The Steyning Museum Trust
Trustees’ Report and unaudited Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2025
Registered Charity number 1169540
The Steyning Museum Trust
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present their report together with the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ (FRS102) in preparing the annual report and accounts of the Charity.
1. Charitable Objects
The objects of the Charity are:-
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(1) To maintain Steyning Museum for the public display of material evidence which illustrates the local history of Steyning and its adjacent parishes (Ashurst, Botolphs, Bramber, Upper Beeding and Wiston) for the delight, interest and to advance the education, of the public
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(2) To care for and conserve the museum collection and develop it as appropriate
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(3) To interpret the collection for the education of people of all ages and levels of ability
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(4) To promote research to understand the collection and associated local history and make the results of the research accessible
2. Structure, Governance and Management
Structure
The trust is a charity governed by its Constitution which was adopted 16 October 2016, as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It has a Registered Charity number of 1169540.
Trustees
The Trustees who served during the year were:Russell Bowman Paul Norris Muriel Wright Nick Quinn Rachel Rainbow Barbara Chandler Susan Johnson (appointed 12 February 2025)
3. Trustees’ Responsibilities for the Financial Statements
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to Charities in England & Wales/Northern Ireland requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Steyning Museum Trust
Trustees’ Report
4. Financial Review
Overview of Accounts Results
The Charity had an operating surplus of £112,418 (2024: £28,356) for the year.
Net assets at the year end were £443,914 (2024: £331,496) and included working capital of £434,946 (2024: £321,477).
Trustees’ Responsibilities for the Financial Statements
The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
5. Risk Management
The Trustees regularly review the risks to which the Charity is exposed, including those related to the finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the exposure to such risks.
6. Reserves
The Trustees hold sufficient reserves to meet the charitable and administrative expenditure for foreseen circumstances consistent with the charitable objects, whilst also retaining additional reserves for contingencies which might reasonably be expected to arise given the nature of the Charity and the potential needs of its beneficiaries. Sufficient reserves are retained in liquid funds to cover expected annual expenditure.
7. Public Benefit
The Trustees have complied with section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 requiring them to have regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Further information about the charity can be found on its website www.SteyningMuseum.org.uk
Approved and signed on behalf of the Trustees
Date:
The Steyning Museum Trust
Statement of Financial Activity
for the year ended 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME | ||
| Donations and legacies (note 2) | 120,209 | 29,098 |
| Fundraising income | 2,458 | 2,666 |
| Subscriptions | 4,123 | 2,373 |
| Investment income (note 3) | 16,674 | 14,786 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| Total income | 143,464 | 48,923 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable activities (note 4) | 15,751 | 17,871 |
| Fundraising costs | 15,295 | 2,696 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| Total expenditure | 31,046 | 20,567 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| ───── | ───── | |
| Net movement in funds | 112,418 | 28,356 |
| Total fund balance brought forward | 331,496 | 303,140 |
| ────── | ────── | |
| Total fund balance carried forward | 443,914 | 331,496 |
| ══════ | ══════ |
Registered Charity No. 1169540
The Steyning Museum Trust
Balance Sheet
| as at | 31 December | 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| FIXED ASSETS | ||||
| Premises (note 6) | 8,968 | 10,019 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||
| Debtors (note 7) | 416 | 560 | ||
| Stocks | 647 | 718 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 435,299 | 321,874 | ||
| ─────── | ─────── | |||
| Total Current Assets | 436,632 | 323,152 | ||
| ─────── | ─────── | |||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 1,416 | 1,675 | ||
| (note 8) | ───── | ───── | ||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 434,946 | 321,477 | ||
| ───── | ───── | |||
| NET ASSETS | 443,914 | 331,496 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ | |||
| FUNDS | ||||
| Unrestricted reserves (note 9) | 443,914 | 331,496 | ||
| ───── | ───── | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 443,914 | 331,496 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on
Chairman
The Steyning Museum Trust
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2025
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of preparation of the accounts
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Income recognition
Income is recognised when the Charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.
For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the dates on which either the Charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably, and the Charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the Charity or the Charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.
Expenditure recognition
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure has been accounted for on an accrual basis.
Recognition of liabilities
Liabilities are recognised in full in the accounts as soon as an obligation arises.
Taxation
As a charity registered in the UK, the income of the Charity is exempt from taxation.
Fixed assets
The charity has a 75 year lease on land in Steyning granted in July 2005. The charity built a museum premises on the land at a cost of £96,028, with a grant of £75,000. The building must be removed at the end of the term of the lease. The charity is writing off the net cost over 20 years.
Going Concern
The Trustees believe that there are no material uncertainties regarding the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern in the next twelve months.
The Steyning Museum Trust
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2025
| 2. | Donations and Legacies | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Legacies | 117,823 | 25,545 | |
| Donations | 2,386 | 3,553 | |
| ─────── | ─────── | ||
| 120,209 | 29,098 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ | ||
| 3. | Investment Income | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Interest | 16,674 | 14,786 | |
| ────── | ────── | ||
| 16,674 | 14,786 | ||
| ════ | ════ | ||
| 4. | Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Direct charitable costs | |||
| Premises:- | |||
| Ground rent | 448 | 456 | |
| Rates | 269 | 112 | |
| Electricity | 167 | 896 | |
| Water | 199 | 185 | |
| Cleaning | 1,684 | 979 | |
| Repairs and maintenance | 1,322 | 246 | |
| Security and fire systems | 1,493 | 6,588 | |
| Depreciation | 1,051 | 1,052 | |
| Collections | 866 | 369 | |
| Exhibition costs | 554 | 420 | |
| Insurance | 1,969 | 1,952 | |
| Education | - | 51 | |
| Research/family history | 68 | 440 | |
| ────── | ────── | ||
| 10,090 | 13,746 | ||
| ────── | ────── |
The Steyning Museum Trust
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2025
| Support costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Telephone | 863 | 900 |
| IT and software | 316 | 80 |
| Printing, postage and stationery | 261 | 382 |
| Subscriptions | 194 | 119 |
| Publicity | 452 | 639 |
| Equipment not capitalised | 2,236 | 548 |
| Stewards/Helpers | 64 | 58 |
| Sundry other expenditure | 56 | 52 |
| Stock movement | 70 | - |
| ───── | ───── | |
| 4,512 | 2,778 | |
| ───── | ───── | |
| Governance costs | ||
| AGM expenses | 122 | 203 |
| Independent Examiner fees | 900 | 1,008 |
| Bank charges | 127 | 136 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| 1,149 | 1,347 | |
| ───── | ───── | |
| ────── | ────── | |
| Total Expenditure on Charitable Activities | 15,751 | 17,871 |
| ════ | ════ |
5. TRUSTEES
No Trustee received remuneration. No Trustees were reimbursed expenses incurred (2024: none). In 2025 this amounted to £nil (2024: £nil). No transactions have been undertaken in the name of or on behalf of the Charity in which any Trustee or person connected with such a Trustee has any material interest.
The Steyning Museum Trust
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2025
6. Premises
| 6. | Premises | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Cost brought forward & carried forward | 21,028 | 21,028 | |
| ──── | ──── | ||
| Depreciation brought forward | 11,009 | 9,957 | |
| Depreciation charge | 1,051 | 1,052 | |
| ──── | ──── | ||
| Depreciation carried forward | 12,060 | 11,009 | |
| ──── | ──── | ||
| ──── | ──── | ||
| Net book value carried forward | 8,968 | 10,019 | |
| ════ | ════ | ||
| 7. | Debtors | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Sundry debtors | 416 | 560 | |
| ── | ── | ||
| 416 | 560 | ||
| ═══ | ══ | ||
| 8. | Creditors | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Accruals | 1,306 | 1,494 | |
| Subscriptions in advance | 110 | 80 | |
| Sundry creditors | - | 101 | |
| ─── | ─── | ||
| 1,416 | 1,675 | ||
| ═══ | ═══ |
The Steyning Museum Trust
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2025
9. Unrestricted Reserves, by fund
| Unrestricted Reserves, by | fund | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Building | Legacy | Contingency | Total | |
| Year to 31.12.25 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Brought forward | 49,506 | 16,729 | 247,023 | 18,238 | 331,496 |
| Income | 10,317 | 715 | 131,653 | 779 | 143,464 |
| Expenditure | (12,046) | - | (19,000) | - | (31,046) |
| ──── | ──── | ───── | ──── | ───── | |
| Balance carried forward | 47,777 | 17,444 | 359,676 | 19,017 | 443,914 |
| ════ | ════ | ═════ | ════ | ═════ | |
| General | Building | Legacy | Contingency | Total | |
| Year to 31.12.24 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Brought forward | 51,715 | 15,914 | 218,162 | 17,349 | 303,140 |
| Income | 10,335 | 815 | 36,884 | 889 | 48,923 |
| Expenditure | (11,536) | - | (9,031) | - | (20,567) |
| Transfer | (1,008) | - | 1,008 | - | - |
| ──── | ──── | ───── | ──── | ───── | |
| Balance carried forward | 49,506 | 16,729 | 247,023 | 18,238 | 331,496 |
| ════ | ════ | ═════ | ════ | ═════ |
The Steyning Museum Trust
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Steyning Museum Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Respective Responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
We report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
We have completed my examination. We confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
We have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Spofforth Partners Limited Chartered Accountants Byne Cottage Manley’s Hill, Storrington West Sussex RH20 4BN
Date: