THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST
CHARITY NUMBER: 216115
| Managing Trustee | Mrs Helen James/Mr Alistair Brook |
|---|---|
| Trustees | Mrs Helen James |
| Mr Alistair Brook | |
| Mr William Vaughan | |
| Mrs Gillie Bexson | |
| Mr Guy Taylor | |
| Mrs Lizzie Stanhope | |
| Office | The Stenning Hall |
| Horn Lane | |
| Hallaton | |
| LE16 8UG | |
| 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 |
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THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
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 surplus in the year of £7,330 compared to a deficit the previous year of £28,859. Cash balances at the year-end were £222,411 compared to £215,081 at the end of 2023.
Receipts Total receipts were £104,356 compared to £80,826 in 2023. The higher receipts in 2024 were attributable to an increase of £4,521 in Maintenance contributions and insurance recovery of £20,042 received against insured damage to almshouses.
Payments Total payments of £97,026 were some £12,000 lower than in 2023 (£109, 685). Major expenditure of some £20,000 on damaged almshouses – covered by insurance as mentioned above, was off-set by the absence of repayments on the “Bounce back” loan which was repaid in full in 2023 in the sum of £18,629. Cost of heat, light and water, and Insurance were significantly higher in 2024, accounted for largely by timing of invoices.
Activity
Annual services and essential maintenance have continued through the year for both the recreation ground and Stenning Hall. Unfortunately, due to the deaths of Kathy Ashley and Liz Wilson towards the end of the year, meant that two cottages were vacant and the decision was taken to do some extensive work on both.
17 Hog Lane: When carrying out the EICR, it was recommended that a rewire was necessary which would create considerable mess to be made good with plastering/decorating. With the cottage being empty, the decision was taken to go ahead with any remedial work. This also seemed to be the opportune moment to remove the back boiler which has been under discussion for several years. It was the last remaining back boiler in position. It was decided to strip out the back boiler, including the stone surround and stone hearth, seal up the opening with ventilation at the bottom and top of the chimney and make good. This would cost less and would make the room a little larger; the resident will be able to use an electric heater (as in 13 Hog Lane). Bills for the work at this cottage will be included in the 2025 accounts.
14 High Street: Following the success with 12 High Street to combine the kitchen and dining room into a kitchen/diner, it was agreed to do the same at this property while it was empty. Again, bills for this work will appear in the 2025 accounts.
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There were 2 new boiler installations: 1 at 13 Hog Lane and 1 at 18 North End. This leaves 3 boilers to be replaced when necessary: 14 High Street, 22 North End, and 24 North End. Loft insulation was installed at the North End cottages. 7 Electrical Installation Condition Reports were due and completed in 2024: 12 High Street, 11/13/15/17/19 Hog Lane, and 24 North End. Multiple smoke alarms/batteries, heat detectors were installed in some cottages A new oven was installed at 15 Hog Lane and a new hob at 21 Hog Lane. PRV valves/stopcocks were fitted in all North End cottages. A replacement rear window was fitted at 16 High Street. The rear windows/doors were painted at 12 and 16 High Street. Some of the planned decorating had to be rescheduled due to the time being reallocated to 12 High Street and 18 North End (as part of the insurance claims mentioned below) and to Isabella Cottage where problems with damp had been reported. At Isabella Cottage, the bathroom extractor fan was repositioned, and painting was then carried out in the bathroom, windows, and by the French windows. Decorating work was completed at 19 Hog Lane (small bedroom) and further decorating carried out at 24 North End (landing, hallway, doors, and external door). The kitchen and bathroom at 20 North End were decorated as scheduled. Blown panes were replaced at 12 High Street, and at 11/13/15/21 Hog Lane. The routine boiler inspections, chimney sweeps, and other maintenance continued as usual. At the recreation ground routine maintenance including the Legionella Assessment and the roller shutter service, additional costs were the installation of the CCTV, a repair to the water pipe which had been chewed by vermin, and roof repairs. At The Stenning Hall There were some extra expenses apart from the routine outgoings. A Legionella Assessment was carried out, some blown panes were replaced, and the curtains restrung. The largest expenditure was the final gas bill from Opus Energy (2018-2024) for £1,872.67. This was probably significantly lower than it should have been due to the faulty meter which had not been charging for gas usage since 2018.
There were 2 insurance claims in 2024 which increased the annual premium under the Commerical Policy (see below).
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12 High Street: Following a chip pan fire in the kitchen which caused considerable smoke damage to the ground floor and because a rewire/EICR was required, advantage was taken to enhance the downstairs layout by merging the kitchen and separate dining room into a kitchen/diner. The budget reserve was used to fund the additional cost of £4,737.98.
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18 North End: A water leak from the bathroom caused damage to the lounge which required remedial work and decorating.
Fireworks were not held this year meaning a loss of income at the recreation ground and overall income from Stenning Hall and the rec was £5,454.50. Looking forward a licence was signed between HIST and a cricket team from Leicester in September effective until September 2029 for regular cricket matches from April to September each year. This will be an opportunity for HIST to fundraise through the provision of refreshments. Contact was also made in September from Eliza Wyldes with a request to resume the Classic Car & Bike Meets during 2025. Again, this will provide an opportunity to raise funds through refreshment sales.
The WMC was increased by 4% effective from 1 January 2024. The VOA was consulted for an update on EFR rates in April. Usually, the WMC is only slightly below the EFR but this time the results were surprising and indicated a wide disparity between the WMC and the current EFR. It was assumed that this was due to much higher private rental rates. However, the trustees agreed that WMC needed to be increased by larger percentages over the next couple of years at least. At the end of 2024, there was only one resident in arrears (-£7.04 ): 21 Hog Lane. This was due to underpayment by HDC. The 2 voids mentioned
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above incurred a loss of £751 (17 Hog Lane) and £563.25 (14 High Street). Allotment income with almost 100% occupancy.
Further lack of co-operation and communication from the Parish Council lead to Alistair Brooke and Helen James sharing the chairmanship of the board. Lizzie Stanhope was recruited as a nominated Trustee in January 2024.
The trustees were satisfied with the activities during the year and the position at the yearend. 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 26[th] August 2025
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THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
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:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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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.
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THE HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 9.
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 :
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section145 (5)(b)of the 2011 Act; and
To state whether particular 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 Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a 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 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
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) Which gives 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
- (2) to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
W J Turcan Knights Farm Hallaton Road
Signed 26[th] August 2025 East Norton LE7 9XF
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HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024
| RECEIPTS Notes Trading Activities 3 Insurance Recovery Investment Income 4 Rents and Wayleaves Maintenance Contribution Donations and Sponsorship Total Receipts PAYMENTS Direct Charitable 5 Other Expenditure 6 Total Payments NET RECEIPTS (PAYMENTS) Bank Balance 1stJanuary 2024 Bank Balance 31stDecember 2024 |
5,231 20,042 4,047 970 74,066 0 104,356 72,854 24,172 97,026 7,330 215,081 222,411 |
2023 4,158 3,640 2,489 973 69,545 21 80,826 87,764 21,921 109,685 -28,859 243,940 215,081 |
|---|---|---|
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HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ASSETS YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024
| 2023 |
|---|
| £ £ |
| MONETARY ASSETS |
| Market Harborough Building Society 221,659 218,181 |
| HSBC 738 -3,114 |
| Petty Cash14 14 |
| TOTAL222,411 215,081 |
| NON-MONETARY ASSETS |
| SHARES |
| 1,029.42 COIF Charities Investment Fund units 20,890 20,429 |
| 102.59 COIF Charities Investment Fund Accumulation units26,737 25,442 |
| TOTAL47,627 45,871 |
| LAND AND PROPERTY |
| Cottages 12, 14, 16 High Street, Hallaton |
| Cottages 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 North End, Hallaton |
| Cottages 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 Hog Lane, Hallaton |
| Cottages 13 Hunts Lane, Hallaton |
| Stenning Hall Horn Lane, Hallaton |
| Play Park Hog Lane, Hallaton |
| Land at North End Hallaton |
| Recreation Ground with Pavilion and 2 tennis courts East Norton Road, Hallaton |
| Parish Store (Formerly Museum building) Hog Lane, Hallaton |
| Allotment Field Hallaton |
Mrs Helen James
For and on behalf of the Trustees
26[th] August 2025
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HALLATON AND ISABELLA STENNING TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024
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
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a) Income is accounted for on a cash received basis
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b) Expenditure is accounted for on a cash paid basis
2. Trustees Renumeration
No remuneration was paid to any Trustee throughout the period.
3. Income from Trading Activities
| Hire of Hall 4. Investment Income Dividends Interest 5. Direct Charitable Expenditure Cotage maintenance & repairs Cleaning & maintenance Heat, light & water Insurance Utensils & equipment Development of new almshouses Actvites expenses Grants Loan repayments Miscellaneous Total Direct 6. Other Expenditure Administrative expenses Finance charges Total other |
2023 5,455 4,158 569 561 3,478 1,928 4,047 2,489 51,078 32,970 10,538 10,902 6,339 1,562 2,009 11,595 433 6,548 1,054 2,440 1,677 0 18,629 1,403 1,441 |
|---|---|
| 72,854 87,764 23,889 21,692 283 229 24,172 21,921 |
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