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2021-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 208394

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees R S Kettel
A N Andrews
K M Dudley
R J Hunt
Charity number 208394
Principal office The Estate Office
Wharf Cottage
Broombank
Tenbury Wells
Worcestershire
WR15 8NY
Independent examiner RSM UK Tax and Accounting Limited
Chartered Accountants
St Philips Point
Temple Row
Birmingham
West Midlands
B2 5AF
Bankers HSBC Bank plc
PO Box 68
130 New Street
Birmingham
B2 4JU
Solicitors Shakespeare Martineau
No 1 Colmore Square
Birmingham
B4 6AA
Investment manager Rathbone Investment Management Limited
1 Curzon Street
London
W1J 5FB

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Objectives and activities

The Charity provides financial assistance for strictly charitable purposes with the desire that preference should be given to:

a) Hospitals and Clinics.

b) Institutions whose objects are:

The Charity has the general aim of contributing to the quality of life of people.

There have been no changes in the objectives and aims since the last annual report.

The Trustees ensure that the Charity’s investment portfolio generates income to provide funds for them to make grants to a wide range of causes to fulfil its objectives.

Achievement and performance

Financial review

The testator gave the Trustees absolute discretion in the appointment of the income and capital available amongst such institutions as they may determine from time to time.

The Charity received investment income during the year of £100,129 (2020: £132,222). The Trustees made 40 donations amounting to £92,550 (2020: £103,750 – 64 donations) to a wide range of causes. The net decrease in resources for the year amounted to £13,370 (2020: increase £15,837) before taking into account net gain on investments for the year of £658,005 (2020: loss £366,892). Total funds have increased from £3,555,840 to £4,200,475 (2020: decreased from £3,906,895 to £3,555,840).

Investment policy

The Charity’s investments are managed by Rathbone Investment Management Limited. The investment manager provides quarterly reports and meets with the Trustees twice a year to review the Charities investments. The investment objectives are to seek to produce optimum total return in order to maintain the capital value of the portfolio in line with inflation and produce an annual income of at least £110,000. The Trustees wish to adopt a medium risk investment strategy, which should be achieved through a diversified portfolio of marketable investments.

The Trust Deed does not impose any specific restrictions on the way the Charity can operate. It is the policy of the Trustees that assets are invested in the widest range of investments as permitted by the Trustee Act 2000.

Reserves policy

The free reserves of the Charity as at 31 March 2021 were £4,200,475 (2020: £3,555,840) as represented by unrestricted funds. The Charity will aim to hold at least £80,000 as cash received at the end of each year. These reserves are held to ensure that the Charity can continue its grant making activities in future.

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Going concern

The Trustees have considered, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the going concern concept and any associated material uncertainties, the basis of any significant judgements and the matters to consider when confirming the preparation of the financial statements on a going concern basis and the Trustees are comfortable that there are not any adjustments required. The Trustees expect the Charity to continue in operation for at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial statements.

Future plans

The Trustees, with the assistance of the investment manager, continue to monitor stock market performance to ensure that the Charity’s income and capital are maintained as well as possible. The Trustees intend to continue providing grants and donations for charitable purposes in accordance with the procedures and policies stated above.

Structure, governance and management

Overall responsibility for the Charity’s activities is vested in the Trustees, who are appointed under the terms of the Trust Deed.

The Charity is governed and constituted by Will and Codicil of the late Right Honourable Herbert Baron Austin of Longbridge KBE and varied in an order of the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division) dated 22 February 1962 and a scheme dated 6 March 2007 and is registered with the Charity Commission, number 208394. A new Trustee would receive a copy of the governing document, a copy of the previous year’s financial statements and a copy of the Charity Commission leaflet ‘The Essential Trustee: What You Need to Know’.

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to major risks. The major risk continues to be a long-term decline in asset values which reduces the amount available for charitable grants. This is mitigated by ensuring that sufficient headroom is maintained in asset values and grants committed.

The Trustees who served during the year were:

R S Kettel A N Andrews K M Dudley R J Hunt (Appointed 23 November 2020)

Procedures and policy for grant making

The Trustees normally meet biannually to consider which grants they will award, in line with the preferences listed above, and to review any feedback they have received.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting the grant making policy for the year.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

The Trustees have appointed Paul Oxtoby of RSM UK Tax and Accounting Limited as Independent Examiner to the Charity.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

.............................. R S Kettel Dated: .........................

.............................. A N Andrews

Dated:.........................

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

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:

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 LORD AUSTIN TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Lord Austin Trust (‘the Charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2021, which are set out on pages 5 to 12.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’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 2011 Act.

An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the accounts. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently, I express no opinion as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.

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 reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:

    1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
  1. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. 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.

Paul Oxtoby FCCA RSM UK Tax and Accounting Limited Chartered Accountants St Philips Point Temple Row Birmingham West Midlands B2 5AF

Dated: .........................

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2021 2020
Notes £ £
Income from:
Investments 3 100,129 132,222
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 5 7,594 -
Charitable activities 4 105,905 116,385
Total expenditure 113,499 116,385
Net gains/(losses) on investments 658,005 (366,892)
Net income/(expenditure) 644,635 (351,055)
Total funds brought forward 3,555,840 3,906,895
Total funds carried forward 4,200,475 3,555,840

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2021

Notes
Fixed assets
Investments
9
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
11
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The funds of the Charity:
Unrestricted funds
13
Total Charity funds
2021
£
£
4,094,895
22,772
92,096
114,868
(9,288)
105,580
4,200,475
4,200,475
4,200,475
2020
£
£
3,440,578
29,328
95,072
124,400
(9,138)
115,262
3,555,840
3,555,840
3,555,840
2020
£
£
3,440,578
29,328
95,072
124,400
(9,138)
115,262
3,555,840
3,555,840
3,555,840
3,555,840
3,555,840
3,555,840

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................

.............................. .............................. R S Kettel A N Andrews Trustee Trustee

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

The Lord Austin Trust is a charitable Trust registered in England. The address of the Charity’s registered office is The Estate Office, Wharf Cottage, Broombank, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, WR15 8NY.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by 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) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS102.

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.

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

Going concern

The Trustees have considered, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the going concern concept and any associated material uncertainties, the basis of any significant judgements and the matters to consider when confirming the preparation of the financial statements on a going concern basis and the Trustees are comfortable that there are not any adjustments required. The Trustees expect the Charity to continue in operation for at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial statements.

Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Incoming resources

Income is recognised when the Charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity.

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. This is normally upon notification by our investment advisor of the dividend yield of the investment portfolio.

Charitable Donations

Grants payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objectives of the Charity. Single or multi-year grants are accounted for when either the recipient has a reasonable expectation that they will receive a grant and the Charity has agreed to pay the grant without condition, or the recipient has a reasonable expectation that they will receive a grant and any condition attaching to the grant is outside the control of the Charity.

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1 Accounting policies (Continued)

Resources expended

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 settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allotted on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.

Charitable activities include grants made and governance costs.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.

Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, and other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Financial instruments

The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost less any amounts settled.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors are initially recognised at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost less any amounts settled.

Taxation

The Lord Austin Trust is registered as a Charity with the Charity Commission and under the provisions of Section 478 Corporation Tax Act 2010, is exempt from liability to taxation.

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

With respect to the next reporting period, 2021-22, the most significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the Charity are the level of investment return and the performance of investment markets (see the investment policy and performance sections of the Trustees’ annual report for more information).

3 Investments

3 Investments
Total Total
**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2021 2020
£ £
Dividends 100,129 132,222
4 Charitable activities
Donations made to institutions:
2021 2020
£ £
St Mary's Hospice 11,000 6,000
Acorns Children 11,000 5,000
St Richard's Hospice 8,000 2,500
CBSO 6,500 6,500
Primrose Hospice 5,000 2,500
Black Country Living Museum - 5,000
Other donations < £5,000 51,050 76,250
92,550 103,750
Governance costs (see note 6) 13,355 12,635
105,905 116,385

The total number of charitable donations paid to institutions within the above categories was 40 (2020: 64).

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

5 Raising funds

Investment management 2021
£
7,594
7,594
2020
£
-
-

The investment management costs for Rathbone Investment Management Limited were previously charged to the fund directly and the fee is deducted from the unit price on a daily basis. The investment management costs charged by Rathbone Investment Management Limited for the year ended 31 March 2020 were £7,409. This year Rathbone Management fees are shown within cost of raising funds.

6 Governance costs

Accountancy fees
Independent examiner's fees
Charity management fees
Analysed between:
Charitable activities
2021
£
5,520
3,660
4,175
13,355
13,355
2020
£
5,160
3,300
4,175
12,635
12,635

7 Trustees remuneration

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year (2020: £nil).

The Trust considers its key management personnel comprise the Trustees who received £nil remuneration during the year (2020: £nil).

8 Employees

There were no employees during the year (2020: none).

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

9 Fixed asset investments

Listed
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 31 March 2021
3,440,578
Fair value movements
658,005
Disposal proceeds
(3,688)
At 31 March 2021
4,094,895
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2021
4,094,895
At 31 March 2020
3,440,578
Listed
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 31 March 2021
3,440,578
Fair value movements
658,005
Disposal proceeds
(3,688)
At 31 March 2021
4,094,895
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2021
4,094,895
At 31 March 2020
3,440,578
4,094,895
4,094,895
3,440,578
The total quoted listed investments of £4,094,895 are made up of the following:

The historical cost of the above investments are £3,020,811 (2020: £3,023,836).

Investments in the current and previous year were held in the Rathbone Unit Trust Management Fund.

10
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Prepayments and accrued income
11
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Accruals
2021
£
22,772
2021
£
-
9,288
9,288
2020
£
29,328
2020
£
390
8,748
9,138

THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

12
Financial instruments
Carrying amount of financial assets
Instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss
Carrying amount of financial liabilities
Measured at amortised cost
2021
£
4,094,895
9,288
2020
£
3,440,578
9,138

13 Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
Movement in funds
Balance at 1 Incoming Resources
Revaluations,
Balance at 31
April 2020 resources expended gains and March 2021
losses
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds 3,555,840 100,129 (113,499) 658,005 4,200,475
3,555,840 100,129 (113,499) 658,005 4,200,475
Analysis of net assets between funds
Total
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2021 are represented by:
Investments 4,094,895
Current assets/(liabilities) 105,580
4,200,475
Fund balances at 31 March 2020 are represented by:
Investments 3,440,578
Current assets/(liabilities) 115,262
3,555,840

14 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted funds are the cumulative funds of the Charity and are held to ensure that the Charity can continue its grant making activities in the future.

15 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year (2020: none).