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| FOR THEYEARENDED31/12/2025 |
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| TRUSTEES' REPORT |
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| The trustees present their report and accounts for theyearended31/12/2025 |
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| PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
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| The trust's main object as per the Memorandum of Association is: - "The relief of disabled persons by the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving their conditions of life." |
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| In 2017 members reviewed the mission statement for the Charity to: SCBT exists to provide a safe, economical, enjoyable, and sustainable countryside canal experience for individuals, or groups of people, with disabilities, their carers, families and friends on the specially adapted narrowboat "New Horizons". |
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| The Members have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the trust should undertake. |
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| During the financial year under review, to fulfil this objective, the Trust has provided short excursions in its specially adapted narrow boat along the Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals for people with special needs or disabilities. |
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| Achievements and performance |
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| In 2025, activity levels were significantly lower than in most previous years. A total of 175 trips took place, comprising 133 half-day trips and 42 full-day trips. This represented a substantial reduction from 272 trips in 2024 and was the lowest total since 2020, although it remained higher than the 124 trips recorded in 2020. |
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| The reduction was primarily due to the unexpected loss of the engine, which resulted in trips being cancelled between 12 April and 7 June 2025. Further disruption occurred when the canal was closed by the Canal & River Trust in September 2025. Together, these issues resulted in the loss of approximately 11 weeks of cruising during the main operational season, significantly reducing the number of trips that could be operated. |
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| The number of half-day trips fell from 183 in 2024 to 133 in 2025, while full-day trips more than halved, from 89 to 42. The 2025 total of 42 full-day trips was lower than in every year shown except 2020. These reductions reflect the restricted operating period rather than a straightforward decline in demand. |
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| Capacity booked also decreased from 79% in 2024 to 60.3% in 2025. Although this was below the figures recorded in most previous years, it was higher than the 54% recorded in 2021. Overall, the 2025 results were significantly affected by the loss of 11 weeks of cruising time caused by the engine failure and canal closure, which reduced both the number of trips available and the capacity that could be used. |
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| The season began on the 22nd of March 2025 and ended on the 31st of October 2025. Whilst dealing with a number of challenges we had a very positive season with clients moving their bookings to later in the season because of the engine issues in April / May and the drought later in the year. We were pleased to see many of our regular users return and booking levels reflected this throughout the year. |
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| The Trustees are grateful to the volunteer skippers, crew and Boat Manager who worked in difficult conditions to keep the boat operational through 2025. |
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| The engine failure following quickly on the major refurbishment in 2023/4 and the lost income because of the drought meant that there was another significant and unexpected call of our reserves. Several very generous donations and a successful lottery bid meant that we were able to ensure the sustainability of the charity and were in a position to start an internal refurbishment programme in early December 2025. |
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| FOR THEYEARENDED31/12/2025 |
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| TRUSTEES' REPORT |
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| Financial review |
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| Reserves policy |
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| It is the intention of the Members to utilise any reserves to ensure that the Charity can continue to operate in the foreseeable future. Sufficient reserves are maintained to fund the day to day running of the charity for up to six months and to ensure that funds are available to repair and renovate the boat when necessary. The Trust's banking arrangements continue to be reviewed to utilise technological developments and aim to increase income from investments. |
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| The Members have assessed the major risks to which the trust is exposed and are satisfied those mitigating systems are in place. A risk register is maintained and reviewed on a regular basis. |
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| STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
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| Stockport Canal Boat Trust is a company limited by guarantee. |
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| The Members, 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: |
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| S Woodgate. |
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| I Watson, |
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| D Bluff, |
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| L Smart, |
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| P Allerton, |
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| D Gordon, |
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| J Dineen, |
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| T Braide, |
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| G Rosenbrock (resigned 15 March 2026) |
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| The Charity Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees. None of the Members has any beneficial interest in the company. All the Members are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up. Two of the Trustees are related to each other. |
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| The Trust is a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital. The Memorandum and Articles of Association are its governing document. The charitable company was incorporated on 8 April 1999. The Trust is a registered charity. |
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| It must be noted that at the time of writing major expenditure has been needed to address the wear and tear on the boat. The Trustees are demonstrating high levels of oversight given the challenges this is creating on income and funding streams. Management oversight is being applied to expenditure. The integrity and quality of the work done to maintain the highest standard of operational quality available has been ratified by the positive hull survey done towards the end of 2024 where the Trustees were commended by the longstanding marine surveyor for the way in which they had dealt with the challenges of electrolytic pitting and the work which they had commissioned. |
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| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT |
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| FOR THEYEARENDED31/12/2025 |
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| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OFSTOCKPORT CANAL BOAT TRUST FOR DISABLED PEOPLE LTD |
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| I report on the accounts of the company for theyearended31/12/2025. |
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| RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER |
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| The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Haviing satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to an audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: |
| - examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; |
| - follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and |
| - state whether particular matters have come to my attention. |
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| BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS STATEMENT |
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| My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. |
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| INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS STATEMENT |
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| 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 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and |
| - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities |
| 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 |
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| ................................................... |
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| Date:16/09/2026 |
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| John Royle |
| Accountant |
| 18 Heaton Gardens |
| 25 Heaton Moor Road |
| Stockport |
| Cheshire |
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| Statement of Financial Activities | |
| for the year ended31/12/2025 | |
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| | | | | | | | 2025 | | 2024 |
| | | | Unrestricted funds | | Restricted funds | | Total | | Total |
| | | | £ | | £ | | £ | | £ |
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| Income | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income from generated funds | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other trading activities | | | | 21,864 | | - | | 21,864 | | 30,277 |
| Income from Investments | | | | 963 | | - | | 963 | | 1,325 |
| Income from charitable activities | | | | 41,063 | | - | | 41,063 | | 24,383 |
| Total Income and endowments | | | | 63,890 | | - | | 63,890 | | 55,985 |
| Expenses | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs of generating funds | | | | | | | | | | |
| Expenditure on Raised funds | | | | 2,485 | | - | | 2,485 | | 4,155 |
| Expenditure on Charitable activities | | | | 52,744 | | - | | 52,744 | | 115,176 |
| Total Expenses | | | | 55,229 | | - | | 55,229 | | 119,331 |
| Net gains on investments | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net Income | | | | 8,661 | | - | | 8,661 | | (63,346) |
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| Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assests | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net movement in funds: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income for the year | | | | 8,661 | | - | | 8,661 | | (63,346) |
| Total funds brought forward | | | | 45,934 | | - | | 45,934 | | 109,280 |
| Net funds carried forward | | | | 54,595 | | - | | 54,595 | | 45,934 |
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| This statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities | |
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| BALANCE SHEET AT 31/12/2025 |
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| | | | | | 2025 | | | | 2024 |
| | Notes | | | | £ | | | | £ |
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| FIXED ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tangible assets | | 3 | | | | 41 | | | | 48 |
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| CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | | | | 54,554 | | | | 45,886 | | |
| | | | 54,554 | | | | 45,886 | | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | 54,554 | | | | 45,886 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | 54,595 | | | | 45,934 |
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| CAPITAL AND RESERVES | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Unrestricted funds | | 5 | | | | | | | | |
| General fund | | | | | | 54,595 | | | | 45,934 |
| | | | | | 54,595 | | | | 45,934 |
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| For the year ending 31/12/2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
| The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. |
| These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. |
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| Approved by the board of trustees on 16/09/2026 and signed on their behalf by | | | | | | | | | | |
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| ............................. | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ian P Watson | | | | | | | | | | |
| Trustee | | | | | | | | | | |
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