2025-12-31-accounts - The Burford Almshouse Charity

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BURFORD CHARITIES

THE BURFORD ALMSHOUSE CHARITY

Report and Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2025

Charity no: 1036380

THE BURFORD ALMSHOUSE CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

31 DECEMBER 2025

Professional advisers and relevant organisations Details of professional advisers and other relevant organisations are provided at the front of these accounts.

Independent Examiner

Mrs B L Connolly was appointed as the charity’s independent examiner in 2014. The trustees intend to invite Mrs B L Connolly to undertake the independent examination of the trusts for the financial year to 31 December 2026

Approved by the Trustees on 12" March 2026 and signed on their behalf by: D Griffin oy Chairman of the Trustees

BURFORD CHARITIES

THE BURFORD ALMSHOUSE CHARITY

Report and Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2025

Charity no: 1036380

THE BURFORD ALMSHOUSE CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

31 DECEMBER 2025

TRUSTEES

EX OFFICIO

The Reverand Tom Putt

NOMINATIVE TRUSTEES (Town Council)

Mrs J Tunnell-Westmacott Mr D. Cohen

CO-OPTED TRUSTEES

Mr N Street Mrs P Barraclough Mr D P Griffin FCA (Chairman ) Mr J Harrington Susan Doris Mr C G Williams Mr D Lawton (Treasurer) Mrs Karen Gadd

HONORARY SECRETARY

Mrs A Youngson Whitehill Farm Burford Oxon, OX18 4DT

BANKERS

TSB Bank plc, 13, High Street, Witney, OX28 6PH

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

B L Connolly ACA Arubus Chartered Accountants The Old Smithy, Stockton's Courtyard Overbury Gloucestershire GL20 7NT

31 DECEMBER 2025

THE BURFORD ALMSHOUSE CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

The trustees present their Annual Report and a Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2025

Charitable Status

The Burford Almshouse Charity, is administered under a trust deed (Charity Commission reference 238,130 A/2) dated 20 February 1992.

Principal Activity

The main activity of the charity is in Burford with an area of benefit within a seven mile radius of the Tolsey in Burford. The Burford Almshouse Charity has 19 almshouses which are allocated to local residents with limited income.

Principal Address

The principal address is:

Whitehill Farm

Burford Oxon OX18 4DT

Tel: 01993-822894 —

Trustees

In accordance with the scheme approved by the Charity Commissioners, nominated trustees appointed by the Burford Town Council, serve for a term of four years. Co-opted trustees are appointed for a term of five years by a resolution of the trustees passed at a special meeting of the Trustees. When vacancies arise, local persons are invited by the trustees to become co-opted trustees. New trustees are briefed before their appointment is confirmed.

Meetings

The trustees held four ordinary meetings during the year.

Investment powers

The trustees have no special investment powers. Accordingly, investments are confined to narrower-range securities and common investment schemes. Cash surplus to immediate requirements is invested in the COIF Charities Deposit Fund.

THE BURFORD ALMSHOUSE CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

31 DECEMBER 2025

Consideration and mitigation of risks

Physical damage to property or injury to residents or members of the public which is addressed by adequate public liability and fire insurance policies as well as installing fire detection and alarm mechanisms. Unforeseen property repairs which are covered by allocation to the Extraordinary Repairs Fund (ERF) and the Cyclical Repairs Fund (CMF). Diminution in the value of investments which is addressed by spreading the risk via investment in common investment funds.

Objectives and summary of main activities

The Burford Almshouse Charity continued to be administered in accordance with the Charity Commission Scheme dated 20" February, 1992, as amended.

The trustees aim to provide accommodation to modern standards for persons residing in the area of benefit who have limited means. When vacancies arise, preference is given to suitable applicants over 55. The charity has 19 almshouses of which 10 are Grade II Listed Buildings.

The Charity does not employ any staff and the almshouses were administered by the trustees who do not charge for their services.

The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Achievements and performance

As at 31 December 2025 there were no vacant almshouses.

In 2025, independent quinquennial reviews of thirteen Almshouses were conducted. This was to ensure that the integrity of the structure and fabric of the properties remain fit for purpose.A further report on the remaining houses will be arranged in 2026. It has also informed the Trustees of any shortcomings and problems with the premises/buildings to be addressed in the ongoing maintenance program.The cost of this review was funded from the Cyclical Maintenance Fund. During 2021 a full electrical inspection was carried out in all properties including personal appliances and was funded out of CMF funds. In July 2024 the Charity purchased number 13 Windrush, Burford and after minor repairs let the property to Burford residents. The funds for the purchase (£350,000) were provided by The Relief In Need Charity, which transfer was agreed by the Charity Commision. A total of £304,184 was spent on acquisition, including legal fees, with a further £9,631 spent on repairs. A further £20,000 has been on roof replacement and further repairs. The remaining funds will be held pending further updates.

During 2025, the major items of expenditure were internal renovations including double glazing, electrical upgrades, plumbing and carpeting totalling slightly in excess of £48,000. These costs included total roof replacement of 13, Windrush which was met by funds received from Relief in Need Charity. Costs for heating oil and insurance were held down with costs for the year of £3,440 and £3,273 respectively. Water rates continue to increase with annual charges of £4,685 an increase of 50% on last year. Water meters are being installed whereever possible The charity have also used contractors to replace an oil tank and boiler servicing two of our apartments.

The Charity had a deficit on operations for the year of £5,890 and did not make any transfer to CMF reserves. We are currently progressing a further property review to provide an overview of future essential works on further properties excluded from the quinquennial reviews. This further review is expected to cost approximately £1500

31 DECEMBER 2025

THE BURFORD ALMSHOUSE CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

Financial Review

Transfers to the Extraordinary Repairs Fund (ERF) were made in line with budget assessment (£12350).No monies transferred to CMF instead the monies were expended along with additional funds from the current account. The CMF enjoys the surplus after purchase and repairs to 13, Windrush from the money advnaced from Relief in Need charity totalling £350,000 in 2024. Maintenance and additonal repairs to 13 Windrush were expended from current account.

As at 31 December 2025, the market value of investments was £551,366 compared £480,437 as at 31 December 2024

With £418,883 held in the ERF, sufficient monies have been set aside for major repairs that may be required in the future.

The Charity’s policy on reserves is to continue to set aside sums for the ERF and CMF and to retain the accumulated surplus on the Unrestricted Fund to meet any unforeseen expenditure that might be needed in the future.

Plans for Future Periods

The trustees will continue to refurbish and update the almshouses as and when necessary also taking account of the surveyors recommendations.

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

Charity Law 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 charities and of the surplus or deficit of the charities for that period. In preparing those statements, the trustees are required to:

. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

. make judgements 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, and;
. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless
it is inappropriate to presume that the charities will continue in operational existence.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charities and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charities and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

THE BURFORD ALMSHOUSE CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

31 DECEMBER 2025

Professional advisers and relevant organisations

Details of professional advisers and other relevant organisations are provided at the front of these accounts.

Independent Examiner

Approved by the Trustees on 12"" March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

D Griffin oy Chairman of the Trustees

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CCXX R7 accounts (SS)

16/03/2026

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Signed byone ortwo trusteeson behalf ofallthetrustees	? A Date of Signature ExDEName approval P aN n> ae DP Gritin Woes i024 BE tewton	s\n WS D Lawton \V\e \yow

CCXX R8 accounts (SS)

16/03/2026

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Report to the trustees/ members of The Burford Almshouse Charity

On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025

Charity no 1036380

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

e examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,

e to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and

e to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

e to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act

have not been met; or

to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reached.

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Signed:[B Connolly §/-7)(77 4//V 15d Date] “ZS (SJ U2Z6
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Name:|Mrs Bonnie Connoll Fintan ana
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Relevant professional qualification(s) or nen body (if any):

Address:}Arubus Chartered Accountants

The Old Smithy, Stockton's Courtyard, Overbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 7NT