The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Memorandum and Articles of Association (as amended), 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 Trust's objectives are:-
To advance the development and regeneration of Ardrishaig for the benefit of the community and the public in general following general principles of sustainable development.
To manage community land and community assets for the benefit of the community and the public in general following the principles of sustainable development.
To provide or assist in providing recreational facilities and/or organising recreational activities which will be available to members of the public at large with the object of improving the conditions of life of the community following the principles of sustainable development.
To advance the education of the community about its environment, culture and history.
To advance environmental protection or improvement including preservation and conservation of the natural environment, the promotion of sustainable development, the maintenance, improvement or provision of environmental amenities for the community and/or the preservation of buildings or sites of architectural, historic or other importance to the community.
The directors have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) in deciding what activities charity should undertake.
One of the Trust's activities is the making of grants that benefit the people and community of Ardrishaig, and the wider public. These grants are concentrated primarily within Ardrishaig community area which is defined by the PA30 postcodes plus PA31 8NH and PA31 8NY. Grants made outside this area are only made on the basis of clear benefit to the Ardrishaig community.
Grants are made in accordance with the Trust's Memorandum & Articles of Association and are made to meet the Trusts objectives:
Applications for grants will not be accepted from the following:
Political organisations;
National organisations, unless there is a local branch;
Religious organisations;
Companies who aim to distribute a profit.
Ardrishaig Renewable Energies Ltd. (ARE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust. It is the Trust's trading business which is a member of Allt Dearg Wind Farmers LLP (ADWF). ARE gifted to the Trust £455,443 in the year to October 2025.
There were grants made to local causes totalling £30,599 in the year and these include:
£10,000 to the community pool
£1,500 to the soccer centre
£1,500 to Red Star
£12,099 to the community garden.
7 micro grants of £500 each.
The quarterly grants for the Strengthening Communities Program to employ the Development Officer (DO), resident in the Public Hall (PO) office, ceased 31 December 2024. However, the Trust continued to fund the DO using its own funds with main duties to include developing the business and market the use of the Trust assets and create a program of activities. The DO presence in the PH office has provided a significant and useful contact between the Trust and community. This has resulted in a significant increase in usage of the assets by the community and community groups which in turn has improved the revenue from the rent of the facilities. Examples of usage include quiz nights, pottery making, pantomime, toddler pre-school, musical evenings, flower show, model show, weddings, receptions and funeral services. The cost of running the halls still exceeds the income received in the year which was covered by money received from ADWF.
The Ardrishaig community will benefit from capital expenditure in the halls this year, as the Trust continued to improve and enhance the facilities., in particular, the kitchen with a commercial cooker, dishwasher and fridge. The kitchen has now the addition of a pantry. This is now marketed as a community kitchen fit for use by weddings, corporate and community organisations, private parties, coffee mornings. The ladies toilet facility has been significantly refurbished. A separate space in the PH includes a "green room" for use by performers to prepare before performances.
Capital projects for the year, which covered halls renovations and gardening works amounted to £136,002. Running costs for the two halls, including payroll, amounted to £73,496.
It is the policy of the trust that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months anticipated expenditure above the strategic reserve. The directors 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 Trust’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. In order not to compromise the Trust's charitable status the accounts need to show that the assets are sufficient to enable the Trust to repay its borrowings.
The directors have assessed the major risks to which charity is exposed and have identified specific risks:
The Trust is well over half of the way into the Alt Dearg Wind Farm income which has mainly been used to develop the two village halls along with supporting local events and charities. It is recognised that the Trust's investment strategy needs to change in order to provide future support for the Trust's assets and to leave a legacy in supporting good causes. The Trust will now be investing capital to strengthen its financial position and protect its ability to contribute to any plans for the village.
The halls continue to cost more to run than income through hire activities. Although it is recognised that some of the halls bookings will be for charitable purposes, more work is needed to balance income and expenditure in the future.
The Trust recognised that its policies and procedures should be updated, and these will be revised and developed over the coming year.
Future plans include consolidating, fulfilling and developing the Trust's present objectives. It is anticipated that the income derived from the wind farm will be in excess of £100,000 per annum subject to the current arrangement which completes in 2032.
The Trust owns the Robbers Den woodland in Ardrishaig. The condition of the woods, paths and bridges will be assessed, and a maintenance plan for the coming years will be established as necessary.
There are several major initiatives being developed in the next financial year:
The Trust will be launching a formal grant application process so that organisations have an improved and transparent process to follow when applying to the Trust for financial support.
An investment strategy will be developed to ensure Trust funds are invested to strengthen its financial position given ADWF funding is planned to end by 2032.
Work to develop a more balanced income and expenditure for the halls to ensure its long term sustainability.
Membership is open to the Ardrishaig Community through a process of application. Members have democratic control of the trust with all members having one equal vote. Those serving as elected officials are accountable to the membership.
The directors' report was approved by the Board of Directors.
I report on the financial statements of charity for year ended 31 October 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 21.
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.
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.
CA
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Ardrishaig Community Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is The Old Surgery, School Road, Tarbert, Argyll, PA29 6UL.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Trust's Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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 charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity 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 charity. 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.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors 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 directors in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors 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.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity 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.
Where it is possible to identify payment for services received in advance, such payments are recognised as deferred income.
Income received for the hire of the North Church Hall and Public Hall is recognised at the time the service becomes final, usually upon receipt of payment from third parties.
All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure. All costs have been directly attributed to one of the Charity Activities as expended on the SOFA.
Support and governance costs have been allocated to various charitable activities on a basis for which the directors believe is representative of each activities relative share of costs.
Property, plant and equipment 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 the statement of financial activities.
The cost of Land (£6,000), the North Church Hall (£88,603) and Office space (£25,780) are held at purchase costs which the directors believe represents the fair value of the assets as at the balance sheet date.
The fair value of the Public Hall and associated equipment has been assessed by the directors to be at its carrying value (acquisition cost plus redevelopment costs) as at the balance sheet date.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. 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 charity 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 charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity 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 trade and other receivables 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 trade and other payables 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 payables 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 payables are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the directors 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.
Donations of £455,443 (2024: £438,625) were received from Ardrishaig Renewable Energies Ltd, a company that is wholly owned by Ardrishaig Community Trust. This donation includes donations made under Gift Aid where applicable.
Other donations for the previous year consisted of a restricted donation received from Z Campbell for sound equipment for the public hall.
ACTion fund
ACTion fund
At the Balance Sheet date, the Charity had total commitments of £11,500 representing grants approved but not yet paid to two organisations and two individuals.
Governance costs includes payments of £1,100 (2023- £1,050) for Independent Examination services.
None of the directors (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, however one was reimbursed a total of £3,147 (2024: 1 director totalling £3,987) for expenses.
The average monthly number of employees, including directors, during the year was:
Transfers totalling £1,660 were made from restricted funds to unrestricted funds representing assets purchased via grant funding from the Scottish Government which have been transferred to unrestricted funds upon completion of this project.
Likewise a transfer of £2,398 was made from restricted funds to unrestricted funds with respect to costs for the Soup Group that were met from general Trust funds. Included in this transfer was assets acquired via grant funding received from The Scottish Government which has came to a natural end.
A balance of £1,902 was transferred from unrestricted to restricted funds in light of costs incurred for the Christmas Lights which were met from general funds.
The net result is a net £2,156 transferred from restricted to unrestricted funds for the year (2024: £85 from restricted to unrestricted).
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The £1,200 donation received from Z Campbell was to allow the Trust to purchase sound equipment for the Public Hall which is being depreciated each year.
The £1,661 grant funding (brought forward) and £4,200 received from the Scottish Government was funding towards maintaining the services of a development officer and to meet office set-up costs for this project. As this project has now ceased, the NBV of the equipment has been transferred to general funds.
The brought forward balance of £1,006 and £7,211 received for the Christmas Lights representing various donations collected from the public and grants from the National Lottery to meet ongoing costs of the Christmas Lights as they arise
A brought forward balance of £2,540 from The Scottish Government represents funding received as part of the Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund which was used to support a community Soup Group held within the Public Hall. Funding from this source ceased this year with respective assets transferred back to unrestricted reserves. This project continued this year with separate grant funding received from Argyll & Bute Third Sector Interface grants.
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.
During the year charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
During the year an amount of £3,147.42 (2024: £3,986.91) was paid to Kenneths of Stronachulin LLP, a limited liability partnership in which Duncan Broadfoot is a partner. This represented costs incurred by Ardrishaig Community Trust that were settled via this LLP.
At the balance sheet date there were no amounts payable to Kenneths of Stronachulin LLP.
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
At the balance sheet date an amount of £Nil (2024: £222,226) was owed by Ardrishaig Renewable Energies Ltd representing gift-aided donations receivable for the year. A balance of £155,000 was owed by Ardrishaig Renewable Energies Ltd representing cash advanced to the subsidiary to aid cashflow. This loan has no fixed repayment date and no interest is charged on this loan.
These financial statements are separate Trust financial statements from Ardrishaig Renewable Energies Ltd (ARE) which is an intermediate holding company for the investment in ADWF.
Details of the charity's subsidiary at 31 October 2025 is as follows:
The investment in the subsidiary is stated at its fair value which is deemed to be its Net Asset value as at 31 October 2025. The Net Asset value excludes any revaluation of the underlying value of the subsidiary's interest in ADWF.