Charity registration number 1000585
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | Mr J Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| Mrs S Shortland | ||
| Mrs S Huggins | ||
| Ms P Patty-Bradley | ||
| Mr S Collins | ||
| Miss C Gray | ||
| Mr I R G Williams | ||
| Ms H Reid | (Appointed 15 June 2023) | |
| Charity number | 1000585 | |
| Principal address | 39 Montagu Court | |
| Gosforth | ||
| Newcastle Upon Tyne | ||
| NE3 4JL | ||
| Independent examiner | TC Group | |
| 33 Boston Road | ||
| Holbeach | ||
| Spalding | ||
| Lincolnshire | ||
| PE12 7LR | ||
| Bankers | Triodos Bank | |
| Deanery Road | ||
| Bristol | ||
| BS1 5AS | ||
| Investment advisors | Chase De Vere | |
| 60 New Broad Street | ||
| London | ||
| EC2M 1JJ |
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees report | 1 - 4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 - 13 |
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
TRUSTEES REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2024.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The objects of the charity are to provide grants and donations to or for the benefit of charitable institutions or charitable purposes for the advancement and promotion of education, learning, training, recreation and rehabilitation among and for people with special needs.
The Margaret Dobson Further Education Trust was founded from an investment by the late Mrs Margaret Dobson and was intended as an attempt by her to help young people and others with learning difficulties and other special needs to fulfil their potential, both in educational and practical skills following formal education. The Trust seeks to achieve this by the making of grants to other charities which are providing services with similar aims. Decisions are made by the Trustees after consideration of the written applications placed before them. These applications are made by charities. The Trustees have a set of guidelines to assist charities who are seeking grants.
Public benefit
In making grants the charity supports individuals with a learning disability, without prejudice, via other charitable organisations.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Grant making policies
The purposes for which the grant is to be used must conform to the objects of the Trust as set out in the Trust Deed. The trustees focus on learning disabled adults and, within that field, smaller charities where they feel they can make a substantial difference. Grants are made only to institutions or organisations, and it is not possible to make a grant for the benefit of an individual. It is expected that organisations will specify clearly the purpose for which a grant is required, by whom the service will be provided and the benefits that will result. Applications of a general kind, which have no specific purpose, other than to increase the financial resources available to the charity, are unlikely to be successful. It is expected that applications for grants will include a copy of the organisation's most recent annual accounts and, if the project is a new one, a business plan which is properly costed and convincing. The Trustees take an on-going interest in those organisations that the Trust has helped, and expect to be kept informed about developments to which they have given support. The Trustees have a policy that applications for a grant by any charity will only be considered every other year. Grantees will be expected to produce a report at the end of the funding period and will not be considered for further grants if reports are not received.
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THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
Achievements and performance
The trustees held one meeting and the AGM in June.
Thirteen bids were considered, of the 41 received. The following grants were made:
-
BOSP (Skills for Life Advocacy) - £4,225.00
-
Down Syndrome Dev Trust (Social & Learning FE Provision) - £3,500.00
-
Sam's Place NW Ltd (Working Towards Independence) - £4,601.00
-
Soundabout (Emerging Leaders) - £4,710.00
-
Zinc CIO (Microjobs) - £5,000.00
Total - £22,036.00
There was one trustee appointment in the year, Helen Reid.
Reports were received from five charities who were awarded grants the previous year within the timescale requested. One submitted five months later. This is noted and it is unlikely that the one that did not submit will be given funding in the future.
Three years ago we changed to having a window for applications, being 1st January to 31st March. This has worked well and will be continued going forward.
The Risk Register is reviewed annually and other policies in line with their review dates.
Financial review
The trustees have agreed a policy of using all net income for general costs and grants. This will mean that there should be no significant change in reserves. Occasionally it may be that there are insufficient grant applications of an acceptable quality. If this were to be the case then not all the net income would be expended as grants. Once there were improved applications, higher levels of grants would then be made. The reserves policy is reviewed annually.
At the end of the year the bank account balance was £26,778 (2023 - £21,152).
Major risks and management of those risks
Trust finances
Poor investment performance or fraud involving those financial institutions that funds are invested in or via could result in assets and/or income decreasing in value. The means of mitigating this risk is to invest in a range of assets.
Grants
There is a possibility that a grant made could be "mis-spent", either through poor management of the organisation receiving the grant or through fraud. The Trustees consider that, given the typical value of grants, the level of checks the Trust carries out is sufficient.
Cyber attack
Due to the use of electronic communications, there a risk of cyber attack. This is mitigated through information being stored in multiple locations. Trustees are asked to ensure portable equipment used for MDFET business is password protected.
- 2 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
The Trust was established under a Trust Deed dated 1 October 1990 and was approved by the Inland Revenue Charity Division on the 25 April 1991.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Trustees are selected for their interest in the welfare of people with special needs and the contributions which they are able to make to the efficient administration of the Trust. They are each elected at an ordinary meeting of the Trustees, for a period of three years.
Organisational structure
There were eight Trustees at the year end, who form the governing body that meets at least once a year.
The day to day management is vested in the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. All major decisions relating to donations to be made, and the management of the Trust's investments, are the responsibility of all the Trustees.
Induction and training of trustees
Trustee induction consists of provision of the Deed of Trust, copies of previous notes, the latest accounts, current guidelines and policies. The potential Trustee attends one meeting as an observer. This gives opportunity for consideration by both the existing Board and the potential Trustee. The potential Trustee is then elected at the next ordinary meeting of the Trustees.
Financial instruments
Objectives and policies
The charity’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks including credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the charity’s policies approved by the board of trustees, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives to manage these risks. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
Credit risk
The charity’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments. The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The charity has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.
- 3 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
The trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
..............................
Mr J Gray
Chair
Dated: .........................
- 4 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Margaret Dobson Further Education Trust (the charity) for the year ended 5 April 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of 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.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
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:
-
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Chris McKenna ACA
33 Boston Road Holbeach Spalding Lincolnshire PE12 7LR
Dated: .........................
- 5 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 3 | 45 | 37 |
| Investments | 4 | 32,524 | 29,409 |
| Total income | 32,569 | 29,446 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Charitable activities | 5 | 29,850 | 39,168 |
| Total expenditure | 29,850 | 39,168 | |
| Net gains/(losses) on investments | 9 | 54,385 | (71,453) |
| Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds | 57,104 | (81,175) | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Fund balances at 6 April 2023 | 901,048 | 982,223 | |
| Fund balances at 5 April 2024 | 958,152 | 901,048 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
- 6 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 5 APRIL 2024
| Notes Fixed assets Investments 11 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Income funds Unrestricted funds |
2024 £ 26,779 (1,008) |
£ 932,381 25,771 958,152 958,152 958,152 |
2023 £ 21,152 (960) |
£ 880,856 20,192 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 901,048 | ||||
| 901,048 | ||||
| 901,048 |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................
..............................
Mr J Gray Chair
- 7 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
1 Accounting policies
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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 have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
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, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
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.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
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.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
- 8 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
1.5 Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees’s meetings and reimbursed expenses.
1.6 Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
1.7 Cash and cash equivalents
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.
Basic financial assets
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.
- 9 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
Basic financial liabilities
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.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
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.
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Grants and donations | 45 | 37 |
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THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
4 Income from investments
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Income from listed investments | 32,257 | 29,323 |
| Interest receivable | 267 | 86 |
| 32,524 | 29,409 |
5 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Charitable | Charitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure | Expenditure | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Direct costs | |||
| Trustee expenses | 517 | 313 | |
| Accountancy fees | 1,056 | 1,020 | |
| Investment charges | 6,237 | 6,065 | |
| Bank charges | 4 | 5 | |
| 7,814 | 7,403 | ||
| Grant funding of activities (see note 6) | 22,036 | 31,765 | |
| 29,850 | 39,168 | ||
| Analysis by fund | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 29,850 | 39,168 | |
| Grants payable | |||
| Charitable | Charitable | ||
| Expenditure | Expenditure | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Grants payable | 22,036 | 31,765 | |
| 22,036 | 31,765 |
6 Grants payable
- 11 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
6 Grants payable
(Continued)
7 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
8 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| Total | - | - |
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
9 Gains and losses on investments
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Gains/(losses) arising on: | £ | £ |
| Revaluation of investments | 54,323 | (84,380) |
| Sale of investments | 62 | 12,927 |
| 54,385 | (71,453) |
10 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
- 12 -
THE MARGARET DOBSON FURTHER EDUCATION TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
11 Fixed asset investments
| Listed investments Cash in portfolio £ Cost or valuation At 6 April 2023 880,159 697 Revaluation 52,142 - At 5 April 2024 932,301 697 Carrying amount At 05 April 2024 932,301 697 At 05 April 2023 880,159 697 |
Total £ 880,856 52,142 |
|---|---|
| 932,998 | |
| 932,998 | |
| 880,856 |
12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 1,008 | 960 |
13 Unrestricted funds
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.
| At 6 April 2023 | Incoming | Resources | Gains and | At 5 April 2024 |
At 5 April 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | losses | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| General funds | 901,048 | 32,569 | (29,850) | 54,385 | 958,152 | |
| Previous year: | At 6 April 2022 | Incoming | Resources | Gains and | At 5 April 2023 |
|
| resources | expended | losses | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| General funds | 982,223 | 29,446 | (39,168) | (71,453) | 901,048 |
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