# **Annual report for 2023 of the Trustees of the Swavesey Fire Relief CIO** (known locally as Frere Cottages). Registered Charity No. 1190054 ## 1. **Charity Correspondent** Mr John Pook ## 2. **Bank** Barclays Bank plc Chesterton Road, Cambridge ## 3. O **bject of the Charity** The Swavesey Fire Relief Fund was established by a scheme of 24[th] February 1914 to buy land on which to build and manage four cottages suitable for the occupation of poor persons resident in Swavesey, but in receipt of a secure income. Preference was to be given to those who had been rendered homeless by the major fire of March 1913. If a cottage is not required for occupation as thus outlined, the Trustees are empowered to let the cottage for the time being for the best charge that can reasonably be obtained. The cottages are designated as almshouses and residents as licensees not tenants. They pay weekly maintenance contributions (WMCs) not rent. The object of the charity was unchanged when the Swavesey Fire Relief CIO was updated from June 22[nd] .2020. This Annual Report covers the full year for the Charity from January 1[st] . 2023 to December 31[st] . 2023. ## 4. **Trustees during 2023** Mr John Pook (Chairman and Representative Trustee) Mr James Dodson (Representative Trustee) Mr Stuart Faben (Representative Trustee) Mr Clive Barnes (Co-optative Trustee) – June 2019 Ms Bridget Lofts (Representative Trustee) – March 2019 to March 2023 Mr Jonathan Benson (Representative Trustee) from June 2020 Mr M S Herrington (Co-optative Trustee/Representative Trustee) from December 2020 Mrs. Mary Adams (Co-optative Trustee) from March 2023 Representative Trustees are appointed by Swavesey Parish Council and The Parochial Church Council of St Andrews Church Swavesey. Martin Herrington became a representative Trustee in place of Ms Bridget Lofts for St Andrews Church in March 2023 ## 5. **Work of the Charity in 2023** During 2023 the original cottages provided housing for four single people as licensees in view of their need for accommodation. Two new single cottages were completed and occupied by two single People in December 2022 and continued in occupation throughout 2023. The Charity took full responsibility for the cottages from the building contractors from December. WMC payments were reviewed and increased to reflect the increased rate in inflation during the year. All the residents occupy the cottages under a license agreement in accordance with the guidance provided by the Almshouse Association. All the residents meet the requirements set out in the objects of the charity. Various minor maintenance works and grounds maintenance have been carried out. Settlement to one of the cottages is subject to an ongoing claim with the Charity’s insurance company. The repairs to the cottages have been subject to delays by the insurance company and the Trustees are seeking resolution through the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Trustees acknowledged their gratitude to John Shepperson BM fixed a granite plaque to mark his generous donation resulting in the building of the new cottages. ## 6. **Public Benefit** In carrying out the work, Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit Guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. John Pook, Chairman Cha For the perlod: Rocwpts and Payments 2023 A1 RKdpts (Totth) ,Paymthts ITotah) 2022 Rents 24.192.fy) IL* 1,260.OD 1.394.63 2. 18.41 153.Lb) 7A1 4.337. 528.10 4,366.12 9.M.BT 240.DJ 1.137.11 i Total Recel 1U3SSt Totsl Total Rttdpts less Tolal Pay￿￿ (SurplwlDe￿ for the yaar) Tatsl cash fur*J& lyWfoThYdrd frcth l&st)*sktsl*BI) 75354.92 SKUon B Cash fvnds 67.578.$8 B1.2 Tclal B1.3 £40AZ6.>) 7.878.24 Total cash fund B2 .' In¥88th￿ frf•Jy) B31 Dgbtorn 4M+ ITollw of. 111M1054 dwityforth8Jwr ￿led .31 ￿&￿É>13s6￿ aoJ8 2011 aThJ ,' C¢JMm￿ts." EfvJLLV - ar/(W• - 'Add1p￿: C6(J4 JATr¥