THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2023
WHITINGS LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS WISBECH, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, ELY, KINGS LYNN, MARCH, MILDENHALL, PETERBOROUGH, RAMSEY, ST IVES AND ST NEOTS
THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
TRUSTEES REPORT
For the year ended 31 December 2023
The Whittlesey Charity, Town Hall, Market Street, Whittlesey, is registered with the Charity Commissioners (No. 1005069) and constituted by a Scheme dated 27 June 1990.
The Charity Trustees comprise:-
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TRUSTEES:
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Claire Rayner - Chair Gary Cook - Finance Officer Philip Oldfield Robin Bailey Charles Kitchin Philip Green Rev Emily Davis Sarah Brown Susan Bradshaw Chloe Smith
OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES:
The objects of the Charity are to provide relief to persons in need and hardship, to promote educational support, support the local churches and also any charitable purpose for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit, being the Parishes of Whittlesey and district.
REVIEW OF THE YEAR:
During this reporting year the Charity and its Trustees have continued to ensure delivery of the Charity’s purposes and effective management including:
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« continuing to deal with various aspects of the Charity’s land estate: © the continuing registration of land holdings to protect the Charity land assets for the future © maximising opportunities to attract and invest income: granting easements over Charity land; acquiring and disposing of land in accordance with its Charitable scheme dated 27 June 1990 and Charity Commission guidance; successfully defeating adverse possession claims for Charity land; and continuing to further enhance the Charity’s land portfolio for the future benefit of the Charity and its beneficiaries.
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© planned and ad hoc maintenance required to Charity land and assets, particularly the Town Hall and manorial droves and verges including instances of maintenance for landholders as a gesture of good will to the local community.
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© continuing to seek advice as appropriate from the Charity’s professional land agents, solicitors and professional advisors for all land transactions and land management advice.
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® once again being able to make grants during the year of £46,699 to applicants within our area of benefit. ¢ continuing to deliver the Trustees’ programme of continuous improvement for the Charity to ensure resilience and appropriate ways of working for the benefit of the Charity and its future Trustees. During this year the current Trustees have:
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© invested further in IT to provide appropriate equipment to support current ways of working for the Charity and its Trustees.
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© continued to evolve and embed the use of sub-committees for estate (including the management of the Town Hall), finance, IT, and governance & compliance and have introduced a grants subcommittee.
THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
TRUSTEES REPORT (CONT’D)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
REVIEW OF THE YEAR (Cont'd):
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oO invested resource in the development of a Charity website with associated online forms and information.
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© continued to attract new Trustees as vacancies arise and to further develop the knowledge and skills of the current Trustees with information events and meetings. The Charity has focussed on recruiting Trustees with specific professional skillsets to enhance decisions in its key areas of land management and grant making and to further strengthen the Charity’s forward focus on finance, governance and compliance.
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© continued to consider professional advice from specialist charity Accountants and Solicitors as they transition the Charity to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status.
The Charity’s move to CIO status has been a focus of activity during this reporting year. The Charity continues to review and update its land assets, policies and procedures in readiness for this change to its status and the Charity’s appointed Solicitors continue to liaise with the Charity Commissioners ahead of submission ~ a draft CIO constitution will be sent to the Charity Commission as part of the application to register the CIO to ensure that the Commission is satisfied that the CIO is being established for purposes recognised as charitable in law and that those purposes continue to benefit the public.
The Charity continues to be satisfied that the Trustees have carried out their responsibilities and obligations to the wide cross section of people and organisations within its area of benefit.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
A surplus, before grants paid, arose on general funds in the year of £31,819 (2022 £32,092).
Various grants were paid during 2023 of £46,699 (2022 £43,560).
Further land was acquired in the year at a cost of £130,000 which will enhance the rental receipts being the prime source of income received by the charity.
The Trustees consider the reserves at 31 December 2023 to be satisfactory in being able to sustain the charities requirements.
For and on behalf of the Trustees
CLAIRE RAYNER ~~
CHAIR
GARY COOK
FINANCE OFFICER
7 October 2024
THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
GENERAL FUND
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|For|the|year|ended|31|December 2023|
|2023|2022|
|£|£|£|£|
|RECEIPTS:|
|Income|from|Investments:|
|Charity|Land|Rents|61,387|58,292|
|Loyalty|Rewards|2|-|
|Charity|Books|60|-|
|Hire|of Townhall|75|-|
|Contribution|to|Costs|4,050|-|
|Wayleave|213|212|
|Payment|from|Jones|Land|-|65,787|24,153|82,657|
|Dividends|-|Charity|Official|Investment|Fund|6,786|6,760|
|TOTAL|RECEIPTS|£|72,573|£|89,417|
|PAYMENTS:|
|Charitable|Activities:|
|Advertising|180|-|
|Gas|and|Electricity|4,712|2,681|
|Rates|640|666|
|Insurance|2,361|2,329|
|Repairs|and|Renewals|3,112|1,196|
|Cleaning|1,540|1,086|
|Clerk's|Salary|625|5,000|
|New|Clerk's|Salary|7,500|625|
|Telephone|504|409|
|Legal|and|Professional|Fees|17,558|19,449|
|Drainage|Work|-|16,361|
|Sundry|Expenses|125|1,760|
|Computer|Equipment|479|1,890|
|Chairs|Expenses|82|-|
|Clerk's|Expenses|130|-|
|IT|Services|and|Subscriptions|145|-|
|Wash|Willow|Prunings|Removal|-|2,640|
|Management|and|Administration:|
|Postage,|Stationery|and|Copying|46|212|
|Independent|Examiner's|Fees|960|900|
|Bank|Charges|115|122|
|TOTAL PAYMENTS|£|40,754|£|57,325|
|EXCESS|OF RECEIPTS|OVER PAYMENTS|31,819|32,092|
|(Available|for|distribution)|(Note|2)|
|Grants|made|during|the|year (Note|3)|(46,699)|(43,560)|
|Purchase|of Land|at|Black Bush|Drove|(130,006)|-|
|Transfer|from|Manorial|Fund|19,877|11,673|
|NET (PAYMENTS)/RECEIPTS|for|the|year|(125,003)|205|
|BANK/CASH BALANCE|as|at|||January|208,146|207,935|
|BANK/CASH BALANCE|as|at 31|December|£|83,137|£|208,140|
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THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
MANORIAL FUND (DESIGNATED)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2023|2022|
|£|£|£|£|
|RECEIPTS:|
|Income|from|Investments:|
|Whittlesey|Wildfowlers|1,127|888|
|RSPB|10|10|
|Black|Bush|Drove|12,362|-|
|Jones|Lane|6,178|19,677|6,178|7,076|
|Interest on|Deposit|927|115|
|TOTAL RECEIPTS|20,604|7,191|
|Transfer to|General|Funds|(19,877)|(11,673)|
|NET RECEIPTS/((PAYMENTS)|for the|year|727|{4,482)|
|BANK BALANCE|as|at|||January|76,197|80,679|
|BANK BALANCE|as|at 31|December|£|76,924|£|76,197|
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4,
THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
As at 31 December 2023
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Unrestricted
General Manorial =Total Total
Funds Fund 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
CASH FUNDS:
Bank Current Account 8,048 - 8,048 188,202
Bank Deposit Account 75,089 76,924 152,013 95,574
Petty Cash ~ - - 61
TOTAL FUNDS £ $3,137 76,924 160,061 £ 283,837
LIABILITIES:
Amounts due for supplies
and services provided £ 1,030 - 1,030 £ -
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NON-MONETARY ASSETS:
Property:
Trustees Values
| Trustees Values | |
|---|---|
| General Fund: | |
| 264.158 acres ofAgricultural Land | 2,641,580 |
| Town Hall | 400,000 |
| 26.755 acres TurfDrove, Turves | 219,182 |
| 15.29 acres Black Bush Drove | 136,600 |
| Manorial Fund: | |
| 30.89 acres HalfAcre Drove, Jones Lane, Eastrea | 260,630 |
| 40.40acresBlackBushDrove | 346,006 |
Other Assets (General Purpose Fund): Held for investment purposes -
12,456 Income Units - Charity Official Investment Fund Market Value @ 31.12.23 £247,202 (31.12.22 - 12,456 Income Units £226,398).
For and on behalf of the Trustees
CLAIRE RAYNER
CHAIR
GARY COOK
FINANCE OFFICER
7 October 2024
THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2023
1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING:
The Accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis under Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and the Charity has complied with the appropriate legal requirements of the Act.
2. DIVISION OF FUNDS STATEMENT:
| DIVISION OF FUNDSOF FUNDSFUNDS STATEMENT: | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| Branch No. 1 Reliefin Need | ||
| Balance brought forward | 113,945 | |
| Share ofsurplus for year | 9,227 | |
| Grants made during the year (Note 3) | (1,820) | |
| Purchase of Blackbush Land | (65,000) | |
| Repaid loan from Manorial Fund | 19,877 | |
| Transfer to Public Purposes | (30,000) | |
| Balance carried forward | £ | 46,229 |
| Branch No. 2 Education | ||
| Balance brought forward | 87,891 | |
| Share ofsurplus foryear | 9,228 | |
| Grantsmade during the year (Note 3) | (8,205) | |
| Purchase ofBlackbush Land | (65,000) | |
| Balance carried forward | £ | 23,914 |
| Branch No. 3 Public Purposes | ||
| Balance brought forward | 2,133 | |
| Share ofsurplus foryear | 9,227 | |
| Grants made duringthe year(Note 3) | (32,502) | |
| Transfer from ReliefinNeed | 30,000 | |
| Balance carried forward | £ | 8,858 |
| Branch No. 4 Church | ||
| Balance brought forward | 4,172 | |
| Share ofsurplus foryear | 4,136 | |
| Grants made during the year (Note 3) | (4,172) | |
| Balance carried forward | £ | 4,136 |
| Total | £ | 83,137 |
THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2023
3. GRANTS MADE DURING THE YEAR comprises:
| £ | £ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. I Relief in Need | ||||
| Various awards made | 1,820 | |||
| No. 2 Education | ||||
| Megan Brunning | 250 | |||
| Coates Primary School | 550 | |||
| Danny King | 500 | |||
| Emily Sayer | 500 | |||
| Lydia Sayer | 500 | |||
| Cambridgeshire ACF Corps ofDrums | 500 | |||
| Whittlesey& District Guides | 1,800 | |||
| Whittlesey Scouts | 850 | |||
| Phoenix Youth Provision | 2,005 | |||
| Whittlesey Junior Football | 750 | 8,205 | ||
| No. 3 Public Purposes | ||||
| Whittlesey Christmas Lights | 3,000 | |||
| Whittlesey Extravaganza | 2,000 | |||
| Whittlesey Museum Trust | 1,500 | |||
| Coates Fete on the Green | 1,200 | |||
| Holiday atHome | 1,000 | |||
| Ralph Butcher's memorial bench | 1,002 | |||
| Coates Silver Lining | 500 | |||
| Whittlesey Festival | 2,000 | |||
| Fen Hands | 300 | |||
| Christian Church | 2,000 | |||
| StAndrew's Church | 6,000 | |||
| Friends ofSt Mary's Church | 6,000 | |||
| Friends ofHoly Trinity Church | 6,000 | 32,502 | ||
| No. 4 Church | ||||
| Holy Trinity, Coates | 834 | |||
| St. Mary's PCC | ‘ | 1,669 | ||
| St. Andrew's PCC | 1,669 | 4,172 | ||
| £ | 46,699 |
THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WHITTLESEY CHARITY
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Whittlesey Charity (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on Pages 3 to 7.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report:
As the Charity’s Trustees 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 Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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 matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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 ofthe accounts to be reached.
K J DAY F.C.C.A
c/o Whitings LLP Chartered Accountants 12/13 The Crescent Wisbech Cambs PE13 1EH
7 October 2024