THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
The Chamberlain Highbury Trust (“CHT”) presents the details of its Trustees and Advisers for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 as follows:
Directors and Trustees
Shilpa Amin (appointed December 2023) Dr Phillada Ballard (reappointed October 2022) Dr D J F Cresswell (reappointed October 2023) Cllr Phil Davis (Birmingham City Council appointee, retired October 2024) Indi Deol (appointed December 2023) Sebastian Harding (appointed December 2023) Mr D N Kidney (reappointed October 2024) (Chair) Deidre Mattison (appointed October 2023) (Treasurer) Ms C L Organ (reappointed October 2024) (Vice Chair) Katharine Perry (retired January 2025) Ms L. Portelly (retired October 2024) Mr Martin Straker-Welds (Birmingham City Council appointee, retired October 2024) Cllr Lisa Trickett (Birmingham City Council appointee, appointed October 2024)
Company secretary
Ms C L Organ
Charity registered number
1169845
Company registered number
10157307
Principal office
Highbury, 4 Yew Tree Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8QG
Independent Examiner
Thomas and Young Limited, Carleton House, 266-268, Stratford Road, Shirley, West Midlands B90 3AD
Accountants
Cooper Parry Group Limited, Park View, One Central Boulevard, Blythe Business Park, Solihull, B90 8BG
Bankers
Natwest Bank, 112a High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7LQ
Trustees' Report
For the Period Ended 31 March 2025
The Directors, who are also Trustees of the charity for the purposes of charity law, are pleased to present their annual report for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities," 2019.
Structure, governance and management
Constitution
CHT is a charity registered by the Charity Commission and a Company Limited by Guarantee registered by Companies House. CHT is governed by its Memorandum and Articles dated 30 April 2016 (as subsequently amended).
The principal objects of the charity are:
-
to promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the land and buildings known as the Highbury Estate on the borders of Moseley and Kings Heath, Birmingham, West Midlands, including the Grade II* listed house and the Grade II registered historic park forming part of the Highbury Estate;
-
to advance the education of the public in:
-
the history of the Chamberlain family and in particular (but not limited to) their legacy in relation to civic leadership;
-
the history and heritage of the Highbury Estate; and
-
the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment;
-
to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society;
-
to advance the education of the public by promoting, fostering and encouraging the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts in particular (but not limited to) within and around Birmingham; and
-
to further such other exclusively charitable purposes according to the law of England and Wales as the Trustees in their absolute discretion from time to time determine.
Appointment or election of Trustees
When Trustees retire (ether by choice or at the end of their permitted term of office) or their appointment is terminated, the appointment of new Trustees is by open advertisement, competition and interview except that the Memorandum and Articles of Association permit Birmingham City Council to appoint two Trustees, whose appointments are governed by the Council’s procedures.
During 2024/25, no Trustees retired at the end of their term of office without seeking reappointment, two Trustees appointed by Birmingham City Council retired and will be replaced by two new Council appointees, and two Trustees retired mid-term for reasons unrelated to their CHT positions.
Trustee Training
Whilst all Trustees had experience of trusteeship or similar responsibilities at the time of their appointment, the Company Secretary has regularly drawn to Trustees’ attention guidance and advice from the Charity Commission and other relevant sources. Trustees with specific professional qualifications and other responsibilities have attended training relevant to those professions and responsibilities. A day-long training session for all Trustees was arranged during the year (held 17 May 2025).
The Trust is committed to undertaking regular skills audits of trustees to ensure Trustees are competent to discharge their statutory responsibilities and duties. Most recently, a skills audit was carried out in summer 2024.
Policies and objectives
The Trustees regularly review their policies and make changes and additions as required. The Trustees plan a full programme of activities for each year. In setting the aims and
objectives and in planning future activities, the Trustees give due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.
The Trust remains committed to the renovation of Highbury’s mansion and grounds so that the estate can be opened to the people of Birmingham as was envisaged when it was first gifted to the citizens by the Chamberlain family. A development grant was secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) in September 2021 and this funding of £368,000, together with additional funding from Birmingham City Council, the Highbury Trust and CHT’s own resources, paid for a professional team to draw up restoration plans to RIBA Stage 3 readiness along with an interpretation plan and a business plan and costings by a Quantity Surveyor (estimated project costs £12M). CHT’s application to NLHF for a delivery grant of just over £5M was submitted August 2023.
The situation changed dramatically in September 2024 when Birmingham City Council made two announcements under Section 114 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and the subsequently appointed Commissioners withdrew the Council’s offer of a capital grant to match fund NLHF’s delivery grant. CHT successfully persuaded NLHF to offer a reduced grant of £2M to enable the gardens’ restoration to proceed, separate from the plan for the mansion’s restoration. CHT is now working to carry out the gardens’ restoration works and to fundraise anew for the capital cost of the mansion’s restoration.
Risk Management
The Trustees have created and maintain a risk register which Trustees review regularly. CHT has appointed an Audit and Risk Committee of Trustees, which meets regularly, reviews the risk register (amongst other tasks) and advises the Trust Board on mitigation and control of identified risks, including new risks to be entered onto the risk register (and advises when risks are no longer relevant and can be removed from the risk register). The Trustees seek to identify all relevant strategic risks, to take measures to eliminate them or, where elimination is not possible, to take action to mitigate the risk and to manage the residuary risk.
After CHT successfully obtained a development grant from NLHF on 20 September 2021, the major risks in the risk register revolved around managing the development phase of the Highbury restoration project and obtaining a delivery grant from NLHF for Highbury’s continued restoration over the next few years. Risks included raising match funding, construction cost overruns, damage to the fabric of the building, and failure to maintain good relations with partners, stakeholders, tenants, local residents and neighbours. Since completion of the development phase, the Trustees have reviewed the risk register and made changes aimed towards managing the delivery of the major restoration project. The amended risks have subsequently had to be augmented by additional risks around the Council’s Section 114 status.
When the gardens’ restoration project is completed, many of their original features will once again be enjoyed by visitors (the gardens are free to enter and attract around 200,000 visitors a year). The Trustees have developed a Maintenance and Management Plan for the gardens’ subsequent upkeep as well as a strategy for funding the required works. When the mansion is eventually restored, the Trustees plan for it to be regularly open for visitors (an admission charge will apply). CHT has appropriate insurance arrangements in place.
Achievements and performance
During the year, the Trustees, successfully completed the development phase of its restoration project and approved plans for the restoration of the Highbury Estate to RIBA Stage 3 readiness, costed at £12M. The mansion was opened for visitors for numerous Open Days, the grounds continued to be open for visitors for free every day and the Trustees managed a small paid team of managers and 50 plus volunteers.
As reported above, there were some changes to the composition of the Trust Board and these changes were managed without any adverse disruption to CHT’s operations. New Trustees are inducted appropriately. The Trustees agreed to accept a Boardroom Apprentice for 12 months under a scheme operated by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and agreed to take a second Boardroom Apprentice for the following year.
Youth Board
The Trustees continue to operate a young leadership education and training programme for cohorts of young people from Birmingham and its surrounds. The restoration plans include the provision of a dedicated learning centre for the future operation of this programme. From those young people who participate in the young leadership education and training activities, the Trustees appoint a Youth Board and members of the Youth Board are consulted on all aspects of the Trustees’ work with a view to the co-production of plans for the future development of Highbury and its activities. Over time, two Youth Board members have subsequently been appointed to CHT’s Trust Board.
National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF)
The Trustees acknowledge the development grant received from NLHF in September 2021 and this acknowledgement is also recorded on CHT’s website and in all relevant communications and activities of CHT.
The Trustees acknowledge the contribution made by individual Lottery players without which NLHF would not be able to assist projects like the Trust’s restoration project for Highbury. CHT took part in a week of celebration of the contribution made by Lottery Players during March 2024 with open access and guided tours of Highbury available to Lottery players.
The Trustees have committed to consider lasting ways of embedding this acknowledgement in the restoration works and future activities of CHT.
Heritage Open Day
The Trustees once again participated in the Birmingham Heritage Week in 2024, holding a Heritage Open Day in September 2024. The Heritage Open Day at Highbury on 15 September (“A Celebration of Connections and Partnerships”) attracted 200 visitors who took mansion tours, grounds tours, and our “Hidden Highbury” tour (which gives visitors insight into the poor condition of the mansion in areas not currently open to the public at any other time) as well as casual visitors to the mansion and grounds who looked round for themselves.
Communications
The Trustees engaged with a wide range of stakeholders (the stakeholders have been mapped) throughout the year by means of CHT’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, its website (www.chamberlainhighburytrust.co.uk), a monthly newsletter updating all subscribers on key news and forthcoming events, emails and organised communication and consultation meetings at Highbury.
Financial review
CHT’s Income for the year for its general operations (excluding grant receipts) totalled £45,262 and charitable expenditure totalled £42,097. As at 31 March 2025, CHT had total unrestricted funds of £52,406 (of which £9,141 was designated) and restricted funds of £168,085.
Reserves policy
The Trustees aim to maintain reserves at a level sufficient to support the operational expenditure and any commitments of CHT for a period of 12 months.
Plans for future periods
Proposals for Highbury
The mansion
The Trustees’ restoration plan is to accommodate a combination of activities for the mansion including heritage visits, young leadership education and training, and lettings of office space, and the restoration of many of the historical features of the gardens. The Business Plan commits the Trustees to raise enough income to ensure the viability of CHT and provide public access to the building and opportunities for educational and cultural activities. The refurbishment of the mansion will involve extensive external repairs and the complete renewal of services, including complete rewiring, the replacement of the boilers and a new heating system. The Trustees intend the new systems to be as sustainable as possible both in terms of compatibility with Net Zero ambitions and affordability.
The grounds
Following completion of a Phase 1 Gardens Project in 2021, the Trustees have embarked on a Gardens Phase 2 project to restore many of the historical features of the grounds in order to give visitors a sense of what the Chamberlain family planned and experienced. As far as possible, and subject to careful cost control, original Italian, Dutch and rock gardens will be restored, the rhododendron collection will be revived, trees and a pergola will be added, ponds will be restored to health, and historical features which cannot be replaced, such as the original hobby farm will be referenced.
Trustee Responsibilities
The Trustees, who are also directors of CHT for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on CHT’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
In preparing this report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A if the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by: David Kidney, Trustee and Chair of the Trust Board
Registered Charity Number: 1169845 Company Number: 10157307
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
UNAUDITED ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
THOMAS & YOUNG LIMITED
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Solihull
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers | 1 | |
| Trustees’ Report | 2 to 7 | |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 8 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 9 | |
| Balance Sheet | 10 | |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 11 to 16 |
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES | Shilpa Amin (appointed 20/12/2023) |
|---|---|
| Dr Phillada Ballard (appointed | |
| 30/04/2016) | |
| Dr Derren Cresswell (appointed | |
| 21/10/2020) | |
| Cllr Philip Davis (Birmingham City Council | |
| appointee, retired 15/05/2024) | |
| Indi Deol (appointed 20/12/2023) | |
| Sebastian Harding (appointed | |
| 20/12/2023) | |
| David Kidney (appointed 21/04/2021) | |
| (Chair) | |
| Deidre Mattison (appointed 19/04/2023) | |
| (Treasurer) | |
| Catherine Organ (appointed 21/04/2021) | |
| (Vice Chair) | |
| Katharine Perry (retired 18/12/2024) | |
| Louise Hothi (retired 16/10/2024) | |
| Martin Straker-Welds (Birmingham City | |
| Council appointee, retired 22/10/2024) | |
| Cllr Lisa Trickett (Birmingham City Council | |
| appointee, appointed 16/10/2024) | |
| Francesca Rhodes (appointed 16/10/2024) | |
| COMPANY SECRETARY | Catherine Organ |
| CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER | 1169845 |
| COMPANY REGISTERED NUMBER | 10157307 |
| PRINCIPAL OFFICE | Highbury, 4 Yew Tree Road |
| Moseley | |
| Birmingham | |
| B13 8QG | |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Thomas and Young Limited |
| Carleton House, 266-268 Stratford Road | |
| Shirley | |
| Solihull | |
| West Midlands | |
| B90 3AD | |
| BANKERS | NatWest Bank |
| 112a High Street | |
| Kings Heath | |
| Birmingham | |
| B14 7LQ |
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
Page 1 TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Directors, who are also Trustees of the charity for the purposes of charity law, are pleased to present their annual report for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting” by Charities”, 2019.
Structure, governance and management
Constitution
The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles dated 30 April 2016.
The principal objects of the charity are:
-
to promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the land and buildings known as the Highbury Estate on the borders of Moseley and Kings Heath, Birmingham, West Midlands, including the Grade II* listed house and the Grade II registered historic park forming part of the Highbury Estate;
-
to advance the education of the public in:
-
the history of the Chamberlain family and in particular (but not limited to) their legacy in relation to civic leadership;
-
the history and heritage of the Highbury Estate; and
-
the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment;
-
to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society;
-
to advance the education of the public by promoting, fostering and encouraging the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts in particular (but not limited to) within and around Birmingham; and
-
to further such other exclusively charitable purposes according to the law of England and Wales as the Trustees in their absolute discretion from time to time determine.
Appointment or election of Trustees
When Trustees retire (either by choice or at the end of their permitted term of office) or their appointment is terminated, the appointment of new Trustees is by open advertisement, competition and interview except that the Memorandum and Articles of Association permit Birmingham City Council to appoint two Trustees, whose appointments are governed by the Council’s procedures.
During 2024/25, no Trustees retired at the end of their term of office without seeking reappointment, two Trustees appointed by Birmingham City Council retired and will be replaced by two new Council appointees, and two Trustees retired mid-term for reasons unrelated to their CHT positions.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
Page 2
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Structure, governance and management (Continued)
Trustee Training
Whilst all Trustees had experience of trusteeship or similar responsibilities at the time of their appointment, the Company Secretary has regularly drawn to Trustees’ attention guidance and advice from the Charity Commission and other relevant sources. Trustees with specific professional qualifications and other responsibilities have attended training relevant to those professions and responsibilities. A day-long training session for all Trustees was arranged during the year (held 17 May 2025).
The Trust is committed to undertaking regular skills audits of trustees to ensure Trustees are competent to discharge their statutory responsibilities and duties. Most recently, a skills audit was carried out in summer 2024.
Policies and objectives
The Trustees regularly review their policies and make changes and additions as required. The Trustees plan a full programme of activities for each year. In setting the aims and objectives and in planning future activities, the Trustees give due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.
The Trust remains committed to the renovation of Highbury’s mansion and grounds so that the estate can be opened to the people of Birmingham as was envisaged when it was first gifted to the citizens by the Chamberlain family. A development grant was secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) in September 2021 and this funding of £368,000, together with additional funding from Birmingham City Council, the Highbury Trust and CHT’s own resources, paid for a professional team to draw up restoration plans to RIBA Stage 3 readiness along with an interpretation plan and a business plan and costings by a Quantity Surveyor (estimated project costs £12M). CHT’s application to NLHF for a delivery grant of just over £5M was submitted August 2023.
The situation changed dramatically in September 2024 when Birmingham City Council made two announcements under Section 114 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and the subsequently appointed Commissioners withdrew the Council’s offer of a capital grant to match fund NLHF’s delivery grant. CHT successfully persuaded NLHF to offer a reduced grant of £2M to enable the gardens’ restoration to proceed, separate from the plan for the mansion’s restoration. CHT is now working to carry out the gardens’ restoration works and to fundraise anew for the capital cost of the mansion’s restoration.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
Page 3
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Structure, governance and management (Continued)
After CHT successfully obtained a development grant from NLHF on 20 September 2021, the major risks in the risk register revolved around managing the development phase of the Highbury restoration project and obtaining a delivery grant from NLHF for Highbury’s continued restoration over the next few years. Risks included raising match funding, construction cost overruns, damage to the fabric of the building, and failure to maintain good relations with partners, stakeholders, tenants, local residents and neighbours. Since completion of the development phase, the Trustees have reviewed the risk register and made changes aimed towards managing the delivery of the major restoration project. The amended risks have subsequently had to be augmented by additional risks around the Council’s Section 114 status.
When the gardens’ restoration project is completed, many of their original features will once again be enjoyed by visitors (the gardens are free to enter and attract around 200,000 visitors a year). The Trustees have developed a Maintenance and Management Plan for the gardens’ subsequent upkeep as well as a strategy for funding the required works. When the mansion is eventually restored, the Trustees plan for it to be regularly open for visitors (an admission charge will apply). CHT has appropriate insurance arrangements in place. The Trustees have created and maintain a risk register which Trustees review regularly. The Trustees seek to identify all relevant strategic risks, to take measures to eliminate them or, where elimination is not possible, to take action to mitigate the risk and to manage the residuary risk.
Achievements and performance
During the year, the Trustees, successfully completed the development phase of its restoration project and approved plans for the restoration of the Highbury Estate to RIBA Stage 3 readiness, costed at £12M. The mansion was opened for visitors for numerous Open Days, the grounds continued to be open for visitors for free every day and the Trustees managed a small paid team of managers and 50 plus volunteers.
As reported above, there were some changes to the composition of the Trust Board and these changes were managed without any adverse disruption to CHT’s operations. New Trustees are inducted appropriately. The Trustees agreed to accept a Boardroom Apprentice for 12 months under a scheme operated by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and agreed to take a second Boardroom Apprentice for the following year.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
Page 4
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Structure, governance and management (Continued)
Youth Board
The Trustees continue to operate a young leadership education and training programme for cohorts of young people from Birmingham and its surrounds. The restoration plans include the provision of a dedicated learning centre for the future operation of this programme. From those young people who participate in the young leadership education and training activities, the Trustees appoint a Youth Board and members of the Youth Board are consulted on all aspects of the Trustees’ work with a view to the co-production of plans for the future development of Highbury and its activities. Over time, two Youth Board members have subsequently been appointed to CHT’s Trust Board.
National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF)
The Trustees acknowledge the development grant received from NLHF in September 2021 and this acknowledgement is also recorded on the CHT’s website and in all relevant communications and activities of the CHT.
The Trustees acknowledge the contribution made by individual Lottery players without which NLHF would not be able to assist projects like the Trust’s restoration project for Highbury. The CHT took part in a week of celebration of the contribution made by Lottery Players during March 2024 with open access and guided tours of Highbury available to Lottery players.
The Trustees have committed to consider lasting ways of embedding this acknowledgement in the restoration works and future activities of CHT.
Heritage Open Day
The Trustees once again participated in the Birmingham Heritage Week in 2024, holding a Heritage Open Day in September 2024. The Heritage Open Day at Highbury on 15 September (‘’A Celebration of Connections and Partnerships’’) attracted 200 visitors who took mansion tours, grounds tours, and our “Hidden Highbury” tour (which gives visitors insight into the poor condition of the mansion in areas not currently open to the public at any other time) as well as casual visitors to the mansion and grounds who looked round for themselves.
Communications
The Trustees engaged with a wide range of stakeholders (the stakeholders have been mapped) throughout the year by means of the Trust’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, its website (www.chamberlainhighburytrust.co.uk), a monthly newsletter updating all
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
subscribers on key news and forthcoming events, emails and organised communication and consultation meetings at Highbury.
Page 5 TRUSTEES’ REP0RT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Structure, governance and management (Continued)
Financial review
CHT’s Income for the year for its general operations (excluding grant receipts) totalled £45,262 and charitable expenditure totalled £66,087. As at 31 March 2025, CHT had total unrestricted funds of £50,508 (of which £9,141 was designated) and restricted funds of £176,899.
Reserves policy
The Trustees aim to maintain reserves at a level sufficient to support the operational expenditure and any commitments of the Charity for a period of 12 months.
Plans for future periods
Proposals for Highbury
The mansion
The Trustees’ restoration plan is to accommodate a combination of activities for the mansion including heritage visits, young leadership education and training, and lettings of office space, and the restoration of many of the historical features of the gardens. The Business Plan commits the Trustees to raise enough income to ensure the viability of CHT and provide public access to the building and opportunities for educational and cultural activities. The refurbishment of the mansion will involve extensive external repairs and the complete renewal of services, including complete rewiring, the replacement of the boilers and a new heating system. The Trustees intend the new systems to be as sustainable as possible both in terms of compatibility with Net Zero ambitions and affordability.
The grounds
Following completion of a Phase 1 Gardens Project in 2021, the Trustees have embarked on a Gardens Phase 2 project to restore many of the historical features of the grounds in order to give visitors a sense of what the Chamberlain family planned and experienced. As far as possible, and subject to careful cost control, original Italian, Dutch and rock gardens will be restored, the rhododendron collection will be revived, trees and a pergola will be added, ponds will be
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
restored to health, and historical features which cannot be replaced, such as the original hobby farm will be referenced.
Page 6 TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Trustee Responsibilities
The Trustees, who are also directors of The Chamberlain Highbury Trust for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on CHT’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
In preparing this report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A if the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
Signed by:
Mr D N Kidney, Trustee and Chair of the Trust Board
Date:
Page 7
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 9 to 16.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in Section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to 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 company as required by Section 386 of the Act 2006, or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I 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.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
Mr J Carty ACA FCCA
Thomas and Young Chartered Accountants Carleton House 266-268 Stratford Road Shirley, Solihull West Midlands B90 3AD
Date:
Page 8 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Year | Year | ended Year | ended Year | ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | March | 31 | March | |||||||
| Note | Unrestricted Restricted |
2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||||
| INCOME FROM | ||||||||||
| Donations | 2 | 2,569 | - | 2,569 | 35,162 | |||||
| Grants | 3 | 38,274 | - | 38,274 | 527,084 | |||||
| Other income | 4,419 | - | 4,419 | 815 | ||||||
| TOTAL INCOME | 45,262 | - | 45,262 | 563,061 | ||||||
| EXPENDITURE ON | ||||||||||
| Charitable activities | 4 | 46,501 | 19,586 | 66,087 | 405,454 | |||||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 46,501 | 19,586 | 66,087 | 405,454 | ||||||
| NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME(1,239) | (19,586) | (20,825) | 157,607 | |||||||
| Transfer between funds | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Net movement in funds | (1,239) | (19,586) | (20,825) | 157,607 | ||||||
| Total funds at 1 April 2024 | 51,747 | 196,485 | 248,232 | 90,625 | ||||||
| TOTAL FUNDS AT | ||||||||||
| 31 MARCH 2025 | 50,508 | 176,899 | 227,407 | 248,232 |
The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
Page 9
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
| Note CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank 6 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS CHARITY FUNDS Unrestricted funds 8 Restricted funds 8 TOTAL FUNDS |
2025 2024 £ £ £ £ - 968 233,262 255,353 233,262 256,321 (5,855) (8,089) 227,407 248,232 227,407 248,232 50,509 51,747 176,898 196,485 227,407 248,232 |
|---|---|
The Trustees consider that the charitable company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the period in question in accordance with Section 476 of the Act.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records which comply with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006, and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure for the period then ended in accordance with the requirements of Section 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the financial statements so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 21[st] October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Mr D N Kidney, Trustee
The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements.
Page 10 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The Chamberlain Highbury Trust is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised as cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to the accounts.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 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 Ireland (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below.
1.2 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designed for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.
Designated funds are funds which are to be used for purchase of acquisitions that may become available.
The cost of raising funds and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
The aim and use of each fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.3 Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity has entitlement to the funds, after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable the income will be received.
Page 11 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
1.4 Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which the expenditure arose.
1.5 Going concern
The Trustees have considered the current financial position of the Trust alongside the future forecasts and budgets and are confident that the Trust has sufficient resources to continue to operate for a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as no material uncertainties exist.
2 DONATIONS
| Donations from the Highbury Trust Other Donations |
2025 £ 2,569 4,419 6,988 |
2024 £ 33,300 1,862 35,162 |
|---|---|---|
Donations of £35,162 were received in the prior year all of which related to unrestricted funds.
3 GRANTS
2025 2024 £ £
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
| The Highbury Trust National Lottery Heritage Fund Birmingham City Council Other Grants |
- - 38,274 - 38,274 |
- 261,584 70,000 195,500 527,084 |
|---|---|---|
Grants of £527,084 were received in the prior year all of which related to restricted funds.
Page 12
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
4 CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE
| Charitable activities Legal and professional fees Business support Independent examination fees Other costs |
2025 £ 9,684 - 2,244 54,159 66,087 |
2024 £ 11,598 2,550 2,040 389,266 405,454 |
|---|---|---|
Expenditure in the prior year totalled £405,454 of which £32,326 related to unrestricted funds of £373,128 related to restricted funds.
5 NET INCOMING RESOURCES
During the period, no Trustees received any remuneration (2024: none). During the period, no Trustees received any benefits in kind (2024: none). During the period, four Trustees received travel expenses totalling £989 (2024: £1,080).
6 DEBTORS
| DEBTORS | ||
|---|---|---|
| VAT Recoverable | 2025 £ - - |
2024 £ 968 |
| 968 |
7 CREDITORS
2025 2024
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
| Accruals | £ 5,855 5,855 |
£ 8,089 8,089 |
|---|---|---|
Page 13
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
8 STATEMENT OF FUNDS
| Transfer | Transfer | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brought **Incoming ** |
Resources | between | Carried | ||||
| forward resources |
expended | funds | forward | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||||
| General funds | 41,942 | 45,262 | (45,837) | - | 41,367 | ||
| Designated funds | 9,805 | - | (664) | - | 9,141 | ||
| 51,747 | 45,262 | (46,501) | - | 50,508 | |||
| Restricted funds | |||||||
| Major Project | 184,633 | - | (19,586) | - | 165,047 | ||
| The Gardens Project | 4,343 | - | - | - | 4,343 | ||
| Rhododendron Project | 5,000 | - | - | - | 5,000 | ||
| Celebrating Comms | 2,509 | - | - | - | 2,509 | ||
| 196,485 | - | (19,586) | - | 176,899 | |||
| TOTAL | 248,232 | 45,262 | (66,087) | - | 227,407 |
Major Project – These funds represent monies which will be used to match fund future NLHF grants if future bids are successful.
The Gardens Project – These funds represent various grants that were provided for the Trust’s landscape restoration programme for the 30 acres of gardens. The restoration programme was ongoing at the end of the year.
Celebrating Comms (Previously The Birmingham Roots project) – These funds represent a grant from Birmingham City Council to promote community events inspired by the Commonwealth Games.
Rhododendron Project – These funds represent monies to ensure the Rhododendrons planted by Joseph Chamberlain are protected and will be an important feature of the restored gardens at Highbury.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
Designated funds – These funds represent a fund to be used to purchase objects related to Highbury or the Chamberlain Family which may become available in due course.
Page 14 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
8a STATEMENT OF FUNDS – PRIOR YEAR
| Transfer | Transfer | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brought **Incoming ** |
Resources | between | Carried | ||||
| forward resources |
expended | funds | forward | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||||
| General funds | 38,096 | 35,977 | (32,131) | - | 41,942 | ||
| Designated funds | 10,000 | - | (195) | - | 9,805 | ||
| 48,096 | 35,977 | (32,326) | - | 51,747 | |||
| Restricted funds | |||||||
| Major Project | 30,613 | 527,084 | (373,064) | - | 184,633 | ||
| The Gardens Project | 4,407 | - | (64) | - | 4,343 | ||
| Rhododendron Project | 5,000 | - | - | - | 5,000 | ||
| Celebrating Comms | 2,509 | - | - | - | 2,509 | ||
| 42,529 | 527,084 | (373,128) | - | 196,485 | |||
| TOTAL | 90,625 | 563,061 | (405,454) | - | 248,232 |
9 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
| Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ Cash at bank and in hand 56,363 176,899 Other net current assets (5,855) - 50,508 176,899 |
Total £ 233,262 (5,855) 227,407 |
|---|---|
9a ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS – PRIOR YEAR Unrestricted Restricted
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST
| Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets |
Funds Funds Total £ £ £ 57,522 197,831 255,353 (5,775) (1,346) (7,121) 51,747 196,485 248,232 |
|---|---|
Page 15
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
10 RELATED PARTIES
There were no related party transactions during the period. See note 5 for details of Trustee expenses paid in the year.
11 MEMBERS
The charity is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee having no share capital and in accordance with the Memorandum of Association, every member is liable to contribute a sum of £10 in the event of the company being wound up. As at 31 March 2025 there were 10 members.
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST Page 16
C¢)mpany rngistsation number 101S7307 (England and Walesl THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 PAGES FOR FILING WITH REGISTRAR E6xc 03112r2025 COMPANIES HOUSE
187
THE CHAMBERLAIN HIGHBURY TRUST BALANCE SHEET ASAf31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Current assets 233,262 256.321 Creditors.. amounts falltng due withsn one year 15.855} 18,089) Net current assets 227,407 248.232 Net assets 227.407 248,232 Reserves 227,407 248,232 Notv ¢0 the flnan¢ial statements Employees The average number of persons. induding ¢Sreclors. employed by the Company during the year was as follow5.. 2025 Number 2024 Numb•r Employees The Chamberlain Highbury Trust is a private company limitetj by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Highbury. 4 Yew Tree Road. M05eley. Birmingham. West Midlands. 813 8QG. For the year ended 31 March 2025 the company entilled to exemptKsn from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relats.ng io small Companies. The directors acknowledge their fesponsibilities for complyin9 Wth Ihe cequirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect lo accounting e0rd$ and the preparab.on of finantyal statements. The members have not required the compary to obtain an audrt of rts finaniyal statements for the ygar in qugstion in a¢¢ordan¢e with section 476. These financial statement$ have been prepared in accordance wilh the mrentity provisions aThJ in accordance with FRS 105 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable lo the Micrt>ents"tses Regime.. and have been delivered in ac¢ordance with the provisions applicabbe to compan$ sutyect lo the small companies regime. The directors of the c(xnpany have dected nol to K)dLKle a uypy of the income and expenditure account wthin the financial statements. The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and aLthorised for issue on ..L15110f2025... and are signed on ils behalf by". David Kidney Dlrector Company regislratyon number 10157307 {EnglarKI and e$)