REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: SC163826 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC024518

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

FOR

STRICHEN COMMUNITY PARK COMPANY

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

4

Independent Examiner's Report

5

Statement of Financial Activities

6

Balance Sheet

7

to

8

Notes to the Financial Statements

9

to

16

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Principal activities

The principal activity of the charity in the year under review was that of establishing and maintaining a public park, walkways and lake at Strichen, Aberdeenshire.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Results

The net incoming resources for the year amounted to £170,138 (2024 - outgoing £17,487).

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Investment policy

The trustees have considered the most appropriate policy for investing funds and have found that an interest bearing bank current account meets the charity's requirements for easily accessible funds and interest on any surplus balances.

Reserves policy

The directors have established a policy whereby the unrestricted not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets ('the free reserves') held by the charity should be at least twelve months of resources expended, which equates to £20,279 in general funds. At this level, the directors feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. It would obviously be necessary to consider how the funding would be replaced or activities changed if a funding shortage continued. At present the free reserves, which amount to £19,030 falls slightly short of the target level. This is due to the investment from general funds to support restricted projects.

FUTURE PLANS

Strichen Community Park is run for the community by a team of dedicated volunteers, who meet regularly to plan maintenance and development. The volunteers also have many years of experience and expertise in managing the site for wildlife. The Lake supports a breeding pair of swans and many wild mallard ducks, which provide a focal point for the many families visiting the Park. The woodland areas permanently support several species of small birds such as finches, tits, robins, wrens, blackbirds & thrushes, in addition the less common residents include Tawny Owls, Great Spotted Woodpeckers together with a regularly nesting pair of Grey Herons.

The ongoing management of the Park incorporates the safeguarding the park's environment, including providing nesting sites for the resident bird population, together with ensuring a diverse flora within the park woodland and open areas, with the wildflower meadow and sown wild bird seed mixtures, providing flowers for pollinators and winter feeding for birds and other wild life.

Volunteers take part in the monitoring of the Ugie Catchment for invasive species such as mink, Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, overseen by SISI.

The paths through the woodlands open grassland areas have been improved and extended over the years providing easy signed access routes for the many visitors of all abilities from the village and further afield. The mature Sitka Spruce woodland has been largely cleared as a result of the storm damage over the last few years and is being replaced by mixed woodland by planting and natural regeneration of birch, rowan, oak, beech and conifers, with an understorey of shrubs, scrub and herbs, providing a diverse habitat.

The network of paths has been significantly improved between 2024 and 2025, with grant support from the Scottish Government supported, RCLLD Fund and The Just Transition Participatory Budget Fund, which has improved and widened paths and replaced old timber bridges across water courses with culverts, enabling improved access around the Park. All paths now provide full access for all abilities. Drainage issues of run-off from the adjoining Formartine & Buchan Way have been addressed.

A successful application to the Scottish Government Just Transition Participatory Budget Fund, in 2024, has enabled the further upgrading of paths, drainage and the purchase of a mobility scooter for use by visitors to the Park. Additional chain saw and First Aid training of volunteers was also funded.

An application for the Aberdeenshire RCCLD Fund, an application to fund improvements to the Lodge energy efficiency issues highlighted in the 2023 Energy Retrofit Audit, together with Path and bridge improvements, was successful.

The Planning Application to build Forestry building, the Community Park Shed behind the Lodge, was submitted to Aberdeenshire Council in June 2023, was finally approved on 19 December 2024. This enabled the draw down of approved funding of £163,932 from the UK Prosperity Fund. This was reduced from the offer of £210k because the size of the project was reduced to ensure the work could be completed before 31 March 2025 deadline.

Match Funding of £20,000, was successfully gained from to the Vattenfall Community Fund.

The completed building, extending to 18m x 10m, provides storage for machinery and dry goods and a working area for volunteers, with an 18m x 6m lean-to, providing shelter for visitors and an outside working area for timber preparation and storage. The roof area hosts a 14.4kW Solar Array, with 10kW battery storage.

The building was completed in March 2025 and the Solar Array has provided the Lodge with 6,224 units of electricity, at 50% of mains supply cost, ie £972 net benefit to the Lodge enterprise, and all the power required for the Park's use of the shed. This has been a significant contribution towards to de-carbonising Strichen Community Park energy needs.

In June 2025 a formal opening event was held with Mrs Moira Salmond planting a commemorative Rowan tree, in the presence of 100 invited guests including participation by Strichen Play School.

The 2 acres of Sitka Spruce, at the Western end of the Park, were felled in November 2023, with the timber now providing an ongoing reasonable income stream for Park maintenance and improvement from log sales.

During the financial year ending 31 August 2025 SCP have received grants as follows:

Just Transition Participatory Budget: £41,045 grant, 95% of the £43,205 estimated costs.

Rural Communities Challenge Fund received £18,453 grant 72% of the estimated costs of £25,586.

An application for £20,000 to the Vattenfall Community Fund towards the new shed and Lodge improvements was successful, with an additional £500 provided.

The application to UK Shared Prosperity Fund towards the cost of the new shed and solar array provided funding of £160,477, 80% of eligible funding of estimated costs of £200,528. The balance of costs being met from the Vattenfall grant award and bank reserves.

The Volunteers tree clearance efforts resulted in total timber sales of £9,422 for the year.

Margaret and Alana Watt, the tenants of the Lodge Café/Restaurant continue to provide visitors 7 days/week opening between 10.00am and 4.00pm, which included providing the serviced Park toilets. The rent was maintained at £700/m on the 3rd anniversary of the tenancy.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are appointed by the company, either by receiving a written notice from a member who wishes to be considered for appointment at the Annual General Meeting or the trustees have the authority to appoint a new trustee at any point in the year if they deem necessary.

Organisational Structure

The board of trustees, which can have a maximum of 15 directors at any one point, administer the charity. The board meets monthly to discuss and manage all aspects of the charity's activities. The trustees are responsible for the appointment of the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson.

Induction and training of new trustees

Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the organisational structure, decision making processes, the business plan and the recent financial performance of the charity.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

SC163826 (Scotland)

Registered Charity number

SC024518

Registered office

Newstead Brewery Road

Strichen

Fraserburgh

Aberdeenshire

AB43 6TH

Trustees

Robert Burr Chapman

Stewart Whyte

Herbert Scott Fowlie

Bernadette Cassidy

Michael Morgan (resigned 14.4.26)

Mrs Ann Robertson (resigned 2.6.25)

Leonard Pirie (resigned 2.6.25)

Dr Gerald Peter Banks

Mrs Margaret Watt (resigned 13.4.26)

Angela Keith

Alan Murray

Charles Scott (resigned 6.4.26)

Daniel Booth (resigned 10.4.26)

John Gilbert (resigned 2.6.25)

Lynn Whyte (appointed 3.6.25)

Dennis Richardson (appointed 3.6.25)

Mike Morgan (appointed 14.4.26)

Members of the charitable company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the company in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31 August 2025 was 13 (2024 - 17).

Independent Examiner

Susan M Hepburn CA ATT

Leiper & Summers

4 Charlotte Street

Fraserburgh

Aberdeenshire

AB43 9JE

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 29 May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Dr Gerald Peter Banks - Trustee

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages six to sixteen.

Respective responsibilities of trustees 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) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of the independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 seeking explanations from you as 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 accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention :

(1)	which gives 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 to comply with Regulation 8 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 understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Susan M Hepburn CA ATT

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

Leiper & Summers

4 Charlotte Street

Fraserburgh

Aberdeenshire

AB43 9JE

Date: .............................................

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

12,162

245,381

257,543

70,634

Charitable activities

Maintaining Public Park and Amenities

9,946

-

9,946

6,131

Community Cafe and Heritage Centre

10,269

-

10,269

10,072

Investment income

3

292

-

292

527

Other income

700

-

700

-

Total

33,369

245,381

278,750

87,364

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Maintaining Public Park and Amenities

6,799

62,619

69,418

67,129

Community Cafe and Heritage Centre

3,959

567

4,526

4,831

Other

9,521

25,147

34,668

32,891

Total

20,279

88,333

108,612

104,851

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

13,090

157,048

170,138

(17,487

)

Transfers between funds

10

(17,460

)

17,460

-

-

Net movement in funds

(4,370

)

174,508

170,138

(17,487

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

170,442

223,569

394,011

411,498

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

166,072

398,077

564,149

394,011

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

147,042

397,076

544,118

362,048

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

7,028

-

7,028

12,321

Cash at bank

16,679

1,001

17,680

24,221

23,707

1,001

24,708

36,542

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(4,677

)

-

(4,677

)

(4,579

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

19,030

1,001

20,031

31,963

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

166,072

398,077

564,149

394,011

NET ASSETS

166,072

398,077

564,149

394,011

FUNDS

10

Unrestricted funds

166,072

170,442

Restricted funds

398,077

223,569

TOTAL FUNDS

564,149

394,011

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 29 May 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

Gerald Peter Banks - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

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.

Expenditure

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.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Buildings

-

10% on reducing balance and 4% on cost

Plant and machinery

-

20% on reducing balance

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held in 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.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2025

2024

£

£

Donations

6,114

1,768

Grants

251,429

68,866

257,543

70,634

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:

2025

2024

£

£

Aberdeenshire Council - Buchan Area Initiative

-

5,000

Aberdeenshire Council - Rural Communities Challenge Fund

18,453

29,103

The Tree Council - Branching Out

-

563

Aberdeenshire Council - Brighter Buchan

-

200

Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action - Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund

41,045

34,000

Aberdeenshire Council - UK Shared Prosperity Fund

160,477

-

Foundation Scotland - Vattenfall Unlock our Future Fund

20,500

-

Other grants

10,954

-

251,429

68,866

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

£

Bank account interest

292

527

4.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

30,508

28,335

5.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

1,768

68,866

70,634

Charitable activities

Maintaining Public Park and Amenities

6,131

-

6,131

Community Cafe and Heritage Centre

10,072

-

10,072

Investment income

527

-

527

Total

18,498

68,866

87,364

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Maintaining Public Park and Amenities

12,374

54,755

67,129

Community Cafe and Heritage Centre

4,831

-

4,831

Other

8,456

24,435

32,891

Total

25,661

79,190

104,851

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(7,163

)

(10,324

)

(17,487

)

Transfers between funds

(18,674

)

18,674

-

Net movement in funds

(25,837

)

8,350

(17,487

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

196,279

215,219

411,498

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

170,442

223,569

394,011

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Lodge

equipment

Plant and

and

Land

Buildings

machinery

furnishings

Totals

£

£

£

£

£

COST

At 1 September 2024

155,904

369,552

93,238

64,108

682,802

Additions

-

207,357

5,221

-

212,578

At 31 August 2025

155,904

576,909

98,459

64,108

895,380

DEPRECIATION

At 1 September 2024

7,752

213,423

47,901

51,678

320,754

Charge for year

3,005

15,593

9,422

2,488

30,508

At 31 August 2025

10,757

229,016

57,323

54,166

351,262

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 August 2025

145,147

347,893

41,136

9,942

544,118

At 31 August 2024

148,152

156,129

45,337

12,430

362,048

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Prepayments

7,028

12,321

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Other creditors

2,000

2,000

Accrued expenses

2,677

2,579

4,677

4,579

10.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.9.24

in funds

funds

31.8.25

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General Fund

170,442

13,090

(17,460

)

166,072

Restricted funds

Equipment

1,021

(204

)

-

817

Boathouse Extension

1,563

(156

)

-

1,407

Community Cafe and Heritage Centre

155,342

(14,355

)

-

140,987

Road Improvements

3,127

(223

)

-

2,904

Picnic Tables

4,334

(666

)

-

3,668

Bike Repair Stand

627

(125

)

-

502

Benches and Soft Play Area

1,747

(349

)

-

1,398

Sewer Connection

27,821

(2,782

)

-

25,039

Park maintenance

27,987

(5,597

)

-

22,390

Shed, solar panels & energy efficiency

-

183,479

11,368

194,847

Drainage and lodge energy retrofit

-

(6,092

)

6,092

-

Path accessibility

-

4,118

-

4,118

223,569

157,048

17,460

398,077

TOTAL FUNDS

394,011

170,138

-

564,149

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General Fund

33,369

(20,279

)

13,090

Restricted funds

Equipment

-

(204

)

(204

)

Boathouse Extension

-

(156

)

(156

)

Community Cafe and Heritage Centre

-

(14,355

)

(14,355

)

Road Improvements

-

(223

)

(223

)

Picnic Tables

-

(666

)

(666

)

Bike Repair Stand

-

(125

)

(125

)

Benches and Soft Play Area

-

(349

)

(349

)

Sewer Connection

-

(2,782

)

(2,782

)

Park maintenance

-

(5,597

)

(5,597

)

Shed, solar panels & energy efficiency

185,882

(2,403

)

183,479

Drainage and lodge energy retrofit

18,454

(24,546

)

(6,092

)

Path accessibility

41,045

(36,927

)

4,118

245,381

(88,333

)

157,048

TOTAL FUNDS

278,750

(108,612

)

170,138

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.9.23

in funds

funds

31.8.24

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General Fund

196,279

(7,163

)

(18,674

)

170,442

Restricted funds

Equipment

1,276

(255

)

-

1,021

Boathouse Extension

1,737

(174

)

-

1,563

Community Cafe and Heritage Centre

169,808

(14,466

)

-

155,342

Road Improvements

3,350

(223

)

-

3,127

Picnic Tables

5,168

(834

)

-

4,334

Bike Repair Stand

784

(157

)

-

627

Benches and Soft Play Area

2,184

(437

)

-

1,747

Sewer Connection

30,912

(3,091

)

-

27,821

Park maintenance

-

9,313

18,674

27,987

215,219

(10,324

)

18,674

223,569

TOTAL FUNDS

411,498

(17,487

)

-

394,011

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General Fund

18,498

(25,661

)

(7,163

)

Restricted funds

Equipment

-

(255

)

(255

)

Boathouse Extension

-

(174

)

(174

)

Community Cafe and Heritage Centre

-

(14,466

)

(14,466

)

Road Improvements

-

(223

)

(223

)

Picnic Tables

-

(834

)

(834

)

Bike Repair Stand

-

(157

)

(157

)

Benches and Soft Play Area

-

(437

)

(437

)

Sewer Connection

-

(3,091

)

(3,091

)

Park maintenance

68,866

(59,553

)

9,313

68,866

(79,190

)

(10,324

)

TOTAL FUNDS

87,364

(104,851

)

(17,487

)