**ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2025** ANN ## Annual Report & Accounts Year to 31[st] December 2025 **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2025** ## **1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUMMARY** ## **1.1. Objectives of the Charity (Commission No 229475)** (1) Established by conveyance from the estate of Miss Mary Frances Maberly to the Vicar of Cuckfield and others (the Trustees) on 31 December1885, the Cottages “forever and hereafter” to be used by “aged and infirm persons” over the age of 60, residents of the ecclesiastical parish of Cuckfield, of limited means and communicants of the Church of England. (2) Modified by New Scheme of 31[st] January 2007, to provide “housing accommodation for persons who are in need, hardship or distress, and are 60 or over and followers of a Christian faith”, resident in the Deanery of Cuckfield, preference being given to members of the Church of England and residents of the Parish of Cuckfield. ## **1.2. Address of the Property:** Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 4LB Cuckfield Cottage Homes Church Platt Cuckfield Nr Haywards Heath West Sussex RH17 5LA ## **1.3. Trustees during 2025:** Rev. Daniel Valentine _Chair_ Marion Petitpierre _Deputy Chair_ Stephen Gaimster _Clerk_ Terry Bevan _Treasurer_ Roger Edmonston Tim Howell ## **1.4. Bankers:** HSBC 40 South Road 1 **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2025** **1.5. Correspondence** White House Whitemans Green **Addresses:** Cuckfield West Sussex RH17 5BY The Vicarage 5 Barrowfield Cuckfield West Sussex RH17 5ER Terry Bevan ( _Hon. Treasurer_ ) ## **1.6. Trustees Statement** The Cuckfield Cottage Homes Trust Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2025, were approved by the Trustees on 16[th] July 2026 and signed on its behalf by: D Valentine ( _Chairman_ ): _Treasurer_ ) T Bevan ( _Hon_ 2 ## **PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF THE YEAR** In 2025 the Trust focused on gaining approval of its improvement plan for the Cottage Homes. Steps leading to planning submission and approval required considerable third-party consultancy participation. The funding of these expenses solely accounts for the first excess of expenditure over income in the last 10 years. Whilst the planning outcome was not clear during the time period of these accounts the Trustees received approval early in 2026 for the project to proceed. The scheme will ensure upgrades in facilities for the 6 existing accommodation units and the addition of two further flats. All post scheme completed accommodation will offer increases of internal square footage and for the first time all flats will have bathroom facilities on the same levels as the related accommodation. The Trust experienced a small reduction in reserves as a result of funding the application. Details are disclosed in the reported financial statements below. In 2025 the Trust also received approval from the Charities Commission to change its status to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or CIO. In view of the prospective development plan this was considered an essential step to further the successful funding of the project. Key Trust aims continue to be to - Secure the implementation of the building project - Deliver necessary improvement in the amenity quality - Future proof the integrity of the structure and the Almshouse Reserves decreased by £6,507 in 2025 (2024 £9,573 increase). No donations or grants were received during the year. The Trustees anticipate that construction work is likely to start in early 2028. Trustees are most grateful to all who have helped to ensure the continuing well-being of the Almshouse. In 2025 the Trust continued to ensure that the Charity can address necessary risks in order to protect the future of the Almshouse. 3 The primary risks to the Charity will continue to be unoccupied units although their has been only one vacancy in the last 10 years which was filled immediately. Whilst the Trust does not keep a waiting list there is known demand for almshouse living which is greater than available provision. The annual Tea Party for residents, family and trustees was held in 2025 and was very well attended by residents and their families and friends. ## **2. INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT** |**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE TO**
**31st DECEMBER 2025**|||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**2025**|||**2024**|**Variance**| |**A: INCOME**|||||| |Maintenance Contributions|£43,070.00|||£40,620.00|£2,450.00| |Bank Interest|£5,354.00|||£5,896.00|-£542.00| ||||||| ||||||| ||||||| ||||||| |**TOTAL INCOME**|**£48,424.00**|||**£46,516.00**|**£1,908.00**| ||||||| |**B: EXPENDITURE:**|||||| |**_Routine Expenditure:_**|||||| |Gas|**£7,233.00**||**£7,480.00**||**-£247.00**| |Gas Maintenance|**£3,079.00**||**£0.00**||**£3,079.00**| |Electricity|**£737.00**||**£710.00**||**£27.00**| |Water|**£144.00**||**£92.00**||**£52.00**| |_Total Energy Costs_||£11,193.00||£8,282.00|**£2,911.00**| |Maintenance||£2,986.00||£3,429.00|**-£443.00**| |Miscellaneous||£913.00||£1,820.00|**-£907.00**| |Insurance||£1,397.00||£1,291.00|**£106.00**| |**Total Routine Expenditure**||**£16,489.00**||**£14,822.00**|**£1,667.00**| ||||||| |**Gross Surplus/Deficit**||**£31,935.00**||**£31,694.00**|**£241.00**| |**_Non-Routine_**
**_Maintenance/Expenses:_**||**£3,614.00**||**£8,702.00**|**-£5,088.00**| ||||||| |**Total Non-Routine Expense**||**£3,614.00**||**£8,702.00**|**-£5,088.00**| |**_Special Projects:_**|||||| |Consultant Project Costs||**£34,828.00**||**£13,419.00**|£21,409.00| ||||||| ||||||| 4 |**Total Special Projects**||**£34,828.00**||**£13,419.00**|**£21,409.00**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**||**£54,931.00**||**£36,943.00**|**£17,988.00**| |**C: SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR**||**-£6,507.00**||**£9,573.00**|**£16,080.00**| ## **Comments on the Income and Expenditure Statement** ## **Income** The statement above shows a 6% increase in Maintenance Contributions (2024 – 5.8%) and a £542 reduction in interest received on Trust funds held in fixed term deposit accounts. After deduction of total expenditure, net income, shows a deficit to reserves of £ 6,507 , ## **Total Routine Expenditure:** Routine maintenance services at £ 16,489 increased by £1,667 (2024 total £14,822). Overall increases were due to the rising costs of gas and electricity. **Operating Gross Surplus** increased by £241 to £31,935. ## **Non-Routine Expenses** Non-Routine expenditure decreased to £3,614 from £8,702 in 2024. The 2024 figure was due to an increase in building repair and maintenance costs. ## **Special Projects** Special Project Expenditure at £34,828 increased by £21,409 compared to 2024. As in 2024 expenditure related to costs in connection with the planning application for improvements to the building and its facilities. In essence this was a decision to use some of the Trust reserves to help ensure the successful outcome of the application. ## **Total Expenditure** Total Expenditure in 2025 was £54,931 with an overall increase of 5 £17,988. ## **Net Impact** In 2025 the overall reserves of the Trust were reduced by £6,507. Retained reserves stand at £153,016. Much of these reserves will be used to support plans for changes to the building in order to sustain the accommodation standards provided for residents and to increase the future revenue from the building for the benefit of the charity. ## **3. ASSETS STATEMENT** ||**2025**||**2024**||**Variance**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Savings Account**|**£**
**125,051 **||**£**
**137,193**||| |**Accrued Interest**|**£**||**£**
**2,502 **||| |**Deposit Account**|**£**
**78**||**£**
**2,061 **||| |**Current Account**|**£**
**27,202 **||**£**
**17,110**||| |**Insurance Prepayment**|**£**
**685**||**£**
**657 **||| |**NET ASSETS**|**£**
**153,016**||**£**
**159,523**||**-£ 6,507**| Net assets decreased from £159,523 in 2024 to £153,016 in 2025 ## **4. OUTLOOK** With the confirmation of planning consent the outlook for the Almshouse will be secured once the project is completed. The accommodation units will meet prevailing building standards and accord improved and increased opportunity for a settled and affordable life for those who qualify for residence. 6 An improved and more efficient heating system forms part of these plans in addition to the provision of bathrooms on the same floors for each unit. In future years issues of rising costs, due to deterioration in the building will be less problematic and costly than they have been in recent years. Increased income from additional units of residence will also further strengthen the long-term resilience of the charity. ## **Terry Bevan** _Trustee/Hon Treasurer_ ## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** **Report to the** The Cuckfield Cottage Homes Trust **trustees On accounts for the 31[st] December, 2025 Charity 229475 year ended no Set out on pages 1-6 above Responsibilities and** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the **basis of report** above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 12 2025. As the charity's 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 Trust’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** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material **examiner’s** matters have come to my attention in connection with the **statement** examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect - The accounts were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - The accounts did not accord with the accounting records; - The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirements that the accounts give a 7 ‘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. **Signed:** by the Examiner **Date:** 4[th] June 2025 **Name: Alec Burgess Relevant** FCA **professional qualification(s) or body (if any):** c/o Keymer Haslam Accountants 4/6 Church Road , Burgess Hill, **Address:** West Sussex 8