WARRANT OFFICERS’ and SENIOR RATES’ MESS
HMS DRAKE
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For Period
1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025
Registered Charity No. 1129026
Trustees’ Annual Report and Comments
Warrant Officers’ and Senior Rates’ Mess HMS DRAKE Charity Registered No: 1129026 Covering the Accounting Year: 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025 Address: HMS DRAKE Devonport Plymouth PL2 2BG Governing Document: Constitution (Mess Rules) Object: Promotion of the Military Efficiency and Operational Effectiveness of the Armed Forces by the provision of mess facilities to Warrant Officers, Senior Ratings and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers serving in His Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport. Trustee: Brigadier M J Tanner OBE ADC Royal Marines Trustee selection method: Appointed as such by the Naval Secretary. Bankers: Lloyds Banking Group Royal Parade Plymouth Independent Examiner: Peter Nicholls MBE MAAT 5 Nursery Road Havant Hants PO9 3BG Activities and achievements: To have resources available for expenditure on improvements to the quality of life, and the engenderment of espirit de corps. The mess put on a full social programme for its members. Profits from the bar and other activities provided subsidies for social functions. Financial Review: The fund had increased by £10.5K. The main reasons were: • Subscription income exceeded the running costs by £7.2K. • Other income totalled £7.6K. (ESS windfall/interest and dividends/market growth. Offset by: • Function expenditure exceeding income by £1.5K. • Additional VAT on function subsidies of £2.2K.
The fund was worth £181.8K, including £38K of property and stock. Bank and cash assets of £81.1K covered the £39.2K liabilities.
Investment Selection Policy: Investments were initially split 30% income funds and 70% capital growth funds, although it is now a 23/77% split.
Financial Reserves Policy:
The Trustee has considered the level of reserves required, appropriate to the charity’s needs. These are held in investments currently worth £76.9K. The Trustee aims to ensure that the charity will be able to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income and unexpected expenditure. The Trustee will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
Grant Policy: None are paid to individuals, but grants are occasionally paid to the Associate Members’ Fund.
Risk Assessment:
The Trustee reviews the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and systems have been established to manage those risks and believes that by maintaining the free reserves stated it will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions.
Public Benefit Statement:
This fund provides public benefit by assisting Service personnel to perform their roles more effectively within the Armed Forces of the Crown. It does this by providing and supporting mess facilities and social activities. This assistance enables Service personnel to face the challenges and danger associated with military service by developing and maintaining teamwork, spirit and attitude, and morale. As a result, the fund promotes the efficiency of the Armed Forces of the Crown by enhancing the Royal Navy’s and Royal Marines’ capability to undertake the roles demanded of it including the defence of the United Kingdom and its interests.
I confirm that I have paid due regard to the Charity Commission of England and Wales’s guidance on public benefit when deciding what activities, the charity should undertake.
Declaration:
I declare, in my capacity of Charity Trustee, that I have approved the above report.
Signature Signed On Original Name Brigadier M J Tanner OBE ADC Royal Marines. Appointment Naval Base Commander and Sole Managing Trustee Date 31 October 2025
HMS DRAKE WARRANT OFFICERS' AND SENIOR RATES' MESS
Charity Registration No 1129026
BALANCE SHEET
31-Jul-25
| Notes Fixed Assets Mess Property 7 Investments 2 Deposit Account 2 Current Assets Stocks 7A Mess Bills Owed Misc Debtors & Prepayments 8, 8A VAT Reclaimed Bank Accounts Cash Current Liabilities Creditors 9, 9A 47 Cdo Fund Veteran Members' Fund VAT Paid Charity Chest Net Current Assets Net Assets |
15,854.42 £ 76,948.09 £ 7,307.96 £ 22,186.29 £ 3,220.00 £ 12,454.02 £ 1,937.06 £ 74,894.03 £ 6,178.58 £ 120,869.98 £ 27,219.98 £ 6,935.64 £ 1,672.94 £ - £ 3,373.46 £ 39,202.02 £ |
18,790.66 £ 76,525.02 £ 6,815.26 £ 100,110.47 £ 102,130.94 £ 24,049.40 £ 5,640.00 £ 12,366.97 £ - £ 55,072.03 £ 5,204.45 £ 102,332.85 £ 15,558.77 £ 11,130.63 £ 2,302.74 £ 449.10 £ 3,764.04 £ 33,205.28 £ 81,667.96 £ 69,127.57 £ 181,778.43 £ 171,258.51 £ 31-Jul-24 |
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Approved on 31 October 2025
Signed On Original
Brigadier M J Tanner OBE ADC Royal Marines Sole Managing Trustee
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DR-SR25BSZ.xlsBALANCE SHEET
HMS DRAKE WARRANT OFFICERS' AND SENIOR RATES' MESS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
For Year Ended 31 July 2025
| Notes Income Charitable Activities Other Trading Activities Investment Income Total Income 3 Expenditure Raising Funds Charitable Activities Other Costs Total Expenditure 4 Net Income Plus Gains on Revalued Investments Previous Year Corrections Total Funds Brought Forward Total Funds Carried Forward |
300,321.92 £ 39,740.71 £ 811.74 £ 340,874.37 £ 34,439.88 £ 296,337.64 £ - £ 330,777.52 £ 10,096.85 £ 423.07 £ - £ 171,258.51 £ 181,778.43 £ |
Year to Jul 24 277,250.89 £ 52,780.61 £ 817.10 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 330,848.60 £ |
|||
| 52,205.48 £ 249,766.60 £ 6,772.11 £ |
|||
| 308,744.19 £ |
|||
| 22,104.41 £ 6,847.92 £ (1,212.63) £ 143,518.81 £ |
|||
| 171,258.51 £ |
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Notes to the Accounts dated 31 July 2025
Note 1 - Accounting policies
a. The financial statements are prepared under the historic cost convention (as modified by the revaluation of fixed asset investments) and in accordance with applicable accounting standards: Charities Statement of Recommended Practice, UK Accounting Standards and the Charities Acts.
Income
a. Donations are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the CAF becomes entitled to the donation or grant and it is reasonably certain that it will be received.
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b. Total Income from fund raising are reported gross in the SOFA.
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c. Intangible Income is not included in the accounts.
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d. The CAF receives no unpaid volunteer help.
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e. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable.
Expenditure and Liabilities
a. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Mess to the expenditure.
Assets
a. Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £50. They are valued at cost or a reasonable value on receipt. Depreciation is straight line over the estimated life. In view of the diverse nature and multi use, non bar depreciation is not allocated to any of the other activity costs.
b. Stocks are valued at the lower of cost or market value.
| Note 2 - Investments Market Valuation at 1 Aug 24 Dividends Revaluation to Market Value Market Valuation at 31 Jul 25 Cost of Investments Note 3 - Income Charitable Activities Mess Subscriptions Veterans Mess Subs Mess Functions Bar Sales Family Rooms ESS - Taxi Settlement Misc Income Other Trading Activities Presentation Port Private Functions Private Function Profit Mess Memorabilia Investment Income Dividends & Interest Total Income |
CCLA Income 17,961.31 £ - £ (286.46) £ 17,674.85 £ 10,500.00 £ 63,562.67 £ 10,183.22 £ 69,150.46 £ 151,026.56 £ - £ 6,377.25 £ 21.76 £ 2,118.26 £ 33,078.23 £ 3,276.31 £ 1,267.91 £ Year to |
CCLA Accum CCLA COIF 58,563.71 £ 6,815.26 £ - £ 492.70 £ 709.53 £ - £ 59,273.24 £ 7,307.96 £ 24,500.00 £ 74,712.95 £ 5,522.76 £ 61,673.55 £ 135,317.92 £ 16.67 £ - £ 7.04 £ 300,321.92 £ 277,250.89 £ 1,969.92 £ 49,622.76 £ 660.58 £ 527.35 £ 39,740.71 £ 52,780.61 £ 811.74 £ 817.10 £ 340,874.37 £ 330,848.60 £ Jul 25 Year to Jul 24 |
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Note 4 - Expenditure
| Note 4 - Expenditure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raising Funds Mess Memorabilia Presentation Port Private Functions Charitable Activities Operating Costs Cost of Bar Sales Mess Function Expenses Mess Function Subsidies Additional VAT Running Costs Mess Socials Mess Guests Family Rooms Linen and Laundry Internet/Telephone Newspapers Coffee & Tea TV, Video & Audio Performing Rights Repairs,Renewals & Improvements Insurance Trophy Hire Trophy Hire - Missing Sword Presentations /Leavers Gifts Central Amenities Fund Grants & Donations Flowers & Plants Governance Costs Examination Support Costs Bank Charges Sage Support Print, Post, Stationery Travel Expenses Depreciation (Non Bar) Other Costs Mess Bill Write Off Write Off - Valiant Total Expenditure |
977.62 £ 384.03 £ 33,078.23 £ 107,508.11 £ 69,150.46 £ 61,163.90 £ 2,194.79 £ 7,561.02 £ 441.10 £ 108.54 £ 3,420.21 £ 131.84 £ 2,376.70 £ 5,811.10 £ 11,813.33 £ 2,021.63 £ 8,496.69 £ 459.18 £ 183.06 £ - £ 1,515.64 £ 3,000.00 £ 792.66 £ - £ 960.00 £ 2,716.64 £ 777.93 £ 1,281.03 £ 36.54 £ 2,415.54 £ - £ - £ Year to |
Year to | 522.28 £ 2,060.44 £ 49,622.76 £ 34,439.88 £ 94,132.11 £ 61,673.55 £ 37,977.66 £ - £ 7,779.28 £ 1,126.40 £ 94.41 £ 1,737.43 £ 1,149.47 £ 2,903.95 £ 6,273.15 £ 11,942.88 £ 1,897.94 £ 4,807.18 £ 412.51 £ 164.51 £ 195.36 £ 1,726.68 £ 3,000.00 £ 1,473.20 £ 92.98 £ 930.00 £ 2,558.59 £ - £ 1,449.51 £ - £ 4,267.85 £ 296,337.64 £ 3,420.00 £ 3,352.11 £ - £ 330,777.52 £ Year to Jul 25 |
52,205.48 £ 249,766.60 £ 6,772.11 £ Jul 24 |
| 308,744.19 £ |
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DR-SR25BSZ.xlsSOFAE
Note 5 - Paid Employees
a. Other than the occasional casual wage, there are no employees who are paid by the mess. Additional bar wages are billed by the contractor.
Note 6 - Trustees and Other Related Parties
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a. No expenses or emoluments have been paid to the Sole Managing Trustee.
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b. The Mess makes a contribution to HMS Drake Central Amenities Fund (CAF) to secure benefits for its members.This charity and the CAF Charity have the same Sole Managing Trustee.
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c. There are no amounts due to or from the Sole Managing Trustee.
Note 7 - Tangible Fixed Assets
| Property Valuation as at 1 Aug 24 Depreciation/Disposals Property Valuation at 31 Jul 25 Note 7A - Stocks Bar Private Functions Catering Stock Tea & Coffee Mess Memorabilia Presentation Port Note 8 - Miscellaneous Debtors CCLA Interest - Jul 25 Mess Bills Owed Old Time Sailors - Sept 25 Oktoberfest - Oct 25 Private Functions Owed Note 8A - Prepayments Insurance Trophy Hire Performing Rights Licence Napkins/Table Runners - Mess Functions Stock |
Furniture and Bar Fittings Equipment 18,043.46 £ 747.20 £ (2,415.54) £ (520.70) £ 15,627.92 £ 226.50 £ 10,666.71 £ 5,873.27 £ 518.31 £ 1,827.37 £ 3,300.63 £ 22,186.29 £ 25.39 £ 3,220.00 £ 1,000.00 £ 92.95 £ 3,130.68 £ 7,469.02 £ 264.00 £ 141.00 £ 1,927.00 £ 5,873.00 £ 8,205.00 £ |
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Note 9 - Supplier Creditors
| Bookers Johnsons Stalbridge Linen Coors Graddon & Sons Ltd LWC |
295.36 £ 588.75 £ 2,621.28 £ 27.18 £ 5,625.78 £ |
|---|---|
| 9,158.35 £ |
Note 9A - Other Creditors (all due within one year)
| Souls On Board Grants Additonal VAT on Function Subsidies CAF PF Functions - ESS MF Function - Cabaret Ticket Income Christmas Draw 25 - Prepaid Mess Fees in Advance Coffee Cards Meat Raffle Crown Accommodation Charges Bank Charges Accounts Examination |
422.63 £ 2,194.79 £ 3,000.00 £ 278.88 £ 100.01 £ 1,806.91 £ 4,213.50 £ 3,020.00 £ 972.00 £ 870.03 £ 222.88 £ 960.00 £ |
|---|---|
| 18,061.63 £ |
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Note 10 - Endowment or Restricted Income Funds
There are only unrestricted funds.
Note 11 - Other Information
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a. The fund does not have any material commitments not provided for in the accounts.
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b. The fund has not given any guarantees to any third party that could be called on at the year end. c. The fund has not granted any loans.
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d. The fund did not make any ex gratia payments during the year.
Declarations
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a. The Trustee has not changed the year end date nor the length of the fund's financial year .
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b. The fund has one designated fund - Family Cabins.
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c. All the fund's operations are continuing operations and there were no discontinued operations.
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d. No funds are in deficit.
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e. The fund has no marketable intangible assets.
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f. There were no interfund loans outstanding at the balance sheet date.
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g. None of the funds functional assets have been revalued during the year and the fund does not have a policy of revaluation of these assets.
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h. The fund has no material fixed assets which have not been capitalised and included in the Balance Sheet.
Bar Trading for year ended 31 Jul 25
| Sales Cost of Sales Gross Profit Gross Profit/Sales =% Gross Profit/Cost of Sales = % (i.e average mark up) Less Expenses: Till Repairs and Servicing Bar, Gas, Cleaning and Sundries Bar Wages Staff Taxis Depreciation Net Profit |
33.2% 49.7% 1,040.00 £ 4,940.71 £ 100.00 £ - £ 520.70 £ 28.8% |
151,026.56 £ 135,317.92 £ 100,906.70 £ 88,980.03 £ 50,119.86 £ 46,337.89 £ 34.2% 52.1% 975.00 £ 3,551.05 £ 75.60 £ 8.08 £ 542.35 £ 6,601.41 £ 5,152.08 £ 43,518.45 £ 30.4% 41,185.81 £ Previous Year |
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DR-SR25BSZ.xlsBAR TRADING
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustee of the Warrant Officers’ and Senior Ratings’ Mess HMS Drake. Registered Charity No. 1129026
I report to the trustee on my examination of the accounts of the Warrant Officers’ and Senior Ratings’ Mess HMS Drake for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustee is responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a licenced member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination; I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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The accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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The accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than in 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.
P A Nicholls MBE MAAT 5 Nursery Road Havant Hants PO9 3BG
31 October 2025