Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From. 1 July 2024 Period start date. To 30 June 2025 Period end date Charity name: Susan Countess of Hardwicke Almshouse Charity Charity registration number: 1198867
Objectives and Activities
| Objectives and Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference |
||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To relieve the poverty of persons who are in need and who have previously resided in the Parishes of Wimpole or Arrington or the surrounding areas through the provision and maintenance of almshouses accommodation. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The main activities undertaken in relation to those purposes are the maintenance and repair of the four Grade II listed Almshouses and grounds. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Para 1.18 | Trustees work within the Charity Commission Guidance on public benefit by applying the maintenance contributions and other invested income the charity receives for reinvestment and the maintenance and repair of the Almshouses for the benefit of the residents. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers | Para 1.38 | |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Charity’s achievements during the year are reactive maintenance and Grounds maintenance. Planned maintenance identified from the 2024 Quinquennial Inspection Report. Unplanned refurbishment of number 125. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The overall position for income and expenditure reported was an operating surplus for the year of £764. Lower than 2024 due to the unplanned refurbishment of number 125 during the year and its vacancy for two months. The Trustees consider the financial position of the Charity to be stable. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The trustees of the Charity hold that reserves are essential to maintain the ongoing viability of the charity. The Charity has two designated reserves; an Annual Planned Maintenance Fund (APMF) and a Major Repair/Renovation Fund (MRF). In addition, sufficient funds will be held as a General Reserve, in a readily available form, to cover day to day expenditure – such as insurance, Almshouse Association membership, bank charges, etc. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Annual Planned Maintenance fund is £10,000.00. Major Repair/Renovation fund is £88,000.00 held in an interest-bearing account. General reserve is £3,000.00. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The Charity’s governing document is the Charity Commission scheme No. 1198867. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The Charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are selected based on the experience, skills and dedication necessary for the running of the Charity. Such as: Surveyors and Managers for repair and maintenance of a Grade II listed building and services, Accountants or Finance Directors for financial management, fund raising and grant application, Social and Pastoral care for the health and wellbeing of residents. Pastoral Care is provided by The Rector of the Orwell Group Benefice who is the Ex Officio Trustee. The Rector is appointed by The Diocese of Ely. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Susan Countess of Hardwicke Almshouse Charity |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | None |
| Registered charity number | 1198867 |
| Charity’s principal address | 18 High Street, Shepreth, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 6PP |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Clarke | ||||
| Liz Dand | ||||
| Nigel Seymour | ||||
| Mukesh Malhotra | ||||
| Charles Cook | Chair | |||
| Jane Hamilton | Treasurer | 1 July to 17 October 2024 | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| None | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the None charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for None safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
|---|---|---|
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Charles Cook | ||
Chair |
||
| 16 October 2025 | ||
| 16 October 2025 |
Susan Countess of Hardwicke Almshouse Charity No 1198867
Balance sheet YE 30 June 2025
Susan Countess of Hardwicke Almshouse Charity (CIO 1198867 - merged with 202087) Financial Statements Balance sheet
| Susan Countess of Hardwicke Almshouse Charity (CIO 1198867 - merged with 202087) Financial Statements |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance sheet Fixed Assets Land and Buildings Current Assets Barclays Current Account Deposit Account COIF(0108800001C) COIF Investment(3205 units @ £19.4144) Maintenance Contributions outstanding Prepaid insurance for following year Insurance claim Total assets Current Liabilities Maintenance Contribution paid in advance. Note 1 Sundry creditors Residents deposits Note 2 Total liabilities Net assets movement in net assets in year Income and Expenditure for year Income Contribution due from residents Dividend and Interest on CCLA accounts Unrealised Gain/(loss) on investment TOTAL Expenses Maintenance of Houses Maintenance of Grounds Buildings Insurance Director and Officer insurance Subscriptions Clerk's fee Sundry 125 refurbishment Legal fees - Land registry & transfer to CIO Quinquennial Inspection Maintenance fee written off TOTAL (Deficit)/surplus for the year Notes to Financial Statements Note 1 Contribution in advance No 123 No 127 Note2 Residents deposits No 123. received April 2015 No 125. Received October 2024 No 127. Received June 2016 No 129. None recorded TOTAL |
Jun-25 Jun-24 Jun-23 18,873 18,873 18,873 18,823 18,238 11,325 30,735 27,574 24,525 62,223 65,195 60,206 |
||
| 111,781 111,007 96,057 2,613 2,161 2,028 2,124 |
|||
| 133,267 132,041 119,082 |
|||
| 283 608 - 1,075 535 0 |
|||
| 1,075 818 608 |
|||
| 132,192 131,223 118,474 |
|||
| -970 12,749 Jun-25 Jun-24 Jun-23 21,506 17,377 14,964 3,161 3,049 2,358 (2,972) 4,989 1,852 225 2,124 |
|||
| 21,695 25,640 21,298 |
|||
| 4,751 3,178 14,437 3,658 5,381 3,015 2,406 2,028 1,917 207 485 460 275 267 153 375 750 173 11 100 6,926 2,526 405 25 |
|||
| 20,921 12,130 20,857 |
|||
| 774 | 13,510 | 441 | |
| 311 283 297 |
|||
| 0 283 608 |
|||
| 235 235 235 540 225 300 300 300 |
|||
| 1,075 535 760 |