Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From: 1 January 2024 To: 31 December 2024
Charity name: Viscountess Barrington’s Homes for Disabled ex Servicemen and Women
Charity registration number: 205219
Objectives and Activities
| 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 capable of independent living. Applicants should ordinarily be resident within 100 miles of Shrivenham, Oxon or have family ties to the Shrivenham area. |
| 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 2024 was the refurbishment of 1 and 3 Recreation Ground Lane. This included creating open plan kitchen-diners, updated kitchens and downstairs shower rooms, and (for one of the properties) an upstairs bathroom. The heating systems were also replaced. External work included removal of the original (1920’s) chimneys and very old render, replacing with a modern breathable render system. These improvements have enabled the residents to enjoy much better insulated, damp proofed and therefore warmer homes. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Refurbishing two properties continued the theme of modernising the property portfolio. Achievements against A major driver for this project and the objectives set Para 1.41 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 two loans in order to continue the policy of bringing the property portfolio in line with 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 | Current reserves were decimated by the work but steps are afoot to replenish |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £0 with the objective of building to £50K within 3 years. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Recent heavy expenditure on refurbishment projects, utilising reserves as well as borrowing |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | The charity owes c£200K |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Despite recent heavy expenditure, 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:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
The prime source of regular income remains the maintenance contributions; this was supplemented in 2024 by a loan from the Almshouse Association which helped fund the major refurbishments discussed above |
|---|---|---|
| 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, 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:
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 2025 The Charity is in the process of becoming a CIO, and should be operating as such Other by the end of 1Q 2025
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name Viscountess Barrington’s Homes for Disabled ex Servicemen and Women
Other name the charity uses VB Homes
Registered charity number 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 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) |
Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Sudlow | Chair | N/A | |||
| David Ahern | N/A | ||||
| Martin Chaston | N/A | ||||
| Peter Harrison | N/A | ||||
| Paul Armitage | N/A | ||||
| Christopher Mackarness |
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 N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
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 Chair Secretary, Chair, etc) Date 1 March 2025
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Barclays Active Saver 1 Jan 2024 31 Dec 2024
Opening Credit Closing Credit
£50,047.10 £2,312.54
Transfers out -£48,000.00
Transfers in £0.00
Interest £265.44
£2,312.54
Barclays Current A/C 1 Jan 2024 31 Dec 2024
Opening Credit Closing Credit
£48,442.70 £16,889.59
Transfers in net 43,000.00
Contributions 96,582.70
AA Loan 100000.00
INCOME £288,025.40
Property Expense -234568.14
Repay CB Loan -18204.19
Management Costs -18363.48
EXPENSE -£271,135.81
OPERATING INCOME OVER EXPENSE (within Barclays) £16,889.59
Charity Bank 1 Jan 2024 31 Dec 2024
Opening Credit Closing Credit
£18,096.14 £24,286.00
Transfers out -35000.00
Transfers in 40000.00
Interest £1,189.86
£24,286.00
1 Jan 2024 31 Dec 2024
TOTAL BANK BALANCE £116,585.94 £43,488.13
Net Loss £73,097.81
Total interest £1,455.30
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CHARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees C%- SL£W Prt4b On accounts for the year ended EC Charity no (if anyl Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the charity {'the Trust.) for the year ended311 I As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"Ihe Act"). ccounts of the above Responsibilities and basis of report I report in respect of my examinalion 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 Chaflty Commission under section 145151{b) of the Act. Independent examiner's ststement apPhe8UYFl. Delete I l ifnot applicable. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charrties (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter onsidered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in ¢onnection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reaGhed. Please delet tho rds in the brackets if they do not apply. 4 0 ¥viawth2014 Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualificationls) or body IER Oct 2018
lif any): Address: S-nl i fxl? ts 5 A-KI Section B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs to hi9hlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners}. Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018