The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2026.
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 's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".
The company’s purpose is to advance the public participation in the sport of rugby.
In furtherance of this the company will:
Promote a unified voice for the region on all issues related to rugby;
Promote and encourage and extend the game of rugby within the region on all issues related to rugby;
Represent the best interests of the region in relation to any proposed change in SRU policy; and
Conduct such affairs of the SRU within the region as may be delegated to the company by the SRU.
The company’s objectives are limited to those set out in the articles.
The company may (subject to first obtaining consent of OSCR) add to, remove or alter the statement of the company’s objects in article 3.1; on any occasion when it does so, it must give notice to the registrar of companies (Companies House) and the amendment will not be effective until the notice is registered on the register of companies.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the OSCR in deciding what activities they should undertake.
The following activity has been delivered by the SBDU board of trustees up to 31st May 2026.
The Scottish Borders District Union were granted Charitable status on 18th August 2025 Charity Number (SCO 54470).
The organisation facilitated a One Year on Event at Selkirk Rugby Club on Wednesday 17th September 2025 to inform stakeholders the work that had been carried out in our first year since the initial launch of the SBDU in September 2024 at the Schloss Roxburghe Hotel. This allowed stakeholders from respective clubs, business, third sector organisations and the governing body of Scottish Rugby to help shape our strategic assessment priorities for the next two years.
Following the one-year-on event, the SBDU board worked closely with Scottish Rugby to ensure alignment of the strategy. This work was completed in late 2025, and the SBDU now has a strategy document setting out its short- to medium-term priorities, available to all stakeholders on our website. www.sbdu.scot
The SBDU created small working groups to address the following areas, Communication, Inclusion and accessibility, Marketing and Finance and having representation in shaping a National sevens strategy.
This was the first year that the company was granted charitable status.
The total income for the year amounted £10,190 which comprised of donations of £1,900 and a charity golf day generating £8,290.
Expenditure for the year totalled £10,681 which resulted in a donation to The Grass-roots Rugby for Everyone Awards Trust (GREAT) is a primary charity dedicated to funding local Scottish rugby from the income from the charity golf day of £3,190, the costs for the day were £2,385 and other legal and professional fees and overheads totalled £5,106.
This resulted in a Deficit for the year of £491.
The total unrestricted funds at 31 May 2026 were £463.
It is the policy of the that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the ’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
Looking forward the Scottish Borders District Union will continue to grow the valued work started by the appointed sub-groups to meet our priorities within our strategic plan with continued engagement with our stakeholders, to ensure delivery of our short to medium term priorities.
In addition to this work, planning is well underway for future events which include our inaugural business breakfast in partnership with the Border Chamber of Commerce at Abbotsford House on the 3rd of June 2026, followed by a further Charity Golf Day this coming September after the outstanding success of our inaugural Golf Day last September at Minto Golf Course.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was granted charitable status by OSCR of 18th August 2025.
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:
The recruitment and appointment of new trustees is decided by the board. To fill any vacancy that arises from time to time the nominated trustees would approach a suitable person to fulfil the role and responsibility that is required.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the for the year ended 31 May 2026, which are set out on pages 5 to 13.
It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is 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 financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking 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 the course of 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 Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Scottish Borders District Union is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is Riverside House, Ladhope Vale, Galashiels, TD1 1BT.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". The is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the . Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The company was granted charitable status on 18th August 2025. During the prior period activities were very much in line with the organisation obtaining charitable status and therefore have been presented in a similar format to that of the current period.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.
Amortisation 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:
At each reporting end date, the reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible 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 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 's balance sheet when the 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 ’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
In the application of the ’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.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
The trustee Keith Robertson advanced a loan of £2,000 to the charity to help with its working capital. This loan is interest free and there is no fixed repayment date.