TRSUTEES REPORT 23/24

ROTARY CLUB OF UPPINGHAM CHARITABLE TRUST 2023/24

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – OCT 24

1. Charity Details

·         Name: Rotary Club of Uppingham Charitable Trust

·         Registered number: 1135799

·         Registered address: 4 Orchard Close, Uppingham, OAKHAM, LE15 9PF

·         Trustees: 

o    Hugh Holden (principal contact)

o    Paul Laird (ex-officio)

o    Keith Edwards (ex-officio)

o    Shane James

o    Lesley Wellen (retiring)

2.  Structure and Management

The trust is an unincorporated subsidiary body of the Rotary Club of Uppingham (RI Club 72930) (“the Club”) which is a club chartered within Rotary District 1070 of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. The club was chartered in 2006.  The trust is governed by the standard Rotary Trust Deed.  The Trustees implement the charitable aims of the Rotary Club of Uppingham as decided by the club at its periodic Business Meetings.  The Trustees are elected for the forthcoming Rotary Year at the Club Annual General Meeting.  All members of the Club participate in the voluntary activities of the Trust and in allocating moneys to specific grants.

3. Financial Report 2023/4

The Trust accounts to 30 Jun 2024 have been examined by Chris Sworn, a qualified accountant, and represent a true and accurate account of the Trust’s affairs; a copy of his report is attached.  In view of the substantial legacy received during the accounting period which has raised our income to over £25,000 for the year we are required to forward full accounts and this report to the Charity Commission although this is likely to be a temporary situation.

At the end of 2023/4 the Trust held a balance of £22,165 including reserves of £3,065 in respect of unexpended project funds.

The Trust does not hold a dedicated reserve fund, other than unexpended project funding, but attempts to maintain a buffer fund of £3,000 to ensure that adequate cash flow is available for projects as and when required.

Donations.  The Trust made the following major donations during the year:

The Trust created reserves of £3303 in order to provide funds for: Local Family support (£1968), Ukrainian relief (£847), Donation to Scouts £250 and prepayments for the Craft Fair of £238.

The £20,000 legacy donated to the Trust early in the year was donated with the proviso that it should be used for local projects.  During the year the Trust spent £8176 on local projects (this sum excludes all overseas donations and the contribution of District 1070 Foundation and RC Rutland to the Sailability project).

The major fundraising events and other sources of funds during the year were:

Some members continued to make periodic regular donations to Rotary Foundation thus reducing our reliance on fundraising to meet our annual Foundation donation target.

4.  Objectives

Achievements in 23/24

The Trust met all the objectives identified in its previous report for 2023/4

Aims for the new Financial Year 2024/5

The club has made provision, by reserving funds for use locally, for supporting those persons suffering hardship during the winter, and Ukrainian guests. £250 has also been reserved to cover an unpaid grant to the local Scouts whilst £238 has been noted as payments in advance for the Craft Fair.

The Club will continue to support:

·         Rotary International Polio Eradication Campaign.

·         The Rotary Foundation.

·         Youth Speaks, Young RYLA, the Rotary Technology Tournament and other Rotary youth events.

·         Sailability

·         Local well-being projects

·         International projects including the District 1070 Ugandan maternity unit project for which £500 has been pledged.

5.  Trust Administration

The following Trustees agreed to serve for 2024/5:

·         Hugh Holden (principal contact, ex-officio)

·         Paul Laird

·         Shane James

·         Keith Edwards (ex officio)

and were reappointed at the Club Annual General Meeting.  Jayne Bryers assumed the position of Trustee (ex-officio) on assuming the duties of Asst Treasurer on 1 July 24.  Lesley Wellen retired as Trustee on 30 Jun 24.

The club financial year is 1 July to 30 Jun in accordance with standard Rotary practice.

The Trust bank account was again maintained at Barclays. Three Trustees (Paul Laird, Hugh Holden and Lesley Wellen) were authorised signatories to the Trust bank account at Barclays Bank Ltd with any 2 required to sign cheques and authorise electronic bank transfers.  Jayne Bryers assumed duty as a signatory when she replaced Lesley Wellen as a Trustee on 1 July 24.  50% of the £20,000 legacy received during 2023/4 was deposited in a term bond with Saffron Waldon BS which will mature in November 2024.

The Annual Report Form has been submitted to the Charity Commission.

This Report will be displayed on the Club Website once it has been approved by the Club.

G A HOLDEN