CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
CHAIRMAN’S TRUST
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED
31 AUGUST 2025
Registered Charity Number 1155247
The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2024/25 Financial Statements
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| ADMINISTRATIVE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Name | The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust |
| Status | Registered charity (number 1155247) |
| Principal Ofce | 7-8 Rossmore Business Village, Inward Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 3EY |
| Charity Objects | To support the advancement of educaton through short term residental learning |
| outside the classroom for fnancially 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 beneft | |
| and are happy that the trusts objectves support this. |
| Trustees | Cllr Robert Bisset - 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 | |
| Eleanor Johnson (ex-ofcio) | |
| Emma Drew – Nominated by CWAPH | |
| No CWASH appointed representatve – Vacancy | |
| Santander – Bootle Road, Bootle L30 4GB | |
| Bankers | |
| Due to the level of gross annual income the accounts are not subject to | |
| Auditors | independent examinaton. The formal appointment of external auditors is not |
| required. |
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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2024/25 Financial Statements
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity has adopted the following trustee model:
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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.
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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.
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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 2024 and August 2025, the Chairmans Trust approved a total of 113 primary school applications and 1 secondary school applications. Students visited outdoor centres in Shropshire, Cheshire, Conway, Lake District as well as visiting London and France
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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2024/25 Financial Statements
A sample of the evaluations following the funded trips shows how the investment made in the pupils has proved worthwhile:
In the Imperial War Museum i learnt about World War Two and i saw some of the uniforms and weapons and vehicles and how people used to live in war times. People made shelters in their kitchens under tables.
I enjoyed the London Eye and learnt about London. I have never been to London before and enjoyed all the places we went to and liked being with all my friends.
We looked at badger holes, but we didn't find any badgers, I think it was too cold as it was freezing and snowing.
We learnt about welly eaters - they catch your wellies.
I learnt to not miss my mum as much as I thought I was going to and that the hill I was worrying about walking up was not as bad as I thought.
I learnt that you don't know if you don't like it if you don't try.
When I was on my residential trip I learnt how to pack my sleeping bag before and after the trip. While I was preparing to do the high ropes, abseiling and rock climbing I leant to be resilient, be brave and to make sure I have done my safety checks with an instructor. I quickly became more independent and loved the outdoors. I overcame my fears of heights and enjoyed doing problem solving with my friends.
My greatest challenge was the obstacle course the tires were so hard but it was so worth it i real liked it but i was so muddy!!!
Yes, I have now been on my first sleepover ever and I have learnt things about the forest that I did not know before.
I will be asking my mum to go to Delamere because I like spending more time out.
I've changed since my visit because I’m more confident to do things that I put my mind to and ever since the residential i push myself more and go on more walks to be at one with nature.
I kind of lost the fear of heights after doing the high ropes, it was surprisingly fun!
I've started talking to people that i would never normally talk to and I've even started to go outside a lot more
Before the trip, I didn’t realise how much I could do on my own, but now I feel so much more confident and independent.
When I first saw the giant swing I felt scared and nervous but I was so happy when I completed it.
I am more independent now and i am more willing to give new things a try.
Abseiling as it looked so high and scary until the instructor showed me I was safe with the harness. I just did it then and I enjoyed it.
My greatest challenge was working with a group of children I don't normally play with.
I did some pond dipping and saw some interesting bugs. I worked with my friends to build a den.
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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2024/25 Financial Statements
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The trust held reserves of £22,198.73 at the start of the accounting period and these had increased to £26,042.52 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 £26,042.52
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 2025. 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 2024/25 Financial Statements
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statement of Financial Actvites for the fnancial year ended 31 August 2025
| INCOM E Notes School Donatons and Grants Other Donatons and Grants Bank Interest (reimbursement of charges) Total Incoming Resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Grants to Schools Administraton Expenses Total Resources Expended Net (Outgoing)/Incoming Resources Fund balances brought forward at 1st September 2024 Fund balances carried forward at 31st August 2025 |
2024/25 2023/24 2174.00 0.00 13600.00 196.00 0.00 0.00 |
|---|---|
| 15774.00 £196.00 |
|
| 11895.21 18671.14 35.00 35.00 |
|
| £11930.21 £18706.14 |
|
| £3843.79 -£18510.14 £22198.73 £40708.87 |
|
| £26042.52 £22198.73 |
| Balance Sheet as at 31 st August 2025 Notes TOTAL 2025 £ TOTAL 2024 £ ASSETS Cash at the Bank and in Hand 26042.52 22198.73 LIABILITIES 0 0 Net Assets £26042.52 £22198.73 THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Restricted 0 0 Unrestricted 26042.52 22198.73 Total Funds £26042.52 £22198.73 |
Balance Sheet as at 31 st August 2025 Notes TOTAL 2025 £ TOTAL 2024 £ ASSETS Cash at the Bank and in Hand 26042.52 22198.73 LIABILITIES 0 0 Net Assets £26042.52 £22198.73 THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Restricted 0 0 Unrestricted 26042.52 22198.73 Total Funds £26042.52 £22198.73 |
|---|---|
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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2024/25 Financial Statements
Notes to the accounts for the fnancial year ended 31 August 2025
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and with applicable accounting standards.
1. Accounting Policies
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The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below:
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a. Basis for preparation of the Financial Statements. The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention.
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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.
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c. Incoming Resources are recognised in the period received.
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d. Expenditure is charge on a cash basis.
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e. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of expenditure for which it was incurred
2. Donations
- £2174 paid in were refunds from schools where the funding had not been needed due to pupils not attending planned residentials and £13,600 was received in donations from various sources
3. Charitable expenditure
- £11895.21 was awarded between 118 pupils across Cheshire West and Chester between September 2024 to August 2025. £35 was paid to Information Commissioner’s Office for the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Totalling £11930.21
4. Funds of the charity
| Balance | Incoming | Balance | Balance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sept | Resource | Resources | 31 Aug | 31 Aug | |
| 2025 | s | Expended | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted Funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unrestricted | 26042.52 | 15844.00 | 11543.21 | 26042.52 | 22198.73 |
| Total | 26042.52 | 15844.00 | 11543.21 | 26042.52 | 22198.73 |
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The Cheshire West and Chester Chairman’s Trust 2024/25 Financial Statements
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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