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← Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

2024-03-31-accounts

Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited (a company limited by guarantee)

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Company number 06469141 Charity Number 1123209

Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

Directors and Trustees

The directors of the charitable company are its trustees for the purpose of charity law. The trustees and other officers serving during the year and since the year end are as follows: -

K L Eden - Chairman D D Kent Cllr B A Light (to 8 June 2023) R J Priestley P S Salvidge S C Sharpe Cllr M Sutton (from 25 July 2023) E Anthony Watson

Company Secretary and Treasurer

S C Sharpe FCA

Registered Office

Saffron Walden Museum, Museum Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1JL

Company Number

06469141

Charity Number

1123209

Investment Advisers and Custodians

Charles Stanley and Company Limited, 1st Floor, 3 Station Square, Cambridge CB1 2GB

Bankers

CAF Bank Limited, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ Saffron Building Society, 1A Market Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1HX Shawbrook Bank, Lutea House, Warley Hill Business Park, Brentwood, Essex CM13 3BE

Independent Examiner

Amanda Prentice FCCA

Abbey House, 51 High Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1AF

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Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

Chairman’s Report

The trustees are pleased to present their annual directors’ report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements of the directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and Accounting 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 (FRS102)

Keith L Eden Chairman

Directors’ Report

The directors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Status

The Company was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 10 January 2008 and was registered as a charity by the Charity Commission on 14 March 2008. The Company was formed to take over the assets, liabilities and operations of Saffron Walden Museum Society, a registered charity. The Society was dissolved on 8 August 2008 and no transactions took place within the Company until after that date.

Aims

The aims of the Company are to promote the study and extend the knowledge of natural history and human history in all their branches and to further these aims to carry on the museum at Saffron Walden, to arrange lectures, demonstrations, and other activities from time to time both within the museum and elsewhere.

The Company has continued to provide lectures for members of the Society, both in winter by Zoom meetings and in the rather better weather by face-to-face meetings.

The Company’s freehold and leasehold property, museum specimens and objects are let to Uttlesford District Council rent-free. Under the terms of the lease and a separate management agreement Uttlesford District Council are responsible for the day-to-day running of the museum including meeting the salary costs of the curator and other staff, the maintenance of the fabric of the property and the responsibility for the collection of income. This income and expenditure is not therefore reflected in the attached accounts.

2

Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

Directors’ Report - continued Management

The day-to-day management of the company is the responsibility of the directors acting under the Articles of Association of the company. Under these Articles, the directors are advised and aided by two committees responsible for particular aspects of the Museum: a Development Committee for planning the future of the Museum; an Organisation Committee for assisting in the ongoing running of the Museum, the management of events for members and other services. The Directors have power to appoint members to these Committees under rules made under powers given by clause 52 of the Articles of Association.

The Board also appoints five Directors to the Museum Management Working Group of the Uttlesford District Council to review and advise on the running of the Saffron Walden Museum Service.

The Rules adopted under the Constitution created the positions of up to four Honorary Vice Presidents to acknowledge the distinguished service given to the Society by a member: they are Mrs S Hollingworth and Mr D Laing.

The persons who acted as directors during the year were: K L Eden (re-elected 26 August 2022 and re-elected as chairman for one year in 2023 D D Kent (elected 22 October 2021) Cllr BA Light (resigned 8 June 2023 R J Priestley (re-elected 26 August 2022) P S Salvidge (re-elected 8 September 2023) Mrs S C Sharpe (re-elected 8 September 2023) Cllr M Sutton (nominated 8 June 2023, appointed 25 July 2023) E Anthony Watson (re-elected 22 October 2021)

The directors retiring by rotation are Mr Douglas D Kent and Mr E Anthony Watson who offer themselves for re-election. Mr Tony Watson will continue as President

The Museum Society’s investments are held by custodian trustees, Charles Stanley and Company Limited.

Annual Review

In June 2023 the Chairman was invited by two senior Uttlesford District Council officers, with responsibility for their obligations under the lease granted to them by the Society, to a meeting. He was informed that under direction from the new Chief Executive that it was their intention to present several alternative proposed 5-year plans to the UDC Cabinet for consideration. Each of these plans would offer alternatives to the current relationship between the Society and the Council

Early in 2024 at a further meeting between UDC officers and Chairman and Vice Chairman, it was agreed that a specialist consultant would be hired with experience of these increasingly familiar changes in the Museum world. The cost to be jointly funded. In February, after a competitive selection Sam Hunt was confirmed to undertake the assignment. Recommendations for options would be expected by June 2024

The Museum Curator, Carolyn Wingfield announced her retirement in July 2023 and after 25 years formally retired on 31 October. UDC announced her role would not be replaced, and an existing member of staff would be offered an increased responsibility contract for 2 years

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Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

Directors’ Report – continued

Annual Review, continued

The programme of Member talks continued successfully with a steady increase in attendance and the Digital Strategy agreed at the end of 2022/23 was successfully implemented and as the year closed a new and exciting web site was launched

Financial Review

The principal activities of the Society during the year are set out in the attached statement of financial activities and the directors intend to continue and develop these activities.

Some grants received in the previous year have now been spent and we thank the Gibson Walden Fund and other local organisations for grants as well as all Society members and others who have supported us during the year.

A total of £290 was spent on Heritage Assets suitable for acquisition for the Museum.

The General Fund and the Capital Fund show pleasing surpluses. Although the recovery in investments has not always been maintained since the year end it is anticipated that once events in Europe and at home become more settled the recovery will continue

The Directors believe the state of the Company’s affairs to be satisfactory.

Employees and Remuneration

The company has no employees other than the directors, who are unremunerated, and, therefore, there are no employees with remuneration more than £60,000. The company is dependent upon the services of a considerable number of unpaid volunteers who give up their time freely in connection with the Society’s activities.

Investment Powers

These are governed by the Articles of Association which permit the investment of any surplus monies in any investments authorised by law for the investment of trust funds and to the transposition or variation of any existing or future investments held by or on behalf of the Company.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the charity to maintain cash in current and short notice accounts that equates to at least five years unrestricted expenditure (at current levels). This provides sufficient funds to cover management, support costs, and a cushion for any unexpected expenditure that might arise. Available funds were maintained at this level throughout the year.

Risk Management

The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and are satisfied that the regular reports they receive enable them to ensure that all risks to the Society are minimised.

4

Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

Directors’ Report - continued

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Independent Examiner

The Board wishes to express its thanks to the Independent Examiner, Amanda Prentice, who has agreed to take on this vital post.

On behalf of the Board

Signed: KEITH L EDEN Keith L Eden (Chairman)

Date:5 November 2024

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Independent Examiner’s Report

to the Directors of Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

I report on the Accounts of the Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 11.

Relative responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The directors of Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.

The directors of Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of the 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 the directors 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 my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

to keep proper accounting records are kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and

to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and Principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities and in accordance with FRS102

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.

Signed A S PRENTICE ....................................................................................................

A S Prentice FCCA

Date: 7 November 2024

6

Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited: Company Registration Number 06469141

Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2024

General Fund Capital Total Funds 2023
Fund Total
Funds
£ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Subscriptions 3,325 3,325 3,384
Grants 4,445 4,445
Donations 51,015 51,015 195
Dividends - 19,325 19,325 20,293
Interest 1710 4,185 5,895 2,178
Lecture receipts 528 - 528 183
Furniture sales - - - 320
Sale of donated books 132 - 132 64
Total incoming resources 5,695 78,970 84,665 26,617
Resources expended
Administration 296 - 296 473
Insurance 267 - 267 251
Lecture expenses 723 - 723 578
Member events 42 - 42 13
Website and sundries 460
-		 460 159
Bank charges 61
-		 61 73
Investment charges - 6,503
6,503		 6,616
Depreciation - 3,715
3,715		 3,687
Redevelopment costs - - - 450
Museum support - 6,404
6,404		 4,337
Total resources expended 1,849 16,622
18,471		 16,637
Net incoming resources 3,846
62,348
66,194		 9,980
before gains/(losses)
Other Recognised Gains and (Losses)
Realised on investments - (9,897) (9,897) (13,794)
Unrealised on investments - 53,967 53,967 (39,788)
- 44,070 44,070 (53,582)
Net Movement in Funds 3,846 106,418 110,264 (43,602)
Fund balances brought 49,774 1,568,875 1,618,649 1,662,251
forward
Fund balances carried
forward (Note 7) £53,620 £1,675,293 £1,728,913 £1,618,649

All amounts relate to continuing activities. There were no recognised gains or losses other than those included above.

The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements

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Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited: Company Registration Number 06469141

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets – Note 2
Heritage assets – Note 3
Investments – Note 4
Current Assets
Debtors – Note 5
Cash at bank & in hand
Creditors – Note 6
Subscriptions in advance
Net current assets
Total Net Assets
Funds– Note 7
Capital Fund
General Fund
Total Funds		 2024
£
£
419,791
319,906
763,554
1,503,251
10,801
223,429
234,230
(7,823)
(745)
---------------
225,662
£1,728,913
1,675,293
53,620
£1,728,913		 2024
£
£
419,791
319,906
763,554
1,503,251
10,801
223,429
234,230
(7,823)
(745)
---------------
225,662
£1,728,913
1,675,293
53,620
£1,728,913		 2023
£
£
422,578
319,616
725,700
1,467,894
2,533
158,297
160,830
(9,380)
(695)
-------------
-
150,755
1,618,649
1,568,875
49,774
£1,618,649		 2023
£
£
422,578
319,616
725,700
1,467,894
2,533
158,297
160,830
(9,380)
(695)
-------------
-
150,755
1,618,649
1,568,875
49,774
£1,618,649
1,503,251





225,662		 1,467,894
150,755
234,230
(7,823)
(745)
---------------		 160,830
(9,380)
(695)
-------------
-
£1,728,913 1,618,649
1,675,293
53,620		 1,568,875
49,774
£1,728,913 £1,618,649

In approving these financial statements as directors of the company we confirm:

These financial statements are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The financial statements were approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

Chairman Treasurer

Date 5 November 2024

The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.

8

Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting Policies

a) Basis of preparation -The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Charities Act 2011.

b) Freehold property - Depreciation is not provided on freehold property on the basis that the market value of the property is greater than cost and the effect is not material to the result for the year.

c) Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment – Fixtures, fittings and equipment are capitalised and depreciated over their useful economic life. Items of less than £500 are expensed in full in the year of acquisition.

d) Museum collections and displays - The charity regards the museum collection and displays as Heritage Assets. Newly purchased assets are capitalised at cost. Assets acquired in the past that were previously expensed, would be difficult and costly to attribute a cost or value to. The trustees believe that the costs of the valuation process outweigh the potential benefits to the accounts’ users, and therefore no cost value has been assigned to the historic assets. Because of the length of life of these assets, no depreciation is charged on them.

In addition to the financial records showing acquisition cost of the Heritage Assets to the company, the Museum maintains a primary record, the accession register, with fuller records in a catalogue, mostly now on a computer database, as well as files of additional information.

Public access to all collections and associated records is provided in three principal ways, by displays in the Museum, by appointment in the museum for study and research, and by remot e access in various forms.

e) Investments - Investments held for long-term to generate income or capital growth are carried at market value as fixed assets. The investment strategy for funds is based on a balanced objective, low-medium risk level.

f) Incoming resources – All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.

g) Expenditure – All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and allocated to expense headings on a direct cost basis.

h) Fund Accounting – The General Fund has unrestricted funds that are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity, including the running of a membership society, and have not been designated for other purposes. The Capital Fund comprises donations as well as other assets that have arisen through the long life of the Museum, from the sale of freehold property or that have been by raised by the charity for particular purposes; it is the responsibility of the Directors to use its assets for the purposes of the museum. Investment income, gains and losses are allocated the Capital Fund

9

Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024, continued

2. Tangible Fixed Assets

The Society owns the freehold of the Museum and of the Schoolroom. The Schoolroom is held at cost and the Museum is held at nil value; this reflects the low historic costs and the value of the lease held by Uttlesford District Council. The Society also holds a 999-year lease on The Store, Shirehill, Saffron Walden, from and including 1 October 2014.

Cost of Assets
Balance at start of year
Additions
Balance carried forward
Depreciation
Balance at start of year
Charge for the year
Balance carried forward
Net book value March 2024
Net book value March 2023
3. Heritage Assets
Balance at beginning of year
Additions
Balance at end of year		 Freehold
land and
buildings
£
Leasehold
land and
buildings
£
Fixtures and
fittings
£
Totals
£
3,671
380,845
89,169
473,685
-
-
928
928
3,671
380,845
90,097
474,613
0
3,239
47,868 51,107
-
381
3,334
3,715
0
3,620
51,202
54,822
3,671 377,225
38,895
419,791
3,671
377,606
41,301
422,578
£
319,616
290
319,906

4. Investments

At cost
2024
2023
£
£
Listed investments
651,615
633,548
Cash awaiting investment
11,751
43,701
Totals
663,366
677,249
Value at the beginning of the year
Less: Disposals at opening book value
Add: Acquisitions at cost
Net profit on revaluation at the end of the year
Value at the end of the year		 At cost
2024
2023
£
£		 Market value
2024
2023
£
£
651,615
633,548
11,751
43,701
751,803
681,999

11,751
43,701
663,366
677,249
763,554
725,700
Market value
2024
2023
£
£
681,999
710,819
(135,377)
(184,451)
151,214
195,419
53,967
(39,788)
751,803
681,999

10

Saffron Walden Museum Society Limited

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 - continued

5. Debtors

Income tax recoverable
Other
Totals
. Creditors
Creditors
Accruals, grants for future expenditure
Totals		 2024
2023
£
£
10,677
2,533
124
-
10,801
2,533
2024
2023
£
£
1,823
1,830
6,000
7,550
7,823
9,380

6. Creditors

7. Funds

The Capital Fund is for the acquisition, maintenance, and display of any or all the artefacts owned by the Company, for the maintenance of the fabric of the buildings as is the Company’s responsibility, for the development of the Museum, and for any appeals that may be made for future developments that the Company may decide to undertake. The General Fund is the reserves arising from the activities directly involving the members of the Society.

8. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds

Fixed assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors
Subscriptions in advance
Net current assets
Net assets		 General
Fund
£
Capital
Fund
£
Total
Funds
£
-
1,503,251 1,503,251
689 10,112
10,801
53,836 169,593
223,429
(160) (7,663) (7,823)
(745)
-
(745)
53,620 172,042 225,662
53,6201,675,2931,728,913

9. Directors Remuneration and Expenses

No Director received any remuneration.

A director may claim direct reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses when acting as agent for the Charity. Expenses totalling £1061 in respect of website fees, the zoom licence, members events and administration were reimbursed to three directors. No other expenses were paid to any director.

10. Related Party Transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year.

11