**Charity number: 1025258** ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** **Trustees Report and Financial Statements** **For the year ended 30 September 2024** ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Contents** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ||Page| |---|---| |Trustees Report|1 – 8| |Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees|9 – 12| |Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities|13| |Consolidated Balance Sheet|14| |Consolidated Cash Flow|15| |Notes to the Accounts|16 – 27| ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Trustees Report** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINSTRATIVE DETAILS** |**Charity name**|The Geoffrey Watling Charity|| |---|---|---| |**Charity registration number**|1025258|| |**Registered address**|8a Ber Street|| ||Norwich|| ||Norfolk|| ||NR1 3EJ|| |**Trustees**|A C Watling (Chairman)|| ||S P Watling|| ||R S Marks|| ||D J Lundean|| ||A M Haswell|| |**Grants**||| |**Administrator**|A Handley ( resigned 30 September 2024 )|| ||S Pearce ( appointed 8 November|2024 )| |**Bankers**|Barclays Bank Plc|Insignis Asset Management Ltd| ||Barclay’s Business Centre
|St John’s Innovation Centre| ||3 St. James Court
|Cowley Road, Milton| ||Whitefriars
|Cambridge| ||Norwich
|CB4 0WS| ||NR3 1RJ|| |**Property investment advisors**|Brown & Co LLP|| ||25-26 Tuesday Market Place|| ||Kings Lynn|| ||Norfolk|| ||PE30 1JJ|| |**Investment advisors**|Sarasin & Partners LLP|| ||Juxon House|| ||100 St Paul’s Churchyard|| ||London|| ||EC4M 8BU|| |**Auditor**|Lovewell Blake LLP|| ||Bankside 300|| ||Peachman Way|| ||Broadland Business Park|| ||Norwich|| ||Norfolk NR7 0LB|| 1 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Trustees Report Continued** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024. The report and financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s Settlement Deed (as amended), the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their (consolidated) accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, published in October 2019. The accounts presented here are the consolidated accounts of the Charity and of Geoffrey Watling (Norwich) ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARITY** The Deed of Settlement dated 4 August 1993, as amended, defines the ‘object’ of The Geoffrey Watling Charity (‘GWC’) as: - “To pay or apply the annual income of the Charity’s funds to such charity or charities or for such charitable purpose or purposes as the Trustees shall from time to time in their absolute discretion determine.” The geographical ‘area of benefit’ is ‘the County of Norfolk and the Waveney District of Suffolk’. The means by which the Charity seeks to meet this object are: 1. to invest optimally the assets of the Charity and its wholly owned Company, (the “Group”). 2. to make grants to organisations with a charitable purpose whose beneficiaries reside within the area of benefit in order to enhance their welfare. The Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. Optimum investment of the Group’s assets The Trustees are mindful that their ability to allocate the Charity’s funds now, and in the future, by making grants to others in need, is only possible if they manage the Group’s investments effectively. The value of the investments at 30 September 2024 was £18,972,566 (2023: £17,111,696) comprising £2,701,550 (2023: £2,800,000) in investment property and £16,271,016 (2023: £14,311,696) in quoted investments and cash. The Trustees have decided that their two overall objectives in this area are: 2 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Trustees Report Continued** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** - as far as is practicable, to treat current and future beneficiaries equally, given that the Charity is intended to exist in the long-term, although not necessarily in perpetuity. - to achieve an optimum balance between risk and total return in order to set a consistent short-to medium-term budget for expenditure on its charitable objectives and priorities. ## Optimum investment of the Group’s assets (continued) The Trustees have an investment policy developed in conjunction with the Charity’s discretionary investment managers, Sarasin and Partners LLP. ## Grant-making The Charity aims to make the greatest positive impact for the good of its beneficiaries to the best of its ability with the finite resources it has. To this end, the Charity makes grants to other organisations with an approved charitable purpose. Trustees consider all applications they receive and consider each on its own merits and within the terms of the Deed of Settlement. They have no priority areas for grant-making. ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** Based on the above objectives and activities, the trustees are pleased to report on the achievements and performance of the Charity during the year to 30 September 2024. ## Grant-making During the year 2023/24, the Charity authorised spending of £538,650 on 112 grants and donations to other bodies with a charitable purpose, after taking account of a small number of grants which were withdrawn. (see Note 6 to the financial statements _)._ Of the £538,650, £512,650 (2023: £421,225) were grants and £26,000 (2023: £25,000) were donations. The cost to the Charity of managing these activities was £50,661 (Note 4 to the financial statements), which includes £19,500 in relation to the creation of a new grants database system. An analysis of the grants made for various categories of purpose is set out in Note 6 to the financial statements. The following chart shows the relative distribution, by value, of the total grants awarded: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Sporting
Social and
Welfare
Medical
Churches and
Environment
Historic
Buildings
Education and
Arts
**----- End of picture text -----**
3 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Trustees Report Continued** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** In assessing the beneficial effect of their grant making, the trustees focus on: - feedback from beneficiaries - observing the effect on organisations to which grants have been made - finding and considering any research evidence relating to the likely effect of a planned intervention supported by a grant - Paying site visits and attending presentations, at the request of beneficiaries, to see the impact of grants made or applied for. ## Investment of the Group’s assets and its financial performance The Charity’s investment portfolio value increased in the year by £1,829,858, with the market value of the investment portfolio at 30 September 2024 totalling £15,228,363. The most recent valuation, as at 26 February 2025, was £15,890,690. The Group’s property assets market value was £2,701,550 at 30 September 2024. As stated in note 11 following the continuing impact of coastal erosion the valuation of the investment properties was reduced by £100,000. Overall, the total return (capital gain and income) on the Group’s assets invested was 13.9%. More than three quarters of this return arose because of the unrealised gain made on revaluing the portfolio of listed investments to their market value at 30 September 2024. The Charity has, however, always based its grant making decisions on the realised income generated by its investments. In the year to 30 September 2024, £595,578 of income was generated, representing a 3.4% return on investments (2023: £513,610, 3%). Trustees meet discretionary investment manager and adviser, Sarasin & Partners LLP, once a year for a formal review of their performance and to discuss likely future issues, including risk. The property portfolio is managed by John Weston, MRICS, of Brown & Co who reports to the Director of the Company. The Charity does not have an explicit policy on social, environmental or ethical matters in relation to its investments. Rather it subscribes to the policy of its discretionary investment managers, Sarasin & Partners LLP who state that: “The fund does not invest in tobacco manufacturers and will also avoid investment in companies that generate significant revenues from the following: alcohol manufacture; armaments; gambling; pornography”. Since at least COP26, Sarasins have also withdrawn investments that could affect global warming. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** During the year ended 30 September 2024 the Group generated net realised income of £470,364, from which it awarded £538,650 in grants and donations. The listed investment portfolio produced a net unrealised gain of £1,829,858 on revaluation to market value at 30 September 2024, on investments held. In total, the net assets of the group increased during the year by £1,661,572, making the total funds of the Group £19,270,754 at 30 September 2024. 4 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Trustees Report Continued** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** Following storms in November 2023 and January 2024 there has been substantial coastal erosion at Hemsby resulting in the loss of land owned by the Group. The cost of repair works associated with this damage and incurred by the Group amounted to over £37,000. After receiving advice from the Group’s property investment advisor the valuation of certain investment properties has been reduced by £100,000 and this has been reflected in the Group’s accounts to 30 September 2024. Following the setting up of a new account with Insignis Asset Management Ltd a total of £904,627 has been invested into higher yielding cash deposits. Fuller details of the consolidated financial results for the year ended 30 September 2024 can be found in the financial statements. ## Reserves policy The policy of the Trustees is to ensure that it holds net current assets sufficient to cover the operational running costs of the Charity for a six month period. This includes sums sufficient to pay out all approved grants. At the year-end, free reserves (being net current assets) held within the general fund and investment fund totalled £949k (2023: £980k) which amounts to 13 months of expenditure. In addition, a further £15.2m (2023: £13.4m) was held within the investment portfolio, which is retained to generate a return on investment in accordance with the investment policy. ## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS** At the year end work on developing the Charity’s new grants database system was almost complete and subsequently the new system has gone ‘live’. This new system will assist with the operational efficiency of the Charity’s database thus further improving the process of grant application processing. The Charity is receiving an increasing number of grant applications and in order to maintain its responsiveness the Charity will be reviewing its grant making guidelines. The Trustees will also continue to monitor the company’s investment assets to maximise the effectiveness of the operation of the Charity. 5 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Trustees Report Continued** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** The Geoffrey Watling Charity is a registered Charity, number 1025258. It is an unincorporated association with significant invested funds. Geoffrey Watling (Norwich) Limited is a Registered Company (number 00957457), the shares of which are owned wholly by The Geoffrey Watling Charity. Alan Watling is the sole Director of the Company and is also a Trustee of the Geoffrey Watling Charity. Colin Ford is the Company Secretary, appointed to the role on 8 March 2024. The Company directly owns properties, principally in Hemsby, Norfolk. The Company remits annually an appropriate and permitted amount of its profits through Gift Aid to the Charity. The Board of Trustees comprises not fewer than 3 and not more than 6 Trustees who are appointed by the Board at the time. Those who served in these capacities during 2023/24 and/or are Trustees at the time of the approval of these financial statements are shown in the table below. When a new Trustee is appointed, there is a short briefing procedure covering relevant governance issues. The Trustees meet formally every three months, with the appropriate officers and advisers, to agree plans, programmes and budgets; agree and review policies; and to monitor progress and review performance. The Director of the Company meets with the Company’s property adviser on a regular basis and visits the Company’s properties particularly during the summer season at Hemsby. Alan Watling is Chairman of the Board. ## Trustees ## **Trustee** ## **Period of office** A C Watling To June 2027 S P Watling To June 2026 R S Marks To December 2026 D J Lundean To March 2025 A M Haswell To December 2027 6 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Trustees Report Continued** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** Brown & Co LLP is the property adviser to the Company and Charity, responsible for the management of the invested estate and for advising the Trustees on these matters. Brown & Co’s representative is John Weston, MRICS, and Registered Valuer and his services are received through a service level agreement. In addition, the Trustees employ senior officers to advise them and to carry out their approved plans: Yvonne Johnston ( retired 29 March 2024 ) Accountant Colin Ford ( appointed 5 January 2024 ) Finance Manager Armana Handley ( resigned 30 September 2024 ) Grants Administrator Sian Pearce ( appointed 8 November 2024 ) Grants Administrator ## **Trustees and key management personnel** The Trustees consider that the Board of Trustees is responsible for directing and controlling the Charity and running and operating the Charity on a day-to-day basis. All Trustees give of their time freely and no Trustee remuneration was paid in the year. Details of Trustees’ expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in note 10 to the financial statements. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests to the Grants Administrator and to their colleagues and to withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises. The remuneration of the Group’s staff is reviewed annually. ## **Risk management** Trustees also monitor closely the risks to which the Charity is exposed, many of which are not directly financial in nature but which, if they materialise, could have financial consequences. A Risk Assessment Register for the company and charity was first presented at the meeting of the Trustees, held on 6 December 2019 and approved at their meeting on 6 March 2020. The Register sets down the probability and impact of each foreseeable risk and the preventative or mitigating actions which should be taken. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance, and at least annual review, of the Register. A partial review of the Register was undertaken in December 2023 and a full review will be carried out in the first quarter of 2025. ## **Fundraising Standards Information** The Charity does not participate in fundraising activities or instruct anyone to act on their behalf with regards to fundraising. ## **True and Fair override** The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a "true and fair" view and 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 Accounting and Reporting by charities by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 rather than Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. 7 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Trustees Report Continued** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and group and of its incoming resources and application of resources of the charity and the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS102); - make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity and group will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Thanks** Thanks are due to Yvonne Johnston, Colin Ford, Armana Handley, Sian Pearce and John Weston and his team. Without their dedication and skill, the Charity’s work would not be as effective and valued as it is. FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES A C Watling Chairman of the Board of Trustees 8A Ber Street Norwich, NR1 3EJ 7 March 2025 8 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **Opinion** We have audited the financial statements of The Geoffrey Watling Charity (the ‘parent charity’) and its subsidiary (the ‘group’) for the year ended 30 September 2024 which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, consolidated balance sheet, consolidated cash flow and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 _The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland_ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: - give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and parent charity’s affairs as at 30 September 2024, and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; - have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and - have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. ## **Basis for opinion** We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. ## **Conclusions relating to going concern** In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group and parent charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. 9 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **Other information** The other information comprises the information included in the trustees annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. ## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion: - the information given in the trustees’ report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or - sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or - the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or - we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. ## **Responsibilities of trustees** As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 8, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group and parent charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 10 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** We have been appointed as auditor under section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: - Enquiry of management and those charged with governance; - Enquiry of entity staff compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations; - Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations; - Performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of operations and reviewing accounting estimates for bias. Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. 11 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance/auditor-s-responsibilities-for-the-audit-of-thefi/description-of-the-auditor%E2%80%99s-responsibilities-for. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. ## **Use of our report** This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Lovewell Blake LLP Statutory Auditor Date: 17 June 2025 Bankside 300 Peachman Way Broadland Business Park Norwich Norfolk, NR7 0LB _Lovewell Blake LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006._ 12 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Investment
Note General fund fund 2024 Total 2023
£ £ £ £
Income and endowments from:
Investments 2 805,721 - 805,721 716,378
Total income and endowments 805,721 - 805,721 716,378
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
Investment management costs 3 205,694 79,002 284,696 252,170
Charitable Activities 4 589,311 - 589,311 475,140
Total expenditure 795,005 79,002 874,007 727,310
Net income / (expenditure) before revaluation of
investments 10,716 (79,002) (68,286) (10,932)
Net gains on investment portfolio - 1,829,858 1,829,858 540,338
-
Loss on revaluation of properties (100,000) (100,000) (250,000)
Net income and net movement in funds 10,716 1,650,856 1,661,572 279,406
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 1,161,178 16,448,004 17,609,182 17,329,776
Total funds carried forward 1,171,894 18,098,860 19,270,754 17,609,182
**----- End of picture text -----**
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The notes set out on pages 16 to 27 form an integral part of these financial statements. 13 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Consolidated Balance Sheet** ## **As at 30 September 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Notes 2024 2023
Charity Group Charity Group
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets (including investment properties) 11 330,000 2,797,867 330,000 2,892,933
Investments 12 15,228,363 15,228,363 13,436,564 13,436,564
Subsidiary 12 2,847,938 - 2,847,938 -
18,406,301 18,026,230 16,614,502 16,329,497
Current Assets
Debtors : amounts falling
due within one year 13 147,986 91,025 20,107 79,274
Debtors : amounts falling
due after one year 13 - 295,060 - 302,012
Cash deposits 904,627 904,627 33,122 33,122
Cash at bank and in hand 138,026 426,368 842,010 1,309,280
1,190,639 1,717,080 895,239 1,723,688
Current Liabilities
Creditors : Amounts falling
due within one year 14 (1,667,450) (472,556) (1,338,289) (444,003)
Net current assets (476,811) 1,244,524 (443,050) 1,279,685
Total assets less current liabilities 17,929,490 19,270,754 16,171,452 17,609,182
Total net assets 17,929,490 19,270,754 16,171,452 17,609,182
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
General 15 476,660 1,171,894 469,478 1,161,178
Investment 15 17,452,830 18,098,860 15,701,974 16,448,004
Total charity funds 17,929,490 19,270,754 16,171,452 17,609,182
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These accounts were approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on 7 March 2025, and signed on behalf of the by: A C Watling R S Marks Chairman of Board of Trustees Trustee The notes set out on pages 16 - 27 form an integral part of these financial statements. 14 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Consolidated Cash Flow** ## **As at 30 September 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Charity Group Charity Group
2024 2024 2023 2023
£ £ £ £
Net cash flow from operating activities (below) (238,781) (738,281) (111,396) (453,243)
Cash flow from investing activities
- - -
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (11,560)
- -
Payments to acquire investments (67,288) (67,288)
Rents received from investment properties 22,678 325,869 25,363 284,202
Interest received 33,796 62,737 13,638 38,530
Investment portfolio income 417,116 417,116 393,645 393,645
Net cash flow from investing activities 406,302 726,874 432,646 716,377
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 167,521 (11,407) 321,250 263,134
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 October 2023 875,132 1,342,402 553,882 1,079,268
Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September 2024 1,042,653 1,330,995 875,132 1,342,402
Reconciliation of net income / (expenditure) to net
cash flow from operating activities
Net income /(expenditure) for the year 1,758,038 1,661,572 533,727 279,406
Rents received from investment properties (22,678) (325,869) (25,363) (284,202)
Interest receivable (33,796) (62,737) (13,638) (38,530)
Investment portfolio income (417,116) (417,116) (393,645) (393,645)
- -
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 5,736 4,311
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets - 890 - -
Investment management fees 105,347 105,347 102,255 102,255
Gains / (losses) in investments (1,829,858) (1,829,858) (540,338) (540,338)
- -
Loss on revaluation of investment properties 100,000 250,000
(Increase) / decrease in debtors (127,879) (4,799) 149,494 119,828
Increase / (decrease) in creditors 329,161 28,553 76,112 47,672
(238,781) (738,281) (111,396) (453,243)
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The notes set out on pages 16 to 27 form an integral part of these financial statements. 15 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## 1 **Summary of significant accounting policies** ## **(a) General information and basis of preparation** The Geoffrey Watling Charity is an unincorporated charity in the United Kingdom. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity's operations and principal activities remains as described within the Trustees Report on pages 2 to 3. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and UK Generally Accepted Practice. The financial statements have been prepared to give a "true and fair" view and we 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 the 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 (FRS102) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated. ## **(b) Group financial statements** These financial statements consolidate the results of the charity and its wholly owned subsidiary Geoffrey Watling (Norwich) Limited on a line by line basis. A separate Statement of Financial Activities and income and expenditure accounts are not presented for the charity following the exemptions afforded the SORP. 16 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## 1 **Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)** ## **(c) Funds** All of the charity's funds are unrestricted funds. Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. The Investment Fund was established with the initial transfer of capital from the estate of the late Geoffrey Watling and is unrestricted. The income from the fund is used by the charity to undertake its objectives. ## **(d) Income recognition** All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received. Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes such as shares and property. It includes dividends, interest and rent. Where it is not practicable to identify investment management costs incurred within a scheme with reasonable accuracy the investment income is reported net of these costs. It is included when the amount can be measured reliably. Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method and dividend and rent income is recognised as the charity's right to receive payment is established. ## **(e) Expenditure recognition** All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings: - Costs of raising funds comprise the costs associated with property and investment management. - Expenditure on charitable activities 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. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the general activity category for which expenditure arose. 17 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## 1 **Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)** ## **(e) Expenditure recognition (continued)** Grants payable to third parties are within the charitable objectives. Where unconditional grants are offered, this is accrued as soon as the recipient is notified of the grant, as this gives rise to a reasonable expectation that the recipient will receive the grant. Where grants are conditional relating to performance then the grant is only accrued when any unfulfilled conditions are outside of the control of the charity. ## **(f) Investment properties** All investment properties owned by the charity are included at fair value with changes in fair value recognised as net gains / (losses) on investment in the SOFA. Current values are based on a valuation undertaken by John Weston of Brown and Co. Property and Business Consultants LLP on 30 September 2024. ## **(g) Tangible fixed assets** Land and property is included at fair value with changes in fair value recognised as net gains / (losses) on investment in the SOFA, and current value is based on a valuation undertaken by John Weston of Brown and Co. Property and Business Consultants LLP on 30 September 2021. No depreciation is charged as property is subject to regular revaluation and any depreciation is considered to be immaterial. Machinery and office equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation calculated at 25% reducing balance. ## **(h) Investments** Investments are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with changes recognised in net gains / (losses) on investments in the SoFA, based upon the market value at the period end. The SOFA includes net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year together with rebates received from investment managers. The Charity's subsidiary is included at deemed cost based on the net asset value of the Company at the date of transfer from the estate of the late Geoffrey Watling, less any impairment. The Charity's investment policy is laid out in the Trustees Annual Report. ## **(i) Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year** Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure. 18 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## 1 **Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)** ## **(j) Debtors receivable after one year** Debtors receivable after one year constitute loans and mortgages which are initially recognised at the transaction price. Subsequently they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method less impairment. ## **(k) Going concern** The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern. ## **(l) Cash at bank** Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less. ## **(m) Financial Instruments** The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. ## **(n) Defined contribution plans** Contributions as defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. 19 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
General Unrestricted 2024 Unrestricted 2023
fund Investment fund Total Total
£ £ £ £
2 Income from investments £ £ £ £
Rental income 325,869 - 325,869 284,202
Deposit interest 35,827 - 35,827 13,638
Interest on loans 26,910 - 26,910 24,892
Investment portfolio income 417,116 - 417,116 393,645
805,721 - 805,721 716,378
3 Investment management costs £ £ £ £
Rent, rates and insurance and utilities 41,021 - 41,021 31,244
Repairs and maintenance 63,025 - 63,025 48,462
Wages and National Insurance 30,120 - 30,120 22,950
Sundry 23,304 - 23,304 20,686
Management charges 24,166 72,376 96,542 96,473
Legal and professional fees 350 - 350 3,238
Directors remuneration 16,000 - 16,000 15,000
Depreciation and loss on disposal of assets - 6,626 6,626 4,311
Governance costs (note 5) 7,708 - 7,708 9,806
205,694 79,002 284,696 252,170
4 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities £ £ £ £
Grants (note 6) 512,650 - 512,650 421,225
Donations (note 6) 26,000 - 26,000 25,000
Salaries 21,562 - 21,562 20,376
Sundry expenses 20,622 - 20,622 1,622
Governance costs (note 6) 8,477 - 8,477 6,917
589,311 - 589,311 475,140
5 Governance costs £ £ £ £
Auditor's remuneration:
Audit services - current year 14,000 - 14,000 13,500
- prior year 305 - 305 400
Other services 1,845 - 1,845 2,740
Other 35 - 35 83
16,185 - 16,185 16,723
**----- End of picture text -----**
20 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## 6 **Analysis of grants and donations** |The grants and donations recognised during the period are analysed as follows :-
Purpose
Number
Social and Welfare
47
Churches and Historic Buildings
23
Education and Arts
26
Environment
10
Medical
3
Sporting
6
115
Grants withdrawn
3
Total grants and donations
112|**2024**
**£**
166,500
47,450
106,500
80,700
32,500
113,000
546,650
8,000
538,650|**2023**
**£**
Number
62
265,150
21
66,000
21
72,775
5
17,000
4
30,800
5
15,000
118
466,725
8
20,500
110
446,225| |---|---|---| All grants and donations authorised during the year were payable to institutions. Below are details of the activities which have been funded by grants and donations authorised of £10,000 or more: The Garage Trust Ltd St Martins The Norfolk Hospice Great Yarmouth Pathway Winterton Primary School & Nursery 11th Norwich Sea Scout Group Friends of Horsey Seals 33rd Norwich Scout Group Fairhaven Garden Trust Norfolk Mills & Pumps Trust The Parkside School Suffolk Wildlife Trust James Paget Hospital Charity Norwich City Community Sports Foundation ||£| |---|---| |The Workshop King's Lynn - working with those that face challenge|10,000| |Donations towards the work of St Martins|10,000| |To fund 'Compassionate Communities' across Norfolk|10,000| |To assist with the core costs of Great Yarmouth Pathway|10,000| |To replace old and not fit for purpose outdoor play equipment|10,000| |To replace leaking asbestos roof with modern insulated panels|10,000| |To purchase a rescue four wheel drive vehicle for transporting seals|10,000| |Funds towards the construction of a new building|10,000| |New sustainable quay heading with disabled friendly bridge & jetty|15,000| |Restoration of Turf Fen Mill|15,000| |Special School Band and Music Therapy Sessions|15,000| |Purchase of Worlingham Marshes in the Lower Waveney Valley|25,000| |Funding for a Surgical Robot at the James Paget University Hospital|25,000| |Construction of an innovative and inclusive Health & Wellbeing Box|100,000| 21 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **7 Net income for the year** Net income is stated after charging / (crediting): **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||| |---|---|---| |2024|2023| |£|£| |Depreciation of tangible fixed assets|5,736|4,311| |Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets|890|-| |Gain on fair value movement of investments|1,829,858|540,338| **----- End of picture text -----**
## **8 Auditor’s remuneration** **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||| |---|---|---| |2024|2023| |£|£| |Audit services - current year|14,000|13,500| |- prior year|305|400| |Other services|1,845|2,740| |16,150|16,640| **----- End of picture text -----**
## **9 Trustees' and key management personnel remuneration and expenses** The trustees did not receive any remuneration from the charity in respect to their roles as trustees during the period. A.C. Watling received gross remuneration of £16,000 (2023: £15,000) from the charity's subsidiary for his role as company director and received reimbursed expenses totalling £149 (2023: £237) through the subsidiary. The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel is £67,681 (2023: £58,326). The charity considers all its staff to be key management personnel. ## **10 Staff costs and employee benefits** The average monthly number of employees during the year was three part time individuals, two of which are included in Investment Management Costs and one in Charitable Activities. The total staff costs and employees benefits was as follows: **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |2024|2023| |Charity|Subsidiary|Total|Total| |£|£|£|£| |Wages and salaries|20,050|43,888|63,938|55,250| |-| |Social security|1,512|1,512|1,376| |Pension contributions|-|2,231|2,231|1,700| |21,562|46,119|67,681|58,326| **----- End of picture text -----**
No employees received total employee benefits of more than £60,000 (2023: £nil). 22 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Freehold Investment Machinery and Office
11 Tangible Fixed Assets - Group Property Tangible Property Equipment Total
£ £ £ £
Cost or valuation
As at 1 October 2023 2,828,887 80,000 44,770 2,953,657
Additions 1,550 - 10,010 11,560
- -
Disposals (5,000) (5,000)
Revaluation (100,000) - - (100,000)
As at 30 September 2024 2,730,437 80,000 49,780 2,860,217
Depreciation
As at 1 October 2023 28,887 - 31,837 60,724
- -
Depreciation on disposals (4,110) (4,110)
Charge for the period - - 5,736 5,736
As at 30 September 2024 28,887 - 33,463 62,350
Net book value
Total as at 30 September 2024 2,701,550 80,000 16,317 2,797,867
Total as at 30 September 2023 2,800,000 80,000 12,933 2,892,933
Freehold Investment
Tangible Fixed Assets - Charity Property Tangible Property Total
£ £ £
Cost or valuation
As at 1 October 2023 250,000 80,000 330,000
As at 30 September 2024 250,000 80,000 330,000
Net book value
As at 1 October 2023 250,000 80,000 330,000
As at 30 September 2024 250,000 80,000 330,000
**----- End of picture text -----**
Investment properties and freehold tangible property owned by the charity are included at fair value. Current values are based on a valuation undertaken by John Weston BSc (Hons) MRICS of Brown & Co - Property and Business Consultants LLP on 30 September 2024. The methods and significant assumptions used to ascertain the fair value of £2,781,550 (2023: £2,880,000) for the group of investment and tangible property and £330,000 (2023: £330,000) for the charity investment and tangible property are as follows: Valuation is made in accordance with the RCIS Valuation - Professional Standards and complies with the International Valuation Standards. The basis of the valuation is the estimated amount for which the assets should exchange on the valuation date in an arms length transaction based on vacant possession. The historical cost of investment properties held by the group is £1,370,693 (2023: £1,369,143) and £9,382 regarding tangible property (2023: £9,382). 23 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **12 Investments - Group and Charity** |Cost or valuation
As at 1 October 2023
Additions at cost
Unrealised gains on year end valuation
As at 30 September 2024|Listed
Investments
£
13,436,564
67,288
1,724,511
15,228,363| |---|---| The fair value of listed investments is determined by reference to the quoted price for identical assets in an active market at the balance sheet date. The investments above are held in the Sarasin Endowments Fund (previously called The Alpha CIF for Endowments Income Fund). ## **Subsidiary** The charity owns 100% of the share capital of Geoffrey Watling (Norwich) Limited (incorporated in England - registration number 0957457). |_Results of Geoffrey Watling (Norwich) Limited_
Investment and property income
Direct costs
Overheads
Loss on revaluation of investment properties
Profit of the year before tax and gift aid
Gift aid
Net assets|**2024**
**£**
332,132
(130,930)
(76,510)
(100,000)
24,692
121,161
4,189,201|**2023**
**£**
283,397
(113,621)
(65,088)
(250,000)
(145,312)
109,009
4,285,670| |---|---|---| 24 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** |13 **Debtors : amounts due within one year**
Trade debtors
Other debtors and prepayments
VAT
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings
**Debtors : amounts due after one year**
Other debtors|**Charity**
**Group**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
6,000
54,036
20,825
36,989
-
-
121,161
-
147,986
91,025
**£**
**£**
-
295,060|**Charity**
**Group**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
100
51,217
10,998
28,057
-
-
9,009
-
20,107
79,274
**£**
**£**
-
302,012| |---|---|---| Other debtors include £309,589 (2023: £312,193) representing four long-term loans, all of which are unsecured. |**14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors
Accruals for grants payable
Other tax and social security
VAT
Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings
**Deferred income**
At 1 October 2023
Additions during the year
Amounts released to income
At 30 September 2024|**Charity**
**Group**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
25,978
101,635
-
6,207
362,000
362,000
315
977
637
1,737
1,278,520
-
1,667,450
472,556
**Charity**
**Group**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
-
66,086
-
59,305
-
(66,086)
-
59,305|**Charity**
**Group**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
23,674
105,680
-
15,130
307,250
307,250
307
958
1,790
14,985
1,005,268
-
1,338,289
444,003
**Charity**
**Group**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
-
60,968
-
66,086
-
(60,968)
-
66,086| |---|---|---| Income has been deferred as related to rental income invoiced in advance of future periods. 25 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** ## **15 Funds reconciliation** |Balance at 1 October
Income
Expenditure
Net gains / (losses) on investments
Loss on revaluation of properties
Balance at 30 September
**Analysis of net assets between funds**
Tangible assets
Investment assets
Debtors : due within one year
Debtors : due after one year
Cash deposits
Cash at bank
Creditors: due within one year|**Unrestricted funds 2024**
**General**
**fund**
**Investment**
**fund**
**Total**
£
£
£
1,161,178
16,448,004
17,609,182
805,721
-
805,721
(795,005)
(79,002)
(874,007)
-
1,829,858
1,829,858
-
(100,000)
(100,000)
1,171,894
18,098,860
19,270,754
**General**
**fund**
**Investment**
**fund**
**Total**
£
£
£
-
2,797,867
2,797,867
-
15,228,363
15,228,363
91,025
-
91,025
295,060
-
295,060
904,627
-
904,627
353,738
72,630
426,368
(472,556)
-
(472,556)
1,171,894
18,098,860
19,270,754
-
**Unrestricted funds 2024**|**General**
**fund**
**Investment**
**fund**
**Total**
£
£
£
1,098,688
16,231,088
17,329,776
716,378
-
716,378
(653,888)
(73,422)
(727,310)
-
540,338
540,338
-
(250,000)
(250,000)
1,161,178
16,448,004
17,609,182
**General**
**fund**
**Investment**
**fund**
**Total**
£
£
£
-
2,892,933
2,892,933
-
13,436,564
13,436,564
79,274
-
79,274
302,012
-
302,012
33,122
-
33,122
1,190,773
118,507
1,309,280
(444,003)
-
(444,003)
1,161,178
16,448,004
17,609,182
**Unrestricted funds 2023**
**Unrestricted funds 2023**| |---|---|---| The Investment Fund was established with the initial transfer of capital from the estate of the late Geoffrey Watling. The income from the fund is used by the charity to undertake its objectives. 26 ## **The Geoffrey Watling Charity** ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **Year ended 30 September 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
16 Analysis of changes in net debt Charity
At 1 October As at 30 September
2023 Cash flows 2024
£ £ £
Cash deposits 33,122 871,505 904,627
Cash at bank and in hand 842,010 (703,984) 138,026
875,132 167,521 1,042,653
Group
At 1 October As at 30 September
2023 Cash flows 2024
£ £ £
Cash deposits 33,122 871,505 904,627
Cash at bank and in hand 1,309,280 (882,912) 426,368
1,342,402 (11,407) 1,330,995
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **17 Operating lease commitments** The group has a number of long term lease commitments in place in relation to rents charged to tenants on its owned properties. The terms of the leases vary in length and rental charge and are managed by the group's property investment advisors. ## **18 Post balance sheet event** On 20 February 2025 the subsidiary company gifted 5.93 acres of woodland at Felthorpe to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Based on the last formal valuation dated 30 September 2021 the value of the gift is £23,720. ## **19 Results of the charity** The charity generated total net expenditure of £68,286 (2023: £6,611 net expenditure) which includes £121,161 (2023: £109,009) of gift aid from the company. The Charity's net increase in funds (after investment gains and losses) was £1,758,038 (2023: £533,727). 27