Charity number: 1104700
The Keeper's Trust
Unaudited
Trustees' report and financial statements
For the year ended 31 March 2025
The Keeper's Trust
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 9 - 13 |
The Keeper's Trust
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Trustees | Mr A Courage, Chair |
|---|---|
| Mrs S Courage | |
| Mr R King (appointed 28 April 2025) | |
| Mr A Little (deceased 24 December 2024) | |
| Charity registered number 1104700 Principal office Flat 3 & 4 55 Drayton Gardens London SW10 9RU Accountants Kreston Reeves LLP 37 St Margaret's Street Canterbury Kent CT1 2TU Independent Examiner Samantha Rouse FCCA DChA Kreston Reeves LLP 37 St Margaret's Street Canterbury Kent CT1 2TU |
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The Keeper's Trust
Trustees' report For the year ended 31 March 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The Keeper's Trust exists to advance the conservation, protection, and improvement of the natural environment for the public benefit, in particular through the management of land within and around a designated SSSI (Danks Down and Truckle Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)) in Wiltshire and one of the best-preserved rural Roman bath-houses in Britain, likely built in the late 2nd century AD and used until the 4th century.
The Trust's charitable activities promote biodiversity, habitat restoration, scientific study, and the responsible management of ecologically sensitive land. All activities undertaken during the year were consistent with these objectives and designed to provide public benefit in accordance with Charity Commission guidance.
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
The Trust delivers public benefit through:
Active management and restoration of habitats within and around a designated SSSI.
Support for ecological research, species recording, and data sharing with national conservation databases.
Maintenance of accessible, scientifically valuable land for environmental and educational purposes.
The Trustees consider that the work undertaken during the year directly benefits the public by protecting biodiversity and contributing to environmental knowledge.
Achievements and performance
a. Main achievements of the Charity
Land and Property Management
The Trust continued to manage its landholdings at Keeper's Lodge, Danks Down, and Truckle Hill throughout the year.
Management was informed by professional advice from Perdix Management, working in consultation with Natural England and the Godwin family, who hold the existing Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement covering part of the SSSI.
Engagement with Natural England addressed habitat condition and grazing concerns.
No penalties were imposed, and agreed remedial measures were supported by Natural England.
Future management structures, including a potential tenancy or stewardship arrangement with Antony Little's Estate, were discussed to ensure unified oversight and compliance.
The Trustees are committed to maintaining the ecological integrity of all Trust land and ensuring continuity of care in line with statutory conservation designations.
Conservation and Site Management
Routine habitat maintenance, access work, and ecological oversight were carried out across the Trust's land.
All works were undertaken in accordance with Natural England's SSSI management requirements and the
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The Keeper's Trust
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance (continued)
Trust's conservation plan.
The Trustees confirmed that site condition remained satisfactory and that planning for future infrastructure maintenance such as fencing and access improvement would continue in 2025-26.
Education and Research
Monitoring and recording continued to be a central activity during the year.
Regular butterfly transects were completed by Maurice Avent, and all data were submitted to iRecord for inclusion in national biodiversity datasets.
The Trustees also resolved to preserve and digitise the extensive archives of ecological forestry, and management data compiled by Antony Little, recognising their long-term scientific and historic value.
The Trust continues to play a valuable role in regional biodiversity monitoring and contributes data to national conservation frameworks.
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
b. Reserves policy
The Trustees aim to maintain reserves sufficient to cover at least one year's essential expenditure and to provide flexibility for urgent site work or unplanned environmental projects.
Reserves as of 31 March 2025 are considered appropriate to the size and scope of the Trust's activities.
Whilst the reserves at 31 March 2025 were lower than desired, as explained in Note 2.2, the Charity will be able to call upon future donations to cover operating costs and will look to build an appropriate level of reserves for future years.
c. Financial review
Income
Total income for the financial year was £60,986, received in four instalments from Slater Investments (Antony Little Income Fund), including these two principal instalments:
£30,000 on 10 June 2024
£30,000 on 16 October 2024
This represented the principal source of unrestricted income for the year.
Expenditure
Expenditure was directed towards land management, maintenance, and administrative costs in pursuit of the Trust's objectives.
Routine payroll, PAYE, and pension payments for the Trust's part-time employees were made on schedule.
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The Keeper's Trust
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
An isolated payroll error in April 2024 was rectified promptly.
Bridge and tree works scheduled for the year-end were deferred for completion and settlement in 2025-26.
Financial Position
The Trustees consider the Trust's finances to be sound. Adequate reserves are maintained to cover annual operations and foreseeable conservation work.
Accounts were prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and examined by Kreston Reeves LLP.
d. Risk management
The Trustees conducted an annual review of operational and financial risks.
Principal risks identified included compliance with SSSI conditions, changes in agricultural stewardship schemes, and leadership transition following the death of the founding trustee.
These risks are mitigated through continued professional oversight, collaboration with Natural England, and robust financial management.
Insurance
Public liability and trustee indemnity insurance remained in place throughout the year and were renewed in March 2025. No claims or incidents were reported.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The Keeper's Trust is an unincorporated charitable trust governed by a deed of trust established by Antony Little. The Trust operates under the provisions of the Charities Act 2011.
The Trustees meet formally at least once a year. Day-to-day management is delegated to the Chair, with administrative and financial support from the Trust's part-time staff.
The Trust Deed was last amended in 2023, primarily to update trustee appointment and administrative procedures. No further amendments were made during 2024/25.
Following the death of Antony Little in December 2024, the Trustees place on record their deep appreciation for his outstanding contribution as founder, long-time Chair, and principal benefactor of the Trust.
Plans for future periods
In the coming year, the Trustees intend to:
Continue conservation and infrastructure maintenance across the trust.
Finalise the independent examination of the 2024/25 accounts with Kreston Reeves LLP.
Establish a formal management or tenancy arrangement between the Trust and Antony Little's Estate to secure long-term continuity.
Maintain collaboration with Natural England and the Godwins to uphold SSSI management standards.
Explore opportunities for a Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship application to strengthen habitat restoration
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The Keeper's Trust Trustees. report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025 Plans for future periods (continued) funding. Work with Wessex Archaeology to explore potential archaeological investigations on the known Roman sites located within the Trust's landholding. ensuring that any such works align with both conservation and heritage protection objectives. Acknowledgements The Trustees express their sincere thanks to= The late Antony Little, founder and long-time Chair of the Keeperfs Trust, whose generosity, commitment, and vision made the creation and enduring success of the charity possible. His leadership continues to inspire the Trust's work and ethos. Perdix Management, for their professional guidan and coordination with Natural England. Volunteers and contractors, including mauri Avent and Tony King. for their practical support, ecological monitoring, and fieldwork assistance. 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 its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, 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 of the Charities SORP {FRS 102); make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed. subject lo any material deparlures 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 business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charitvs transactions and disdose 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. Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by: Signed by.. AEF971AE7847è.. MrA Courage Trustee Date: 21/12/2025
The Keeper's Trust
Independent examiner's report For the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The Keeper's Trust ('the Charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts 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 (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 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.
This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: S M Rouse Dated: 21 December 2025 Samantha Rouse FCCA DChA
Kreston Reeves LLP
37 St Margaret's Street Canterbury Kent CT1 2TU
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The Keeper's Trust
Statement of financial activities For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 60,986 60,986 85,478 85,478 (24,492) 28,028 (24,492) 3,536 |
Total funds 2025 £ 60,986 60,986 85,478 85,478 (24,492) 28,028 (24,492) 3,536 |
Total funds 2024 £ 126,402 126,402 156,650 156,650 (30,248) 58,276 (30,248) 28,028 |
|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
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The Keeper's Trust Balance sheet As at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets Currenl assets 4,590 8,280 Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities 9.705 29,553 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (10.759) (9,805) Net current liabilities l assets (1,054) 19,748 Total net assets 3,536 28,028 Charity funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 3,536 28,028 Total funds 3,536 28,028 The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: Slgne¢J by.- AEF7IAÈ7847è.. MrA Courage Date: 21/12/2025 The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
The Keeper's Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is Flat 3 & 4, 55 Drayton Gardens, London, SW10 9RU.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The Keeper's Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The financial statements are presented in UK sterling, which is the Charity's functional currency, and rounded to the nearest pound.
2.2 Going concern
The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Whilst funds have reduced to £3,536 at the year end, the Trustees have received confirmation that the Charity will continue to have access to sufficient funding from the Anthony Little Income Fund to enable the Charity to continue to operate for the foreseeable future.
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
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The Keeper's Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
2.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Motor vehicles - 20% straight line
2.6 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
2.7 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
2.8 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which 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.
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The Keeper's Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
3. Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Total 2024 Analysis of expenditure by activities Governance costs Management and maintenance of trust estate land Total 2024 |
Activities undertaken directly 2025 £ - 82,583 82,583 154,100 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 60,986 126,402 Support costs 2025 £ 2,895 - 2,895 2,550 |
Total funds 2025 £ 60,986 126,402 Total funds 2025 £ 2,895 82,583 85,478 156,650 |
Total funds 2024 £ 126,402 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2024 £ 2,550 154,100 156,650 |
||||
4. Analysis of expenditure by activities
Analysis of direct costs
| Staff costs Depreciation Repairs and maintenance Insurance Land maintenance costs Legal and professional fees Other interest payable and similar charges Total 2024 |
Direct costs 2025 £ 70,109 3,690 5,151 584 3,049 - - 82,583 154,100 |
Total funds 2025 £ 70,109 3,690 5,151 584 3,049 - - 82,583 154,100 |
Total funds 2024 £ 70,529 3,690 76,092 582 2,800 400 7 154,100 |
|---|---|---|---|
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The Keeper's Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
4. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of support costs
| Independent examiners fees Other professional fees Total 2024 |
Support costs 2025 £ 2,340 555 2,895 2,550 |
Total funds 2025 £ 2,340 555 2,895 2,550 |
Total funds 2024 £ 1,850 700 2,550 |
|---|---|---|---|
5. Independent examiner's remuneration
The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £2,340 (2024 - £1,850).
6. Staff costs
| 2025 £ Wages and salaries 66,775 Social security costs 1,705 Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes 1,629 70,109 The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows: 2025 No. Average employees 2 |
2024 £ 67,135 1,754 1,640 |
|---|---|
| 70,529 | |
| 2024 No. 2 |
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
7. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustee received any remuneration or benefits (2024 - £NIL).
During the year ended 31 March 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL).
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The Keeper's Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
8. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost or valuation At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
Motor vehicles £ 39,050 |
|---|---|
| 39,050 | |
| 30,770 3,690 |
|
| 34,460 | |
| 4,590 | |
| 8,280 |
9. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2025 £ - 4,719 6,040 10,759 |
2024 £ 1,637 4,468 3,700 9,805 |
|---|---|---|
10. Pension commitments
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £1,640 (2024: £1,640).
11. Related party transactions
During the year, the Charity received donations of £60,986 (2024: £126,402) from the Anthony Little Income Fund, a Trust established by a relative of one of the Trustees.
There were no other related party transactions during the year ended 31 March 2025.
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