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2025-05-31-accounts

Registered number 06802918

Guardians of Strutts

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements

Year ended

31 May 2025

Guardians of Strutts Report and accounts Contents

Page
Charity information 1
Independent examiners report 2
Income and expenditure account 3
Balance sheet 4
Financial activities 5
Detailed profit and loss account 6
Notes to the accounts 7-9

Guardians of Strutts Charity Information

Trustees

Mrs C H Maddock Dr N P McLeod R P Downie G Henshaw

Accountants

Mr T Curtis ACCA FMAAT Ground Floor, Sterling House Outrams Wharf Little Eaton Derby DE21 5EL

Registered office

Strutts Centre Derby Road Belper Derbyshire DE56 1UU

Registered number 06802918

1

Guardians of Strutts

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Guardian of Strutts ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 May 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its director for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the 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 examination giving me cause to believe.

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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 or;

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities peparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawin in this report in able to a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mr T Curtis ACCA FMAAT Derbyshire Tax Services Ltd Ground Floor, Sterling House Outrams Wharf Little Eaton Derby DE21 5EL 13 October 2025

2

Guardians of Strutts Profit and Loss Account for the year ended 31 May 2025

Donations
Administrative expenses
Operating profit
Interest receivable
Net Income		 2025
£
154,638
(122,202)
32,436
3,113
35,549		 2024
£
146,614
(97,890)
48,724
2,002
50,726

3

Guardians of Strutts Registered number: 06802918 Balance Sheet as at 31 May 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
3
Current assets
Debtors
4
Investments held as current
assets
5
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
6
Net current assets
Total assets less current
liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year
7
Net assets
Capital and reserves
Restricted and unrestricted funds
8
Shareholders' funds		 2025
£
154,276
24,041
1
215,923
239,965
(7,555)
232,410
386,686
(97,815)
288,871
288,871
288,871		 2024
£
146,956
32,122
1
176,402
208,525
(4,343)
204,182
351,138
(97,815)
253,323
253,323
253,323

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 May 2025

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.

The trustees/ directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(a) ensuring that te chartiable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b) preparing financial statements which give true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to chartiable company.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 13 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

N McLeod Director Approved by the board on 13 October 2025

4

Guardians of Strutts Registered number: Financial Activities as at 31 May 2025

Notes
Income and endowments from
Donation and legacies
Investment income
9
Total
Expenditure on Chartiable activities
General
Net income/expenditure
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
£
154,639
1,827
156,466
122,153
34,313
199,549
233,862		 Restricted
funds
£
-
1,286
1,286
50
1,236
53,774
55,010		 2025 Total
funds
£
154,639
3,113
157,752
122,203
35,549
253,323
288,872		 2024 Total
funds
£
146,612
2,002
148,614
97,888
50,726
202,597
253,323

5

Guardians of Strutts Detailed profit and loss account for the year ended 31 May 2025

This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts

Sales
Donations
Administrative expenses
Employee costs:
Staff training and welfare
Premises costs:
Rates
Light and heat
Cleaning
General administrative expenses:
Stationery and printing
Subscriptions
Bank charges
Insurance
Equipment expensed
Software
Repairs and maintenance
Depreciation
Sundry expenses
Legal and professional costs:
Advertising and PR		 2025
£
154,638
-
-
2,378
40,842
6,060
49,280
190
292
62
15,219
646
353
41,441
12,689
67
70,959
1,963
1,963
122,202		 2024
£
146,614
158
158
2,672
31,836
20,838
55,346
-
376
60
15,209
-
134
15,110
11,387
-
42,276
110
110
97,890

6

Guardians of Strutts Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 May 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with 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 applicable in the UK and Republic of the Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006.The Financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measure reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal constructive obligation committing the charity the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be reliably measure. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the caterogy. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to a particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

The value shown in Accounts for the Land and Buildings represents the legal fees, professional fees and renovation works to the building incurred since the transfer of the property from the Derbyshire County Council to the Charity in September 2009. The land and building is thought by the Trustees to have a market value between £1.5m and £3.6m.

Freehold buildings 2.5% Straight line
Plant and machinery 10% Straight line
Fixtures, fittings, tools and equipment 20% Straight line
Computer equipment 20% Straight line

Stocks

Stocks are measured at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from cooperation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be issued for the paticular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restircted purposes.

2
Employees
Average number of persons employed by the company		 2025
Number
4		 2024
Number
4
3
Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 June 2024
Additions
At 31 May 2025
Depreciation
At 1 June 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 May 2025
Net book value
At 31 May 2025
At 31 May 2024		 Land and buildings
£
136,155
-
136,155
14,180
2,198
16,378
119,777
121,975		 Plant and machinery
etc
£
56,541
11,366
67,907
40,102
5,701
45,803
22,104
16,439		 Equipment, fixtures
& fittings
£
45,023
8,644
53,667
36,481
4,791
41,272
12,395
8,542		 Total
£
237,719
20,010
257,729
90,763
12,690
103,453
154,276
146,956

7

Guardians of Strutts Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 May 2025

4
Debtors
Other debtors
5
Investments held as current assets
Fair value
Unlisted investments
6
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other creditors
7
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
Bank loans
8
Movement in funds
At 01/06/2024
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
199,549
Restricted funds
Ryklow Trust Fund
52,586
Lift Fund
148
Restricted Fund
1,040
53,774
TOTAL FUNDS
253,323
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows for 31 May 2025
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
156,466
Restricted funds
Ryklow Trust Fund
1,258
Lift Fund
3
Restricted Fund
25
1,286
TOTAL FUNDS
157,752		 2025
£
24,041
2025
£
1
2025
£
3,389
4,166
7,555
2025
£
97,815
Net movement
£
34,313
1,258
(47)
25
1,236
35,549
Resources
expended
£
(122,153)
-
(50)
-
(50)
(122,203)		 2024
£
32,122
2024
£
1
2024
£
2,670
1,673
4,343
2024
£
97,815
At 31/05/2025
£
233,862
53,844
101
1,065
55,010
288,872
Movement in funds
£
34,313
1,258
(47)
25
1,236
35,549

8

Guardians of Strutts

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 May 2025

Comparative for movement in funds for 31 May 2024

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Ryklow Trust Fund
Lift Fund
Restricted Fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Investment Income
Bank interest		 Incoming
resources
£
109,136
51,509
6
22
51,537
160,673		 Resources
expended
£
(97,783)
-
(12,127)
(37)
(12,164)
(109,947)
2024
£
3,113		 Movement in funds
£
11,353
51,509
(12,121)
(15)
39,373
50,726
2023
£
2,002

9 Investment Income

10 Other information

Guardians of Strutts is a private company limited by shares and incorporated in England. Its registered office is: Strutts Centre

Derby Road Belper Derbyshire DE56 1UU

9

Guardians of Strutts Report of the Trustees

For The Year Ended 31st May 2025

1. Introduction

The trustees, who are also directors of the Guardians of Strutts Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st May 2025. 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 Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). The trustees are mindful that a new version of the SORP 2026 will come into force shortly, on 1[st] January 2026, and have adjusted this report accordingly.

2. Objectives and activities

3. Structure, governance and management

4. Achievements and performance

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4.5. Public Benefit

The main benefit that the charity provides is facilities for community activities. The Charity has owned the former Herbert Strutt School site since September 2009 and maintains the building as the Strutts Community Centre for the benefit of the township of Belper.

5. Financial review

5.1. Reserves policy

The Trustees have reviewed the reserves of the charity. The review considered the nature of the income and expenditure streams and the need to match variable income with fixed commitments and the nature of the reserves.

We have followed the Charity Commission requirements for us to have adequate financial reserves. We have allocated funds of £40,000 as a “Continuation Reserve”, which would cover 6 months of operations in the event of a forced closure of the Community Centre caused by, for example another pandemic, shut down or fire. We have allocated £5,000 to a “Wind-Up Reserve”, to cover the unlikely need to close the Charity. We have also allocated £25,000 to an “Emergency Reserve” which would cover unforeseen repairs or new mandatory requirements. This gives a grand total of £70,000 in designated Reserves which are currently held in an interest yielding Co-op Savings Bank Account.

The Charity earned £3,112 interest in the financial year, compared to £2,002 in the previous year. This was an increase of 55% due to increases in interest rates after the pandemic when they were effectively zero. Also, the allocation of more funds to restricted and designated reserves has resulted in larger bank account balances in interest yielding accounts.

The unrestricted funds increased to £233,861 from £199,549, which represents an increase of 17% in the year to 31st May 2025.

Restricted funds show a grand total of £55,009 up from £53,774, which is a 2% increase, and includes the Ryklow Trust funds.

The total funds increased by £35,548 compared with an increase of £11,353 in the previous year. This is an increase of 14% and has resulted in an overall surplus to the end of the financial year of £288,871.

5.2. Donations from Strutts

5.3. Centre Limited

Strutts Centre Limited is wholly owned by the Guardians of Strutts and runs the operation of the Strutts Community Centre. The primary source of income for SCL is from hiring rooms and facilities to local community groups and businesses.

Secondary sources of income includes that from catering, bar services, and storage facilities that we provide to our users. The highlights from the SCL Accounts show the following:

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Overall SCL donated £154,448 to GOS, which showed an increase of 11% from previous year. This is a tremendous achievement and is due to SCL raising hire rates, the increased licence fees, and running more events. These higher returns are only possible because of the efforts of the unpaid volunteers who run the operations of the Strutts Community Centre.

5.4. GOS Income

The total income for the Charity from donations was £154,638. which was a 5% increase over the previous financial year.

Bank interest for the Charity was £3,112 for the financial year, compared to £2,002 in the previous year. This was an increase of 55% due to increases in interest rates after the pandemic when they were effectively zero. Also, the allocation of more funds to restricted and designated reserves has resulted in larger bank account balances in interest yielding accounts.

5.5. GOS Expenditure

The GOS has spent £86,501 of the available funds on running costs, utilities and general repairs during this period. Some of the major categories are summarised below:

• Administrative Costs £2,958
• Insurance £15,219
• Cleaning Services
 £1,707
• Building Repair & Maintenance £41,345
• Electric £14,730
• Gas £26,112
• Waste £4,668
• Water £2,378

5.6. Accounting

Quickbooks accounting software was used for the Guardians of Strutts accounts this year. There have been transitional issues with the allocation of categories for the grouping of income and expenditure. Also, with the clearer split in responsibilities between Guardians of Strutts and SCL some items of expenditure are being moved between GOS and SCL, such as cleaning and licences.

5.7. Banks

We are in the process of replacing the RBS “Treasurers Current Account” with a new RBS “Charities Current Account” which offers full digital banking services. We already have savings accounts with the Coop Bank and the Restricted Funds with CAF Bank and are setting up a savings account with RBS. These interest-bearing savings accounts will be used to hold our reserved funds separately. All these Bank accounts will have balances below the Financial

Service Compensation Scheme limits of £85,000 per bank, to eliminate the financial risk of default by the Banks.

We have introduced SumUp debit/credit card readers and new electronic till systems for payments to SCL in Reception and the Bar. We have encouraged payments of invoices by bank transfer. The integration of these systems with the Quickbooks digital accounts package, together with digital banking, has significantly improved our financial controls. With all these developments writing of cheques has almost ceased!

6. Sustainability

6.1. Financial Risks

The energy crisis has replaced the pandemic as a cause for financial uncertainty. Also, the unreliability of the heating system is of major concern and will require significant investment in the future. To this end we are building up designated funds towards the cost of new heating systems. The outlook for the net income over the next 12 months is still of concern due to increases in all our operating costs. The policy of building up the reserves and not borrowing has been vindicated as we have no debt to service. The decision to increase prices and the number of licence holders shows that a mixture of community and commercial users makes financial sense under these circumstances. Our prudent approach will give the best chance of ensuring that the Centre will be sustainable and available to the Community of Belper in the long term.

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6.2. Heating

For a successful Community Centre, it is essential to have a warm and welcoming building. Unfortunately, one of the two main boilers failed during the winter months. This meant that we had to use electric heating during this period, which was expensive and did not heat the rooms adequately. It highlighted our dependence on gas boilers for heating the building as the alternative use of electricity would require a significant upgrade of the wiring and supply.

Our users were understanding of our situation, and the Trustees would like to express our thanks to them for their patience. We have spent £11,170 on boiler repairs in this financial year, up by 84%, as opposed to the unaffordable cost of completely new gas boilers. This work represents a positive step forward in the reliability of our heating system while we find a more efficient long-term solution, which includes sustainable renewable energy sources. Also, we need to reduce our energy consumption with such measures as insulation, curtains, and repairs to the windows.

We have started to investigate the potential of solar panels on site but there are restrictions for our Grade II Listed building. We will research the viability of other sources of renewable energy, including air and ground source heat pumps. With the ever-increasing cost of energy this is the only sustainable path to follow.

7. Exemptions from disclosure

None

8. Funds held as holding trustee on behalf of others

None

9. Reference and administrative details

Registered Company number

Registered Charity number

06802918 (England and Wales)

1130427

Registered office

Strutts Community Centre, Derby Road, Belper, Derbyshire. DE56 1UU

Trustees

Mr P Downie Mr G Henshaw Mrs C H Maddock Dr N P McLeod

Independent Examiner

Derbyshire Tax Services Ltd., Office A, Ground Floor, Sterling House, Outram’s Wharf, Little Eaton, Derbyshire DE21 5EL

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10. Acknowledgements

The trustees thank all those who have supported the Charity financially, and especially all those individuals and groups who have used the building.

The Belper Strutts Society raises funds to support the Charity by running events, producing newsletters, and the sale of books. The Charity would like to express its thanks to the Management Committee of Belper Strutts Society and the band of its members and volunteers for their efforts.

This performance shows a significant recovery from the closures during the pandemic and makes a major contribution to covering the increase in operating costs due to the energy crisis. The Charity would like to express its thanks to all the Directors of Strutts Centre Limited and the band of loyal volunteers who have made all this possible.

Approved by order of the Board of Trustees on Tuesday 14[th] October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................................................... Dr N P McLeod – Chair of Trustees

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