The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
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 charity's governing document, the Companies Act 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 charity's objectives are to operate the Carnforth Community Swimming Pool for the benefit of all members of the public to include in particular, promoting the leisure, health and safety benefits of swimming for all ages, and especially teaching young persons to swim.
The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are:
To operate and maintain Carnforth Community Swimming Pool as a safe, accessible and welcoming facility for the benefit of the whole community.
To promote the health, wellbeing, leisure and safety benefits of swimming amongst people of all ages and abilities.
To provide and support swimming lessons and water safety education, with particular emphasis on enabling children and young people to learn to swim and develop lifelong water safety skills.
To encourage participation in swimming and aquatic activities by reducing barriers to access and promoting inclusion within the local community.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the swimming pool through effective governance, prudent financial management and the recruitment and retention of appropriately qualified staff and volunteers.
To work in partnership with local organisations, schools and community groups to maximise the public benefit provided by the charity.
There has been no change in these policies during the year.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Pool utilisation remained high throughout 2025, reflecting the continued demand for the charity's facilities and services. Particular emphasis was placed on supporting less fortunate families through programmes funded by private donations and grant funding, helping to ensure that access to swimming and water safety opportunities remained available to all sections of the community.
The charity also made increased use of the building extension that was completed in the year. The coffee shop and community space provides valuable facilities for pool users and doubles as a training area for swimming teachers and lifeguards.
The charity's continued progress is largely attributable to the commitment and enthusiasm of its staff and volunteers, who make a significant contribution to delivering a wide range of activities and services. A particular highlight of the year was the provision of swimming and water safety lessons for pupils from more than twenty local primary schools, supporting the charity's objective of enabling young people to develop essential swimming and lifesaving skills.
The charity continued to maintain a sound financial position during the year ended 31 December 2025. Total funds increased from £248,009 to £332,331, highlighting successful operation of Carnforth Community Swimming Pool.
Income is derived from a variety of sources, including swimming lessons, hire of the pool, grants and donations. During the year, the principal sources of charitable income were public swimming (£140,741) and school swimming (£91,316). Total income from charitable activities amounted to £262,181 (£267,427 in the prior year).
The charity also received donations, grants and legacies totalling £85,042. Of particular significance was a generous legacy of £40,000, for which the trustees are extremely grateful. This funding enabled the charity to continue offering discounted and subsidised swimming opportunities for individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to participation, directly supporting the charity's objective of making the pool and its associated health, leisure and water safety benefits accessible to all members of the community. Grant funding of £37,780 also supported the charity's activities during the year and enabled heating upgrades and new solar panels to be fitted.
Fixed assets increased from £281,449 to £332,744 following capital investment during the year, including the installation of solar panels and car park upgrades. The solar panels will provide ongoing savings in energy costs and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the pool.
Cash balances increased from £15,295 at the start of 2025, to £52,577 at the year end. The trustees continue to monitor cash flow and operating costs closely.
Expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £263,354 (2024: £255,680). The principal costs incurred were staffing, lifeguard and instructor provision, energy costs, school transport, and the operation and maintenance of the pool, all of which directly support the charity's charitable objectives.
The trustees consider the charity's financial position at the year end to be strong, with increased reserves, improved cash balances and continued investment in the pool's facilities. The charity is well placed to continue delivering its charitable objectives and to build on the progress made in recent years, ensuring that high-quality swimming, water safety and community programmes remain available for the benefit of the local community.
It is the charity's policy to maintain unrestricted reserves that are not designated for a specific purpose at a minimum level of £20,000. The trustees consider this level of reserves to be appropriate to enable the charity to meet unforeseen expenditure not covered by insurance, and to support the continued operation of the charity during periods of unexpected disruption.
Examples of such expenditure include costs arising from the need to close and drain down the pool following the detachment of tiles, together with any associated repair costs, or from other unforeseen closures during which the charity continues to incur basic operating costs, including staff salaries. The charity maintained reserves at or above this level throughout the financial year.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The principal risks facing the charity are maintaining sufficient income to meet the costs of operating and maintaining the swimming pool. The trustees regularly monitor these risks and take appropriate action to mitigate them. During the year ended 31 December 2025, solar panels were installed, reducing the charity's exposure to rising energy costs and contributing to the long-term financial sustainability of the pool.
Another risk is that rising other costs may necessitate increases in swimming and lesson charges. The trustees recognise that higher charges could reduce affordability for those on lower incomes and for families, potentially limiting access to the health, leisure and water safety benefits provided by the pool. The trustees therefore seek, wherever possible, to secure grant funding, donations and other sources of support to maintain affordable pricing and ensure that the facilities remain accessible to all members of the community.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee.
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
In addition, Mr J Blowes and Mr J M Grisenthwaite are appointed statutory directors of the company.
The Board seeks to maintain an appropriate mix of skills, experience and knowledge relevant to the operation and governance of a community swimming pool.
New trustees are recruited through recommendations from existing trustees and the wider community. Prospective trustees are invited to meet with the Board to discuss the responsibilities of the role and the work of the charity before being considered for appointment.
New trustees receive an induction covering the charity's objectives, governance arrangements, financial position and their legal duties and responsibilities as charity trustees and company directors.
Carnforth Community Swimming Pool Ltd is a charitable company limited by guarantee governed by its Articles of Association. The charity is managed by a Board of Trustees, who are responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction and financial management of the charity. The day-to-day operation of the pool is delegated to the staff. The trustees meet regularly to review performance and ensure that the charity continues to meet its objectives and provide benefit to the local community.
Registered Company number: 10971332 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number: 1176769
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Carnforth Community Swimming Pool Ltd (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Carnforth Community Swimming Pool Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Carnforth Community Swimming Pool, Kellet Road, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 9LS.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 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 charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity 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 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 trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity 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.
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.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected.
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.
Tangible fixed assets 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.
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’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ 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 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 charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Donated Facilities
The charity benefits from the use of a swimming pool provided rent-free by Lancashire County Council. No amount has been included in the financial statements in respect of this benefit because the trustees are unable to measure its fair value reliably.
In the application of the charity’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.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the current or prior year.
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 charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
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 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.
The designated Sinking Fund represents funds from Lancashire County Council that the trustees have put aside from general funds to provide for future major repairs, maintenance and replacement of significant pool infrastructure and equipment.
The charity has an operating lease commitment in relation to equipment rented from a third party.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
At 31 December 2025, the charity had no capital commitments (2024: £nil).
The building and swimming pool are on a 125 year lease from Lancashire County Council with an annual peppercorn rent.
During the prior year, the charity entered into an arrangement with one of the trustees, Mr J Blowes, whereby Mr J Blowes loaned £40,000 to the charity.
Under the original terms of the loan, interest was chargeable at 3.5% per annum on the outstanding principal balance. Mr J Blowes waived his entitlement to interest with effect from 1 January 2025 and accordingly no interest was charged during the year (2024: £1,439).
At 31 December 2025, the charity owed Mr J Blowes £39,536 (2024: £40,975).