Report of the Trustees and
Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
for
Charity for the Usher Gallery
(Charity number: 1196647)
Doc ID: 9d66a7306c3f3d3af90aa15b5c68ee76b759fbe9
Charity for the Usher Gallery (Charity number 1196647)
| Contents of the Financial Statements | |
|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 | |
| Page | |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 - 3 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes | 6 |
Doc ID: 9d66a7306c3f3d3af90aa15b5c68ee76b759fbe9
Charity for the Usher Gallery
Report of the Trustees
for the year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
To purchase for the Usher Gallery, for the benefit of the public, such paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, books, manuscripts, works of art or other chattels as the trustees shall consider to be of national, scientific, historic, or artistic interest or of interest by virtue of some association with the historic county of Lincolnshire and in relation to the current approved collection policy of the administering authority of the usher gallery, also, to make any financial provision for research and exhibitions relating to the above objectives.
Significant activities
There were no significant activities in the year.
Public benefit
In planning the charity's activities, the trustees have taken into account the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.
A summary of the charity's main activities is outlined below in the summary of the charity's main achievements during the year.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
During the year the charity spent £187,149 on works carried out by Lincolnshire County Council within the Usher Gallery. These works focused on enhancing and managing the lighting of various pieces of art within the gallery to ensure that they were lit appropriately for visitor enjoyment and did not suffer from harmful exposure to direct sunlight.
Fundraising activities
We occasionally appeal for donations of works of art from artists and individuals. We also arrange periodic lectures and the introduction of a Supporters' Group database informs them of the events arranged to support the Trust.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
At the year end the charity had unrestricted reserves of £841,487. Of this amount £713,345 are held as Heritage assets with £128,142 as free reserves. There were £5,000 of restricted reserves.
The Trustees feel this is an appropriate level of reserves to hold to meet future obligations as they fall due. The trustees regularly review the level of reserves and timing of payments but will look to carry a cash balance to cover commitments.
FUTURE PLANS
The charity aims to continue to purchase paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, books, manuscripts, works of art or other chattels to be displayed for the public to view and support for the exhibiting thereof.
In the summer of 2025 the charity intends to organise an exhibition - The Usher Open Exhibition, inviting members of the public to submit works in any medium under the exhibition's title, 'Art Of The Now'.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, its constitution and is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission.
Charity constitution
The Charity for the Usher Gallery is a registered Charity, number 1196647. It was constituted on the 18th November, and is named after Lincoln's Usher Art Gallery. The gallery opened in May 1927 as a result of a bequest by the Lincoln Jeweller, James Ward Usher, who died in 1921.
The Usher Gallery is the premier Art Gallery in Lincolnshire and forms an integral part of the national cultural heritage. The mission of the Trust is to enhance, enrich and preserve the collection of local, regional and national cultural importance. The Gallery is currently leased to the Lincolnshire County Council from the Lincoln City Council. The collections up to April 1974 belong to the City Council, and after that date, to the County Council.
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Doc ID: 9d66a7306c3f3d3af90aa15b5c68ee76b759fbe9
Charity for the Usher Gallery
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
New trustees will be appointed by the existing trustees of the charity based on the expertise that they will offer to the board. The trustees regularly review the skill sets of the board and where there is a need for certain skills to be added will approach appropriate candidates to join the board.
Organisational structure
The charity is governed by its Board of Trustees who decide on the overall running and governance of the charity. The board meets regularly to review matters facing the charity with decisions being taken based on an overall majority.
Induction and training of new trustees
All Trustees receive reference material from the Charity Commission website. Specific items relating to the Charity are discussed as a Board in the Trustee meetings.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number
1196647
Principal address
Lincoln Museum 1 Danes Terrace Lincoln LN2 1LP
Trustees
Mr I H Walter (Chair) Mr N Wilson Mr G Lockwood Mrs N Denby Mrs H L Bower Mrs C V C Brainerd Mr M N Field (Honorary Treasurer) Mr P K Bowman Mrs J W Whitton Mrs J H G Elton
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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Doc ID: 9d66a7306c3f3d3af90aa15b5c68ee76b759fbe9
Charity for the Usher Gallery
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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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 which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Mr I H Walter (Chair) - Trustee
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Charity for the Usher Gallery (Charity number 1196647) Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Donations Charitable activities - Doddington event ticket sales Investments Other Raising funds - Doddington event hosting costs Charitable activities - Gallery display works contribution Other (Support costs): Printing, postage and stationery Exhibition support costs Framing Honorariums and Prizes Professional fees Computer & website costs |
2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ £ 300.00 - 554.54 - 854.54 - (187,149.13) - (45.50) - - - - (187,194.63) (186,340.09) (186,340.09) 1,032,827.11 854.54 |
£ £ 1,491.25 6,600.00 327.19 - |
|||
| 8,418.44 8,418.44 (3,600.00) - (468.90) - - - (582.00) - |
8,418.44 | |||
| (4,650.90) | ||||
| 3,767.54 | ||||
| 3,767.54 1,029,059.57 |
||||
| 846,487.02 | 1,032,827.11 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
.............................................
I Walter (Chair) - Trustee
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Doc ID: 9d66a7306c3f3d3af90aa15b5c68ee76b759fbe9
Charity for the Usher Gallery (Charity number 1196647) Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2025
| FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL NET ASSETS FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS Notes Heritage assets 1 Debtors and Prepayments Current Account - Barclays Bank Reserve Account - CCLA Investment Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds |
2025 | 2024 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ £ 713,345.00 330.00 1,269.81 131,542.21 133,142.02 - 133,142.02 846,487.02 846,487.02 5,000.00 841,487.02 846,487.02 |
£ £ 713,345.00 375.50 312,216.94 7,057.67 |
||
| 319,650.11 (168.00) |
|||
| 319,482.11 | |||
| 1,032,827.11 1,032,827.11 |
|||
| 5,000.00 1,027,827.11 |
|||
| 1,032,827.11 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. I Walter (Chair) - Trustee
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Doc ID: 9d66a7306c3f3d3af90aa15b5c68ee76b759fbe9
Charity for the Usher Gallery (Charity number 1196647) Notes As at 31 March 2025
NOTE 1 - HERITAGE ASSETS
| ssets: Heavenly Messengers III by Jane Boyd (Cost) Lincoln by L.S. Lowry (revalued 2022) Pottergate, Lincoln by De Wint (Estate Value) Lincoln by Mary Weatherill (Cost) Lincoln Cathedral & Castle from Brayford Pool by Richard Bankes Harraden (Cost) South Side of Roman Gate, Lincoln by John Chessell Buckler (Cost) Gateway at Lincoln by John Chessell Buckler (Cost) Ancient Entrance to the Palace by John Chessell Buckler (Cost) Waiter (Cost) Waiter (Cost) Medallion (Cost) Vinaigrette by Joseph Wilmore (Cost) Vinaigrette by R.M. (Cost) Vinaigrette by Nathaniel Mills (Cost) Vinaigrette by Nathaniel Mills (Cost) Spoon by Randall Chatterton (Cost) Spoon (Cost) |
£ £ 2,500.00 700,000.00 6,000.00 1,800.00 1,800.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 75.00 20.00 150.00 140.00 200.00 200.00 50.00 50.00 |
|---|---|
| 713,345.00 |
Heritage assets:
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