Charity Registration No. 1128055
THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees Anthony Bradman Lady Rachel Billington Hilary Delamere John Theis Julia Eccleshare Charity number 1128055 Principal address 6b Lee Terrace Blackheath London SE3 9TZ Independent examiner Mark Taylor HW Fisher Professional Services Limited Acre House 11-15 William Road London NW1 3ER United Kingdom Bankers HSBC 141 High Street Beckenham Kent BR3 1BX
THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent examiner's report | 3 |
| Statement of financial activities | 4 |
| Balance sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 6 - 9 |
THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2024.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's Deed of Trust, the Charities Act 2011 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).
Objectives and activities
The objective of the Trust, as set out in the Charitable Trust Deed, is for the trustees to provide financial assistance to benefit any child or children who are under the age of eighteen years and who are in financial or other need who live in England and Wales to further their education and development by assisting such child or children in relation to their reading and for any other charitable purpose.
The trustees' grant making policy is generally to make donations to registered charitable organisations and schools (not individuals) which support a wide range of causes.
The trustees' have complied with their duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Achievements and performance
During the year the Trust generated incoming resources of £62,967 (2023: £61,350) which enabled the charity to make multiple grants.
The Trustees reviewed and accepted grant applications during the year under review. During the year the Trust made grants totalling £30,328 (2023: £75,654).
Financial review
The Trust received income from royalties which amounted to £62,318 (2023: £61,193). In addition, during the year the Trust received interest of £649 (2023: £157) and other income of £Nil (2023: Nil)
The Trust incurred total expenses of £39,761 (2023: £97,461), which includes grants payable of £30,328 (2023: £75,654).
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the Charity to maintain unrestricted funds (free reserves) at a level which covers management and administration costs and to respond to emergency applications for grants which arise from time to time. The charity does not hold any investments and only receives a minimal amount of bank interest. Grants and other expenses are met by income received from royalties, however, in situations where the income is insufficient to meet the annual expenditure, the reserves are required to make up any shortfall out of capital. The unrestricted funds of the Charity as at 5 April 2024 amounted to £100,731 (2023: £77,525). This level is deemed sufficient by the trustees to meet the above requirements.
The trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity may be exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to these risks.
Structure, governance and management
The Siobhan Dowd Trust is registered with the Charity Commissioners (No 1128055) and constituted by the Will of Siobhan Dowd who died on 21 August 2007.
The Trustee who have served during the year and since the year end are set out below:
Anthony Bradman Lady Rachel Billington Hilary Delamere John Theis Julia Eccleshare
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THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
Current trustees have the power to appoint new trustees. The minimum number of trustees is three. The trustees meet to review and assess grant applications during the year.
Future plans
The Trustees continue to review the level of grants awarded in light of the declining levels of funds as the trusts income streams naturally begin to reduce. The Trustees will continue to monitor the level of funds and should the funding levels reduce to a significantly low level, will seek to nominate a successor charity whose aims and objectives match that of the trust to receive any remaining incomes due to the trust.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
John Theis ..............................
John Theis
Trustee 23 Apr 2025 Dated: .........................
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THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Siobhan Dowd Trust (the Charity) for the year ended 5 April 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
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:
-
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
3 the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor HW Fisher Professional Services Limited Acre House 11-15 William Road London NW1 3ER United Kingdom
23 Apr 2025 Dated: .........................
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THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments from: | |||
| Investments | 3 | 649 | 157 |
| Other income | 4 | 62,318 | 61,193 |
| Total income | 62,967 | 61,350 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Charitable activities | 5 | 39,761 | 97,461 |
| Net income/(expenditure) for the year/ | |||
| Net movement in funds | 23,206 | (36,111) | |
| Fund balances at 6 April 2023 | 77,525 | 113,636 | |
| Fund balances at 5 April 2024 | 100,731 | 77,525 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
- 4 -
THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 5 APRIL 2024
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 Net current assets Income funds Unrestricted funds |
2024 £ 133,841 (33,110) |
£ 100,731 100,731 100,731 |
2023 £ 113,525 (36,000) |
£ 77,525 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77,525 | ||||
| 77,525 |
23 Apr 2025
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................
John Theis .............................. John Theis Trustee
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THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
The Siobhan Dowd Trust is a charitable trust.
1.1 Accounting convention
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
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.
1.4 Incoming resources
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty or receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income from royalties is recognised on a receivable basis.
1.5 Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure once there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.
Grants payable comprise donations directly related to the objects of the charity.
Support costs relate to expenditure incurred in dealing with the administration of the charity.
Governance costs relate to expenditure incurred in dealing with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure on which it was incurred.
1.6 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.
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THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.7 Financial instruments
The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The trustees are satisfied that there are no significant estimates or judgements in the financial statements.
3 Investments
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Interest receivable | 649 | 157 |
| Other income | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
| funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Royalties | 62,318 | 61,193 |
| 62,318 | 61,193 |
4 Other income
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THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
5 Charitable activities
| Supporting | Supporting | |
|---|---|---|
| literary | literary | |
| development | development | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Grant funding of activities (see note 6) | 30,328 | 75,654 |
| Share of support costs (see note 7) | 5,602 | 14,007 |
| Share of governance costs (see note 7) | 3,831 | 7,800 |
| 39,761 | 97,461 | |
| Grants payable | ||
| Supporting | Supporting | |
| literary | literary | |
| development | development | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Grants to institutions: | ||
| Ablaze | - | 1,200 |
| Doorstep Library | 5,000 | - |
| Family Days | - | 14,700 |
| Cheltenham Festival | - | 1,050 |
| Craigmillar Literary Festival | - | 3,000 |
| Learn to Love to Read | - | 3,000 |
| PRG - Secure Childrens Network | - | 1,500 |
| School Libraries Association | 1,000 | - |
| St Mary's Ukrainian School | 3,000 | - |
| Ykids Ltd | - | 10,000 |
| M&P Harris Ltd | - | 1,849 |
| Tale on Moon Lane | - | 2,770 |
| The Ginger Cat | - | 1,046 |
| The Story Museum | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Waterstones | 4,762 | 7,962 |
| Wisbech SP | 1,200 | - |
| Other | 13,366 | 25,577 |
| 30,328 | 75,654 |
6 Grants payable
Other grants includes book purchases for a large number of different schools, reading groups, charities and other organisations, mostly under £1,000.
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THE SIOBHAN DOWD TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
7 Support costs
| Support costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Support costs Governance costs £ £ Administration fees 5,542 - Bank charges 60 - Sundry expenses - - Independent examination - 3,831 5,602 3,831 Analysed between Charitable activities 5,602 3,831 |
2024 Support costs Governance costs £ £ £ 5,542 8,469 - 60 60 - - 5,478 - 3,831 - 7,800 9,433 14,007 7,800 9,433 14,007 7,800 |
2023 £ 8,469 60 5,478 7,800 |
| 21,807 | ||
| 21,807 |
Governance costs includes payments to the independent examiners of £3,831 (2023: £7,800) for independent examination fees and £nil (2023: £nil) for other services.
8 Trustees
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses from the Charity during the current or prior year.
9 Employees
There were no employees during the current or prior year.
10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Other creditors Accruals |
2024 £ 29,093 4,017 33,110 |
2023 £ 31,921 4,079 |
| 36,000 |
11 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions in the current or prior year
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Issuer
HW Fisher
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