KENILWORTH UNITED CHARITIES RECEIPTS AND (PAYMENTS) ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Trustees Annual Report 5 Independent Examiner's Report 6 Receipts and Payments Accounts 7 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
KENILWORTH UNITED CHARITIES TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees present their report and the unaudited receipts and payments accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered charity name Kenilworth United Charities Charity number 215376 Trustees Mrs H P Bolton Mrs M Hamper Mr P Griffiths Mr G Illingworth Mr C Nelson Rev A Attwood Mr R Blacklock Mr D Morgan Cllr A Insley Cllr A Summers Cllr A Marsh Accountants Varney Barfield and Co 6 Corunna Court Corunna Road Warwick CV34 5HQ Clerk Mr D J Plant Business address 29B Warwick Road Kenilworth CV8 1HN STRUCTURE
The Kenilworth United Charities are formed from the following Charities in the Ancient Parish of Kenilworth in the County of Warwick. The United Charity was registered on 11 February 1963 under the Scheme of the Charity Commissioners dated 5 February 1960. The Charities are governed by the trustees in accordance with the trust scheme.
The Charity of William Brooks The Charity of Thomas Earl of Clarendon The Charity of Thomas Cook The Charity of Thomas Councell The Charity of George Denton The Charity of Mary Dolphin
The Charity consisting of the Share of Alicia Duchess Dudley's Charity applicable in the said ancient parish The Charity of Thomas Johnson
The Charity of Francis Power The Charity of Edward Simpson The Charity of Thomas Sutton The Charity consisting of the Share of the Charity of Mary Turner applicable in the said ancient parish The Charity of Joseph Tyrer
The Charity consisting of the Share of the Coat and Gown Charity of William Edwards applicable in the said ancient parish, regulated by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners of 15 June 1909 (varied 15 December 1953) The Charity of Stephen Waite as regulated by the Scheme of the Charity Commissioners of 19 June 1914 The Charity of Miss Ethie Gilbert Dennison as regulated by the Scheme of the Charity Commissioners of 18 July 1963
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KENILWORTH UNITED CHARITIES TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT cont FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Normally the trustees meet quarterly with a formal agenda and minutes at the Town Council Chambers. All meetings in the year were quorate. Between the scheduled meetings there continues to be frequent contact by email and telephone to keep all trustees up to date and also to deal with any urgent requests for assistance which cannot wait until the next full meeting.
Nomination of the nine trustees is as stated in the charity scheme documents. These shall be the vicars of the Parish of St. Nicholas and the Parish of St. John the Evangelist, two trustees nominated by Kenilworth Town Council, and one from Warwick District Council and two or more co-opted trustees. Kenilworth no longer has a Justices of the Peace. The vicar at St Johns Parish has nominated another person to represent him at our meetings. A new vicar was appointed for St Nicholas Parish in Spring of 2024.
Councillor representation changes every four years as a result of local elections
Mrs Helga Bolton continues to be the chair of the KUC with the full approval of the other Trustees.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The United Charities is one of a large group of charities formed 'for the relief of poverty' and our aim is to continue this role with relevance to the circumstances of the 21st century. Eligibility for assistance is restricted to people living within the old parish boundaries of the town but the town has grown enormously since the charity was formed and we are conscious there are many people who are struggling in the present economic climate who may need help.
We aim to be available to the town as a whole and to provide assistance to a wide a range of people in accordance with the need to be of genuine public benefit. For example, in the past there has perhaps been an - erroneous - impression that the Kenilworth United Charities existed mainly to help older people. This is not true and we have been successful in re-focusing our attention more towards the needs of young people and families with children. The partnership with the Citizens' Advice and Compassionate Kenilworth are of course the chief ways in which we reach out to offer help to all members of the community, and continued to do so during 2024.
Historically, the United Charities was approached to assist with funding for introducing a youth counselling service, which was successfully agreed with the Trustees approval. This arrangement continued to be successful during 2024. The Trustees receive an annual report regarding the progress and uptake for each of the services.
In 2021, the Trustees were approached with a request to contribute to funding a Project Manager of a new Charity called “Compassionate Kenilworth”. Again it was unanimously agreed that Kenilworth United Charities would totally fund this very worthy new role for 12 months. The funding for the Project Leader for Compassionate Kenilworth has been extended to 2024.
Working closely with Compassionate Kenilworth enables KUC to achieve our own objectives to providing support to the wider community of Kenilworth. During 2024 we were also able to contribute to the funding for School Breakfast and Lunch Vouchers as well as funding the expansion of youth worker hours at the local Secondary school.
The Trustees have compiled with their duty to have a due regard to the guidance on public benefit, published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties.
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KENILWORTH UNITED CHARITIES TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT cont FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Almshouses
The Almshouses in High Street are maintained and managed by the charity. All four of the Almshouse flats are fully occupied. The Trustees firmly believe that there is a place for the Almshouses in the 21st century but that they must be well managed and responsive to the needs of local people and not necessarily with practices that may have been followed in the past. The programme of improvements to the building continued during 2024 along with the general upkeep of the building and in line with legislation requirements.
Trustees continue to meet with the Beneficiaries annually in order to provide a platform for discussion of any concerns or issues the Beneficiaries may have. This exercise has proved to be invaluable for ensuring good communication channels, relationships and Almshouse improvements. Expenditure for maintaining the Almshouse is considerable in contrast to the other causes we support.
Planning permission was granted to develop an internal security door to the Almshouses to improve safety for the residents. This work was completed during 2024.
Citizens Advice Bureau
The service provided by the Citizens' Advice Bureau, now known as Citizens Advice in CV8', is funded indirectly by the grants we receive from the Alice Duchess of Dudley Trust which we appreciate very much. The charity has been able to increase the funding of Citizens' Advice hours from four hours per week to six hours, with a full uptake of available appointments and this continues to be the case. An analysis of appointments shows a range of problems, the most numerous being related to benefits and debt. The sessions are held in the Library, in the private interview room, with a staff member of the Citizens' Advice team, with the bookings being made by the Citizens Advice staff. Appointment vacancies are made available each week for last minute drop in requests. The availability of this service has brought forth a previously unmet level of demand, in that new clients are coming to it because it is accessible and local. We are very proud of initiating this project. Citizens' Advice keep us updated with an annual report regarding the uptake of the service.
Youth Counselling Service
Kenilworth United Charities fund a youth counselling service for one day per week, which provides a trained counsellor to deliver a counselling surgery for young people of the town, mainly school age teenagers who are experiencing problems, and have no one they feel they can approach or discuss their problems with. The uptake for the service during 2024 has been continual and extensive and has provided an essential support mechanism for the young people of Kenilworth.
Such is the demand KUC have increased the funding for an extra counsellor 2 hours per week. Many of the issues are cyber or domestic related.
Assistance to individuals
Individual applications for support from the Charity have been sparse during 2024. The trend is to receive requests for a client from care professionals, such as Family Support workers, Health Visitors, or Citizens' Aadvice workers or Compassionate Kenilworth. The Trustees have agreed that an upper limit for individual financial support should be secured, and it was agreed to be no more than £2,000, however it is rare to grant more than £1,000 at a time.
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KENILWORTH UNITED CHARITIES TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT cont FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
It is pleasing to note that our income from investments continues to increase. This places the Charity in a good position to be able to maintain our commitments and to respond to requests from people and local groups in need of financial assistance.
The investment policy is a conservative one, to maintain an income adequate to support the activities described in this report without depleting the reserve funds.
Expenditure on the Almshouses building has been necessary. The Trustees have a policy of using local tradesmen and small businesses for the on-going upkeep and repairs of the building. Its age and its status as a listed building does not make the task easy.
The weekly maintenance contribution for each flat in the Almshouse remained the same during 2024 which has meant that the ordinary running costs for the Almshouse such as heating, communal electric, laundry appliances and gardening are mainly covered by the charity income.
The grants that we receive from the Alice Duchess of Dudley Charity and the Edwards Coat and Gown Charity remain unchanged. We are grateful for this show of confidence in The United Charities.
The charity is retaining its reserves to fund future charitable activities in line with the governing documents.
The Trustees, as always, wish to record their since gratitude to the Clerk, who has supported them cheerfully, relentlessly and efficiently throughout the year, and works tirelessly on behalf of the Charity. A huge Thank You must go to him for keeping charity business on track during 2024 as always.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
We shall continue with our programme of improvements to the Almshouses, to be funded from the Designated Building Fund.
Objectives have been set for 2025. The Trustees have unanimously agreed to continue funding the roles for Citizens' Advice, Compassionate Kenilworth, and the Youth Counsellor and mentor.
We will also look to extend financial support to other community projects within the Town.
We continue to review the roles and responsibilities of our trustees, and also ensure that we meet the needs and requests of the local community as and when we are approached to do so, providing that existing funds are available to do so.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Mrs H P Bolton Trustee .................................................... Nebpa Bolton
16 October 2025
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KENILWORTH UNITED CHARITIES INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the receipts and payments accounts of Kenilworth United Charities for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the 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 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr K C Varney ACMA Varney Barfield and Co
6 Corunna Court Corunna Road Warwick CV34 5HQ
25 September 2025
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KENILWORTH UNITED CHARITIES RECEIPTS AND (PAYMENTS) ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| RECEIPTS Almshouse maintenance contributions Donations Investment income Total receipts PAYMENTS Almshouse expenditure Grants and support Governance costs Sub-total Investment income reinvested Total payments |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds 2024 2024 2024 20,428 18,700 3,236 8,064 21,936 20,428 8,064 26,033) ( 14,520) ( - 14,520) ( 26,033) ( - 3,235) ( 17,755) ( 26,033) ( - |
TOTAL 2024 20,428 18,700 11,300 50,428 26,033) ( 14,520) ( - 40,553) ( 3,235) ( 43,788) ( |
TOTAL 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20,060 18,210 10,529 |
|||
| 48,799 | |||
| 25,054) ( 25,430) ( 4,080) ( |
|||
| 54,564) ( 2,651) ( |
|||
| 57,215) ( |
|||
| NET RECEIPTS / (PAYMENTS) | 4,181 5,605) ( 8,064 |
6,640 | 8,416) ( |
| FUND TRANSFERS General to almshouses Endowment to general |
5,605) ( 5,605 8,064 8,064) ( |
- - |
- - |
| CASH (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR | 6,640 - - |
6,640 | 8,416) ( |
| CASH FUNDS AT 1 JANUARY Bank current accounts Bank deposit accounts |
16,219 11,522 35 - |
27,741 35 |
36,157 35 |
| CASH FUNDS AT 31 DECEMBER | 22,894 - 11,522 |
34,416 | 27,776 |
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KENILWORTH UNITED CHARITIES STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Other | Denton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Almshouse | Repairs | Endowment | Endowment | |||
| Funds | Building fund | Fund | Fund | Funds | Funds | TOTAL | TOTAL | |
| Cash Funds | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Bank current accounts | 22,858 | 10,116 | 32,974 | 26,335 | ||||
| Bank deposit accounts | 36 | 1,406 | 1,442 | 1,441 | ||||
| Total cash funds | 22,894 | - | - | - | 11,522 | - | 34,416 | 27,776 |
| Investment assets | ||||||||
| COIF deposit accounts | 63,034 | 14,849 | 77,883 | 74,648 | ||||
| M&G - National Association of | 1,175 | 1,175 | 1,137 | |||||
| Almshouses Common Investments | ||||||||
| COIF Charities investment | 36,061 | 249,637 | 285,698 | 279,386 | ||||
| Fund - income units | ||||||||
| COIF Charities investment | 12,566 | 483,341 | 362,978 | 858,885 | 817,309 | |||
| Accumulation units | ||||||||
| Total investment assets | 12,566 | 546,375 | - | 362,978 | 52,085 | 249,637 | 1,223,641 | 1,172,480 |
| Assets retained for charity's own use | ||||||||
| Almshouses at High St, Kenilworth | ||||||||
| 800,000 | 800,000 | 800,000 | ||||||
| Total assets | 35,460 | 546,375 | 800,000 | 362,978 | 63,607 | 249,637 | 2,058,057 | 2,000,256 |
| Liabilities | ||||||||
| Unpaid bills | - | - | ||||||
| Total liabilities | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: Mrs H P Bolton………………………………………………………………………. Nebpa Bolton
16 October 2025
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