Helmsdale & District Development Trust - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: SC420622 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC43078

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

for

Helmsdale & District Development Trust

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

6

Independent Examiner's Report

7

to

8

Statement of Financial Activities

9

Balance Sheet

10

to

11

Notes to the Financial Statements

12

to

19

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 December 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

Objectives and aims

The company has been formed to:

1. Provide within Helmsdale and District recreational facilities, or organise recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended.

2. Advance education and in particular promote opportunities for learning for the benefit of the general public.

3. Advance the arts and/or culture.

4. Advance environmental protection and improvement in Helmsdale and District through the provision, maintenance and/or improvement of public open space and other public amenities and other environmental and regeneration projects (subject to appropriate safeguards to ensure that the public benefits so arising clearly outweigh any private benefit thereby conferred by private landowners).

5. Provide or assist in the provision of housing for people in necessitous circumstances within Helmsdale and District.

6. Prevent or relieve poverty particularly among the residents of Helmsdale and District.

7. To relieve those in need of employment, particularly among the residents of Helmsdale and District, for the public benefit in such ways as may be thought fit, including assistance to find employment.

8. Relieve those in need by promoting training, particularly among residents of Helmsdale and District, and with particular reference to skills which will assist the participants in obtaining paid employment.

9. Advance community development through the promotion of trade and industry within Helmsdale and District for the benefit of the general public.

10. Help young people, particularly those resident in Helmsdale and District, to develop their physical, mental, and spiritual capacities, such that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and as members of society.

11. To advance heritage and/or preserve, for the benefit of the general public., the historical, architectural and constructional heritage that may exist in and around the Helmsdale and District in buildings (including any structure or erection, and any part of a building as so defined) of particular beauty or historical, architectural or constructional interest.

12. To advance the health of the residents of Helmsdale & District, and to assist in the relief of ill health and the provision of health education for such residents.

13. To relieve the needs of people (and particularly those resident in the Helmsdale & District who suffer from mental and/or physical disability, illness or impairment or have particular needs by reason of old age or current or past drug, solvent and/or alcohol abuse, and their carers and families.

14. To encourage, stimulate and support volunteering principally in Helmsdale and District.

15.To promote the rehabilitation of offenders and ex-offenders by provision of education and training, the assistance in finding work and the promotion or support of any project or scheme directed towards the prevention of crime or delinquency.

16. To advance education through

(i) The provision and supervision of learning-orientated activities for school and pre-school children.

(ii) The provision of care, guidance, instruction, activities and support directed towards addressing the special educational needs of school and pre-school children who come from a single parent family or other home environment where there are necessitous circumstances and/or to relieve poverty among the residents of the Helmsdale and District, in particular by releasing poor individuals (whether parents or guardians) having the care of school and/or pre-school children to attend training courses and programmes which are directed towards the acquisition of skills which will assist such individuals in obtaining employment or by allowing poor individuals (whether parents or guardians) having the care of school and/or pre-school children to maintain themselves in paid employment.

17. To advance citizenship and/or community development (including the promotion of civic responsibility and the promotion of the voluntary sector and/or the effectiveness or efficiency of charities).

18 To promote, establish, operate and/or support other similar schemes and projects of a charitable nature for the benefit of the community within Helmsdale and District.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

Helmsdale & District Development Trust has been operational for 13 years, and continues to engage with a range of projects, each presenting challenges and opportunities.

The steadfast dedication of the Board of Directors - entirely volunteer - enables the Trust to progress its objectives for the Community. The Board would, however, have been quite unable to realise its goals without our indefatigable Local Development Officer, Mary Stewart.

As ever. the past year has yielded successes, changes and frustrations.

Ongoing LDO funding - The Trust most gratefully acknowledges a new 3-year LDO funding package from HIE from April 2026. This has opened up so many more possibilities, freeing-up much time formerly spent on seeking continuing funding for Mary's post, and enabling an extension of her working hours.

Couper's Yard - Following ideas arising from the last community consultation, after the original plan to provide camper van parking had to be abandoned, the LDO is working with the architect and quantity surveyor. The revised plans include a chemical toilet disposal facility, laundry and pot-washing, an office with E-bike storage, and workshop units for local businesses. We also planned an In-post facility, but inexplicably, the installation appeared instead at the Community Centre. We are however, simply glad that the community now has this amenity.

Public Toilets - These facilities have been operative for two years, and are an asset to locals and visitors alike. The showers are particularly appreciated by commercial drivers, earning very favourable comment regarding their facilities and their immaculate condition. We are most grateful to our cleaner, Galina Popova, for her scrupulous care. We hope that lingering electrical glitches will be rectified promptly. Due to vandalism, we installed CCTV, which has proved useful, not only to us, but to other recent victims of local crime. Resultantly, we are installing a second camera to expand the field of vision around the building and adjacent area.

Multi-use Games Area (MUGA) - Following its opening two years ago, this has proved a success, despite some technical issues, and attempts at over-riding electrical equipment. The Trust has provided free sessions for the Primary School, and with micro grant assistance from HDCC, has offered 20 free sessions to local youngsters.

Kitchen Garden - The Trust decided to lease out the Kitchen Garden, after funding came to an end, thus for the last two years, the Fairley family has taken over operations at the garden, involving a major restructuring. The village stall now takes place on Saturday mornings.

E-bikes - As above, arrangements for storing/hiring the e-bikes are part of the Couper's Yard project. In the interim, the bikes are available for hire by contacting the LDO's office.

Housing plots - There has been no further movement in selling these serviced plots.

Community Radio - The Trust agreed to support Brora Development Trust's initiative, with involvement as and when appropriate.

Defibrillators - The Trust's defibrillators at the Health Centre and the Community Centre are operational and checked regularly.

Funding - The Trust gratefully acknowledges that none of the above projects would have been attained without the generous assistance of :

HIghlands & Islands Enterprise, The Jordan Foundation, Rural Tourism and Infrastructure Fund, The Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), SSE Beatrice and various Gordonbush Wind Farm funds, Coastal Communities, Caithness & North Sutherland Fund, Robertson Trust, Local Youth Club, Community Regeneration Fund, Albyn Housing Fund, Helmsdale & District Community Council, Helmsdale Station, Rotary Club.

The Trust looks forward to progressing with the projects aforementioned, and lastly would thank, as ever, its constant focus - the community of Helmsdale & District.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

At the end of the year under review the total reserves stood at £1,038,084 (2024 - £1,068,428), of which £23,485 (2024 - £20,638) were unrestricted. There were cash reserves of £88,464 (2024 -£116,263) of which £7,021 (2024 - £21,311) were unrestricted.

Reserves policy

It is the view of the directors that the reserves are adequate for the company to continue the current activities in the event of a significant decrease in income.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The governing documents of the charity are the Memorandum and Articles of Association, incorporated on 28 March 2012. The company obtained charitable status on 12 April 2012.

Helmsdale & District Development Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee of £1 per member, and has no share capital. Permission has been obtained from the Registrar of Companies to omit the word "Limited" from the company's name.

Directors

The directors who served during the period are listed on page 6. One third of the directors retire at the Annual General Meeting, and, being eligible, can offer themselves for re-election.

The company is limited by guarantee, and therefore no director has any financial interest in the company.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

SC420622 (Scotland)

Registered Charity number

SC43078

Registered office

Unit 8

Golspie Business Park

Golspie

Sutherland

KW10 6UB

Trustees

Barbara Jappy

Jean Sargent

Karen Sutherland Assistant Treasurer

Ruth Whittaker Chairwoman

Grace Maxwell

Wendy Simpson (resigned 31.7.25)

Paul Packham Treasurer (resigned 31.7.25)

April Sutherland

Lucretia Packham (resigned 31.7.25)

Audrey Parsons (appointed 31.3.26)

Linda Bremner (appointed 31.3.26)

Maddie Cowie (appointed 31.3.26)

Company Secretary

Jean Sargent

Independent Examiner

Marcus D. MacIver CA

Mackay & Co CA

Unit 8

Golspie Business Park

Golspie

Sutherland

KW10 6UB

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 7 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Ruth Whittaker - Trustee

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 set out on pages nine to nineteen.

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.

Marcus D. MacIver CA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

Mackay & Co CA

Unit 8

Golspie Business Park

Golspie

Sutherland

KW10 6UB

7 July 2026

31.12.25

31.12.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

150

-

150

20

Charitable activities

General

-

20,724

108,194

Investment income

2

4,354

13,478

17,832

18,984

Other income

7,565

-

7,565

3,793

Total

12,069

34,202

46,271

130,991

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

General

8,862

67,753

76,615

68,921

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

3,207

(33,551

)

(30,344

)

62,070

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

20,638

1,047,790

1,068,428

1,006,358

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

23,845

1,014,239

1,038,084

1,068,428

31.12.25

31.12.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

-

1,156,681

1,181,699

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

17,424

6,308

23,732

6,608

Cash at bank and in hand

7,021

81,443

88,464

116,263

24,445

87,751

112,196

122,871

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(600

)

(112,329

)

(112,929

)

(113,002

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

23,845

(24,578

)

(733

)

9,869

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

23,845

1,132,103

1,155,948

1,191,568

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due after more than one
year

-

(117,864

)

(117,864

)

(123,140

)

NET ASSETS

23,845

1,014,239

1,038,084

1,068,428

FUNDS

11

Unrestricted funds

23,845

20,638

Restricted funds

1,014,239

1,047,790

TOTAL FUNDS

1,038,084

1,068,428

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

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 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 7 July 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

Karen Sutherland - 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.

Freehold property

-

in accordance with the property

Computer equipment

-

25% 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.

2.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.12.25

31.12.24

£

Housing rent

17,832

18,984

3.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

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

31.12.25

31.12.24

£

Depreciation - owned assets

25,018

27,331

4.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

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

Trustees' expenses

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

5.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

31.12.25

31.12.24

Local Development Officer

1

Cleaner

1

2

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

-

20

Charitable activities

General

-

108,194

Investment income

11,938

7,046

18,984

Other income

3,793

-

3,793

Total

15,731

115,260

130,991

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

General

4,693

64,228

68,921

NET INCOME

11,038

51,032

62,070

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

9,600

996,758

1,006,358

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

20,638

1,047,790

1,068,428

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Freehold

Plant and

Computer

property

machinery

equipment

Totals

£

COST

At 1 January 2025 and
31 December 2025

1,300,199

13,989

2,024

1,316,212

DEPRECIATION

At 1 January 2025

119,582

12,907

2,024

134,513

Charge for year

23,936

1,082

-

25,018

At 31 December 2025

143,518

13,989

2,024

159,531

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2025

1,156,681

-

1,156,681

At 31 December 2024

1,180,617

1,082

-

1,181,699

The land and buildings owned by the Trust have been valued at £90,000 for three building plots and the four homes have been valued at £360,000.

While buildings and equipment are under construction, the charity has a policy of showing the costs as prepaid expenditure until such times as the asset is brought into use, when the historic cost is transferred to fixed assets.

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.12.25

31.12.24

£

Other debtors

17,424

300

Prepaid MUGA

6,308

-

Prepaid Coupers Yard

-

6,308

23,732

6,608

The redevelopment of Couper's Yard is now underway with legal fees to date of £6,308 being prepaid until completion of the project.

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.12.25

31.12.24

£

Other loans (see note 10)

112,329

Other creditors

300

373

Accrued expenses

300

112,929

113,002

The houses are being used as security for the Triodos loan.

The building plots are being used as security for the interim loan from Highland Council.

10.

LOANS

An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:

31.12.25

31.12.24

£

Amounts falling due within one year on demand:

Quaker Housing Trust Loan

1,000

Triodos Loan

3,579

Highland Housing Alliance Loan

107,750

112,329

Amounts falling between one and two years:

Quaker Housing Trust Loan

1,000

Triodos Bank Loan

3,793

4,793

Amounts falling due between two and five years:

Quaker Housing Trust Loan

3,000

Triodos Bank Loan

12,791

15,791

Amounts falling due in more than five years:

Repayable by instalments:

Quaker Housing Trust Loan

3,000

4,000

Triodos Bank Loan

94,280

98,556

97,280

102,556

11.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.25

in funds

31.12.25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

20,638

3,207

23,845

Restricted funds

Restricted

1,047,790

(33,551

)

1,014,239

TOTAL FUNDS

1,068,428

(30,344

)

1,038,084

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

12,069

(8,862

)

3,207

Restricted funds

Restricted

34,202

(67,753

)

(33,551

)

TOTAL FUNDS

46,271

(76,615

)

(30,344

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

31.12.24

£

Unrestricted fund

9,600

11,038

20,638

Restricted fund

Restricted

996,758

51,032

1,047,790

TOTAL FUNDS

1,006,358

62,070

1,068,428

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted fund

15,731

(4,693

)

11,038

Restricted fund

Restricted

115,260

(64,228

)

51,032

TOTAL FUNDS

130,991

(68,921

)

62,070

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

31.12.25

£

Unrestricted fund

9,600

14,245

23,845

Restricted fund

Restricted

996,758

17,481

1,014,239

TOTAL FUNDS

1,006,358

31,726

1,038,084

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted fund

27,800

(13,555

)

14,245

Restricted fund

Restricted

149,462

(131,981

)

17,481

TOTAL FUNDS

177,262

(145,536

)

31,726

12.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.

13.	DETAILED LISTING OF GRANTS RECEIVED

Grant

2025

2024

Rural Tourism & Infrastructure Fund

-

47,654

Caithness & North Sutherland Fund

-

10,000

Highlands & Islands Enterprise

-

7,111

The Princes Countryside Trust

-

Energy Savings Trust

-

13,586

SSE Gordonbush Ext Fund

17,124

24,333

Coastal Communities

-

1,930

Helmsdale Community Council

-

1,480

Highland Council Comfort Fund

3,600

2,100

Total

20,724

108,194