GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.
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:
N. W. Kingsley Chairman Miss S.E. Brown Treasurer D. H. Aldred Dr. J.R. Broadway Miss H.M. Forbes Sir Nicholas Mander Ms S. Parsons Mrs S.P. Self Dr. R. Wallis
Structure, Governance and Management
Trustees are appointed for a term of three years. Trustees are eligible for reappointment for two further terms of three years after which they must stand down for one year. They are then eligible for reelection again.
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.
The Trustees met on a quarterly basis and remained in regular contact between meetings.
Principal Address
The Charity’s principal address is c/o Gloucestershire Heritage Hub, Clarence Row, Alvin Street, Gloucester GL1 3DW.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT ( cont. )
FOR THE YEAR ENDED TO 31 DECEMBER 2023
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 2021 but at the year’s end it remained on the Charity Commission register, essentially inactive, pending the implementation of section 33 of the Charities Act 2022. The section was implemented on 7 March 2024 and therefore the Unincorporated Association will be merged with the CIO during 2024. No trustees were appointed or resigned in the course of the year, so the Trust continues to have one vacancy, and discussions were held with a potential new trustee about filling this position in 2024.
The CIO 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. The new public educational initiative begun in 2022 - a series of workshops for the general public, run in conjunction with Gloucestershire Archives and the University of the West of England, to provide training in historical research methods – was concluded in the spring of 2023, and was so popular and successful that it was agreed to repeat it in 2023-24. This led to a number of new volunteers coming forward to assist the Trust in its research activities. The model developed by the trust for the training was praised by the Institute of Historical Research and it is intended that it will be adapted for use in Wiltshire in 2024-25 although this Trust will not be directly involved in that initiative. The trustees are particularly grateful to Dr John Chandler for developing and co-ordinating the delivery of the workshops.
During the year the Charity had five contributing editors (historical researchers) under contract, supported by the work of a pool of volunteers whose activities range from cataloguing, indexing and calendaring records relevant to current research projects, to the analysis of records and drafting of text. Steady progress was achieved with the research on the 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). Work continued on all three volumes during the year, and was completed on the history of Preston and aspects of the topography of Cirencester (for vol. XVI). Work is in progress on Coates and the architectural history of the Cirencester area (for volume XVI), on Leckhampton and Swindon (for volume XV) and on Dyrham (for volume XIV). Once again, trustees were indebted to the staff of the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub for their support of our researchers and volunteers.
The Trust’s continuing task is to raise the funds to keep the research going. The funds are now in hand to complete volume XVI (Cirencester and district) and volume XV (Cheltenham and district), and it is anticipated that volume XVI will go to press in 2024. More work remains to be done to complete volume XIV, and during the year planning took place for a fundraising event to raise the funds required to complete this volume (estimated at £60,000). A venue was identified for the event at Little Sodbury Manor and our patron, HRH the Duke of Gloucester, agreed to attend. It was hoped to hold this event in the autumn of 2023 but it proved impossible to find a date convenient for all parties and it will now be held in the spring of 2024. During the year the trust was made aware that it was a beneficiary under the will of a Gloucestershire local historian, but no funds had been received by the end of the year.
As the current volumes move towards completion, the trustees made decisions in July 2023 about which areas of the county should be the subject of future research work. It was agreed that two new areas should be tackled: the market town of Winchcombe and its hinterland (volume XVII) and Marshfield and the Boyd Valley (volume XVIII). In the second half of 2023 a scoping document for the Winchcombe volume was drawn up and approved, and we worked with local organisations in the Winchcombe area to identify and brief volunteers to assist in preparatory work for that volume.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT ( cont. )
FOR THE YEAR ENDED TO 31 DECEMBER 2023
Reserves Policy
Beyond meeting agreed contractual commitments, the Trustees’ aim is to maintain a sufficient reserve to be able to respond to unexpected opportunities. At the year end net reserves after all commitments were £102,736 of which £63,921were Restricted and £38,815 Unrestricted Funds.
Review of Major Risks
During the year under review, the Trustees reviewed and either rewrote or updated the policy documents that provide a framework for their work; reviewed the Trust’s risk register, and took appropriate action..
Accounts
The attached accounts show the current state of the finances, which the Trustees consider to be sound.
N. W. Kingsley, Chairman Date: 10 April 2024
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 Gloucestershire County History Trust CIO (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
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 Randall & Payne LLP Chargrove House Shurdington Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 4GA
Date: 8 October 2024
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted | Restricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Volume | Volume | Total | ||
| XV | XVI | ||||
| Chelt | Ciren | 2022 | |||
| (Note 5) | (Note 6) | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Receipts | |||||
| Donations from individuals | 11,223 | - |
- | 11,223 | 64,059 |
| Donations from groups | 132 | - | - | 132 | 40 |
| Donations from charities | - | - | - | - | - |
| Donation from trusts | - | - |
- | - | 500 |
| Donations from companies | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gift Aid | 2,657 | 12,725 |
- | 15,382 | 3,740 |
| Workshops | 2,000 | - | - | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Book sales | 20 | - | - | 20 | 39 |
| Bank interest | 973 | 1,331 |
366 | 2,670 | 505 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Total Receipts | 17,005 | 14,056 |
366 | 31,427 | 70,883 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Payments | |||||
| Editorial costs | 11,971 | 229 |
28,100 |
40,300 | 32,750 |
| Travel | - | 68 |
66 | 134 | 562 |
| Fundraising costs | - | - | - | - | - |
| Workshops | 1,938 | - | - | 1,938 | 539 |
| Website | 105 | - | - | 105 | 164 |
| Insurance and subscriptions | 30 | - | - | 30 | 100 |
| Bank charges | 60 | - | - | 60 | 81 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Total Payments | 14,104 | 297 |
28,166 | 42,567 | 34,196 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Net Receipts/Payments for the period | 2,901 | 13,759 | (27,800) | (11,140) | 36,687 |
| Cash funds as at 31 December 2022 | 47,202 | 50,162 |
38,074 | 135,438 | 98,751 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Cash funds as at 31 December 2023 | 50,103 | 63,921 |
10,274 | 124,298 | 135,438 |
| ========== | ========== | ========== | =========== | =========== |
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
Cash funds
| Cash funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Volume | ||||
| Funds | XV | XVI | Total | Total | |
| Chelt | Ciren | 31 Dec 23 | 31 Dec 22 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash at bank | 50,103 | 63,921 |
10,274 | 124,298 | 135,438 |
| ========== | ========== | ========== | ========== | =========== | |
| Other monetary assets | |||||
| Gift Aid | 2,488 | - |
- | 2,488 | 15,382 |
| Insurance paid in advance | - | - | - | - | 75 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 2,488 | - |
- | 2,488 | 15,457 | |
| ========== | ========== | ========== | =========== | =========== |
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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 2023, commitments on contracts with the editors totalled £24,050 as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Volume XIV | 0 |
| Volume XV | 11,500 |
| Volume XVI | 10,550 |
| Unallocated | 2,000 |
3.
USE OF HERITAGE HUB
The CIO has free use of the Dunrossil Suite for meetings of the Trustees and of the Elrington room for use by the editors.
4. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No remuneration or benefits were paid to trustees during the year.
5. RESTRICTED FUND FOR VOLUME XV CHELTENHAM
| Charlton | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Kings (a) | Total | |
| £ | £ | ||
| Balance 1 January 2023 | - | 50,162 | 50,162 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Income | |||
| Gift Aid | 225 | 12,500 | 12,725 |
| Interest | 4 | 1,327 | 1,331 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 229 | 13,827 | 14,056 | |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Editorial costs | 229 | - | 229 |
| Travel | - | 68 | 68 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 229 | 68 | 297 | |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Balance 31 December 2023 | - | 63,921 | 63,921 |
| =========== | =========== | =========== |
(a) With the agreement of the donor, the trustees have designated the donation of £50,000 initially to fund work relating to Charlton Kings in volume XV with any balance being used for other aspects of the same volume.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont.)
6. RESTRICTED FUND FOR VOLUME XVI CIRENCESTER
| Coates | Editorial | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Town | ||
| and | and | ||
| general | adjoining | ||
| editorial | parishes | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Balance 1 January 2023 | 20,267 | 17,807 | 38,074 |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Income | |||
| Interest | 159 | 207 | 366 |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 159 | 207 | 366 | |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Editorial costs | 17,800 | 10,300 | 28,100 |
| Travel | 66 | - | 66 |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 17,866 | 10,300 | 28,166 | |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Balance 31 December 2023 | 2,560 | 7,714 | 10,274 |
| ========== | =========== | =========== |
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