ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
For the year ended
31[st] March 2025
ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
## **Executive committee**
President John Orbell Chairman Mr B Samuel Blind and visually impaired members Mrs S Tucker Mr D Young Mrs B Samuel Others Mrs S Keane Cllr P Murphy Simon Wilkes (appointed 26[th] November 2024) Mr G Smith - Treasurer Honorary solicitors Bowsers Market Place March, Cambridgeshire PE15 9JQ Bankers Lloyds Bank PLC 2-4 High Street March, Cambridgeshire PE15 9JE
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## **ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)**
## **Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2025**
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 202
## **Name**
The Isle of Ely Society for the Blind (“The Society”), also known as “Fenvision”
## **Constitution and Objects**
The Society’s Constitution was adopted at a General Meeting on 2[nd] March 1965 and was last amended on 12th December 2005.
The Charity’s objects are to promote the general welfare of blind and partially sighted persons who are resident within Fenland and what was the old county of the Isle of Ely (‘Isle of Ely’), prior to it being amalgamated within Cambridgeshire.
## **Aims**
The aims of the Society are to provide the following facilities for the visually impaired:
- Subsidised outings as and when required
- Monthly luncheon meetings for members at two centres; Ely, March
- Support members by loaning/donating equipment and providing training on technology. Home visits to newly registered and existing members
- Liaise with other blind societies and social services
- Arrange voluntary help to support such activities
- Produce and distribute a quarterly newsletter tape
## **Organisation**
The membership (the “Members”) of the Society shall be open to all persons having an interest in the welfare of blind and partially sighted people and shall include blind and partially sighted people living within area of Fenland and the Isle of Ely, and such persons as shall from time to time be coopted by the Society to serve on the Executive Committee, being persons having a particular interest in or knowledge of blind welfare. In addition, up to four representatives from Local District and County Councils are also Members. All persons making a donation to the funds of The Society of not less than £50 shall be made life members.
The Executive Committee, who are also the Trustees of The Society, meets quarterly to deal with administrative matters and decide upon the various activities that The Society carries out for its members.
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## **ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)**
## **Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)**
The Executive Committee shall consist of no less than five but no more than twenty representatives of the Ordinary and co-opted members, and representatives of The Councils. From the Members, the elected President, Honorary Treasurer are ex-officio members.
## **Achievement and performance**
The Secretary continued to send out quarterly newsletters and distributed birthday cards to its Members and the two staff continued to hold coffee mornings and lunches in March & Ely. During the year no special trips were organised however the deposit was paid for a trip to Thursford in November 2025. The Society also continued to hold the annual Christmas party, which was attended by a number of Members and guests.
During the year a grant of £5,000 was provided by The People’s Lottery as a result of a nomination following winners living in March. This has been used to purchase new computer equipment for use in the office and the has subsequently been used to create a new and improved website. Of note included in the bequests made to the Society was £19,936.89 by the estate of the late Brian Fisher.
In December 2024, the Society said goodbye to their longstanding Secretary who had served for many years and now is able to enjoy her retirement. She has been replaced by Tina Hills, who assisted her for a number of years.
The reserves at the year end amounted to £584,974 which compares with the previous year of £566,997.
The Trustees look to hold £90,000 minimum in reserves, if circumstances allow, enabling continuation of previous services for the next two to three years.
## **Investment policy**
The investments, which are reviewed at the quarterly executive committee meetings, comprise
- a portfolio of medium risk unit trusts managed by St James’s Place Wealth Management. This has increased from £388,761 at 31[st] March 2024 to £400,955 at 31[st] March 2025.
- Term deposits with Scottish Widows Bank no days notice £17,103(£13,730) and 30 days notice £65,521 (£65,521) and Cambridge and Counties Bank – 31 days notice £85,770 (£82,527).
## **Risk assessment**
The Trustees regularly review the risks facing The Society. The main risk now being is the lack of guaranteed funding, which means that The Society must now rely upon donations, grants and legacies as the main source of income. The continuance and promotion of The Society’s good works will in itself minimise the risk.
Approved by the board of Trustees and signed on its behalf.
**Mr B Samuel Chairman 18[th] November 2025**
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## **ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)**
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Isle of Ely Society for the Blind**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Isle of Ely Society for the Blind (‘the Society’) for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Society 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 Society’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any
requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
## **Signed** : **M Sharma**
**Address** : 78 County Road March PE15 8NB
## **Date: 18[th] November 2025**
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## **ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31[st] March 2025**
||**Notes General Restricted Total Total**|
|---|---|
||2025 2025 2025 2024|
|**Incoming resources**|£ £ £ £|
|**From generated funds**||
|Donations, legacies and grants|4 20,699 5,000 25,699
10,429|
|Investment income|6,616 - 6,616 4,992|
|Charitable activities
|42,007-2,007 1,085|
|**Total**|29,322 5,000 34,322 16,506|
|**Resources Expended**||
|**Expenditure on**||
|Raising funds|- - - -|
|Charitable activities|5 30,539 - 30,539 33,128|
|Governance costs|- - - -|
|Trustees’ expenses|- - - -|
|**Total**|30,539-30,539 33,128|
|**Net Deficit before investment**||
|**Gains(losses)**|( 1,217) 5,000 3,783 (16,622)|
|Transfer to cover capital spend|2,285 (2,285) ( -) ( - )|
|Revaluation of investments|1/912,194-12,194 ( 45,588)|
|**Net income**|13,262 2,715 15,977 28,966|
|**Other recognised gains/(losses)**|- - - -|
|**Net movement in funds**|13,262 2,715 15,977 28,996|
|**Reconciliation of funds**||
|Total funds brought forward|568,997-568,997 540,031|
|**Total funds carried forward**|**582,259 2,715 584,974 568,997**|
The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these financial statements
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## **ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)**
## **Balance Sheet at 31[st] March 2025**
|**Notes**
**Fixed Assets,**
Tangible assets 8
Investments
9
Stock 10
Scottish Widows Bank
Cambridge & Counties Bank
Lloyds Bank
Cash in hand
Prepayment
**Creditors –**amounts falling due
within one year
11
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Funds of the Charity**
Restricted
Unrestricted|1,745
400,955
880
82,624
85,770
11,713
264
1,260
182,511
237
|**2025**
£
31
388,761
402,700
880
79,252
82,527
16,553
21
1,260
180,493
288
182,274
584,974
2,715
582,259
584,974
|31
388,761|**2024**
£
388,792
180,205
566,997
-
566,997
566,997|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved at the meeting of the Trustees held on 18[th] Novemer 2025 and the Treasurer was authorised to sign on their behalf.
## **Godfrey Smith – Trustee and treasurer**
## **Date: 18[th] November 2025**
The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these accounts
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## **ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025**
## **Accounting policies**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the inclusion of investments at market value and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and with the Charities Act 2011.
## **Incoming resources**
All income is recognised in the statement of financial activities when conditions for receipt have been met and there is reasonable assurance of receipt. Where a claim for repayment of income tax has or will be made, such income is grossed for the tax recoverable.
Donations and all other receipts from fundraising are reported gross and are accounted for on a receivable basis.
Legacies are recorded when all conditions for their receipt have been met. This will normally be when the final estate accounts have been approved, the legacy is capable of measurement and there is no reversionary interest.
Grants are recognised in the statement of financial activities when the conditions for receipt have been met.
Investment income is accounted for in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt.
## **Resources expended**
Expenditure is included in the statement of financial activities on an accruals basis and has been allocated as detailed below:
- Cost of generating funds includes direct cost of fundraising activities.
- Charitable activities include the costs of the activities defined by the charity’s aims for the benefit of the persons sited in the charity objects. These include support costs comprising the staffing and associated cost of finance, personnel and general administration in supporting the operational programmes for which the charity is responsible.
- Governance costs include the costs which relate to the general running of the charity as opposed to the direct management function inherent in generating funds, service delivery and programme or project work.
## **Fixed Assets & Depreciation**
Fixed assets are included at cost, less accumulated depreciation. All assets costing more than £100 are capitalised. Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost, less the estimated residual value, of all tangible fixed assets over their useful lives. The rates generally applicable are: Office equipment at 25% reducing balance and Aids at 15% reducing balance.
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## **ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 continued**
## **1.Accounting policies (continued)**
## **Fixed asset investments**
Investments are included at closing mid-market value at the balance sheet date. Any gain or loss on revaluation is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.
## **Stock**
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
## **Restricted Funds**
Restricted funds can only be used for specific purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds raised for particular restricted purposes. Expenditure which complies with these criteria is identified to the fund.
## **Unrestricted funds**
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incomes received or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purposed and are available as general funds.
## **2.Trustees remuneration and expenses**
No member of the management committee received any remuneration either directly or indirectly. No trustee received reimbursement of their costs.
## **3.Trustee indemnity insurance**
No insurance has been purchased to indemnify the management committee against default on their part.
## **4. Incoming resources**
Legacies of £20,186 were received in the year (2024 - £240). Donations amounting to £42 (2024 - £10,429) were received. Grants received amounted to £5,250 (2024- £9,939)
## **5. Resources Expended**
Included under charitable activities are:
- The charity employs the equivalent of one full time person (2024- one) and the salaries amounted to £19,793 (2023 - £23,616) and social security costs of £nil (2022 - £nil). No employee received employee benefits for the current or prior year of more than £60,000.
- Rent and maintenance £5,040(2023 - £4,830).
- Depreciation £571 (2023 - £nil).
## **6. Controlling party**
The charity is controlled by the trustees. No one trustee or any group of trustees has control.
## **7. Related party transactions**
There were none during the current or previous year.
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**ISLE OF ELY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Registered Charity No 201355)**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 continued**
## **8. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Freehold**
**Property**
**Cost**
At 1stApril 2024 and 31stMarch 2023
-
Additions at cost
At 31stMarch 2025
Depreciation
At 1stApril 2024 & 1stApril 2023
-
Charge for year (2024 – nil)
-
-
Net book value
At 31stMarch 2024
-
At 31stMarch 2025
-|**Office**
**Aids**
**Total**
**equipment**
2,648
1,766 4,414
2,285-2,285|
|---|---|
||
4,933 1,766 6,699
2,628 1,755 4,383
571-571
3,199 1,755 4,954
20 11 31
1,734 11 1,745|
## **9. Fixed asset investments**
The fixed asset investments comprise unit trusts managed by St James’s Place Wealth Management. The cost of the investments was £300,000 at 31[st] March 2025 and 2024.
## **10. Stock**
Stock comprises general services items. A review of the items is being conducted as to their future saleability in the light of technical advances.
## **11. Creditors – amounts falling due within one year.**
Taxes and social security costs were £236 (2023-£287)
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