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2024-03-31-accounts

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO

Annual Report and Consolidated Accounts

Year ended 31 March 2024

Charity Registration Number 1188112 (England and Wales)

Contents

Reports

Reports
Legal and administrative information 1
Report of the trustees 2
Independent auditor’s report 18
Accounts
Consolidated statement of financial
activities 23
Charity statement of financial activities 24
Balance sheets 25
Consolidated statement of cash flows 26
Principal accounting policies 27
Notes to the accounts 33

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO

Legal and administrative information 31 March 2024

Trustees Miss Cynthia Boreham (Sister Cynthia Clare SSM)
Miss Jennifer Goodeve (Sister Jennifer Anne SSM)
Miss Pamela Groombridge (Sister Mary Paul SSM)
Miss Shirley Jepson (Sister Sarah SSM)
Miss Catherine Allen (Sister Mary Clare SSM)
Dr Peta Dunstan
Principal address Saint Margaret’s Convent
c/o St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home
Burlington Lane
Chiswick
London
W4 2QE
Charity registration number 1188112
Auditor Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Banker National Westminster Bank plc
15 London Road
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 1EP
Investment managers Rathbones Group Plc (incorporating Investec
Wealth & Management Limited)
30 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7QN
Solicitor Stone King LLP
Upper Borough Court
Upper Borough Walls
Bath
BA1 1RG

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 1

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

The trustees present their report and the consolidated accounts of Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO (the “charity” or the “CIO”) for the year ended 31 March 2024. The accounts consolidate the accounts of the charity with those of St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick).

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 27 to 32 of the attached accounts and comply with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The principles set out in 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Introduction

Saint Margaret’s Convent is a Mother House of the Society of Saint Margaret (an Anglican religious order) founded in 1855 by John Mason Neale DD.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (Chiswick), the predecessor charity, was registered as a charity on 9 April 1964 (Charity Registration No. 231926). It was administered and managed in accordance with the Scheme of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales dated 31 March 2000.

With effect from midnight on 31 March 2020, in accordance with a legal transfer of undertakings and a resolution of the trustees, the activities, assets and liabilities of St Margaret’s Convent (Chiswick) were transferred as a going concern to Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO which was registered with the Charity Commission on 21 February 2020. Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO commenced its charitable activities on 1 April 2020.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO is deemed to be the parent undertaking of St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) (St Mary’s or “the charitable company”). St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) is a company limited by guarantee (Company Registration Number 3959483 (England and Wales)) incorporated on 24 March 2000 and was registered as a charity (Charity Registration Number 1080751) on 16 May 2000. It was established under a memorandum of association which defined its objects and powers and is governed by its articles of association. The principal activity of the charitable company is the operation of St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (“St Mary’s”), situated in Chiswick, London.

Mission

The charity’s object is the following of the religious life in the Church of England devoting every faculty of body, mind and spirit to God by responding to His call under vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and charity; and more particularly by carrying on various charitable works including the relief of those in need, the advancement of religion and the promotion of education.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 2

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Mission (continued)

The charity’s aims are to support the sisters (the community) and enable them to carry out their religious and charitable work (including the promotion and maintenance of public worship and the promotion of religious teaching and spirituality) whilst ensuring those sisters in need of care are properly looked after.

The sisters’ principal ministry today is to older people, through the provision of nursing and residential care via St Mary’s. The aims of St Mary’s are to provide excellent personal and nursing care to its 60 residents, in a homely environment, where they live as part of an extended Christian family, whilst also having the right to privacy and independence. This care is provided by skilled and dedicated staff, underpinned by the core values of the charity, recognising that each resident is an individual, thus enabling each individual to live their final years of life with dignity with the highest possible quality of life throughout their stay at the Home in a caring environment.

Objectives and activities and relevant policies

Objectives and activities

As stated above under “Mission”, the aims of the charity are to care for individual members of the community throughout their lives and to support and enable them to carry out their religious and charitable work (including the promotion and maintenance of public worship and the promotion of religious teaching and spirituality) whilst ensuring those sisters in need of care are properly looked after.

Caring for members of the religious community

In common with many religious communities, the age profile of the members of the community is increasing as existing members grow older and the number of new vocations becomes minimal. Two sisters are in their 90s, four sisters are in their 80s, one is aged between 70 and 80 and one is aged between 60 and 70.

The charity has an obligation, both moral and legal, to provide care for the members of the community, none of whom have resources of their own and all of whom have devoted a significant part of their lives to the care of the elderly, poor and marginalised in society. As the age profile of the community increases so too does the need to provide increasing and increasingly expensive care to the sisters.

At present two sisters live in independent flats in the Uckfield area, two members of the community are receiving care at St Mary’s which is paid for on an arm’s length basis, and four sisters live in a separate section of the property from which St Mary’s operates. In this regard, the objectives of the trustees over the current year are summarised below. All of these objectives will continue to be applicable for the next few years also.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 3

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Objectives and activities and relevant policies (continued)

Objectives and activities (continued)

The promotion and maintenance of public worship, and witness to God, continuing the intention of our founder John Mason Neale

This objective continues to be fulfilled at St Mary’s, in the chapel by the daily celebration of the Eucharist and Divine Office, with the chapel being available for the use of residents and staff as well as the community.

The promotion of religious teaching and spirituality

This objective continues to be fulfilled by:

The distinctive role of Saint Margaret’s Convent (Chiswick) as the Mother House is to:

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 4

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Objectives and activities and relevant policies (continued)

Objectives and activities (continued)

The promotion of religious teaching and spirituality (continued)

The aims of St Mary’s are to:

The activities and fundamental ethos of St Mary’s are to:

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 5

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Objectives and activities and relevant policies (continued)

Objectives and activities (continued)

The promotion of religious teaching and spirituality (continued)

St Mary’s recognises that its clients (residents) are vulnerable. Many of them are physically and/or mentally frail. They may be unable to give informed consent or make appropriate choices or judgements. Some are not able to recognise risks to themselves or maintain their own safety. As an ethical business, based on Christian values, St Mary’s adopts practices to protect these vulnerable adults, including:

Public benefit

Both the charity and the charitable company review their aims, objectives and achievements each year and this report comments on achievements during the year ended 31 March 2024 and also considers plans for the future. In undertaking the review of aims, objectives and achievements the trustees of both charities have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in determining how their activities should be carried out for the public benefit.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 6

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Objectives and activities and relevant policies (continued)

Public benefit (continued)

Saint Margaret’s Convent (Chiswick) and St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) fulfil their charitable purposes for the public benefit in many ways including the following:

The charitable status of St Mary’s substantially enhances its ability to fulfil its charitable purposes for the public benefit in a number of ways:

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 7

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Objectives and activities and relevant policies (continued)

Investment policy

The investments of both the charity and the charitable company are managed by Rathbones Group Plc (incorporating Investec Wealth & Investment Limited), professional investment managers. There are no restrictions on any of the charities’ powers to invest.

The investment strategy is set by the trustees with advice from their investment managers. It takes into account income requirements for the year, the risk profile and the investment managers’ view of the market prospects in the medium term.

The investment objective of both the charity and the charitable company is to achieve a balanced return between income and capital growth within a moderate risk profile. The trustees also have an ethical policy which precludes investment in any company, which after reasonable enquiry, clearly generates significant profits from an activity which is contrary to the objectives of the Anglican Church.

Both charities receive quarterly reports from their investment managers allowing the respective trustees to monitor the performance of the portfolio and the investment strategy. The trustees also meet with the investment managers at least once a year.

Fundraising policy

Both charities aim to achieve best practice in the way in which they communicate with donors and other supporters. They take care with both the tone of their communications and the accuracy of their data to minimise the pressures on supporters. They apply best practice to protect supporters’ data and never sell data, they never swap data and ensure that communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charities manage their own fundraising activities and neither employs the services of professional fundraisers. The charities undertake to react to and investigate any complaints regarding their fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve their service. During the year, neither charity received any complaints about their fundraising activities.

Achievements and performance

St Margaret’s Convent

During the year, the charity has continued to support members of the Community and so enable them to carry on their religious and charitable work whilst ensuring also that those sisters in need of care are looked after properly. The promotion and maintenance of public worship has continued to be fulfilled by the celebration of the Eucharist and Divine Office each day in the chapel. Through their individual ministries such as parish work, pastoral visiting, educational work, assisting with retreats and spiritual direction, the sisters continue to promote religious teaching and spirituality.

A room in the sisters’ area has now been refurnished and designated as a Guest Room for visiting sisters from the other Convents in the Society and those from other Communities.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 8

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

St Margaret’s Convent (continued)

On 30 October 2023 the Charity completed the purchase of an assisted living apartment in Uckfield for a gross purchase price of £135,000. In January 2024, the flat which we own in Uckfield was placed on the market with the asking price of £120,000.

St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick)

This report covers a challenging year, where Health and Social Care came under extreme pressures. The introduction of the Care Quality Commission’s new single assessment process so soon after the on-going effects of COVID and Brexit, changes to immigration status for Care staff, and the cost of living crisis has resulted in the need to review the internal operating model and the management structure has also changed following some personnel changes. A new Registered Manager was appointed in June 2023. The Home is usually full, with a long waiting list for the extra care/nursing unit although the residential unit has not been fully occupied at all times. Independent living bungalows remain fully occupied and the development of an apartment in the residential unit has resulted in requests for more of this type of supported living accommodation. There is generally a growing level of demand for specialist dementia care which the home is not registered or environmentally suitable for. We are fully staffed but have struggled to find high calibre staff, staff willing to work unsocial hours, especially weekends, staff wishing to take on leadership roles or develop these skills and staff with the required English language skills.

Despite these challenges, our occupancy rates have been maintained at 95% plus. This has had a positive impact on our income and enabled us to weather what has been an otherwise difficult financial year.

We have continued to renew and refurbish the communal areas of the Home, and refresh rooms between resident placements. We have introduced a café in the Orangery in consultation with the residents, and all are very pleased with the results.

The Home runs as an extended Christian family, where residents, their families and friends are all welcome in the Home, which has an open visiting policy. Residents are supported so that they may live as normal a life as possible, enabling them to be “up and about” and enjoying some meaningful activities during the day. This is facilitated by specialist mobility equipment funded from donations, which means no residents are bedbound. There is a full activity programme every week, with more individual activities, facilitated by the Activities Team.

The chapel is the focal point of St Mary’s, and although residents do not have to be religious to come to the Home, many residents choose it because they wish to continue to attend a weekly church service. Mass is celebrated every day and the sisters attend offices of Morning Prayer, Mid-day Office, Vespers and Compline and are often joined at these by some residents.

The Home has many staff who have worked at St Mary’s for several years and the Home actively supports staff to gain Health and Social Care Qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 5. Over the year, the Home has been fully staffed and has not used agency staff. Where necessary we have called on our bank staff.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 9

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) (continued)

The Home has a good working relationship with the Palliative Care Team at Meadow House Hospice and aims to provide residents with end-of-life care at the Home. Most were supported to the end of their lives at St Mary’s. Families and friends were able to continue to visit them here and received support from the regular and consistent staff team.

Quality Management is of paramount importance and the Home uses the Quality Compliance System to audit compliance with the Fundamental Standards (Care Act 2014, Health & Social Care Act 2008). The Managing Director, as Nominated Individual, completes the Provider Audit monthly with the Registered Manager.

The Home operates in a highly regulated sector, and there have been many areas where regulation have increased in recent years. A large number of reports, to differing bodies, requiring different statistics, continue to take up a lot of time of both the Registered Manager and the Administrator. The Fair Cost of Care exercise resulted in a report but no action. There have been on-going delays in decisions about funding for Adult Social Care and how this might work between providers, local councils and the NHS going forward. It is hoped that the change of Government may result in changes in the coming year.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its new framework for providers to work with after a prolonged pilot; however, implementation did not occur in the financial year. The launch is planned in the year 2024/25, but there is a challenge about whether it is fit for purpose from one of the pilot participants. The launch of the new CQC portal for Registered Managers was delayed and was not up and running by April 2024. Currently each month the CQC looks at the information we submit, material gathered by “intelligence” and information we provide to our local council. Following this monthly review, the CQC has always sent an email stating that ‘they see no reason to change their rating of the care home at this time’.

The Home was last fully inspected in November 2019 and was rated “Good” in the reported published in December 2019 with Responsive rated as “Outstanding”. A full copy of the report can be found at www.cqc.org.uk

The Home successfully recruited a new Registered Manager, Melissa Layton, who was appointed and took up position in June 2023. Liz Smith, who until June 2023 was the Registered Manger and Matron, succeeded Sister Jennifer as Managing Director, with Sister Jennifer remaining as an advisor. Melissa came with long experience of working at the same level in the Health and Social Care Sector, but in the speciality of learning difficulties. It has been beneficial to have a new but very experienced person join the team, as it has enabled the senior team to broaden its perspectives and explore different approaches and ideas.

The Registered Manager and Managing Director are completing Mock Audits, the first completed in February 2024, with a plan to cover all five key areas SAFE, EFFECTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIVE and WELL-LED by November 2024. An independent external inspection is also being considered to try and ensure the GOOD rating is maintained if and when CQC inspect the Home again. It should also be noted that we have completed a climate literacy course so that we can demonstrate to the CQC our commitment to environmental sustainability and, as a result, an action plan has been developed.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 10

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Financial review

The group’s income amounted to £4,630,311 (2023: £4,026,097). Of this amount £3,866,878 (2023: £3,452,065) arose from nursing and residential home fees. Donations and legacies receivable totalled £267,879 (2023: £176,473).

Expenditure during the year for the group amounted to £4,632,494 (2023: £4,103,122). Costs in relation to the provision of residential and nursing care totalled £4,080,569 (2023: £3,666,924). The costs of supporting the members of the community and their ministry were £447,357 (2023: £358,565).

During the financial year to 31 March 2024 St Mary’s achieved net income before realised and unrealised investment gains amounted to £137,431 (2023 - £42,812). The fees paid by local authorities are significantly below the level required to cover the economic costs of care. Without the support of those giving donations and bequeathing legacies, and without income arising from investments, expenditure and related investment management fees would have exceeded income by £253,618 (2023 - £285,941).

Net expenditure for the group, before realised and unrealised investment gains, amounted to £2,183 (2023: £77,025).

Net investment gains for the group were £834,125 (2023: net investment losses of £1,136,106) and the net income and net increase in funds for the period, therefore, amounted to £831,942 (2023: net expenditure and net decrease in funds of £1,213,131).

Donations

The trustees wish to record their grateful thanks to all donors whose generosity has enabled the work of the charity and of St Mary’s to continue.

Investment performance

As previously stated, during the year, the group’s investments were managed by professional investment managers. At 31 March 2024 the investments had a market value of £13,404,965 (2023: £12,702,704) including cash awaiting investment of £268,105 (2023: £101,419).

During the year, the total return achieved on the investment portfolio was 9.25%.

The investment managers continued to invest in accordance with the trustees’ investment policy set out earlier in this report and in compliance with the ethical guidelines given to them. Further details of the investment portfolio are included in note 12 to the attached accounts. The trustees of the charity will continue to take a long term view and believe that the investment policy remains appropriate.

Reserves policy and financial position

Balance sheet reserves at 31 March 2024 were £19,848,079 (2023: £19,016,137) of which £9,453,490 (2023: £7,108,270) represented designated funds, £4,494,936 (2023: £4,465,377) represented fixed asset reserves, and the remaining £5,899,653 (2023: £7,442,490) represented general funds.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 11

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Financial review (continued)

Reserves policy and financial position (continued)

The trustees have examined the requirement for free reserves i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, or otherwise committed. Given the nature of the work undertaken by St Mary’s, and the current inadequacy of Government funding for residents in nursing homes without private means, together with the long-term commitment to look after the members of the community as they grow older, it is considered that the level of the group’s free reserves should be equal to at least eighteen month’s budgeted expenditure. The trustees are of the opinion that this provides sufficient flexibility to enable the charity to meet the continued challenges posed by the current macroeconomic and geopolitical climate and so cover any temporary shortfalls in income due to falls in occupancy levels.

The trustees consider that the level of free reserves is adequate but not excessive and will enable it to pursue successfully its charitable objectives. The free reserves figure of £5,899,653 needs to be considered in the light of the challenges posed by the macroeconomic and geopolitical climate. Inflationary pressures will have a significant impact of energy bills and food prices during the next twelve months and St Mary’s faces the uncertainties caused by the Government’s changes to the funding of social care and their impact on care fees. The annual budgeted expenditure of St Mary’s exceeds £4.4 million and this needs to be considered in the light of the foregoing but also the increasing age profile of the sisters, the volatility in world stock markets and the need for St Mary’s to employ more paid staff in the future as a result of the increasing regulatory requirements on care homes. Therefore, the trustees are of the opinion that the free reserves are adequate but not excessive.

Plans for future periods

St. Margaret’s Convent

It is the intention of the trustees of the charity to continue to meet the charity’s objectives.

It is also the intention of the trustees to grant a lease to St Mary’s for the area of the property which is utilised for the Nursing Home to enable the Management and Directors to raise funds in order to make improvements and additions to the building.

St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick)

The immediate challenge for 2024/2025 will be to deal with the issues arising primarily as an indirect impact of the macroeconomic and geopolitical climate - in particular, recruitment and retention of staff, pressures on staff pay, and continuing high energy and food prices. In addition, the Government’s reforms in respect to social care funding and the national shortage of care and nursing staff both give rise to severe challenges. Operationally, the trustees of the charitable company, do not anticipate any significant change to the charity - their intention is to continue to meet the charity’s objectives and to focus on providing an excellent service for residents.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 12

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Plans for future periods (continued)

St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) (continued)

The Home continues to look to the future and how it can adapt its current provision to suit changing needs. The more general development of retirement villages means that people are looking for flexible care progression facilities on site, from supported independence to nursing care when required. This is due to the improved treatment of many chronic conditions, including cancer. Potential residents know that their condition is eventually terminal but wish to remain as independent as possible while they are well, in a supportive environment, and receive end of life care, when it is required, in the same place with the same staff. Often people are living with the uncertainty of when their condition may change, so are comforted by the presence of nursing staff on site if there is an emergency and weekly GP sessions, with daily contact, if required.

Our large garden and some other areas in the grounds are under-utilised and provide the opportunity to increase the number of independent living bungalows, without affecting the overall environment. The trustees are exploring possibilities for future development of this type of accommodation.

The pandemic showed us that our communal spaces need to be larger and more adaptable to facilitate on-going care and support, with adequate space to minimise infection risk, if required, and meet the CQC requirement to introduce more “normalised living”, including restaurant style meals. Increased communal space to undertake shared activities, enable residents to meet in small groups of their own choosing and entertain visitors, outside of their rooms are issues that feature in resident feedback.

St Mary’s has sought the services of Paul Vick Architects and initial plans have been drawn up. The Architects have consulted Hounslow Planning and Conservation Departments over these years, and the management team discussed plans with the Board, the sisters and immediate neighbours. As a consequence, planning permission went live on 11 March 2024, and was granted on 8 November 2024. Work will now begin on the next steps, phasing and fundraising.

Alongside the plans outlined above, the trustees of St Mary’s have approached the members of Saint Margaret’s Convent to discuss a long-term lease agreement (minimum 25years). Agreement to this security of tenure is deemed essential, before any significant investment is made.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), governed by a Constitution and registered with the Charity Commission on 21 February 2020.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 13

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management (continued)

Key management personnel

The trustees (who include the Reverend Mother who was also the Responsible Person and Chief Executive of St Mary’s during part of the year, and is now the advisor) consider that they, together with the lay trustees of the charitable company and the Registered Manager/Matron of St Mary’s, comprise the key management personnel of the charity and the group in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity and the group on a day to day basis.

None of the trustees, including the lay trustees of St Mary’s, received any remuneration during the period. One trustee of St Mary’s received reimbursement of expenses during the year in relation to travel expenses of £468 (2023: Nil).

Five trustees of the charity are members of the Anglican Religious Community, Saint Margaret’s Convent (Chiswick). In accordance with their vows of poverty these trustees are provided with board, lodgings, travelling and personal expenses. The sisters receive no other benefit in money or in kind. Those who work within St Mary’s receive no salary for the work they do within the Home.

The pay of the Registered Manager/Matron of St Mary’s is reviewed annually by the trustees. Her pay generally is increased in line with average earnings within the Home.

Trustees

The names of the trustees who served during the financial year ended 31 March 2024 are set out as part of the legal and administrative details on page 1 of this annual report and consolidated accounts.

The trustees take advice from both their lay advisers and their professional advisers, particularly in the areas of law, finance and accounting, property and investment.

St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) has a body of trustees which is separate from the trustees of Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO. The trustees of the charitable company are also the charity directors for the purposes of company law. Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO is a member of St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) and may appoint two Directors of the company.

Trustee induction and training

The trustees of St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) have expertise and experience in a wide range of business, medical and care disciplines. Individuals with appropriate skills, ability and time are approached to offer themselves for election to the board of trustees.

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Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management (continued)

Trustee induction and training (continued)

Prospective trustees of the charitable company are invited to meet existing trustees and the senior management and to see first-hand the work of the Home and its general atmosphere. They are provided with relevant documents relating to the governance of the charity and the latest accounts and management accounts. The information and advice available from the Charity Commission is also made available to any prospective trustee who does not have previous experience of the duties and responsibilities placed on a charity trustee.

Organisational structure

During the year, the Reverend Mother Superior, Sister Jennifer Anne SSM, was the chair of the trustees of both the charity and the charitable company. She was responsible for the day to day running of the charity and was assisted by the Assistant Superior of Saint Margaret’s Convent, currently Sister Mary Clare SSM.

The trustees of the charity meet during the year as necessary.

The day to day running of St Mary’s was overseen by Sister Jennifer Anne SSM until July 2023 when Elizabeth Smith became the Managing Director. Melissa Layton was appointed the Registered Manager with effect from the same date taking over that role from Elizabeth Smith.

The trustees of the charitable company meet four times a year and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the Home. At each meeting, the trustees of the charitable company consider the key measures of operational and financial performance with the assistance of the appropriate members of the management team.

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The charity’s trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the group and of the income and expenditure of the charity and of the group for that period. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

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Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management (continued)

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities (continued)

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the relevant Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the charity’s trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Risk management

The trustees have identified and considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Systems have been established to mitigate those risks and the risk policies which have been developed will be regularly updated and adapted as circumstances change. The trustees of the charitable company have also identified and considered the major risks to which St Mary’s is exposed. The key risks affecting the charities are described below together with the main ways in which they are mitigated:

St Mary’s operates in a highly regulated field of activity and as such is subject to regular inspection by a number of agencies. The result of this degree of scrutiny is that operational risk policies are very well developed in the areas of quality of service, health and safety of residents and employees and employment issues. The Matron and the trustees with experience of running health care organisations advise the trustees of the myriad of clinical, care and other risks associated with the operation of the care home including, for example, safeguarding (see above); the chronic shortage of qualified nurses and care assistants; and the changing regulatory environment including alterations to the inspection regime of the Care Quality Commission and the need for specific written policies.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 16

Report of the trustees 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management (continued)

Risk management (continued)

In the areas of governance, financial and compliance risk the trustees of both the charity and the charitable company have considered the systems controlling risk and the work of the charities’ senior staff and professional advisers who implement and monitor the risk control systems. The risk systems in place combined with the skills of those responsible for implementing the policies minimise the exposure to risk.

Related parties

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO is deemed to be the parent entity of St Mary’s Convent and Home (Chiswick) (the Home) as it holds significant influence. It is a member of the Home and may nominate two of the Home’s trustees. During the year, the Reverend Mother Superior of Saint Margaret’s was the Chief Executive of the Home. The freehold of the premises from which the Home operates is owned by the charity. The Home occupies the premises in return for an annual peppercorn licence fee in accordance with a written Memorandum of Understanding.

Employees, volunteers and members of the Community

The trustees wish to record their recognition of the professionalism and commitment of all their staff and volunteers. Their dedication and positive approach is very much appreciated.

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

C. M. Allen

Trustee

Approved by the Trustees on: 26 November 2024

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 17

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO (the ‘parent charity’) and its subsidiary (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the group and parent charity statement of financial activities, the group and parent balance sheets, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the accounts:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group and parent charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the accounts are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 18

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report and consolidated accounts, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the accounts. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 15, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group’s and the parent charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 19

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

We have been appointed as auditor under section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the parent charity’s and group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 20

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 21

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Date: 11 December 2024

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 22

Consolidated statement of financial activities Year ended 31 March 2024

Notes
2024
£
2023
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
1
Investment income and interest receivable
2
Charitable activities
. Charges for nursing and residential care services
3
Other sources:
. Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets
. Miscellaneous
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds – investment management fees
Charitable activities
. Support of members of the Community and their ministry
4
. Provision of nursing and residential care
5
. Donations
7
Total expenditure
Net expenditure before net investment gains (losses)
8
Net gains (losses) on investments
Net income (expenditure) and net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:*
Fund balances brought forward at 1 April 2023
Fund balances carried forward at 31 March 2024

267,879

413,289

3,866,878
20,000
62,265
176,473
357,917
3,452,065

39,642
4,630,311 4,026,097
44,386

447,357

4,080,569

60,182
22,256
358,565
3,666,924
55,377
4,632,494 4,103,122

(2,183)
834,125
(77,025)
(1,136,106)
831,942
19,016,137
(1,213,131)
20,229,268
19,848,079 19,016,137

The group has no recognised gains and losses other than those shown above and therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has been prepared.

*Donations in the period to 31 March 2024 included £13,682 (2023: £10,100) for restricted purposes. Further details of these are given in note 1 to the accounts.

All other income related to unrestricted funds.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 23

Charity statement of financial activities Year ended 31 March 2024

Notes
2024
£
2023
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
1
Investments and interest receivable
2
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
. Support of members of the Community and their ministry
4
. Donations
7
Total expenditure
Net expenditure before net investment gains (losses)
8
Net gains (losses) on investments
Net income (expenditure) and net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds balances brought forward at 1 April 2023
Total funds balances carried forward at 31 March 2024

134,703

260,558
90
57,188
253,969
45
395,351 308,195
25,406

447,357

62,202
14,297
358,565
58,177
534,965 431,039

(139,614)
593,923
(119,837)
(809,394)
454,309
10,023,365
(929,231)
10,952,596
10,477,674 10,023,365

The charity has no recognised gains and losses other than those shown above and therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has been prepared.

All income and expenditure related to unrestricted funds.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 24

Balance sheets 31 March 2024

Notes Group Group Charity Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
2023
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Investments
12
Current assets
Debtors
14
Short term bank accounts
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
15
Net current assets
Total net assets
Represented by:
Funds and reserves
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
. Designated funds
16
. Tangible fixed assets fund
17
. General fund
4,494,936
13,404,965
4,465,377
12,702,704
742,003
9,485,943
634,768
9,009,057
17,899,901 17,168,081 10,227,946 9,643,825
428,189
1,000,000
1,003,867
296,580

1,990,042
138,224

282,824
118,140

420,511
2,432,056
(483,878)
2,286,622
(438,566)
421,048
(171,320)
538,651
(159,111)
1,948,178 1,848,056 249,728 379,540
19,848,079 19,016,137 10,477,674 10,023,365
9,453,490
4,494,936
5,899,653
7,108,270
4,465,377
7,442,490
5,923,490
742,003
3,812,181
5,108,270
634,768
4,280,327
19,848,079 19,016,137 10,477,674 10,023,365

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

C. M. Allen

Trustee

Approved by the trustees on: 26 November 2024

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 25

Consolidated statement of cash flows Year ended 31 March 2024

Notes
2024
£
2023
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash used in operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment income and interest received
Proceeds from the disposal of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Invested in short term deposits

Proceeds from the disposal of investments

Purchase of investments

Net cash used in investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the period
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2023
B
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2024
B


**(212,737) **
(158,945)


379,621
20,000
(304,923)
(1,000,000)
10,402,658
**(10,154,108) **
356,690

(92,713)

3,296,988
(3,649,606)
**(656,752) ** (88,641)

(869,489)


2,191,461
(247,586)
2,439,047

1,321,972
2,191,461

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the period to 31 March 2024.

A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash used in operating activities

2024
£
2023
£
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
Net (gains) losses on investments
Investment income and interest receivable
Net surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets
(Increase) decrease in debtors
Increase (decrease) in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities
831,942
275,364
(834,125)
(413,289)
(20,000)
(97,941)
45,312
(1,213,131)
267,999
1,136,106
(357,917)

30,134
(22,136)
(212,737) (158,945)

B Analysis of net debt i.e. cash and cash equivalents

1 April
2023
£
1,990,042
100,000
101,419
2,191,461
Cash flows
£
(986,175)
(50,000)
166,686
(869,489)
31 March
2024
£
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash instruments held by investment managers
Cash held by investment managers
Total cash and cash equivalents
1,003,867
50,000
268,105
1,321,972

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 26

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year ended 31 March 2024 with comparative information given in respect to the year ended 31 March 2023.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Basis of consolidation

The group’s statement of financial activities, balance sheet and cash flow statement consolidate the accounts of the charity and the accounts of St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick).

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts of the group and the charity requires the trustees to make significant judgements and estimates.

The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Assessment of going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The trustees of the CIO have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the CIO to continue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion that the CIO will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

Going forward, the CIO’s investment income may be affected because of the current macroeconomic and geopolitical climate. Expenditure may rise in some areas due to inflationary pressures. The trustees of the CIO will continue to monitor both income and expenditure closely.

The Trustees have been pleased to note that the interest shown by families being shown the Home last summer has resulted in full occupancy, with long waiting lists for both residential and nursing units. This has had a very positive effect on the finances, in what could have been a difficult year. The Home is also fully recruited for staff.

The trustees do not know what impact the global economic and geopolitical climate and the resultant the cost of living crisis may have. It is fortunate in having financial reserves and so the trustees have confidence about the Home’s ability to continue operating over the short to medium term.

The trustees of the charity and the group have concluded that, notwithstanding the uncertainties surrounding the aftermath of the pandemic and the current macroeconomic and geopolitical climate, there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity and group to continue as a going concerns. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity and group will have sufficient resources to meet their liabilities as they fall due.

With regard to the next accounting period, the year ending 31 March 2025, the most significant issues that may affect the charity’s and the group’s financial position are: the volatility in world investment markets which may cause the market value of the charitable company’s investments to rise or fall; inflationary pressures and energy prices in particular; the level of local and central government funding for residential and nursing care for older people; the ability to recruit and retain high quality nursing and care staff; and the cost of implementing any changes to the regulatory environment affecting care homes generally.

The most significant areas of judgement that affect items in the accounts of the charity and group are detailed above.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 28

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity and/or the charitable group has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income comprises donations, legacies, investment income, interest receivable, fees and related charges in respect to residential and nursing care provision and other income including the surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets and fundraising activities.

Donations, including salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charity and/or the charitable group has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charitable group is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charitable group and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102, no value has been placed on services provided by volunteers.

Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity and/or the charitable group is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charitable group.

Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charitable group is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity and/or the charitable group 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 charitable group has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution.

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity and/or the charitable group; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Fees and related charges in respect to the provision of residential and nursing care are measured at fair value of the consideration received or receivable being the invoiced amount excluding discounts and rebates. Provision is made against any amount deemed irrecoverable or where the debt is doubtful.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 29

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Income recognition (continued)

Income from miscellaneous sources includes contributions received from relatives staying overnight at the Home when visiting residents and rental income from staff. The income is recognised when receivable (being the date on which the accommodation was used) and when the charity and/or the charitable group has both confirmation of the amount and where receipt is considered probable.

The surplus on the disposal of freehold land and the surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets are included at fair value and accounted for on an accruals basis. The surplus on the disposal of both freehold land and tangible fixed assets is calculated as the difference between the sale proceeds net of sale costs, related taxes and the net book value of the asset immediately prior to disposal.

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity and/or the charitable group to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. Support costs, including governance costs, are allocated to expenditure on the provision of nursing and residential care. The classification between activities is as follows:

All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Support and governance costs

Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity and charitable group it is necessary to provide support in the form of personnel development, financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and a suitable working environment.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 30

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Support and governance costs (continued)

Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charitable group (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice.

All expenditure on support and governance is attributed directly to either the provision of nursing and residential care or the support of members of the Congregation and their ministry. Hence, there has been no apportionment between expenditure headings.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

All assets costing more than £1,000 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.

Freehold and long leasehold land and buildings and improvements

Freehold and long leasehold land and buildings and improvements are shown on the balance sheet at cost.

Depreciation is calculated using a straight line basis at 2% per annum. Higher rates are used where the improvement is anticipated to have a shorter useful economic life

Fixed asset investments

Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.

The charity and charitable group do not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

As noted above the main form of financial risk faced by the charity and the charitable group is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.

Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value is acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains (and losses) are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 31

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition.

Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charitable group anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Fund structure

The funds of the charity and charitable group are unrestricted and therefore are available for use in furtherance of the charity’s and charitable group’s objectives (as appropriate) at the discretion of the trustees. Within the total unrestricted funds of the charity are funds the trustees have designated for specific purposes and amounts representing tangible fixed assets. Details of these are provided in notes 16 and 17 respectively.

Pensions

The charity and charitable group offer their employees membership of a defined contribution pension scheme administered by the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). Contributions to the scheme are debited to the statement of financial activities in the year which they are payable to the scheme. The assets of the scheme are held by an independent corporate trustee, whose activities are governed by the National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010, made by the Secretary of State in exercise of powers confirmed under the Pensions Act 2008.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 32

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

1. Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies
Group Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
2023
£
Donations*
Legacies
Pensions of individual sisters
50,984
154,539
62,356
48,719
71,056
56,698

13,743

58,604

62,356
490

56,698
267,879 176,473
134,703
57,188

*Group donations include restricted donations of £13,682 (2023: £10,100).

2. Investments and interest receivable

Investments and interest receivable
Group Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
2023
£
UK listed investments:
. Fixed interest
. Equities (including property)
. CBF Church of England – unitised funds
Overseas listed investments
. Fixed interest
. Equities
. Money market instruments
. Alternatives
Interest
. Loan interest (note 14)
. Cash instruments
. Deposit interest
66,928
149,856
8,378
26,767
52,298

36,722
46,450
190,612
8,524
10,184
57,914
627
31,177
59,004
109,288
8,378
18,899
28,065

21,216
28,756
140,876
8,524
10,184
30,515
627
29,545
340,949
871
7,379
64,090
345,488
871

11,558
244,850
871
4,815
10,022
249,027
871

4,071
413,289 357,917 260,558 253,969

3. Charges for residential and nursing care services

Charges for residential and nursing care services
Group
2024
£
2023
£
Gross fees
Less: subsidies and discounts
4,034,543
**(167,665) **
3,551,555
(99,490)
3,866,878 3,452,065

Subsidies and discounts arise in respect of those residents of the Home reliant on local authority or NHS funds where the fees paid fall short of the standard fees charged by the Home.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 33

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

4. Support of members of the Community and their ministry

Group Group Charity Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
2023
£
Premises
Sisters’ living and ministry expenses
Sisters’ nursing and medical care
Support costs:
. Staff costs
. General office costs
. Legal and professional fees
Governance costs (note 6)
62,612
127,054
208,480
16,147
14,401
18,663
43,326
123,253
156,645
10,414
5,985
18,942
62,612
127,054
208,480
16,147
14,401
18,663
43,326
123,253
156,645
10,414
5,985
18,942
447,357 358,565 447,357 358,565

5. Provision of nursing and residential care

Provision of nursing and residential care
Group
2024
£
2023
£
Direct care costs
. Staff costs (including training: 2024: £28,762; 2023: £23,999)
. Medical costs
Accommodation costs and overheads
. Staff costs (kitchen and domestic)
. Provisions
. Depreciation
. Property and equipment repairs and maintenance
. Rates, insurance, gas and electricity
. Residents’ welfare and chapel
Support costs
. Administration salaries
. Recruitment costs
. Printing, postage, stationery and telephone costs
. Car and travel expenses
. Professional fees (including governance costs (note 6))
. Other costs*
Less: recharge to charity
2,581,090
60,375
558,891
176,230
244,106
273,871
182,394
8,376
123,459
2,478
19,334
8,791
79,574
67,449
2,284,886
54,734
488,120
149,094
241,767
235,042
140,097
7,348
113,579
21,752
7,406
8,335
94,832
74,932
4,386,418
(305,849)
3,921,924
(255,000)
4,080,569 3,666,924

*Other costs include expenditure from restricted funds of £13,682 (2023: £6,100).

6. Governance costs

Governance costs
Group Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
2023
£
Professional fees 30,663 30,942 18,663 18,942

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 34

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

7. Donations

Donations
Group Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
2023
£
Donations of £1,000 or more to
institutions
Overseas missions of Saint Margaret’s
. Sri Lanka
. Haiti
Glass Door (Hammersmith Night Shelter)
Sackville College
The College of St Barnabas, Lingfield
British Red Cross (2024 Gaza appeal)
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance
Operation Smile
R.N.L.l. (Lifeboats)
The Camphill Family Appeal Fund
St Martin-in-the-fields
Water Aid
Glass Door Homeless Charity
The Priory of Our Lady
Médecins Sans Frontières
Operation Smile
KSS Air Ambulance
Hydestile Resident Animals
St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home
(Chiswick)
Other donations to institutions (less than
£1,000)
Donations to individuals (see note below)
2024 Total funds
12,000
1,000
2,000
11,500
1,500
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000


1,000

1,000
3,000




10,485
12,697
11,000


1,500
1,500
10,000



1,000
1,000
1,000
1,500
1,000
12,000
1,000
1,000
1,000

8,741
2,136
12,000
1,000
2,000
11,500
1,500
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000


1,000

1,000
3,000



3,000
9,505
12,697
11,000


1,500
1,500
10,000



1,000
1,000
1,000
1,500
1,000
12,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
2,800
8,741
2,136
60,182 55,377 62,202 58,177

Donations to individuals include donations in respect of 2 (2023 -1) individuals.

Donations by the charity and the group include a donation of £7,697 (2023: £2,136) in respect of one former associates of the Saint Margaret’s Convent. The charity has agreed to supplement the residential and nursing care fees of an associate for the immediate future and while sufficient government funding is not available to fund her care.

No specific period is ascertainable over which the top up fees may be payable, as these will depend on government policy on funding nursing care, and also on age expectancy of the associate.

In the current year the charity donated £5,000 for the care of a brother of a member of the charity.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 35

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

8. Net income (expenditure) before net investment gains

This is stated after charging:

Group Group Charity
2024
£
2023
£


31,258
26,233
11,460
10,512


1,320
2,280
10,441
6,150
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
Staff costs (note 9)
Depreciation
Auditor’s remuneration
. Audit fees
. This year
. Previous year
. Taxation services
. Other services
3,216,824
275,364
24,660
696
3,000
34,780
2,862,586
267,999
22,512

3,165
28,584

31,258
11,460

1,320
10,441

9. Staff costs and trustees’ remuneration and expenses and key management personnel

Group Charity Group Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2024
£
2023
£
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs
2,860,783
278,092
77,949


2,544,193
247,694
70,699


3,216,824 2,862,586

The number of employees whose employee benefits (including taxable benefits but excluding employer’s pension contributions) exceeded £60,000 was:

2024
No.
2023
No.
£60,000 - £70,000
£70,000 - £80,000

1
1

The average and full time equivalent number of employees of the group during the period was as follows:

2024 2024 2023 2023
Full time
equivalent
Average Full time
equivalent
Average
Nursing and residential care staff
Management and administration
81
2
92
3
82
2
93
3
83 95 84 96

The charity did not have any employees during 2024 or 2023.

As members of the Community, the living and personal expenses of five of the trustees during the year were borne by the group and/or charity. None of the trustees received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees.

The total remuneration (including taxable benefits and employers pension contributions) Managing Director and the Registered Manager of the St Mary’s Nursing Home for the year was £145,364 (2023 – Registered Manager/Matron was £79,870).

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 36

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

10. Taxation

Saint Margaret’s Convent (Chiswick) and St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) are both registered charities and, therefore, are not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income and gains derived from their charitable activities as they fall within the exemptions available to registered charities.

11. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Group Freehold
and long
leasehold
land and
buildings
£
Freehold
improvements
£



Plant,
fixtures
and
fittings
£
Motor
vehicles
£
2024
Total
£
7,204,145

304,923
(63,470)
7,445,598
2,738,768

275,364
(63,470)
2,950,662
4,494,936
4,465,377
Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for year
On disposals
At 31 March 2024
Net book values
At 31 March 2024
At 1 April 2023
1,294,672
138,493

4,616,693

20,681

1,227,640
112,861
(26,445)
65,140
32,888
(37,025)
1,433,165
4,637,374
1,314,056 61,003
668,994
28,664

1,424,924

103,701

585,403
138,276
(26,445)
59,447
4,723
(37,025)
697,658
1,528,625
697,234 27,145
735,507
3,108,749
616,822 33,858
625,679
3,191,769
642,237 5,693
Charity Freehold
and long
leasehold
land and
buildings
£
Plant,
fixtures
and
fittings
£
Motor
vehicles
£
2024
Total
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
Depreciation charge for period
At 31 March 2024
Net book values
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
1,294,672
138,493

12,971

15,465
1,323,108
138,493
1,433,165
12,971
15,465 1,461,601
668,994
28,664

3,881

2,594
15,465
688,340
31,258
697,658
6,475
15,465 719,598
735,507
6,496
742,003
625,679
9,091
634,768

As permitted under FRS 102, Tangible Fixed Assets, the group and charity continued to adopt a policy of not revaluing their tangible fixed assets. The book value of the land and buildings and other tangible fixed assets are stated at cost.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 37

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

11. Tangible fixed assets (continued)

It is likely that there are material differences between the open market values of the group’s and charity’s land and buildings and their book values. These arise from the specialised nature of the properties and the effects of inflation. The amount of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant costs which, in the opinion of the trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefit to users of the accounts.

12. Investments

Investments
Group Charity Group Charity
2023
£
8,861,871
50,000
97,186
9,009,057
Charity
2024
£
2024
£
2023
£
Listed investments
Cash instruments held by money
managers
Cash held by investment managers for
re-investment
At 31 March 2024
13,086,860
50,000
268,105
9,226,646

259,297
12,501,285
100,000
101,419
13,404,965 9,485,943 12,702,704
Group Charity Group
2024
£
2024
£
2023
£
2023
£
Listed investments
Opening market value
Additions at cost
Disposals (see below)
Net unrealised investment (losses) gains
Market value at 31 March 2023
12,501,285
10,154,108
(9,985,769)
417,236
8,861,871
7,313,789
(7,172,923)
223,909
13,284,773
3,649,606
(3,541,969)
(891,125)
9,476,653
2,363,526
(2,321,947)
(656,361)
13,086,860 9,226,646 12,501,285 8,861,871
Historical cost of listed investments 12,457,602 8,766,503 11,148,585 7,807,557
Disposals Group Charity Group Charity
2023
£
2,168,914
153,033
2,321,947
2024
£
2024
£
2023
£
Disposal proceeds
Realised (gains) losses
Disposals at market value
10,402,658
(416,889)
7,542,937
(370,014)
3,296,988
244,981
9,985,769 7,172,923 3,541,969

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 38

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

12. Investments (continued)

Listed investments comprised the following:

Group Charity Group
2023
£
741,270
4,067,131
224,861
739,417
4,923,903
1,004,095
800,608
12,501,285
Charity
2023
£
585,273
3,014,489
224,861
482,104
3,300,158
660,752
594,234
8,861,871
2024
£
2024
£
UK listed investments
. Fixed interest
. Equities
. CBF Church of England – unitised funds
Overseas listed investments
. Fixed interest
. Equities
Alternatives
Property
932,993
1,215,301
244,908
582,057
8,818,293
876,682
416,626
648,088
873,581
244,908
380,864
6,190,533
578,564
310,108
13,086,860 9,226,646

Group and charity

All listed investments were dealt in on a recognised stock exchange.

Individually material investments

At 31 March 2024 no individual holdings were deemed material when compared with the overall portfolio valuation as at that date.

13. Subsidiary undertaking

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO is deemed to be the parent entity of St Mary’s Convent and Home (Chiswick), a registered charity (Charity Registration Number 1080751) and a company limited by guarantee (Company Registration Number 03959483 (England and Wales)) (the Home) as it holds significant influence. It is a member of the Home and may nominate two of the Home’s trustees. During the year, the Reverend Mother Superior of Saint Margaret’s was the Chief Executive of the Home. The freehold of the premises from which the Home operates is owned by the charity. The Home occupies the premises in return for an annual peppercorn licence fee in accordance with a written Memorandum of Understanding.

A summary of the results of St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) for the year ended 31 March is shown below:

Total income
Total expenditure
Net income for the year
Net investment gains
Net movement in funds
2024
£
4,543,809
(4,406,378)
137,431
240,202
377,633
2023
£
3,972,695
(3,929,883)
42,812
(326,712)
(283,900)

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 39

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

13. Subsidiary undertaking (continued)

The total net assets and funds of St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) as at 31 March are shown below:

March are shown below:
2024
£
2023
£
Tangible fixed assets
Listed investments
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Total net assets
Represented by:
Unrestricted funds
. Designated funds
. Tangible fixed assets fund
. General funds
3,752,933
3,919,022
2,013,308
(314,858)
3,830,609
3,693,647
1,749,155
(280,639)
9,370,405 8,992,772
3,530,000
3,752,933
2,087,472
2,000,000
3,830,609
3,162,163
9,370,405 8,992,772

14. Debtors

Debtors
Group Charity Group
2023
£
45,185
46,229
11,584
24,850
92,125
76,607
296,580
Charity
2024
£
2024
£
2023
£
Nursing and residential care fees
Loan (see below)
Other debtors
Donations and legacies receivable
Prepayments
Accrued income
105,052
47,100
15,088
3,901
146,773
110,275

47,100
13,488

13,654
63,982

46,229


13,979
57,932
428,189 138,224 118,140

Group and charity

The loan represents an amount advanced to a former member of the Anglican religious order known as the Society of Saint Margaret to facilitate the purchase of a property. The loan, which is secured by way of a first legal charge over the property, is repayable on the earlier of the sale of the said property (or the sale of any subsequent property purchased from the proceeds should the former member relocate) and the death of the former member.

The maximum amount to be repaid by the former member when the property is sold will be the greater of 23.76% of the proceeds of sale or the amount of the loan plus the accrued interest. The loan attracts interest at 5% per annum simple, calculated from the date on which monies were advanced to the date of repayment.

Accrued interest of £871 has been added to the loan during the year (2023: £871).

The property was sold on 19 March 2024 and the loan was repaid on 10 April 2024. The total sum received was £60,588.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 40

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

15. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Group Charity Group Charity
2024
£
2024
£
2023
£
2023
£
Expense creditors
Fees received in advance
Taxation and social security costs
Accruals and other creditors
Sister Francis Anne Trust Fund
38,161
23,673
70,362
216,468
135,214
3,989


32,117
135,214
68,780
25,934
58,144
150,494
135,214
3,679


20,218
135,214
483,878 171,320 438,566 159,111

16. Designated funds

The income funds of the group or charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds for specific purposes:

Group At 1 April
2023
£
New de-
signations
£
Utilised /
released
£
At 31 March
2024
£
Residential and nursing care contingency fund
Building maintenance fund
Development fund
Sisters' care fund
Grants and donations
. Financing fund
900,000
350,000
750,000
3,030,000
2,078,270
37,215
14,472
1,530,000
820,000
57,422
(37,215)
(14,472)


(62,202)
900,000
350,000
2,280,000
3,850,000
2,073,490
7,108,270 2,459,109 (113,889) 9,453,490
Charity At 1 April
2023
£
New de-
signations
£
Utilised /
released
£
At 31 March
2024
£
Sisters' care fund
Grants and donations
. Financing fund
3,030,000
2,078,270
820,000
57,422

(62,202)
3,850,000
2,073,490
5,108,270 877,422 (62,202) 5,923,490

The residential and nursing care fund comprises monies set aside to generate income towards meeting some of the shortfall in the fees paid by local authorities towards the cost of providing care. Income generated from the funds invested was added to the fund and withdrawn to the extent that it is needed to meet any shortfall.

The building maintenance fund represents monies set aside by the trustees to generate income towards the cost of maintaining the buildings to a standard appropriate to meet the needs of the residents and the sisters.

The development fund is monies set aside as a reserve and contribution toward developing the current buildings and site to better serve the residents and future business use.

The sisters’ care fund represents monies set aside by the charity’s trustees to provide for the future costs of providing nursing care to elderly sisters who have dedicated their working lives to the charity.

The trustees have established a grant and donations financing fund with the broad intention to use the fund to provide income to be applied towards grants and donations.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 41

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

17. Tangible fixed assets fund

Tangible fixed assets fund
2024
Group
Charity
£
£
2023
Group
Charity
£
£
4,640,664
659,302
(175,287)
(24,534)
4,465,377
634,768
£ £ £ £
At 1 April 2023
Net movements during the period
At 31 March 2024
4,465,377
29,559
634,768
107,235
4,640,664
(175,287)
659,302
(24,534)
4,494,936 742,003 4,465,377 634,768

The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the group and the charity’s tangible fixed assets which have been financed from unrestricted funds. A decision was made to separate this fund from the general funds of the group and the charity in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are essential to the day-to-day work of the group and the charity. The value represented by such assets, therefore, should not be regarded as realisable with ease, in order to meet future contingencies.

18. Analysis of assets between funds

Analysis of assets between funds
Group General
fund
£
Tangible
fixed
assets
fund
£
Designated
funds
£
31 March
2024
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
Total net assets

3,951,475
2,432,056
(483,878)
4,494,936



9,453,490

4,494,936
13,404,965
2,432,056
(483,878)
5,899,653 4,494,936 9,453,490 19,848,079
**Charity ** General
fund
£

Tangible
fixed
assets
fund
£

Designated
funds
£
31 March
2024
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
Total net assets

3,562,453
421,048
(171,320)

742,003








5,923,490




742,003

9,485,943

421,048

(171,320)
3,812,181
742,003

5,923,490

10,477,674

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 42

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

18. Analysis of assets between funds (continued)

Analysis of assets between funds(co ntinued)
Group Charity
31 March
2024
£
Group Charity
31 March
2024
£
31 March
2023
£
31 March
2023
£
Unrealised gains on investments
included above:
Reconciliation of movements on
unrealised gains on
investment assets
Unrealised gains at 1 April 2023
Unrealised gains arising in the period
in respect of disposals in the period
At 31 March 2024
1,352,700
417,236
(1,140,678)
1,054,314
223,909
(818,080)
460,143
3,096,816
(891,125)
(852,991)
2,258,378
(656,361)
(547,703)
629,258 1,352,700 1,054,314

19. Ultimate control and members’ liability

The charity, which is constituted as a CIO, was controlled throughout the period by the Society of Saint Margaret by virtue of the fact that the members of the CIO comprise the members of the Chapter. The Society does not hold any assets, incur liabilities or enter into any transactions in its own right within the United Kingdom. Assets and liabilities of the Society within the United Kingdom are vested in the trustees of the charity, who undertake all transactions entered into in the course of the Community’s charitable activities.

If the CIO is wound up, members of the CIO have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.

20. Related party transactions

The members of the CIO are the members of the Chapter of the Society of Saint Margaret. Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO is deemed to be the parent entity of St Mary’s Convent and Home (Chiswick), a registered charity (Charity Registration Number 1080751) and a company limited by guarantee (Company Registration Number 03959483 (England and Wales)) (the Home) as it holds significant influence. It is a member of the Home and may nominate two of the Home’s trustees. During the year, the Reverend Mother Superior of Saint Margaret’s, who was the Chief Executive of the Home, became an advisor. The freehold of the premises from which the Home operates is owned by the CIO. The Home occupies the premises in return for an annual peppercorn licence fee in accordance with a written Memorandum of Understanding.

In accordance with their vows of poverty the trustees of the CIO, who are members of the Chapter of the Society of Saint Margaret, are provided with board, lodgings, travelling and personal expenses.

A number of the trustees of the CIO reside within the premises occupied by St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick). Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO donates monies to the St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home (Chiswick) towards the living and personal expenses of these sisters. A number of the trustees of the CIO work at the Home but they receive no salary for this work from the Home.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 43

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

20. Related party transactions (continued)

Five trustees, as members of the Chapter of the Society of Saint Margaret, have no resources of their own as all earnings, pensions and other income have been donated to the charity under a Gift Aid compliant Deed of Covenant. During the year, the total amount donated by these individuals, whilst they were trustees, to the charity was £35,408 (2023 - £33,037).

Included in donations is a donation of £5,000 paid towards the care and support of the brother of a trustee, Miss Pamela Groombridge (Sister Mary Paul SSM), who is also a member and beneficiary of the charity.

There were no other related party transactions with the trustees of the charity during the year (2023 – none).

21. Post balance sheet events

On 30 October 2023, the charity completed the purchase of a flat in Uckfield for a gross purchase price of £135,000. Following this purchase, the charity plans to sell a property that it owns in Uckfield which had a net book value of £104,000 as at 31 March 2024.

Saint Margaret’s Convent (SSM Chiswick) CIO 44