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2021-12-31-accounts

The Day’s and Atkinson’s Almshouse Charity

Previously known as the Almshouse Charity Founded by Charles Day established 1842, and from 13[th] December 2005 incorporating The Almshouse Charity of Samuel Atkinson & Others, established 1680

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended

31[st] December 2021

Charity Number 212230

Page 1

Trustees’ Report

The trustees present their Report as part of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2021. The financial statements have been prepared based on FRS102 using the guidance included in the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” and comply with the charity’s trust deed. Day’s and Atkinson’s Almshouse Charity is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under registration number 212230. It is member 706 of the National Association of Almshouses. It is also a Registered Provider of Social Housing registered with Homes England under registration number A4271.

1 Administrative Information

Trustees

Rev Simon Rea (Chairman) Bridget Johnson (St Lawrence Little Stanmore incumbent’s nominee) Cllr Nick Mearing-Smith (LB Barnet nominee) Cllr Linda Freedman (LB Barnet nominee) Peter Murphy (co-opted trustee) Catherine Taylor (co-opted trustee) Neil Price (co-opted trustee)

Clerk to Trustees

Mike Seaman (Clerk to the Trustees)

Office

Postal Address C/o St Margaret’s Church, 1 Station Road, Edgware, HA8 7JE Telephone: 020 8952 4066 Atkinson’s Lounge Tel: 0208 238 1774 Email: admin@dandaalmshouses.org.uk

Independent Examiner

Kevin Ogilvie, Charity Bookkeeping & Examination Services, 13 Evelyns Close, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB8 3LR. Tel: 07776 258763

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Ave, West Malling Kent, ME19 4JQ

2 Structure, Governance and Management

Organisation

On 13[th] December 2005, the Charity Commission sealed a new scheme which incorporated the Almshouse Charities of Samuel Atkinson’s and Others plus the William Blasson Coal Charity into The Almshouses Founded by Charles Day and renamed the charity as the Day’s and Atkinson’s Almshouse Charity.

The Trustees are appointed according to the terms of the scheme’s governing document and they are listed above. In 2010 the Trustees agreed to increase the number of co-opted Trustees from three to four..

New trustees receive an induction pack that includes the ‘Standards of Almshouse Management’, policies and procedures, recent financial statements, and minutes. The clerk provides briefings on the governing instrument, statutory & legal requirements, the almshouses, finances, as well as a tour of the almshouses and meeting with residents.

Page 2

Broadly speaking, the trustees retain oversight for finance, buildings and compliance with the law and delegate operational responsibility for carrying out their primary objectives to the staff.

Risk Management

All significant activities undertaken are subject to a regular risk review. Major risks are identified and ranked in terms of their potential impact and likelihood. Major risks, for this purpose, are those that may have a significant effect on:

The trustees review these risks on an on-going basis and satisfy themselves that adequate systems and procedures are in place to manage the risks identified. Where appropriate, risks are covered by insurance. In assessing risk, trustees recognise that some areas of work require the acceptance and management of risk if our key objectives are to be achieved.

3 Purpose & origins

The Charity’s objects are “the provision of housing accommodation for persons in financial hardship with preference given firstly to those residing in the ancient parishes of Edgware and Little Stanmore in the London Boroughs of Barnet and Harrow respectively, and secondly to those who are previous residents of these parishes; and such charitable purposes for the benefit of the residents as the trustees decide”.

All residents are appointed by the Trustees on the basis of written applications and interviews with the Clerk and a Trustee. The London Borough of Barnet has nomination rights to 75% of Day’s vacancies, 50% nomination rights of Atkinson’s 1 bed vacancies and 100% nomination rights for 2 and 3 bed units.

The Charity’s aims are to:

The current strategies for achieving these objectives are to:

History

In 1801 Charles Day, in partnership with Benjamin Martin, established the renowned firm of bootblacking manufacturers ‘Day and Martin’ of which he was the sole proprietor from 1808. He made a vast fortune for the times and after he died in 1836 his complicated will became the model on which Charles Dickens based ‘Jarndyce and Jarndyce’ in his novel ‘Bleak House’. Latterly, Charles Day had his country residence in Edgware.

Page 3

In 1828 he bought land known as Hither Frog Pool on the ‘Turnpike Road’ in Edgware from All Soul’s College, Oxford, and had eight one-roomed dwellings built for poor men and women of good character, with preference given to parishioners of Edgware and Little Stanmore. He administered them himself then set up a charity with five Trustees, including himself, by deed of gift on 28th April 1834. Day’s almshouses was formally established in 1842, was registered with the Charity Commission in 1963 and the building was listed as Grade II in 1983.

They remained as single room dwellings with one communal toilet until 1957 when small bathrooms and kitchens were added at the back. Central heating was installed in the 1970s. In March 2003, a major refurbishment was completed involving a land swap with the London Borough of Barnet reducing the width of the site but increasing its depth to facilitate rear extensions with single bedrooms, store cupboards and shower rooms. Kitchen annexes were incorporated into the original living rooms. The refurbishment received a Patron’s award from the National Association of Almshouses in 2004.

Atkinson’s Almshouse Charity was established in 1680 following a legacy of £600 from Samuel Atkinson for the purchasing of land at Oakley, Buckinghamshire and building of four almshouses in Edgware at a cost of £240, plus their endowment through further land purchase. A further bequest in 1707 from one of the original Trustees led to the establishment of the Thomas Napier charity, which also endowed the almshouse charity through land purchase. A gift of land to Edgware Parish from a Mr Watts, received during his lifetime, resulted in the establishment of a third charity, the purpose of which is undocumented. The income was given in aid of the church and poor rates until 1820, when the Parish agreed it should in future be given to the almshouse charity. In 1878, the Harriet Hurst charity was founded with a bequest of Consolidated Bank Annuities ‘for the purpose of the Edgware Old Almshouses’. These four charities were merged by a Charity Commission scheme sealed in 1897 to become the Almshouse Charities of Samuel Atkinson and Others, whose purpose was the provision of almshouses for poor persons of good character who have resided in the Ancient Parish of Edgware for not less than two years and the donation of a portion of the income, specifically £1 10s, of the charities for the benefit of such poor person’s resident in Edgware (though not almspeople) as the Trustees thought fit. By this time, only the 4 almshouses and the land at Oakley remained in the charities’ possession.

The original Atkinson’s almshouses were destroyed by bombs in 1940 and rebuilt in 1957 as bedsits with one bathroom shared between two residents, becoming Nos 60-66 Stone Grove.

In 1943 the Margaret Abel Trust was founded by the will of Margaret Ann Abel for the building of two almshouses on the site owned by the Almshouse Charities to be known as the Abel Homes. These were completed in 1960 at a cost of £3,500 and became Nos 66-70 Stone Grove, two adjoining bedsits sharing a bathroom sited to the rear of Nos 60-66. The remaining £3,000 of the original 3.5% War Stock was used to further endow the Almshouse Charities.

In 1972 all six almshouses were altered so that each had its own bathroom but by 2010 they were in very poor condition. Acquisition of extra land and demolition of the original buildings made way for a major redevelopment to provide a three-storey block with 13 dwellings of which 7 are 2- bedroom and 6 are 1-bedroom flats was well as a pair of semi-detached houses which are 4- bedroom dwellings. The new buildings were completed in December 2011 and given a Patron’s Award from the National Association of Almshouses in 2015.

Activities

The principal activities of the Charity are the collection of the weekly maintenance contribution from residents, provision of low-level support to residents as required, upkeep of the fabric of the almshouses and appointment of new residents as vacancies arise.

Page 4

Contribution of Volunteers

The Charity relies on its trustees giving their time voluntarily to the charity.

4 Achievement and Performance

Review of the Year

Due to the pandemic that affected the country as a whole throughout 2021, the charity continued to work towards providing a real sense of community for our residents. This was enhanced by regular team meetings between members of staff and the Chair. Staff members either worked from home or went into the office as appropriate. Residents were informed that only essential maintenance would be carried out on their units. The Risk Register was updated to show the new procedures implemented. One change was to the cleaning provision, as the charity had agreed to increase the role of the cleaner to wipe down all handles and handrails every day. This procedure has now ceased. The charity had very few COVID-19 cases during 2021. The residents were given food each week which was donated to the Stonegrove Project and the Chair, Rev Simon Rea, organised regular delivery of the food to the site from St Peter’s food bank and their partner charity My Yard. The residents organised themselves to make sure each flat had a carrier bag of food given to them. The trustees would again like to acknowledge the commitment of the staff team and their work during this difficult time.

Cllr Sarah Wardle left her position as a council-nominated Trustee during May 2021 and we welcomed Cllr Nick Mearing-Smith to the Trustee Board following his induction according to the charity’s policies and procedures.

Lachie Munro oversaw the renovation of the Pinnacles at Day’s Almshouse, which is a Grade II listed building. Work commenced in July and was completed in October. The project came in under budget and has enhanced both the safety and aesthetic of the building. The trustees are grateful for Lachie’s extra work on this project.

Helen Burns (Finance and Admin Clerk) resigned her post and left the charity in August 2021 to move with her family to Devon. We thank Helen for her work at the Almshouses. Following advertisement locally through networks and nationally through the Almshouse Association and a rigorous interview, she was replaced by Mike Seaman who initially worked alongside Helen. Mike was given the title Clerk to The Trustees when he joined in March 2021 and has demonstrated competence in and commitment to the post for which the trustees thank him.

In September, the Chair of Trustees, Reverend Simon Rea, took two months study leave in his role as Vicar and Reverend Francis Adu-Boachie as Rector of Edgware arish and ex officio Chair, took over role the Chair for this period. The trustees wish to thank Francis for this.

In September 2021, Mrs Joan Baker, a resident, left flat 7, Atkinson’s Almshouse to move to Devon. Following a thorough clean and refit, the property was re-let to the resident in flat10 thus downsizing to a single bed property. Flat 10 was then subject to full clean and decoration.

Flat 10 (2 bedroom) was advertised to prospective licensees via local Parish Churches and Barnet Council. Applications were vetted, and interviews held in accordance with the Charity procedure. An extraordinary Trustee meeting was held in December and a new resident was selected, awarded a license, and moved in during December 2021.

During 2021 the Charity decided to move forward on three major projects:

Page 5

  1. The sale of grazing land at Hedges Farm

  2. The de-registration from the Register of Social Housing

  3. Reduction of the loans from The Charity Bank.

In line with The Almshouse Association recommendations, the beneficiary status of all adult (i.e. Over 18) residents continues to be reviewed and short-term licences for 3-year periods are being issued. Target is December 2022 for completion.

Financial Review

There was an overall surplus of £46,734 compared to a surplus of £71,916 in 2020.

The reduction in the overall surplus was due to several extraordinary expenses which are listed below:

Insurance Policy

The building insurance and Public Liability insurances are held with Grout Insurance and are reviewed annually to ensure cover is considered appropriate and the premium paid in December.

Reserves Policy

The Cyclical Maintenance and Extraordinary Repair Funds are kept at such levels as the Trustees deem prudent to comply with The Almshouse Association guidance and likely future maintenance requirements.

Funding Sources

The Charity’s income derives from the residents’ maintenance contribution, and just over 50% of this comes from Housing Benefit or Universal Credit entitlements. The remaining income relates to monies from the feed-in tariff for electricity generated by the photovoltaic roof panels and in 2020 a small sum from the Grazing Licence income from land in Buckinghamshire.

Investment Policy & Performance

The permanent endowment of the charity is held as the land on which all the 23 almshouses are situated as well as the two fields in the farm in Buckinghamshire. Expertise has been sought from a valuer and a solicitor in this matter because the rent from the fields is less than the legal expenses currently associated with them following the death of the former tenant. This means that the fields have become a drain on the charity’s resources rather than sustaining our charitable aims.

Other assets are as follows: The Almshouse Association Common Investment Fund holds 10,743 income shares. The COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund holds 2,219.44 units, the income from which is restricted to fuel expenditure.

The designated Extraordinary Repair Fund is held as accumulation units in a COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund account. This account accumulates shares, and its value is therefore variable

Page 6

according to the current value of those shares. Transfers from the general fund are made into this account monthly. It currently holds 52,705.25 shares at a market value of £262,934.30 which represents an increase of £51,202.74

The designated Cyclical Maintenance Fund is held as accumulation units in a M&G National Association of Almshouses Common Investment Accumulation Account. The fund is increased monthly in line with the recommendation of The Almshouse Association. As far as possible the cost of planned programme work is met from the general account and the transfer to CMF reduced commensurately if required. It currently holds 1,607.263 shares at a market value of £168.286.05. Due to the high cost of maintenance and repairs (Pinnacles, voids and electrical testing), £10.000 was transferred from the CMF fund to the General Fund, to top-up the daily current account. The investment performed reasonably well and showed an increase of £34,947.43 from last years figure of £133,338.62.

The charity has two loans with Charity Bank. At the end of 2021 a total of £460,598.21 was outstanding. Loan 1 = £365,299.93 and Loan 2 = £95,298.28.

At the end of the year the WMC arrears comprised late payments by some residents including those who receive Universal Credit paid in arrears and Housing Benefit 4 weekly payments which are also paid in arrears so overlap into the first month of the following year. During the year there was an accumulation of arrears to the value of £ 8396.74.

The financial impact of the void property both in works on the property and the WMC lost was £7312.51.

Value for Money

The primary way in which the trustees ensure value for money is by investing in relationships, particularly between staff, contractors, and residents. This ensures mutual trust in that the residents feel they matter, that their concerns will be heard, and that staff understand which residents are most vulnerable therefore needing extra help from time to time.

In this approach, the trustees continue in the centuries’ old culture of almshouse charities that have always gone the extra mile to ensure residents feel part of a valued community. Indeed, membership of The Almshouse Association is a second way in which the charity ensures value for money, as it means that we can be confident of staying abreast of legislative and other changes, and the best way of dealing with them. It also provides access to the West London Almshouse Group, an informal network of Almshouse Clerks who meet termly to share best practice and discuss current issues, many of which arise as email queries from one member of the group to all the others.

The charity also invests in the professional development of staff members through weekly Team meetings and by encouraging participation in training courses and regular appraisals.

5 Plans for Future Periods

Our priority is to ensure the appropriate upkeep of all buildings to enable provision of good quality accommodation for our residents. Last year we saw the continuation of support during the pandemic. The continuation of all adult residents changing to short term 3-year licences will be completed as and when possible.

6 Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true

Page 7

and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Accounting Requirements for Registered Social Landlords and other relevant regulations. The Trustees have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to it to safeguard the assets of the Charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees acknowledge they are responsible for the Charity’s system of internal control and that such a system can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. They have established internal control procedures, which include weekly maintenance payments made by standing order, two signatures for all bank transactions, cash payments only accepted in return for a receipt and no payments except on production of an invoice. Accounts are reconciled monthly and reports showing performance against budget presented at each Trustees’ meeting. The effectiveness of this system is regularly reviewed, and no weaknesses have been identified which have resulted in material losses, contingencies or uncertainties requiring disclosure in the financial statements.

Statement of Disclosure of Information to Independent Examiners

We, the Trustees who held office at the date of approval of these Financial Statements as set out above, each confirm, so far as we are aware, that:

There is no relevant information in relation to the collation of this report of which our examiner is unaware, and we have taken steps as trustees to ensure all relevant examination information has

Page 8

been provided to our independent examiner.

Approved by the trustees on the date stated below and signed on their behalf by:

REV SIMON REA, CHAIR Dated 22 March 2022

C ATHERINE TAYLOR, TRUSTEE Dated 22 March 2022

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Day’s and Atkinson’s Almshouse Charity

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 2021 which are set out on finance pages of the Annual Report.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the gross income for the year exceeds the amount provided in section 145(3) of the Act, I confirm that I am qualified to act as Independent Examiner under the provisions of that section of the Act and that my qualification is as shown below.

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In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

Kevin Ogilvie

28[th] March 2022

Charity Bookkeeping and Examination Services 13 Evelyns Close, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB8 3LR

Statement of Financial Activities

Unrestricted Designated
Restricted Endowment
Total
Prior year
funds
funds
funds
funds
funds
total funds
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Income from charitable activities
Investments
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Expenditure on charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income / (expenditure) resources before
transfer
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains / losses on investment assets
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward





1,000
188,709



188,709
193,614
974

187

1,161
1,204
887



887
623
190,571

187

190,758
196,441
127,221
16,616
187

144,024
124,525
127,221
16,616
187

144,024
124,525
63,350
(16,616)


46,734
71,916

45,216


45,216
42,216
(39,216)
(6,000)


(45,216)
(42,216)

55,855

1,393
57,248
17,006
24,134
78,455

1,393
103,982
88,922
3,161,788
346,070

959,093
4,466,951
4,378,029
3,185,922
424,525

960,486
4,570,933
4,466,951

Page 10

Statement of assets and liabilities

General Designated **Restricted ** Endowment
This year
**Last year **
Fixed assets - Heritage assets
Day's land 18-32 -
Atkinson's land 60-70 -
Totals
Fixed assets - Investments
M&G Samuel Atkinson Income A/C -
M&G Accumulation Cyclical Main Fund -
CCLA Blasson Income A/C -
CCLA Accumulation ERF -
Totals
Fixed assets - Tangible assets
Day's buildings -
Atkinson's land 58 -
Atkinson's building (HE Loan) -
Totals
Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand
CAFcash 12543 -
Totals
Liabilities - Agency accounts
Agency collections -
Totals
Liabilities - Creditors: Amounts falling due
after more than one year
Loans -
Totals
Grand total




314,000
314,000
314,000
630,000
630,000
630,000





168,286



261,855




944,000
944,000
944,000
9,540
9,540
8,983

168,286
133,339
6,946
6,946
6,110

261,855
211,732

430,141
362,864

550,000

2,694,530



16,486
446,627
360,163

362,864
362,864

550,000
550,000

2,694,530
2,694,530
3,607,394

39,123
(5,616)

2,525

3,607,394
3,607,394

36,032
42,339
39,123
(5,616)

2,525
2,525

36,032
42,339

2,525
1,315


460,595
2,525

2,525
1,315

460,595
485,630
460,595

460,595
485,630
3,185,922
424,525
960,486
4,570,933
**4,466,951 **

Fund movement by type

Opening
Incoming
Outgoing
Transfers Gains/losses
Closing
Pinnacles - Pinnacles Days
Designated
Sub-total for Pinnacles
Samuel - M&G Income Samuel At
Endowment
Sub-total for Samuel
General - General fund
Unrestricted
Sub-total for General
21,000

16,616


4,384
21,000

16,616


4,384
8,983



556
9,540
8,983



556
9,540
3,161,788
190,571
127,221
(39,216)

3,185,922
3,161,788
190,571
127,221
(39,216)

3,185,922

Page 11

CMF - M&G Accumulation Cyc
Designated
Sub-total for CMF
ERF - CCLA Accumulation Ex
Designated
Sub-total for ERF
Blasson - CCLA Income Blasson
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Sub-total for Blasson
DAY - Day's 18-32
Endowment
Sub-total for DAY
Atkinson - Atkinson Land 60-70
Designated
Endowment
Sub-total for Atkinson
Grand total
113,339
26,268
18,679
158,286
113,339

211,732

26,268
18,679
158,286
12,948
37,176
261,855
211,732




187
6,110


187
12,948
37,176
261,855







836
6,946
6,110
187
314,000
187

836
6,946


314,000
314,000



630,000




314,000





630,000
630,000


630,000
4,466,951
190,758
144,024
57,248
4,570,933

Analysis of income and expenditure

Total
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Grants/Legacy's 1,000
Total 1,000
Income from charitable activities
WMC from residents,HB, UC 188,709 188,709 193,614
Total 188,709 188,709 193,614
Investments
Grazing Licence 616 616 616
Dividend CCLA 438480001AA 187 187 182
Blasson
Dividend M&G NAACIF 355 355 376
Interest Gold 4 4 30
Total 974 187 1,161 1,204
Other income
Feed in Tariff
Total
887

887 623
887

887 623
INCOME TOTAL 190,571
187
190,758 196,441

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EXPENDITURE

EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE
Expenditure on charitable activities
SC Equipment Maintenance
4,776
CMF expenditure
21,603
Routine maintenance
17,436
SC Cleaning Atkinson's
3,960
SC Grounds Maintenance
3,520
SC Atkinson's Water LL
30
Void expenditure
4,933
SC Atkinson Electricity LL
1,252
SC Day's Electricity LL
192
SC Atkinson Phones(office,lift)
1,038
Bank Charges

Lifeline Barnet Assist
1,081
Benefits to Residents
572
Salaried Staff
37,762
Staff training
119
Office & IT
2,134
St Margaret's SLA
300
Insurance
247
Subscriptions & fees
671
Loan Interest repayment
21,333
Legal,Professional & Trustee costs
2,760
Independent Examination Costs
1,500
Total
127,221

16,616

































187




























4,776
38,219
17,436
3,960
3,520
30
4,933
1,439
192
1,038

1,081
572
37,762
119
2,134
300
247
671
21,333
2,760
1,500
5,062
15,833
20,412
4,094
2,905
38
7,242
1,380
205
1,496
60
880
713
33,527
150
622
600
3,497
1,111
22,514
685
1,500
127,221 16,616 187
144,024 124,525
EXPENDITURE TOTAL 127,221 16,616 187
144,024 124,525
GRAND TOTAL 63,350 (16,616)
46,734 71,916

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