Friends of Doncaster Mansion House Charity Number: 1171398
Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements for the Period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
Friends of Doncaster Mansion House Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements for the Financial Period from 1 April 2022 to 31[st ] March
2023
Reference & Administration Details
Charity Details:
Number: 1171398
Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity
Name Ofice Bobbie Roberts Chair from 16.12.22 Marion Johns Miriam Clarke Yvonne Woodcock John Holmes Jackie Gladden appointed 15.2.23 Colin Jeynes Chair until December 22 Resigned as chair and 16.12.22 trustee Owen Evans Resigned 15.2.23 Peter Brindley Resigned 16.12.22 Frank Carpenter Resigned 16.12.22 Names & Addresses of Advisors
Bank: HSBC, High Street, Doncaster, DNI IEE
Treasurer. John Weston — appointed as treasurer by the Trustees on October 2 nd 2020 and confirmed at each subsequent AGM.
Structure, Governance & Management
Type of Governing Document: Constitution
How the Charity is Constituted: Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee Selection Methods: Electjon at Annual General Meeting
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How New Trustees are Inducted and Trained: New trustees are given a copy of the Charity's constitution, previous minutes, reports and policies and given briefings by the current trustees
Objects
Summary of the Objects of the Charity as set out in its Goveming Document
(1) The promotion for the public benefit of the conservaüon of Doncaster Mansion House and its associated artefacts
(2) To advance the education of the public in general (and particularly amongst young people) on the subject of the Doncaster Mansion House including by facilitating public use of the Doncaster Mansion House for education purposes and by promoting research for the public benefit in all aspects of the Doncaster Mansion House and publishing the useful results of that research.
(3) To advance the education of the public about the life and work of James Paine, the architect of Doncaster Mansion House.
Statutory Declaration on Public Benefit
The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties.
Activities and Achievements
Govemance
There have been major changes in the governance of the Friends this year. At the AGM the Chair, Colin Jeynes resigned as chair and as a trustee. He continues to be an active member and Open Day volunteer when not off on his travels. The Secretary, Owen Evans also resigned his office at the AGM., and aner a handover period resigned as a trustee in February 2023. Owen was a founder member of the Friends, and it is no exaggeration to say that without him, the Friends group would not have been established. We are very pleased that he remains an active member. Sadly, two other long-standing trustees, Frank Carpenter and Peter Brindley also resigned at the AGM, although Frank continues to share the benefits of
his research with us. Jackie Gladden, a former tmstee, returned as a trustee and Secretary in February.
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Inevitably some volunteers have not retumed after Covid. However, two new volunteers have been recruited, and the quarterly volunteer meetings were resumed in February. The trustees reviewed and revised the volunteer documentation to bring it in line with the current Local Authority structure and current best practice.
The membership as a the end of March 2023 stood at 37 members. The Trustees created a new class of membership Corporate Membership.
Local Authority Changes
Because of Covid and changes at the Council, the Mansion House remained closed for most of 2022. However, the Friends were delighted when the Council worked with us to organise an Open Day in December, and there is now a programme of monthly Open Days, with continuing discussions about increasing the frequency and holding other events.
We are building friendly and constructive relationships with the new staff at Heritage Services with responsibility for the Mansion House
In the new environment the Friends have drawn up a three-year workplan, in consultation with the Local Authority, to give a strategic direction to our activities.
Significant events
The ever-developing history of the Mansion House continued, when it was host to King Charles and Queen Camilla when they visited in November to deliver the Letters Patent confirming the city status Doncaster had been granted by Elizabeth ll. A number of our trustees were present, and to commemorate the occasion, fre Friends joined with the Civic Trust and the Council in planting a tree in the grounds of the Museum and Art Gallery with a commemorative plaque. The tree was planted by Lord Kirkham ably assisted by Doncaster's junior mayor and other schoolchildren. The Friends also funded a framed photograph of the King and Queen on their vi>it to Doncaster to be displayed in the Mansion House.
Activities undertaken to fulfil our objects
(1 ) Conservation of the Mansion House and its associated artefacts
The closure of the Mansion House has made it difficult to fulfil this object over the past year However, in our plan for 23/24 we have agreed to adopt at least one of the Mansion House clocks and fund its restoration to working order.
- (2) Advancing education of the public and facilitating public use of the Mansion House promoting research
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Open Days were held in December, February and March and the volunteers thoroughly enjoyed welcoming people back to the Mansion House. The Friends were also particularly pleased to welcome two school groups who were given guided tours as part of their education about the history of Doncaster.
To assist with publicity, the Friends purchased a banner to be displayed at Open Days at the Mansion House.
The Friends also started the publication of a twice-yearly newsletter, and the first edition included articles about the King's visit, the servants at the Mansion House, one of the paintings in the Ballroom, and the life of a former mayor. As well as publicising the activities of the Friends and events at the Mansion House, the newsletter will also publish research about its history, architecture, and contents.
The Friends continue to maintain an active Facebook page, mainly due to the efforts of Miriam Clarke, one of our trustees. As well as information about the Open Days, topics covered by the posts have included old photographs and postcards of Doncaster depicting the Manson House and associated events.
We are grateful to Ian Moore at 20-20 design for his help with our website. New articles have been added relating to HMS Andromeda whose bell and ensign are on display at the Mansion House, and on the Peace Window.
(3) Advancing education about James Paine
The Friends' display about James Paine was displayed at Cusworth Hall and the Friends have maintained their website which contains a wealth of information about James Paine and photographs of all three of James Paine's books of architectural engravings.
Financial Review
Statement of the Charity's Policy on Reserves
The Trustees have determined to keep no less than E500 as a reserve fund.
Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
The Trustees declare that the charity had no funds which were materially in deficit at the date of the statement of assets & liabilities.
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State of the Charity's Finances
Whilst the reduced Open Days meant that the bucket donations were lower, a successful raffle was held making a profit of 2666, and further donations were received. We are very grateful to the Doncaster Lions for their E200 donation towards the cost of transport for school visits. Expenditure was limited to essential items for maintaining the charity.
Restricted Funds
The current restricted funds are from the John and Ruth Howard Charitable Trust for a new Mansion House brochure, and from the Doncaster Lions and the Civic Trust to support school visits.
Designated Funds
The Friends have designated E300 of their funds to support school visits.
Particulars of Any Outstanding Guarantee Given by the Charity
The Trustees declare that the charity has given no guarantee where potential liability is outstanding at the date of the statement of assets & liabilities.
Particulars of Any Outstanding Debt
The Trustees declare that the charity has no outstanding debts which are secured by an express charge on any of the assets of the charity at the date of the statement of assets & liabilities
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the above report and authorise that it be signed on their behalf.
Signed
Date .
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On accounts for the year
Report to the trustees/ members of
On accounts for the year
ended
Set out on pages
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act").
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 201 1 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below * ) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material Independent respect:
examiner's
• accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the statementClose Act or .the accounts do not accord with the accounting records have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable
a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Relevant prof*8Ptal qualification(s)
(if any):
IER1
CHARITY COMMISSION CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the To period 01.04.2022 31.03.2023
• FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Enaowment funds
October 2018
a-IARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
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3,785 1,832
72
3,857 1,832
Current account
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
funds
funds funds.
to nearest E to nearest E to nearest E
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Bl Cash funds
Total cash funds
OOOOOOCOO( RI (ss)1MO/2017
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Å3 Other monetary
Investment asseb
RåAssets retained
Chui Own use
Liabilities
Si One or two &ustees
bkfpf all tri&tees
(ayee balances reeeapts and
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