**Charity Number: 1193387**
## **SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO**
**TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
**TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **CHARITY INFORMATION**
|**Trustees**|M Viney|
|---|---|
||S E Western (resigned 30 July 2024)|
||S H Lansbury (resigned 28 September 2024)|
||F Pollard|
||D R R Sutcliffe (resigned 20 November 2023)|
||R Jeffery|
||D C Lansbury (appointed 1 October 2023)|
||Elizabeth Smith (appointed 28 February 2024)|
||E C Ormond|
|Non-Trustee Treasurer
|Nicola Pitcher (appointed 20 October 2023)|
|**Charity number**|1193387|
|**Trading Name**|Sandy Hill Arts|
|**Address**|Sandy Hill Studios|
||Sandy Hill Lane|
||Corfe Castle|
||Dorset|
||BH20 5JF|
|**Independent Examiner**|Susan Younghusband FCA|
||The Old Rectory|
||41 Kings Road West|
||Swanage|
||BH19 1HF|
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **CONTENT**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|1/2|
|Statementoffinancial activities|3/4/5|
|Independentexaminer'sreport|6|
|Balance sheet|7/8|
|Notes to thefinancialstatements|9|
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
The trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31 March 2024.
## **Principal Activity**
The principal activity of Sandy Hill Arts is to promote and develop the creative arts in Purbeck, in a vibrant space where art, creativity, and communities can come together and thrive.
We promote enjoyment of, and participation in, an exciting range of creative experiences and opportunities, through exhibitions, events, performance and education, attracting and engaging with talent from Purbeck and beyond. We support our studio artists with studios, exhibitions, art fairs and events. We also work with community groups and partners to deliver projects for people of different ages and needs.
We aim to be the ‘creative arts hub’ of Purbeck and would also like the beautiful, natural setting of the site to be a place where visitors can meet and relax.
In all its activities, the Trustees have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
## **Activities in the year**
Sandy Hill Arts has had an exciting year in which we have hosted high quality events, exhibitions and courses that have delighted the local community. We have been greatly aided by funding secured from Dorset Council’s Organisational Revenue Support Fund (£10,000 per year over 3 years). This money has enabled us to employ an Events Coordinator who has helped ensure the smooth running of events and brought organisational stability. We have also been able to increase our publicity and marketing output. Our social media following continues to grow as the public realise Sandy Hill Arts has blossomed into a welcoming creative hub for the local community.
Our Arts Council England Grassroots Music award of £28,000 was a game changer. With this money we were able to invest in key capital assets such as a magnificent outdoor marquee and sound equipment. We were also able to host some brilliant creative performances and courses that have really put us on the map. Among these were the Iyatra Quartet, The Soothsayers, a singing group for people with learning difficulties (All Sort’d) and also a jazz masterclass for young people - all funded by the ACE Grassroots Music Grant, and all received fantastic feedback **.**
A taste of the feedback follows here: "As I live alone here it gives me a sense of community. I know when I go there I will connect with people I know, and it is a focal point for the community. The events are inspiring and thought-provoking in a beautiful setting."
“Sandy Hill Arts succeeds in creating a unique blend of individuality and collective creativity in a sublime setting."
Page 1
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
This year we were able to host drawing classes with hugely talented artists such as Life Drawing with award winning artist Toby Wiggins, experimental drawing with Royal Drawing School tutor Charlotte Mann and a writing/drawing workshop with comic poet John Hegley. In our exhibition space we showed the work of Heather Gibbons. In addition, we have run a series of workshops focusing on the importance of the arts to well-being and mental health, working in collaboration with partners such as the RSPB.
We thrilled the local community by securing a gig with comedian Dylan Moran, which also generated positive feedback from the Arts Development Company, The National Heritage Lottery Fund and more. With the help of our ACE grant, we were able to host performances with high quality musical talent such as The Soothsayers and The Iyatra Quartet.
We also hosted some smaller events in our gallery space once the marquee came down for winter. One such was an improvised music gig which brought top musicians together as not seen before here, with more great feedback. Some of our artist tenants have run courses on site such as blacksmithing and raku so benefiting the local community. Our bi-annual art fair is drawing in ever greater numbers of people, with music, a café, work on view and work to buy, so boosting the local economy and bringing people together.
We were able to conduct some repairs to our cottage building and turn this into three more artist studios (glass, fabric prints, painting) and a classroom which we have been using regularly.
## **Achieved and Future Plans April 2024 - Mar 2025**
We have boosted our volunteer team and now have a vibrant, cohesive group that regularly return to help, thereby strengthening our capacity to run a comprehensive programme of classes/courses/exhibitions/fairs and events.
We have been working towards further broadening and diversifying our trust board and have successfully recruited four new trustees. We have also been looking towards bringing in younger artists and residencies and have been working with the AUB PhD Painting students to showcase their work on site.
We have trialled a cafe to further bring the community together and have looked at ways to make this a permanent option. We have held meetings with stakeholders such as the National Trust and Activate Performing Arts and are very excited about potential collaborations, such as new footpaths linking the site with the village and school, outdoor sculpture, and internationally acclaimed artist performers on site and more. We would like to expand in these exciting directions which we feel will benefit the local community immensely.
We look forward to continuing with our bold and diverse programming, introducing exciting creative activities to this rural area. We are gradually extending our reach and gathering a loyal following of appreciative locals. We are also establishing our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive, fresh and exciting rural arts centre and as such we look forward to collaborating with new partners and
Page 2
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
encouraging our tenant artists and locals to take part, while also bringing in quality outside talent to nourish, enthuse and inspire the local community.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
During the year under review the unrestricted funds had a deficit balance of £11,775 at the year end. Restricted funds in support of the trust’s activities were £22,350, creating a fund balance of £10,575.
The months leading to the end of year had seen a high expenditure on, and reduced income from, overhead activities related to events administration, essential maintenance and a delay in conditional a grant drawdown. Committed costs therefore fell on to the core income of the trust from property rental and resulted in the low balance requiring action.
This was initially addressed by formulating a better system of controls in a detailed re-appraisal and simplification of the accounting system, allowing more accurate reporting and analysis in the current year together with regular quarterly budget reporting. Monthly financial reporting to the board was standardised.
Income was increased by an ambitious and continuous programme of events, which rectified the shortfall with an increased cash balance in the first two quarters.
Core income was increased by additional property rental for a sustainable stream, complimenting the event offering and offsetting the variable profits derived. Remaining grant drawdown was successfully achieved in 2025.
## **RESERVES POLICY**
The Trust’s Reserves policies are:
- a. that liquid assets should be maintained sufficient to meet three months’ forward operational expenditure.
- b. capital expenditure commitments are permitted only against agreed lines of funding available for immediate drawdown.
Currently the charity is not meeting its reserve policy. Our current focus is on restoring the liquidity of the unreserved funds, which is a slow climb due to some unforeseen events relating to emergency building maintenance and a necessary bat survey. This, however, is planned to be resolved in the next 6 months by reducing outlay, exploring further expansion of property rental opportunities, and the continuing development of our programme of events and residencies, which have proved to be profitable. We are also reasonably confident that some of the grant applications we are submitting will be successful in the next 6 months. Thereafter, the cashflow available will allow the operational expenditure reserve to be built up and it is envisaged that this will increase over the next 2 years.
Page 3
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **TRUSTEES**
The Trustees who served throughout the period and at the date of this report are as follows:
M Viney
S E Western (Resigned 30 July 2024)
S H Lansbury (Resigned 28 September 2024) F Pollard D R R Sutcliffe (Resigned 20 November 2023) R Jeffery D C Lansbury E Smith E C Ormond
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS**
The official name of the Charity is Sandy Hill Studios Trust. The Charity received its charitable incorporated organisation registration on 3 February 2021, charity number 1193387.
Page 4
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustee’s Report and the financial statements 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 require the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
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 financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed by order of the Trustees
29/01/2025 D Lansbury
Page 5
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
I report on the accounts of Sandy Hill Studios Trust CIO (charity number 1193387) for the period ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 10.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records
- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
30/01/2025
**Susan Younghusband FCA** The Old Rectory, 41 Kings Road West Swanage, BH19 1HF
Page 6
## **SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**Income**
Donations and
grants
Income from
charitable activities
Other income
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
Raising funds
Charitable
Activities
**Total expenditure**
Net income/
(expenditure)
Transfer between
funds
**Net movement in**
**funds**
Balance brought
forward
Balance carried
forward 31 March
2024|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Year**
**ended**
**31**
**March**
**2024**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Year**
**ended**
**31**
**March**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
2,729
25,316
28,045
2,343
-
2,343|
|---|---|
||2,729
25,316
28,045
2,343
-
2,343
64,092
-
64,092
42,362
-
42,362
-
-
-
-
-
-|
||**66,821**
**25,316**
**92,137**
**44,705**
**-**
**44,705**|
||1,275
-
1,275
543
-
543
96,498
2,966
99,464
37,740
-
37,740|
||**97,926**
**2,966**
**100,739**
**38,283**
**-**
**38,283**|
|||
||(30,952)
22,350
(8,602)
6,422
-
6,422|
||-
-
-
-
-
-|
||(30,952)
22,350
(8,602)
6,422
-
6,422
19,177
-
19,177
12,755
-
12,755
**(11,775)**
**22,350**
**10,575**
**19,177**
**-**
**19,177**|
All recognised gains and losses during the year are included in the Statement of Financial Activities. All the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.
Page 7
## **SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**Fixed assets**
Buildings
Equipment
**Current assets**
Debtors
Cash at bank
**Current liabilities**
Creditors: amounts
falling due within
one year:
**Net current assets**
Creditors: amounts
falling due in more
than one year:
**Net assets**
**Represented by:**
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
**Total funds**|**2024**
**2023**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,952
19,952
-
-
-|
|---|---|
||-
19,952
19,952
-
-
-
73
-
73
763
-
763
7,514
2,398
9,912
32,071
-
32,071|
||7,587
2,398
9,985
32,834
-
32,834
10,962
-
10,962
13,657
-
13,657|
||(3,375)
2,398
(977)
19,177
-
19,177|
||(8,400)
-
(8,400)
-
-
-|
|||
||**(11,775)**
**22,350**
**10,575**
**19,177**
**-**
**19,177**|
||22,350
22,350
(11,775)
-
(11,775)
19,177
-
19,177
**(11,775)**
**22,350**
**10,575**
**19,177**
**-**
**19,177**|
On behalf of the Board of Trustees
29/01/2025
……………………………………………………..
D Lansbury
Page 8
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **1.1 Basis of the preparation of accounts**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity Commission Statement of Recommended Practice - 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 UK and Republic of Ireland (second edition).
The Trustees confirm that the Charity is a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
At the time of approving the financial statements the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees have adopted the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
## **1.2 Fund accounting**
**1.2.1** Unrestricted Funds
These funds can be used for any of the charity's purposes.
## **1.2.2** Restricted Funds
These funds have been given to the Trust for a particular purpose to be used in accordance with the wishes of the donor.
## **1.3 Depreciation**
The policy is that assets are capitalised that cost over £1,000 and have an ongoing value in use to the charity.
Page 9
**SANDY HILL STUDIOS TRUST CIO TRADING AS SANDY HILL ARTS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
**1.4 Income** Donations, gifts, legacies and similar incoming resources are accounted for when receivable, which is when the Charity becomes entitled to the resource. Deferred income represents accounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which it is received. Gift Aid reclaimable on donations to the Charity is included with the amounts received. Investment income, represented by bank interest is credited to the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis.
**1.5 Expenditure** All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for the expenditure. The direct costs have been allocated as described below. The indirect costs have been allocated as described in note 6. Charitable activities: comprise of those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Governance costs: costs incurred in the governance of the Trust and associated constitutional and statutory requirements. These costs are allocated to charitable activities. Raising funds: costs incurred in raising income for the charity. Irrecoverable VAT is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred.
**Financial Instruments**
**1.6 Financial Instruments** The charity has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are recognised initially in the accounts at transaction price, including any transaction costs. At the end of each accounting period, basic financial instruments are recognised at amortised cost. For debt instruments this is calculated using the effective interest rate method. **1.7 Critical estimate and judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty** In the application of the Charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision effects both current and future periods.
Page 10