**Registered Number 1036982**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**31 OCTOBER 2023**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **CONTENTS**
_________________________________________________________________________________
||Page|
|---|---|
|Charity Information|1|
|Trustees’ Report|2|
|Report of the Independent Examiner|4|
|Statement of Financial Activities|5|
|Balance Sheet|8|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|10|
**Page 1**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **CHARITY INFORMATION**
**__________________________________________________________________________________**
## **PRINCIPAL ADDRESS**
RHQ The Mercian Regiment The Castle Chester CH1 2DN
## **TRUSTEES**
GE Szwejkowski PJ Gresty TE Pickering T Ellis
## **REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER**
1036982
## **BANKERS**
Royal Bank of Scotland Holt’s Military Banking 200 Fowler Avenue Farnborough GU14 7JP
## **ACCOUNTANTS**
McLintocks (NW) Limited 2 Hilliards Court Chester Business Park Chester CH4 9QP
**Page 2**
**CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
________________________________________________________________________________
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for year ended 31 October 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)’ (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
The Cheshire Regiment Association (CRA) comprises of a number of geographical branches and groups, all linked to the CRA through service with The Cheshire Regiment. Membership is restricted to men and women who have served in any unit of The Cheshire Regiment
- (a) The 13 current geographical branches of the Association are as follows; - Birkenhead, Chester, Halton, Kirkham, Limavady, Nantwich, Sandbach, Southern Region, South Wirral, Stockport, Stoke on Trent. Walsall, Winsford.
- (b) The 3 groups of the Association are as follows: -
Band & Drums, Serjeants’ Club, and The 22nd Riders Club
## **RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES**
- (a) The Officers of the Association are full members of the Association and are elected for a term of three years at an Annual General Meeting
- (i) the Chairman - Currently Mr P J Gresty
- (ii) the Secretary- Currently Capt (Ret’d) T Ellis
- (iii) the Treasurer – Currently Maj (Ret’d) T E Pickering MBE
The positions of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by one member if there are insufficient volunteers. There is no limit on the number of terms any officer may serve in a position.
(b) The Association will be administered by a Committee composed of:
- (i) The Chairman
- (ii) The Treasurer
- (iii) The Secretary
- (iv) The Chairman of each branch, who may be represented at meetings by a nominated officer of the branch.
## (c) Committee Meetings
- (i) the Committee meets twice in each year; normally January and July.
(ii) there is a quorum when five members of the committee are present at a meeting. (iii) every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the Committee present and voting on the question but in the case of equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
(iv) the Committee shall have power within the limits prescribed by the constitution to make or amend such detailed regulations as it thinks fit for the conduct of its own business or the affairs of the Association generally.
**Page 3**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
________________________________________________________________________________
## **RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES**
The following are the appointed Trustees of the Association:
- (i) Chairman – Currently Mr P J Gresty
- (ii) Secretary – Currently Capt (Ret’d) T Ellis
- (iii) Treasurer – Currently Maj (Ret’d) T E Pickering MBE
Up to two further Trustees may be appointed at their discretion and currently one additional trustee been appointed, this is;
- (i) Newsletter Editor - Currently Mr G Szwejkowski
Upon recruitment of a new trustee, they are to be appointed at an Annual General Meeting and the appointment is to be notified to the Charity Commission.
## **INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF TRUSTEES**
New trustees are provided with information about the CRA and its work to supplement their knowledge of the CRA gained through being a full member.
New trustees are also provided with Charity Commission information and leaflets pertaining to the duties of a trustee as follows:
- a) Charity purposes and rules
- b) Making decisions at a charity
- c) Managing charity finances
- d) Managing conflicts of interest in a charity
- e) What to send to the Charity Commission and how to get help
- f) Safeguarding for charities and trustees
- g) Political activity and campaigning by charities
## **AIMS AND OBJECTIVES**
The objectives of the CRA are as follows: -
- (a) to keep alive the spirit of the Regiment and to maintain friendships and comradeship between members.
- (b) to support members and their dependants who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.
- (c) the commemoration and remembrance of those members of The Regiment who have died whilst on active service; and the encouragement of public recognition of the sacrifice made by such persons.
**Page 4**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
________________________________________________________________________________
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
The CRA has had a full and active reporting year in which the committee has continued to manage the running of the association to the satisfaction of the trustees and in accordance with their objectives.
The branches and groups of the association, as well as supporting the CRA central events, run their own social and remembrance events.
The CRA Annual General Meeting was held, in Chester, on the 18th of February 2023 with physical and remote attendance. All necessary matters were reported upon, and the association accounts were presented to those present before being submitted to the Charity Commission.
Following the inauguration, and dedication, of the new Regimental memorial a service was held in September 2023 to remember all past members, it is planned for this service to become an annual event and incorporate a pilgrimage to the National Memorial Arboretum. Details of this and other events, held in the reporting period, are in the table below:
|**Date**|**Event**|**Location**|**Attendance**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Oct ‘22|75th East Cheshire Reunion|Stockport|130|
|Dec 22|40th Droppin Well Memorial|Ballykelly, NI 300||
|Feb ‘23|Annual General Meeting|Chester|50|
|Feb’23|Meeannee Reunion|Chester|300|
|May ’23|Coronation Celebration Gathering|Chester|140|
|Aug ‘23|Acorn Camping Weekend|Chester|100|
|Aug ‘23|Mons Wreath Laying Service|Chester|8|
|Sep ‘23|Annual Remembrance Service|NMA|60|
The CRA newsletter continues to be sent out three times a year and we thank our editor, George Szwejkowski, for the excellent work he does in assembling issues with something for everybody time and time again. The newsletter, along with the CRA Facebook page, are the main means of communicating with members.
This reporting period has seen the final transfer of all legacy funds, left over from the Cheshire Regiment Trust Funds to the Mercian Regiment, the funds have been transferred under _cy-près_ rules which allows the wishes of a donor to charity to be carried out even if the original purpose of the gift has failed) and the money has been moved into Mercian Regiment funds with no restrictions. Maj (Retd) T E Pickering MBE, our Honorary Treasurer, is to be thanked for his diligence in carrying out these transfers.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
The financial performance of the charitable company is reflected in the attached financial statements, which show a surplus of £8,760 (2022: £15,674 deficit). There are sufficient funds to allow the trustees to continue to pursue their objectives of continuing to develop the Association for the benefit of its members and the community in general.
Income shows an increase from £3,262 to £82,463. Expenditure shows an increase from £18,936 to £73,703.
**Page 5**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
________________________________________________________________________________
## **FUTURE PLANS**
The CRA have a full calendar of events for the coming year focussed on supporting our objectives whilst keeping our members fully occupied, some of the events are listed the Forecast of Events below:
**Date Event Location** 17 Feb ‘24 Meannee Reunion Chester 16 May ‘24 Inter Forces T20 Cricket Lords Cricket Ground 18 May ‘24 “None Race Day” Gathering Chester 22 Jun ‘24 Afternoon Tea Preston Brook 29 Jun ‘24 Armed Forces Day Various 29 Jun 24 Tom Sephton Trophy Warrington 27 Jul ‘24 CRA Committee Meeting Chester 24 Aug ‘24 Battle of Mons Commemoration Chester & Audregnies 25-28 Aug 24 Acorn Camping Weekend Alvanley 01 Sep ‘24 CRA Remembrance Service NMA 14 Sep ’24 Laying Up of 2 Mercian Colours Lichfield 26 Oct ‘24 East Cheshire Reunion Stockport 07 Nov ‘24 Field of Remembrance Westminster 10 Nov ‘24 Remembrance Sunday Various 08 Dec ‘24 Droppin Well Memorial Ballykelly
## **PUBLIC BENEFIT**
The Association sees the public benefit of the CRA in that the veterans and residents of the County of Cheshire see their own Regiment remembered, and celebrated, more than just through static displays in a museum, although that aspect is also an important part of keeping the regiment alive in people’s memories.
## **RISK MANAGEMENT**
The CRA trustees and committee ensure that risks are identified and evaluated before any event takes place but in line with the rules of the CRA “every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the Committee present and voting on the question but in the case of equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote”.
The guidance published by The Charity Commission of England and Wales, Charities and Risk Management (CC26), is used to guide the trustees and committee when making decisions that could affect the CRA in many ways, including the following:
- a) Termination of funding (Already experienced so no longer applicable)
- b) The future of contracts
- c) Fundraising from members and the public
- d) Fluctuations in investments (Not applicable as none held)
- e) Unforeseen rise in demand for their services (Mitigated through Mercian Regiment looking after Benevolence Fund)
**Page 6**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
________________________________________________________________________________
## **RESERVES POLICY**
The trustees have no plans to diminish the assets that they hold and intend to maintain sufficient reserves to enable future commitments to be financed.
## **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 charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those 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 (FRS102).
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts show a true and fair state of affairs and of the income and expenditure. 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.
By order of the trustees
P J Gresty Chairman
23[rd] April 2024
**Page 7**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
__________________________________________________________________________________
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Cheshire Regiment Association (the charity) for the year ended 31 October 2023.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Alastair Jeffcott BA FCA McLintocks (NW) Limited 2 Hilliards Court Chester Business Park Chester Cheshire CH4 9PX
Date: 23[rd] April 2024
**Page 8 CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023**
|**__________________________________________________________**
**Note**
**INCOME**
Donations and legacies
2
Investment income
TOTAL INCOME
**EXPENDITURE**
Costs of generating funds: 3
Charitable activities
Management expenditure
4
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
**NET (EXPENDITURE) INCOME**
**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR**
Fund balances brought forward
**FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD**
|**__________**
**2023**
82,187
276
________
82,463
________
73,283
420
________
73,703
________
8,760
_______
8,760
16,400
________
25,160
________|**__________**
**2022**
3,244
18
________
3,262
________
18,936
-
________
18,936
________
(15,674)
________
(15,674)
32,074
________
16,400
________|
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these financial statements
**Page 9 CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **BALANCE SHEET AT 31 OCTOBER 2023**
______________________________________________________________________________
||**Note**|**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|
|CURRENT ASSETS||||
|Cash at bank and in hand||27,105|17,945|
|CREDITORS Due within one year||||
|Accrued expenses||420
|-|
|Trade creditors||1,525
|1,545|
|||______|______|
|||1,945|1,545|
|||______|______|
|NET CURRENT ASSETS||25,160|16,400|
|||______|______|
|NET ASSETS||25,160|16,400|
|||**______**|**______**|
|Represented by||||
|UNRESTRICTED FUNDS|7|14,861|16,400|
|DESIGNATED FUNDS|8|10,299|-|
|||______|______|
|||25,160|16,400|
|||______|______|
Approved on behalf of the Trustees on 23[rd] April 2024
P J Gresty Chairman
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these financial statements
**Page 10**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023**
**________________________________________________________________________________**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **a) Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.
Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except the investments which are included at market value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **b) Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **c) Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
## **d) Income**
Grants and donations are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023**
**Page 11**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
**________________________________________________________________________________**
## **e) Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Management expenditure represents expenditure not directly attributable to the operational activities of the Trust.
## **f) Taxation**
The Charity is not considered liable to taxation.
## **g) 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 from the date of acquisition or opening of the account.
## **h) Financial instruments**
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity 's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
## _**Basic financial assets**_
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted.
**Page 12**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023**
**_____________________________________________________________________________**
|
**2.**
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
Donations and legacies
The Mercian Regiment
War Memorial Fund merger
Investment income
**3.**
**EXPENDITURE**
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
NMA Appeal
NMA dedication
The Mercian Regiment
Memorial costs
Stationery
Awards
Subscriptions and licences
Meeanee reunion
Cathedral bench
Insurance
Travel
**4.**
**MANAGEMENT EXPENDITURE**
Accountants’ fees
|
|**2023**
4,099
66,435
11,653
276
_______
82,463
_______
420
-
66,435
5,623
102
-
240
150
-
73
240
_______
73,283
__ ____
73,283
__ ___
420
_ _____
420
|**2022**
3,244
-
-
18
______
3,262
______
15,053
3,053
-
-
3
60
195
37
400
73
62
______
18,936
_______
18,936
_______
-
_______
-
|
|---|---|---|---|
||_
|||
||
|||
## **5. TRUSTEES**
Trustees received no emoluments or expenses for the period (2022: £nil).
## **6. TAXATION**
As a registered charity, Cheshire Regiment Association is not liable to taxation.
**Page 13**
## **CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023**
_______________________________________________________________________________
## **7. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**
|**UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||At|31|October 2022|Movement At 31 October 2023||
|Accumulated fund|||16,400|(1,539)|14,861|
||||____ ___|__ _____|__ _____|
||||16,400|(1,539)|14,861|
||||________|________|________|
## **8. MATERIAL DESIGNATED FUNDS**
At 31 October 2022 Movement At 31 October 2023
|War Memorial fund
|
-
____ ___
-
|10,299
__ _____
10,299
|10,299
__ _____
10,299
|
|---|---|---|---|
In the year, the War Memorial movement includes £12,239 of income and £1,940 of charitable expenditure.
The War Memorial fund is used to maintain the Regimental Garden of Remembrance at Chester Cathedral and maintain other memorials. It is also used to provide poppy wreaths for remembrances and also to pay for the Cheshire Regiment plot at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey every November.