# **Beccles Townlands Charity Unaudited report and financial statements** **For the year ended 31 October 2024** ## **Charity Registration Number 210714** ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Contents** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Page
Trustees Annual Report 1 - 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the Financial Statements 7 - 13
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Trustees Annual Report** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** The Trustees present their report and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Governing Document 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 2015). ## **Reference and Administrative Information** **Charity Name** The Town Lands **Charity Working Name** Beccles Townlands Charity **Charity Registration No.** 210714 **Principal Address** Leman House Ballygate Beccles Suffolk NR34 9ND **Chairman/Collector** Dr T J Morton (Resigned 4 December 2024) Mr R J Seppings (Elected 4 December 2024) **Trustees** Mr K Gregory Mrs J I Langeskov Mr K J Leggett Mr J M Hartley Mr J B Cook Mr N A Hickman Mr R J Seppings Mrs F L Baldry Dr T J Morton Mr M Jermey **Secretary** Mr S J Lamb **Land Agent** Mr G N Durrant **Independent Examiner** Mark Proctor FCA Lovewell Blake LLP The Wherry Quay Street Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8ET **Bankers** Barclays Bank Plc **Solicitors** Sprake & Kingsley 16 Broad Street Bungay Suffolk NR35 1EN **Stockbrokers** Barratt & Cooke CCLA 5 Opie Street Senator House Norwich 85 Queen Victoria Street Norfolk London NR1 3YS EC4V 4ET 1 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Trustees Annual Report (Continued)** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** ## **Objectives and Activities** The Trustees' mandate is to distribute funds for the benefit of individuals and organisations who reside or operate within the Beccles town boundary. The donations range from those for needy individuals to the upkeep and improvement of facilities used by Beccles' residents. The Charity is well known within the town and the Trustees meet bi-monthly to evaluate written requests for financial assistance. ## _**Public Benefit**_ The Trustees have taken due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The beneficiaries of the Charity's activities are the residents of and organisations either operating in or serving Beccles which are in need of advice or financial assistance. ## **Achievements** During the year ended 31 October 2024, the Charity made 30 donations and grants distributing a total of £76,401 to local organisations and individuals as detailed below Organisations:Learning in Nature, Friends of Albert Pye Primary School, Waveney Stardust, Forget-meNots, Beccles Library, The Parish of St Michaels, Beccles Salvation Army, Friends of Beccles Hospital, Beccles Lido, Beccles & District Museum, Beccles Amateur Sailing Club, Town Centre memorial to bomber crew. Individuals:Support was given to various residents in the town in the form of white goods, youth sports training and survival kits for the homeless. ## **Financial Review** The Charity had a deficit of expenditure over income of £29,390 (2023 - £21,982) after grants and donations of £76,401 (2023 - £83,388). In addition there was a revaluation of investments of £171,992 (2023 - £98,726) leaving a net surplus of £142,602 (2023 - Net surplus of £2,833,464). The total funds held at the year end totalled £9,658,419 (2023 - £9,515,817). The results for the year are set out in detail on pages 5 to 13. 2 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Trustees Annual Report (Continued)** **Year ended 31 October 2024** ## **Reserves Policy** The net current assets of the Charity at 31 October 2024 totalled £422,800 which comprised of current assets of £463,264 less current liabilities of £40,464 It is the Trustees' policy to maintain a fund of £200,000 in net current assets to cover both expected annual expenditure and any emergency demands and the policy is reviewed annually. Designated funds also include £12,000 (2023: £16,540) which represents monies that the Trustees have allocated towards future grants. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** ## _**Governing Document**_ Beccles Townlands Charity is governed by a Trust Deed dated 1544 and constitution which was amended 5 October 2011 and is a registered Charity (Registration number: 210714). ## _**Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees**_ In selecting persons to be appointed as Trustees, account is taken of the benefits of appointing people whose qualifications, employment or knowledge will make a contribution to the pursuit of the objects or the management of the Charity. ## _**Induction and Training of Trustees**_ On appointment, Trustees will be provided with copies of: - The Trust Deed. - Minutes of Trustees meetings. - The latest set of financial statements. ## _**Organisational Structure**_ The Charity is administered by the Trustees. The Trustees meet regularly to discuss all governance matters concerning the Charity. At these meetings the Trustees consider and make decisions on actions to be taken in accordance with the Charity's objectives. Decisions are reached by majority vote where unanimity has not been achieved. ## **Independent Examiner** A resolution to reappoint Mark Proctor FCA as independent examiner will be passed at the 2025 Annual General Meeting. Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 6 August 2025. Mr R J Seppings Collector 3 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees of Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet and the related notes. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 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 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: - 1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or - 2) the financial statements do not accord with those records; or - 3) the financial statements 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. Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts (financial statements) in accordance with 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) 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 since been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015. Mark Proctor FCA Independent Examiner Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered Accountants The Wherry Quay Street Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8ET 18 August 2025 4 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Statement of Financial Activities** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
2024 2023
Note £ £
Income from: (unrestricted general funds)
Investments 4 144,792 145,674
Charitable activities 5 28,381 4,144
Total incoming resources 173,173 149,818
Expenditure on: (unrestricted general funds)
Raising funds
Investment management costs 6 94,923 58,781
Charitable activities 7 107,640 113,019
Total resources expended 202,563 171,800
Net (outgoing) resources before investment gains (29,390) (21,982)
Revaluation of investments 12 171,992 (98,726)
Revaluation of investment property 11 - 2,954,173
Revaluation of freehold property 10 - -
Net movement in funds 142,602 2,833,465
Unrestricted general funds at 1 November 2023 9,515,817 6,682,352
Unrestricted general funds at 31 October 2024 15 9,658,419 9,515,817
**----- End of picture text -----**
Incoming resources and resources expended above include all gains and losses recognised in the year and are derived from continuing activities. The notes on pages 7 to 13 form an integral part of the financial statements. 5 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Balance Sheet** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets 10 216,133 221,446
Investment assets: Land and property 11 7,257,000 7,257,000
Investment portfolio 12 1,762,486 1,723,537
9,019,486 8,980,537
9,235,619 9,201,983
Current Assets
Debtors 13 245,838 176,103
Cash at bank and in hand 217,426 178,398
463,264 354,501
Current liabilities
Creditors due within one year 14 40,464 40,667
Net current assets 422,800 313,834
9,658,419 9,515,817
Unrestricted funds
General fund 15 9,646,419 9,499,277
Designated fund 15 12,000 16,540
9,658,419 9,515,817
**----- End of picture text -----**
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 6 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:- Mr R J Seppings Collector The notes on pages 7 to 13 form an integral part of the financial statements. 6 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** ## **1 General information** The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is Leman House, Ballygate, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9ND. ## **2 Statement of compliance** These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011. The charity has applied Update Bulletin 1 as published on 2 February 2016 and Update Bulletin 2 published on 5 October 2018. The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and 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 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) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. ## **3 Accounting policies** ## **(a) Basis of accounting** The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows: Basis of preparation: The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared using historic cost basis as modified for certain assets at fair value, in accordance with 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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The accounts have also been prepared in accordance with Update Bulletin 1 issued in February 2016 for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016, which has been early adopted as permitted. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and 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 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 2015) rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. 7 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** ## **Accounting policies (continued)** ## **(b) Fund accounting** The funds held by the Charity are:- ## _Unrestricted Funds:_ _Designated Funds_ – The Trustees may, at their discretion, set aside funds for specific purposes which would otherwise form part of the general reserves of the Charity. _General Funds –_ These are unrestricted funds which are available for 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. ## **(c) Income** All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:- - Investment income is included gross in the accounting period in which it is receivable. - Income from charitable activities are accounted for when earned. The Charity has an option to tax on several investment properties for which the income and attributable expenditure are shown net of VAT. The remaining income and non-attributable expenditure is shown gross of irrecoverable VAT. ## **(d) Expenditure** All expenditure is included on an accruals basis as the liability is incurred. All costs have been directly attributed to one of the functional categories of resources expended in the Statement of Financial Activities. - Investment management costs comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in maintaining its investment assets. - Charitable activities comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. - Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity and include the accountancy and independent examiner’s fees and any other costs linked to the strategic management of the Charity. ## **(e) Grants** Grants are recognised in the year in which they are authorised, communicated and become unconditionally payable. 8 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** ## **Accounting policies (continued)** ## **(f) Fixed assets** Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost over their expected useful economic lives. - Freehold property is depreciated at 2% straight line. - Equipment is depreciated at 25% reducing balance. ## **(g) Investment properties** Investment properties are shown at their open market value. The surplus or deficit arising from the annual revaluation is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. ## **(h) Fixed asset investments** Investments are shown at their open market value at the balance sheet date. Any gain or loss arising on the valuation is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. ## **(i) Cash at bank** Cash at bank includes cash, deposit and investment account balances. ## **(j) Creditors** Creditors with no stated interest and payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. ## **(k) Going concern** The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe no material uncertainties exist. ## **4 Investments (unrestricted general funds)** |Bank interest
Unit trust distribution income
Rents receivable|**2024**
**£**
3,331
49,720
91,741
144,792|**2023**
**£**
1,588
54,448
89,638
145,674| |---|---|---| 9 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** ## **5 Income from charitable activities (unrestricted general funds)** |**2024**
**£**
Shooting rights
82
Farming grants
28,223
Wayleaves
76
28,381
**6**
**Investment management costs (unrestricted general funds)**
**2024**
**£**
Property repairs and services
66,599
Legal and professional fees
25,053
Rates, water and insurance
18,195
Light and heat
2,033
Loss/(gain) on disposal of investments
(16,957)
94,923
**7**
**Charitable activities (unrestricted general funds)**
**2024**
**£**
General expenses
693
Computer and software
1,257
Grants payable (note 8)
50,405
Donations
25,996
Depreciation (note 10)
5,945
Governance costs:-
Independent Examiner's fee
1,744
Honorarium
21,600
107,640|**2023**
**£**
82
3,986
76
4,144
**2023**
**£**
100,988
10,572
18,152
1,713
(72,644)
58,781
**2023**
**£**
521
1,199
60,146
23,242
5,871
1,440
20,600
113,019| |---|---| ## **8 Grants payable** Grants recognised during the period are analysed as follows:- |**2024**
**2024**
**Payable**
**Payable**
**to Organisations**
**to Individuals**
**Purpose**
**£**
**£**
Social and welfare
20,405
Sports and education
27,000
3,000
47,405
3,000|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
20,405
30,000
50,405|**2023**
**Total**
**£**
46,046
14,100
60,146| |---|---|---| 10 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** ## **Grants payable (continued)** Below are details of the activities which have been funded by grants. **----- Start of picture text -----**
||| |---|---| |£| |Beccles Library roof blinds|2,325| |Beccles Library tables and chairs|1,080| |Friends of Albert Pye|2,000| |Parish minibus repairs|2,000| |Beccles Lido kitchen|25,000| |Waveney Stardust|4,000| |Forget-me-Nots|2,000| |Salvation Army Beccles|9,000| |Other|3,000| **----- End of picture text -----**
## **9 Trustees remuneration and expenses** The Trustees received no remuneration or expenses during the year (2023 - £Nil). ## **10 Tangible fixed assets** **----- Start of picture text -----**
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Freehold| |Property|Equipment|Total| |£|£|£| |Cost| |At 1 November 2023 and 31 October 2024|292,500|996|293,494| |Revaluation|-|-|-| |Additions|-|633|633| |-|-|-| |Disposals| |292,500|1,629|294,129| |Depreciation| |At 1 November 2023|71,118|932|72,050| |Charge for year|5,850|96|5,946| |-|-|-| |Depreciation on disposals| |At 31 October 2024|76,968|1,028|77,996| |Net book value| |At 31 October 2024|215,532|601|216,133| |At 31 October 2023|221,383|63|221,446| **----- End of picture text -----**
11 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
11 Investment assets - Land and property
2024 2023
£ £
Cost or valuation
As at 1 November 2023 7,257,000 4,279,656
Additions at cost - 23,171
Revaluation - 2,954,173
- -
Disposals
Unrealised losses on revaluation - -
As at 31 October 2024 7,257,000 7,257,000
The cost of investment properties is £2,213,628
The market value of the land and property as at November 2023 was valued by Durrants Estate
Agents at £7,257,000. The trustees do not consider that there has been any material change in
valuation since this date.
12 Investment assets - Investment portfolio Listed
Investments
£
Cost or valuation
As at 1 November 2023 1,723,537
Additions at cost -
Disposals at valuation (133,043)
Unrealised loss on year end valuation 171,992
As at 31 October 2024 1,762,486
Holding £
79,136.88 COIF income units 1,593,160
48,680.10 COIF Property Units 50,179
41,107.38 COIF Global Equity Units 119,146
1,762,485
13 Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Debtors 55,178 33,326
Prepayments and accrued interest 190,660 142,777
245,838 176,103
**----- End of picture text -----**
12 ## **Beccles Townlands Charity** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)** ## **Year ended 31 October 2024** |**14**
**Creditors due within one year**
Creditors
Independent examiner's fees
Accruals and deferred income
VAT|||**2024**
**£**
13,991
1,500
23,910
1,063|**2023**
**£**
5,542
1,430
32,300
1,395| |---|---|---|---|---| ||||40,464|40,667| |**15**
**Statement of funds**
Unrestricted general fund
Designated funds|**At**
**1 November**
**2023**
**£**
9,499,277
16,540|**Suplus for**
**the year**
**£**
147,142
(4,540)|**Transfers**
**£**|**At**
**31 October**
**2024**
**£**
9,646,419
12,000| ||9,515,817|142,602|-|9,658,419| |Represented by:-
Tangible fixed assets
Investment assets
Net current assets
At 31 October 2024, the Trustees had allocated
made post-year end.||**Unrestricted**
**General Funds**
**£**
216,133
9,019,486
422,800
funds of £12,000|**Designated**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
-
(2022: £16,540) towards|**Total**
**£**
216,133
9,019,486
422,800
grants to be| |||9,658,419|-|9,658,419| 13