**Charity registration number 1197402**
**Company registration number CE027864 (England and Wales)**
# **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
**Trustees** M G Ireland Mr H Knapton Mr R A Brennan Mr W E Thompson **Charity number** 1197402 **Company number** CE027864 **Registered office** Aaron & Partners LLP 5-7 Grosvenor Street Chester CH1 1HG **Auditor** Xeinadin Audit Limited 2 Hilliards Court Chester Business Park Chester Cheshire CH4 9QP **Bankers** Lloyds Bank 25 Gresham Street, London, EC2v 7HN
(Appointed 10 January 2022) (Appointed 10 January 2022) (Appointed 10 January 2022) (Appointed 10 January 2022)
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees report|1 - 2|
|Independent auditor's report|3 - 5|
|Statement of financial activities|6|
|Balance sheet|7|
|Statement of cash flows|8|
|Notes to the financial statements|9 - 13|
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)** _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Trust's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and "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 (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
## **Objectives and activities**
To further or benefit the residents of Ellesmere Port and the surrounding neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents. In furtherance of these objects but not otherwise, the trustees shall have power: to establish or secure the establishment of a community centre/hall and to maintain or manage or co-operate with any statutory authority in the maintenance and management of such a centre for activities promoted by the charity in furtherance of the above objects. 2) To relieve the needs of those who are homeless in Ellesmere Port and the surrounding areas by: a) providing financial and practical help to assist with long term homelessness by way of grants or other support to individuals and to organisations; b) establishing a new venue in the vicinity of Ellesmere Port to provide self-catering start up accommodation for homeless people as short-term accommodation.
## _Public benefit_
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Trust should undertake.
## **Financial review**
## _Reserves policy_
It is the policy of the Trust that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Trust’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the period.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The Trust is a company limited by guarantee, approved and registered with the charity commission with charity number 1197402.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
|M G Ireland|(Appointed 10 January 2022)|
|---|---|
|Mr H Knapton|(Appointed 10 January 2022)|
|Mr R A Brennan|(Appointed 10 January 2022)|
|Mr W E Thompson|(Appointed 10 January 2022)|
## _Recruitment and appointment of trustees_
The initial Trustees were chosen for their experience and were drawn from the donating company EPMH ltd.
None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
## _Organisational structure_
Due to the simple nature of the entity it is both governed and managed by its trustees.
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## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
## **Statement of Trustees responsibilities**
The Trustees, who are also the directors of Ellesmere Port Masonic Hall Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law 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 Trust 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;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK 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 Trust will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Auditor**
Xeinadin Audit Limited were appointed as auditor to the company and a resolution proposing that they be reappointed will be put at a General Meeting.
The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
.............................. M G Ireland **Chairman**
Date: .............................................
- 2 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Ellesmere Port Masonic Hall Trust (the ‘Trust’) for the period ended 30 June 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. 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 financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 June 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the period then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## **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 financial statements_ section of our report. We are independent of the Trust in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 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 financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements 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 Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements 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.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements 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 financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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**
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the Trustees report; or
- sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
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## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **Responsibilities of Trustees**
As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements 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 financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the Trust’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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 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 financial statements 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 financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Enquiries of management and those charged with governance were held in order to identify any laws and regulations that could be expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. Throughout the audit, the team were updated with the outcomes of these enquiries including consideration as to where and how fraud may occur in the company.
The audit procedures undertaken to address any potential risk in relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) included: enquiries of management and those charged with governance on how the company complies with relevant laws, regulations and any cases actual or potential litigation or claims; examination of appropriate legal correspondence; review of board minutes; testing of journal entries for appropriateness; and analytical procedures on account balances to identify variances against expectation which may show indications of fraud.
No instances of material non-compliance were identified, although the prospect of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is inherently difficult. This is due to; difficulty in detecting irregularities; limits imposed by the effectiveness of the entity’s controls; and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities as a result of fraud are inherently more difficult to detect than those that resulting from error. Despite the audit being planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK), there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
## **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.
- 4 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
**Alastair Jeffcott BA FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Xeinadin Audit Limited**
.........................
**Accountants Statutory Auditor**
2 Hilliards Court Chester Business Park Chester Cheshire CH4 9QP
- 5 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
|||**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
|||**funds**|
||**Notes**|**£**|
|**Income from:**|||
|Donations and legacies|**3**|1,045,349|
|Charitable activities|**4**|172|
|**Total income**||1,045,521|
|Charitable activities|**5**|4,856|
|**Net income and movement in funds**||1,040,665|
|**Reconciliation of funds:**|||
|Fund balances at 10 January 2022||-|
|**Fund balances at 30 June 2023**||1,040,665|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
- 6 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## _**AS AT 30 JUNE 2023**_
|**Notes**
**Current assets**
Debtors
**10**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
**11**
Net current assets
**The funds of the Trust**
Unrestricted funds|**£**
387
1,045,078
1,045,465
4,800|**£**
1,040,665|
|---|---|---|
|||1,040,665|
|||1,040,665|
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the period ended 30 June 2023, although an audit has been carried out under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, for the period in question in accordance with section 476.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................
.............................. M G Ireland **Chairman**
Company registration number CE027864 (England and Wales)
- 7 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS**
## _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
|**Notes**
**£**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations
**14**
**Net cash used in investing activities**
**Net cash used in financing activities**
**Net increase in cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
**Cash and cash equivalents at end of period**|**£**
1,045,078
-
-|
|---|---|
||1,045,078
-|
||1,045,078|
- 8 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
Ellesmere Port Masonic Hall trust is a Charitable Incorporated organisation, approved and registered with the Charity Commission with charity number 1197402. The registered office is 5-7 Grosvenor Street, Chester, CH1 1HG.
## 1.1 **Reporting period**
Due to incorporation on 10 January 2022 the accounts are prepared for an 18 month period to 30 June 2023. Due to this being a first year, there is no comparative period.
## **1.2 Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Trust's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **1.3 Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **1.4 Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the Trust.
## **1.5 Income**
Income is recognised when the Trust is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Trust has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Trust has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
- 9 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
**(Continued)**
## **1.6 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit 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.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
## **1.7 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
## **1.8 Financial instruments**
The Trust has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Trust's balance sheet when the Trust becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
## _**Basic financial assets**_
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
## _**Basic financial liabilities**_
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Trust’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
- 10 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the Trust’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 and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting 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 affects both current and future periods.
## **3 Income from donations and legacies**
||**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|
||**funds**|
||**£**|
|Donations and gifts|1,045,349|
## **4 Income from charitable activities**
||**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|
||**funds**|
||**£**|
|**Charitable Purposes**||
|Other income|172|
|**Expenditure on charitable activities**||
||**Charitable**|
||**Purposes**|
||**£**|
|**Direct costs**||
|**Share of support and governance costs (see note 6)**||
|Support|56|
|Governance|4,800|
||4,856|
|**Analysis by fund**||
|Unrestricted funds|4,856|
## **5 Expenditure on charitable activities**
- 11 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
## **6 Support costs allocated to activities**
|Bank charges
Governance costs
**Analysed between:**
Charitable Purposes|**£**
56
4,800|
|---|---|
||4,856|
||4,856|
## **7 Trustees**
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Trust during the period.
## **8 Employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the period was:
||**Number**|
|---|---|
|Total|-|
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
## **9 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
## **10 Debtors**
|**Amounts falling due within one year:**
Other debtors
**11**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals and deferred income|**£**
387|
|---|---|
||**£**
4,800|
- 12 -
## **ELLESMERE PORT MASONIC HALL TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**_
## **12 Unrestricted funds**
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
||**At**|**10**|**January**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**At 30 June**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**2022**|**resources**|**expended**|**2023**|
||||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|General funds|||-|1,045,521|(4,856)|1,040,665|
## **13 Related party transactions**
During the period amounts of £1,045,348 were donated from Ellesmere Port Masonic Hall Limited, an entity for which certain directors are also trustees of Ellesmere Port Masonic Hall Trust.
## **14 Cash generated from operations**
|Surplus for the period
Movements in working capital:
(Increase) in debtors
Increase in creditors
**Cash generated by operations**|**£**
1,040,665
(387)
4,800
1,045,078|
|---|---|
## **15 Analysis of changes in net funds/(debt)**
The Trust had no material debt during the year.
- 13 -