ST NICOLAS SCHOOL AND EDUCATION TRUST ABINGDON Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Incorporated 2 February 2022 Charity number: 1197757
Annual Report for Year Ending 31 March 2024
The St Nicolas School and Education Trust Abingdon was non operational during the year.
| Contents: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Information | 1 | |
| Objects | 1 | |
| Trustees | 2 | |
| Activities | 3 | |
| Finance | 3 |
Administrative Information
The St Nicolas School and Education Trust Abingdon, is a registered charity , Charitable Incorporated Organisation: Registration Number 1197757
The correspondence address is:
c/o The Parish Centre, St Helen's Court, Abingdon OX14 5BS
Legal Advisors: Winckworth Sherwood Arbor | 255 Blackfriars Road | London | SE1 9AX |
Financial Advisors (appointed 24 October 2023): Investec Wealth & Investment Limited 30 Gresham Street. London. EC2V 7QN.
Objects
The objects of the CIO are for the public benefit within the parish of Abingdon-on-Thames in the County and Diocese of Oxford:
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To advance education in such ways as the trustees shall from time to time think fit, in particular through:
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the provision of buildings, facilities and open spaces for Church of England
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Schools in the said parish, in particular St Nicolas Church of England School, Abingdon;
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the provision of residential accommodation for teachers of Church of England Schools in the said parish, in particular St Nicolas Church of England School, Abingdon; and
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the provision of facilities and meeting rooms for secular and/or religious instruction.
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To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the beliefs and practices of the Church of England, in particular through:
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the celebration of divine services in accordance with the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England; and
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the provision of a place for clerical meetings and social conferences for the clergy; and
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as the provision of a place of meeting for district visitors and for committees of any Church of England societies;
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To further the objects and work of the Church of England in the said Parish in such ways as the trustees shall from time to time think fit.
Trustees as at 31 March 2024
The Revd Dr Charles Miller – Rector of the Parish of Abingdon-on-Thames (Chairman)
The Revd Paul Smith – Team Vicar, Parish of Abingdon-on-Thames
Mrs Eluned Hallas – Church Warden, St Nicolas
Mr Paul Rast-Lindsell – Church Warden, St Nicolas
There must be at least 3 charity trustees and the maximum number of charity trustees is 7
Trustees are appointed in three categories:
Ex-Officio
Each Churchwarden of the parish of Abingdon-on-Thames for the time being designated to St Nicolas Church.
The Incumbent of the Benefice of Abingdon-on-Thames in the County and Diocese of Oxford.
The Team Vicar of the Benefice of Abingdon-on-Thames in the County and Diocese of Oxford for the time being, , or such other person as shall have pastoral responsibility for St Nicolas Church in Abingdon-on-Thames.
Appointed
The charity trustees may appoint up to two non ex-officio charity trustees provided that such appointment(s) are approved by the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Abingdon-on-Thames in the County and Diocese of Oxford.
Nominated Trustee
The Oxford Diocesan Board of Education (ODBE) (the “appointing body”) may appoint one charity trustee.
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Activities since 1 April 2023
The St Nicolas School and Education Trust Abingdon has not yet begun its charitable activities.
Since its incorporation Trustees have been working with its advisors to
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Appoint Financial Advisors in preparation for a transfer of assets
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Create a sound framework for effective governance
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Establish policies for future activities (such as a Grant Making, Investment Management, Risk Assessment etc)
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Obtain Charity Commission agreement to a transfer of assets from the Oxford Diocesan Trust to the St Nicolas School and Education Trust Abingdon
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Obtain Charity Commission consent to the termination of two Recoupment Orders (of 5 April 2004 and 21 December 2004) on some of the funds to be transferred.
Discussions with the Charity Commission have been protracted and are ongoing. The Trustees believe that it is best for these to be concluded before seeking to start operations.
Looking ahead to management of the charity’s assets ‘in house’ the Trustees met in the summer and early autumn to identify and select an investment management firm in readiness for the eventual transfer of funds to the CIO. In the first quarter of 2024 the Trustees opened discussion with St Nicolas CoE School concerning views on the proposed abolition of the recoupment scheme currently in place dating from funds provided for school buildings.
It is hoped that the Trust will be able to start work in furtherance of its charitable objectives in the year to 31 March 2025.
The provision of Bibles to St Nicolas School (established by tradition by the existing Trust) continued.
Finances
The St Nicolas School and Education Trust Abingdon has no income, expenditure or assets during the year beginning 1 April 2023.
All assets are currently held by the Oxford Diocesan Trustees as Custodial Trustee.
Expenditure made on behalf of the CIO is paid by St Nicolas Church, and reimbursed, on provision of receipts, by the Diocese. Expenditure covered
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1) Fees for legal services
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2) Provision of Bibles for new entrants at St Nicolas CE School, Abingdon
Signed
Revd Dr Charles Miller, Chairman
Date 21 May 2024
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