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2024-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1002470

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

FOR

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP Chartered Accountants 20 Eversley Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HE

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

Page Page Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the Financial Statements 7 to 14

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The objects for which the Charity is established are:

a) The promotion of any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community in the area of Hastings Borough and Rother District and in particular the advancement of education, the protection of good health, both mental and physical, and the relief of poverty and sickness.

b) Other exclusively charitable purposes which are in the opinion of the Trustees beneficial to the community in the area of Hastings Borough and Rother District.

Working Name

The Charity's working name as agreed with the Charity Commission is "Relief'.

Public benefit

The Trustees have considered their duty set out in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission, and in their opinion the foregoing report demonstrates that they have complied therewith.

Grantmaking

The Clerk to the Trustees under delegated powers makes grants within limits set down from time to time; but in addition the Trustees meet regularly to review all applications dealt with by the Clerk and consider all other applications received which fall outside those delegated powers. Where the Trust is acting as agent for other Grant Makings Charities, the Clerk also reports direct to their Trustees.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The Trustees throughout the year continued to provide accommodation within the property to other local organisations and charities and also continued to provide an administration service to various grant making charities. In addition, following the transfer of Permanent Endowments from a number of small Charities previously administered by the Trust, the Trustees made Grants in their own right out of income generated by these Endowment funds, in line with the Trust's objects.

The rental income relating to the provision of accommodation to other organisations showed an increase of approximately 8% over the previous year. Property costs (excluding Depreciation) amounted to £15,084 in the current year, which was £3,618 higher than the previous year. Most of the costs increased but repairs were the main reason, which included £1,600 repairs to the fire wall.

Out of the Charity's own Endowment Funds and from Restricted monies administered on behalf of other Charities, grants distributed amounted to £50,244.This included 260 Individual Beneficiaries and the towards costs of the 'Baby Pantry" [Restricted]. The funds are given to ETC Sussex and the "Baby Pantry" is run by the Fellowship of St. Nicholas.

Investment performance

The Trust's invested funds provided the required level of income and the Market Value of the Investments at the year end showed a unrealised gain of £89,595 which reversed the loss shown in last years accounts.

Page 1

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Total Income from all sources for the year was £66,805 (£64,910 in 2023) and total expenditure was £89,641 (£68,929 in 2023) which resulted in a deficit of £22,836 (£4,019 in 2023).

There was a gain in the market value of the investments of £89,595 (loss of £52,512 in 2023) so there was an overall surplus for the year of £66,759 (deficit of £56,531 in 2023).

The unrestricted funds (excluding depreciation) showed a deficit of £5,932. At the end of the year the general unrestricted funds stood at £110,619, this included the designated property reserve account, which is the net written down value of the freehold property which was £112,000, therefore general unrestricted fund was in deficit by £1,391. As part of the endowment fund is expendable, this deficit is covered by funds which can be transferred if required.

At the end of the year Restricted funds has a balance of £2,094.

Investment policy and objectives

The Charity has no restrictions with regard to investments, but has adopted a policy (with regard to the funds held as Permanent and Expendable Endowment) of long term investment, with low to medium risk, provided by way of a diversified well balanced spread of investments, designed to help with both growth and income requirements. To this end all monies have been invested in COIF Charities Funds.

Reserves policy

The Trust holds its unrestricted reserves in order to maintain the freehold property and cover outgoings relating to the property when there are significant voids.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The Charity is controlled by its Declaration of Trust dated 12th June 1990 and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The power of appointing new or additional Trustees is vested in the Trustees.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number

1002470

Principal address

Bolton Tomson House 49 Cambridge Gardens HASTINGS East Sussex TN34 1EN

Trustees

P R Carcas M B Glynn FCA (resigned 29/1/2024) Mrs R C Foster Mrs J V Howe Miss H V Barraclough

Page 2

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Independent Examiner

Clare Corke FCCA Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP Chartered Accountants 20 Eversley Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HE

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 10th February 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

P R Carcas - Trustee

Page 3

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Hastings Area Community Trust

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Hastings Area Community Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31st March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material 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 Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts 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 accounts to be reached.

Clare Corke FCCA

Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP Chartered Accountants 20 Eversley Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HE

14th February 2025

Page 4

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME AND
ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
104
Charitable activities
Rents receivable
24,463
Administration fees
4,000
Investment income
3
899
Total
29,466
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
4
Charitable activities
39,397
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
-
NET
INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(9,931)
Transfers between funds
15
272
Net movement in funds
(9,659)
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
120,269
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD
110,610
Restricted
funds
£
6,000
-
-
-
6,000
15,699
-
(9,699)
(272)
(9,971)
12,065
2,094
2024
Endowment
Total
funds
funds
£
£
-
6,104
-
24,463
-
4,000
31,339
32,238
31,339
66,805
34,545
89,641
89,595
89,595
86,389
66,759
-
-
86,389
66,759
1,105,331
1,237,665
1,191,720
1,304,424
2023
Total
funds
£
6,400
22,616
4,000
31,894
64,910
68,929
(52,512)
(56,531)
-
(56,531)
1,294,196
1,237,665

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

BALANCE SHEET 31ST MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
11
112,000
Investments
12
-
112,000
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
13
169
Cash at bank
3,566
3,735
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within
one year
14
(5,125)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
(1,390)
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
110,610
NET ASSETS
110,610
FUNDS
15
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Endowment funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
2,094
2,094
-
2,094
2,094
2,094
Endowment
funds
£
-
1,136,994
1,136,994
-
54,726
54,726
-
54,726
1,191,720
1,191,720
2024
Total
funds
£
112,000
1,136,994
1,248,994
169
60,386
60,555
(5,125)
55,430
1,304,424
1,304,424
110,610
2,094
1,191,720
1,304,424
2023
Total
funds
£
116,000
1,047,399
1,163,399
152
78,012
78,164
(3,898)
74,266
1,237,665
1,237,665
120,269
12,065
1,105,331
1,237,665

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 10th February 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

P R Carcas - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets

The main building has been included at market value in March 2003. The building is in constant use in furtherance of the charity's objects and is properly maintained to the standards that ensure that its residual value is not less than its book value. It is depreciated over 50 years on a straight line basis.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Cash at bank

Cash at bank includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the opening of the deposit.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their recoverable amounts to which the trust is entitled.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement value.

continued...

Page 7

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
Donations
104
-
-
Grants
-
6,000
-
104
6,000
-
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Sussex Housing Trust for the Elderly
3.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
Deposit account
interest
899
-
-
Dividends received
-
-
31,339
899
-
31,339
4.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Grant
funding of
Direct
activities
Costs (see
(see note
note 5)
6)
£
£
Charitable activities
38,185
50,244
5.
DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Staff costs
Electricity
Gas
Rates
Water
Insurance
Repairs
Cleaning services and materials
Printing, postage, telephone and stationery
General expenses
Depreciation
2024
Total
funds
£
104
6,000
6,104
2024
£
6,000
2024
Total
funds
£
899
31,339
32,238
Support
costs (see
note 7)
£
1,212
2024
£
18,064
9,646
432
177
586
1,353
2,519
371
1,017
20
4,000
38,185
2023
Total
funds
£
400
6,000
6,400
2023
£
6,000
2023
Total
funds
£
318
31,576
2023
Total
funds
£
400
6,000
6,400
2023
£
6,000
31,894
Totals
£
89,641
2023
£
14,379
8,383
233
88
231
1,182
729
620
748
290
4,000
30,883

continued...

Page 8

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

6.
GRANTS PAYABLE
Charitable activities
The total grants paid to institutions during the year was as
follows:
Projects
Education Training Consortium Sussex
The total grants paid to individuals during the year was as
follows:
Individuals
7.
SUPPORT COSTS
Charitable activities
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
Independent examiners fees
Accountancy
2024
2023
£
£
50,244
37,086
2024
2023
£
£
-
3,322
763
-
763
3,322
2024
2023
£
£
49,481
33,764
Governance
costs
£
1,212
2024
2023
Charitable
Total
activities
activities
£
£
684
960
528
-
1,212
960

8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2024 nor for the year ended 31st March 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st March 2024 nor for the year ended 31st March 2023.

continued...

Page 9

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

9. STAFF COSTS
2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 18,064 14,379
18,064 14,379
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
2024 2023
Staff 3 3
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
10. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total
funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 400 6,000 - 6,400
Charitable activities
Rents receivable 22,616 - - 22,616
Administration fees 4,000 - - 4,000
Investment income 318 - 31,576 31,894
Total 27,334 6,000 31,576 64,910
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities 31,843 15,307 21,779 68,929
Net gains/(losses) on investments - - (52,512) (52,512)
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (4,509) (9,307) (42,715) (56,531)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 124,778 21,372 1,148,046 1,294,196
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 120,269 12,065 1,105,331 1,237,665

continued...

Page 10

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1st April 2023
Charge for year
At 31st March 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31st March 2024
At 31st March 2023
Freehold
property
£
200,000
84,000
4,000
88,000
112,000
116,000

The freehold property, 48-49 Cambridge Gardens, Hastings, was valued in March 2003 by Estate Agents "Rush, Witt & Wilson".

12. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

MARKET VALUE
At 1st April 2023
Revaluations
At 31st March 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31st March 2024
At 31st March 2023
Listed
investments
£
1,047,399
89,595
1,136,994
1,136,994
1,047,399

The historical cost of the investments is £678,918.

There were no investment assets outside the UK.

13. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024 2023
£ £
Other debtors 169 152

continued...

Page 11

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Other creditors
15.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated property reserve
Restricted funds
The Isabel Blackman Foundation Fund
Sussex Housing Trust for the Elderly
Orbit fund
Baby Pantry
Endowment funds
Permanent endowment
Expendable endowment fund
Hart expendable endowment fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated property reserve
Restricted funds
The Isabel Blackman Foundation Fund
Sussex Housing Trust for the Elderly
Baby Pantry
Endowment funds
Permanent endowment
Expendable endowment fund
Hart expendable endowment fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net
movement
At 1/4/23
in funds
£
£
4,269
(5,931)
116,000
(4,000)
120,269
(9,931)
6,936
(7,073)
3,368
(1,863)
195
-
1,566
(763)
12,065
(9,699)
534,853
48,413
34,027
1,722
536,451
36,254
1,105,331
86,389
1,237,665
66,759
above are as follows:
Incoming
Resources
resources
expended
£
£
29,466
(35,397)
-
(4,000)
29,466
(39,397)
-
(7,073)
6,000
(7,863)
-
(763)
6,000
(15,699)
-
-
15,552
(13,830)
15,787
(20,715)
31,339
(34,545)
66,805
(89,641)
2024
2023
£
£
5,125
3,898
Transfers
between
At
funds
31/3/24
£
£
272
(1,390)
-
112,000
272
110,610
537
400
(809)
696
-
195
-
803
(272)
2,094
-
583,266
-
35,749
-
572,705
-
1,191,720
-
1,304,424
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
-
(5,931)
-
(4,000)
-
(9,931)
-
(7,073)
-
(1,863)
-
(763)
-
(9,699)
48,413
48,413
-
1,722
41,182
36,254
89,595
86,389
89,595
66,759

continued...

Page 12

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net
movement At
At 1/4/22 in funds 31/3/23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 4,778 (509) 4,269
Designated property reserve 120,000 (4,000) 116,000
124,778 (4,509) 120,269
Restricted funds
The Isabel Blackman Foundation Fund 14,174 (7,238) 6,936
Sussex Housing Trust for the Elderly 1,604 1,764 3,368
Orbit fund 195 - 195
Baby Pantry 2,077 (511) 1,566
Pantry - Sussex Community fund 3,322 (3,322) -
21,372 (9,307) 12,065
Endowment funds
Permanent endowment 555,888 (21,035) 534,853
Expendable endowment fund 25,889 8,138 34,027
Hart expendable endowment fund 566,269 (29,818) 536,451
1,148,046 (42,715) 1,105,331
TOTAL FUNDS 1,294,196 (56,531) 1,237,665

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Gains and Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 27,334 (27,843) - (509)
Designated property reserve - (4,000) - (4,000)
27,334 (31,843) - (4,509)
Restricted funds
The Isabel Blackman Foundation Fund - (7,238) - (7,238)
Sussex Housing Trust for the Elderly 6,000 (4,236) - 1,764
Baby Pantry - (511) - (511)
Pantry - Sussex Community fund - (3,322) - (3,322)
6,000 (15,307) - (9,307)
Endowment funds
Permanent endowment - - (21,035) (21,035)
Expendable endowment fund 15,967 (7,829) - 8,138
Hart expendable endowment fund 15,609 (13,950) (31,477) (29,818)
31,576 (21,779) (52,512) (42,715)
TOTAL FUNDS 64,910 (68,929) (52,512) (56,531)

continued...

Page 13

HASTINGS AREA COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Restricted funds

Regular grants are received from "The Isabel Blackman Foundation," and "Sussex Housing Trust for the Elderly" towards the housing and other needs of individuals, which Hastings Area Community Trust disperses to those in need.

Endowment funds

The Hart Fund

When the Trustees of the Hart Charitable Trust transferred a substantial part of its assets to this Charity in 2014/15 they indicated that they did not wish "to create any form of Trust over these monies"; but would like the funds to be "held as an expendable Endowment,with the capital sums being invested to produce income broadly similar to the income supplied to Relief by The Hart Charitable Trust in the past".

The Trustees also asked that Relief should use the income generated within the spirit of the original objects of the Hart Charitable Trust, that is "for or towards the relief, either generally or individually, of persons resident in 'The Borough of Hastings and District of Rother' who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress".

The Hart Trustees ended by saying that the expressed wishes (outlined above) "do not preclude the Trustees of Hastings Area Community Trust from applying either the whole or any part of the Capital for purposes similar to those set out for the use of income".

16. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2024.

Page 14