THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES Charity registration number: 234795
REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
CONTENTS
| Reference and Administrative Information | 3 |
|---|---|
| Trustees annual report | 4 |
| Objectives and Activities | 4 |
| Reserves Policy | 5 |
| Future Plans | 5 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | 6 |
| Independent examiners report | 7 |
| Receipts and Payments account | 8 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 9 |
| Thomas Shepherd Law Scholarship Trust | 10 |
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THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Registered Charity Number: 234795 Registered Address: Trustees Post box Law Memorial Houses Bishops Tawton Barnstaple Devon EX32 0AG Trustees: Mark Berry (Chair) Beverley Allingham (Treasurer) Sue Hilsdon (Secretary) Matthew Collins Philip Belcher (Joined May 2024) Jeremy Mann (Joined August 2024) Bankers: Nat West 41 High Street Barnstaple Devon EX31 1DA Solicitors: Toller Beattie Devonshire House Riverside Road Pottington Business Park Barnstaple Devon EX31 1QN Independent Examiners: Bowdon Accounting Services Ltd. Bartle House Oxford Court Manchester M2 3WQ
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THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting the reports on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st of March 2025.
Objectives and activities
The Charity's object is to provide almshouse accommodation for persons of limited means who are inhabitants of the county of Devon, with a preference for such persons who are inhabitants of the parish of Bishops Tawton.
The charity currently achieves its object by administering the Law Memorial Houses in Bishops Tawton.
In carrying out the Charity's object, the Trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The Charity is a member of the Almshouse Association (AA), and the Trustees consult the guidance of that association as and when appropriate.
The Law Memorial Houses building is a very attractive listed Victorian building set in mature gardens and overlooking the valley of the River Taw, consisting of four single flats and 4 double maisonettes, providing accommodation for 12 people. The accommodation has been fully occupied throughout the year.
The Charity has a full board of trustees.
North Devon Homes (NDH) continue to act as our Managing Agent, managing the day-to-day affairs, and their representative, Lindsey Eastman, continues to provide relevant advice and information at our meetings.
The Charity continues to carefully manage the maintenance of the property, and the extensive and beautiful gardens continued to be maintained by a local contractor and the residents.
This year, the meeting room has been refurbished and it’s potential future uses are under discussion.
The Weekly Maintenance Charge is reviewed yearly and is still based on current rates of local housing allowance.
Law Scholarship Trust
This Trust is a small charitable trust endowed by the same benefactor as the Law Memorial Houses and is administered by the same trustees. Funds were granted to Bishops Tawton school for resources.
The trustees are still considering the future of the funds due to reduced demand.
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THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have overall responsibility for securing the efficient and effective administration of the charity in its resources. Accordingly, the Trustees regard proper control of the charity's finances as being of utmost importance.
The Trustees are mindful of the need to ensure that the assets of the Trust are kept in good and proper order, improved when occasion arises and safeguarded against unexpected occurrences and liabilities. The Trustees are therefore required to make provision for future unexpected or exceptional expenses which cannot readily be covered by the income of a single year. Provision also has to be made to ensure the smooth administration of current expenditure.
With the foregoing in mind, the Trustees seek to maintain adequate reserves as surplus funds to ensure that they are able to meet the demands of an uncertain future.
The following are some of the matters the Trustees have taken into account in determining the current level of reserves. This is by way of illustration only and is not intended to be a full and exclusive list.
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Funding of large repairs or other works of a cyclical nature (e.g. roof)
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Funding of extraordinary or emergency repairs or other works
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Temporary rehousing of residents during such works
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Creating a contingency fund to meet possible unexpected increases in budgeted items
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Covering the possible loss of income from prolonged vacancies
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Covering unexpected liabilities or obligations e.g. legal costs
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Covering temporary inadequacy of funds in the current account.
For the current year the Trustees decided to maintain Reserves at not less than £60,000.
If the Reserves are reduced by expenditure from them for any purpose, the Trustees will, as soon as practicable thereafter, review the Reserves Policy and determine what steps if any need to be taken concerning the level of Reserves.
This policy is to be reviewed from time to time during the year and in particular at the annual general meeting.
Future Plans
There is one major area of focus for the coming year:
- To complete the change in legal status for the Trust to become an Incorporated Charitable Organisation (ICO).
THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
The Law Memorial Houses is a registered charity created in the 19[th] Century and now governed by the Scheme dated 6[th] October 1961. It is currently an unincorporated association.
The Charity is run by a Board of Trustees.
New Trustees are appointed by resolution of the Trustees at a special meeting.
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees:
MARK BERRY (Chair)
Date:
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THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st of March 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 10.
Responsibility and basis of report
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 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 Act.
Independent examiner statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 17/11/2025 Name: Adeel Sahi
Relevant professional qualification(s) or body: ACCA
Address: Bowdon Accounting Services Ltd Bartle House, Oxford Court, Manchester M2 3WQ
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THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
RECEIPTS 2025 2024
Weekly Maintenance Charge (WMC) 52754.40 41414.00
Bank Interest 35.64
Total Receipts 52790.04 41414.00
LESS COST OF SALES 2025 2024
Grants 5291.99
NDH Management Fee 5128.96 2274.00
TOTAL COST OF SALES 10420.95
GROSS PROFIT 42369.09
EXPENSES 2025 2024
Gardening & Green Bins Subscriptions 1445.00
Maintenance 1926.00 4102.00
Miscellaneous Expenses 109.00 428.00
Utilities 410.85 -178.00
Stationery 15.10
Legal Fees 3890.40
Audit and Accountancy Fees 618.00 576.00
Professional Fees 39.00
Clerk Fees 4722.97
1LMH Repairs & Renewals 155.47
2LMH Repairs & Renewals 1491.40
3LMH Repairs & Renewals 201.40
Repairs & Renewals Major Works 66240.90
Furniture & Equipment 199.10 138.00
4LMH Repairs & Renewals 1718.49
5LMH Repairs & Renewals 48.91
6LMH Repairs & Renewals 288.82
7LMH Repairs & Renewals 676.31
8LMH Repairs & Renewals 62.15
Subscriptions 388.00 546.00
Training Costs 32.20
Insurance 1658.48 2001.00
TOTAL EXPENSES 86337.95 9887.00
PROFIT (43968.86) 31527.00
----- End of picture text -----
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THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 MARCH 2025
| CASH BALANCES | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank current account | 24505.09 | 109097.00 |
| Bank reserve account | 50135.62 | 100.00 |
| TOTAL | 74640.71 | 109197.00 |
INVESTMENT ASSETS
Holdings in M&G Charity Multi Asset Fund
These were valued at £101,831.15 at 31st March 2025 (£95,221 on 31[st] March 2024).
The charity also holds units in the CCLA Charities Official Investment Funds on behalf of the Thomas Shepherd Law Scholarship Trust.
These were valued at £22,721.21on 31st March 2025 (£27,770.36 on 31[st] March 2024).
ASSETS RETAINED FOR CHARITY’S USE
Freehold property called the Law Memorial Houses, situated in Bishops Tawton and are a permanent endowment.
Furniture and two marble busts.
LIABILITIES
NIL
Approved and signed by the Board of Trustees:
Date:
Signed on its behalf by:
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THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2025 MARK BERRY (CHAIR} 10
THE LAW MEMORIAL HOUSES
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
THOMAS SHEPHERD SCHOLARSHIP TRUST
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| RECEIPTS | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Income | 728 | 740 |
| PAYMENTS | ||
| Charitable donations | 5292 | 95 |
| NET RECEIPTS (PAYMENTS) | -4564 | 645 |
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