## **BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MASONIC BENEVOLENT FUND 200845)**
## **(Registered Charity Number**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022**
## **Structure, governance and management**
The Buckinghamshire Masonic Benevolent Fund was formed in October 1902 at the Provincial Grand Meeting in Freemasons' Hall, London.
The Fund is governed by the Trustees namely, The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who acts as Chairman, and two senior Assistant Provincial Grand Masters. The fund is managed by the Committee Members namely the Provincial Grand Almoner and the Fund Treasurer. The Provincial Grand Almoner is assisted by four assistant Almoners.
## **Financial review**
The Benevolent Fund has an investment portfolio under management exceeding £2.3 million currently. The market has been turbulent during the year and our investments have remined static. This annual income is currently sufficient for the Provincial Almoner to assist Buckinghamshire Freemasons and their dependents in times of distress caused by unforeseen financial difficulties.
The Fund supports a loan scheme of mobility aids including electric scooter and stair lifts. The Fund also grants interest free loans to Buckinghamshire Freemasons when and where available.
## **Custodian trustee**
The charity and its Trustees do not hold assets on behalf of others.
## **Public benefit statement**
The charity Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.
## **Objectives and activities**
The Fund is established with the object of relieving distress by means of outright grants, annuities or other periodical payments or loans (either free of interest or at low rates) for or towards:
1. The maintenance, clothing and education of necessitous children of necessitous or deceased Freemasons.
2. The vocational training and advancement in life of such children after leaving school.
3. The relief of Freemasons and their children and their wives and the widows of deceased Freemasons, all of whom are in necessitous circumstances.
## **Achievements and performance**
During the year ended 30 April 2022 there has been a return to more levels of grant support requested; grants totalling £32,718 were disbursed to 102 Buckinghamshire Freemasons and their dependents. A number of these grants were one-off payments to help our members and their dependents at a time of financial crisis or emergency. The majority of the grants have been made to assist in the welfare and quality of life for those who would otherwise struggle to exist on the minimum income. The number of grants made to assist those affected by COVID has reduced to a single grant.
It is with a tremendous sense of gratitude that we acknowledge the additional support of The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) and the associated departments. **The Masonic Charitable Foundation** has made 62grants to our Brethren or dependants totalling £124,585, a decrease over last year (68 beneficiaries, £170,633)
**The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution** has expended £148,532 (average Charitable Spend) in support of five of seven Bucks residents in Masonic Residential Homes.
These figures highlight the continuing level of need being experienced by the Brethren and dependants of the Province and the amount of work required to arrange for applications to the Benevolent Fund and the MCF
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005).
This report was approved by the Trustees on 24[th] October 2022 and is signed on their behalf by;
Dr S Knight Honorary Secretary 112 Straight Bit, FLACKWELL HEATH HP10 9NA
**BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MASONIC BENEVOLENT FUND REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 200845**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022**
|**Incoming Resources**
Donations
Dividends and Interest on Investments
Interest on Bank Accounts and Grand Charity Relief Chest
Investment drawdowns
**Total Incoming Resources**
**Resources Expended**
Charitable Payments:
Annuities and Grants
Donations
Covid19 Emergency support
Bank Charges
Insurance
Just Giving Fees
Other Expenses
Computer costs (Xero accountancy software)
Scooter storage unit
Scooter Collection and Delivery Costs
Scooter Repairs and Servicing
Stair Lift Installations and Removals
Stair Lift Repairs
Movement in stock of stair lifts and scooters
**Total Resources Expended**
**Net Incoming Resources**
**Net Surplus/(Deficit) on Investment Assets**
Unrealised
Realised
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Investments at Market Value**
Novia
**Current Assets**
Stock of Stair Lifts and Scooters
Loans
Bank Balances:
TSB
Cater Allen
Grand Charity Relief Chest
Income Tax Recoverable
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
**Net Assets**
**Accumulated Fund**
Brought forward
Surplus/(Deficit) for the year
**Total Funds**|£
£
£
£
913
3,358
-
27,665
-
38
50,000
-
50,913
31,061
15,112
20,918
-
-
500
20,825
-
-
124
-
-
-
482
747
374
346
-
-
1,334
2,898
2,458
2,865
11,590
15,420
1,595
1,720
-
(340)
33,569
65,399
17,344
(34,338)
(38,121)
125,334
-
64,191
(38,121)
189,525
(20,777)
155,187
**BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 APRIL 2022**
£
£
£
£
2,195,213
2,233,334
2,195,213
2,233,334
41,620
41,620
-
-
43,495
26,211
776
716
102
102
-
-
85,993
68,649
-
-
2,281,206
2,301,983
2,301,983
2,146,796
(20,777)
155,187
2,281,206
2,301,983
**2022**
**2021**
**2022**
**2021**|
|---|---|
David Woodward DipFA Hon Treasurer
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MASONIC BENEVOLENT FUND**
I am reporting on the accounts of the fund for the period ended 30 April 2022.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Philip Cole Landmark Chartered Accountants Leavesden Park 5 Hercules Way Watford Hertfordshire WD25 7GS
Date 21st July 2022