THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LirrLETON UNITED CHARITIES Registered Charity number.. 218971 ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Dains Audit Ltd Chartered AccoLsntant5 St Johns Court Wiltell Road Lichfield Staffordshire WS14 9DS
THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LirrLETON UNITED CHARITIES INDEX TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 PAGE Annual Report Independent Examiners Report Statement of Financial Activities B81ance Sheet Notes to the Accounts
THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LirrLETON UNITED CHARITIES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Reference and admlnistrative information Trustee5'. Mr P Conway Mr D Briggs Mr5 8 Astley Mrs E Coles Mrs E Sherratt Mrs C Uplon Revd C Leighton Mrs E Smith MTS R Jones Chairman Vice chairman appoinled 10 October 2023 appoinled 9 April 2024 Clerk to the trustees: Mrs S Brockhurst Cl¢rk's office: The Pines Mount Road Rugeley Staffordshire WS152TL Charity Numb¢r'. 218971 Regulator of Social Housing: A4028 Independent Examin¢r-. Mark Guiney FCCA, DChA ol Dains Audit Ltd Sl Johns Court Wiltell Road Lichfield Slaffordshire WS14 9DS Bankets.. National Weslminstei Bank 31 Market Square Rugeley St2ffordshire WS15 2BW Page 1
THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LIThLETON UNITED CHARITIES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Report of th? Irustees for the y¢ar ¢nd¢d 31 March 2024 The trustees present their report alono with the financial slalemtrnls of the chaiity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial st8lemenls have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in nol& I lo thè accounts and comply with Ihe Charity Commission Scheme dated 23 October 2014, the Charities Act 2011 and A¢GOUnting and Reporting by Charities. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Rewrting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland effective 1 January 2019. Structure, Governance and Management The Birch, Samson and Littleton United Charities was formed following the amalgamation of Birch and Samson United Charities (registered charity number 2189711 and The Littleton Homes al Rugeley I registered charity nurnber 11537801. It is governed by a Charity Commission Scheme dated 23 October 2014. The scheme allows for thtt appointment ol nine managing Iruslees They are 8ppoinled al a special meeting ol the trustees to serve for a term of four years The trustees met regul8dy throLJohout the year to discuss the charity's affairs, including consideralion ol investment. reserves and risk management policies. The charity keeps the skill requirements for ils truslee bDdy under review and in the evenl that there is a vacancy, the Board seeks nominations froffl people within the local community who have the necessary skills and Interest. The induction process lor any newly appointed truslee comprises an initial rneeting with the Board of Trustees, al which a pack is provided. This inclvdes 8 copy of the governing document. a copy of the lalesl accounts, 8 Copy of the Charity Commission Guidance 'The Essential Trustee, and 'Charities and Public Benefit,. Risk R¢vl¢w The IrLJslees have examined the major internal and external risks which the Charity faces and confirm that systems have been established lo minimise these risks. Objects and Aetivitiès Thè charity is administered by the Clerk. who acts under instructions from the trustees. The Birch. Samson and Littleton United Charilies compli585 thirteen almshouses situated in Armitage, Brereton 2nd Rugeley. Th& obje$ ol the charity are.. the relief of povety by the provision of social housing in the form of almshouse accommodation for poor persons. with a preference lor peisons 0150 years of age or over". end such charitable purposes lor Ihe benefit of the residents as the Iruslees decide. Public Benefit The trustees confirm that they have referred lo the guidance contained in the Charity Commi5SlOn'S general guidance on public benefit. Resid&nts shall first and foremost be in need Preference is given to those with some connection to the area. Page 2
THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LirrLETON UNITED CHARITIES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 MARCH 2024 (Continuèd) Review of Progress and Achievements The Iruslees are pléased to report that the almshouses have beèn fully occupied during the year. The Iruslees continue lo rnainlain the almshouses lo a high stsrTr(taid. Reserves Policy Funds at 31 March 2024 lolalled £1,668, 102 comprising perm8nenl endowment £1.127,100. a designated extraordinary repairs fund £164,332, a designated cyclical maintenance fund £22,731 and unreslricled in¢ome funds of £353,939. Free reserves are held to cover working capital requirements and future repair costs. The balance held at 31 March 2023 falls within the range agreed by the Iruslees. Investment Policy The trustees have Consided the m051 appropriate polry for investing funds and have found that specialised unit trusts, designed for charity sector. meet their requirements. The performance of the investments is monitored by the Iruslees on a regular basis. Trustees. Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report 2nd the financial statements in accordarice with applicable law 8n(J United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted AcGounling Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give 8 true and lair view of the charity's financial a¢livilies dufjng the year and of ils finarTrcial position al the end ol the year. In preparing those financial slalemenls, the Trustees are required lo. select suitable aG¢ounling policies and then apply them consislenlty". observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP., rnake judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudenl.. slate whether applicable accoL)nting standards and statements ol recommended practice have been followed. subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial stèlements., and prepare the Iinan¢i81 slalements on the going Concern basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The Tfuslees are responsible lor keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable araCY 818ny lime the financial position of the Charity and enable them lo ensLJre that Ihe financial slalemenls comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets ol the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps lor the prevention and detect10n of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by" D Briggs 09 July 2024 Dale P QTr4ff Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LITTLETON UNITED CHARITIES I report to the charity trustees on my examination ol the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 ThAarch 2024 which are set out on pages 5-9 Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trusl&es you are Tesponsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wth the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.the Acl'l. I report in respect of my examination ol the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and In carrying out my examination I have followed 811 the applicablè Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl ol the Act. Independent examin¢r's ststement I have completed my examination. I confirrn that no material matters have come to my attentlon in connection wlh the examination giving me cause lo believe that in any material respect. accounting records were nol kept in respèct of the charity as required by section 130 01 the Act., or 2. the soUnt$ do not accord with those records., or 3. the ac¢ounls do not cornply with the accounting requirements COnrning the form and content of accounts sel out in the Charities IAccounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other Ihan any requirement that the accounts give 8.true and fail view which Is not 8 matter considered as part of an independenl examination I have no concerns and have come across no other mattels in Gonnection wth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mark Gurney FCCA. DChA ol Daing Audit Ltd Sl John's Court Willell Road Lichfield Staffoidshire WS14 90S D9 July 2024 Paoe 4
THE BIRCH. SAMSON AND LITTLETON UNITED CHARITIÈS STA TFMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Unrestricted In¢ome Fun+J Other Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Notes Incorne Mtintenance contributions receivable Bank interest IncDme from listed investments 53.922 2,914 1,795 53,922 4,894 1,795 53.929 1.747 1.795 1.980 Totsl income 58.631 1.980 60,611 57.471 Expendlture Cletk Repairs and mainl8nance Heat light and water seICe5 Insuran Trustee indemnity insurance Sundry eypenses Almshouse Assotsation subscription Indepertdeni Èxaminers feÈs HCA annual subscription Professional fees Legionella testing Oepclaty0n Total 15.3e1 16.888 1243 7.495 1.975 291 1.251 487 1062 300 870 15.381 16.888 1.243 7.495 1.975 291 1.251 487 1062 300 870 14.607 8.543 1.091 7.913 1 401 291 313 1 014 3 428 663 18.200 55.607 18.2UO 18.200 18,200 65,443 47,243 other recognis¢d #ainsllloss¢sl Gainslllossesl on Investment assets Inole 61 22518 18.011 40.529 34.966 Net in¢•m¢ll¢xpendlturel 33.906 1,791 3S.697 38.830 Transler between funds lntste 81 Net mo¥em¢M in funds 33,906 1,791 35.697 12.9771 ReGon¢iliation of lunds.. Fund balanGes brought lorward 320.033 1 312372 1.632 405 1.635 382 Fund Balances carrled forward 353.939 1.314.163 1.668.102 1.632 405 Page 5
THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LITTLETON UNITED CHARITIES BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 Notes Fixed Assets Housing Properties Listed Investments 2band5 2candS 1.127,100 385,442 1,512,542 1,145,300 344,913 1,490,213 Current Assets Debtors and Prepayments Cash at Bank and in Hand 4.060 154.287 158.347 1,431 141.775 143,206 Current Liabilities Credilors 2.787 2,787 1,014 1,014 Nel Current Assets 155,560 142,192 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 1,668,102 1,632,405 Nel Assets 1,668,102 1,632.405 Capital and Rtser¥¢s Permanent Endowment Oesign8led Reserves Extraordinary Repairs Fund Cyclical M81ntenance Fund Unrestricted Income Fund 1,127,100 1.145.300 164,332 22,731 353,939 1,668,102 146,321 20,751 320.033 1.632.405 These accounts were approved by the Board ol Trustees on 9 Juty 2024 and signed on their behalf by.. C Leighlon D Briggs Page 6
THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LirrLETON UNITED CHARITIES NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 1. Establishment of Bir¢h. SOMs¢n and Llttleton United Charities The Birch. Samson and Littleton United Charities is r&gulated by a Charity Commission scheme dated 23 October 2014. 11 w8s formed following the amalgamation of 8irch and Samson United Charities and the Littleton Homes at Rugeley. 2. A¢¢ounting Policies lal Basis ol Accounting The financial siatemènts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by by Gharilies.. Slalement of Recommended Practice applicable to charilies preparing their accounts accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic ol Ireland IFRS 1021 effective 0110112019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The accounts have beèn prepared on the accruals basis. Ibl Housing Propertie5 Housing Properties are included al insurance value as at December 2015. Depreciation is provided on freehold property al 2Vh per annum on a straight line basis. No depreciation is provided ill respect ol the land element. Icl Investments Listed investments are staled at market v81ue. Idl Extraordinary Repairs Fund This designated reserye repieserits amounts sel aside to carry out major repairs on the Housing Properties. lel Cyclical Maintenance Fund This designated reserve represents amounts sel aside for cyclical maintenance. In Permanent Endowment The permanent endowrnenl represents those funds which musl be held permanèntly by thè charity. Income aiising on this fund is included as unrestriclèd ineome. Igl Unreslricled In¢ome Fund The unrestricted Income fund comprises those funds which the trustees are free lo ijse In accordance wrth the charitable objects 3. Trustees Remuneration, Expenses and Rplated Party Transactions No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the fLJnds ol the Charity was paid or payable lor the year lo any Trustee or lo any persDn or persons knowri lo be Connected with any of them. No expenses have been paid during the year12023-nill. 4. TaxatSon The Birch. Samson and Littleton United Charities Is a registered Charity and is therefore exempl from liability to taxation on 51s income and capital gains Page 7
THE BIRCH, SAMSON AND LirrLETON UNITED CHARITIE8 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 S. Housing Properties 2024 2023 Housing properb'es (note 2bl 1,300,000 1.300,000 Depreciation al 31 March 2023 Charge lor the year Depreciation at 31 March 2024 154.700 18.200 172.900 136,500 18,200 154,700 Nel book value 31 March 2024 1.127.100 1.145,300 6. Llsted Inv¢stm•nts 2024 2023 Market value brought forward Nel unrealised investment gainslllossesl Maikel value al 31 March 2023 344.913 40.529 385.442 349.754 4.841 344,913 Investments comprise the following.. unstriCted income fvnd". 3,295 COIF income units 598 COIF accumulation units Exloordinary repair tund 639 COIF 3cGumulalion units 67,336 153.774 61,671 136,921 164,332 385,442 146,321 344,913 7. Debtors 2024 2023 Prepayments Maintenance conliibulions 3,474 586 4.060 1,431 1,431 Page 8
THE 81RCH, SAMSON AND LirrLETON UNITED CHARITIES NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 8. Other Fund5 Endowment Extraordinary Fund Repair Fund Cy¢li¢al Maintenance Fund Total 2024 Balances at 1 April 2023 Bank interest Unrealised gainlllossl on investment revaluation Depr&ciation Transfer income account Balances al 31 March 2024 1, 145,300 146.321 20,751 1.312.372 1,980 1,980 18,011 118.2001 18,011 118,2001 1,127,100 164,332 22.731 1,314.163 Endowment Extraordinary Cyclioal Fund Repair Fund Maintenance Fund Total 2023 Balances at 1 April 2022 8ank interest Ullrealised gainlllossl on investment revaluation Depre¢ialion Transfer income account BalanS at 31 March 2023 1,163,500 147,581 10,048 1,321.129 703 703 11.2601 118.2001 10.000 1.312.372 11.2601 118.2001 10.000 20,751 1,145,300 146.321 9. The Assets and Liabilities of the Charity Are represented by the Funds as detailed below- Income Fund Endawmènt Extraordinary Fund Repair Fund Cyclical Maintenance Fund Total 2024 Housing Properties Inveslments Current Assets Creditor5." Due within 1 year 1.127,100 1.127,100 385,442 158,347 12,7871 22.731 1,668,102 221.110 135.616 12.7871 353.939 164,332 22,731 1.127.100 164,332 The comparative information is as follows- Income Fund Endowment Extraordinary Fund Repair Fund Cyclical Maintenance Fund Tot41 2023 Housing Propertles Investments Cuiienl Assets Creditors.. Due within l year 1.145,300 1,145,300 344.913 143,206 1.0141 20,751 1,632.405 188,128 122,455 11,014 309,569 156.785 20.751 1,145,300 156,785 Page 9