2024-07-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1113185 (England and Wales) ROBERT ARMITAGE CHARITABLE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

ROBERT ARMITAGE CHARITABLE TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees

Ed Moloney Ben Ward Rhiannon Roberts (Appointed 1 February 2024)

Charity number (England and Wales) 1113185

Principal address

The Union, Manchester Metropolitan University 21 Higher Cambridge Street Manchester M15 6AD

Independent examiner

Tom Wilcox Counterculture Partnership LLP 23 St Leonards Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HH

ROBERT ARMITAGE CHARITABLE TRUST

CONTENTS

Page

Trustees' report

1-3

Independent examiner's report

4

Statement of financial activities

5

Balance sheet

6

Notes to the financial statements 7-11

ROBERT ARMITAGE CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements for the charity for the year ended 31 July 2024.

The Trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

Objectives and aims

The Objects of the Trust are:

¢ To make grants and provide assistance to registered or exempt charities, whether located or working within the Greater Manchester area, nationally or internationally;

¢ To further such charitable purposes, both locally to the Greater Manchester area, nationally and internationally, as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion decide. The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance ‘public benefit : running a charity (PB2)' and they believe that the support provided to the Robert Armitage Charitable Trust allows the charities objectives to benefit a wide section of the public.

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ROBERT ARMITAGE CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

Achievements and performance Significant activities and achievements against objectives The principal project that the trust has funded is the Greater Manchester Student Partnership (GMSP). The GMSFP is the coming together of five student unions (University of Manchester SU, The Union MMU, University of Salford SU, RNCM SU and University of Bolton SU) with the aim of making Greater Manchester the best place for students to live in the UK. The partnership board is made up of eight sabbatical officers from across the five students’ unions. The major role of the partnership is to work with and alongside the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The GMCA is led by the mayor of Greater Manchester, and the partnership has quarterly meetings with them to discuss issues that students are facing in the city, that the mayor and the combined authority has power over. The partnership focuses on three main issues that affect students throughout the region: housing, transport, and safety. Another key aspect of the partnership is building strong relationships with the Greater Manchester Civic University Board. The GM Civic University Agreement is between the five institutions that our unions are linked to. The partnership board meets twice a month to work on the projects of the partnership, and to work out what we can strategically do in the future to help students. In 2023/24 the GMSP:

¢ Worked with the GMCA and GM civic university board to develop an auto-enrolment system for students, meaning that they are automatically registered to vote once they enrol at university each year. Conversations are ongoing with progress being made. ¢ Provided a robust consultation response to the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter draft; this resulted in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSAs) being recognised as ‘specialist housing’ within the charter. ¢ Created and developed a GMSP manifesto for the 2024 mayoral election, endorsed by four of the six candidates. ¢ Lobbied the mayor to reduce cost of transport for students in the region, during his election campaign, promised a half price monthly bus pass for all people between 18-21 (the GMSP recognises that this does not encompass all students). Since the end of the financial year 2023/24 the GMSP has continued to work with GMCA on the development and implementation of the Good Landlord Charter. Regular meetings have been established with departments in the GMCA, including Transport for Greater Manchester, stronger and safer communities, housing and international teams.

Financial review The Trust has powers to set aside funds for special purposes or as reserves against future expenditure. The Trustees have not identified any material future expenditure beyond grant giving and have not set a specific reserves policy. The Trustees wish to ensure the sustainability of the Trust by funding activity through investment income from the principal sum.

Reserves policy The Trust aims to retain a reserve equal to at least 75% of the legacy to ensure sufficient funds remain to generate investment returns for charitable activities. It has elected to pursue a low-risk investment policy, placing the legacy in a high-interest investment account with a high street bank.

Structure, governance and management The charity was established and governed by a Declaration of Trust.

Ed Moloney Ben Ward Rhiannon Roberts

(Appointed 1 February 2024)

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ROBERT ARMITAGE CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

Recruitment and appointment of trustees Trustees are co-opted as set out in the Declaration of Trust. The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, supported by professional advisors as required.

The Trustees conduct an ongoing assessment of significant risks financial and non-financial and identify existing strategies to mitigate these, along with actions needed to further reduce exposure.

The Trustees undertake an on-going assessment of significant risks to which Robert Armitage Charitable Trust is exposed. Such risks may be of a financial or non-financial nature. The risk assessment process identifies existing strategies in place to minimize those risks, together with further action that needs to be taken.

The trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Ben Ward

Trustee

30 May 2025

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ROBERT ARMITAGE CHARITABLE TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JULY 2024

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2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Investments 11 1,707,052 1,546,644
Current assets
Debtors 12 7,244 8,206
Cash at bank and in hand 289,428 298,138
296,672 306,344
Creditors: amounts falling due within 13
one year (5,280) (54,000)
Net current assets 291,392 252,344
Total assets less current liabilities 1,998,444 1,798,988
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds 14 1,998 444 1,798,988
1,998,444 1,798,988
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The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 30 June 2025

Ben Ward

Trustee

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ROBERT ARMITAGE CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

1 Accounting policies

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared under historical cost convention, except for investments which are included at market value and the revaluation of certain fixed assets and 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)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and charities Act 2011.

Robert Armitage Charitable 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 note(s).

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3. Charitable funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the Charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Dividends are included by reference to their due dates. Interest is recorded when receivable.

1.5 Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as resources expended when there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to the expenditure:

Costs of generating funds represent amounts paid to the Trust’s external investment advisors.

Charitable activities expenditure comprises grants awarded by the Trustees in accordance with the criteria set out in the Trust Deed, together with grant related support costs.

1.6 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand, and short term deposits.

1.7. Employee benefits The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

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+

-

0

Unrestricted funds	Unrestricted funds
+/+0	+/+-
1	1
)*$+++	-
Unrestricted	Unrestricted
funds	funds
+/+0	+/+-
1	1
85,860	--$.),
.$/*+	0$+,/
89,810	-.$)0*

2	Expenditure on raising funds
		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		funds	funds
		+/+0	+/+-
		1	1
	Investment management	18,667	14,703
4	Expenditure on charitable activities
		Total	Total
		+/+0	+/+-
		1	1
	Direct costs
	Share of support and governance costs (see note )
	Governance	(3,720)	1,980
	Analysis by fund
	Unrestricted funds	(3,720)	1,980
7	Trustees
	None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the
	charity during the year.
#	Employees
	There were no employees during the year (2023: none).
		+/+0	+/+-
		Number	Number
	Total	-	-
	There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
&	Gains and losses on investments
		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		funds	funds
		+/+0	+/+-
	Gains/(losses)arisingon:	1	1

) ) ) 1,422,984 123,661 1,546,645 - %"!$ ' %"!$ ' (194,334) - (194,334) '#!&# - '#!&# 1,308,243 188,498 1,496,741 2024 2023 ) ) 7,244 8,206 2024 2023 ) ) 3,180 - 2,100 54,000 5,280 54,000 the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are grantors as to how they may be used. These include of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes. Incoming Resources Gains and At 31 July resources expended losses 2024 ) ) ) ) )

August	Incoming	Resources	Gains and	At 31 July
()((	resources	expended	losses	()(.
0	0	0	0	0
1,626,845	23,415	(16,683)	165,411	1,798,988
1,626,845	23,415	(16,683)	165,411	1,798,988
				Unrestricted
				funds
				2024
				0

()(. 0