1 ## **THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST** ## **CHARITY NUMBER: 216115** |Managing Trustee|Mr Anthony Freestone (to May 2023)| |---|---| ||Mrs Helen James/Mr Alistair Brook (from May 2023)| |Trustees|Mr Anthony Freestone| ||Mrs Helen James| ||Mr Alistair Brook| ||Mr William Vaughan| ||Mrs Gillie Bexson| ||Mr Guy Taylor (from July 2023)| |Offices|3 Dunmore Road| ||Market Harborough| ||LE16 8AZ| |Bankers|HSBC Bank PLC| ||15 High Street| ||Market Harborough| ||Leicestershire| ||LE16 7NN| |Independent Examiner|W J Turcan| ||Knights Farm| ||Hallaton Road| ||East Norton| ||LE7 9XF| 2 **THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **Structure and Governance** The Hallaton and Isabella Stenning Trust is governed by a scheme which was sealed by the Charity Commission on 11 October 2002. The charity’s trustees are as shown on page 1. ## **Objectives and Activities** The objects of the charity are to promote such charitable purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants of Hallaton and the surrounding area, as the trustees think fit. These include the provision and maintenance of Almshouses, the provision and maintenance of a Village Hall (Stenning Hall) and Recreation Ground, the relief of poverty, and the promotion of religion and education. ## **Financial Review** The receipts and payments account shows a deficit in the year of £28,859 compared to a surplus the previous year of £174,557, which included £206,402 proceeds of sale of a cottage. Adjusted to exclude sale proceeds (2023 Nil, 2022 £206,402) and development costs (2022 £ 17,321, 2023 £2,440 ) there was a deficit on other activities of £26,419 compared to a deficit of £14,524 in 2022. Cash balances at the year end were £215,081 compared to £243,940 at the end of 2022. **Receipts** Total receipts were £80,826 compared to £294,513 in 2022. Excluding the proceeds of cottage sale and Covid grant, the comparative figure for receipts in 2022 was £85,444. The lower (adjusted) income is accounted for mainly by reduced Trading Activities (£7,798 vs £11,930 in 2022). **Payments** Total payments of £109,965 were some £10,000 lower than in 2022 (£119,956), with major savings in Repairs and Maintenance more than off-setting higher insurance costs and repayment of the Bounce Back Loan noted below. **Bounce Back Loan** In September 2020 as part of the Covid support scheme, the Trustees agreed a loan of £22,000 from HSBC repayable on 24th September 2030 or earlier at the discretion of the Trustees, at 2.5% p.a, with interest paid by the Government for the first 12 months. At the end of 2022 the outstanding balance was £18,259 and this was repaid in full in the year at a cost of £18,629 including interest. Following 2 hire charge increases for both the Stenning Hall and the Recreation Ground in 2022, the trustees felt another increase in 2023 would be counter-productive. Budget figures for trading activities remained conservative at £5,000 due to continued reduction in bookings and regular classes. By the end of 2023, the combined income for Trading Activities was slightly above the budget target; however, no events could be organised due to lack of volunteers, in particular due to the retirement of the Bonfire Night operative, resulting in a loss in the income budget of £5,000. It was recognised that opportunities for events are becoming more limited with heavy reliance on the trustees’ time and efforts together with their active participation. After major expenditure at the Pavilion in 2022 and limited hire for 2023, maintenance at the Recreation Ground was kept to the minimum. The main expenditure at the Stenning Hall was the replacement boiler and new radiator thermostats (£5,793). Annual services and essential maintenance continued to be carried out at both the Stenning Hall and the Recreation Ground. There were 2 changes of cottage occupancy in 2023, one at 14 North End and one at 22 North End. 14 North End was partially redecorated and guttering/roof repairs carried out. A condition report was commissioned by Godfrey Payton. 22 North End was also partially redecorated, and an EICR carried out together with the installation of a new oven and kitchen unit. New ovens were also fitted at 19 Hog Lane and at 18 North End together with a new kitchen unit at 16 North End. Extensive work was carried out at 19 Hog Lane to replace the bath with a shower and decorate throughout, apart from the small bedroom (£6,036). Aerial repairs were carried out at 13/19/21 Hog Lane. The front fence at 15 Hog Lane was replaced, and gate repairs carried out at 19 Hog Lane together with a replacement fence panel at 16 North End. Fire blankets were installed at all cottages. Smoke alarms were replaced in several of the properties. Minor roof repairs were carried out at 13/19/21 Hog Lane and at 22/24 North End. The routine boiler inspections, chimney sweeps, and other maintenance continued as usual. Unexpected expenditure was incurred by the application to Leicestershire County Council for the Landowner Declaration to protect the Allotment Field from any future potential claim of village green status or any claim for additional public rights of way, other than the B41 which already exists, in an effort to protect the charity from any possible access claims from neighbouring properties. 3 The WMC was not increased in 2023 due to the economic climate at the time and a review was postponed until January 2024. The trustees felt that any increase may have a negative impact on residents and possibly cause undue hardship. The re was only a short void at 14 North End; the void at 22 North End was longer due to lack of eligible applications and extenuating circumstances for the suitable applicant. All allotment plots were rented. Design and planning fees together with SAP assessments amounted to £2,440 for the Hog Lane development site. The monthly payments of £20 for the Instalment Plan were made haphazardly throughout 2023 with a shortfall of £20 at the end of December 2023 leaving a balance of £5,792.14. Debt recovery was reduced to £31.47 by year end. Hallaton Parish Council, the Nominating Body, was requested to nominate a new trustee as a replacement for Tony Freestone in June 2023; at the same time they were also asked to renominate Helen James for a further term of 5 years. Despite appeals for a prompt decision, particularly on the renomination for the sake of continuity, experience, and historical knowledge, the trustees only received a reply regarding the new nomination in October 2023. There was no mention of renominating the experienced trustee. In December 2023 HPC were asked to renominate Alistair Brook, another experienced trustee, and pressed for a reply on the renomination of Helen James. By year end, no response had been received. The trustees were satisfied with the activities during the year and the position at the year-end. They are confident that the charity can meet its liabilities whenever they fall due. ## **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. ## **Accounts approved by the Trustees on 6 August 2024.** 4 ## **THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES ’ RESPONSIBILITIES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 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 period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: - Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 6 to Respertive responsiblllties 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 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; To follow the procedures laid down in the general Direttions given by the Charity Commissioners under 5ection14515llblof the 2011 Act- and To state whether partlcul3r matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report My examination was carried out In accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Cornrni5sion. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and 3 comparison of the accounts presented with these 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 procedure5 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 falr" view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.. Independent Examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 111 Which give5 me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met,. or 121 to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the account5 to be reached. W J Turcan Knight5 Farm Hallaton Road East Norton LE7 9XF 6 August 2024 6 ## **HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** |**RECEIPTS**
Notes
Trading Activities
3
Investment Income
4
Rents and Wayleaves
Maintenance Contributions
Sale of investments
Donations and Sponsorship
Grants Covid related
Sale of cottage
Total Receipts
**PAYMENTS**
Direct Charitable
5
Other Expenditure
6
Total Payments
**NET RECEIPTS (PAYMENTS)**
Bank Balance 1st January 2023
Bank Balance 31st December 2023|2023
2022
7,798
11,930
2,489
773
973
973
69,545
71,756
21
12
2,667
206,402| |---|---| ||80,826
294,513| ||87,764
98,953
21,921
21,003| ||109,685
119,956| ||-28,859
174,557
243,940
69,383| ||215,081
243,940| THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA 5TENNING TRUST STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Monetary Assets Market Harborough Building Society HSBC 218,181 239,281 -3,114 4,609 14 50 Petty cash TOTAL 215,081 243,940 Liabilitles Covid related Loan HSBC Bank Balance at 315t December 2023 NIL 18,259 Non-monetary A55ets other assets {non-endowedl 2023 2022 Sharès 1,029.42 COIF Charities Investment Fund Income Units 102.59 COIF Charities Investment Fund Accumulation Units Total 20.429 25,442 45,871 18,683 22,609 41,292 Land and Property Cottages Cottages Cottages Cottages Stenning Hall Play Park Land at North End Recreation Ground with Pavilion and 2 tennis courts Parish Store (formerly Museum Building) Allotment Field 12, 14, 16 High Street, Hallaton 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 North End, Hallaton 11. 13, 15. 17, 19, 21 Hog Lane, Hallaton 13 Hunts Lane, Hallaton Horn Lane, Hallaton Hog Lane, Hallaton Hallaton East Norton Road, Hallaton Hog Lane, Hallaton Hallaton Mrs Helen James For and on behalf of the Trustees 6 August 2024 8 **THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## 1 ## **Accounting policies** The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with Statement of Recommended Practice:Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005) as applicable to the smaller charity and all applicable accounting standards a) income is accounted for on a cash received basis. b) expenditure is accounted for on a cash paid basis. ## 2 **Trustees' Remuneration** No remuneration was paid to any trustee throughout the period. ## 3 **Income from Trading activities** |Hire of hall
Fund-raising activities
Insurance recovery
Miscellaneous
**Investment income**
Dividends
Interest|2023
2022
4,158
5,592
6,205
3,640
107
26| |---|---| ||7,798
11,930| ||561
559
1,928
214| ||2,489
773| - 4 **Investment income** 9 ## **THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** |5
**Direct Charitable Expenditure**
Cottage maintenance & repairs
Cleaning & maintenance
Heat, light,water
Insurance
Uttensils & equipment
Development of new almshouse
Activities expenses
Grants
Loan repayments
Miscellaneous
Total Direct
6
**OTHER EXPENDITURE**
Administrative expenses
Finance charges
Total other|**2023**
**2022**| |---|---| ||32,970
36,983
10,902
23,271
1,562
3,338
11,595
7,141
6,548
2,204
2,440
17,321
1,677
2,348
0
1,600
18,629
3,698
1,441
1,049| ||87,764
98,953| ||21,692
20,767
229
236| ||21,921
21,003|