VAT Clarification

We now have a charity account with HMRC (with next annual tax return due 31 January 2027). One benefit is that any construction work for the hub project will be zero-rated for VAT.

Water Supply – Clear Business.

We have been approved for Charity Exemption for the current financial year and as a result we will not have any standing charges for this year.

Rateable Value – Dunbartonshire and Argyle and Bute Valuation Joint Board

We have requested DAB-VJB remove rateable value for what are derelict, unusable buildings. A decision will be made by mid August. If successful we will no longer have to pay non-domestic rates to EDC.

Non-Domestic Rates

We have agreed a payment plan with EDC (Revenue and Benefits) for non-domestic rates. If DAB-VJB accept our proposal and the rateable value is eliminated we will no longer be liable for non-domestic rates.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Our Financial Report for year ending 31 January 2026 is now with our accountant for inspection, which will be completed by end July 2026.

We will then submit out Trustees’ Annual Report to OSCR, the Charity Regulator.

Bat Update

We have now met all the terms of our NatureScot bat roost removal licence. Our final requirement was to position a maternity bat box near the building, which has now been done with help from CALA Homes.

CISWO

CISWO are working closely with us to identify other potential funders for the demolition of the building followed by the planning application. We will meet monthly on MS Teams to monitor progress.

CISWO have also confirmed that they will progress a SCIO-friendly constitution.

13/05/2026 Quotation received to clear asbestos from club, as required prior to demolition. Target date for demolition: end December 2026

22/04/2026 Request made to Valuation Joint Board for derelict club’s rateable value to be reassessed – building is a liability not an asset; value should have gone down not up

13/04/2026 Notification of rise in rateable value of derelict Waterside Miners Club from £10,200 to £26,000, meaning non-domestic rates bill will go up (the charity has been negotiating for over a year for exemption, since building unusable and not providing revenue)

Also: Meeting arranged with EDC Community Planning and Partnerships to discuss potential grants for project

31/03/2026 Five-year Business Plan update completed with the help of Arniston Consulting – covers the costs of the project through to cash flow predictions once hub operational

31/03/2026 Draft community Local Place Plan for the wider Waterside area goes out for consultation – includes many references to pressing need for a community hub on the site of former Waterside Miners Club

17/03/2026 The charity’s fifth AGM takes place

17/02/2026 Unoccupied summer bat roost at club is successfully removed from behind fascia boards by Reigart Contracts Ltd and Wild Surveys Ltd, whose wildlife specialists identify location for new roost and will help with licence paperwork for NatureScot

Alternative pipistrelle accommodation is successfully erected in a sunny spot

Once the bats are sorted, Reigart moves on to an asbestos survey

23/01/2026 Charity members delighted to attend St Ninian’s High School YPI charity fair and to answer questions about project

A big thank you to staff and students at St Ninian’s for this opportunity.

14/01/2026 Demolition go-ahead from NatureScot: we now have required bat root removal licence (Licence Number 309873)

12/01/2026 Starling Learning’s species protection plan for club’s bats (soprano pipistrelles) sent to NatureScot (which is assessing demolition plan); since there isn’t space on site to provide bat boxes, we’ll be installing some in nearby trees

06/01/2026 Welcome invitation received from St Ninian’s High School to take part in their Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) charity fair on 23 January

Also: Funding applications for Waterside Community Hub continue

21/12/2025 Nails by Stacey and Archies Deli put on Santa’s grotto and mini fair, with proceeds to Waterside Community Hub project. Enormous thanks to them (and kind helpers) for doing this and raising a fantastic £227.50 for us

15/12/2025 We apply to NatureScot to allow demolition works early in 2026 while bats still hibernating elsewhere and before pipistrelles set up summer nursery roost at club

Also: Funding applications for project continue

18/11/2025 CD Architects’ model of our proposed Waterside Community Hub was the exciting highlight of our monthly meeting.

And at the end of the month came news of a very generous donation from AIS Vanguard. Huge thanks to them!