THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
Trustees’ Report
and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2025
Registered Charity Number 1102320
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
INDEX
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity information | 1 |
| Trustees’ report | 2 |
| Independent Examiner’s report | 4 |
| Statement of financial activities | 5 |
| Balance sheet | 6 |
| Statement of Cash Flow | 7 |
| Accounting policies | 8 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 10 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
CHARITY INFORMATION
Trustees
Mr Christopher Banister
Mr Huw Banister
Ludlow Trust Company Limited, corporate trustee. The directors of the corporate trustee, company no. 12492064, during the year under review and to the date of approval:
Gary St John Collins (resigned 31 March 2026) Walter Duncan Coxon Ali Reza Sarikhani Ziba Christina Sakine Sarikhani Christopher Ian Thurlow Matthew John Wickers Alexander Edward Mulroe (appointed 1 April 2026)
Principal office
Ludlow Trust Company Limited Tower Wharf Cheese Lane Bristol BS2 0JJ
Registered charity number
1102320
Independent Examiner
James O’Rourke FCA Blue Spire Limited Cawley Priory South Pallant Chichester West Sussex PO19 1SY
Solicitor
TLT LLP One Redcliffe Street Bristol BS1 1TP
Page 1
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report for the purposes of the Charities Act 2011, together with the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Banister Charitable Trust is a registered charity constituted under a trust deed dated 30 January 2004 and registered as a charity 25 February 2004.
The trust is controlled by the trustees (list provided on page 1). Trustees are appointed by the Trustees from time to time in accordance with sections 4.3 and 4.4 of the trust deed.
On agreeing to become a trustee of the charity, the trustees are thoroughly briefed by the existing co-trustees on the history of the trust, the day-to-day management, responsibilities of the trustees, the current objectives and future plans.
The charity is managed by the trustees, with all decisions taken by the trustees.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed. The trustees believe that by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems incorporating Coutts & Co’s systems and controls they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The charity’s objects are:
-
a) to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in the United Kingdom; and
-
b) to further such other purpose or purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales in such manner as the trustees may in their absolute discretion think fit.
The trustees shall apply the income and, in their absolute discretion, the capital of the Trust in promoting the objects. In order to further the charity’s objects the trustees apply the income and capital by making grants to charitable organisations for the public benefit. These grants are made to organisations whose core purposes meet the charity’s objects and the trustees consider in making these grants the charity is fulfilling its aims.
In determining how the charity should pursue its objects, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
During the year under review the charity made grants in furtherance of the objects amounting to £60,000 (2024: £701,300). Applications must be made in writing setting out the project details and either the budgeted cost or the amount being requested. The trustees pledge funds based on the relevance to the trust’s aims and the benefit to the environment.
Overall, the charity had a deficit for the year of £42,214 (2024 deficit: £628,646) giving an overall decrease in funds of £42,214 (2024 decrease: £628,646).
At 31 December 2025 the charity’s total funds amounted to £3,576 (2024: £45,790) with reserves a deficit of £172,739 (2024 deficit: £324,208). The deficit on free reserves at the balance sheet date arises due to the timing of the recognition of liabilities and the transfer of funds from the endowment fund. Given the availability of the expendable endowment fund the trustees do not consider that the charity needs to maintain any significant free reserves although they recognise that such reserves will arise from time to time.
Page 2
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FUNDRAISING STANDARDS
The charity does not carry out any fundraising activities from the public with grants made from income derived from capital and capital withdrawals.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
At the meeting held on 25 April 2023, the trustees agreed to commence preparations for the winding-up of the charity’s activities, this included the liquidation of the charity’s investments during the year ended 31 December 2023. At a subsequent meeting held on 4 June 2024, the trustees reviewed the progress of the winding-up process and confirmed that the process is ongoing, with no fixed date set for final closure at that time. At the meeting held on 16 June 2025, the trustees confirmed that the trust will be fully distributed before the end of the year.
The trustees intend to continue the charity’s grant-making activity in furtherance of the charity’s objects from the available funds until closure.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these 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;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
During the post year end period Blue Spire Limited was appointed as independent examiner to the charity. Blue Spire Limited has expressed its willingness to continue as independent examiner to the charity for the coming year.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf.
Joanne Spiceley on behalf of Ludlow Trust Company Limited Trustee
Date 26 June 2026
Page 3
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Banister Charitable Trust
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on pages 5 to 13.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts 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 accounts to be reached.
| James O’Rourke FCA |
|---|
| Blue Spire Limited |
| Date 29 June 2026 |
Cawley Priory South Pallant Chichester West Sussex PO19 1SY
Page 4
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Investments 1 Total EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 2 Total Net gains/(losses) on investment assets Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 9 Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 9 Total funds carried forward 9 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 20,434 20,434 62,648 62,648 - (42,214) 193,683 151,469 (324,208) (172,739) |
Endowment Funds £ - - - - - - (193,683) (193,683) 369,998 176,315 |
2025 Total Funds £ 20,434 20,434 62,648 62,648 - (42,214) - (42,214) 45,790 3,576 |
2024 Total Funds £ 86,366 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86,366 | ||||
| 715,012 | ||||
| 715,012 | ||||
| - | ||||
| (628,646) - |
||||
| (628,646) 674,436 |
||||
| 45,790 |
None of the charity's activities were acquired or discontinued during the above two financial years.
The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than those dealt with in the statement of financial activities.
Page 5
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Note CURRENT ASSETS Cash at hand and in bank Total current assets CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 Net current assets/(liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year - grants payable Total assets/(liabilities) THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Expendable endowment funds 9 Unrestricted funds 9 Total charity funds |
£ £ 198,647 198,647 195,071 3,576 3,576 - 3,576 176,315 (172,739) 3,576 2025 |
£ £ 394,240 394,240 348,450 45,790 45,790 - 45,790 369,998 (324,208) 45,790 2024 |
£ £ 394,240 394,240 348,450 45,790 45,790 - 45,790 369,998 (324,208) 45,790 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45,790 - |
|||
| 45,790 | |||
| 369,998 (324,208) |
|||
| 45,790 |
The notes on pages 12 to 16 form part of the financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees and signed on their behalf:
Joanne Spiceley on behalf of Ludlow Trust Company Limited Date 26 June 2026 Trustee
Page 6
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
| Note £ £ Net cash flow from operating activities (see below) (216,027) Cash flow from investing activities Investment income 20,434 Net cash flow from investing activities 20,434 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (195,593) Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 394,240 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 198,647 Cash and cash equivalents consist of: Cash at bank and in hand 198,647 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 198,647 Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities £ £ Net income (42,214) Adjusted for: Investment income (20,434) Net (gains)/losses on investments - Increase/(decrease) in creditors (153,379) (173,813) (216,027) 2025 2025 |
£ £ (1,657,837) 86,366 86,366 (1,571,471) 1,965,711 394,240 394,240 394,240 £ £ (628,646) (86,366) - (942,825) (1,029,191) (1,657,837) 2024 2024 |
£ £ (1,657,837) 86,366 86,366 (1,571,471) 1,965,711 394,240 394,240 394,240 £ £ (628,646) (86,366) - (942,825) (1,029,191) (1,657,837) 2024 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| (1,657,837) |
Page 7
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General information, scope and basis of the financial statements
The Banister Charitable Trust is an unincorporated charity constituted under a trust deed. The address of the principal office is given in the reference and administrative details section and the nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are given in the trustees' report.
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 basis other than going concern under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value as necessary. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.
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.
Incoming resources
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.
Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes such as shares. It includes dividends and interest. Where it is not practicable to identify investment management costs incurred within a scheme with reasonable accuracy the investment income is reported net of these costs. It is included when the amount can be measured reliably. Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method and dividend and rent income is recognised as the charity’s right to receive payment is established.
Resources expended
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 expenditure headings:
● Raising funds; these include investment management fees charged by the charity's investment managers
● Charitable activities; these include grants to third parties and the costs of administering the charity inclusive of governance costs
Grants payable to third parties are within the charitable objectives. Where unconditional grants are offered, this is accrued as soon as the recipient is notified of the grant, as this gives rise to a reasonable expectation that the recipient will receive the grants. Where grants are conditional relating to performance then the grant is only accrued when any unfulfilled conditions are outside of the control of the charity.
Support and governance costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Governance costs are those incurred in the governance of the charity and primarily associated with the constitution and statutory requirements.
VAT
The charity is not registered for VAT and is unable to recover VAT incurred. On this basis costs are recorded inclusive of VAT within the SOFA.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in sections 521 to 536 Income Tax Act 2007 (ITA 2007), as such no income tax is payable on the charity's activities.
Page 8
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Investments
Investments are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with changes recognised in ‘net gains / (losses) on investments’ in the SoFA if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably. Other investments are measured at cost less impairment.
Where investments are denominated in currencies other than Sterling, transactions are translated at the rate prevailing at the date of the transaction and year end values are calculated using the exchange rate prevailing at the year end.
Investments held in foreign currencies
Where investment assets are held in a foreign currency they are translated at the prevailing rate at the balance sheet date and any gain/loss on exchange rate movements is included in the statement of financial activities in the other recognised gains and losses section.
Debtors receivable and creditors 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.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted income 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.
Expendable endowment funds are those which are required to be invested to produce income but which may be transferred to unrestricted funds at the discretion of the trustees in order that they may be expended in furtherance of the charity's objectives.
Page 9
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Investment income
| Income from investments Interest on cash deposits |
Unrestricted Funds £ - 20,434 20,434 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - |
2025 Total Funds £ - 20,434 20,434 |
Unrestricted Funds £ - 86,366 86,366 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - |
2024 Total Funds £ - 86,366 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86,366 |
2. Charitable activities
| 2. Charitable activities | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants (see note 3) Grants return Administrative services Legal fees Governance costs (see note 4) |
Unrestricted Funds £ 60,000 (1,639) 2,787 - 1,500 62,648 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - - - - |
2025 Total Funds £ 60,000 (1,639) 2,787 - 1,500 62,648 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 701,300 - 11,610 2 2,100 715,012 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - - - - |
2024 Total Funds £ 701,300 - 11,610 2 2,100 |
| 715,012 |
3. Grants - to institutions to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment
| Campaign for National Parks Cornwall Heritage Trust Limited Cumbria Wildlife Trust Ltd RSPB Bempton Cliffs RSPB Northward Hill RSPB Scotland RSPB Scotland: Morvern Tree Nursery Shropshire Wildlife Trust Surrey Wildlife Trust Limited The Woodland Trust: Hay hills 4. Governance Costs Auditor's fees Independent Examiners Fee |
Unrestricted Funds £ - 1,500 1,500 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - |
2025 Total Funds £ - 1,500 1,500 |
2025 £ - - - - - - - - 60,000 - 60,000 Unrestricted Funds £ 2,100 - 2,100 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - |
2024 £ 5,000 3,000 100,000 165,000 - - 300 145,000 63,000 220,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701,300 | ||||||
| 2024 Total Funds £ 2,100 - |
||||||
| 2,100 |
Page 10
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. Auditor's fees
| 5. Auditor's fees | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Unrestricted | Endowment | Total | Unrestricted | Endowment | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Auditor's fees - audit | - | - | - | 2,100 | - | 2,100 |
6. Related party transactions
During the year under review, Ludlow Trust Company Limited, a trustee, charged the charity £2,788 (2024: £11,610) for administrative services with £571 (2024: £1,700) accrued at the balance sheet date. These fees are authorised under section 6 of the trust deed.
The charity has no employees, with all administration being carried out by the trustees.
Other than the fees noted above, no remuneration nor expenses were paid to or on behalf of any trustee during the year under review or the comparative year.
7. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Accruals - Auditor's remuneration Accruals - administrative services Accruals - grants payable Accruals - IE Fee |
Unrestricted Funds £ - 571 193,000 1,500 195,071 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - - - |
2025 Total Funds £ - 571 193,000 1,500 195,071 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 2,100 1,700 344,650 - 348,450 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - - - |
2024 Total Funds £ 2,100 1,700 344,650 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 348,450 |
8. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Current assets Current liabilities Non-current liabilities |
Unrestricted Funds £ 22,332 (195,071) - (172,739) |
Endowment Funds £ 176,315 - - 176,315 |
2025 Total Funds £ 198,647 (195,071) - 3,576 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 24,241 (348,450) - (324,209) |
Endowment Funds £ 369,999 - - 369,999 |
2024 Total Funds £ 394,240 (348,450) - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45,790 |
Page 11
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. Analysis of net movements in funds
| Endowment funds Unrestricted funds Endowment funds Unrestricted funds |
Year ended 31 December 2025 | Year ended 31 December 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds brought resources £ 369,998 (324,208) 45,790 |
Total incoming resources £ - 20,434 20,434 |
Total Transfers resources between expended funds £ £ - (193,683) (62,648) 193,683 (62,648) - Year ended 31 December 2024 |
Gains/(losses) on investment assets £ - - - |
Total funds carried forward £ 176,315 (172,739) |
||
| 3,576 | ||||||
| Total funds brought resources £ 1,931,362 (1,256,926) 674,436 |
Total incoming resources £ - 86,366 86,366 |
Total resources expended £ - (715,012) (715,012) |
Transfers between funds £ (1,561,364) 1,561,364 - |
Gains/(losses) on investment assets £ - - - |
Total funds carried forward £ 369,998 (324,208) |
|
| 45,790 |
The transfer of funds from the expendable endowment fund to unrestricted general fund was implemented by the trustees in order to provide resources for grant awards in furtherance of the charity's objectives as authorised by clause 2.3 of the trust deed.
10. Going concern and planned cessation of activities
At the meeting held on 25 April 2023, the trustees agreed to wind-up the charity's activities commencing with the liquidation of the charity's
At the subsequent meeting held on 4 June 2024, the trustees confirmed that the winding-up process remains ongoing and no fixed date has been set for the final cessation.
At the meeting held on 16 June 2025, the trustees confirmed that the trust will be fully distributed before the end of the year.
The financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than going concern and no adjustments have been made to these financial statements in respect of the planned cessation.
Page 12
THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. Comparative statement of financial activities
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Investments 1 Total EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 2 Total Net gains/(losses) on investment assets Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 9 Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 9 Total funds carried forward 9 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 86,366 86,366 715,012 715,012 - (628,646) 1,561,364 932,718 (1,256,926) (324,208) |
Endowment Funds £ - - - - - - (1,561,364) (1,561,364) 1,931,362 369,998 |
2024 Total Funds £ 86,366 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86,366 | |||
| 715,012 | |||
| 715,012 | |||
| - | |||
| (628,646) - |
|||
| (628,646) 674,436 |
|||
| 45,790 |
None of the charity's activities were acquired or discontinued during the above two financial years. The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than those dealt with in the statement of financial activities.
Page 13