Downs Farm Trust
Report and Accounts
31 October 2024
Charity number 1101181
Downs Farm Trust Contents Page
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 2 - 3 |
| Independent examiners report | 4 |
| Statement of financial activities | 5 |
| Balance sheet | 6 |
| Notes forming part of the financial statements | 7 |
Downs Farm Trust Legal and administrative information
| Trustees | Neale Jackson |
|---|---|
| Nicola Jackson | |
| George Purdie | |
| Craig Ellis | |
| Principal Office | Downs Farm |
| Yalding Hill | |
| Maidstone | |
| Kent | |
| ME18 6AL | |
| Accountants | Henry Reeves & Co Limited |
| Chartered Certified Accountants | |
| 5 West Court | |
| Enterprise Road | |
| Maidstone | |
| Kent | |
| ME15 6JD | |
| Charity number | 1101181 |
1
Downs Farm Trust Annual Report of the Trustees
The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2024
The trustees have had regard for the general guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit when determining the charity's objectves.
The trustees must apply the income of the charity in furthering the followings objects:-
-
(1) For the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of unwanted, abandoned, mistreated and injured animals in need of care and attention. Providing facilities for their rescue, collection, recovery, feed and shelter as well as any ancillary needs.
-
(2) To promote humane behaviour towards animals by providing care, rehabilitation and training for animals and education of the public in relation to animal welfare and behaviour.
Reserves policy
The trustees aim to hold reserves sufficient to meet the ongoing liabilities of the trust.
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Names of trustees
Neale Jackson Nicola Jackson George Purdie Craig Ellis
In selecting individuals for appointment as trustees, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity.
Charity's principal address
Downs Farm Yalding Hill Maidstone Kent ME18 6AL
Professional advisers
Henry Reeves & Co Limited Chartered Certified Accountants
2
Downs Farm Trust Annual Report of the Trustees
Charity's activities and achievements during the period
As ever as a charity we have continued caring for animals resident at the farm and also providing support and help to members of the public as and when required.
This year was not a good one at the farm. We sadly lost a number of our long term residents in quick succession, despite excellent veterinary care and round the clock nursing here at the farm. We lost 1 goat and 3 dogs but in these situations we always make the right decisions for the animals and do not allow them to suffer. One of the dogs arrived with us at just 5 weeks of age and we lost him at 15 years of age and he lived the most fantastic life on the farm so we take some comfort in that.
We welcomed some new goats to the farm who would otherwise have been sent for slaughter and they are fantastic, make people laugh every day and are living their best lives.
We have continued our fundraising via the charity shop, which continues to raise regular much needed funds and provides a good promotional tool for the charity and also a place for customers to talk about their animals and we can provide help if we can.
Our regular donations continue to come in every month.
Our social media pages are still up and running – informing users of our activities, what’s happening at the farm and also providing a selling tool for items from the charity shop.
Our trustees continue to provide financial support to the charity as and when required. They pay out on a regular basis to buy supplies for the shop and provide maintenance and also help with feed/supplies bills for the animals.
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by
Trustee: N. Jackson
Date: 19/08/2025
3
Downs Farm Trust
Independent examiners report to the Trustees of Downs Farm Trust
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Downs Farm Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 October 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 7.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011(‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and 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 material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
(1) the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
(2) the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
(3) the accounts did 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 accounts to be reached.
Signed: Andrew Drinkwater
Andrew Drinkwater FCCA For and on behalf of Henry Reeves & Co Limited 5 West Court Enterprise Road Maidstone Kent ME15 6JD
Date: 26/08/2025
4
Downs Farm Trust Statement of financial activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 October 2024
| Incoming resources Donations Shop Sales Equine transportation Raffle ticket & Fund Raiser Total incoming resources Direct charitable expenditure Animal feed and consumables Veterinary and associated costs Rates Farrier Repairs and Maintenance Management and administration Accountancy fees Depreciation Credit charges Net (outgoing)/incoming resources Fund balances brought forward Fund balances carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 14,499 35,819 - - 50,318 22,834 21,352 1,708 2,425 3,010 51,329 810 3,200 515 4,525 5,536 - 17,520 11,984 |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 13,325 33,106 - - 46,431 25,972 7,218 1,720 2,765 5,396 43,071 840 3,200 4,040 680 - 18,200 17,520 |
|---|---|---|
5
Downs Farm Trust Balance sheet as at 31 October 2024
| Notes Fixed assets 2 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 3 Net current assets Net assets Income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
774 1,590 - |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 12,800 816 - 11,984 11,984 11,984 |
4,408 2,888 - |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 16,000 1,520 17,520 17,520 17,520 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N. Jackson Trustee Approved by the Trustees on: 19/08/2025
6
Downs Farm Trust Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 October 2024
1 Accounting policies
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011.
Income
Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the receivable economic benefit, it is probable that this will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when there is a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, the transfer of economic benefits is probable and can be measured reliably.
Stock
Donated goods are only recognised on their sale, as the cost of valuation outweighs the benefit to users of the accounts.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its estimated useful life
Equipment 10% straight line method Motor vehicles 10% straight line method
- 2 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 31 October 2023 Additions Disposals At 31 October 2024 Depreciation At 31 October 2023 Charge for the year On disposals At 31 October 2024 Net book value At 31 October 2024 3 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accrued costs Other Creditors |
Equipment £ 23,910 - 23,910 23,910 23,910 - |
Motor vehicles £ 32,000 32,000 16,000 3,200 19,200 12,800 2024 £ 780 810 1,590 |
Total £ 55,910 - - 55,910 39,910 3,200 - 43,110 12,800 2023 £ 780 2,108 2,888 |
|---|---|---|---|
- 4 Trustee Remuneration and expenses
The trustees received no form of remuneration during the year ended 31 October 2024 (2023: £Nil). Trustee Renumeration and expenses
During the year, a total of £24,551 was reimbursed to one trustee for costs incurred on behalf of the charity. (2023: £6,883 to one trustee).
The expenses reimbursed related to:
| Vet costs Animal Supplies Repairs and Renewals |
10,607 12,933 1,011 24,551 |
|---|---|
No other payments were made to trustees.
7