irrecoverable VAT to each individual expense and follow the treatment stated in the SORP. VAT that cannot be recovered by the charity is grouped into a single expense as shown on the detailed SOFA.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the the trust. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
At each reporting end date, the the trust reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The the trust has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the the trust's balance sheet when the the trust becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the the trust’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the the trust is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the the trust’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Operation of Museum and Arts Centre
Operation of Museum and Arts Centre
Direct charitable expenditure
Utilities
Insurance
Consultancy
Repairs, maintenance and computer costs
Office costs
Staff Travel
Marketing and advertising
Bank charges and interest payable
Sundry expenses
VAT disallowed
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Included in Project staff costs is restricted expenditure on the Dandelion project of £nil (2024 - £nil).
The charity's key management is the Chief Executive and compensation which is comprised of gross salary, employer's national insurance and pension contributions amounted to £nil (2024: £nil) during the year.
At the reporting end date the the trust had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
Following the recent review the ground rent has been increased to £917 pa.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
Details of the the trust's subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 are as follows:
Taigh Chearsabagh Trading Co Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary undertaking of Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust. At 31 March 2025, the company had net liabilities of £3,154 (2024 - £6,507) of which £51,522 (2024 - £35,238) comprises of the balance due to the parent company Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust. The Trust will continue to make the loan available to the company until sufficient cash reserves are available for it to be repaid.
UistFilm Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary undertaking of Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust. At 30 June 2024, which was the company's year end, the company had net assets of £1,436 (2023 - £1,174). UistFilm Ltd was due the sum of £7,241 (2023 - £3,929) to the parent company Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust. The Trust will continue to make the loan available to the company until sufficient cash reserves are available for it to be repaid.