2024-06-30-accounts - Cowbridge Physic Garden Trust Limited

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Cowbridge Physic Garden Trust Limited Company Registration No: 5118600 Charity Registration No. 1110127

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

(a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)

Report and Financial Statements

For the year to 30 June 2024

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

CONTENTS	Page
Officers and professional advisors	1
Trustees’ Annual Report	2
Independent Examiner's Report	5
Statement of financial activities	6
Balance sheet	7
Notes to the financial statements	8

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

PRESIDENT

Dan Clayton-Jones

OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES

Josephine Homfray – Chair Martyn Hurst – Vice Chair Genevieve Thomas Valerie Caple Pamela Haines Janet Thomas Matthew Jones Robert Evans Rhian Rees Melanie Hurst Michael Baker

SECRETARY

Pamela Haines

REGISTERED OFFICE

Old School House Colwinston Cowbridge CF71 7NE

BANKERS

HSBC Bank Plc Cowbridge

SOLICITORS

JCP Solicitors Cowbridge

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements for the charity for the year to 30 June 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 8 and comply with the charity’s trust deed and memorandum and articles of association, applicable laws and regulations.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The company, Cowbridge Physic Garden Trust Limited, limited by guarantee and not having a share capital, was incorporated on 4 May 2004 and received charitable status on 21 June 2005.

The trustees, who are also directors, and their advisors are shown on page 1 of these accounts. Throughout the period the trustees met every four months to transact the business of the charity.

During the period two sub committees also met regularly. The Marketing and Promotion Committee chaired by Martyn Hurst and the Garden Group chaired by Sue Duffield, which organises the planting and maintenance of the garden. The Finance and General Purposes Committee meets as and when required.

Trustees are recruited for their skills, experience and knowledge in the areas needed for the trust to be well managed and strongly led. These include:

Historic gardens and plants
Financial management
Legal expertise
Fundraising
Public Relations
Project implementation
Marketing and promotion

The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission’s published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011 and ensure the delivery of public benefit by the charity through the admission of the public, signage and information leaflets, guided tours and talks.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The principal objects of the company are “to promote for the benefit and education of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by the creation, development and maintenance of a physic garden within Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan”.

The garden is designed to increase public awareness of the long history of medicinal plants and the continuing importance of plants in the development of modern pharmaceuticals. It provides horticultural and educational resources for young and old, with signage and information leaflets explaining the content of the garden and the properties of individual plants. The garden is a place for relaxation where colour and fragrance are essential elements.

The trustees’ plans for the future are to maintain and develop the garden and further encourage public interest and education in the garden.

The garden is open to the public every day except Christmas Day, free of charge. In addition guided tours of the garden are available, in both English and Welsh.

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The freehold of the garden is owned by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and on 1 March 2006 the site was leased to the Trust for a period of 25 years at a peppercorn rent. On 12 November 2020 following discussions between the trustees and the Vale of Glamorgan Council a new lease for a further 25 years on the same terms was granted. The garden is situated in Church Street, Cowbridge within the ancient walls of the town.

Following the creation and planting of the garden it opened to the public on 1 October 2006.

All work on the beds and planting and the maintenance of the structure of the garden, where possible, is now carried out by volunteers who are mainly local residents of all ages and abilities.

The garden has been designed to reflect features that would have been found in a garden in the 18[th] century and all plants in the garden were available in Britain before 1800. As well as containing medicinal plants the garden also includes plants used in perfumery, cosmetics, dyestuffs and cookery. It has also been designed as a place in which to sit and relax amongst fragrant and attractive plants.

The garden was officially opened on 26 June 2008 by HRH The then Duchess of Cornwall and Her Royal Highness subsequently graciously agreed to be the first Patron of the garden. Following the death of The late Queen, we have been informed by Buckingham Palace that it is sadly not possible for The Queen to retain her Patronage of the Cowbridge Physic Garden Trust. The Trustees are immensely grateful to Her Majesty for her Patronage of the garden.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The initial funds to create the garden were derived from grants from the Vale of Glamorgan Council under (Round 3) Article 33 Vale of Glamorgan Action Plan, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Awards for All Wales, donations and membership.

A membership scheme was launched in April 2006 and at the year end there were 303 members.

Funds are raised from donations, legacies, membership, and fund raising events.

There was a surplus for the year before depreciation of £21,140 (after depreciation a surplus of £14,149).

Reserves now total £310,792 of which tangible fixed assets amount to £145,653. The balance of £165.139 is held to deal with future maintenance and planting requirements and for the long term sustainability of the garden. It is the trustees’ intention to increase the level of reserves as circumstances allow.

The trustees would like to record their deep gratitude to all those who have supported the project. In the year to 30 June 2024 donations of £1,000 and over included donations received from the following donors:

G C Gibson Charitable Trust

The Simon Gibson Charitable Trust

The Mary Homfray Charitable Trust

Swansea Building Society

Donation in memory of Catherine White

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (continued)

RISK MANAGEMENT

The trustees have reviewed the business and operational risks that face the charity and believe that the systems in place enable a regular review of these risks to take place and allow the trustees to take necessary action if required.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and for the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company and charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company and charity law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity during the period and of its state of affairs at the end of the period. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed;
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue its activities.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006. 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.

Under the applicable law, the trustees are also responsible for preparing a trustees’ report that complies with that law.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 14[th] January2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Josephine Homfray Chair

Genevieve Thomas Treasurer

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED.

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 30 June 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 11.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act:
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act: and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Stephen J Mayled FCA Date 7[th] February 2025

The Business Centre

Suite G2 Cardiff House

Cardiff Road, Barry

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Year Ended 30 June 2024

Note Unrestricted funds Income from: Donations and legacies 2 Other trading activities Investments Total Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities (includes depreciation of £6,991 : 2023 £6,814) Total Net income Reconciliation of funds Fund balance brought forward Fund balance carried forwarded	Total 2024 £ Total 2023 £ 21,029 24,225 8,162 8,712 5,800 2,556 34,991 35,493 3,564 3,464 17,278 19,342 20,842 22,806 14,149 12,687 296,643 283,956 310,792 296,643

The charitable company has no recognised gains or losses other than the net movement in funds for the year.

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET As at 30 June 2024

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 7 Current assets Stock Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand 13 Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 Net current assets Fund balances Unrestricted funds 11 TOTAL FUNDS	£ 2024 £ 145,653 1,070 4,494 161,336 166,900 1,761 165,139 310,792 310,792 310,792	2023 £ 149,934 1,032 3,283 143,563 147,878 1169 146,709 296,643 296,643 296,643

For the financial year ended 30 June 2024:

a) the company was entitled to exemption from audit under s.477 of the Companies Act 2006 b) no notice has been deposited under s.476 and
c) the directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:
i) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with s.386 of the Companies Act 2006 and
ii) preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the year and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of section 396 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 so far as applicable to the company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to smaller companies and with FRS102.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 14[th] January 2025 and signed on its behalf

Josephine Homfray

Genevieve Thomas

Chair Treasurer

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 30 June 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the historic cost convention and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities 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 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).

There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for the use of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of administration of the charity.

Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor.

Tangible fixed assets

Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.

The costs of the construction of the garden and the fixtures have been capitalised and will be written off over the term of the lease which expires in November 2045.

Plant and equipment will be written off over four years.

Stock

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value and consists of goods for resale.

Donations and legacies

Voluntary income received by way of donation and legacies is included in full in the Statement of financial activities when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the resources.

Income from membership subscriptions

Membership subscriptions are received in the nature of a gift and are recognised in Donations and legacies.

Grants

Grants receivable are accounted for in the period to which the grants relate.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Costs are apportioned between expenditure categories as stated below:

Raising funds comprise costs in relation to donors and other trading activities.

Charitable activities costs are those in connection with the garden in furtherance of the objects of the charity, including depreciation.

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 30 June 2024

2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations Legacies Membership subscriptions	2024 £ 16,562 - 4,467 21,029	2023 £ 19,461 - 4,764 24,225

3. EMPLOYEES

One part time member of staff was employed during the year at a cost of £3,316.

The trust was also helped by approximately twenty volunteers throughout the year.

4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The trustees received no remuneration from the charity.

Donations totalling £9,550 were received from charities with which trustees were related parties. There were no other transactions with related parties during the year.

5. NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Net income is stated after charging the following:

2024 2023 £ £ Depreciation £6,991 £6,814

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 30 June 2024

6. TAX

The Cowbridge Physic Garden is a registered charity and is not liable to corporation tax on its charitable activities. Tax recoverable from voluntary income received under gift aid is recognised when the related income is received.

7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Garden construction & fixtures £ Plant & equipment £ Cost At 1 July 2023 337,241 3,300 Additions Disposals 2,440 - 270 - As at 30 June 2024 339,681 3,570 Accumulated depreciation At 1 July 2023 187,308 3,299 Charge for the year On disposals 6,924 - 67 - At 30 June 2024 194,232 3,366 Net book value At 30 June 2024 145,449 204 At 30 June 2023 149,933 1	Total £ 340,541 2,710 - 343,251 190,607 6,991 - 197,598 145,653 149,934

In March 2006 a lease of the garden for 25 years was granted by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. The lease was renewed on 12 November 2020 for a further 25 years to 2045. No rent is payable.

8. DEBTORS

Gift aid recoverable Accrued Interest Sundry	2024 £ 2023 £ 990 3,504 - 1,167 2,076 40 4,494 3,283

COWBRIDGE PHYSIC GARDEN TRUST LIMITED

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 30 June 2024

9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Expense creditors	2024 £ 2023 £ 1,761 1,169 1,761 1,169

10. CAPITAL

The company is limited by guarantee and therefore has no capital. The extent of the guarantee is £5 per member.

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds General Funds	Balance at 1 July 2023 £ 296,643 296,643	Income resources £ Outgoing funds £ Transfers £ 34,991 20,842 - 4 34,991 20,842 -	Balance at 30 June 2024 £ 310,792
			310,792

There were no restricted funds during the year (2023 – nil).

12. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

There were no capital commitments at the year end.