FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended August 31st 2024
Cottrill Mason Limited
13 Vansittart Estate
Windsor
Berkshire
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Page | 1-2 | Trustee's Report |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | |
| 4 | Accountant’s Report | |
| 5 | Statement of Financial Activities | |
| 6 | Balance Sheet | |
| 7-11 | Notes to the Accounts |
Page 1
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
TRUSTEE'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31st 2024
STATUS AND ADMINISTRATION
The Fund of the Congregation des Filles de Ste Marie de la Providence of the Convent of our Lady of Providence, Alton, Hampshire ("Convent") was founded in April 1938. The Convent became a Trust in 1965 and is a registered charity, number 232908.
The Trustees of the Convent are:
Helen Elizabeth Samuel Laisamma Joseph Margaret Garman Marie-Anne Marot John Bueno
The Trustees can be removed by the Superior General of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE in Lucknow, India.
The Convent had run a school known as the Alton Convent School which now has been transferred to an independent charity by the name of Alton Convent School , a registered charity - number 1071684 on September 1st 1998. The school has announced that it will not be re-opening in September 2024. Declining pupil numbers mean that the school has become financially unviable.
Address: 45A Church Lane Holybourne Alton GU34 4HD Banker: National Westminster Bank plc 38 High Street Alton Hampshire GU34 1BD Solicitors: Pothecary Witham Weld., Thomas House, 84,Eccleston Square Pimlico, London SW1 1PX Accountant: Cottrill Mason Limited 13 Vansittart Estate Windsor Berkshire SL4 1SE
Page 2
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
TRUSTEE'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31st 2024
OBJECTS
The objects are set out in the Trust Deed as the education of children including the advancement of the Roman Catholic faith.
ORGANISATION
Three of the Trustees are also Trustees of the Alton Convent School and assist with the policy decisions to assure compliance with the Objects of the Trust.
The Convent has retained the ownership of the properties and rents them to the Alton Convent School. The school has been forced to close due to declining pupil numbers and the property has been put up for sale. The school is no longer paying rent to the Trust.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
The General Fund had a surplus for the year of £ 214,691
(2023 Surplus £ 1,371,200).
INVESTMENT POWERS
These are governed by the Trust Deed which permits the funds to be invested in assets authorised for the investment of trust funds.
RESOURCES
As stated in Note 8 to the accounts, the reserves are all available for the day to day requirements of the Convent. The Convent's assets are sufficient to meet its obligations.
RESERVES POLICY
The Trustees had a policy of retaining free reserves of £150,000 to cover any major structural repairs which might be required to the Convent’s major building. The free reserves amount to £100,579 (2023 free reserves £ 1,500,697 ). Given that the school has closed, the £150,000 is no longer considered necessary. Sale of part of the land in September 2024 have increased free reserves by £625146.
Loans to Alton School total £ Nil at the year end. New donations to the school in the year totalled £ 1,027,378. Alton school repaid £Nil of the loan in the year.
The Convent had guaranteed a mortgage, granted by The NatWest Bank, in favour of the Alton Convent School, for a total of £1,565,000 over a term of twenty five years from 2007. Using donations from the convent, the mortgage in the sum of £ 770058 was fully repaid on 31[st] July 2024
The Covent is in the process of selling the school buildings after its closure and, following legal advice, will be using part of the proceeds to provide funds pay the redundancy and other costs of the school closure.
Approved by the Trustees at their meeting held on 16[th] June 2025. and signed on their behalf by:
Helen Elizabeth Samuel ……………………………………………..
Page 3
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The purpose of this statement is to distinguish the trustees' responsibilities for the accounts from those of the accountant as stated in his report.
The Charities Act 2011 requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year.
In preparing the accounts the trustees should follow best practice and:
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
follow the recommendations of the Charity Commission and of the accounting profession with regard to form and content of the accounts, or to disclose and explain any departures therefrom; and
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will be able to continue to meet its objectives.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which are such as to disclose, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity at any time, and to enable the trustees to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the charity's assets, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of error, fraud and other irregularities.
Page 4
Report of the Accountant to the Trustees of
The FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended August 31st 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 10.
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 Commission under
-
section 145(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 Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
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 to 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.
Cottrill Mason Limited S C Mason AIA 13 Vansittart Estate Accountant & Tax Adviser Windsor SL4 1SE
16[th] June 2025
Page 5
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
| of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE | of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE | of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE | of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | ||||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31st 2024 | ||||
| Unrestricted | Funds | |||
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||||
| Other income | 2 | 76,197 | 129,525 | |
| Bank and other interest | 29,622 | 2,829 | ||
| Total Incoming Resources | 105,819 | 132,354 | ||
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||||
| Direct Charitable Expenditure | ||||
| Premises | 9,819 | 14,893 | ||
| (Profit)/Loss on sale of building | (1,128,903) | |||
| Donations | 1,027,379 | 488,560 | ||
| 1,037,198 | (625,450) | |||
| Other Expenditure | ||||
| Management & administration | 175,130 | 129,795 | ||
| Total Resources Expended | 1,212,328 | (495,655) | ||
| Net Incoming Resources/(Outgoings) | (1,106,509) | 628,009 | ||
| Balances brought forward 01.09.23 | 1,371,200 | 743,191 | ||
| Balances carried forward 31.08.24 | 264,691 | 1,371,200 | ||
| ======= | ======= |
The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these accounts
Page 6
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
| BALANCE SHEET as at AUGUST 31st 2024 | BALANCE SHEET as at AUGUST 31st 2024 | BALANCE SHEET as at AUGUST 31st 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | |||
| School buildings and equipment | 4 | 114,112 | 122,132 |
| Investments | 5 | 97,193 | 50,200 |
| 211,305 | 172,332 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Debtors | 6 | 1,811 | - |
| Cash in Hand and at Bank | 55,000 | 1,500,697 | |
| 56,811 | 1,500,697 | ||
| CREDITORS: due within one year | 7 | 3,425 | 301,829 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 53,386 | 1,198,868 | |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 264,691 | 1,371,200 | |
| ====== | ====== | ||
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS | 264,691 | 1,371,200 | |
| ====== | ====== |
Approved by the Trustees on 16[th] June ................ 2025 and signed on its behalf by
Helen Elizabeth Samuel..........................................
The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these accounts
Page 7
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31st 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a)Basis of Preparation
The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice , Accounting by Charities.
b)Tangible Fixed assets
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets in use, other than freehold land, at rates and bases calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:-
Freehold buildings over 50 years Furniture and equipment over 10 years Motor vehicles over 4 years
Items costing less than £3,000 are written off as an expense as acquired.
c) Expenditure
Expenditure is allocated to expense headings either on a direct cost basis or apportioned according to time spent. The irrecoverable element of VAT is included with the item of expense to which it relates.
Page 8
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31st 2024
2. OTHER INCOME
| 2. OTHER INCOME | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Other | 49,530 | 49,525 | ||
| Rent | 26,667 | 80,000 | ||
| 76,197 | 129,525 | |||
| ====== | ====== | |||
| 3. ANALYSIS OF TOTAL RESOURCES | EXPENDED | |||
| Staff costs | Other | Depn | Total | |
| Direct Charitable Expenditure | ||||
| Teaching costs | - | - | - | - |
| Welfare | - | - | - | - |
| Premises | - | 9,819 | - | 9,819 |
| Support costs | - | - | - | - |
| Donations | - | 1,027,379 | - | 1,027,379 |
- |
1,037,198 | - | 1,037,379 | |
| Other Expenditure | ||||
| Administration | 30,022 | 137,088 | 8,020 | 175,130 |
30,022 |
1,174,286 | 8,020 | 1,212,328 | |
| ======= | ====== | ======= | ======= |
Management and administration of the charity includes:
| Accountant’s Remuneration: For audit | nil | nil |
|---|---|---|
| For other services | 1010 | 1010 |
The staff costs are incurred in respect of cleaners and gardeners who maintain the convent.
Page 9
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31[st ] 2024
4. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Cost September 1st2023 Additions Disposals August 31st2024 Depreciation September 1st2023 Charge for year Disposals August 31st 2024 Net book value 31.08.24 Net book value 31.08.23 |
Freehold Land and Buildings 464,640 - - 464,640 344,183 6,345 - 350,528 114,112 ======= 120,457 ======= |
Furniture & Equipment 48,368 - - 48,368 48,368 - - 48,368 nil ======= nil ======= |
Motor Vehicles Total 6,700 519,708 - - 6,700 519,708 5,025 397,566 1,675 8,020 -- 6,700 405,586 nil 114,112 ====== ====== 1,675 122,132 ====== ====== |
|---|---|---|---|
The Value for Furniture and Equipment has been arrived at by estimating the cost, since it consists of a mixture of purchases and gifts over a long period without records being available to create an accurate valuation.
| 5. INVESTMENTS | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Term bank deposits/Shares | 97,193 | 50,200 |
97,193 |
50,200 | |
| ======= | ======= |
Page 10
FUND of the CONGREGATION des FILLES de Ste. MARIE de la PROVIDENCE
of the CONVENT of our LADY of PROVIDENCE, ALTON, HAMPSHIRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31st 2024
| 6.DEBTORS | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | - | - | |
| Prepayments | - | - | |
| Loan to the School | - | - | |
| Debtors - Congregation | 1,811 |
- | |
| 1,811 | NIL | ||
| ====== | ====== | ||
| 7. CREDITORS: Due within one year | |||
| Creditors - Congregation | - | 300,819 | |
| Other taxes and social security | - | - | |
| Accruals | 1,010 | 1,010 | |
| Other creditors | 2,415 | - | |
3,425 |
301,829 | ||
| ======== | ======= |
7. CREDITORS: Due within one year
8. FUNDS
The Convent's funds are held to cover normal fluctuations in working capital and are all held in the General Reserve.
9. CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS
No capital expenditure has been contracted for in 2024. (2023 £nil).