THE FEOFFEE CHARITY (DOWNHAM FEOFFEES)
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 5[th] April 2025
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Registered Charity number – 237233
THE FEOFFEE CHARITY (DOWNHAM FEOFFEES)
Registered Charity – 237233
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Year ended 5th April 2025 | |
| Page | |
| Charity Particulars | 3 |
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 4-5 |
| Auditors Report to Trustees | 6-7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8-9 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 11 |
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THE FEOFFEE CHARITY (DOWNHAM FEOFFEES)
Registered Charity number 237233
CHARITY PARTICULARS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5[TH] APRIL 2025
| Trustees (Co-optative): | Mrs D Adams-Payne Mrs P Golding Mrs C E Hall Mr N Hobbs (Vice Chair) Mrs D Maxey Mrs M Oldfield (Chair) Mr R Pearl Mr B G F Smith |
|---|---|
| Trustees (PC Representatives): | Mr A Butcher (appointed 18 September 2024) |
| Clerk to the Trustees: | Ms J E Howard |
| Correspondence Address: | 35 Fieldside Ely Cambridgeshire CB6 3AT |
| Principal bankers: | CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Cambridge Building Society 41 High Street ELY CB7 4LF |
| Solicitors: | HEY Bendalls 53 Market Street ELY Cambs CB7 4LR |
| Auditors:(Accounts kept by the Clerk and independently examined) |
Mrs C Wallace ACA BSc 4 Cross Lane, Little Downham, Ely CB6 2TJ |
| Charity number: | 237233 |
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THE FEOFFEE CHARITY (DOWNHAM FEOFFEES)
Registered Charity number 237233
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees present their report and audited accounts for the year ended 5[th] April 2024
STATUS
The charity was regulated by a Scheme of the Charity Commissioners in 1872 and amended in 1897, 1916, 1939, 1966 and 1985.
OPERATIONAL REVIEW
Ongoing refurbishment of properties continues with works on 3 and 9 School Lane and new windows in 36 & 38 Main Street, Little Downham. We have one property unoccupied at the year end.
Financial support has continued to be given to students attending university and to others in pursuance of their education and training. Assistance has also been given to organisations which provide services and facilities of benefit to the parish, together with individuals experiencing hardship.
The allotment plots were in good order and as we finish the year most plots are occupied.
ORGANISATION
The Charity rents out its investment assets comprising mainly of agricultural land to earn income for the furtherance of its objectives. The residents in the houses at School Lane, Main Street and Eagles Lane, Little Downham and Main Street, Pymoor also make contributions, though, as the provision of such property is part of the objects of the charity, full market rent is not charged.
The trustees who served during the year are detailed on page 2. Including the Annual General Meeting, the Trustees meet five times each year plus on frequent occasions in relation to subcommittees or working parties. All expenditure is fully approved before being undertaken.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
a. Constitution
The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and is governed by a standard Constitution. The day to day running of the Charity is undertaken by an elected Board of Trustees with the assistance of the Clerk.
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b. Method of appointment or election of new trustees, induction and training
Trustees are appointed by the Trustees at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), if and when necessary.
New co-optative trustees are selected from applications from the local community, only if they have the relevant experience and skills to enable them to make a contribution to the administration of the charity. They are interviewed and, if they are willing to be appointed, they are formally proposed and seconded for appointment at a trustees’ meeting. New Parish Council trustees are recommended by the Parish Council for approval and are appointed by being formally proposed and seconded at a trustees’ meeting. No formal training is given to new trustees, but they are briefed thoroughly as to the charity’s activities.
c. Organisational structure and decision making
Each year at the AGM, the Chair and Vice Chair will stand down and a re-election will be made by the Board of Trustees, one member will propose a candidate, and another will second them.
REVIEW OF PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENT
During the year the Charity has been able to successfully continue its running of its properties, and other charitable objectives.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Details of income and expenditure together with balance sheet are set out in the attached accounts.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
Interest rates paid on some investments generally remain low. However, balances remain healthy and are sufficient to meet the Charity’s aims and obligations.
RESERVES POLICY
Normal recurring expenditure can be met by the expected income of the Charity, but the Charity’s properties are in constant need of repair, renovations and modernisation. The trustees consider that reserves of at least £25,000 are appropriate for such contingencies, in any given year.
TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
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 year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity 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 in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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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 operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 trust deed. 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. This report was approved by the Trustees, on and signed on their behalf by:
By order of the Trustees:
M M Oldfield J E Howard ………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………… Mrs M Oldfield (Chair) Ms J E Howard (Clerk) Dated: 21 January 2026
The Accounts have been submitted to the Trustees and approved as a Statement of Accounts, adopted by Resolution 25/04 dated 22 April 2025.
M M Oldfield J E Howard ………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………… Mrs M Oldfield (Chair) Ms J E Howard (Clerk)
Dated: 21 January 2026
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THE FEOFFEE CHARITY (DOWNHAM FEOFFEES)
Registered Charity – 237233
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
Report to the trustees of The Feoffee Charity (Downham Feoffees)
On accounts for the year ended 5[th] April 2025
Charity number: 237233
Set out on pages 8-10
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
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to state whether any particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a 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 the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the
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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: Caroline M Wallace Dated: 23.1.26
Mrs C Wallace
ACA, BSc
4 Cross Lane, Little Downham, Ely CB6 2TJ
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THE FEOFFEE CHARITY (DOWNHAM FEOFFEES) RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS - YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
| 2024 | 2025 | Residential Properties | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30,379.80 | Land rents | 33,154.46 | Repair/Maintenance | 2,835.00 | 615.00 |
| 86,904.39 | House rents (T) | 93,070.04 | Improvements | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 20,019.96 | House rents (HB) | 18,958.98 | Annual Servicing | 1,864.19 | 1,749.05 |
| 460.00 | Allotment rents | 500.00 | Boiler Repair | 1,052.02 | 870.78 |
| 19.24 | Wayleaves | 69.24 | Electrical Repairs | 81.60 | 1,133.45 |
| 1,400.00 | House deposits | 0.00 | Fencing | 5,301.62 | 4,999.91 |
| 400.00 | Misc/Utility o/payment | 0.00 | Grounds Maintenance | 654.30 | 3,140.00 |
| 0.00 | Insurance Claim | 0.00 | Gutter Cleaning | 0.00 | 620.00 |
| -71.10 | Unapplied Income | 0.00 | New Bathrooms | 2,074.93 | 598.13 |
| 139,512.99 | 145,752.72 | New Boilers | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| New Kitchen | 0.00 | 10,626.14 | |||
| Plumbing & Heating | 1,236.74 | 639.40 | |||
| Tap Repairs | 141.02 | 200.00 | |||
| Window Repairs | 1,364.26 | 10,993.34 | |||
| Drains | 3,625.00 | 145.00 | |||
| Fixtures & Fittings | 90.59 | 175.99 | |||
| Other | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Utilities | 88.53 | 1,400.54 | |||
| Decorating | 0.00 | 3,040.98 | |||
| Cleaning | 0.00 | 213.00 | |||
| New Flooring | 212.45 | 3,330.00 | |||
| Co2 Alarm | 0.00 | 196.55 | |||
| Electrical Testing | 0.00 | 670.00 | |||
| Gas Fire Service | 130.00 | 125.00 | |||
| Gas Hob Service | 26.00 | 25.00 | |||
| Landlord Rental Certificate | 132.00 | 105.00 | |||
| Driveways | 375.00 | 6,864.00 | |||
| Energy Performance Cert | 0.00 | 225.00 | |||
| Lock & Door Repairs | 678.00 | 310.00 | |||
| New conservatories | 0.00 | 13,487.50 | |||
| Pest Control | 250.00 | 0 | |||
| Building Project | |||||
| Building Project (Design) | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Building Project (ECDC) | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Building Project (Gen) | 0.00 | 371.88 | |||
| Building Pro (Contract) | 0.00 | 7,986.90 | |||
| Building Regs | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Grants | |||||
| Book café | 1,750.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Downham Feoffees School | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Hardship | 375.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Higher Education | 1,000.00 | 2,500.00 | |||
| Busy Fingers Pre-School | 1,500.00 | 0.00 | |||
| FODA (formerly FDFPS) | 0.00 | 500.00 | |||
| Village Hall | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Pymoor Archive & Camera | 100.00 | 100.00 |
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| Interest 24.17 COIF INC DIV 1T 2,013.06 COIF INC DIV 2T 133.54 COIF DEP A/C 146.59 Cambs BS 96.66 Cambs BS Bond 120.06 CAF a/c 0.00 CAF Gold Account 2,534.08 142,046.47 Other Income 0.00 Land rents (not yet rec) 0.00 House rents (not rec) 20,262.38 |
St Leonard’s Church 1stLt Downham Rainbows Further Education Individuals Other Local Organisations Administration 24.65 Insurance 2,053.33 Auditors’ honorarium 123.12 Travel Expense 234.12 Allotment running costs 513.24 Charity Admin Services 150.06 Office supplies 625.07 Postage/Delivery Computer/Printing Overpayment of rent 3,723.59 Room Hire Misc/Rent Deposit CAF Monthly Bank Fee Quickbooks Accounting Professional Fees Interest Expense VAT 149,476.32 Other expenditure 0.00 Reconciliation Discrep 0.00 149,476.32 88,635.72 |
0.00 5,000.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 500.00 0.00 0.00 2,290.00 0.00 7,358.83 6,444.27 0.00 300.00 0.00 0.00 970.00 12.00 17,940.00 16,380.00 0.00 5.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 506.98 900.00 104.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 252.00 1,400.00 60.00 492.00 50.00 750.00 0.00 0.00 3,570.55 11,581.68 0.00 0.00 60,840.59 121,783.99 |
|---|---|---|
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THE FEOFFEE CHARITY (DOWNHAM FEOFFEES)
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| 2024 6556.02 929.58 89,264.66 20,262.38 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
2025 Permanent reserve 6556.02 General reserve 929.58 Revenue Balance 5 April 2024 109,527.04 Plus: surplus 2024-25 88,635.72 Less income not yet rec 0.00 Land rent 0.00 House rent 0.00 Adjustment re rent 0.00 COIF Transfer 1R 0.00 |
|---|---|
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Permanent reserve | 6556.02 | COIF shares | ||
| General reserve | 929.58 | Income at cost | 6556.02 | 6556.02 |
| Accumulation | 10929.58 | 10929.58 | ||
| Revenue | Bank | |||
| Balance 5 April 2024 | 109,527.04 | COIF deposit a/c (1C) | 2,572.95 | 2,572.95 |
| Plus: surplus 2024-25 | 88,635.72 | CAF Bank | 67,132.67 | 64,403.28 |
| Less income not yet rec | 0.00 | Cambridge BS | 12,002.38 | 7,891.36 |
| Land rent | 0.00 | Cambridge BS (Bond) | 27,119.57 | 15,973.50 |
| House rent | 0.00 | CAF Bank (Gold Account) | 70,635.07 | 0.00 |
| Adjustment re rent | 0.00 | Less income rec in advance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| COIF Transfer 1R | 0.00 | Grant Credit | 0.00 | 1,275.00 |
| 198,162.76 | 196,948.24 | 108.326.69 | ||
| Valuation of shares at 31 | March 2025 | |||
| COIF Income shares GB0001877546 (1T) | 44.37 @ 19.4806 | 864.35 | 906.59 | |
| COIF Income shares GB0001877546 (2T) | 3,695.03@ 19.4806 | 71,981.40 | 75,499.07 | |
| COIF Accumulation shares GB0001877652 (1R) | 541.82 @ 251,9601 | 136,517.02 | 139,283.93 | |
| 209,362.77 | 215,689.59 | |||
| Valuation of assets | ||||
| Agricultural land, 198 acres @ £8,000.00 | average value, source land agent | 1,584.000.00 | 1,485,000.00 | |
| The nature of some tenancies | reduces their value by half | |||
| Residential properties (insured value) | 5,682,150.00 | 4,098,118.00 | ||
| 7,672,461.01 | 5,551,884.42 |
109.527.04 198,162.76
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THE FEOFFEE CHARITY (DOWNHAM FEOFFEES)
Notes to the Accounts
No trustees received any remuneration or benefits in this year.
No trustees received any expenses.
Related Parties
During the year the Charity made a grant of £1,750 to the Book Café (which is managed by Little Downham Parish Council). Mr A Butcher is a Little Downham Parish Councillor and Mrs C Hall and Mrs D Maxey are Book Café Volunteers.
During the year the Charity paid costs for building works of £5,463.00 to Paul Barrow Builders Ltd, Mrs P Golding’s daughter and son-in-law are directors.
During the year the Charity rented agricultural land to the son of Mr B Smith and property to the daughter and son-in-law of Mrs D Adams-Payne.
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