REGISTERED CHARITY NO 200671
NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2024
CHARITY NAME: Newbury Consolidated Municipal Charities
OTHER NAMES THE CHARITY IS KNOWN BY: Newbury Almshouse Trust
Newbury Almshouse Trust is constituted by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners dated 14 July 1986 and is a registered charity No: 200671.
The registered address at which the Charity can be contacted is:
2 Communications Road Greenham Business Park Greenham Newbury Berkshire RG19 6AB
TRUSTEES:
Newbury Almshouse Trustee Ltd
DIRECTORS OF NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUSTEE LTD:
Richard J Papworth Rosalind J Morris Sarah Edmond (resigned 1[st] October 2024) John Craig (Chairman) Ian David Mills Justin James Macgregor Percival Thomas William Rossiter (appointed 21[st] August 2023) Jennifer Collins (appointed 12[th] June 2024) Jane Kelly (appointed 29[th] January 2025)
There are currently 2 vacant Directorships, and the Trust is now actively recruiting to fill these positions.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS:
M Bath BSc FCA DChA James Cowper Kreston Audit 2 Communications Road Greenham Business Park Greenham Newbury, Berkshire RG19 6AB
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NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2024
(CONTINUED)
AIMS AND ORGANISATION:
The governing document of the charity states that the objects of the Newbury Almshouse Trust are:
"The provision of low-cost housing for older needy people with at least three years' residence in Newbury or its former (1974) Rural District. This involves the management of the Trust's five groups of Almshouses comprising 42 dwellings, and of its property and investments."
The Directors see it as their duty to manage the almshouses for the public benefit within the terms of the Charity's governing document, which restricts the area of benefit and stipulates certain specific qualifying requirements relating to age and financial need.
The Board of Directors meets a minimum of four times a year and is chaired in accordance with the Articles of Association.
The Directors all serve in a voluntary capacity and have a genuine interest in the objectives of the charity. Currently there are 2 Director vacancies. Currently the Board is actively recruiting to fill these vacant positions. They are seeking pro-active volunteers with experience in project management, building maintenance, and social support. New Directors are provided with background information on the Trust, as well as being encouraged to read information provided by the Charity Commission and Almshouse Association. New Directors are encouraged to visit the almshouses, and to meet the residents.
A Proctor is appointed for each group of almshouses. The role of the Proctor is to be the first point of contact between residents and the Trust. They resolve minor maintenance works and report on more serious issues relating to the properties. The Proctors will give support to residents on other matters although do not offer specific advice. The additional support to residents can be considered a signposting service. The responsibilities for each Proctor are as follows:
Lower Raymonds, Mrs Jane Kelly
Upper Raymonds, St Mary's Bungalows, and St. David’s Road: Mrs Rosalind Morris St Bartholomews, Argyle Road: Mr Richard Papworth
They visited the almshouses regularly and reported at the Board of Directors meetings on the condition of the almshouses and the residents' health and wellbeing.
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NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2024
(CONTINUED)
REVIEW OF THE YEAR TO DECEMBER 2024
During the past year, the Trust has authorised repairs and improvements to the Almshouses at a cost of £249,199 (2023: £270,676).
The current accounting system splits out maintenance costs between minor repairs, major property works, and ground maintenance. The anticipated increase in the amount of maintenance work carried out in 2023 was realised. High levels of expenditure for maintenance and refurbishment work are expected over the next years as we struggle to meet modern standards of housing with such old property stock.
The Trust continues to undertake an annual review of the Weekly Maintenance Contributions (WMC) paid by residents, specifically to address differences in the amounts being paid. In early 2023 the Trust developed a 5-year financial plan which defines the process for the annual review of WMC and the principles of annual increases. It also addresses the current differences being paid by residents in similar properties with an aim to remove these historical anomalies by 2026.
The Trust owns a commercial property at 59 Cheap Street, which is currently leased in two separate areas, the ground floor as a dry cleaner and the upper floors as offices and a flat.
The Trust continues to be a beneficiary of the John Maxwell Penn Will Trust. However, payments from the fund are frozen for a period whilst the John Maxwell Penn Will Trust undertakes renovations to the Trust’s property. Currently we do not have an anticipated date for the resumption of legacy payments.
The Trust is a beneficiary of the St Barts School Foundation Trust and received an amount of £491 (2023: £859) for the period.
£10,181 (2023: £28,308) from the extraordinary repair fund was allocated to some of the major repair work.
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NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2024
(CONTINUED)
POLICY ON RESERVES
The Trustees aim to ensure that there are sufficient funds for the maintenance and repair of the forty-two almshouses in their care, thirty-four of which are Listed Grade II. This includes routine and cyclical maintenance and the provision of an appropriate extraordinary repair fund as required In paragraph 31 of the Charity Commission Scheme (1986). This requires the Trustees to establish and maintain a reserve fund to be entitled the Extraordinary Repair Fund, for providing for the extraordinary repair, improvement or rebuilding of the almshouses. At the end of the period this reserve fund had a value of £37,899 (2023: £48,080).
This policy permits the Trust to carry out repairs promptly, preventing deterioration and more extensive and costly repairs later, as well as ensuring the comfort and convenience of residents. They also take into account the possible need for unpredictable and expensive repairs to the listed buildings, which are over 200 years old and subject to the Local Authority Conservation Officer's requirements.
The total cash reserves of the charity in the period ended 31 December 2024 stand at £378,583 (2023: £206,122). The Trust consults its external advisors for advice whenever appropriate for larger or more difficult projects.
POLICY ON INVESTMENTS
In accordance with paragraph 32 of the Charity Commission Scheme, the Trustees "shall apply the income of the Almshouse Trust so far as requisite for the benefit of the residents in the almshouses of the Charity". This Involves the maintenance and operation of the Trust's forty-two almshouses, of which thirty-four are Listed Grade II.
The Trust currently has investment with M&G, and these were valued at £377,715 as of 31 December 2024.
The Trust currently has investment with CCLA, and these were valued at £114,569 as of 31 December 2024.
An ongoing financial review is looking at the current assets and consider how they may be better used to support the beneficiaries of the Trust.
Signed:
John Craig (Chairman)
Dated: 1st May 2025
On behalf of the corporate trustee Newbury Almshouse Trustee Ltd
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 9.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed
Michael Bath BSc FCA DChA
James Cowper Kreston Audit 2 Communications Road Greenham Business Park Greenham Newbury Berkshire RG19 6AB
Dated 14 May 2025
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NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST ESTATES ACCOUNT
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extraordinary | General | Total | Total | |
| Repair Fund | Fund | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| RECEIPTS | ||||
| Activities: | ||||
| Residents’ maintenance | - | 175,616 | 175,616 | 164,323 |
| contributions | ||||
| Other: | ||||
| Donations and legacies received | - | 491 | 491 | 859 |
| Billable expenses | - | 1,319 | 1,319 | 1,203 |
| RECEIPTS FROM ASSETS | ||||
| Rent 59 Cheap Street Newbury | - | 21,000 | 21,000 | 21,000 |
| Bank and Building Society Interest | - | 3,507 | 3,507 | 2,438 |
| Total receipts for period | - | 201,933 | 201,933 | 189,823 |
| PAYMENTS | ||||
| Charitable activity direct | ||||
| expenditure: | ||||
| Grounds maintenance | - | 5,907 | 5,907 | 3,890 |
| Routine property maintenance | - | 12,584 | 12,584 | 8,844 |
| Major property works and | 10,181 | 220,527 | 230,708 | 257,942 |
| renovations | ||||
| Light, power and heating | - | 1,315 | 1,315 | 1,897 |
| Almshouse Council Tax | - | 1,052 | 1,052 | 917 |
| Almshouse insurance | - | 4,261 | 4,261 | 4,179 |
| Other expenditure: | ||||
| Advertising and marketing | - | 158 | 158 | 214 |
| Audit and accountancy fees | - | 2,442 | 2,442 | 1,992 |
| Bookkeeping and administration | - | 8,099 | 8,099 | 7,549 |
| Postage, freight and courier | - | 1,047 | 1,047 | 719 |
| General expenses | - | 390 | 390 | 82 |
| Office expenses | - | - | - | 283 |
| Legal expenses | - | 7,019 | 7,019 | 5,169 |
| Professional fees | - | 12,975 | 12,975 | 1,664 |
| TV licence | - | 60 | 60 | 67 |
| Printing and stationery | - | 103 | 103 | 57 |
| IT software and consumables | - | 459 | 459 | 693 |
| Meeting rent | - | 150 | 150 | 119 |
| Resident gifts | - | 290 | 290 | 190 |
| Reclaimable expenses | - | - | - | 168 |
| Insurance | - | 1,135 | 1,135 | 1,023 |
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NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST
ESTATES ACCOUNT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
(CONTINUED)
| Telephone and internet Travel Property Clearance Bad debts Refreshments Hardship Fund Total payments for the period Sale of property Net receipts/(payments) Transfer Cash funds at 31 December 2023 Cash funds at 31 December 2024 |
- - - - 10,181 - (10,181) - 48,080 37,899 |
41 807 570 546 339 15 282,291 263,000 182,642 - 158,042 340,684 |
41 129 807 808 570 546 339 321 15 - 292,472 298,916 263,000 - 172,461 (109,093) - - 206,122 315,215 378,583 48,080 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Both the General Fund and the Extraordinary Repair Fund are unrestricted.
Page 7
NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 Extraordinary Repair fund £ Monetary Assets Newbury Building Society Cambridge & Counties Bank Fixed - Market Harborough Deposit Account Virgin Money Current Account - - Investments - |
2024 General Fund £ 102,495 85,000 85,603 105,485 378,583 - |
2024 General Fund £ 102,495 85,000 85,603 105,485 378,583 - |
2024 Total Funds £ 102,495 85,000 85,603 105,485 378,583 492,285 |
2023 Total Funds £ 99,591 - - 106,531 - 206,122 458,696 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
M&G Investments - National Association of Almshouses Common Investment Fund
Opening Balance 23/8/16 £199,822 30/9/16 £37,000 Total Invested: £236,822
The investment was valued at £377,715 as of 31 December 2024
CCLA Investments – COIF Charities Investment Fund Accumulation Units
Opening Balance 22/2/22 £50,000 24/2/22 £50,000 Total invested: £100,000
The investment was valued at £114,570 as of 31 December 2024
Shop at 59 Cheap Street, Newbury let to Barrett Dry Cleaners, with Office and residential accommodation above let to Banks & Co., at a total rent for both leases of £1,750 per calendar month.
Fixed Assets retained for the charity’s own use:
Almshouses (Freehold Property)
12 Houses at Lower Raymond’s, Newbury 10 Houses at Upper Raymond’s, Newbury 12 Houses at St Bartholomew’s, Newbury 04 Bungalows at St Mary’s, Newbury 01 House at 8 Derby Road, Newbury (disposed in the year)
Trustees Expenses
During the period four Trustee Directors were reimbursed a total of £2,319 (2023: four Trustee Directors £2,421). These expenses related to office expenses, travel, key cutting and board meeting expenses.
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NEWBURY ALMSHOUSE TRUST STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
(CONTINUED)
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON 30th April 2025
SIGNED:
John Craig On behalf of the corporate trustee Newbury Almshouse Trustee Ltd
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