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2025-10-31-accounts

Beccles Townlands Charity Unaudited report and financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2025

Charity Registration Number 210714

Beccles Townlands Charity

Contents

Year ended 31 October 2025

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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
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Beccles Townlands Charity

Trustees Annual Report

Year ended 31 October 2025

The Trustees present their report and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2025.

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 Mr R J Seppings (Resigned 3 December 2025) Mrs F L Baldry (Elected 3 December 2025) 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 Miss P J Drew (Elected 3 December 2025) 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 2025

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 2025, the Charity made donations and grants distributing a total of £216,966 to local organisations and individuals.

Of this amount, £199,896 were grants made to local charities, community organisations, youth groups and amatuer sports clubs. These grants contributed towards not only ongoing activities which support education and inclusivity, but also purchases of new equipment and improvement of existing facilities. Each of these grants furthered the objects of the charity by improving the wellbeing of people of all ages in Beccles through access to the arts, education and sport, as well as combatting inequality and social isolation.

Following the adoption of the 2019 Local Plan, East Suffolk allocated land in the ownership of the Beccles Townland Charity for residential development adjoining the Beccles Relief Road. Detailed negotiations have taken place with East Suffolk and associated other Landowners, professional planners, engineers, and surveyors to bring the development forward enabling the Beccles Townlands Charity to dispose of their land interest. This work is ongoing.

Financial Review

The Charity had a deficit of expenditure over income of £193,199 (2024 - £29,390) after grants and donations of £216,966 (2024 - £76,401).

In addition there was a revaluation of investments of (£22,090) (2024 - increase of £171,992) leaving a net deficit of £215,289 (2024 - Net surplus of £142,602).

The total funds held at the year end totalled £9,443,130 (2024 - £9,658,419).

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 2025

Reserves Policy

The net current assets of the Charity at 31 October 2025 totalled £209,995 which comprised of current assets of £264,165 less current liabilities of £54,150.

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 £164,172 (2024: £12,00) 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:

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 2026 Annual General Meeting.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 9 June 2026.

Mrs F L Baldry Collector

3

Beccles Townlands Charity

Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees of Beccles Townlands Charity

Year ended 31 October 2025

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2025 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:

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

23 June 2026

4

Beccles Townlands Charity

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 October 2025

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2025 2024
Note £ £
Income from: (unrestricted general funds)
Investments 4 151,381 144,792
Charitable activities 5 19,487 28,381
Total incoming resources 170,868 173,173
Expenditure on: (unrestricted general funds)
Raising funds
Investment management costs 6 114,491 94,923
Charitable activities 7 249,576 107,640
Total resources expended 364,067 202,563
Net (outgoing) resources before investment gains (193,199) (29,390)
Revaluation of investments 12 (22,090) 171,992
Revaluation of investment property 11 - -
Revaluation of freehold property 10 - -
Net movement in funds (215,289) 142,602
Unrestricted general funds at 1 November 2024 9,658,419 9,515,817
Unrestricted general funds at 31 October 2025 15 9,443,130 9,658,419
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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 2025

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2025 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets 10 210,397 216,133
Investment assets: Land and property 11 7,488,711 7,257,000
Investment portfolio 12 1,534,027 1,762,486
9,022,738 9,019,486
9,233,135 9,235,619
Current Assets
Debtors 13 43,474 245,838
Cash at bank and in hand 220,671 217,426
264,145 463,264
Current liabilities
Creditors due within one year 14 54,150 40,464
Net current assets 209,995 422,800
9,443,130 9,658,419
Unrestricted funds
General fund 15 9,278,958 9,646,419
Designated fund 15 164,172 12,000
9,443,130 9,658,419
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These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 9 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:-

Mrs F L Baldry Mr K Gregory Collector Trustee

The notes on pages 7 to 13 form an integral part of the financial statements.

6

Notes to the Financial Statements

Beccles Townlands Charity

Year ended 31 October 2025

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 2025

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:-

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.

(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 2025

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.

(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		 2025
£
3,920
47,680
99,781
151,381		 2024
£
3,331
49,720
91,741
144,792

9

Beccles Townlands Charity

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

Year ended 31 October 2025

5
Income from charitable activities (unrestricted general funds)
2025
£
Shooting rights
82
Farming grants
19,108
Miscellaneous income
190
Wayleaves
107
19,487
6
Investment management costs (unrestricted general funds)
2025
£
Property repairs and services
70,835
Legal and professional fees
18,096
Rates, water and insurance
17,618
Light and heat
1,573
Loss/(gain) on disposal of investments
6,369
114,491
7
Charitable activities (unrestricted general funds)
2025
£
General expenses
680
Computer and software
1,395
Grants payable (note 8)
199,896
Donations
17,070
Depreciation (note 10)
6,001
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
34
Governance costs:-
Independent Examiner's fee
1,500
Honorarium
23,000
249,576
8
Grants payable
Grants recognised during the period are analysed as follows:-
2025
2025
Payable
Payable
2025
to Organisations
to Individuals
Total
Purpose
£
£
£
Social and welfare
118,899
-
118,899
Sports and education
80,997
-
80,997
199,896
-
199,896		 2024
£
82
28,223
-
76
28,381
2024
£
66,599
25,053
18,195
2,033
(16,957)
94,923
2024
£
693
1,257
50,405
25,996
5,945
1,744
21,600
107,640
2024
Total
£
20,405
30,000
50,405

10

Beccles Townlands Charity

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

Year ended 31 October 2025

Grants payable (continued)

Below are details of the projects supported by grants of over £5,000.

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|||| |---|---|---| |£| |Beccles Public Hall|Activities|50,000| |Beccles Scouts & Guides|Refurbishment of facilities|38,548| |The May Centre|Purchase of minibus|20,000| |St Lukes|Purchase of minibus|12,000| |Beccles Rowing Club|Double sculling boat|10,000| |Thirst Youth Group|Activities|10,000| |759 Beccles Squadron Air Cadets|Purchase of equipment|9,825| |Beccles & District Museum|Activities|8,000| |Aspergers Beccles|Purchase of van|7,000| |Beccles Tennis Club|Floodlights|5,840|

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The Trustees received no remuneration or expenses during the year (2024 - £Nil).

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Freehold| |Property|Equipment|Total| |£|£|£| |Cost| |At 1 November 2024|292,500|1,629|294,129| |Revaluation|-|-|-| |Additions|-|299|299| |-| |Disposals|(192)|(192)| |At 31 October 2025|292,500|1,736|294,236| |Depreciation| |At 1 November 2024|76,968|1,028|77,996| |Charge for year|5,850|151|6,001| |-| |Depreciation on disposals|(158)|(158)| |At 31 October 2025|82,818|1,021|83,839| |Net book value| |At 31 October 2025|209,682|715|210,397| |At 31 October 2024|215,532|601|216,133|

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11

Beccles Townlands Charity

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

Year ended 31 October 2025

11 Investment assets - Land and property

Cost or valuation
As at 1 November 2024
Additions at cost
Revaluation
Disposals
Unrealised losses on revaluation
As at 31 October 2025		 2025
£
7,257,000
231,711
-
-
-
7,488,711		 2024
£
7,257,000
-
-
-
-
7,257,000

The cost of investment properties is £2,710,666 (2024: £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. At 31 October 2025, property development costs of £231,711 were capitalised from prepayments. The trustees do not consider that there has been any material change in valuation since the November 2023 valuation and that it is reasonable for the value of the development expenditure to be taken as being historic cost.

12 Investment assets - Investment portfolio
Cost or valuation
As at 1 November 2024
Additions at cost
Disposals at valuation
Unrealised loss on year end valuation		 Listed
Investments
£
1,762,486
-
(206,369)
(22,090)
As at 31 October 2025 1,534,027
Holding
68,885.94 COIF income units
48,680.10 COIF Property Units
41,107.38 COIF Global Equity Units		 £
1,365,031
51,207
177,789
1,594,027
13
Debtors
Debtors
Prepayments and accrued interest		 2025
£
22,020
21,454
43,474		 2024
£
55,178
190,660
245,838

12

Beccles Townlands Charity

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

Year ended 31 October 2025

14
Creditors due within one year
Creditors
Independent examiner's fees
Accruals and deferred income
VAT		 2025
2024
£
£
43,571
13,991
1,550
1,500
3,969
23,910
5,060
1,063
54,150
40,464
15
Statement of funds
Unrestricted general fund
Designated funds		 At
1 November
2024
£
9,646,419
12,000		 (Deficit) for
the year
£
(215,289)
-		 At
31 October
Transfers
2025
£
£
(152,172)
9,278,958
152,172
164,172
9,658,419 (215,289) -
9,443,130
Unrestricted
General Funds
£
Represented by:-
Tangible fixed assets
210,397
Investment assets
9,022,738
Net current assets
45,823
At 31 October 2025, the Trustees had allocated funds of £164,172
be made post-year end.		 Designated
Funds
Total
£
£
-
210,397
-
9,022,738
164,172
209,995
(2024: £12,000) towards grants to
9,278,958 164,172
9,443,130

13