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2021-12-31-accounts

The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2021

Index

Index
Page Numbers
Trustees’ Report 1 - 8
Annual Financial Statements
Incorporating:
Independent Examiner’s Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Notes to the Accounts 12 - 14

Ivybridge, South Devon 19 April 2022

The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2021

The charity is not known by any other name and its principal address is: Ludbrook Mill

Ludbrook Ivybridge Devon PL21 0LL

1. Trustees

The names of the trustees, all of whom are involved in the management of the trust, are:

Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for
**whole year **
Richard Coombs
JaneEGent Vice Chair
LornaP Howell
Walker S F Lapthorne Chair
Revd Professor Gina Radford
Stephen R Woodcock Hon Treasurer

The trustees are appointed by invitation from the existing trustees; all within the rules as laid down in the Charity Commission Scheme (as amended), which governs the trust. Further details of the trustees are as follows:

Mr. Richard Coombs became a trustee in 2016. For many years he was a corporate law partner with regional law firm Foot Anstey LLP where he advised companies and charities on strategy, governance and major projects. He remains a part time consultant with them but now spends most of his time as a director or trustee of other companies and charities. Richard has lived in Ivybridge for over 30 years.

Mrs. Jane Gent became a trustee in 2010. She has lived with her family in Ivybridge since 1982. She worked in the National Health Service as a Community Occupational Therapist in the Ivybridge and Yealmpton district until her retirement in 2009. As a trustee she continues to build on her professional experience in the local area and to contribute her knowledge and skills to the Trust.

Mrs. Lorna Howell read French and German at St Anne’s College, Oxford, after which she took a TEFLA Diploma and taught in Paris, Nepal and various colleges in UK. She now manages the Lukesland estate on the edge of Ivybridge, including 2 holiday lets and Spring and Autumn garden openings. She continues to teach English to asylum seekers in Plymouth. She is secretary of Harford Church PCC. Lorna became a Trustee in 2010.

Mr. Walker Lapthorne FRICS became a trustee in 2016. He is a retired Chartered Building Surveyor. He is the Chair of Exeter Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches. He was formerly managing director of J D C Builders; a South Hams based specialist building contractor, working locally on many significant historic and listed properties. He is a former director of Stratton Creber and was a partner of Taylor Lane and Creber in Plymouth. He is a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors. Since 2004, he has lived locally with wife Debra in a converted watermill at Ludbrook, having previously moved to Ugborough in 1988.

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

The Reverend Professor Gina Radford is Team Vicar Dart and Avon Mission Community (0.5wte). She was appointed to be a trustee on 7 November 2019. Prior to her current role she had a long history of public health experience at local, national and international levels. As a former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England this included advising Ministers, key officials, professionals and the public. She was a regular speaker at conferences having had considerable experience both at developing national policy and strategy, and in its implementation.

Mr Stephen Woodcock became a trustee in 2012, and has the role of Honorary Treasurer. A business studies graduate and retired professional accountant with extensive experience in the private and public sectors he was Deputy Director of Finance at a world-class university, responsible, inter alia, for that university’s charitable investments. He has lived in Ivybridge since 2011. He is married with three grown up children, is a member of a local golf club and also enjoys walking and DIY.

All trustees complete a Declarations of Interests form.

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

2. Advisers to the Trustees

The advisers to the trustees are:

Bankers: Lloyds Bank PLC Fore Street Ivybridge South Devon PL21 9AD Independent Examiners: Alan Forrester & Co. Ltd. Accountants 75 Mutley Plain Plymouth South Devon PL4 6JJ Solicitors: Tozers Broadwalk House Southernhay West Exeter EX1 1UA Investment Managers: Brooks Macdonald Broadwalk House Southernhay West Exeter EX1 1TS

3. Structure, Governance and Management

3.1 Structure

The Eden Cottages Trust was formally set up on 31[st] August 1927 when Mrs Minnie Pitts Eden bequeathed cash and investments to build and run an almshouse in the town of Ivybridge in South Devon. The organisation operates as an unincorporated charity and is run by trustees. Full details of the trustees are given above. Each appointment is influenced by the applicant’s qualifications and knowledge of the local area. Together, the trustees have wide experience of finance, investments, building maintenance, charity work, public health and the law. The trustees meet formally not less than three times a year to discuss the running of the almshouse. Ad hoc meetings are arranged as and when required.

3.2. Governance

The trustees are bound by the Charity Commissioners Scheme dated 27[th] November 1972, as amended on 19[th] April 2000, 4 November 2016, 24 March 2017,17 August 2020, 18 March 2021 and 24 May 2021. These schemes layout the broad rules within which the trustees must operate. The day to day decisions within that framework are left to the trustees’ discretion.

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

3.3 Management

Running the almshouse falls into five categories:

3.3.1 the maintenance of the property is managed by one of the trustees who is a retired chartered building surveyor.

3.3.2, the trustees call upon professionals, when required, to inspect the property and produce written reports on their findings.

3.3.3 the investments and cash balances, which make up virtually all of the charity’s assets (excluding the land and building), are managed for the trustees, within an agreed investment policy, by professional advisers.

3.3.4 the trustees find new beneficiaries as and when a house or flat becomes available.

3.3.5 finally, the day to day business affairs of the trust are handled by the charity’s Visitor and Clerk (a part-time employee) and its Honorary Treasurer one of the trustees.

4. Related Parties

The charity has no relationship with any related party.

5. Risk Management

The trustees perceive the charity to be exposed to five major risks and endeavour to manage those risks as follows:-

5.1 Fire. This is undoubtedly the greatest risk that the charity faces and the trustees use their best endeavours to try and eliminate the possibility of fire. Current regulations are strictly adhered to and are implemented by the trustees. It is particularly relevant here as the beneficiaries are mostly elderly.

5.2 Water. Each house or flat is now fitted with its own stop cock in addition to the communal one situated outside the main house. Insurance cover for both fire and water risks are reviewed annually.

5.3 Investments. The charity is largely dependent on its investments to generate sufficient income to run the almshouse, both on a daily basis and to cover longer term commitments. Beneficiaries also make small monthly maintenance contributions. No income is forthcoming from central or local government or from any other source. As a high percentage of the charity’s assets are invested in equities (albeit through collective investments) they are therefore exposed to economic and political events which can impact directly on the performance of the Stock Exchange. With this in mind, the charity’s resources are invested in medium risk investments and are currently managed by professional advisers on behalf of the trustees.

5.4 Cash. Approximately 7% of total assets are currently held in cash either deposited with Lloyds Bank or held within the income account of the portfolio. This is a cautionary position in the current economic and political climate. The holding is reviewed regularly.

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

5.5 Internal controls. The charity ensures that the generally accepted levels of internal controls are always in place and are strictly adhered to by its trustees and the visitor and clerk.

6. Objectives and activities

6.1 The Scheme, as noted above at 3.1 and 3.2, sets out in detail the rationale for the charity’s existence and the rules within which it must operate. Broadly they are to:

6.2 The trustees’ main activities during the year have been to undertake routine maintenance to the building and garden. Fuller information on the activities is included in the Annual Review in Section 7 below. The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

7. Annual Review for 2021

2021 has again been dominated by the global COVID-19 virus crisis. The Trust continued to follow all relevant Government advice. The trustees can report that the Eden Cottages Trust continues to provide high quality housing for residents eligible under the terms of its Charity Commission Scheme, despite the ongoing challenges that the crisis has created.

The building fabric has been maintained in good order, but contractor visits have continued to be limited to external areas and internal access only when needed, in a Covid compliant way. The quinquennial inspection of the building was completed by our consultant Chartered Building Surveyor in October 2021 and his advice will inform our planned preventative maintenance programme for the next few years. No significant issues were raised that require immediate attention but there are areas of routine maintenance and recommended improvements to consider.

We were able to let our refurbished 2 bedroom unit in February 2021, but the new resident did not stay for long and departed in August 2021. We re-advertised and interviewed and managed to secure new residents just before the end of the year.

We have worked within our budgetary framework.

The first scheduled meeting of the year on 18 March 2021 was held using the Zoom virtual platform. Amongst other matters we agreed the budget for the year.

Our established and popular Visitor and Clerk, Mrs Gill Hucker retired in April. The trustees were very grateful to Mrs Hucker for her continued careful concern for the residents’ welfare and her excellent communication during the years she worked for us. We were able to quickly interview and appoint Mrs Teresa Drew as her replacement. She is settling in well.

We met again, virtually, on 21 July 2021. The trustees had been approached by the new owner of The Nook, our next door neighbour, to consider selling a small parcel of retained

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

land. It was agreed to move this forward. A valuation report was commissioned and consent applied for from The Charity Commissioners. The sale is now progressing.

The trustees met again virtually on 7 October 2021. The principal agenda item was to receive an updated investment report from our Investment Fund Manager, John Sadgrove of Brooks Macdonald. Trustees were concerned for the future performance of the investments, but our Investment Manager has kept us fully informed and has helped to steer the Trust into a position that may take advantage of future interest rate movements.

Chair’s Statement

This has been another challenging year for the management of the Trust. I would like to thank my fellow trustees for their ongoing support and time input. It has been a year of change, with two new sets of residents for one unit and a change of Clerk / Visitor. We have maintained our commitment to provide affordable housing in a pleasant, well ordered environment. Our residents seem content and have coped with the external pressures well. We are now looking forward to resumption of a more normal routine, covid restrictions having now been lifted. We remain committed to both our residents’ welfare and the preservation of our wonderful building. We hope it remains a fitting legacy to the original donor.

Walker Lapthorne

8. Policy on Reserves

The charity maintains two reserves.

8.1. An Extraordinary Repair Fund, which may be applied for the extraordinary repair, improvement or rebuilding of the almshouse. The Trust’s policy is to transfer 20% of any annual surplus into this reserve until a maximum of £50,000 is reached; and

8.2. An Accumulated Income Account into which annual surpluses and deficits accumulate, which is used to fund years in which an exceptional level of general maintenance may be required or other exceptional costs arise.

9. Details of any funds in deficit

9.1 No funds are in deficit.

10. Financial Review 2021

10.1 Sources of funding

The Charity’s principal source of funding is its investment income, which was 74% of total income with a further 25% coming from maintenance contributions from residents and the balance from other sundry income.

10.2. Expenditure

Expenditure in the year has principally been on maintaining the property and garden in good condition. Professional costs have been incurred on the quinquennial review of the property, investment management and accountancy fees.

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

10.3. Investment Policy

The charity’s financial resources are invested in a broad range of collective investments; including UK and international fixed interest holdings, investment trusts, unit trusts, property, structured return products, hedge funds & alternatives and cash. They are all managed under the discretionary management of the Trust’s investment manager. Following review in 2021 the manager is instructed to maintain a medium risk profile. The Scheme governing the Trust allows the trustees to use their discretion with no specific restrictions imposed. Although there are substantial current holdings invested in UK markets, there is direct and indirect exposure to overseas markets, particularly through some of the investment and unit trusts. All securities held are freely realisable and there are no investments in future contracts, options or forward currency transactions.

Within the portfolio, cash balances vary depending on the timing of purchases and sales but at 31 December 2021 were 0.8% of the portfolio. The balance between the different kinds of investment and cash is established by reference to funding requirements and the trustees’ judgement, in conjunction with their professional advisers, of future returns and risks in each sector. The investments are required to generate approximately £20,000 of income per annum as the principal source of income to fund the Trust’s activities.

10.4 Income and Expenditure

Total incoming resources for the year were £33,586, an increase of £1,554 on 2020. This was due to higher investment income as the investment manager delivered the target for 2021 of £25,000 (actual £24,938). Income from maintenance contributions fell by £835 due to one of the dwellings being vacant for part of the year.

Total resources expended during the year increased by £13,098 to £34,234 when compared to 2020. This was mainly due to increased expenditure on repairs and maintenance as the opportunity to refurbish the vacant property was taken. Other resources expended were carefully managed and were in line with the budget and 2020. The outcome for the year was a deficit of income to expenditure of £648.

The deficit for 2021 has been transferred to the accumulated income account. The account benefitted from a transfer from the General Investment Fund of £7,922 to reflect the portfolio management fees being paid from the capital account during the year to the investment manager. The balance on the Accumulated Income Account, at that date, was £28,807 following a transfer of £60,000 of funds to the investment manager. Within the Unrestricted Funds the trustees maintain a designated fund for Extraordinary Repairs, which stood at £35,181 at 1 January 2021. The trustees’ policy is to transfer 20% of any surplus each year into the Extraordinary Repair Fund. In view of the small deficit for the year no transfer was made to the fund at 31 December 2021.

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

The Eden Cottages Trust
(Registered Charity No. 202576)
(Founded in 1927)
KeyPerformanceIndicators (KPI’s)
2021 2020 2019
Occupancy 85.4% 95.8% 100.0%
Return on investments
Capitalonly 6.1% (1.9%) 10.9%
Total Return* 9.1% 1.3% 13.6%
FTSE‘100’Index
Total Return Index 7,313.6 6,174.78 6,980.9
Change 18.4% (11.5%) 17.2%
Consumer PriceIndex
Index (December) 115.1 109.2 108.5
Change 5.4% 0.6% 1.3%

*Calculated before management fees but after trading expenses

10.5 Investment Performance 2021

Having taken advice from the investment manager the trustees changed the brief to manage the portfolio from a low to medium risk strategy to produce at least £25,000pa of investment income to a medium risk strategy with income of £20,000pa. The manager is authorised to operate on a discretionary basis which allows them to buy and sell stocks and shares without prior authorisation. Their actions are nevertheless accountable to the trustees via detailed quarterly valuation statements and regular reports, which are considered at trustees’ meetings.

2021 was a good year for stocks and shares. After distribution of income to the Trust the portfolio closed at £819,992 having started the year at £716,201 an increase of 5.6% after adjusting for the £60,000 transferred to the investment manager during the year.

The total return on the Trust’s portfolio was 9.1% and over the same period the benchmark linked to the portfolio, the MSCI PIFMA Balanced Total Return Index, was 12.5%. The investment managers therefore obtained a return that was worse than the benchmark. However, the restructuring of the portfolio meant a change of benchmark during the year.

11. Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature:

Full Name: Walker Sykes Farrant Lapthorne

Position: Chair

Date: 19 April 2022

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Eden Cottages Trust on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2021 Charity No. 202576 as set out on pages 10 to 14 of this report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] December 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect;

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.

………………………………….. Sadie Rogers, CA Alan Forrester & Co Ltd Accountants 75 Mutley Plain Plymouth PL4 6JJ

…....................................2022

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2021

Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds
Notes 31 December 2021 **31 ** December 2020
Incoming Resources £ £ £ £
Investmentincome 7.3 24,938 22,112
Monthlymaintenance contributions 8,550 9,385
Rent 40 292
Bank interest 42 227
Way-leaves 16 16
Total Incoming Resources 33,586 32,032
Resources Expended
Expensesrelated tofreehold property
Water rates & counciltax 2,177 2,007
Repairs andmaintenance 13,431 3,361
Upkeep ofgarden 3,522 3,280
Insurance 1,240 1,201
Electricity 1,012 123
21,382 9,972
Administrationexpenses
Clericalandvisitorsupport 1,589 1,795
Subscriptions 182 179
Otheradministrative costs 247 240
2,018 2,214
Legal& professionalcharges
Accountancyfees 4 960 918
Otherprofessional fees 1,680 1,107
Investmentmanager’sfees 8,194 6,925
10,834 8,950
Total Resources Expended 34,234 21,136
Net (Outgoing)/Incoming Resources
Before Transfers
(648) 10,896
Gross Transfers Between Funds 0 0
Net Incoming Resources Before Other
Recognised Gains / (Losses)
(648) 10,896
Other Recognised (Losses)/Gains
Gains/(losses) on investment assets 51,713 (7,117)
Net Movement in Funds 51,065 3,779
Total Funds brought forward 832,915 829,136
Total Funds carried forward 883,980 832,915

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2021

31 December 2021 31 December 2021 31 December 2021 31 December 2021 31 December 2021 31 December 2020 31 December 2020 31 December 2020 31 December 2020 31 December 2020 31 December 2020 31 December 2020
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
FreeholdProperty
Cottages andland atIvybridge 6 0 0
Investments 7 819,992 716,201
Total fixed assets 819,992 716,201
Current Assets
Debtors and prepayments 1,692 820
Cashat bankandin hand 65,801 118,910
Totalcurrent assets 67,493 119,730
Creditors: amounts falling due within
**one year **
Income prepaid 171 171
Accruals 3,334 2,845
3,505 3,016
Net current assets 63,988 116,714
Net Assets 883,980 832,915
Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted Funds
General Investment Fund
Balance broughtforward 716,201 730,285
Increase/(Decrease) in the value of
investmentsretained
43,475 (6,836)
Profit/(loss) on shares disposed of during
the year
8,193 (281)
Equalisation Receipt (Prior year purchase) 45 0
Net transfer from/(to) the Accumulated
IncomeAccount
52,078 (6,967)
Balance carriedforward 819,992 716,201
Accumulated Income Account
Balance broughtforward 81,533 65,850
(Deficit)/Surplusforthe year (648) 10,896
80,885 76,746
(Deduct) transfer to Extraordinary Repair
Fund
0 (2,180)
Net transfer (to)/from the General
InvestmentFund
(52,078) 6,967
Balance carriedforward 28,807 81,533
Extraordinary Repair Fund
Balance broughtforward 35,181 33,001
Add transferred from Accumulated Income
Fund
0 2,180
Balance carriedforward 35,181 35,181
Total Funds 883,980 832,915

Chair of Trustees…………………………..

Trustee……………………………………….

Date: 19 April 2022

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Notes to the 2021 Accounts

1. Basis of preparation

1.1. Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with:

1.2 Change in basis of accounting

There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) since last year.

1.3 Changes to previous accounts

No changes have been made to accounts for previous years.

2. Accounting policies

2.1Incoming Resources

2.1.1Recognition of incoming resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

2.1.2 Investment income

This is included in the accounts when receivable.

2.1.3 Investment gains and losses

This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.

2.2 Expenditure and Liabilities

2.2.1 Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

2.3 Assets

2.3.1Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. They are valued at cost or a reasonable value on receipt. At 31 December 2021 the charity had no tangible fixed assets.

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Notes to the 2021 Accounts ….continued

2.3.2 Investments

Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at the trustees’ best estimate of market value.

3. Trustees Remuneration & Benefits

3.1 No emoluments or benefits were paid directly to any of the trustees during the year.

4. Accountancy Fees

untancy Fees
Independent examiner’s fees for reporting on the
accounts
Other fees paid to the independent examiner
loyees

Average number of persons employed by the charity
2021
£
780
180
2021

1
2020
£
730
188
2020
1

5. Employees

6. Freehold Property

The charity owns the freehold title to the property known as Eden Cottages in Ivybridge, South Devon. Since the building was completed in June 1927, it has been the charity’s policy not to ascribe a value to the property in the Balance Sheet. It nevertheless forms part of the charity’s assets and comprises the Permanent Endowment Fund. For that reason, the Trustees cannot sell the property on the open market.

The building and any contents that are deemed to be the responsibility of the trustees are insured for £1.4 million. It is also free from any liens and encumbrances and is not a listed building.

7. Investment Assets

7.1 Fixed Asset Investment Assets

Asset Investment Assets
£
Carrying (market) value at beginning of year 716,201
Add: additions to investments at cost 382,184
Less: disposals at carrying value (321,868)
Add: net gain on revaluation 43,475
Carrying (market) value at end of year 819,992

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The Eden Cottages Trust (Registered Charity No. 202576) (Founded in 1927)

Notes to the 2021 Accounts ….continued

7.2
Analysis of the market value of investments
All investments are listed on a recognised stock exchange.
UK Fixed Interest
International Fixed Interest
UK Equities
North American Equities
Japan, Far East and Emerging Markets Equities
International and Thematic Equities
Hedge Funds and Alternatives
Property
Structured Return
Cash on Capital Account
7.3 Analysis of income from investments
Fixed Interest
Equities
Structured return
Hedge funds and alternatives
International & Thematic
Property
£
82,107
35,314
211,106
76,549
63,214
131,525
101,381
37,350
74,914
813,460
6,532
819,992
£
4,747
6,813
4,616
4,593
3,097
1,072
24,938

7.4 Material investment holdings

7.4 Material investmentholdings
Market
value at
year end
£
% of
total
market
value at
year end
%
BNY Mellon Fund Managers Global Funds Plc
US Equity E GBP Distribution
58,067 7.1
Royal London Unit Trust Managers Sterling
Credit Inst Income Z GBP Nav Net
50,330 6.2
Schroder Investment Management
Lux SA Asian Total Return
46,546 5.7
J O Hambro Capital Management UK Equity Inc 40,805 5.0

The individual value of all other holdings at 31 December 2021 represented less than 5.0% of the total value of quoted investments.

8. Committed Expenditure

At 31st December 2021 the Trustees had not committed to any material expenditure.

9. Contingent Liabilities

At 31[st] December 2021 the Trustees were not aware of any material contingent liability that may affect the Trust.

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