The Association of Friends of Connaught Court Chairman's Report 2024 **The year 2024 has been an interesting year** **The Association has continued to work hard in order to provide extras for the residents of the Home. The effects of the COVID years are still being felt by the RMBI and this has led to a blurring of the traditional lines between the facilities to be provided by either the RMBI or the Association of Friends whilst the RMBI recovers from that devastating time. At the Associations of Friends Conference last Thursday it emerged that all the Homes were in the same position.** **Once again a great debt of thanks is due to the three Provinces, without whose support and generous contributions this year would have a very different end result. The third tranche of £5,000 was received from West Riding Masonic Charities Limited and was matched by both the Lincolnshire and the Yorkshire North & East Ridings Provinces when we started our projects of the year. We literally cannot thank you too much for all your ongoing support.** **The Treasurer will be giving a detailed analysis as regards finances in his report, so I will not do the same. but as a broad outline this year has concentrated on three categories.** **Firstly, to contribute the level of funding set as our baseline, now increased to £16,000pa for Activities Funding plus £2,000 for residents’ Christmas presents. Due to setbacks at the Summer Fayre, which I will mention later, the donation from WRMCL was invaluable in our being able to meet this commitment without a reduction in our reserves.** **Secondly, expenditure for specific requests put forward by Miranda and her team, namely £6,910 for specialist equipment (Kurton Chairs ) and general improvements for the resident’s wellbeing.** **Thirdly, to forward plan by obtaining the necessary equipment to ensure successful fund raising in the future for many years to come, namely the marquees and gazebos, seating etc, together with** **additional storage facility. These projects were financed by the Province of Lincolnshire and the Province of North and East Yorkshire.** **The Associations main fund raising event is of course the Summer Fayre. It was tremendously disappointing, after all the months of planning, for us to suffer a major setback just 24 hours before the event. This was caused by a nearby resident raising concerns over parking near the trees and our driving across the ground where there were tree roots, despite their depth. Unfortunately, the Local Authority saw fit to judge against us, with the result that neither the stallholders nor the visitors were able to drive into or to park in the grounds. This resulted in a number of stallholders being unable to unload and so having to miss the event and as visitors were also unable to park in the congested surrounding streets our footfall was reduced, leading to a severe drop in takings for the year. The way forward currently rests with ourselves, with the assistance of the RMBI, because this will not only impact on the Fayre but also any other outdoor activities the Home may wish to participate in. It seems a great shame that after all the hard work put in by Kevin and Martin G that we did not have the result they richly deserved, and I thank all involved for the sheer physical effort it took to set up on the day before, when deliveries and heavy equipment had to be manhandled across the park. We will continue to monitor the situation going forward as a priority, as this will severely impact on our ability to provide even our basic funding.** **On a positive note, the committee has enjoyed another year in close cooperation with the Home and I would like to thank Marinda and all her team for all their assistance and hope to be able to continue to fulfil what we consider our obligations. The reports we receive at our meetings from Miranda, Stephanie and Fran make us realise how worthwhile it all is and their presentations are the meeting’s highlights.** **At the end of my first year as Chairman may I sincerely thank all the members of the Committee for their hard work and regular attendance at meetings. If I may risk embarrassing some of them - A special thanks once again to John Day, unfortunately not able to attend due to family commitments, who seems to have both a wide ranging knowledge of** **how to deal with every issue or setback we encounter, together with access to either the equipment or the personnel needed. And to Martin L, our Secretary, for his guidance and enthusiasm and his advice on Coffee Shops. To Barrie Graham for his work on the Social Media front, as well as his making our presence felt in the Provincial Publications. Also, our unsung hero, John Owen-Barnett, who tirelessly runs the Shop, rivalling Costco in its range and prices. The main things it provides however, cannot be bought, a welcoming smile and friendly chat.** **A special thank you to our retiring Vice Chairman and ex-Chairman, Chris Turner, for all his boundless enthusiasm, advice and assistance. We will miss you and wish you well in the future, being sure that your Province and your Almshouse duties will keep you occupied. In short , to coin YOUR personal catchphrase. Keep smiling.** **And finally, a special thanks to all who have attended, for showing your interest in the Association and for your support, both seen and behind the scenes.** **Thank you.** A8$o¢latlon of Frlends of Connaught Court Y¥ar endlng 30 September 2024 Trna$urers R•port Following the completlon of our major projects in 2023 repla¢ement conservatories and 8 new minibus), 2024 S8w a skJnl(l¢ant r8duction in expenditure of more than £90,000. We were once agwn ab￿ to hold our Summer Fayre al Connaught Court. and we spent nearfy £12.000 on new marquees, ¢hairs arKI tsbles and replacement gazebos. The Provinces generously responded lo our request for funds lo cover thSs ￿St, as delalled later in my report. Eypendilure exceeded income in 2024 by £12,067, and the movement in fvnds Is sel out below. 2024 mov8mont In¢r•48ollDecrgasol 2024 2023 Nalwesl Genefal Account 10.968.59 21,870.62 110,902.031 NalW881 D&po8lt Account 76,800.10 75,775.76 1,024.34 HS8C Bond 2.500.00 {2,500.001 Accrual8 11,689.001 (2,000.001 311.00 Total Funds 88 079.89 98 146.38 12 066.69 Represented by :" General Fund 40,000.00 30,000.00 10,000.00 Speclal Projo¢ts Fund 48.079.69 68,146.38 122,066.691 86 079.69 98 146.38 12 066,69 INCOME Income al £35,80912023.. £85,6111 $h¢)ws g decrease comporod lo18$t year of £50.002 as 8nalysed below.. IncTeasel IDecre*sèl General E)onaUon$ Lodges Pfovlnces Individuals 14,3501 9.931 13,9361 1401 11,1761 11,7051 {1451 83 1831 125 {50,0001 1,294 Shop Sales Summgr Fayre Surnmer Fayre Flyer8 Badgés Interest Investment Incomo Membership Minibus Donallon Capital growth - HSBC bond The maln reason for 2023 income being highor w8s the £50,000 minibus donation recelved that yoar. The Summer Fayrg ggngraled lust over £14,500 in totsl, wllh Summer Fayre Flyern contributlng £9,170 and proceeds on the day £5.393. This is do4￿ ng8rly £2.900 on 2023. Gener81 donallons from lodges and indivlduals were also down by nearfy £8.300, but thls was more than offset by an increase of ov&r £9,900 frorn Provinces. The PrOvin￿S responded genorously to our request for fur￿3 lo purchase 8ddilional marquees, gaztrbos and other equlpment lor Ltse at the Stjmmer Fayres. The HSBC bond w8s enca8hed for £3,794, generating capII81 growth of lust under £1,300. Excluding th& minibu8 donatlon. total income was down by just £2. Association of Frionds of Connaught Court Year endlng 30 September 2024 Tyeasurers Roport EXPENDITURE Expendfture al £47,67512023'. £138,122) w8s £90,447 lower Ihan last year, the net decrease analysed below= (IrTrcreasell Decrease {In¢reasell Dècrease Amenities Replacement Conservatories Replacement Minibus Summei Fayre Marquees etc. General Amenittes &orage Container Minibus Renlal 76.094 39,845 111.7241 (16,5231 2.513 94,615 11861 13.4001 18611 279 WebsTte Amenity Fund Summer FayTe Expenses Sundry Actual expendlture for the year. excluding the add-b8ck of unused provlslons, 1$ delalled below.. Marquees & gazebos 2 Kurten Chalrg Storage Contsiner Temporary Minlbus Rento1 & Signage Garden benches Christmas presents and raffle Pfize8 Christmas trees and decorallons Regular Amenity Fund payments Summer Fayre Expenses Tai Chi classes Music therapy sesslons Bose speakèr Web811e Sundry Total Expendlture Less.. unused prov181ons from 2023 added back EX￿ndStur? p•r Accounts 11.724 5,002 5,286 1,643 698 2,200 1,320 16,OQO 3,658 750 740 199 402 55 49,675 47.675 The General Fund ha8 been Increased this year from £30,000 10 £40,000, rellectlng the Impact of recent infiatlonary cost increases.18m confident that there is now SLfflIctent capltal In the General Fund to cover 2 ye*rs expendllure at present leve18 or to meet further enhancements a8 requtred. The Summer FayTe expenses of £3,656 Indude(I the pur¢ha$e of folding ch8lr8 and tables. griddles, refrigerated trailer rental, purchasè of bar 8nd food 8tock, bouncy castle hlr¢. and hlre of the bra88 band. The A8sociation'8 financ*8 contlnue lo be on a sourKI fooling and we much appreclate the tremendou8 SUPPOrt of the membershlp across all three Provintss. Wllh your help, we wlll endeavour lo keep providing that mLsch needed addhlonal support lo the Tesidents of Connaught Court. David Wadsworth Treasurer Inde ndent Examiner's Re ort to The Association of Friends of Connau ht Court I have examined the attached account and statetnenl for the year ended 30th September 2024. Respective responsibilities of dirtttor and auditors The trustees of the Charity are responsible for the preparation ofa¢¢ounts" they consider that the audit requirement under the Charities Act 2011 doe5 not appty. I have been appointed under the Charities Act 2011 and report in aLYordance with regulations made uoder that Act. It is nry responsibility to examine accounts, to follow the procedures Iw'd down in the General Directions 8iven by the Charity Commission Commissioo and to stat¢ whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of Examiner's StatemeDt My examination was carried out in acwrdance with General Directions gtven by the Charity Commlssioners. An VAamination includw a review of the acwuDting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the acwunts presented with tlK>se record3. It also includes consideration of any umisual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the tnL8tee8 concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the ¢videtice that would be required in an audit. and consequently I do not express an audit opirllon on the account5. Examiner's Statement In the Course of my eXami[￿tIo￿ no ll￿tter bas wme to my attention. which gives reasothle cause to believe tbat I￿ any material respect. the trnstees have not met the requirements to ensure that: - PToper a￿ll￿tIng Tecord5 are kept" and - accounts are prepared which agree with the a¢¢ounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of tlie Act. or 2. to whicm in my opinioo attention should be drawn in order to etyable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed e 19th October, 2024 David Artllur Taylor FCA Beeth House 4 Wentworth Street Wakefield WFI 2R Association of Friends of Connaught Court Year ending 30 September 2024 SUMMARY OF ACCOUNT FUNDS September 2024 September 2023 Assets Natwest General Account 10,968.59 21,870.62 Natwest Deposit Ac¢ount 76,800.10 75,775.76 Investment at Cost- HSBC Bond 2,500.00 87,768.69 100,148.38 Llabllltlos Accrua18 Mlnlbus 0.00 (2,000.00) Tal Chi classes (750.00) 0.00 Bose speaker {199.00) Muslc therapy sessions 1740.00) 0.00 1,689.00 2,000.00 Net A8sets 86,079.69 98,146.38 Represented by =_ General Fund 40,000.00 30,000.00 Special Projects Fund 46.079.69 68,146.38 86,079.69 98,146.38 As at 3010912024 Inoo¢DOr IOOOrO OiOOf40¢7>10 gg¢y>P488- 8888 %8 000 888x8 i￿00 =8%8%&8X- 8888 al0￿00 Illl J J ¢lJw > ql._ )u)w￿CcS5￿ Inde ndent Examiner's Re ort to The Associgtion of Friends of Conna ht Court I have examined the atta¢hed account and statenknt for the year ended 30th September 2024. Respective responsibiliti￿ of director and auditors The trustees of the Charity are responsible for the preparation of accounts" they consider that the audit requirement under the Charitie5 Act 2011 doe5 not apply. I have been appointoa under the Charities Act 2011 and report in at￿rdance with regulations rt￿de under that Act. It 1$ my responsibility to examine a￿untI to follow tbe procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission commissio￿ and to state whether particular matte[5 have come to my attention Basis of Examinerl$ Statement My examination was carried out in a¢¢ordance with General Directions given by the Cbaiity Commissioners. An examil￿tIOn includes a review of the ac￿unting records kept by the Clwity and a ¢omparisoii of the acrLiunts preyented with tI￿Se records. It also includes cA)nsideration of any unuwal items or di%l0sures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The pro¢edure5 undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Examiner's Statement In the course of my examinatiory no matter has come lo rny attention. which gives me reasonable cause to believe tlw itL any material respect, the trustees have not met the requir¢ments to ensure that.. - proper ac¢A)untin8 records are kept. and - accounts are prepaTed wthich agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounling requiremetrts of tlie knt. or 2. to whicW in my opinioo attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandtng of the accounts to be reached. 19th October, 2024 David Arthur Taylor FCA Beeth House 4 Wentworth Street Wakefield WFI 2RX