The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 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 charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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)".
Making sure our work delivers our aims
We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. The review looks at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help. The review also helps us ensure our aim, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
The focus of our work
Our main objectives for the year continued to be the promotion and provision of recreational and sporting activities in Haltwhistle, contributing to the health and wellbeing of the community.
The strategies we used to meet these objectives included:
providing high quality sports facilities to create opportunities for participation in sports and social activities through two main sites in the town;
providing coaching and leadership to enable progression in sport to meet individual goals by employing competent and ambitious staff;
ensuring high quality management and maintenance of the facilities at both locations;
to contribute to the economic and social strength of the town by enhancing community and tourism facilities; and
exploring future needs of residents of Haltwhistle and the surrounding area.
How our activities deliver public benefit
The trustees have considered the guidance produced by the Charity Commission on the provision of public benefit and they confirm that public benefit has been provided by having aims that fall within the charitable purposes of the advancement of education, health and amateur sport. All our activities focus on promoting and providing leisure and recreational activities to improve the condition of life for residents.
The accounts for the year ended 31st March 2026 detail that the Charity reported net incoming resources of (£50,408) compared to (£53,571) the previous year. Despite a loss, this was an improvement on the previous year.
Many areas of the building and outdoor site have not been updated since 2002 and many improvements have been carried out this year to ensure the safety of staff and customers and to keep facilities at a level that meets customer expectations. New equipment has been purchased for the fitness suite and new air conditioning installed, the studio has had a face lift with redecoration and the toilet areas have benefitted from new flooring. Equipment to use in pool SEND sessions has been purchased to support families and young people in the water.
At the year end the Charity had unrestricted funds totaling £1,494,347. The Trustees have set aside a designated fund of £150,000 within the unrestricted funds as a reserve to cover any disruption or downturn in the Centre’s income or unforeseen expenditure. A substantial component of these unrestricted funds were tangible assets £1,221,952 which the Centre is responsible for maintaining and developing, consisting of a large sports hall, fitness suite, studio, external AstroTurf area and outdoor swimming pools as well as a village green that includes an adult football pitch and BMX circuit. These assets are not convertible to cash without the consent of the Custodian Trustee, which is Haltwhistle Town Council. The Centre is likely to incur extensive legal costs and negotiation should it choose to pursue this purpose. Restricted and endowment funds amounting to £10,050 were on hand at the year end.
The strategy is to continue to build reserves through planned resource surpluses but in the short term the trustees have considered alternative measures to reduce expenditure should such circumstances arise.
Principal funding sources
The principal Income this year was generated from charitable activities, with an additional income of £128,224 from donations and legacies, which includes the continuing grant support from Northumberland County Council of £56,454 for the Centre’s core activities and £43,585 from Haltwhistle Town Council.
The remaining grant funding of £13,332 was from the following funders: Northumberland Community Chest, Haltwhistle Community Shop Fund, the Local Coop Community Fund and Smiths Trust. These grants have financed the purchase of new equipment or new activities. £14,852 was raised from events held by the Charity’s volunteers led by our Events Committee, Valerie Little’s Line Dancing Event and donations from Greenhead and Bardon Mill Parish Councils and the Jubilee Football Club.
Investment policy
Trustees are mindful of the seasonal nature of their operations. Balancing the impact of this against their financial responsibilities is a complicated task. Trustees are determined to make the most of their improving liquidity by increasing the return on investment of liquid funds. Investment policies are reviewed at the beginning of the new financial year.
Risk Management
The trustees have conducted a review of the major risks to which the Centre is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. The trustees seek appropriate advice through their insurers, accountants and Northumberland County Council.
Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and visitors to the centre. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity.
Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre complies with all sporting acting bodies recommendations and guidance on safe practices and follows the Health & Safety Executives guidance and law. Risk assessments are in place for the buildings and all activities that take place within the centre. The ‘Pool Safety Operating Plan’ is in place and reviewed regularly. Lifeguard training and qualifications meet RLSS standards and all staff receive instruction on health & safety as part of their induction.
Trustees are widening there options for investment of funds ensuring their responsibility of care and management of resources and reviewing contracts to obtain ongoing access to legal advice.
Governing Document
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 10 December 2015, as amended by special resolution registered at Companies House on 25 July 2016, registered as a charity on 29 July 2016 and commenced its activities on 1 April 2017. The charitable company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the charitable company and is governed by its Articles of Association.
On 6 March 2020, the Charity Commission confirmed that the charity called Haltwhistle Social Welfare Charity (HSWC) should be treated as a linked charity and treated as forming part of Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre, which would be the reporting charity, under Part 4 (registration) and Part 8 (accounting) of the Charities Act 2011. This charity was responsible for the land and recreational facilities at the town’s village green.
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:
Trustee Induction and Training
All of the trustees are familiar with the practical work of the charity and visit the centre regularly. Some of them help voluntarily at the centre. New trustees are introduced to our work by the chairman and centre manager to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates. This covers:
• The obligations of trustee members.
• The main documents which set out the operational framework for the charity including the
Memorandum and Articles.
• Resourcing and the current financial position as set out in the latest published accounts.
• Future plans and objectives.
Trustees are signposted to the Charity Commission website and the Commission’s guide “the Essential Trustee” as a follow up to these sessions. A question & answer pack will be provided to all new trustees from the charity commission publication “the essential trustee”. All new trustees are provided with the Articles of Association and the latest financial statements. An introduction to the services and activities of the Centre is provided by the centre manager.
Related parties
There are no related party transactions in the year, although members of Northumberland County Council and Haltwhistle Town Council have representation in the trustees of the Centre.
And finally...
I would like to pay tribute to a former Trustee, Mr John Clark who supported the Centre for many years and gave so much of his time to champion Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre as well as other local causes. We will miss his dedication and contribution to Haltwhistle and its community.
I would like to thank the staff, the trustees and our volunteers for their continued hard work and commitment to the Centre. We are very grateful for the financial support we have received from Northumberland County Council and Haltwhistle Town Council as well as the many Trusts that support the Charity.We will continue to work closely with our community and local and County Council to ensure the needs of our community are met and to safeguard the financial stability of the Charity and safeguard the future of the Centre.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act 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 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAS, 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 2006 Act; or
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 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts 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 accounts 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.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Greencroft, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9DP.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 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.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside by the trustees for a specific purposes and do not form part of 'free funds'.
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.
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis, Expenditure includes any VAT that cannot be fully recovered and is classified under the heading of the financial statements to which it relates.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Expenditure on items that are over £1,000 and capital in nature are capitalised.
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).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
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.
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.
Grant income
Leisure activities
Solar Panel Income
Leisure activities
Leisure activities
Leisure activities
Governance costs includes Independent Examination fees of £3,500.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Remuneration and benefits received by key management personnel who have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity, amount to £38,018 (2025 - 37,428).
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The custodial trustees of the land, upon which the buildings have been constructed, are the Haltwhistle Town Council, with a permanent endowment to the charity, who are responsible for the management of the land and buildings.
The fixed rate unsecured loan from Northumberland County Council is repayable by quarterly instalments until 30/6/2028, with interest fixed at 2.07%. Haltwhistle Town Council act as guarantors for the loan.
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.
Lifeguard Course
The Community Foundation Grant, from the L'Anson Family was provided to train new lifeguards for the Summer 25 season,
Micro Grant
Northumberland County Council has provided a grant to enable the ‘Walk & Talk’ group to visit different locations. This fund is now expended.
Gym Equipment
Grants were received from the Smiths Trust to purchase new dumb bells and these have been purchased and the fund expended.
Pool Ladders and Disabled Lift
The Community Foundation provided us with funding to purchase a pool hoist to assist disabled customers and accessible ladders for the big pool for our less able customers. This fund is now fully expended.
Fire Alarm Funding
Northumberland County Council Community Chest (£3,500), Northumberland County Council Members Allowance Scheme (£4,500) and Smiths Trust (£4,000) provided grants to assist with the payment of the installation of the new fire alarm system This fund is now expended.
Installation of Showers
Government SPSF Fund, managed by Northumberland County Council, provided grant to assist with the installation of the new showers and a new heat retention cover for the large swimming pool. This fund is now expended.
Walk & Talk
Haltwhistle Partnership Community Shop Fund provided a grant of £1,500 to the Walk & Talk Group to allow the group to pay for transport costs to different walking locations.
Electric Door
Gallagher Insurance paid out a claim for the repair of the electric doors. This has now been repaired and the fund utilised.
Air Conditioning
The Smiths Trust and Northumberland County Council Community Chest provided funding towards the new Air Conditioning system in the fitness suite.
Community Shop Fund
Haltwhistle Partnership Community Shop Fund provided funding to purchase equipment and to deliver SEND swimming sessions.
Co-Op Community Fund
Coop Community Fund provided funding towards the purchase of a new treadmill for the fitness suite.
Endowment funds represent assets which must be held permanently by the charity. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund.
Gains and losses
Burnfield Land (HSWC)
On 6 March 2020, the Charity Commission confirmed that the charity called Haltwhistle Social Welfare Charity (HSWC) should be treated as a linked charity and treated as forming part of Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre, which would be the reporting charity, under Part 4 (registration) and Part 8 (accounting) of the Charities Act 2011.
The effect of linking the charities is:
- the charities are registered under a single registration number; and
- the trustees are required to prepare a single set of accounts for the reporting charity and the linked charity, which within the individual funds of the linked charity are reported as endowment funds.
The linking of charities under section 12 is an administrative linkage, for reporting purposes only. It does not change the separate legal entity of the charities, or the nature of endowment funds and it does not constitute a merger. The trustees are under a duty to ensure that the funds of each charity are applied solely in accordance with the respective trusts.
As such the land held on endowment in HSWC has been introduced into the accounts for Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure.
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.
Fixed Assets less Loan Liabilities
The trustees have set aside funds equating to the fixed assets less outstanding loans, which represent assets which are not liquid and cannot be easily realised.
Set aside Reserves
The trustees agreed to establish a target reserve of £150,000 to cover any disruption or downturn in the centre's income or unforeseen expenditure.
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:
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2025 - none).