Charity number: 216471
CHARITY OF JOHN DAWBER KNOWN AS THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 5 - 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 9 - 16 |
THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| Trustees | Mr P Denby, Chairman |
|---|---|
| Mr D M Gerry | |
| Mrs J Welch | |
| Mr M Shah | |
| Charity Registered Number 216471 Principal Office St Swithin's Court 1 Flavian Road Lincoln LN2 4GR Accountants Streets LLP Chartered Accountants Tower House Lucy Tower Street Lincoln LN1 1XW Bankers Handelsbanken plc 1st Floor, 5 Henley Way Doddington Road Lincoln LN6 3QR Solicitors Chattertons St Swithin's Court 1 Flavian Road Lincoln LN2 4GR Investment Advisors Brewin Dolphin Limited Olympic House Doddington Road Lincoln LN6 3SE |
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charities trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 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 (FRS102).
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.
The principal object of the charity is to apply such charitable objects for the benefit of the inhabitants of the City of Lincoln and of the Parish of Bracebridge as the Mayor Alderman and Citizens of the said City of Lincoln may from time to time direct.
b. Grant making policies
Applications for grants are received by the Trustees and recommendations made to the City of Lincoln Council Committee who makes the final decision.
Achievements and performance
a. Review of activities including key performance indicators
The charity has made 13 grants in the year totalling £38,957 compared to 10 grants in 2024 totalling £45,309.
Grants with a value of £5,000 or more in the year were made to Bridge Church, Lincoln.
b. Investment policy and performance
The charity’s governing document requires money to be invested in ‘modes of investment authorised by law for the investment of trust funds’. To that end, funds are held in an investment portfolio managed by Brewin Dolphin Limited. Brewin Dolphin Limited are available to provide advice in relation to investments.
During the year, the charity saw a decrease in the market value of its investment portfolio at the year end from £1,978,051 to £1,928,439.
Incoming resources from the investment portfolio totalled £53,159 (2024 - £57,144).
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
b. Reserves policy
The majority of the charity's reserves are held as investments in order to generate the necessary income to distribute amongst the inhabitants of the City of Lincoln and of the Parish of Bracebridge. These investments, held as the permanent endowment fund, are not available for distribution.
With regard to the unrestricted fund, the Trustees consider it necessary to hold approximately £75,000 of reserves in case of poor returns during any given year. This level of 'free reserves' is considered adequate to meet the ongoing expenditure and future projects. This is considered evermore appropriate given the current economic climate and the expected return on investments over the coming months. The unrestricted fund balance at the year-end is £78,700 (2024: £72,638).
In addition, £100,000 of unrestricted reserves are held as part of the endowment funds of the charity. These funds are available for charitable purposes.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The John Dawber Trust is a registered charity, number 216471, and is constituted under a Charity Commission Scheme. The charity is governed by a will proved on 12 January 1905. The charity was established by a Charity Commission Scheme dated 17 August 1951. The charity was registered on 3 October 1963.
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
Trustees are appointed with a view to assisting the charity move forward with the main objective. Training is provided to Trustees on an ad hoc basis.
c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies
The day-to-day running of the charity is delegated to Chattertons who act as Clerk to the Trustees. The Trustees have powers to look after the assets and pay expenses of the charity only. It is the City of Lincoln Council who direct how money is to be applied towards charitable causes.
The Trustees meet regularly throughout the year and all decisions are made unanimously.
d. Risk management
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
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 & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, 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 of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and 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 Charity Commission Scheme. 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.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Mr P Denby Chairman
Date: 30 October 2025
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The John Dawber Trust ('the charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts 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 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.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed:
Dated: 12 December 2025
Robert Anderson BSc FCA
Streets LLP Chartered Accountants Tower House Lucy Tower Street Lincoln LN1 1XW
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Investments 3 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Raising funds 4 Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) before net (losses)/gains on investments Net (losses)/gains on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ - 53,159 53,159 - 47,097 47,097 6,062 - 6,062 72,638 6,062 78,700 |
Endowment funds 2025 £ - - - 13,208 - 13,208 (13,208) (64,110) (77,318) 2,022,117 (77,318) 1,944,799 |
Total funds 2025 £ - 53,159 53,159 13,208 47,097 60,305 (7,146) (64,110) (71,256) 2,094,755 (71,256) 2,023,499 |
Total funds 2024 £ 2,141 57,144 59,285 12,835 57,509 70,344 (11,059) 136,525 125,466 1,969,289 125,466 2,094,755 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 9 to 16 form part of these financial statements.
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 5 APRIL 2025
| Note Fixed assets Investments 9 Current assets Debtors 11 Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets excluding pension asset Total net assets Charity funds Endowment funds 13 Restricted funds 13 Unrestricted funds 13 Total funds |
2,680 100,206 102,886 (7,826) |
2025 £ 1,928,439 1,928,439 95,060 2,023,499 2,023,499 2,023,499 1,944,799 - 78,700 2,023,499 |
- 124,364 124,364 (7,660) |
2024 £ 1,978,051 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,978,051 116,704 |
||||
| 2,094,755 | ||||
| 2,094,755 | ||||
| 2,094,755 | ||||
| 2,022,117 - 72,638 |
||||
| 2,094,755 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Mr P Denby Chairman
Date: 30 October 2025
The notes on pages 9 to 16 form part of these financial statements.
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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) and the Charities Act 2011.
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 Charities SORP (FRS 102) rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The John Dawber Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
1.2 Income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The charity has a single activity being the payment of grants. Direct costs and support costs are allocated to this activity.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
1.4 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.5 Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.
1.6 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered.
1.7 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.8 Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
1.9 Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
1.10 Fund accounting
General funds 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.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
The charity has a single permanent endowment, the income from which should be used in line with the charity's activities.
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
2. Income from donations and legacies
| Donations 3. Investment income Managed investments 4. Investment management costs Investment management fees 5. Analysis of expenditure by activities Grant funding of activities 2025 £ Payment of grants 38,957 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ - Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 53,159 Endowment funds 2025 £ 13,208 Support costs 2025 £ 8,140 |
Total funds 2025 £ - Total funds 2025 £ 53,159 Total funds 2025 £ 13,208 Total funds 2025 £ 47,097 |
Total funds 2024 £ 2,141 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2024 £ 57,144 |
|||
| Total funds 2024 £ 12,835 |
|||
| Total funds 2024 £ 57,509 |
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
5. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of support costs
| Secretarial services Bank charges Governance costs |
Total funds 2025 £ 5,588 272 2,280 8,140 |
Total funds 2024 £ 9,726 254 2,220 |
|---|---|---|
| 12,200 |
6. Analysis of grants
| Grants to | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institutions | funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Payment of grants | 38,957 | 38,957 | 45,309 |
All grants payments are made to institutions. Details of the main institutions supported during the year have been disclosed in the Trustees' Report.
7. Independent examiner's remuneration
The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £2,280 (2024 - £2,220 - in relation to statutory audit services).
8. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .
During the year ended 5 April 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL) .
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
9. Fixed asset investments
| Cost or valuation At 6 April 2024 Additions Disposals Revaluations At 5 April 2025 Net book value At 5 April 2025 At 5 April 2024 10. Material Investments UK and Overseas Bonds UK Equities Overseas Equities Global Investments Private Equity Other Investments 11. Debtors Accrued income |
2025 £ 365,826 279,089 820,168 253,114 - 210,242 |
Listed investments £ 1,978,050 307,191 (274,694) (82,108) 1,928,439 1,928,439 1,978,050 2024 £ 339,968 352,120 770,811 262,013 56,856 196,283 1,978,051 2024 £ - - |
Listed investments £ 1,978,050 307,191 (274,694) (82,108) 1,928,439 1,928,439 1,978,050 2024 £ 339,968 352,120 770,811 262,013 56,856 196,283 1,978,051 2024 £ - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,928,439 | 1,978,051 | ||
| 2025 £ 2,680 |
2024 £ - |
||
| 2,680 | - |
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
12. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals | 7,826 | 7,660 |
13. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds General funds Endowment funds Endowment funds Total of Funds |
Balance at 6 April 2024 £ 72,638 2,022,117 2,094,755 |
Income £ 53,159 - 53,159 |
Expenditure £ (47,097) (13,208) (60,305) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ - (64,110) (64,110) |
Balance at 5 April 2025 £ 78,700 1,944,799 2,023,499 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Endowment funds represent a permanent endowment which is not available for distribution.
Endowment funds contain £100,000 of Unrestricted funds. During 2010, the Trustees made the decision to make surplus unrestricted funds available for investment to capitalise on the recovery of the stock market. It is noted that should the need arise for charitable usage of these unrestricted reserves then a transfer would be made from the endowment fund to the unrestricted fund.
Unrestricted funds are those which can be utilised at the discretion of the Trustees.
During the year the accounting policy has been changed, such that the investment management fees have been charged against the endowment fund rather than unrestricted funds. Accordingly the brought forward funds have been restated.
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
13. Statement of funds (continued) Statement of funds - prior year
| Balance at 6 April 2023 £ Unrestricted Funds General funds 70,862 Endowment funds 1,898,427 Total of Funds 1,969,289 14. Summary of funds Summary of funds - current year Balance at 6 April 2024 £ General funds 72,638 Endowment funds 2,022,117 2,094,755 Summary of funds - prior year Balance at 6 April 2023 £ General funds 70,862 Endowment funds 1,898,427 1,969,289 |
Income £ 59,285 - 59,285 Income £ 53,159 - 53,159 Income £ 59,285 - 59,285 |
Expenditure £ (57,509) (12,835) (70,344) Expenditure £ (47,097) (13,208) (60,305) Expenditure £ (57,509) (12,835) (70,344) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ - 136,525 136,525 Gains/ (Losses) £ - (64,110) (64,110) Gains/ (Losses) £ - 136,525 136,525 |
Balance at 5 April 2024 £ 72,638 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,022,117 | ||||
| 2,094,755 | ||||
| Balance at 5 April 2025 £ 78,700 1,944,799 |
||||
| 2,023,499 | ||||
| Balance at 5 April 2024 £ 72,638 2,022,117 |
||||
| 2,094,755 |
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THE JOHN DAWBER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
15. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds 2025 £ Fixed asset investments - Current assets 83,216 Creditors due within one year (4,516) Total 78,700 |
Endowment funds 2025 £ 1,928,439 19,670 (3,310) 1,944,799 |
Total funds 2025 £ 1,928,439 102,886 (7,826) 2,023,499 |
|---|---|---|
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
| Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ - 77,298 (4,660) 72,638 |
Endowment funds 2024 £ 1,978,051 47,066 (3,000) 2,022,117 |
Total funds 2024 £ 1,978,051 124,364 (7,660) 2,094,755 |
|---|---|---|---|
16. Related party transactions
The charity has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the charity at 5 April 2025.
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