DONCASTER CULTURE AND LEISURE TRUST
The charity exists to manage the leisure and entertainment experience to improve the lives and wellbeing of our clients and their communities. Principally we target ourselves with promoting the benefit of the inhabitants of Doncaster and its environs by the provision of facilities for the recreation and leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a total surplus of £10,323,529 for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven by significant pension actuarial gains. The organization maintains unrestricted reserves of £10,323,529, which substantially exceed its stated policy target of one month's turnover. The trustees and auditors confirm the charity is a going concern, supported by local authority underwriting and adequate cash flow projections.
What the accounts disclose
“Band analysis of higher paid employees was as follows £70,001 - £80,000 £80,001 - £90,000 (Michael Hart, Chief Executive)”
“Band analysis of higher paid employees was as follows £70,001 - £80,000 £80,001 - £90,000 (Michael Hart, Chief Executive)”
“The level of reserves needed, based on the above is equivalent to one month’s turnover for DCLT (and one month’s contribution for DCCE).” — page 11
“The charity received an underwriting from Doncaster Council to support its leisure charitable objectives in the form of a management fee. The fee for 2024/25 was £2,145,000 to support revenue costs.” — page 10
“Funding has been allocated for a number of long-term projects which commenced throughout the financial year. This funding was £5,625,463 for 2024/25.” — page 11
“The charity received an underwriting from Doncaster Council to support its leisure charitable objectives in the form of a management fee. The fee for 2024/25 was £2,145,000 to support revenue costs.” — page 10
“Funding has been allocated for a number of long-term projects which commenced throughout the financial year. This funding was £5,625,463 for 2024/25.” — page 11
“The charity received an underwriting from Doncaster Council to support its leisure charitable objectives in the form of a management fee. The fee for 2024/25 was £2,145,000 to support revenue costs.” — page 10
“Funding has been allocated for a number of long-term projects which commenced throughout the financial year. This funding was £5,625,463 for 2024/25.” — page 11
“In September 2025, 6 of our Trustees resigned over a disagreement about an ongoing repair issue with our building.” — page 9
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2024) → 1 (FY2025).
In the news
- Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust introduce life-saving anaphylactic kits to food venues
- Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust expands fitness facilities in Doncaster
- Be a part of National Fitness Day 2024 with Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- ANDREW RUSSELL BURDENchair
- Adrian Phillip Walters
- DONCASTER COUNCIL
- Ian James Kendall
- Marek Gutowski
- Nigel Ball
- PETER GLEADHALL
- RICHARD BYRNE
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £24.2m | £22.7m |
| 31/03/2024 | £24.0m | £19.2m |
| 31/03/2023 | £19.1m | £18.2m |
| 31/03/2022 | £15.7m | £15.3m |
| 31/03/2021 | £14.5m | £11.8m |
Common questions
Is DONCASTER CULTURE AND LEISURE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a total surplus of £10,323,529 for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven by significant pension actuarial gains. The organization maintains unrestricted reserves of £10,323,529, which substantially exceed its stated policy target of one month's turnover. The trustees and auditors confirm the charity is a going concern, supported by local authority underwriting and adequate cash flow projections. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Hawsons Chartered Accountants.
What does the highest-paid employee of DONCASTER CULTURE AND LEISURE TRUST earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,001 - £90,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport England | 29/01/2016 | £16k | Doncaster Moving Together |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| IMPETUS - THE PRIVATE EQUITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £294k |
| SKIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £41k |
| HEREFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUND | 1 | £5k |
| THE NORTH WALES POLICE AND COMMUNITY TRUST | 1 | £150 |
Charities like this
- DONCASTER PERFORMANCE VENUE LIMITED
- ABSOLUTELY LEISURE
- PRESTON NORTH END COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION TRUST
- DEESIDE COMMUNITY TRUST
- PETER ADAMS TRUST
- HALO LEISURE SERVICES LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONCASTER CULTURE AND LEISURE TRUST | £24.2m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| DONCASTER PERFORMANCE VENUE LIMITED | £3.6m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| ABSOLUTELY LEISURE | £4.5m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| PRESTON NORTH END COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION TRUST | £1.8m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| DEESIDE COMMUNITY TRUST | £599k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| PETER ADAMS TRUST | £342k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |