REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 207264
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
FOR
DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES
Walter Wright Chartered Accountants 89 High Street Hadleigh Ipswich Suffolk IP7 5EA
DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 to 10 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 11 |
DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. 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).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The general objective of the charity is the provision of housing for 'eligible residents' . An 'eligible resident' is defined in the Trust Deed as someone who is aged 60 or more, who has lived in the parish of Dedham for at least 5 years before applying to become a resident and who is, in the opinion of the trustees, most deserving to occupy one of the almshouses.
The trustees can allow applications from those over 60 elsewhere if they are unable to find an eligible person who has lived in the parish of Dedham for at least 5 years.
If they are still unable to find 'eligible residents' they can allow applications on a wider basis.
The charity continued to pursue this objective during the year under review. During the year the charity has continued to provide the residents with housing for a rate below the market average.
In addition, during the year the charity continued to review its reserves to try to improve the financial return it was making.
Public benefit
Dunton's Almshouses reviews its aims, objectives and achievements each year. In undertaking this review the trustees pay due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in determining how Dunton's Almshouses should carry out its activities for the public benefit.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The level of unrestricted cash reserves at the year end has increased to £155,202, equivalent to more than 2 years of normal operating costs.
Reserves policy
'The Trustees have followed the Almshouse Association guidelines in setting their policy on financial reserves. In keeping with these guidelines and having regard to their overriding fiduciary duties to maintain the permanent capital of the Charity, while seeking risk adjusted returns from a combination of asset types, the Trustees have notionally allocated their investment assets to three separate reserve funds as follows:
-
Cyclical Maintenance Fund: for known regular building repairs and maintenance, represented by the cash deposit account held with Barclays Bank, into which Weekly Maintenance Contributions from residents are made.
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Extraordinary Repair Fund: for unanticipated but significant repairs, principally to the roof of the almshouses, represented by investments held with CCLA and M&G.
-
General Reserves, represented by the accounts held with the Saffron and Suffolk Building Societies, are held for general purposes.
During the year to 31st December 2025, the Trustees discussed various potential improvements to the almshouses which would be funded from General Reserves.
The total of these three amounts was £467,658,
The trustees deem the current position of the charity to be healthy.
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document
The charity is constituted under a declaration of trust dated 15 April 1859 and is a registered charity. The declaration of trust has since been amended, with the latest amendment being made on 20 November 2007.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
207264
Principal address
Fairview The Heath Dedham Colchester Essex CO7 6BU
Trustees
Mrs Léonie McLaughlin (Chairman to 12 January 2025 - resigned as trustee 12 January 2025) Mr C Sims - appointed 22 March 2024 (Acting Chairman from 12 January 2025, appointed chair March 2025) Mrs M J Jewell
Mr I Lovelock Mrs S Geary - resigned 12 January 2025 Mrs Carolyn Clayton Mrs L Goodall - appointed 22 March 2024 - resigned 12 January 2025 Mr C Biggins - resigned 31 March 2025 Mrs H Roberts - appointed 29 April 2025 Mr P Maston - appointed 29 April 2025 Mr T J Sarson - appointed 1 May 2026
New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees and the trustees keep the skill requirement of the trustees under review.
Independent Examiner
Mr M Wallace TEP CTA FCA Walter Wright Chartered Accountants 89 High Street Hadleigh Ipswich Suffolk IP7 5EA
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Bankers
Barclays Bank plc PO Box 1 9 High Street Colchester CO1 1DD
Suffolk Building Society PO Box 547 Ipswich IP3 9WZ
Saffron Building Society Saffron House 1a Market Street Saffron Walden CB10 1HX
REVEREND C A JONES ACCOUNTS
The Reverend C A Jones account was an endowment to the Almshouses, the income from which was originally intended to provide heating to the residents. The income from this endowment comes from the investment each year and as long as there is sufficient income, is donated to the residents currently as a Christmas gift. A summary of the transactions for the year is shown in the attached notes.
CLERK
During the year, Miss Amanda Watkins, served as the Charity's Clerk. The trustees are grateful for her commitment and time given to the Charity.
21/05/2026
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
................................................................. Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Dunton's Almshouses
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Dunton's Almshouses (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
Mr M Wallace TEP CTA FCA
Walter Wright Chartered Accountants 89 High Street Hadleigh Ipswich Suffolk IP7 5EA 21/05/2026 Date: .............................................
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund fund funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Charitable activities
Residents' contributions 42,400 - 42,400 38,159
Investment income 2 4,627 88 4,715 8,712
Total 47,027 88 47,115 46,871
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Almhouse expenses 21,212 240 21,452 32,965
Net gains/(losses) on investments 16,596 (136) 16,460 13,032
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 42,411 (288) 42,123 26,938
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 424,444 3,867 428,311 401,373
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 466,855 3,579 470,434 428,311
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The notes form part of these financial statements
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES
BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2025
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2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund fund funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 4 85 - 85 702
Investments 5 312,456 2,914 315,370 298,634
Cash at bank and in hand 155,202 750 155,952 130,036
467,743 3,664 471,407 429,372
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 6 (888) (85) (973) (1,061)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 466,855 3,579 470,434 428,311
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES 466,855 3,579 470,434 428,311
NET ASSETS 466,855 3,579 470,434 428,311
FUNDS 7
Unrestricted funds 466,855 424,444
Restricted funds 3,579 3,867
TOTAL FUNDS 470,434 428,311
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 21/05/2026 ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
Residents' contributions, dividends and interest are credited in the period in which they are received.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Investments
Investments are included at their fair value.
Property
The property comprises:
(a) Nine almshouses situated in Crown Street, Dedham founded in 1571 and rebuilt in 1806. (b) 21.02 acres of Farm land at Clacton which is currently in the process of being sold.
All of the properties have been held by the charity for many years and the original cost is unknown. No value has been attached to them in the Balance Sheet, but they are insured for £1,965,398.
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Farmland rent Deposit account interest Dividends |
2025 £ 1,750 2,638 327 4,715 |
2024 £ 1,750 6,643 319 8,712 |
|---|---|---|
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
4. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 4. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
E YEAR | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade debtors Amount due to be transferred from restricted funds 5. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS Unlisted investments Other Market value General Fund 2025 COIF Charities Investment Fund £ Capital account 95,082 Saffron Building Society 1 Year Savings Bond 84,591 M & G Investments Common investment funds: Duntons Almshouses 126,967 Sophia Hewitts Bequest 5,816 TOTAL £312,456 Reverend CA Jones Charity COIF Charities Investment Fund £2,914 6. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Other creditors 7. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1.1.25 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 424,444 Restricted funds Reverend CA Jones Charity 3,867 TOTAL FUNDS 428,311 |
2025 £ - 85 85 2025 £ 230,779 84,591 315,370 |
2024 £ 529 173 702 2024 £ 214,471 84,163 298,634 |
|||||
| Market value 2025 £ 95,082 |
Market value 2024 £ 96,885 |
Cost £ 36,790 |
|||||
| 84,591 | 84,162 | 80,000 | |||||
| 126,967 5,816 £312,456 |
109,076 5,221 295,344 |
53,727 1,566 £172,083 |
|||||
| £2,914 | £3,290 | £150 | |||||
| 2025 £ 973 Net movement in funds £ 42,411 (288) 42,123 |
2024 £ 1,061 At 31.12.25 £ 466,855 3,579 470,434 |
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
7. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 47,027 (21,212) Restricted funds Reverend CA Jones Charity 88 (240) TOTAL FUNDS 47,115 (21,452) Comparatives for movement in funds At 1.1.24 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 397,434 Restricted funds Reverend CA Jones Charity 3,939 TOTAL FUNDS 401,373 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 46,780 (32,725) Restricted funds Reverend CA Jones Charity 91 (240) TOTAL FUNDS 46,871 (32,965) |
Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ 16,596 42,411 (136) (288) 16,460 42,123 Net movement At in funds 31.12.24 £ £ 27,010 424,444 (72) 3,867 26,938 428,311 Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ 12,955 27,010 77 (72) 13,032 26,938 |
|---|---|
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
8. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.
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DUNTON'S ALMSHOUSES DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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2025 2024
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Investment income
Farmland rent 1,750 1,750
Deposit account interest 2,638 6,643
Dividends 327 319
4,715 8,712
Charitable activities
Residents' contributions 42,400 38,159
Total incoming resources 47,115 46,871
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
General repairs 15,257 26,853
Rates and water 1,744 1,443
Insurance 366 1,500
Light and heat 348 1,232
Christmas gifts to residents 240 240
Sundries 133 77
18,088 31,345
Support costs
Governance costs
Clerk's honorarium 1,000 -
Accountancy and other professional fees 2,364 1,620
3,364 1,620
Total resources expended 21,452 32,965
Net income before gains and losses 25,663 13,906
Realised recognised gains and losses
Realised gains/(losses) on fixed asset
investments 16,460 13,032
Net income 42,123 26,938
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This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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