2024-08-31-accounts - The Cheshire West And Chester Chairman's Trust

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CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER

CHAIRMAN’S TRUST

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED

31 AUGUST 2024

Registered Charity Number 1155247

The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2023/24 Financial Statements

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Name The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust Status Registered charity (number 1155247) Principal Office 7-8 Rossmore Business Village, Inward Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 3EY Charity Objects To support the advancement of education through short term residential learning outside the classroom for financially disadvantaged school age children residing or being educated within in the borough of Cheshire West and Chester. The trustees have due regard to the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit and are happy that the trusts objectives support this.

Trustees	Cllr Robert Bissett - Deputy Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Borough
	Council
	Cllr Richard Beacham - Deputy Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Borough
	Council
	Michael McCann – Nominated by CWASSH
	Cllr Eleanor Johnson (ex-officio)
	Emma Drew – Nominated by CWAPH
	No CWASH appointed representative
Bankers	Santander – Bootle Road, Bootle L30 4GB
Auditors	Due to the level of gross annual income the accounts are not subject to
	independent examination. The formal appointment of external auditors is not
	required.

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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2023/24 Financial Statements

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity has adopted the following trustee model:

Ex-officio trustees – the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council shall, for the time being, be automatically a charity trustee for as long as he or she holds that office.
Nominated trustees – the Cheshire West Associations of Secondary Head Teachers, Primary Head teachers and Special School Head Teachers shall each nominate a trustee. Apart from the first charity trustees, each appointment must be for a term of 2 years effective from 1 September.
Appointed trustees – at least one but not more than 3 appointments shall be made. Apart from the first charity trustees, individuals must be appointed for a term of 2 years and by resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the trust.

The charity trustees will make available to each new trustee, on or before their appointment a copy of the current constitution and a copy of the latest Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. Induction f new trustees will take place in order to ensure familiarity with the charity’s aims. A training programme for new trustees shall be followed to ensure that new trustees understand their responsibilities and accountabilities as laid out in the constitution of the charity and as enshrined in the wider statutory and regulatory framework.

The Chairman shall chair meetings of the charity trustees. In the absence of the chairman, the Deputy Chairman shall chair the meeting.

Any decision may be taken either at a meeting of the trustees or by resolution in writing or electronic form agreed by all of the trustees.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The Trust's purpose is to develop self-sufficient, resourceful young people by supporting learning outside the classroom.

Funding is specifically for families suffering hardship, who are often working and not entitled to other funding such as pupil premium or universal credit, sit on the threshold and are significantly disadvantaged – whose children would not be able to access the opportunity without support.

The Trust aims to develop resilience and promote a culture of success and opportunity for children who will later go on to become adults who add value to the community where they have grown up. Providing young people with opportunities that have given them high aspirations, levelling the playing field between rich and poor to ensure that every child becomes the best they can be. We know that children with high aspirations strive for higher achievement in life, hopefully improving social mobility and improving their life chances

Between September 2023 and August 2024, the Chairmans Trust approved a total of 121 primary school applications and 6 secondary school applications. Students visited outdoor centres in Shropshire, Cheshire, Conway and the Lake District. They’ve visited London,York, Madrid and Cambodia

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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2023/24 Financial Statements

A sample of the evaluations following the funded trips shows how the investment made in the pupils has proved worthwhile:

I have improved my vocabulary from listening to tourists and tour guides and learning. I have also learnt about how to manage to be alone without my parents to help me

I learnt if I am afraid of something then I can do it as they encourage you to give things a try. I learnt how to do rock climing and kayaking as I have never done it before and I really like kayaking.

I learnt how to overcome being a little nervous at doing things to keep trying my best and never give up.

I learnt some Welsh and that I'm really good at canoeing. I can't wait to do it again.

I learnt to climb, make dens and fire. I had fun in archery. I really enjoyed singing songs around the camp fire and toasting marshmallows. I learn that I enjoy helping others. After we had our meals, I had to clear the plates and cutlery. I had a certificate for being so helpful

I had a lot of fun. I took part in climbing, archery, games, den building and making fire. I was really excited to stay over. It was my first time away from my mum and dad. I loved the campfire and watching a film before bedtime.

I learnt so much. I took part in climbing and abseiling and loved it. I couldn't wait to climb higher and higher. When I got to the bottom after abseiling it felt amazing. I couldn't believe I had done it. Everyone was so proud of me and say my smile was beaming.

Cliff climbing was my greatest challenge, I was worried about falling. I did it and just looked where I was going step by step, it was fun in the end.

Going into deep water when we went Kayaking was scary but I saw others doing it and they were ok, so I did it and said to myself "you only live once"!

I can't wait for the next trip and will be more confident being away from my family.

Now when I do new things I feel more confident about giving it a try not like before I would be too nervous to try.

I'm more excited and I'm really happy that I overcame my fears of going on the trip!

I learnt many skills such as the creation of water pots, chicken coops and more. I had to learn basic carpentry skills such as using tools effectively. I have also learn life skills such as living independently for a month and creating bonds with new people. I have also learnt to appreciate the value of the work we completed as you could see the impact in real time.

My language skills increased vastly due to communications with native speakers in a laid back format. Also my cultural knowledge grew as well with things such as the lifestyle being really inspiring to me. One last thing was my relationship with my classmates improved much also due to the social aspects of the trip.

I have become more open and I truly believe the trip helped me. I have since left school and started work as a dental nurse. I would also like to add that without the help from the trust I wouldn't have been able to go on this once in a life trip and for this I thank you it has changed my life for the better

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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2023/24 Financial Statements

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The trust held reserves of £40,203.67 at the start of the accounting period and these had decreased to £22,198.73 at the end of the accounting period.

The assets of the trust reflect the balance held at bank at the end of the accounting period and this totals £22,198.73

The trust had no outstanding liabilities at the end of the accounting period.

POLICIES

Investment policy

In determining the level of funds that are available to invest, the trustees have considered the amount of expected income, costs of running the charity and the likely level of grants to be awarded to current and future beneficiaries. No investments were made in the accounting period ended 31 August 2023. The trustees will need to develop an investment policy in future years to manage surplus funds.

Reserves policy

The availability of reserves to the charity enables it to fund the desired level of grant awards. A reserve of £20,000 has been agreed.

Grant making policy

Applications are invited from disadvantaged children from schools within the borough for grant aid towards the cost of board and lodgings for residential visits organised by the schools themselves.

RISK MANAGEMENT

There are currently no risks to which the charity is exposed. Grants are not allowed without sufficient funds available for disbursement. Any future risks will be reviewed and systems and processes will be established to manage those risks.

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILIITES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The trustees must comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 with regard to the keeping of accounting records, the preparation and scrutiny of statement of accounts and to the preparation of annual reports and returns. The statement of accounts, reports and returns must be sent to the Charity Commission within ten months of the financial year end.

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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2023/24 Financial Statements

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Financial Activities for the

financial year ended 31 August 2024

INCOME Notes School Donations and Grants Other Donations and Grants Bank Interest (reimbursement of charges) Total Incoming Resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Grants to Schools Administration Expenses Total Resources Expended Net (Outgoing)/Incoming Resources Fund balances brought forward at 1st September 2022 Fund balances carried forward at 31st August 2024	2023/24 2022/23 0.00 0.00 196.00 4809.00 0.00 0.00
	196.00 £4809.00
	18671.14 14575.15 35.00 35.00
	£18706.14 £14610.15
	-£18510.14 -9801.15 £40708.87 £50510.02
	£22198.73 £40708.87

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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2023/24 Financial Statements

Balance Sheet as at 31[st] August 2024

Notes ASSETS Cash at the Bank and in Hand LIABILITIES Net Assets THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Restricted Unrestricted Total Funds	TOTAL 2024 £ TOTAL 2023 £ 22198.73 40708.87 0 0
	£22198.73 £40708.87
	0 0 22198.73 50510.02
	£22198.73 £50510.02

Notes to the accounts for the financial year ended 31 August 2024

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and with applicable accounting standards.

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below:

a. Basis for preparation of the Financial Statements. The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention.
b. Funds Structure

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or trust deed. There are currently no restricted funds.

Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds could include designated funds were the trustees, at their discretion, to create for a specific purpose.

c. Incoming Resources are recognised in the period received.
d. Expenditure is charge on a cash basis.
e. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of expenditure for which it was incurred

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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2023/24 Financial Statements

2. Donations

£196 paid in were refunds from schools where the funding had not been needed due to pupils not attending planned residentials

3. Charitable expenditure

£18671.14 was awarded between 127 pupils across Cheshire West and Chester between September 2023 to August 2024. £35 was paid to Information Commissioner’s Office for the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Totalling £18706.14

4. Funds of the charity

	Balance			Balance	Balance
	1 Sept	Incoming	Resources	31 Aug	31 Aug
	2024	Resources	Expended	2024	2023
	£	£	£	£	£
Restricted Funds	0	0	0	0	0
Unrestricted	22198.73	196.00	18706.14	22198.73	40708.87
Total	22198.73	196.00	18706.14	22198.73	40708.87

5. Transactions and Trustee Emoluments

No remuneration or expenses were paid to the trustees during the period.

6. Independent/Auditor Examination

As the average annual gross income of the Trust is not between £25,000 and £500,000 the accounts are not required to be independently examined.

Approved by the Trustees

ROBERT BISSET Chairman

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