Kents Cavern Foundation
(CIO no. 1154561)
Annual Report of the Trustees
Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
Administrative Details:
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Charity Name Kents Cavern Foundation
Charity Number 1154561
Address Kents Cavern PrehistoricCaves
91 Ilsham Road
Torquay
TQ1 2JF
Trustees at Date Robert Cox
Report Approved Timur Gorman
James Hull
Elliot Ling (Appointed 4 [th] December 2024)
Adam Rippin (Appointed 16 [th] September 2025)
Other Trustees None
Serving During the
Year
Main Contact: Robert Cox
07376 009460
Rob@tudorhotels.co.uk
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Kents Cavern Foundation (CIO no. 1154561) Annual Report – 31[st] December 2024
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1. Structure, Governance and Management
Constitution, organisational structure, how Trustees are appointed, trained and how the charity’s decision making processes work.
1.1 GOVERNANCE
Four Trustees served throughout the year and we continue to seek new Trustees to strengthen the board up to the maximum permitted 12.
1.2 METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES
Potential Trustees are identified by assessing skill or capacity shortfalls amongst the existing Board. Recruitment is currently by word of mouth and personal recommendation. New Trustees are appointed to the board by a majority vote of the existing Trustees. Each Trustee serves for a minimum period of 3 years.
1.3 POLICIES ADOPTED FOR THE INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF TRUSTEES New Trustees have an initial meeting with the Chairman and given an Induction Pack which includes the Foundation’s constitution, latest Annual Report and statement of accounts.
1.4 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING
Decision-making of the Foundation is undertaken by the Board of Trustees at its meetings. Regular meetings take place between the Trustees and volunteers of the charity. The Board considers strategic matters and major practical issues affecting the work of the Foundation, agrees budgets and key initiatives, and sets priorities and timetables for future developments.
1.5 RISK MANAGEMENT
Risk management is regularly reviewed by the Trustees and considered by the charity’s staff. The charity has adopted and follows relevant risk management procedures of Kents Cavern Ltd in respect of capital and financial investments, safeguarding, employing and paying staff, overseeing and managing volunteers, and handling complaints.
1.6 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Trustees have a policy to prevent conflicts of interest arising between Trustees, the charity’s volunteers and staff and objectives of the charity.
2. Aims and objectives of the charity
2.1 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The principle aims of the charity are to conserve the prehistoric underground caves at Kents Cavern and surrounding area covered by the Scheduled Ancient Monument listing and the SSSI designation; to advance the education of the general public by providing learning packs, sessions and activities focused on the prehistory and geological heritage of the site; facilitating and coordinating scientific research and educational activities.
3. Financial review
Including policy on reserves
Kents Cavern Foundation (CIO no. 1154561) Annual Report – 31[st] December 2024
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3.1 POLICY ON RESERVES
The Trustees have a policy to maintain cash reserves of at least 3 months’ running costs.
3.2 PRINCIPAL FUNDING
Income during the year was from donations collected by Kents Cavern Ltd’s online ticketing system and an individual donation.
3.3 ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE AND FUTURE PLANS
Donations are collected via the Kents Cavern online ticketing system to boost the charity’s reserves. The remit of the charity remains a commitment to the conservation of the caverns and advancement of education at the caves, all of which was undertaken by the owners of the heritage asset, Kents Cavern Ltd, during the year. The income will be spent on conservation projects in 2024.
4. Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others
Description of the asset, the name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held, and details of the arrangements for safe custody and segregation of the asset from charity own
4.1 CUSTODIAN OF FUNDS OF OTHERS
The Foundation does not hold any reserves or funds for others.
5. Public benefit statement
A statement from Trustees confirming they have complied with their duty.
5.1 PUBLIC BENEFIT
The Trustees have reviewed the activities of the charity in the light of the guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The Trustees are satisfied that the Foundation’s activities are for the public benefit, relating as they do to the conservation of the environment and heritage of the cavern and the advancement of education. This benefits the community in maintaining an important prehistoric heritage site and environmental asset for the enjoyment of local people and visitors to the area.
For and on behalf of the Board of Trustees
Chair of Trustees Date: 16[th] October 2025
Kents Cavern Foundation (CIO no. 1154561) Annual Report – 31[st] December 2024
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Kents Cavern Foundation CIO no: 1154561
Formed and registered with Charity Commission on 12 November 2013
Accounts for 12 month period ended 31 December 2024
Basis of preparation: Receipts and payments
| Project Digging Deeper General KCF Account T Williams Fund £ £ £ Balance Brought Forward - 2,658.47 - Income: From Kents Cavern (Ticketing - 1,425.16 - Donation from Totnes U3A Lecture - - - Donation from BasecampResearch - 57.53 - |
Total £ 2,658.47 1,425.16 - 57.53 1,482.69 404.36 480.00 - - - 884.36 598.33 |
2023 £ 3,875.20 676.83 20.00 - |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Income - 1,482.69 - |
696.83 | ||
| Spending: Cataloguing Of Artifacts - 404.36 - Accountancy Costs - 480.00 - Accommodation costs for Raking Light – Cave Graffiti research - - - Prehistoric technologist for Stone Age Coast – Geopark Festival Week - - - 3 x educationpromotional films - - - |
- - 819.00 679.56 415.00 |
||
| Total Spending - 884.36 - |
1,913.56 | ||
| Net Income / (Loss) After Spending - 598.33 - |
(1,216.73) | ||
| Funds Carried Forward | 3,256.80 | 2,658.47 | |
| Represented By: Balance at Bank Liability To Kents Cavern Ltd Petty Cash Balance |
4,073.71 (884.36) 67.45 3,256.80 |
2,591.02 - 67.45 2,658.47 |
Accounts Approved By: 16[th] October 2025
Chair of Trustees
Kents Cavern Foundation (CIO no. 1154561) Annual Report – 31[st] December 2024
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