STROUD DISTRicr COWLE MUSEUM IAL STATEMEKfs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Registered CbarAty Number: 1156849 SHINER MITCHELL FISHER & CO. LIMITED Accountants and Registered Alldfitors Smith House Gcorge Street Nai]swortb Stroud Glos GL6 OAG
TROUD DISTrICT COWLE MUSEUM FINANCIAL STATEMLYTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED H 2025 Ito4 Rert of th¢ Trustees Report of the tDdependent Examiner Incotne attd Expendittwe A¢count Stat¢mcnt of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 9tolO Notes to the Financial Statcmcnts
STROUD DISTRICT COWLE MLSEUM TRUSTEES) ANhlTAL REPORT Iby MAR The trustees present their annual report with the unauditrd fmancAal statements of the clwity for the year ended 31AI March 2025. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATtVE INFORMATION The assets and resources of the Clwity are used excI51Ve1Y in the wformance and fi]rthcrdnCe of Stroud Distric¢ (Cowle) Museum ('fhaTityI. The Charity is controlled by its Tnl Boart namely the following persons were in c(mtrol of the charity duTitig the year. A Bluett M Hearfield C Hale H Jcffrey A Lowery S Newton A Penn Th¢ day to day adn]ltratiOll of the Chlty was undertaka) by Mrs M Heatfi¢l4 who also acts a5 treasurer. The maiti agents for th¢ charity are: Coventry Building Soctety 43 King Street Stroud CCLA PO Box 12892 GL5 3DA CM6 9DL tndependent Examiner. Sbiner Mitchell Fisher & Co. Smith House George Street Nailsworth GL6 OAG STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are required to prepare fmancial ststements for each fLnancial year thai give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Chariry as at thc end of each fuclaI year aad of the net incoming and outgoing resources of the Charity for that period. The Trustees confirni that suitable accounting policies have been used and applied consistently and reasonably and prudent judgements and estimates bave been made in th¢ proaration of the fll)ancial statements for the yeaT ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees also Gonfum that applicable accouniing standards have been followed and th21 the statements hav¢ be¢n prepared on tbc going concern basis. The Tnte¢S are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the fitwicial posicion of the Chariry. They are also responsthle for safegdIllg the assets of the a]ariry and henc¢ for taking reasonable steps for the prcv¢lllion and d¢*ction of fraud and other irrcgularities.
STROUD DISTIUCT CONIE TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT MUSEUM coNrtNUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31sf MARCH 2025 rRUCTURL GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governin Document The Clwkry. whicb is a Charitsble Incorw)rated Organisation with registered chariry number: 1156849, is governed by its Constitution. RcLruilmcnt and A in(menl of Trnsi¢es Th¢ charity trustees for the purposes of charkty law are knovm as members of the Management Committee. Under these Tcquirenkents truste¢s are ¢l¢¢ted to serv¢ for a p¢riod of three years after which they must stand down and may offer themselves for re-election for a firther tenn (up to three tern]s). As a needs led charity. the Trustees are selected to offer a wide range of skills and experience that are of benefit to the £batity. Trnstees Induction and Trdinin All trustees are madc familiar with the work of the Cbarity and the requircmcnts of th¢ Charities ACL New trustc¢s take part in an indu¢tion pr(S ttwt intr(Mluc&s them to the PUTPOSC of the Charity and the workings of the museum. It covers: Th¢ obligations of trustees The main documcnts which set out the operational framewo for the charity The operation and management of the Museum in thc Parl and th¢ facilities provided for the storage of the Collection (provided by Stroud District Council) R&sour¢ing and the current financial position as set out in the latest published accounts Future plans and objectives Risk Mana ement The Trustecs, in conjunction with the Mus¢um Developnient Manager, have conducted a Teview of major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk register has been &stablisbed and i5 upjatcd at ]t annually. As the museum is owned and managed Stroud District Council they provide risk management for the vfflue and its visitors and for the storage of the Collcction. Where appropriate, systems or pr(ttdures have been established to rnitigate the risks the chariry faces. Internal Control risks are MInll by the in]plementation of procedure5 for authorisation of atl transactio and proj¢& sarional Structure The Illte¢s m¢¢t regularly and are respOble for the strategic direction and policy of the charity together with th¢ review of the various projects currendy being undertakeo. The Musewn Manager provkdes detailed reports on the MseUM.S previous quarter's activitie4 on ally additioos to. and disposals required from, the collection. and thc Mn'S own risk as5essmenc. OBJECTtVES AND ACTivrriES FOR THE PUBLIC BEIYEFIT The objective of thc clwity is to preserv¢, safeguard and showc&se the Cowle Couection of objects and specimens of antiquity, natural history, atl archaGolo8y and scicncc (including pictures. b(x)ks aud documcttts of educatio or scienttfic interest). The charity bas fonned a partnership with Stroud District Council (SDQ in order to complete the objectiv¢ and through this partnership SDC provide the facility known as the Museum-in-th¢-Part Stratford House. Stratford Park, Stroud to showcase and exhibit the collection. The councTI provides the managernent and operational funding for the musewn and th¢ Charity is the legal guardia_n_for the Coll¢Oion. As part of the partnership and in conjunction wlth the TrsteeS. it also allows for the collection to be c4Jnserved and maintained as required. t)ue to th¢ siz¢ of the collection any items not displayed are Safely stOTed and safeguarded by SDC.
STROUD DISTRICT COWLE TRUSTEES? ANNUAL REPORT MUSEUM COI4TINUED ISTM H202 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Following the end of the Lottcry Funded Agreun¢nt thc TnLSt signed a new collaboratiou agreement with Stroud District Council. The Council provid&s the management and operational funding for the Stroud District (Cowle) Museum Service (known as the Museum in the Park). The TnLSt has the legal title and guardianship of collections and rnanases donations and 8fdnts used for the museum's public progrdmmes and the upkeep of the collection. The selection and purchase of a modern collections nwiaganellt system bas begun - to b¢ funded by the Trust- which will substantially improve data managemen(. retrieval and acc to the wlder collections. The Annual Report of the past year's activitics can be fouad listed on the Home pagc of the Museum's website iiTrvw.rnuscuiiiintlie ark.oro.uk under the section caIled More About Us. FINANCIAL REVIEW The Tnt Is a not-for-profit charitable organisauon which relics for fidIng for its general activities on income from donations and investment iotcrest. The EnlerS regularty review the fancIal health of the tn and do not have any concerns in that respect. Investment Polic The Trust holds fijnds not imrnediatety required in a Coventy Building SoGtw accounL in a COTF Charities Investment Fund and in an investment portfolio managed by RBC Brewin Dolphin. These inveslments are also Tegularly reviewed by the Trustees. The Tntst aitDs to providc a long-terni totsl r¢wrn compromising growth in capitsl 2nd long.temi prntection from Infiatio in accordance with the UK Stewsrdship code. Reserves Poli Th¢ Tnte¢S have examined the It'S requirements for re5cry in the light of the main risks 10 the organisation. The reserves are held as a rolling fimd to be uscd as casbflow for each project &s and when requested by the PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS The Museum Service Annual Report for 2024-2025 highlights a year of growth, innovation. and deeper community ¢ngagement. With neaTly 55,WO visits, the mu5cum has moved beyond post-covid recovery, launching a new FoThvard Plan (2024-2029) that r¢sponds to global and local challenges such as clirnate cbangc, social inequality. and fmancial pSsUre$. The plan seL8 the stage for a major re-d&sign of the Museum in the Park, aiming to make it more inclusive and rq)resentative of Stroud District's diverse communities. Key developm¢nts included Tcvising the Collections Development Policy to fllS on unique local narrdtive4 acquiring items undcr the 'Missing Histories, ptogramme. and hQIng collaborative proiecAs 1C oral history worksbops anddisplays celebrating WittdTush families. The museum also continued its public engagement through exhibition4 wellbeing programmes, and accessil)ility initiatives. Highlights included the acclaitned Shirley Baker photogrdphy thibition and creative pmjects with mothers and young photographers. The museum won the Slow Trnv¢l Cotswolds Award and expanded its ¢af¢ menu In respons¢ to visitor requ¢sts. Volunfrers contributed over 4,500 hours, and partnerships supported inclusive activities such &$ sensory trails and neurodivergent-friendly se&sions. The MseuM began participation in the Museum Development Sws 'Growing Togeth& progran)me to embed Equality, Diversity and Inchtsion. 2025126 will see continued WOTk on thc 'Growing Togeth¢f pm8r8tnme. A significant change will be the )Dtroduction of a modern collections managemcnt system (o replace the 1990s-cra collections Access Datsb8sc. This wodt, funded by a generous bcquest lo the Cowle TTUSL will enable u5 to share morc of thc collcctions online. improve practices and general acc5. There will be initial preparatory work on re-design re-display of the There will b¢ firther developments under Local Government Reforni which will. in Eime, see all local authoriti in GRoucestersbire r¢pla¢¢d by a unitary authority. This will have a direct impact on the Museum. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chatity law requires themanagement Commirtee fo prja financial statements for each finaTJcial year that give a tru¢ and fair view of the state of affairs of th¢ Charity &s at balance sbeet datr and of the its Incoming resources and application of resource4 including iticotne and expenditure. for the fmancial y&qr. In preparation of those financial slatements, the Management Committee should follow best prdcticc and: Selcct suitablc accoullting policies and apply them consistently Make judgements and estinMtes that are reasonable prudenl and Prepare the finallcial Statnents on the going c(cern b&sis llnl it is inappropriate to assume that th charity will Continue on that basis
STROUD DISTRicf COWLE hfUSEUM TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT CONTINUED R THE YEAR ENDED 1ST MARCH 2025 The Management Committec is r¢sponsJl)le for maintatning proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accurncy at any titn¢ the fmancial position of the Charity and eJ]able them to ¢nsure that the financial statements comply with the Financial Rqyorting Standar&s. The Management Committre is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of th¢ Gharity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prcvffltion and detection of fraud and Oth irregularities. Members ofthe Mana ent Committee Members of the management committee who are trust foT th¢ purpose of charity law. who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page l. In accordance with charity law, as the charity'5 trustees, we certify that". So far &$ we are aware. thcre is no relevant information of which the charity's cxamincrs are unawarc. and As the Tnlee8 of thc charity wc have t&ken all the steps that we oughtto havctskcti in order to make ours Ives aware of any relcvant iftfomiation and kn &stablish thai the charity's exarniners are aware of th tion. Signe ofl Management Committee And w Bluctt
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STROUD DISTRICT (COWLE) MUSEUM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 R¢sp¢ctvYe rponSibl]itieS Df tTUStees And examiner The charity's tsust¢es are r¢spoDsibl¢ for the pr¢parati(m of the accounts. The charity's tsvstees consider Ihat an audit is nol required for this year under section 144(2) of the Clwitie5 Act 2011 (the 2011 Charities Act). and that an independent exarninafion is ne¢d. I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified rnmb¢r of the Chartered Association of C¢rtifi¢d Accountants. Having satisfied mY]f that the Charity is no( subject to audii under company law. or otherwise. and is eligible for independent examination, it is my rcspoDsibility to: • examine th¢ a¢Ullts under section 145 of the 2011 Charities ACL • to follow the procedures laid down in the general DItionS given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Charities ACL and • to state whether particular njattus have come to my attention. Basis ol indepeDdeDt eIaminer'$ statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commi&5ion. AD independent examination illcludcs a review of the accounting records kepi by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts preseDled with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the tr¢$ ¢onc¢ming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audiL and consequently no opinion is given &8 to whether the accounts present a 'twe and fair, view and the report ts limited to those matter5 sct out in the next statemcnL Independent ei2miDer's stalement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: . which gives me reasonable cause to believc that in any material respeci the requirements: • To keep accoull(ing rccords in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and • To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records. comply with the accountiDg requirements of section 396 of the Cothpaoies Act 2(M16 and with the methods and principlcs of the Statement of Reci)mmended Practice: Accoulltiog and Reporting by ChaTities have not been met or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention thould be drawn An order to eDable a proper uDd¢rswidmg ot'the accounts to be reached. 'Fthi ., lo 11 2oL( SHtNER MITCHELL FISHER & CO. LTD Independent Examiner Date Smith Housc George Strc¢t Nailsworth Stroud Glos GL6 OAG
STROUD DISTrICT COWLE MUSEUM INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOU YEAR ENDED 1ST MARCH 2025 Note 2025 2024 INCOME 31,444 53,390 EXPEI¥4DJTURE Admintstrative and operating expens&s Bank Charges 29,2(A) 24,572 NET INCOMtNG RESOURC 2.184 28.818 Int¢rest r¢c¢ivable SURPLUSIIDEFICIT) OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE BEFORE TAXATIOF4 12,700 37,814 Taxation RETAINED SURPLUSI(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR AFTER TAXATION
STROUD DISTRICT COWLE MUSEUM STATEMENT OF FLYANCIAL ACTIVITIES ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2 2025 Tot81 Funds 2824 Total Funds Note General FuDds Restricted Funds INCOME RESOURCES Donations Gift Aid Claim Plant Sales Funds from the Friends of the Museum terest Receivable 8.070 1.879 2295 192(K) 27.270 1.879 2295 49.700 1,899 1.791 io Totsl Income 62 EXPENDTTURE MaDaganent and admiaistration BatLk Charges Tota] expendirure io.oio 50 192(Kl 29,210 50 24,572 Net incoming resources before transfers Gro&s traDsf¢rs b¢twe¢n fund8 Nct tncomc 12,71J) 12,700 37,814 12.7(M) 12.700 37.814 Other Recogniscd GainsllLo&ses) Gainsl(Losses) on revaluation of Fixed Assets (1.611) (1,611) 40,879 Net Movement in Funds 11.089 11,089 78,693 Total funds brought forward 567 458 567 458 488 765 Total funds carried forward 57
STROUD DISTRICT COWLE MUSE BALANCE SHEET T 31ST MARCH 202 Note 2025 FIXED A&SETS Invesmients 385J32 386,943 CURRENT ASSETS Dcbiors Cash at bank and in hand 222 430 194 158 222.430 194,158 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 29 15 NET A&SETS 578 547 567 457 RFSERVES Restricted funds Gencral fillids 567 457 TOTAL FUNDS 567 457 The charity is entitled to exemption from audit for the year eDding 31" Marth 2Q25. The Charity's Constitution does not r¢quire the charity to obtain an audit of its fmancial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees acknowledge their rcsponsibiliries for. (a) ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records wbich cornply with the Cbaritics Act 2011 and (b) preparing fmancial stateftnents whicli give a true and fair View of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of each financial year and of its profit and loss for each financial year in accordance wi(h the requirements of the Act relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charity. The fmat statements on pages 5 to 10 were appn)ved by th¢ b02rd of TrTL8tees and sigtted on its beIlf by: ew Bluett Date ION25 Marion Hcarfi¢ld
STROUD DISTRICT COWLE MUSEUM NOTES TO THE FINAYCIAL STATEMENTS ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 I. ACCOUNTING POLICIES The principal accounting p)licies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied onsistently throughout the ye4r. Basls of accountlng The financial statements have been prepared in a¢¢ordan¢c with FinaD¢ial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable ID the UK and Republic ofireland" including the provision of Section IA "Srnall Entities" and the Statement of Recommcnded Pra¢tise: AOunting and Reporting by Charities issued in January 2019. Thc financial Sfatements hav¢ been prepared under the historical cost convention. Fund aeLounting Unrestricied filnds are available for use at the discretion of th¢ trustees in firtherance of the gene objectives of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earn)thed by the Management Conllnittee for particular purposes. Restricted funds are subjected to Testrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the ternis of an app¢al. Incoming resources All incoming r¢sourc¢s ar¢ included in Ihe statement of fancIal activities when th¢ chartty is entitled to th¢ incom¢ and th¢ amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The followtng specific policies arc app]i¢d to partEcular categoric5 of incotne. Voluntary income is received by vrdy of grants, donations aud gifts and is included in full in th¢ Stat¢m¢nt of Financial Activities wben receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on tbe deliv¢ry of a specifJc pcrfornlance by the charity, are recognised vthen the chariry bccomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. The value of donated services and facilities Provided by vohmteers has not bcen included in these accounts. InvestmeDt income is Includ wh¢n receivable. Incon]ing resources from tharitable trading activity ar¢ accounted for when earnoL Incoming resources from gran wbere related to perfonnance and specific dcliv¢rable4 are accountul for as the tharity arns the ri8h( to considetIon by its perfornw]cc. Resources eanded Expendlture is recognised on an accrnal basi5 as a liabillty is incurre(L Costs of generating funds are those costs incutr£d in attracting volwitsry inc(mie, and those incurred in trading activiti¢s tbat raise fimds. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in th¢ delivery of its activities and sttvices for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that cau be allocated directly to such activities and thos¢ costs of an indirect nature necwary to support them. G0vennCe costs include those costs a&sociad with meeting th¢ constitutional and statutory requirements nf the charity and include the andit fe&8 and c(xqLs linked kn the strategic management of th¢ charity. All costs are allocated between the ¢xp¢nditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are a]locaLed direcily, othcrs are apportiODed on an appropriate b&sis ¢g. Staff Gosts per time spent and other costs per their usagc. Taxatlon The Charity is a regisred charity and is not liable for any income. capital gains or Corporation eS on its cuTnt *¢tivities.
10. STROUD DISTRICT COWLE MUSEUM NOTES TO THE FtNAYCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR EhT)ED 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 Total 2024 Total General Restricted Plant Purchases Museum Equiptnent Donations Made Sundry office expenses 3.601 3,601 4,875 25,016 4.008 5,816 192(K) 11,923 293 3(X 293 300 3,466 300 Independent Examiners Fees No rcmunerdtion was rcceived by the TnleeS during the year. 3. CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year: 2025 2024 Cmlitors Accruals 28.615 13.344 4. ANALYSIS OF FUNDS 2024 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds General Funds Restrlcted Funds (a) Movement In funds At 181 April 2024 Net incomitigl(outgoing) r&sources At 31" Mxrch 2025 567,458 567.458 488,765 57 (b) Representadon of fuDd b21ances Fixed Asset Investments Cash and bank balanc¢s Current asscts Current liabilities 385,332 203,230 385.332 222.430 386.942 194,158 19,200 At 31" March 2025 57 57 5. OTHER NOTES The ¢lwity is the owner in perpetuity of two roollL8 at the School of Science and Art building at Lansdow Stroud. The asset W&8 dona¢¢d to the charity over l 00 ycars ago and is held ai its historic cost of £nil.