Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation - SC045212 Report and Accounts for the period 1 st August 2015 to 31 July 2016 (1)
Reference and administrative information Scottish Incorporated Charitable Organisation SC045212 Principal address Website www.sprf.org.uk Charity Trustees Officers Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Bankers Co-operative Bank P O Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP Independent Examiner (1)
Annual Report of the Trustees. Introduction The Trustees are pleased to present the accounts of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum (SPRF) for the period 1 st August 2015 to 31 st July 2016. SPRF was constituted as a SCIO in 2014, having originally been established in May 2012 as an open network of organisations and individuals committed to the development of off-road pilgrimage travel across Scotland. The Forum provides a practical, coordinated approach to establishing dedicated pilgrim routes for walkers and, where possible, cyclists and horse riders. Local ownership of this process is a core principle of the Forum. We enable memberled project partnerships to define and establish new routes, working with other local partners and providing information via our website. As a Forum, we celebrate Scotland s rich Christian pilgrimage heritage and we endorse the Scottish Government s National Cycling & Walking Network action plan, launched in 2015, to promote a physically healthier society and develop more sustainable rural communities The Report and Accounts present a summary of our financial and general activities during the Forum s first normal 12 month accounting period as a SCIO. Activities and achievements The Board of Trustees met on four occasions during this period. Apart from matters of finance which are dealt with below, the Trustees oversaw the planning of the 2015 Pilgrimage Gathering and AGM held at Melrose in early October and the Forum meeting held in April; the production of a new Strategic Plan for 2016-21; progress made in developing priority pilgrim walking route projects; membership growth and website usage; partnership working with other organisations; and Forum administration and governance issues. Nearly 40 members and guests attended the 2015 Pilgrimage Gathering in Melrose on 2 nd October which incorporated an interpreted walk along a nearby section of the St Cuthbert s Way route in the first half of the programme; the theme of St Cuthbert s Pilgrimage was also reflected in a series of excellent short talks in the afternoon, culminating with the AGM of the Forum. This new format for the autumn Pilgrimage Gathering was judged a great success and will be repeated in future years. Another very constructive Forum meeting took place at the Grassmarket Centre, Edinburgh on 28 th April, with a strong attendance from new members. Informative presentations were given on current progress with the Fife Pilgrim Way, Three Saints Way (part of the future coast-to coast Iona St Andrews Pilgrim Way), the Whithorn Way and the Forth to Farne Way, as well as pilgrimage activities on the existing Deeside Way. A report on the future pilgrimage hub at the Sannox Christian Centre, Isle of Arran and the role of its Friends network of supporters was also well received. Our Secretary provided a summary of the new Strategic Plan, and the meeting concluded with a very interesting tour of the Greyfriars Kirk next door. Major progress was made in the year by Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, a Forum member, in securing Phase 1 pass approval of Heritage Lottery Fund support for the development of the (2)
70 mile Fife Pilgrim Way, and the appointment of a full-time Project Development Officer to take this major project forward. Our Secretary now represents SPRF on the new Steering Group which is now overseeing this development phase. He also convenes the closely linked ACTS Fife Pilgrim Way programme group which was re-constituted for a further 2 years specifically to promote the ecumenical input of local churches to the infrastructure and use of the route. Both the Fife Pilgrim Way and the Coast-to-Coast (Iona to St Andrews) Pilgrim Way have been identified as priorities under the National Walking and Cycle Network action plan supported by the Scottish Government. As part of this initiative, SPRF was very pleased to be awarded project funding by Scottish Natural Heritage to undertake route scoping and feasibility work, carried out by Walking Support and Comrie Croft, on sections through Strathearn of the Three Saints Way between Killin and St Andrews; this work has the full support of the local Steering Group, which has been a key factor. During the year, the Steering Group set up in 2014 for the 120 mile Whithorn Way walking route between Glasgow, Paisley and Whithorn has met regularly at different venues hosted by local communities and churches. This work was a central feature of a further round table discussion meeting chaired by Historic Environment Scotland and hosted by the Whithorn Trust, a Forum member. SPRF welcomes the promotion of this route as part of a network of St Ninian Ways whose recognition as a European Cultural Route has been formally endorsed by the Scottish Government. In the south east, the formation of a Forth to Farne Way Steering Group marks further progress in establishing a 70 mile Pilgrim Way coastal walking route linking North Berwick with Lindisfarne, making maximum use of existing core paths. This has adopted a very similar role to other Steering Groups and highlights their valuable role in building local community engagement with, and identifying local stakeholders in, these long term projects. SPRF is actively seeking to develop its work on a sustainable long term basis. To that end, the charity has now published a new 5 year Strategic Plan with 10 key goals, encompassing: establishment of five priority pilgrimage walking routes; developing the capacity of volunteer Steering Groups on each of these routes; establishing a Pilgrim Way accreditation scheme; expanding the Forum s membership; upgrading the SPRF website and publishing new information literature. Achieving these goals will require 120,00 of new external funding over this period. Raising public awareness of the Forum s work will be essential to this task. For the first time, SPRF attended the Heart & Soul event run by the Church of Scotland in 2016, and during the year several feature articles have appeared in the national and local newspapers and in more specialist literature; our website now has social media links. We also continue to work closely with partner organisations ACTS, Scotland s Churches Trust, and the Green Pilgrimage Network in particular. It is pleasing to report that the Forum s membership has continued to grow to over 60 organisations and individual Associates as a result of our project work and meetings. Details of every member are listed on the SPRF website. (3)
Finally, the Board has great pleasure in announcing the appointment of as the first Patron of the Forum. An active member of the House of Lords, David Wilson s distinguished public career has included serving as Governor of Hong Kong from 1987 to 1992. As Lord High Commissioner to the Church of Scotland in 2010-11 and as a current Vice President of Scotland s Churches Trust, has a long standing personal interest in Scottish pilgrimage and pilgrim routes. Finance Membership subscriptions remain the sole source of unrestricted income, and are used solely to meet the cost of Forum meetings and incidental travel and other expenses incurred by the Forum s Officers. External grants received and spent in this period on specific project work relating to the Fife Pilgrim Way and Three Saints Way routes have been deemed to be restricted income. Reserves SPRF only holds unrestricted reserves, which can be spent on any activity relevant to the general operation of the Forum. It is our policy to maintain a reasonable level of unrestricted reserves to protect against any potential downturns in the Forum s income or unforeseen significant costs, so that the Forum can maintain its activities for a reasonable period. Investments SPRF holds no investments. Structure, governance and management SPRF is constituted as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with OSCR. Its management team comprises the Board of Charity Trustees, whose details are given on page 1. Charity Trustees are elected by the members of the Forum at the Annual General Meeting and usually serve for a term of 3 years. All Trustees are given an induction pack outlining their roles and responsibilities. The Secretary, when necessary, updates members of the Board on relevant changes in legislation and guidance on charities governance issued by OSCR. Trustees responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for managing and safeguarding the assets of the charity and are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records and ensuring that the accounts are prepared in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The Trustees regularly consider the risks faced by SPRF and ensure that appropriate risk management procedures are in place to mitigate those risks. (4)
Receipts and payments account for year ending 31 July 2016 All amounts in Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Receipts 2015 Membership fees 2,004 2,004 1,582 Less pre-paid (260) (260) (450) 1,744 1,744 1,132 Meetings income 1,490 1,490 748 Donations 75 75 0 Grants Fife Pilgrim Way 2,763 2,763 2,050 Grants Three Saints Way 5,950 5,950 0 Interest 0 0 0 1 Total receipts 3,309 8,713 12,022 3,931 Payments Payments relating to 2. 2,259 8,795 11,054 4,975 charitable activities Governance cost 0 0 0 0 Total Payments 2,259 8,795 11,054 4,974 Surplus / Deficit for year 1,050 (82) 968 (1,044) Statement of balances as at 31 July 2016 Cash at Bank and in hand Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds 2015 Balance at 1 st August 2015 2,045 242 2,287 2,881 Surplus/(deficit) for period 1,050 (82) 968 (1,044) Pre-paid membership 260 260 450 Total Cash Funds at 31 July 2016 3,355 160 3,515 2,287 Represented by Fund Balances at 31 st July 2016 3,355 160 3,515 2,287 On behalf of the Trustees: 27 th October 2016 (7)
Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies Basis of preparation The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payment basis. They consist of a summary of all monies received and paid via the bank and in cash during the financial year, along with a statement of balances. No adjustments have been made for any income due but not received, nor for any expenses incurred but not yet paid at the year-end. Restricted funds The restricted fund balance represents amounts donated to the charity for specific purposes. During the year the restricted income related to grants received from ACTS and Scottish Natural Heritage relating to project expenditure in connection with the Fife Pilgrim Way and Three Saints Way projects respectively. 2. Payments relating to charitable activities Unrestricted Meetings expenses 1,209 General expenses 1,050 2,259 Restricted Fife Pilgrim Way project expenses 3,005 Three Saints Way project expenses 5,790 8,795 3. Remuneration and expenses paid to Trustees None of the Trustees received any remuneration relating to their position as Trustees. (8)