The Williamson's new year began with the launch of Borough of Culture at the gallery and an exhibition by local photographer Craig Easton, whose show, “is Anybody Listening ,“ explored the struggles of families in Lancashire Towns in the late twentieth century and the identity of communities there now. He had worked with young photographers and their show , supported by Friends, was part of this larger show. Craig gave Friends an excellent talk on his work. This was followed by the Lowry travelling exhibition of L S Lowry’s famous “Going To The Match”, visiting WAG for the second time. Kirsty, the exhibitions officer, put together an excellent accompanying exhibition from our collection and Friends were given a talk by our marketing officer, Julia . Once again Spring brought the Williamson Open into the galleries and despite the increased entry charge , the selection panel had a wide choice of entries and the show was its usual success . The other usual annual event ,the Wirral Society of Arts Members Exhibition, did not in fact take place at WAG, but relocated to Mayer Hall. This was a lovely, if smaller ,space but we do hope to see them back in the gallery . However, the gallery was able to host another Makefest in June and that was a wonderful event ,showcasing across the gallery and Birkenhead Library local makers their work and techniques. A gap in the programme for the year allowed the expansion of a planned exhibition “Into the Wyld” . This was curated by Material Matters , a local collective of artists, who over three months put on three connected exhibitions , using a wide range of media and inspired by the medieval poem “ Gawain and the Green Knight”. It would be fair to say these exhibitions sometimes divided the room, but it was an excellent opportunity for local artists, such as the Weavers and Landlines to collaborate on a theme and exhibit their works both traditional , experiential and performance. The curators of each part gave Friends a talk and each talk was enthusiastic , generously long and really helped to explain the ideas behind the less obvious works. Thank you, Patric ,John and Angelo. Accompanying these exhibitions, Alison Bailey Smith’s recent beautiful jewellery work was on display in the foyer and cafe and was much admired. The Priory events and activities detailed later in this report, continued to thrive and enjoy the continuing enthusiasm of its staff and volunteers. During this year, Wirral BC awarded a large sum from the regeneration fund to the Priory with the idea that improvements be made to the site, especially the Undercroft. The Friends’ activities took place as usual. We had our usual stall at the History and Heritage Fair now at Hulme Hall,Port Sunlight. We had several trips one local two father afield. The gardening team continued to attend weekly or fortnightly on a monday to look after the green gallery garden. Unfortunately ,two of the birch trees have had to be taken out, but they were declared disease free so we have fingers crossed on the others. It continues to be a lovely outside space, if a little underused ( although it was a poor summer!). Sadly during this year the gallery lost two key members of staff; Niall Hodson, the Curator, left and then so did the Exhibitions Officer , Kirsty Hill. We wish them well. Even more unfortunately, by the end of this year, neither role had been filled and a Council spending freeze made matters more difficult. This obviously put a strain on an already depleted workforce . For these upcoming exhibitions, Friends have agreed to pay for the restoration of some of the Steer frames and new frames for a couple of drawings by Albert Richards, war artist and the subject of another planned exhibition for 2025. Finally can I thank all the Trustees for their support during the year. Thanks to Susanne Christian our membership secretary for her tireless management of our membership list. Thanks to Mike Studley and Corinne Whitham for organising the trips and to Corinne for managing the Facebook page and the mail outs. Thanks to Alison Bailey Smith for the newsletter and this report and thanks to Jean Benfield for being minute secretary . A big thank you to Jane Horton our Treasurer. We have finally found a replacement in Ann Bibby , and the handover is planned for after the AGM. Jane has long been asking to be replaced and her patience is much appreciated. We welcome Ann in her new role when she takes over. Finally, thanks to the members, for their continued support in difficult times. Mary Compton-Rickett Chair. Charity registration number 1166363 (England and Wales) WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Charlty Members Miss. M. Compton-Ri¢kgtt Mrs. J. Horton Mr. D. Ainsley Mr. J. Southwood Mrs. C. Whitham Mrs. E. Heritage Mr. Mi¢h8el Studley Charity number (England and Wales) 1166363 Indep8nd&nt oxamlnor Horner Downey & Company Limited 10 stadium Court Stsdium Road Bromborough United Kingdom CH62 3RP WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS CONTENTS Page Charity Members, report Independent examiner's report Statement of financial activities Stalernenl of financial position Notes lo the financial statements 5-10 WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS CHARITY MEMBERS, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 The Charity members present Ihgir annual report and financial slalemenls for the year ended 31 O¢tober 2024. The financial slalements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies sel out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's goveming document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Fin8nci81 Reporting Sl8nd8rd 8ppIIc8ble in the UK Republic of Irel8nd' and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Ch8rilies'. Slalemenl of Recommended Pr8cli¢e applicable to ¢h8rities preparing their 8¢counts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and R8public of Ireland IFRS 1021.. Objectives and activities Thg charills objects are lo promote, support, assist and improve the Williamson Art Gallery and Wirral Museums, and their cultural and educational aclivilies. The charity members have paid due regard lo guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. Achiev•m8nts and pèrformancè Financial review 11 is the policy of the charity that unreslricled funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to bebNeen three and six month's expenditure. The charity members consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to Continue the charity's Current activities while consideration is given lo ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintsined throughout the year. The charity members have assessed the major risks lo which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in pla￿ lo mitigate exposure lo the major risks. Structure. governance and management The charity members who served during the year and up lo the date of signature of the financial stslemenls were.. Miss. M. Complon-Ri¢kett Mrs. J. Horton Mr. D. Ainsley Mr. J. Southwood Mrs. C. Whitham Mrs. E. Heritage Mr. Mi¢h8el Sludley The Charity members, report was approved by the Board of Charity Members. Miss. M. Compton41ickett Chairman D8led'. WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE CHARITY MEMBERS OF WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS I report to the charity mgmbgrs on my examinaty'on of the financial stslgmenls of Williamson and Priory Friends (the charity) for the yèar ended 31 Octobèr 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity members of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of th8 financial statements in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Charities Act 2011. Independent examinerfs statement Your attention is drawn lo the fact that the charity has prepared the financial slalemenls in accordance with the relevant version of the Slalemenl of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their financial slalernenls in a¢cordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred lo in the extant regulations bul has now been withdrawn. l understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Geneolly Accepted Accounting Practi￿. I have corllpleted rny examination. I confirm that no matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the ¢harily as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011. the financial statements do not accord with those records., or the financial slalemenls do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of financial slalemenls sel out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial slalements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other rnatters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the finanaal statements to be reached. Horner Downey & Company Limited 10 Stadium Court Stadium Road Bromborough CH62 3RP United Kingdom Date.. WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 Unre$trlctèd Re$trlct•d funds funds 2024 2024 Total Unre$lrlctèd funds 2023 Restrlcted funds 2023 Total 2024 2023 Notes Income from- Donations and legaciès Charitable activities 11,749 11,749 7,970 7,970 960 960 4,042 500 4,542 Total in¢ome 12,709 12,709 12,012 500 12,512 Expenditure on: Charitsble activities Unrestricted funds expenditure 5,792 40 5,832 11,133 60 11,193 Total expendilu 5,792 40 5,832 11,133 60 11,193 Nat Income and movament in funds 6,917 1401 6,877 879 440 1,319 Reconciliation of funds.. Fund balances al 1 November 2023 23,170 10,739 33,909 22,291 10,299 32,590 Fund balances at 31 October 2024 30,087 10,699 40,786 23,170 10,739 33,909 The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION ASAT31 OCTOBER 2024 2024 2023 Notes Currènt assèts Cash at bank and in hand 41,350 34,449 Current liabilities 10 15641 15401 Nel current assets 40,786 33,909 Income funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 11 10.699 30,087 10,739 23,170 40,786 33,909 The financial statements were approved by the Charity Members on Miss. M. Compton-Rickett Chairman WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 Aecountlng pollcl¢$ Charity inforniation Williamson and Priory Frignds is a Charitable In¢orporaled Organisation ICIOI. 1.1 Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document. the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. and the Charities SORP "A¢¢ounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Pra¢ti applicable to charities preparing their accounts in a¢cordan¢e with the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republi¢ of Ireland IFRS 1021.. The ¢harity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The charily has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a stalement of cash flows. The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a tnje and fair view. This departure has involved following the Ststement of Recommended Pra¢ti¢e for Charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Ststement of Recommended Pra¢li¢e which is referred lo in the Regulations bul which has since been withdrawn. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial slalemenls are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, Imodified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair valuel. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Going concèrn Al the time of approving the financial statements, the charity members have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources lo continue in operational existence for the foreseeatile future. Thus the charity members continue to adopt the going con￿￿ basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 1.3 Charitable funds Unrestri¢ted funds are available for use at the discretion of the charity members in furtheran￿ of their Charitable objectives. Restricted fLJnds are subject to specific conditions by donors or granlors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. Endowment funds are subject lo specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity. 1.4 Income Income is recognised when the ¢h8rity is legally entitled lo it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can b& mgasured reliably, and il is probable that income will be received. Cash donations are re¢ognised on re¢eipt. Other donations are re¢ognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions reqLJire deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relatlDn to donabons received under GIft￿d or deeds of covenant is recognised at the b'me of Ihe donation. Legacies are recognised on receipt or othenmise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset. WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 Accounting policies Icontinuedl 1.5 Expendituro Resources expended during the year are categorised depending on the charitable activity for which they are incurred. These resources ensure the charity's continuous activity and can be subcategorised further between staffing costs and cost of materials, which are the most prominent resources expended. 1.6 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-tem liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. Basic financial a55ets Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances, are initially measLJred at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value ol the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. Basi¢ financial liabilities Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction pri￿ unless the arrangement conslitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measLJred at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not arnortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Trade payables are obligations lo pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-currenl liabilities. Trade payables are recognised initially al transaction price and subsequently measured al amortised cost using the effective interest method. Dergcognltlon of financlal Ilabllltlgs Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's conlraclual Dbligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. 1.7 Employ90 bonèflts The cost of any unused holiday enlillemenl is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide lerminalion benefits. Critical accounting estimates and judgements In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the charity members are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions aboLJt the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other Sour￿$. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experien￿ and other fartors that are Considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The esb'mates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimale is revised where Ihe revision affects only that period, or in Ihe period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both currenl and future periods. WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 Donatlons and legacle$ Unrestricted fund$ Total 2024 2023 Donations and gifts Membership fees 5,111 6,638 1,451 6,519 Charitable activities Unrèstrlcted Unrèstrlct8d Charltabl• Charltablè Income Income 2024 2023 Admin Priory Hosting previews Visits 500 2,268 269 1,505 960 960 4,542 Analys1$ by fund Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 960 4,042 500 WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 Charltabl• aetlvltl•s Unrestricted Unrestricted Funds Funds Expenditure Expenditure 2024 2023 Admin expenses Membership expenses Priory expenses Gallery purchases Hosting previews expenses Publicty Visits expenses BAFTA gala expenses Garden expenses Stained glass windows 2,308 2,505 574 2,923 90 574 1,560 1,573 800 344 250 876 1,549 1,020 5,772 11,193 5,772 11,193 An8lysi$ by fund Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 5,732 40 11,133 60 5,772 11,193 For the year ended 31 October 2023 Unreslricled funds Restricted funds 11,133 60 11,193 Net movement in funds 2024 2023 The net movement in fvnds is stated after chargingllcredilingl.. Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial stalements 564 540 Charlty Membèrs None of the Charity members lor any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year. WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 Employ•es The average monthly nuTllber of employees during the year was.. 2024 Number 2023 Number Totsl There ware no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000. Taxatlon The charity is exempl from tsxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitsble purposes. 10 Current liabilities 2024 2023 Accruals and deferred incorne 564 540 11 Restricted funds The restricted funds of the charty comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. At1 Novèmbèr 2023 Incomlng rasourcas Rèsourcès At 31 October •xp8nd&d 2024 General fLJnds 10,739 1401 10,699 Pr•vlous year: At1 Novèmbèr 2022 In¢omlng rèsourcès Rosour¢os At 31 October èXP8nd&d 2023 General funds 10,299 500 1601 10,739 WILLIAMSON AND PRIORY FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 12 Unr•strlctsd funds The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific condition5 by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been sel aside out of unrestricted funds by the Iruslees for specific purposes. At1 November 2023 Incoming resources Resources At 31 October expended 2024 General funds 23,170 12,709 15,7681 30,111 Previous year: At1 November 2022 Incoming resources Resources At 31 October expended 2023 General funds 22,291 12,012 111,1331 23,170 13 Analysis of net assèts b8tw&on funds Unrestricted funds 2024 Restricted funds 2024 Total 2024 At 31 October 2024.. Current 8ssetsllli8bililiesl 30,087 10,699 40,786 30,087 10,699 40,786 Unrestricted funds 2023 Restricted funds 2023 Total 2023 At 31 October 2023.. Current assetsllliabilitiesl 23,170 10,739 33,909 23,170 10,739 33,909 14 Related party transactions There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year12023 none). 10-