Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2024 To 31[st] March 2025
Charity name: KING GEORGE’S FIELD HITCHIN
Charity registration number: 1087603
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | A recreation and playing field, to be preserved in perpetuity as a memorial to King George V, under the provision of King George’s Fields Foundation. Playing field with sports pitches, play area, skate park, multi-use games area and scout hut. Providing amateur sport and recreation activities for the general public through the provision of buildings, amenities and open space. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Sub-Committee Members acting on behalf of the Trust ensure that through the management of the land, buildings and other assets its objectives are met in the use of the Trusts areas for the provision of as much community benefit as may be possible. This is achieved by making available the field to members of the public, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, religious belief or disabilityfor a range ofpurposes. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The charity’s purposes are in accordance with the tests set out in the Public Benefit rules. The trustees are aware of the Public Benefit tests, and would apply them to any relevant decisions. There have been no decisions requiring Trustee consideration during the year. |
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Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The site owned by this charity had been maintained open and accessible for public use during the course of this year. Work had continued to facilitate the activities of the Hitchin Rugby Club and other partners on the site. Maintenance work undertaken on site had included grass cutting, maintenance of the playground, litter collection, weed control and renovation of the sports pitches post season. There had not been any changes to the lease arrangements on site. The pavilion building has had replacement soffits and facias. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Resources expended of £35k, of which £5k relates to asset impairments and depreciation. This is funded from unrestricted funds provided by North Hertfordshire District Council. The Council also funded the capital works of replacement soffits and facias. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Trust’s reserves total £100k at 31 March 2025. The reserves consist totally of restricted funds. These funds represent the land and equipment assets of the trust. The Trust has no unrestricted funds as at 31 March 2025 that can be expendable at the discretion of trustees in furtherance of the charity’s objectives. The Trust’s general expenditure is typically greater than general income. As a result North Hertfordshire District Council provides a contribution to the Trust and unrestricted funds are maintained at a zero balance over time. If the financial situation was to change and the Trust’s level of income significantly increased the Trust would need to adopt a policy on an appropriate level of reserves |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £99,904 at 31stMarch 2025, all restricted funds relatingto the value of assets held. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | The Trust’s general expenditure is typically greater than general income. As a result North Hertfordshire District Council provides a contribution to the Trust and unrestricted |
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| funds are maintained at a zero balance over time. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None, continuing financial support from North Hertfordshire District Council covers any shortfalls. |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | DEED OF EXCHANGE DATED 12TH OCTOBER 1938, DEED OF EXCHANGE DATED 6TH MARCH 1952, DEED OF RELEASE AND DEDICATION DATED 3RD FEBRUARY 1953 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Trust |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | THE COUNCIL AS A CORPORATE BODY IS THE TRUSTEE, COUNCILLORS SIT AS TRUSTEES AND ARE ELECTED BY THE ELECTORS OF NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | KING GEORGE’S FIELD HITCHIN |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | |
| Registered charitynumber | 1087603 |
| Charity’s principal address | North Hertfordshire District Council, District Council Offices Gernon Road Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF |
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Hertfordshire District Council |
Corporate Body (represented by Sub Committee consisting of the trustees named below) |
|||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Councillor Amy Allen Councillor Mick Debenhem Councillor Ian Albert
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
|
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
THE COUNCIL HOLDS THE LAND ON BEHALF OF FIELDS IN TRUST (REGISTERED CHARITY 306070). THE TRUST ENSURES THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LAND THAT IT IS MAINTAINED FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT. |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
THE COUNCIL’S ASSET REGISTER DETAILS THAT THE LAND IS HELD IN TRUST. |
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King George V Charitable Trust
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31st March 2025
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Contribution from North Herts District Council Rents Income Total Incoming Resources: RESOURCES EXPENDED 1 Charitable Activities Total Resources Expended: Net Incoming Resources for the year before Transfers. Fixed asset additions NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Total Funds B/Fwd FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD:- |
Unrestricted funds £ 29,844 - 29,844 29,844 29,844 - - - - |
Restricted funds £ - - - 5,321 5,321 -5,321 19,755 14,434 85,470 99,904 |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2025 29,844 - 29,844 35,164 35,164 -5,321 19,755 14,434 85,470 99,904 |
Total Funds 2024 28,957 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29,057 33,901 |
|||||
| 33,901 | |||||
| -4,844 - -4,844 90,314 85,470 |
King George V Charitable Trust
Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2025
| Notes Fixed Assets 2 Land & Buildings Equipment Current Assets Debtors Current Liabilities Creditors Assets less Current Liabilities Reserves 3 Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Total Funds:- |
2025 £ 75,625 24,278 99,904 - - 99,904 99,904 - 99,904 |
2024 £ 57,733 27,737 |
|---|---|---|
| 85,470 - 0 85,470 |
||
| 85,470 - 85,470 |
King George V Charitable Trust
| 1 RESOURCES EXPENDED Repairs and Maintenance Utilities Management Fees Depreciation 2 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Land & Buildings Carrying Value b/fwd at 1st April 2024 Additions/Replacement Depreciation Charge for Year Net Book Value at 31st March 2025 |
2025 £ 24,892 152 4,800 5,321 35,164 2025 £ 57,733 19,755 -1,862 75,625 NOTES TO THE FINANCI For the year ended 31 Total |
2024 £ 24,257 0 4,800 4,844 33,901 Pavilion Public Convenience Bungalow & Garage Playing Fields (Land) 0 57,733 0 0 19,755 0 -1,862 0 0 AL STATEMENTS st March 2025 Land & Buildings |
|---|---|---|
| 19,755 55,871 - - |
| Equipment Carrying Value b/fwd at 1st April 2024 Depreciation Charge for Year Net Book Value at 31st March 2025 |
27,737 -3,458 24,278 Total |
Wheeled Sports Area Play Area 6,846 20,891 -1,369 -2,089 Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 5,477 18,802 |
| 3 FUNDS Balance at Start of the Year Impairments Revaluation Additions Depreciation of Fixed Assets Net Movement in Funds Reserves at the end of the Year. |
Restricted General Funds Unrestricted Total £ £ £ 85,470 - 85,470 |
|---|---|
| 0 - 0 0 0 19,755 19,755 -5,321 - -5,321 |
|
| 14,434 - 14,434 99,904 - 99,904 |
Independent Examiner’s Report for the King George V Playing Fields Trust
I report on the accounts of The King George V Playing Fields Trust for 2024/25.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
The Trusts transactions run through North Herts Councils bank accounts. My examination includes a review of the accounts prepared, considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations concerning any matters arising. The procedures 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 view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have obtained all the information and explanations I consider necessary to complete the statement below. Further, I have not identified any significant concerns regarding these accounts which remain either unresolved or undeclared in the accounts themselves or this report.
I certify that the accompanying final accounts (summary income and expenditure account and balance sheet) present a fair picture of the activities and transactions undertaken through this account and of the financial position at the end of the year.
Examiner’s / Auditor’s signature
Date: 16 December 2025
Name (please print): Chris Wood - FCCA CPFA – HCC Head of Assurance and CAE for North Herts Council