Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
Charity number: 1137196
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
| THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST | |
|---|---|
| CONTENTS | |
| Page | |
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 7 |
| Independent auditors' report on the financial statements | 8 - 10 |
| Statement of financial activities | 11 |
| Balance sheet | 12 |
| Statement of cash flows | 13 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 14 - 29 |
Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
| Trustees | Mr Martin R Gray, Chairman |
|---|---|
| Mrs Flora Lyon, Trustee | |
| Mr Charles S Fowle, Trustee | |
| Mr Charles W Smyth-Osbourne, Trustee | |
| Mrs Fiona E Tennick, Trustee | |
| Mr Martin Humphreys, Trustee (appointed 9 November 2023) | |
| Mr Douglas R K Robb, Trustee (resigned 28 April 2023) | |
| Charity registered number 1137196 Correspondence address for administration c/o MHA The Pinnacle, 150-170 Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes MK9 1LZ for grants and bursaries info@thornton-smith-plevins.org.uk Grants secretaries Mrs Heather Cox Mrs Susan Davis Investment managers Waverton Investment Management 16 Babmaes Street London SW1Y 6AH Independent auditors Mercer & Hole LLP The Pinnacle 170 Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes MK9 1BP Bankers Barclays Bank 29 - 30 High Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1PG National Westminster Bank PO Box 712 94 Moorgate London EC2M 6UR Solicitors Stone King LLP Boundary House 91 Charterhouse Street London EC1M 6HR |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
The trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the Thornton-Smith and Plevins Trust for the year 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2023.
Introduction
During the year, the Trust awarded grants of nearly £150,000 to assist with the education of vulnerable children, mostly in the age range 16 to 18. In many of these cases, a place at an independent school represents the only structure and security they have in their lives.
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors
The charity number, present trustees and advisors of the Thornton-Smith and Plevins Trust are set out on page 1 of the financial statements.
The Trustees who served throughout the year, unless otherwise stated, were as follows:
Mr Charles S Fowle Mr Martin R Gray (Chairman) Mr Martin Humphreys (appointed 9 November 2023) Mrs Flora Lyon Mr Douglas R K Robb (resigned 28 April 2023) Mr Charles W Smyth-Osbourne Mrs Fiona E Tennick
The power of appointing Trustees is vested in the Trustees for the time being.
Structure, governance and management
The Thornton-Smith and Plevins Trust (“the charity/the Trust”) is registered as a charity under the Charity Acts.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales made a Direction on 30 July 2010 that the charity should prepare financial statements to reflect the affairs, activities and financial information of the constituent charities, being The Thornton-Smith Trust, The Thornton-Smith Young People’s Trust, The Wilfred Maurice Plevins Charity and the Thornton-Smith Plevins Common Investment Fund.
The Trustees manage the charity so as to comply with the trusts of its constituents, applying the income of the charity to promote education and relieve poverty by assisting young people with their educational requirements, should they need such funding.
Prospective Trustees are requested to meet with the Chairman then submit a written resume of their career and interests for consideration by the Trustees. Suitable applicants are invited to attend meetings as an observer, complete relevant paperwork and proceed to appointment, if the Trustees are unanimous.
Trustees delegate day to day responsibility for various aspects of the charity’s affairs to:
The Grants Secretary who assesses applications for charitable assistance, reports recommendations for assistance bi-annually to trustees and monitors the benefit derived by beneficiaries
The Investment Managers who manage the portfolio under a discretionary management mandate The Accountants who maintain records of receipts and payments and assist the grants secretary in the distribution of funds to beneficiaries
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
The Trustees meet twice each year to review the exercise of these delegated powers, consider the grant applications put forward by the grants secretary, the performance of the investments and any other matters concerning the charity.
Related parties and conflicts of interest
The Trustees have adopted a comprehensive policy to identify all transactions with related parties or other transactions which might involve any conflict of interest.
Risk management statement
The Trustees have identified the major risks facing the Trust. In summary, they are financial loss and/or loss of reputation caused by negligent or wrongful acts or omissions by persons acting on behalf of the charity. A risk management register is maintained and the risks highlighted are reviewed regularly to ensure they do not pose a threat to the charity. The charity has addressed these risks by appointing professional investment managers, outsourcing its accounting function and ensuring that all grants that are authorised by the Trustees are in accordance with the objects of the charity.
Objectives and activities
The Trustees apply the charity’s funds in promoting education and relieving poverty. Specifically, the Trustees:
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Assist young men or women wishing to enter or actually undergoing articles or apprenticeships in any trade or profession and who because of poverty are in need of help in so doing;
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Help children or young men or women in obtaining preparatory, secondary, higher or further education who or whose parents by reason of poverty are in need of financial help to enable them so to do;
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Benefit men or women of the professional or business classes who have fallen into poverty and are unable to make adequate provision for their retirement or old age;
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Apply income towards the benefit or maintenance or education of young persons aged 25 years and under who are the children of such professional men or women as the Trustees may from time to time determine.
Certain restrictions apply to the objectives just listed: beneficiaries may be no older than 25 to qualify for assistance either from The Thornton-Smith Young People’s fund or The Wilfred Maurice Plevins fund. To be assisted by The Wilfred Maurice Plevins fund, beneficiaries must also be aged 10 or over and be the children of a professional.
Beneficiaries older than 25 may only receive assistance from The Thornton-Smith fund.
Grant making policy
The Trustees invite applications for assistance from prospective beneficiaries by ensuring their existence is recorded in the major reference works such as the Educational Grants Directory and the website maintained by the Educational Trusts’ Forum. In practice, the major part of the funds available for disbursement each year are paid to assist young persons in pursuing their education in the sixth form, that is in the period after obtaining GCSEs and before university.
Trustees may distribute capital as well as income to beneficiaries from The Thornton-Smith and The ThorntonSmith Young People’s funds. Trustees may also distribute unapplied return from The Wilfred Maurice Plevins fund under the terms of an Order of The Charity Commissioners for England and Wales made on 13 April 2004. Trustees are naturally cautious over the distribution of capital and avoid doing so in any way that might prejudice their ability to meet the present and future needs designated by the trusts they operate.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
Public benefit
The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
Achievements and performance
Total Return
The Trustees became concerned over the limited ability to satisfy the flow of applications from qualified beneficiaries as they were prevented from applying the settled capital of The Wilfred Maurice Plevins fund towards grants. The Charity Commission granted an Order on 13 April 2004 empowering adoption of a “Total Return” basis which allows application of some, though not all the capital of The Wilfred Maurice Plevins fund.
The fund’s expendable endowment thus became available for application towards the purposes of The Wilfred Maurice Plevins fund. The Trustees intend, however, to apply this further sum available for distribution with prudence and in such a way as will ensure even-handedness between present and future generations of beneficiaries.
Distribution policy
It remains the Trustees’ intention, subject to annual review, to maintain the inflation-adjusted value of the permanent endowment within the expendable endowment element of The Wilfred Maurice Plevins fund, held within unrestricted income. Trustees will regard any such surplus as available for distribution, subject to the overriding prudential criterion and the need to have regard to the interests of future generations, as well as the claims of the current beneficiaries. Trustees continue to regard all income as distributable and maintain a separately identified income account.
Investments
The Trustees are very satisfied with the performance of the investment portfolio. Mindful of the need to support future as well as current generations, the investment managers are tasked with maximising the portfolio’s total return within the parameters of the selected risk profile. The portfolio increased by 0.65% on a total return basis, although this was somewhat better than the performance of the reference indices.
The components of the return varied significantly. Overall yield on the portfolio at 2.1% is broadly in line with global stock market conditions.
Voluntary Income
The Trustees are pleased to be able to continue to work with two similar trusts to support the Eleanor Hamilton Educational Trust in pursuing its own charitable objectives. Last year, the Trustees received £55,000 from the trustees of the Eleanor Hamilton Educational Trust which was allocated for individuals whose education was, in each case, adversely affected by family illness. A further £55,000 is recognised this year as receivable from the Trust.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
Assistance
Grants paid by the charity during the year to assist young persons in education are summarised as follows:
| Individual grants and loans to assist with school fees and expenses Scholarship for educational travel abroad (Kew Scholarship) Rainy Day Trust |
2023 2022 £ £ 149,652 146,055 3,000 2,500 - 25,000 |
|---|---|
| 152,652 173,555 |
Our record of grant-making towards education over the last six years is summarised in the table below:
| Number of Beneficiaries | Number of Beneficiaries | Number of Beneficiaries | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | ||||
| Boys | Girls | Total | £ | |
| 2018 | 35 | 41 | 76 | 2,507 |
| 2019 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 2,882 |
| 2020 | 36 | 25 | 61 | 2,950 |
| 2021 | 26 | 26 | 52 | 3,415 |
| 2022 | 25 | 22 | 47 | 3,108 |
| 2023 | 16 | 23 | 39 | 3,741 |
Financial review
Total funds increased during the year from £16,787,948 to £16,889,652 at 31 July 2023, an increase of £101,704.
Principal funding sources
The Trustees are dependent on the income derived from the expendable endowment portfolio for funds. The Trustees do not seek to raise funds from the public although donations are welcome. The Trustees particularly wish to recognise the donation from the Eleanor Hamilton Trust.
Reserves policy
The Trustees’ policy is to maintain the real value of the endowment, distributing the return in excess of this by way of grants. To implement this policy, Trustees set an annual distribution ceiling of 3½% of the Trust’s portfolio value having been advised that the long term total return on investments that can be expected under current market conditions is in the range 4½% -5%. The retention of 1% - 1½% is capital appreciation accumulated to reflect inflation so as to protect the interests of future generations.
The Trustees maintain the funds in the expendable endowment in order to discharge their responsibilities to both current and future generations as investments generate the return that enables the Trust to fulfil its objects.
The Trustees provide for the grant instalments due in September, anticipating that any commitments made in the future in the form of the continuation of each grant for the academic year will be met from future income flow.
Unrestricted reserves at 31 July 2023 amounted to £15,819,747 (2022: £15,718,043) and permanent endowment £1,069,905 (2022: £1,069,905) giving total reserves of £16,889,652 (2022: £16,787,948).
Management remuneration
The Trustees consider themselves as comprising the key management personnel of the Trust, in charge of directing and controlling the Trust. The Trustees received £nil remuneration for their services. Travelling expenses were reimbursed during the year as disclosed in note 10.
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THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
Plans for the future
Subject to regular review, the Trustees expect to maintain a policy of seeking to expend not more than 3½% of the value of the portfolio annually, including the costs of administering the Trust.
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity, including the income and expenditure for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS102 – 2019);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a “true and fair” view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent to provide a “true and fair view. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities, Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Each of the persons who is a Trustee at the date of the approval of this annual report confirms that:
-
so far as the Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditor is unaware; and
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the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislations in other jurisdictions.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................
Mr Martin R Gray Chairman Date: March 21, 2025
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THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Thornton-Smith and Plevins Trust (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 July 2023 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.
This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 July 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
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THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST (CONTINUED)
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the Trustees' report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
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sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST (CONTINUED)
Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
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Reviewing minutes of Trustee Board meetings;
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Agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
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Enquiring of management, including those charged with governance;
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Reviewing the key accounting policies and estimates.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and its trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Mercer & Hole LLP
The Pinnacle 170 Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes MK9 1BP
Date: March 21, 2025
Mercer & Hole LLP are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
| Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Investments 4 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities Total expenditure Net movement in funds before other recognised gains/(losses) Other recognised gains/(losses): Unrealised & realised gains/(losses) on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Permanent endowment fund 2023 £ - - - - - - - - - 1,069,905 - 1,069,905 |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 55,240 311,273 366,513 70,358 250,690 321,048 45,465 56,239 101,704 15,718,043 101,704 15,819,747 |
Total funds 2023 £ 55,240 311,273 366,513 70,358 250,690 321,048 45,465 56,239 101,704 16,787,948 101,704 16,889,652 |
Total funds 2022 £ 70,225 302,899 373,124 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87,063 252,420 339,483 |
||||
| 33,641 200,372 234,013 |
||||
| 16,553,935 234,013 16,787,948 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 14 to 29 form part of these financial statements.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JULY 2023
| Note Fixed assets Investments 11 Current assets Debtors 14 Cash at bank and in hand 21 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 16 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Permanent endowment fund 17 Restricted funds 17 Unrestricted funds Expendable endowment 17 Unrestricted income 17 Total unrestricted funds 17 Total funds |
71,703 762,548 834,251 (113,771) 15,105,281 714,466 |
2023 £ 16,169,172 16,169,172 720,480 16,889,652 1,069,905 - 15,819,747 16,889,652 |
80,528 665,276 745,804 (91,520) 15,076,819 641,224 |
2022 £ 16,133,664 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16,133,664 654,284 |
||||
| 16,787,948 | ||||
| 1,069,905 - 15,718,043 |
||||
| 16,787,948 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................ ................................................ Mr Martin R Gray Mr Charles W Smyth-Osbourne Chairman Trustee Date: March 21, 2025
The notes on pages 14 to 29 form part of these financial statements.
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THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
| STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities 20 Cash flows from investing activities Interest receivable and other income Investment income Purchase of investments Proceeds from the sale of investments Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 21 |
2023 £ (234,732) 2,757 308,516 (3,302,972) 2,682,005 (309,694) - (544,426) 1,822,324 1,277,898 |
2022 £ (247,003) 85 302,815 (3,251,885) 4,198,970 1,249,985 - 1,002,982 819,342 1,822,324 |
The notes on pages 14 to 29 form part of these financial statements
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THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
1. General information
The Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal place of business is 2 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1AZ.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
Thornton-Smith and Plevins 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.
The financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.
2.2 Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of investments to market value.
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the Charity has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the Charity, can be reliably measured.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
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THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
2.5 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
2.6 Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.
Investments held as fixed assets are shown at cost less provision for impairment.
2.7 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
2.8 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.9 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
2.10 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, which is at cost, with the exception of:
- Investments are measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date; - Fixed assets are measured at cost less depreciation;
The investments notes 12 and 13 details the historical cost of the investments and the unrealised gains to arrive at their fair value.
2.11 Funds
The Trust comprises three funds being:
Permanent endowment
This fund represents the capital originally settled into The Wilfred Maurice Plevins fund, ascertained to comply with the Order of the Charity Commissioners of 13 April 2004, as the amount that should be retained as permanent endowment. It is held to generate income to be applied for charitable purposes.
Expendable endowment
This fund comprises unapplied return and represents capital appreciation that has accrued since the original settlement of the constituent charities. Although it may be applied for charitable purposes, the Trustees intent to retain such an amount as will protect the value of the permanent endowment against the effect of inflation.
Unrestricted income account
This fund represents the balance of unexpended income and is available for charitable objects, subject to the working requirements of the charity.
2.12 Grants to beneficiaries
The Trust recognises the constructive obligation arising on the awarding of grants at the point of approval and communicate to recipient. Any loans made in lieu of grants are provided against in full upon being advanced. Recoveries of such loans are credited to income upon receipt.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
3. Donations and legacies
| Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Eleanor Hamilton Educational Trust Donation 55,000 Other donations 240 55,240 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ Eleanor Hamilton Educational Trust Donation 55,000 Other donations 15,225 70,225 |
Total funds 2023 £ 55,000 240 55,240 |
|---|---|
| Total funds 2022 £ 55,000 15,225 70,225 |
4. Investment income
| Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Investment income from UK holdings 308,516 Investment income - bank interest 2,757 311,273 |
Total funds 2023 £ 308,516 2,757 311,273 |
|---|---|
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THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
4. Investment income (continued)
| Investment income from UK holdings Investment income from property Investment income from overseas holdings Investment income - Fixed interest securities - UK Investment income - bank interest 5. Grants payable Opening provision Paid during the year Closing provision |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 96,789 8,439 192,336 5,250 85 302,899 2023 £ (42,311) 152,652 79,660 190,001 |
Total funds 2022 £ 96,789 8,439 192,336 5,250 85 302,899 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 £ (43,682) 173,555 42,311 172,184 |
Grants are payable to 39 individuals (2022 - 47) based at different institutions.
Grants are payable to an institution, Rainy Day Trust of £25,000 (2022 - £25,000)
6. Investment management costs
| Unrestricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2023 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Investment management fees | 70,358 | 70,358 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
6. Investment management costs (continued)
| Unrestricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2022 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Investment management fees | 87,063 | 87,063 |
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| Grants payable Travelling Salary and administration expenses of the grants secretaries Accountancy fees Legal and advisory fees Auditors remuneration Bank charges (Loss)/Gain on foreign exchange |
Support costs 2023 £ 190,001 253 74,798 25,200 (8,819) 11,200 638 (42,581) 250,690 |
Total funds 2023 £ 190,001 253 74,798 25,200 (8,819) 11,200 638 (42,581) 250,690 |
|---|---|---|
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
| Grants payable Salary and administration expenses of the grants secretaries Pension of retired grants secretaries Accountancy fees Legal and advisory fees Auditors remuneration Bank charges (Loss)/Gain on foreign exchange |
Support costs 2022 £ 172,184 63,584 3,920 26,400 5,994 11,220 615 (31,497) 252,420 |
Total funds 2022 £ 172,184 63,584 3,920 26,400 5,994 11,220 615 (31,497) 252,420 |
|---|---|---|
8. Auditors' remuneration
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual | ||
| accounts | 11,220 | 11,220 |
9. Staff costs
| Wages and salaries Social security costs |
2023 £ 72,034 2,764 74,798 |
2022 £ 57,304 6,280 |
|---|---|---|
| 63,584 |
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Employees | 2 | 2 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
9. Staff costs (continued)
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
10. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2022 - £NIL) .
During the year ended 31 July 2023, Trustee expenses of £254 have incurred (2022 - £NIL).
11. Fixed asset investments - carrying value
| Cost or valuation At 1 August 2022 Additions Disposals Revaluations At 31 July 2023 Net book value At 31 July 2023 At 31 July 2022 |
Listed investments £ 14,976,616 3,302,972 (2,698,941) 73,175 15,653,822 15,653,822 14,976,616 |
Cash deposits £ 1,157,048 - (641,698) - 515,350 515,350 1,157,048 |
Total £ 16,133,664 3,302,972 (3,340,639) 73,175 16,169,172 16,169,172 16,133,664 |
|---|---|---|---|
No individual investment exceeded 5% of the investment portfolio valuation at 31 July 2023 or 31 July 2022.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
12. Quoted investments summary
| Quoted investments UK - fixed interest UK - equities North America - equities Europe - equities Japanese - equities Rest of World - equities Alternative investment funds See Note 11 for movements Cash deposits Note: Equities include unit and investment trusts. Quoted investments UK - fixed interest UK - equities North America - equities Europe - equities Japanese - equities Rest of World - equities Alternative investment funds Cash deposits |
2023 Market Value £ 2,629,936 1,410,550 5,696,252 1,721,469 1,241,780 487,800 2,466,035 15,653,822 515,350 16,169,172 2022 Market Value £ 1,560,960 1,562,521 4,696,045 2,493,235 1,299,257 493,950 2,870,648 14,976,616 1,157,047 16,133,663 |
2023 % of Total 16 9 35 11 8 3 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 97 3 |
||
| 100 | ||
| 2022 % of Total 10 10 29 15 8 3 18 |
||
| 93 7 |
||
| 100 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
13. Quoted investments historical cost
| Historical cost Debtors Due within one year Grants secretary cash float Income due from investments Income due from Eleanor Hamilton Educational Trust |
2023 £ 13,216,776 13,216,776 2023 £ 300 16,403 55,000 71,703 |
2022 £ 12,699,553 12,699,553 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 £ 3,372 22,156 55,000 |
||
| 80,528 |
14. Debtors
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
15. Cash balances
| Expendable endowment Barclays Bank - Business premium account Unrestricted income Barclays Bank - Business premium account Barclays Bank - Current account Natwest - Current account Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Provision for grants Accruals |
2023 £ 13,065 717,725 3,000 28,758 762,548 2023 £ - 2,015 - 111,756 113,771 |
2022 £ 13,065 649,142 3,000 69 |
|---|---|---|
| 665,276 | ||
| 2022 £ 14,400 9,810 42,311 24,999 |
||
| 91,520 |
16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
17. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Balance at 1 August 2022 £ Unrestricted funds Designated funds Thornton-Smith 1,715,601 Thornton-Smith Young People 9,235,675 Wilfred Maurice Plevins 4,125,543 15,076,819 General funds Thornton-Smith 470,931 Thornton-Smith Young People 63,649 Wilfred Maurice Plevins 106,644 641,224 Total Unrestricted funds 15,718,043 Endowment funds Permanent endowment 1,069,905 Total of funds 16,787,948 |
Income £ - - - - 87,858 176,528 102,127 366,513 366,513 - 366,513 |
Expenditure £ (2,930) (15,741) (9,106) (27,777) (30,934) (166,191) (96,146) (293,271) (321,048) - (321,048) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ Balance at 31 July 2023 £ 5,931 1,718,602 31,870 9,251,804 18,438 4,134,875 56,239 15,105,281 - 527,855 - 73,986 - 112,625 - 714,466 56,239 15,819,747 - 1,069,905 56,239 16,889,652 |
Gains/ (Losses) £ Balance at 31 July 2023 £ 5,931 1,718,602 31,870 9,251,804 18,438 4,134,875 56,239 15,105,281 - 527,855 - 73,986 - 112,625 - 714,466 56,239 15,819,747 - 1,069,905 56,239 16,889,652 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 527,855 73,986 112,625 714,466 |
||||
| 15,819,747 | ||||
| 1,069,905 | ||||
| 16,889,652 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
17. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
| Expendable endowment Thornton-Smith Thornton-Smith Young People Wilfred Maurice Plevins Expendable endowment Thornton-Smith Thornton-Smith Young People Wilfred Maurice Plevins Total Unrestricted funds Permanent endowment Wilfred Maurice Plevins Total of funds |
Balance at 1 August 2021 £ 1,700,327 9,153,617 4,078,070 14,932,014 Balance at 1 August 2021 £ 398,919 52,755 100,342 552,016 15,484,030 1,069,905 16,553,935 |
Income £ (5,860) (31,491) (18,216) (55,567) Income £ 72,012 10,894 6,302 89,208 33,641 - 33,641 |
Gains/ (Losses) £ 21,134 113,549 65,689 200,372 Gains/ (Losses) £ - - - - 200,372 - 200,372 |
Balance at 31 July 2022 £ 1,715,601 9,235,675 4,125,543 15,076,819 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 31 July 2022 £ 470,931 63,649 106,644 641,224 |
||||
| 15,718,043 | ||||
| 1,069,905 | ||||
| 16,787,948 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
18. Summary of funds
Summary of funds - current year
| Balance at 1 August 2022 £ Expendable endowment 15,076,819 Unrestricted income 641,224 Permanent endowment 1,069,905 16,787,948 Summary of funds - prior year Expendable endowment Unrestricted income Permanent endowment |
Income £ - 366,513 - 366,513 Balance at 1 August 2021 £ 14,932,014 552,016 1,069,905 16,553,935 |
Expenditure £ (27,777) (293,271) - (321,048) Income £ (55,567) 89,208 - 33,641 |
Gains/ (Losses) £ Balance at 31 July 2023 £ 56,239 15,105,281 - 714,466 - 1,069,905 56,239 16,889,652 Gains/ (Losses) £ Balance at 31 July 2022 £ 200,372 15,076,819 - 641,224 - 1,069,905 200,372 16,787,948 |
Gains/ (Losses) £ Balance at 31 July 2023 £ 56,239 15,105,281 - 714,466 - 1,069,905 56,239 16,889,652 Gains/ (Losses) £ Balance at 31 July 2022 £ 200,372 15,076,819 - 641,224 - 1,069,905 200,372 16,787,948 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 31 July 2022 £ 15,076,819 641,224 1,069,905 16,787,948 |
||||
| Summary of funds - prior year | ||||
| Expendable endowment Unrestricted income Permanent endowment |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
19. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Analysis of net assets between funds - current year Endowment funds 2023 Unrestricted funds 2023 £ £ Fixed asset investments 1,056,845 15,112,327 Current assets 13,060 821,191 Creditors due within one year - (113,771) Total 1,069,905 15,819,747 Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year Endowment funds 2022 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ £ Fixed asset investments 1,056,845 15,076,819 Current assets 13,060 732,744 Creditors due within one year - (91,520) Total 1,069,905 15,718,043 20. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities 2023 £ Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) 45,465 Adjustments for: Losses on investments (308,516) Decrease in debtors 8,825 Increase in creditors 22,251 Interest receivable (2,757) Gains on investments - Net cash used in operating activities (234,732) |
Total funds 2023 £ 16,169,172 834,251 (113,771) 16,889,652 Total funds 2022 £ 16,133,664 745,804 (91,520) 16,787,948 2022 £ 33,641 (302,815) 72 9,513 (85) 12,671 (247,003) |
|---|---|
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Docusign Envelope ID: 64646D52-BD7F-4033-B6B2-194C405210C1
THORNTON-SMITH AND PLEVINS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
21. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
| Cash in hand Cash held by investment manager Total cash and cash equivalents |
2023 £ 762,548 515,350 1,277,898 |
2022 £ 665,276 1,157,048 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,822,324 |
22. Analysis of changes in net debt
| Cash at bank and in hand Cash held by investment manager |
At 1 August 2022 £ 665,276 1,157,048 1,822,324 |
Cash flows £ 97,272 (641,698) (544,426) |
At 31 July 2023 £ 762,548 515,350 1,277,898 |
|---|---|---|---|
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