## **SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS**
**for the year ended**
**31 March 2025**
**REGISTERED NUMBER: 03272897**
**CHARITY NUMBER: 1059957**
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Company Information|1|
|Report of the Trustees|2|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|7|
|Statement of Financial Activities|8|
|Balance Sheets|10|
|Statement of Cash Flows|11|
|Notes to the Accounts|12|
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
**Charity Information for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Company number:**|03272897|
|---|---|
|**Charity number:**|1059957|
|**Trustees:**|N Dickson|
||D Ellis (Chair)|
||M Johnson Appointed 25 November 2024|
||K Rodenhurst (Vice-Chair)|
||C Smith|
||J Vincent Appointed 25 November 2024|
||P Wilsher Retired 24 November 2025|
||E Wright Appointed 25 November 2024|
||A Younis Appointed 24 November 2025|
||D Young Appointed 24 November 2025|
||E Hine Appointed 24 November 2025|
|**Registered office:**|Sefton Park Palm House|
||Sefton Park|
||Liverpool|
||L17 1AP|
|**Bankers:**|CAF Bank Limited|
||25 Kings Hill|
||West Malling|
||Kent|
||ME19 4JQ|
|**Independent Examiner:**|L Casey ACA|
||Mitchell Charlesworth|
||Accountants|
||Suites C,D,E,F, 14th Floor|
||The Plaza|
||Old Hall Street|
||Liverpool|
||Merseyside|
||L2 5RH|
1 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their annual report together with the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Trust's governing document, applicable law and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2019).
## **Governing document**
The Trust is a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 7 March 2001 and is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 1 November 1996.
## **Organisation**
The Board of Trustees, which must have a minimum of three and a maximum of fifteen, administers the Trust.
The Palm House has a small employee base, consisting of 6 full time staff and 23 part time staff, who run the Palm House on a day-to-day basis.
The Board of Trustees delegates responsibility for operational running of the Trust to the Chief Executive Officer.
## **Objects and activities**
1. To preserve for the public benefit of the people of the County of Merseyside and of the nation at large, the building known as Sefton Park Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool.
2. In the interests of social welfare to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation for the public at large with the object of improving their conditions of life.
## _To preserve the building, architecture and plants._
The building and grounds of Sefton Park Palm House continue to be maintained by Liverpool City Council, with the Charity providing additional support for the care of the plant collection and improvements to enable public use.
## _To establish broad recreational activity._
The Palm House and grounds are open to the public every day (apart from set times when a private event is taking place) allowing visitors the chance to enjoy the building and its fine collection of plants. Admission is free.
A broad programme of events, community partnerships and educational activities bring the recreational benefits of the Palm House to a diverse range of audiences.
The Palm House holds the VAQAS award from Visit England.
## **Revenue**
The Trust's main source of income was generated through event venue hire and the catering commission associated with venue hire events. Other notable sources of income included revenue from on-site catering (café and kiosk provision), bar sales, donations and filming and photography. During this period, the Trust piloted new income generating initiatives including fundraising food and beverage events, such as afternoon teas, which proved successful. Income remained strong throughout the period. Income forecasts for future periods are also strong, and the organisation remains financially stable.
2 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Public benefit**
The trustees are committed to maximising the public benefit of the Palm House, through ensuring local people and tourists can visit for free to enjoy the beautiful building and fine collection of plants. Local people can take part in a wide range of free and pay what you can afford event and educational programmes which improve their wellbeing, increase their knowledge and skills and increase a sense of pride in place. The Palm House also generates its own income to support the delivery of its community focused programmes and to contribute to the building and plant collections care and upkeep. The trustees therefore have due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
## **Achievements and Performance**
In September 2024, the Trust introduced a new consistent approach to opening times. The Palm House is now open to the public from Sunday through to Thursday with closure for private hire on Fridays and Saturdays. Although there are a small number of exceptions to this model, the operating model was introduced to improve access to the public and ensure that the balance between public benefit and raising commercial income is appropriate.
Discussions began with Liverpool City Council regarding the terms of SPPHT’s occupancy and guardianship of the Palm House site. To support these discussions, the Trust invited expressions of interest from suitable consultants to carry out a social and economic impact survey of the Trust. The Social and Economic Impact Survey was completed in March 2025 (to be published and disseminated in the next period) and highlights the significant £26 million of social impact and an additional £6.2 million contribution to Liverpool’s economy. The social and economic impact survey also developed a theory of change for the Palm House based on current activity.
The Trust also jointly commissioned with Liverpool City Council a building condition survey. The results of the survey will be received in the next period and will be used to plan future capital investment needed to ensure the Palm House’s future preservation and longevity.
## **Awards and recognition**
The Head of External Relations was invited by the National Trust, as part of developing its practice, to share the SPPHPT’s experience of developing audience-led programmes in recent years. The Marketing & Communities Manager spoke about the Palm House’s community markets at the Botanical Gardens Education Network’s conference.
The Palm House was awarded best historic wedding venue North-West in The Wedding Industry Awards 2024 and went through to the national finals in January 2025. It was also shortlisted in the 2024 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards as the best small visitor attraction.
## **Governance**
In July, an open recruitment for additional trustees began, resulting in the appointment of three new trustees who joined in November 2024 and a further three co-opted Board members joined in March 2025, with a view to joining as trustees in the next period. The new trustees bring much valued and varied lived and professional experience to the Board of Trustees.
## **Progress towards the strategic aims**
The Trust made progress in working towards our long-term strategic aims:
## _Improve people’s wellbeing_
The Trust took steps to remove financial barriers to taking part in our wellbeing programmes. We launched “donate what you can afford” yoga and other wellbeing courses. The sessions have been popular with the public and are sustainable financially.
3 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
Local families had opportunity to take part in a free and consistent family offer during school holidays. This included funded special forest school sessions targeted at children transitioning from primary to secondary school and outdoor art workshops making the most of the Palm House’s beautiful green location in Sefton Park. These programmes were kindly funded through a grant from People of the Lane. The Palm House’s welcome hosts received training in delivery of sessions for families, enhancing our offer. We also delivered a free Father Christmas experience for local children.
## _Build understanding of the value of plants_
The Trust exhibited at Southport Flower Show 2024 with a beautiful show garden highlighting the Palm House’s botanical collection. The show garden, designed and built by gardener Colin Hughes, was awarded large gold at the event.
Building on the success of the previous project, _Birdcage,_ and to develop the potential of the Palm House as a venue for visual arts, the Trust worked in partnership with Deaf and Disability Arts in Liverpool to stage _Pimp My Wheelchair,_ an exhibition of artworks inspired by the qualities of plants, by Faith Bebbington and Janet Price. This was part of DaDa’s 40[th] annual festival _A Quiet Riot._
## _Provide opportunities for education & skills development_
Building on the success of the National Lottery Heritage Funded project, the Trust developed its education offer for schools, working in partnership with teachers and other educators to develop a bespoke curriculum informed offer. Consultation events “tea for teachers” took place with support from a consultant; to identify the unique contribution that the Palm House can make to children and young people’s learning with a particular focus on the botanical collection. The resulting “Roots for Learning” resource pack will be published and disseminated in the next period.
Our trained volunteers have also delivered white badge tours to adult booked groups and to members of the public. These special tours are the equivalent of a Blue Badge Heritage Tour with a sole focus on a single site and have offered a unique opportunity for adults to understand more about the history and heritage of the Palm House.
## _Support pride in place_
The inspiring story of the campaign to save the Palm House was safeguarded, by the Trust depositing our historic archive with Liverpool Record Office in Liverpool’s Central Library. Volunteers are working with the Record Office’s archivists to catalogue the collection so that it can be accessed by researchers and members of the public. To celebrate this initiative, the original campaigners and other guests attended a special open day at the Record Office on the 5th of September 2024 (the anniversary of the Palm House reopening to the public).
Local community groups were celebrated through special exhibitions attracting new visitors to the Palm House including Sefton Park Sports Club Exhibitions, Faces of Dementia with Sedgemoor Dementia Hub, Mencap Seeds of Change Exhibition and South Liverpool Photography Society.
We continued to partner with L8 Business Collective to sell the work of local makers in our merchandise offer and have delivered several food and beverage collaborations in support of small independent makers and businesses.
## _Improve inclusion and representation of local diverse communities_
Following the conclusion of the National Lottery Heritage Funded project in the last year, the Trust has successfully sustained many of the relationships with community partners delivering events for Black History Month with Liverpool Black Men’s Group, markets with Sisterhood Soiree and Liverpool Black Men’s Group, events for Liverpool Irish Festival, Liverpool Neurodiverse Network and Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival.
New partnerships were also developed including a new market with Liverpool Muslim Women’s network and the hosting of a women’s Iftar during Ramadan, a celebration of the life and work of Benjamin Zephaniah with Writing on the Wall, and family days celebrating Latin America culture with Luma Creations and Liverpool’s Polish community with Merseyside Polonia. The Palm House provided a venue for Black Girls Brunch organised and curated by producer Jernice Easthope.
4 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
The Trust developed its partnership with 4 Wings in the year, hosting the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in November. 4 Wings provided support for the Trust’s recruitment of new trustees, advising on inclusive practice and delivered anti-racist training for our management team with a view to rolling this out across all staff in the next period.
## **Plans for future periods**
During the next period, the Trust will deliver several key organisational priorities. The Trust will finalise contractual arrangements with Liverpool City Council that enable the Trust to occupy and manage the site. This is critical to the Trust having the ability to carry out longer term master planning, considering key information such as the results of the building condition survey and the development of an organisational outcome-based theory of change.
To support its operation, the Trust will deliver a new staffing structure to increase capacity for community and visitor programmes and to sustain critical commercial delivery. This will involve recruitment for three new posts, a Visitor Experience Manager, Business Support Assistant (part time) and Executive Assistant (part time). The Trust will work with an external consultant to develop its emergency response planning and preparedness.
To support strong governance, the Trustees will introduce several sub committees, Communities & Heritage, Finance, Risk & Audit and Governance & Nominations.
There are also key priorities against the Trust’s long-term strategic aims for the next period as follows:
## _Improve people’s wellbeing_
Extend the successful “donate what you can afford” model to creativity-based sessions such as drawing and will introduce walk for health and wellbeing session. The Trust will continue to develop its creative and visual arts programmes for families and will seek grant funding in support of this.
## _Build understanding of the value of plants_
Partner with Royal Horticultural Society to deliver gardening tours and white badge tours for RHS members, raising national awareness of the quality of the Palm House’s botanical collection.
## _Provide opportunity for education and skills_
Roll out ‘Roots for Learning’, a curriculum informed resource pack for teachers and other educators for use with Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 and to focus on developing relationships with schools within walking distance of the Palm House.
## _Supporting Pride in Place_
Disseminate and publish the results of the social and economic impact survey, raising awareness and pride in the positive impact of the Palm House.
The Trust will also focus on analysing the visitor experience to maintain and improve our offer **.**
## _Improve inclusion and representation_
Deliver anti-racist and other training based on lived experience for Board and staff teams in addition to continuing to collaborate with community partners to develop programmes.
## _Sustain and diversify income_
Focus on the potential to grow income from food and beverage sales through introduction of a consistent offer, supported by improvements to the café and bar infrastructure.
Pilot new events and collaborations to develop capacity to raise income such as working with new music promoters for events and piloting different types of corporate events.
5 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
Develop a fundraising strategy for the Trust and introduce a revised membership scheme together with sponsorship opportunities.
## **Risk management**
Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust's Board of Trustees review risk on a regular basis and with the CEO maintain a risk register to monitor all significant risks to the operation of the organisation, its assets and stakeholders.
## **Financial review**
The groups Statement of Financial Activities shows income for the year of £981,325 (2024 £913,977). Net incoming resources totalled £55,547 (2024: £48,404).
At 31 March 2025, the Charity had restricted funds of £3,099 (2024 - nil), unrestricted funds of £901,205 (2024 - £848,757).
Accumulated funds are maintained in accordance with the reserves policy detailed below to enable the Charity to continue and to develop.
## **Reserves policy**
It is the responsibility of the trustees to assess the main risks the Trust is exposed to, particularly those relating to the operations and finances of the Trust. The trustees undertake this assessment and ensure that systems are in place to mitigate and manage the Trust's exposure to any major risks.
The trustees have reviewed the requirement to maintain free reserves equivalent to 6 months administration costs to absorb major fluctuations in income received without curtailing services to its beneficiaries. This requirement has been revised to maintaining free reserves equivalent to six months administration costs (£305,485).
The trustees have also identified a new requirement to ring-fence £250,000 in anticipation of a large capital project to support, in partnership with LCC, addressing the results of the building condition survey and implementing infrastructure which will support the long-term theory of change.
## **Trustees**
During the year the Trustees took part in key training from NCVO.
Eight trustees served during the year and there were no resignations.
The Trustees who served during the year are detailed on page 1.
## **By Order of the Trustees**
## Navid Cllie
**D Ellis Chair**
**K Rodenhurst Vice-Chair**
## **24 November 2025**
6 | P a g e
Accountants
## **Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited**
**Suites C,D,E,F, 14th Floor, The Plaza, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 5RH**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the group for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 23.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the group (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the group are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your group’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since the group’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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 company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities.
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 accounts to be reached.
## NUOKLOLO ChOsO WOM
**L Casey ACA MITCHELL CHARLESWORTH Liverpool**
## **24 November 2025**
7 | P a g e
## **SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Notes**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Income from**:-
**£**
**£**
Donations
2
37,095
-
Charitable activities
4
10,835
7,144
Investment income
3
12,269
-
Commercial trading operations
5
913,982
-
**Total income**
974,181
7,144
**Expenditure on:-**
Raising funds
6
269,365
820
Charitable activities
7
647,755
3,484
Other
8
4,354
-
**Total expenditure**
921,474
4,304
**Net income/(expenditure)**
52,707
2,840
Transfers between funds
(259)
259
Total of funds brought forward
848,757
-
**Total funds carried forward**
901,205
3,099
|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
37,095
17,979
12,269
913,982
981,325
270,185
651,239
4,354
925,778
55,547
-
848,757
904,304
|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
29,522
49,896
7,369
827,190
913,977
364,759
500,814
-
865,573
48,404
-
800,353
848,757|
|---|---|---|
All activities relate to continuing operations.
The notes on pages 12 to 23 form part of these accounts.
8 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Comparative information for the year ended 31 March 2024**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Notes**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Income from**:-
**£**
**£**
Donations
2
29,522
-
Charitable activities
4
14,782
35,114
Investment income
3
7,369
-
Commercial trading operations
5
827,190
-
**Total income**
878,863
35,114
**Expenditure on:-**
Raising funds
6
364,759
-
Charitable activities
7
453,200
47,614
**Total expenditure**
817,959
47,614
**Net income/(expenditure)**
60,904
(12,500)
Transfers between funds
-
-
Total of funds brought forward
787,853
12,500
**Total funds carried forward**
848,757
-
|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
37,469
101,881
1,562
855,085
995,997
373,909
552,432
926,341
48,404
-
800,535
848,757|
|---|---|
9 | P a g e
## **SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Balance Sheets 31 March 2025**
||**Notes**|**Consolidated**|**Consolidated**|**Company**|**Company**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2025**|**2024**|**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||||
|Tangible assets|14|247,131|198,260|33,648|47,293|
|**Current assets**||||||
|Stock|15|8,461|8,693|-|-|
|Debtors|16|93,420|102,012|414,057|355,376|
|Cash at bank and in hand||1,136,627|1,045,868
|483,202|465,220|
|||1,238,508|1,156,573|897,259|820,596|
|**Creditors**: amounts falling due||||||
|within one year|17|581,335|506,076
|27,423|19,953|
|**Net current assets**||657,173|650,497|869,836|800,643|
|**Total net assets**||904,304|848,757
|903,484
|847,936|
|**Funds**||||||
|Unrestricted funds||||||
|General funds|18|345,720|418,757|344,900|417,936|
|Designated funds|20|555,485|430,000
|555,485|430,000|
|||901,205|848,757|900,385|847,936|
|Restricted funds|21|3,099
|-
|3,099|-|
|**Total funds**|22|904,304|848,757|903,484|847,936|
For the year ended 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
## **Trustees’ responsibilities**
- a) The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
- b) The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
**Approved by the Trustees on 24 November 2025, authorised for issue and signed by:-** Navid Clie Kate Rodenhunret D Ellis K Rodenhurst Trustee Trustee
Company Registration Number: 03272897
The notes on pages 12 to 21 form part of these accounts.
10 | P a g e
## **SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Statement of cash flows For the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Notes**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
**Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities**
17
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Interest received
Fixed asset acquisitions
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year ending 31 March 2025**
**Cash and cash equivalents as at 1 April 2024**
18
**Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 March 2025**
18|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
166,065
12,269
(87,575)
90,759
1,045,868
1,136,627|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
59,543
7,369
(150,967)
(114,055)
1,159,923
1,045,868|
|---|---|---|
11 | P a g e
## **SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
## **1. Summary of accounting policies**
## **(a) General information and basis of preparation**
Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity in the United Kingdom. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. 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 are set out in the Trustees’ Report on page 2.
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 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 Accounting Practice.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1.
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.
## **Group accounts**
The accounts consolidate the results of the charity and its wholly owned subsidiary, SPPHPT Trading Company Limited on a line-by-line basis.
The trustees have taken advantage of S408 Companies Act 2006 from the requirement to prepare a separate Statement of Financial Activities for the charity. The net incoming resources dealt with in the accounts of the charity are £55,547 (2024: £48,404).
## **(b) Funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds is charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
12 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
## **1. Summary of accounting policies (continued)**
## **(c) Income recognition**
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.
No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP (FRS 102).
Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to special performance conditions and is recognised as earned as the related services are provided. Grant income included in this category provides funding to support performance activities and is recognised when there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amounts can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes such as bank deposits.
## **(d) 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:
- Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of associated events, maintenance of the building and wages and salaries.
- Other expenditure represents those items not falling into the category above.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.
## **(e) Support costs allocation**
Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs and administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at the charity’s registered office. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.
## **(f) Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows:
Building renovations - 10% - 20% straight line Equipment - 10% - 20% straight line Fixtures and fittings - 20% - 33% straight line
13 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
## **1. Summary of accounting policies (continued)**
## **(g) 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.
## **(h) Operating leases**
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the SoFA on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
## **(i) Employee benefits**
The charity operates a defined contribution plan for the benefit of its employees. Contributions are expensed as they become payable.
## **(j) Tax**
The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.
## **(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.
|**2.**
**Income from raising funds**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**£**
**£**
Donations and other sundry income
37,095
-
37,095
-
**3.**
**Investment income**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**£**
**£**
Bank interest receivable
12,269
-
**4.**
**Income from charitable activities**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**£**
**£**
Fundraising events
9,600
-
Grant income
-
7,144
Membership subscriptions
1,235
-
10,835
7,144
|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
37,095
37,095
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
12,269
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
9,600
7,144
1,235
17,979
|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
29,522
29,522|
|---|---|---|
|||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
7,369|
|||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
13,765
35,114
990
49,869|
14 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
|**5.**
**Commercial trading operations**
**Subsidiary company**
Turnover
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Administration expenses
Other income
Surplus before taxation
Taxation
Surplus after taxation
Distribution to parent company
Deficit/Surplus for the period
Fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total net assets|**2025**
**£**
913,982
(142,021)
771,961
(290,922)
212
481,251
-
481,251
(481,250)
1
213,484
754,258
(966,830)
912
|**2024**
**£**
827,190
(162,949)
664,241
(260,935)
10,682
413,988
-
413,988
(414,000)
(12)
150,967
671,309
(821,365)
911|
|---|---|---|
The charity, together with the trustees, hold all the voting rights of SPPHPT Trading Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales, which organises commercial hire of the Palm House and events. A gift aid donation amounting to £481,250 (2024: £414,000) has been eliminated on consolidation.
## **6. Analysis of expenditure on raising funds**
|**6.**
**Analysis of expenditure on raising funds**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**£**
**£**
Staff costs
116,461
-
Fundraising and publicity
10,883
820
Trading costs
142,021
-
269,365
820
**7.**
**Analysis of expenditure on**
**Charitable activities**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**£**
**£**
Direct costs
132,522
3,484
Staff costs
268,251
-
Support costs
246,982
-
Total
647,755
3,484
|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
116,461
11,703
142,021
270,185
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
136,006
268,251
246,982
651,239|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
178,474
23,336
162,949
364,759
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
118,102
198,016
184,696
500,814|
|---|---|---|
15 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
## **8. Other**
|Net loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
**9.**
**Support costs**
Governance costs (note 9)
Depreciation
Legal and professional
Information technology
Telephone
Printing and stationery
Subscription
Premises costs
Insurance
Other
Staff training, welfare and HR costs
Recruitment
Equipment
**10.**
**Governance costs**
Independent examination fees
Accountancy
Board expenses
**11.**
**Net outgoing resources for the year**
This is stated after charging:
Depreciation
External examiner’s fees:
Independent examination
Accountancy|**2025**
**£**
4,354
4,354
**2025**
**£**
22,516
34,149
42,995
14,468
2,913
4,134
8,039
67,086
11,513
11,646
23,206
-
4,317
246,982
**2025**
**£**
1,500
13,179
7,837
22,516
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
34,149
1,500
13,179|**2024**
**£**
-
-
**2024**
**£**
17,760
16,921
55,426
14,122
3,166
2,948
6,735
17,950
9,162
4,593
16,625
13,348
6,213
184,969
**2024**
**£**
1,500
16,260
-
17,760
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
16,921
1,500
16,260|
|---|---|---|
16 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
|**12.**
**Staff costs and numbers**
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension contributions|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
434,583
24,800
7,376
466,759|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
355,180
16,043
5,266|
|---|---|---|
|||376,489|
One employee (2024:Nil) had employee benefits between £60,000 -£70,000 per annum.
The amount above includes £166,181 (2024: £111,793) paid to Key Management Personnel during the year. The Charity deem the key management personnel to be the director, head of external relations, head of business development and head of operations.
The average weekly number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:-
|full time equivalents, was as follows:-|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**Number**|**Number**|
|Total|29|26|
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses during the year (2024: £Nil). However, as detailed in note 24, L Burman, a trustee of the charity, invoiced £Nil (2024: £32,460) to the charity for services rendered and there were expenses totalling £7,837 (2024: £nil) for trustee recruitment, meetings and training, per note 10.
## **13. Taxation**
The company is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
17 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
|**14.**
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Group and company**
**Cost or valuation**
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2024
Charge for period
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
**15.**
**Debtors**
Trade debtors
Accrued income and prepayments
Amounts due from subsidiary undertaking
**14.**
**Stocks**
Goods for resale||**Building**
**Renovations**
**£**
178,743
61,112
(200)
239,655
34,149
17,753
-
51,902
187,753
-
**Group**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
70,366
75,574
23,054
26,438
-
-
93,420
102,012
**Group**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
8,461
8,693
||**Equipment,**
**Fixtures**
**&Fittings**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
214,260
393,003
26,461
87,573
(34,853)
(35,253)
205,668
445,523
160,594
194,743
16,396
34,149
(30,500)
(30,500)
146,490
198,392
59,378
247,131
53,666
198,260
**Company**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
-
19,156
1,049
888
413,008
335,332
414,057
355,376
**Company**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
-
-
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
18 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
|**16.**
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within**
**Group**
**one year**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
Trade creditors
39,923
25,625
Other taxes and social security
35,202
20,374
Accruals and deferred income
505,703
460,077
Other creditors
507
-
581,335
506,076
**17.**
**Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flows from**
**operating activities**
**Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period as per the statement of**
**financial activities**
Interest receivable
Depreciation charges
Net loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
(Increase)/decrease in stock
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
**Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities**
**18.**
**Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**
Cash in hand
Cash at bank
**Total of cash and cash equivalents**
There are no financial liabilities classified as debt held by the charity.|**Company**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
13,837
6,613
233
6,968
12,846
6,372
507
-
27,423
19,953
**Total**
**2025**
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
55,547
48,404
(12,269)
(7,396)
34,149
16,921
4,354
-
232
977
8,592
6,431
75,460
(5,794)
166,065
59,543
**Total**
**Total**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
3,127
8,693
1,133,500
1,037,175
1,136,627
1,045,868
|
|---|---|
19 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
|**19.**
**Funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**Group**
General fund
Designated funds (see below)
**Company**
General fund
Designated funds (see below)
**Designated funds**
**Group and company**
Emergency operating fund
Capital improvements project
Comparative information in respect
**Funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**Group**
General fund
Designated funds (see below)
**Company**
General fund
Designated funds (see below)
**Designated funds**
**Group and company**
Emergency operating fund|**As at**
**Incoming**
**Outgoing**
**As at**
**01.04.24**
**Resources**
**resources**
**Transfers**
**31.03.25**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
418,757
974,181
(921,474)
(125,744)
345,720
430,000
-
-
125,485
555,485
848,757
974,181
(921,474)
(259)
901,205
417,936
541,236
(488,528)
(125,744)
344,900
430,000
-
-
125,485
555,485
847,936
541,236
(488,528)
(259)
900,385
**As at**
**01.04.24**
**New**
**designations**
**Utilised/**
**released in**
**year**
**As at**
**31.03.25**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
430,000
-
(124,515)
305,485
-
250,000
-
250,000
of the preceding period is as follows:-
**As at**
**Incoming**
**Outgoing**
**As at**
**01.04.23**
**Resources**
**Resources**
**Transfers**
**31.03.24**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
357,853
878,863
(817,959)
-
418,757
430,000
-
-
-
430,000
787,853
878,863
(817,959)
-
848,757
356,930
537,099
(476,093)
-
417,936
430,000
-
-
-
430,000
786,930
537,099
(476,093)
-
847,936
**As at**
**01.04.23**
**New**
**designations**
**Utilised/**
**released in**
**year**
**As at**
**31.03.24**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
430,000
-
-
430,000|
|---|---|
20 | P a g e
## **SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST**
## **Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
|**20.**
**Restricted funds**
**As at**
**01.04.24**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**Outgoing**
**Resources**
**Transfers**
**Group and company**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
People of the Lane
-
3,500
(2,901)
UMFFTA
-
2,500
Heritage Lottery Fund
-
1,144
(1,403)
259
-
7,144
(4,304)
259
Comparative information in respect of the preceding period is as follows:-
**Restricted funds**
**As at**
**01.04.23**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**Outgoing**
**Resources**
**Transfers**
**Group and company**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Heritage Lottery Fund
-
Fanchon Fronlich Grant
12,500
-
(12,500)
-
12,500
-
(12,500)
-
**21.**
**Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**Group**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
247,131
-
-
Net current assets
98,589
3,099
555,485
**Net assets at 31 March 2025**
345,720
3,099
555,485
**Company**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
33,648
-
-
Net current assets
311,252
3,099
555,485
**Net assets at 31 March 2025**
344,900
3,099
555,485
Comparative information in respect of the preceding period is as follows:-
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**Group**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
198,260
-
-
Net current assets
220,497
-
430,000
**Net assets at 31 March 2024**
418,757
-
430,000
**Company**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
47,293
-
-
Net current assets
370,643
-
430,000
**Net assets at 31 March 2024**
417,936
-
430,000|**As at**
**31.03.25**
**£**
599
2,500
-|
|---|---|
||3,099|
||**As at**
**31.03.24**
**£**
-|
||-|
||**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
247,131
657,173
904,304
**£**
33,648
869,836
903,484
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
198,260
650,497
848,757
**£**
47,293
800,643
847,936|
21 | P a g e
**SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025**
## **22. Operating lease commitments**
At the 31 March 2025 the company has no formal commitment for the lease of the buildings and continues to occupy the premises by mutual consent.
## **23. Members’ liability**
The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. Every member of the charity undertakes to contribute to the assets of the charity, in the event of being wound up while he or she is a member or within one year of ceasing to be a member for debts and liabilities of the charity contracted before he or she ceases to be a member, such amount as may be required not exceeding £1.
## **24. Related party transactions**
During the year, L Burman, a trustee of the charity, invoiced £Nil (2024: £32,460) to the charity for services rendered to improve processes, supporting both the team and Board of Trustees with the transition to a new senior leader.
22 | P a g e