Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From: 1 January 2023 To: 31 December 2023
Charity name: Viscountess Barrington’s Homes for Disabled ex Servicemen and Women
Charity registration number: 205219
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To provide housing for beneficiaries, defined as former members of the armed forces or dependents thereof, who are in need by virtue of disability, financial hardship, sickness or old age, and are ordinarily resident within 50 miles of Shrivenham, Oxon |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
To maintain, and upgrade where appropriate, the properties owned by the Trust, to ensure that active and independent residents can enjoy accommodation in line with 21st century living, at contribution rates that are affordable to those in need. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Other | ||
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The main accomplishment for 20223 was the completion of converting 62 High St into two flats. This enabled two bachelor ex RAF veterans to take residency in the respective flats, making a very positive change to their lifestyle. In the wider sphere, these beneficiaries have taken on landscaping work to their garden space, and have contributed to the wellbeing of their neighbours by offering their assistance in a variety of ways |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
||
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Creating two 1 bedroom flats out of a 3 bedroomed house continued the theme of modernising the property portfolio. A major driver for this project and the wider improvement program is to improve the energy performance of our homes, both to protect the environment and to ease the running costs for our residents |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Besides using maintenance contributions, funds have been secured via a bank loan in order to continue the policy of bringing the property portfolio up to modern living conditions |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity remains in a sound position financially. |
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We hold £50K in reserve - see below |
Amount of reserves held |
Para 1.22 | £50K for Extraordinary Repair and Cyclical Maintenance Funds |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | The charity is not in deficit |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The charity remains in a strong position financially with (property and land) assets in excess of £6 million |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
The source of regular income remains the maintenance contributions; this was supplemented in 2023 by a loan from the Charity Bank which helped fund the upgrade of a 1920’s 3 bedroomed house into 2 modern flats |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Our principal risks are; loss of key staff, maintenance project cost overruns and the potential for slips, trips and falls. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Charity Commission Scheme |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated charitable trust |
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are recruited locally. This topic is discussed regularly at trustee meetings and all trustees are encouraged to identify potential candidates in addition to local advertising. Due consideration is given to appropriate skill sets and many Trustees have a military background. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
Trustees are required to review all policies and procedures ahead of accepting the position. Attendance at training courses such as those run by the Almshouse Association is encouraged |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Day to day management of the Trust and its properties is handled by the Clerk. Minor maintenance issues are resolved without consultation. However, a close relationship is maintained between the Clerk and Chair, especially with regard to more major issues. Regular reporting to all Trustees occurs periodically, but always more frequently than at the bi-annual trustee meetings |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Another Viscountess Barrington Trust manages the Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground in the village; our properties surround their space. We are working with them in preparation for our joint Centenary, due to be celebrated in 1925 |
| Other | The Charity is in the process of becoming a CIO |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Viscountess Barrington’s Homes for Disabled ex | ||
| Servicemen and Women | |||
| Other name the charityuses | VB Homes | ||
| Registered charitynumber | 205219 | ||
| Charity’s principal address | 19 Stainswick Lane Shrivenham | ||
| Swindon SN6 8DU | |||
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Nam e of pers on (or bod y) entit led to app oint trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Sudlow | Chair | N/A |
|
| David Ahern | N/A | ||
| Martin Chaston | N/A | ||
| Peter Harrison | N/A | ||
| Michael Ross | N/A | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| **N/A ** | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
N/A |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
|||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | |||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Andrew Sudlow Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 23 April 2024
| Barclays Active Saver Transfers out Transfers in Interest Barclays Current A/C Transfers in net Contributons Property Expense Management Costs Operatng Inc over Exp Charity Bank |
1 Jan 2023 Opening Credit £44,775.29 -£40,000.00 £45,000.00 £271.81 £50,047.10 1 Jan 2023 Opening Credit £58,441.09 £48,443.15 £149,906.99 £208,348.08 86129.30 231262.02 14772.21 -£159,904.93 1 Jan 2023 Opening Credit £52,656.37 |
31 Dec 2023 Closing Credit £50,047.10 31 Dec 2023 Closing Credit £48,443.15 31 Dec 2023 Closing Credit £18,096.14 |
|---|---|---|
Transfers out -£50,000.00 Transfers in £15,000.00 Interest £439.77 £18,096.14 1 Jan 2023 31 Dec 2023 TOTAL BANK BALANCE £155,872.75 £116,586.39 Net Loss 39,286.36
Net income £ 86,840.88
Net expenditure £ 246,034.23
total interest
£711.58
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of I Scour4TEts g*RKINJ6tTcfrJS Fo i£k On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any) zo£219 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I"Ihe Trusl") for the year ended Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation ba515 of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515}Ibl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi 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= accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the aGcounls do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection th the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accotjnls to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Slgned: Date: 2 i Name: K. E5.PIICE Relevant professional quallficatlonls) or body (if anyl: Address: KIT+FE W 6tr1 g i SwJiKJk>W SN16 É-A IER October 2018