GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Governing Document
The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a constitution dated 17 January 2019.
Trustees
Trustees during the year were as follows:
Dr. J. D. Hodsdon Chairman Ms S.E. Brown Treasurer D. H. Aldred Ms. A.J. Allden Resigned 20 July 2021 Dr. J.R. Broadway Dr. J.H. Chandler J. P. Comber N. W. Kingsley Miss H.M. Forbes Sir Nicholas Mander Ms. E.J. Marley Dr. R. Wallis
Dr. J.D. Hodsdon passed away on 20 January 2022. N.W. Kingsley was appointed Chairman on 26 January 2022.
Structure, Governance and Management
Trustees are usually appointed for a term of three years, but to assist continuity the first trustees were to serve the following terms: Miss H. Forbes 2 years, Dr J.D. Hodsdon 2 years, J.P. Comber 3 years, Sir Nicholas Mander 3 years, Ms. A. Allden 3 years, D.H. Aldred 4 years, Dr J.H. Chandler 4 years, N. W. Kingsley 4 years.
Objectives of the CIO
a. to advance the education of the public in the history of the historic county of Gloucestershire (including South Gloucestershire) and of the city of Bristol, and to foster public knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the history of Gloucestershire and Bristol
b. to advance research and other work in connection with the preparation of the Victoria County History of England relating to the historic county of Gloucestershire and the city of Bristol
c. to encourage, promote and support local history research and writing in or about the historic county of Gloucestershire and the city of Bristol, drawing especially on the use of historical resources and furthering the active participation of the public through education and learning and providing the means of communication between those involved with local history.
During the year, because of pandemic restrictions, Trustees met formally only twice, but remained in regular contact between meetings.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT ( cont. )
FOR THE YEAR ENDED TO 31 DECEMBER 2021
Principal Address
The Charity’s principal address is c/o Gloucestershire Heritage Hub, Clarence Row, Alvin Street, Gloucester GL1 3DW.
Activities and achievements
Since its establishment in January 2019, the Charity has carried forward the programme of work begun under its Unincorporated Association predecessor (Regd No 1138520). Application to dissolve the UA was made in November 2020 but at the year’s end it remained on the Charity Commission register, essentially inactive.
In planning its activities for the period, the CIO again kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. It remained focused on its stated aims of educating the public in the history of the historic county of Gloucestershire, and advancing research and other work in preparation for further instalments of the Victoria County History of Gloucestershire.
During the year the Charity had five full or part-time contributing editors (historical researchers) under contract. Despite the varying constraints on archive access and personal contacts arising from pandemic countermeasures, these editors continued to be supported by volunteers, albeit in reduced numbers. Once again, trustees were indebted to the efforts of archive staff in maintaining a safe environment at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub for our researchers and volunteers alike.
Steady progress was achieved with the research on three current projects, which will lead to hardback volumes in the Victoria County History of Gloucestershire Series, covering the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area of South Gloucestershire (Vol XIV); the Cheltenham district (Vol XV); and the Cirencester district (Vol XVI). Further draft sections were placed online for public use and comment ahead of final publication. While the Trust’s own website is now a substantial repository of completed or largely complete research, it was agreed during the year to start migrating content to the central VCH website run by the University of London. Public educational engagement remained necessarily limited during the year; one planned talk to a local history society in December had to be moved online, but secured a larger audience as a result.
The Trust’s continuing task is to raise the funds to keep the research going, with the aim of bringing at least one of the three books to publication within the next three years, and the others shortly after. The likeliest is Vol XVI, and to secure most of balance required to finish that work, a fundraising reception was held in September 2021, very kindly hosted by Earl Bathurst at Cirencester Park. This was markedly successful, with substantial support coming from a number of new quarters, and may be a model for future fundraising. Part of the money thus raised is now to fund additional editorial effort on that volume.
This success has not removed the need for Trustees to refresh and restate their strategy and priorities for the postpandemic period, and this objective is to be addressed in 2022. Meantime, the Trust has once again enjoyed the loyal support of a number of regular local donors.
The VCH Central Office convened an online ‘County Review Meeting’ with Trustees in November; no additional actions for the Trust were raised, but it was noted that the central VCH publication arrangements overseen by the Institute of Historical Research (London University) have yet to fully transition to a new model. Any risk arising to the Trust from this transition appears low, given that it has no publication imminent.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT ( cont. )
FOR THE YEAR ENDED TO 31 DECEMBER 2021
Reserves Policy
Beyond meeting agreed contractual commitments, the Trustees’ aim is to maintain a sufficient reserve to be able to respond to unexpected opportunities.
Review of Major Risks
The Trustees have reviewed areas of risk and taken appropriate action.
Accounts
The attached accounts show the current state of the finances, which the Trustees consider to be sound.
N. W. Kingsley, Chairman 26 January 2022
On behalf of the Trustees
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO
I report to the Charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021, which are set out on pages 5 to 8.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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.
Independent Examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I 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 charity as required by section 130 of the Act;, or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
W.J. Abbott FCA Chargrove House Shurdington Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 4GA
Date
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Volume | Volume | Volume | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | XIV | XV | XVI | ||||
| S. Glos | Chelt | Ciren | 2020 | ||||
| (Note 5) | (Note 6) | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | |||||||
| Donations from individuals | 10,094 | 2,500 |
630 |
9,305 | 22,529 | 17,142 |
|
| Donations from groups | 281 | 500 | 570 | - | 1,351 | 30 |
|
| Donations from charities | - | - | - | 5,250 | 5,250 | 500 | |
| Donation from South Glos Council | - | - | - | - | - | 1,000 | |
| Donations from companies | - | - | - | 25,250 | 25,250 | - | |
| Grants | - | - | - | - |
- | 25,000 | |
| Gift Aid | 2,625 | 1,075 | 243 | - | 3,943 | 2,301 | |
| Book sales | 80 | - | - | - | 80 | 41 | |
| Bank interest | 12 | - | - | - | 12 | 65 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| Total Receipts | 13,092 | 4,075 | 1,443 | 39,805 | 58,415 | 46,079 |
|
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| Payments | |||||||
| Editorial costs | 5,222 | 9,307 |
1,443 | 19,278 |
35,250 | 25,300 | |
| Travel | - | 268 | - | - | 268 | - | |
| Fundraising costs | - | - | - | 1,272 | 1,272 | - | |
| Printing and stationery | - | - | - | - | - | 392 | |
| Website | 91 | - | - | - | 91 | 91 | |
| Insurance and subscriptions | 100 | - | - | - | 100 | 100 | |
| Recruitment | - | - | - | - | - | 250 | |
| Bank charges | 96 | - | - | - | 96 | 60 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| Total Payments | 5,509 | 9,575 | 1,443 | 20,550 | 37,077 | 26,193 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| Net Receipts/Payments for the | period7,583 | (5,500) | - | 19,255 | 21,338 | 19,886 | |
| Cash funds as at 31 December | 2020 | 46,168 | 5,500 | - | 25,745 | 77,413 | 57,527 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| Cash funds as at 31 December | 2021 | 53,751 | - | - | 45,000 | 98,751 | 77,413 |
| ========== | ========== | ========== | ========== | =========== | =========== |
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Cash funds | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Volume | Volume | ||||
| Funds | XIV | XV | XVI | |||
| S. Glos | Chelt | Ciren | Total | 31 Dec 20 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash at bank | 53,751 | - | - | 45,000 | 98,751 | 77,413 |
| =========== | ========== | ========== | ========== | ========== | =========== | |
| Other monetary assets | ||||||
| Gift Aid | 2,216 | - | 145 | 1,409 | 3,770 | 3,943 |
| Insurance paid in advance | 75 | - | - | - | 75 | 75 |
| ----------- | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 2,291 | - | 145 | 1,409 | 3,845 | 4,018 | |
| ========== | ========== | ========== | ========== | =========== | =========== |
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting
The Receipts and Payments Account has been prepared on a cash basis. Assets and Liabilities at the year end are noted on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
2. COMMITMENTS
At 31 December 2021, commitments on contracts with the editors totalled £53,700 as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Volume XIV | 0 |
| Volume XV | 26,500 |
| Volume XVI | 27,200 |
| Unallocated | 0 |
3. USE OF HERITAGE HUB
The CIO has free use of the Frith Room for meetings of the Trustees and of the Elrington room for use by the editors.
4. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
During the year Dr. J. Chandler was paid £1,000 for editorial work on Volume XV and £2,000 on Volume XVI.
Travel expenses of £268 were paid to Jonathan Comber in connection with research for Volume XIV
5. RESTRICTED FUND FOR VOLUME XIV SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
| West | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Littleton | |||
| General | parish | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Balance 1 January 2021 | - | 5,500 | 5,500 |
| Income | |||
| Donations from individuals | - | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Donations from groups | - | 500 | 500 |
| Gift Aid | - | 1,075 | 1,075 |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| - | 9,575 | 9,575 | |
| Expenditure | - | 9,575 | 9,575 |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Balance 31 December 2021 | - | - | - |
| ========== | =========== | =========== |
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 (cont.)
6. RESTRICTED FUND FOR VOLUME XIV CIRENCESTER
| Coates | Editorial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Town | |||
| and | and | |||
| general | adjoining | |||
| General | editorial | parishes | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Balance 1 January 2021 | 745 | - | 25,000 | 25,745 |
| Income | ||||
| Donations from individuals | 9,305 | - | - | 9,305 |
| Donations from trusts | 5,250 | - | - | 5,250 |
| Donations from companies | 250 | 25,000 | 25,250 | |
| Gift Aid | ||||
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 15,550 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 65,550 | |
| Expenditure | 15,550 | - | 5,000 | 20,550 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Balance 31 December 2021 | - | 25,000 | 20,000 | 45,000 |
| =========== | ========== | =========== | =========== |
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