Charity registration number 205033
AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | David Victor Skinner | |
|---|---|---|
| David William King | (Appointed on 30/05/2024) | |
| Peter Clackett | ||
| Rev Timothy John William Barnard | ||
| Rev Jonathan David Rapson | ||
| Susan Eleanor Theresa Pounce | (Appointed on 22/01/2024) | |
| Valerie Jane Simmonds | ||
| Charity number | 205033 | |
| Principal address | 163 Stanley Hill | |
| Amersham | ||
| Bucks | ||
| HP7 9EY | ||
| Registered office | Amersham United Charities | |
| St. Mary's Parish Office | ||
| 10 Church Street | ||
| Amersham | ||
| Bucks | ||
| HP7 0DB | ||
| Independent Examiner | Caroline Brazier ACA DChA | |
| Cansdales Business Advisers Limited | ||
| Chartered Accountants | ||
| St Mary’s Court | ||
| The Broadway | ||
| Old Amersham | ||
| Bucks | ||
| HP7 0UT | ||
| Bankers | TSB Ltd | |
| 1 Church Street | ||
| High Wycombe | ||
| HP11 2DE |
AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 3 |
| Statement of trustees' responsibilities | |
| Independent auditor's report | 4 |
| Statement of financial activities | 5 |
| Balance sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7 - 11 |
AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document Scheme of the Charity Commissioners dated 29 May 2001 , the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
Objectives and activities
The object of the Charity is to serve the needs of Amersham and Coleshill area. To meet this objective the Charity provides Almshouse Accommodation and supports the Young and Poor. It seeks charitable donations from the public and others.
The objects of the Almshouse Charity are:
a) The provision of housing accommodation for residents who are qualified as provided by the Scheme; and
b) such charitable purposes for the benefit of the residents of the almshouses as the Trustees decide.
The residents of the almshouses must be persons in need who are resident at the time in the following areas, in the following order of priority: (a) the area of benefit as defined by the Charity Commission Scheme constituting the Charity); (b) the ancient Parish of Lee; and (c) the surrounding area
In addition to observing the above qualifications, when appointing residents to the Day's Almshouses, the Trustees should give priority to members of the Church of England.
The objects of the Young Persons and the Poor Fund are:
The objects of the Young Persons and Poor Charities are (1) to promote the education of persons under the age of 21 who are in need of financial assistance and are resident in the area of benefit and (2) for the relief of persons who are in need, hardship or distress in the same area.
The Trustees may carry out this object by:-
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making grants of money to individuals, or where appropriate to groups; or
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providing for goods, services or facilities for them; or making grants of money to other persons or bodies who provide goods, services or facilities to them
In exceptional circumstances the Trustees may decide to assist someone (who is otherwise qualified) who is:
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resident outside the area of benefit; or
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only temporarily in the area of benefit.
Public benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
Residents
2024 was a good year and the regular one-to-one home visits with residents, to obtain their views and to respond to them and act where necessary were held when possible. The outcome of these visits was discussed at Trustee meetings. A number of residents have left, but have either been replaced, or the Trustees are actively seeking replacements.
Achievements and performance
Routine maintenance works have been carried out during the year. No capital project works have been done.
The required maintenance works identified in the Quinquennial Survey and Report for the Day’s Almshouses have been completed during the year. Outside repairs and redecoration to the front elevation of the Miss Day’s Almshouses has been completed.
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Drake’s Almshouses continue to have a reduced occupancy rate. At the end of the year, there was one house, No. 100, which required additional repairs, but the others are available. Due to the proximity of commencement of the upgrade works, vacancies will, at this time, continue to be filled with temporary residents.
The Trustees did not make grants from the Young Persons and Poor Charities during the year.
Financial review
Overall, the Charity operated at a surplus of £20,962 (2023: £56,704) of income over expenditure.
The market value of all the Almshouse’s investments, on 31st December 2024 was £273,174. This was an increase of £9,216 (2023 - £263,958). The market value of the Young Persons and Poor Funds investments, on 31st December 2024 was £3,446. This was a decrease of £113 (2023 - £3,599).
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This required level of reserves has clearly been maintained throughout the year.
Plans for future periods
The Trustees are still planning to go ahead with the upgrade works at Drake’s Almshouses. These works have been delayed awaiting suitable funds to be raised. It is believed that these works are now more likely to commence in early 2026. This delay being partly due to the slow raising of funds, but also by the closure of the selected contractor, which will require the works to be re-tendered. Unoccupied units have been made available for short-term occupation prior to works being undertaken.
Both sets of Almshouses are of historical and architectural importance and stand within a conservation area and any future plans must recognise this requirement.
Structure, governance and management
The Charity is an unincorporated charity. The Trustees’ plan to convert the Charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation is ongoing and should see fruition in 2025.
Governing document
From the 29 May 2001 a governing Scheme replaced the former trusts of the charities, thus making up Amersham United Charities in the Parish of Amersham with Coleshill, Buckinghamshire.
The body of Trustees for the charities consists of:
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3 ex officio Trustees who are the Rector and Churchwardens of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary, Amersham with Coleshill.
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3 nominated Trustees - nominated by Amersham Town Council, Buckinghamshire County Council (as statutory successor to Chiltern District Council) and Coleshill Parish Council for a period of 4 years.
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3 co-opted Trustees - appointed by the Trustees at a special meeting for a period of 4 years.
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Valerie Jane Simmonds
Peter Clackett
Rev Jonathan David Rapson Rev Timothy John William Barnard
David Victor Skinner David William King (Appointed on 30/05/2024) Susan Eleanor Theresa Pounce (Appointed on 22/01/2024)
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
At their first ordinary meeting in each year the Trustees must elect one of their members to be chair of their meetings.
The Trustees may appoint one of their members or some other suitable person as secretary or clerk.
The Trustees must appoint one of their members or some other suitable person as Treasurer.
There are currently no employees, but the Trustees plan to appoint a salaried Clerk in 2025.
The Charity is fully compliant with its constitution but has had, for most of the year, partly due to Amersham Town Council’s refusal to provide a nominated Trustee, a reduced complement of Trustees. There is also one co-opted Trustee vacancy, which the Trustees have chosen not to fill in 2024. It is assumed that this will be filled in 2025 as the Charity is taking measures to seek to fill the vacant Trustee positions.
Risk management
The Trustees manage risk by means of the Trustee meetings and a risk assessment process, to discuss and assess business risks and implement risk management strategies. This involved identifying the types of risks the Charity faces, prioritising them in terms of potential impact and likelihood of occurrence, and identifying the means to mitigate the risks. The Trustees use a project risk register to record and manage the risks. This process demonstrates the Trustees have reviewed the adequacy of the Charity's internal controls. The Charity's internal financial controls conform with the guidelines issued by the Charity Commission.
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Trustee
Peter Clackett 2 June 2025
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Amersham United Charities (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.
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2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Use of our report
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. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Caroline Brazier ACA DChA
Cansdales Business Advisers Limited
St Mary’s Court The Broadway, Old Amersham Bucks HP70UT
Dated: 3 June 2025
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted Endowment funds funds - Designated 2024 2024 Notes £ £ Income from: Other trading activities 2 89,861 - Investments 3 581 146 Total income 90,442 146 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 65,335 - Other 6 13,507 - Total expenditure 78,842 - Net Income for the year 11,600 146 Net gains/(losses) on investments 5,593 3,623 Net income for the year/ Net movement in funds 17,193 3,769 Fund balances at 1 January 2024 287,263 2,403,723 Fund balances at 31 December 2024 304,456 2,407,492 |
Total Unrestricted Endowment funds funds - Designated 2024 2023 2023 £ £ £ 89,861 93,380 - 727 151 146 90,588 93,531 146 65,335 39,569 - 13,507 10,131 - 78,842 49,700 - 11,746 43,831 146 9,216 6,047 6,680 20,962 49,878 6,826 2,690,986 237,385 2,396,897 2,711,948 287,263 2,403,723 |
Total 2023 £ 93,380 297 |
|---|---|---|
| 93,677 | ||
| 39,569 10,131 |
||
| 49,700 | ||
| 43,977 | ||
| 12,727 | ||
| 56,704 2,634,282 |
||
| 2,690,986 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes Fixed assets Heritage assets 7 Investments 8 Current assets Debtors 9 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 11 Net assets Income funds Endowment funds - Designated Unrestricted funds |
2024 £ 964 138,193 139,157 (15,101) |
£ 2,325,218 273,174 2,598,392 124,056 2,722,448 (10,500) 2,711,948 2,407,492 304,456 2,711,948 |
2023 £ 946 137,268 138,214 (15,404) |
£ 2,325,218 263,958 2,589,176 122,810 2,711,986 (21,000) 2,690,986 2,403,723 287,263 2,690,986 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 2 June 2025
Peter Clackett Trustee
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Accounting policies
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
1.2 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for the use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Endowment funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity, principally the Almshouses. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objectives of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses arising on the properties and investments form part of the fund.
1.3 Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
1.4 Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
1.5 Heritage assets
Sir William Drake's and Miss Harriet Day's Almshouses were constructed in 1657 and 1875 and there is no record of the original cost. As they are heritage assets under SORP (FRS 102) they have been included in the accounts at fair value. Heritage assets are to be held for the foreseeable future.
1.6 Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
2 Income
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Maintenance Contributions receivable | 89,861 | 93,380 |
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
3 Income from investments
| Unrestricted | Endowment | Total | Unrestricted | Endowment | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | |||
| Designated | Designated | |||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Interest receivable | 581 | 146 | 727 | 151 | 146 | 297 |
4 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Direct costs Rates and water 4,811 Insurance 1,910 Current & cyclical maintenance 33,905 Light and heat 10,727 Gardening 6,935 Donations - Sundries 2,766 Subscription 826 Clerk and trustee expenses 3,455 65,335 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds 65,335 |
Total 2024 £ 4,811 1,910 33,905 10,727 6,935 - 2,766 826 3,455 65,335 65,335 |
Total 2023 £ 1,216 1,751 19,431 8,894 3,465 250 839 296 3,427 |
|---|---|---|
| 39,569 | ||
| 39,569 |
5 Trustees Remuneration and Benefits
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
6 Other expenditure
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Legal Fees | 10,792 | 7,569 | |
| Independent Examiner's Fees | 2,640 | 2,502 | |
| Bank charges | 75 | 60 | |
| 13,507 | 10,131 | ||
| 7 | Heritage assets | ||
| £ | |||
| At 1 January 2024 | 2,325,218 | ||
| At 1 January 2024 and at 31 December 2024 | 2,325,218 |
The 6 Drakes almshouses were built in the late 16th Century and modified in 1992 into 4 dwellings. The 9 Day almshouses were built in 1875 and modified in 2017 into 7 dwellings and comprise of a single terrace of one bedroom cottages with communal gardens. No value has been attributed to the original cost or the improvements carried out in 1970, however we are required under SORP FRS102 to include the properties at fair value. The Trustees consider the fair value (market value) of the eleven existing properties to be £2,297,000 (2017 - restated at £2,297,000) based on the independent valuation by Josling 4, Hamlyn on 7 July 2017.
8 Investments
| Others Investments (neither listed nor unlisted) were as follows: CF Rufer Absolute Return Fund Charinco Common Investment Fund - Young Persons & Poor Fund Charinco Common Investment Fund - Extraordinary Repair Fund NAACIF Accum'n shares - Extraordinary Repair Fund COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund |
2024 £ 273,174 2024 £ 62,476 3,446 33,731 76,273 97,248 273,174 |
2022 £ 263,958 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 63,935 3,599 33,801 70,610 92,013 |
||
| 263,958 |
There were no investment assets outside the UK.
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 9 Debtors Amounts falling due within one year: Prepayments and accrued income 10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Other creditors Accruals and deferred income 11 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Other creditors 12 Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds 2024 2024 £ £ Fund balances at 31 December 2024 are represented by: Heritage assets - 2,325,218 Investments 190,900 82,274 Current assets/(liabilities) 124,056 - Long term liabilities (10,500) - 304,456 2,407,492 |
Total Unrestricted funds 2024 2023 £ £ 2,325,218 - 273,174 185,453 124,056 122,810 (10,500) (21,000) 2,711,948 287,263 |
2024 £ 964 2024 £ 12,461 2,640 15,101 2024 £ 10,500 Designated funds 2023 £ 2,325,218 78,505 - - 2,403,723 |
2023 £ 946 2023 £ 12,884 2,520 15,404 2023 £ 21,000 Total 2023 £ 2,325,218 263,958 122,810 (21,000) 2,690,986 |
|---|---|---|---|
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AMERSHAM UNITED CHARITIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
13 Movement in Funds
| Unrestricted Funds General Funds Endowment Funds Endowment Fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement between the funds Unrestricted Funds General Funds Endowment Funds Endowment Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 01.01.23 Net movement in funds At 31.12.23 £ £ £ 237,385 49,878 287,263 2,396,897 6,826 2,403,723 2,634,282 56,704 2,690,986 Income Expense Gains and Movement in Losses funds £ £ £ £ 93,531 (49,700) 6,047 49,878 146 - 6,680 6,826 93,677 (49,700) 12,727 56,704 |
At 01.01.23 Net movement in funds At 31.12.23 £ £ £ 237,385 49,878 287,263 2,396,897 6,826 2,403,723 2,634,282 56,704 2,690,986 Income Expense Gains and Movement in Losses funds £ £ £ £ 93,531 (49,700) 6,047 49,878 146 - 6,680 6,826 93,677 (49,700) 12,727 56,704 |
|---|---|---|
| 56,704 |
14 Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).
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