2026-03-31-accounts - Little Baddow Almshouses

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From 01 04 2025 To 31 03 2026

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Little Baddow Almshouses

Other names charity is known by

Registered charity number (if any) 239382

Charity's principal address Poleighs North Hill Little Baddow, Essex Postcode CM3 4BS

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Dr Nicholas Cooper	Chair	01.04.25 – 26.01.26	Little Baddow Parish Council
Dr Patricia McAllister			Little Baddow Parish Council
Mr Paul Roberts	Treasurer		Little Baddow Parish Council
Mrs Gill Houghton	Clerk	01.04.25 – 31.07.25	Little Baddow Parish Council
Mrs Jane Rigler	Clerk	01.08.25 – current	Little Baddow Parish Council
Mr Martyn Richmond			Little Baddow Parish Council

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Independent Examiner	Graham Lennard	Shortwood, The Ryefield, Little Baddow, CM3 4TR
Solicitor	Brights	92 Main Road, Danbury, CM3 4DH

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

N/A

Section B Structure, governance and management

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Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

Charity Commission Scheme - 1971

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted

Trust

(eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods

Trustees are appointed by Little Baddow Parish Council

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

The charity is governed by a Scheme issued by the Charity Commission in 1971 which sets out the purposes of the charity and the rules for the appointment and conduct of trustees.

The charity is administered by a body of trustees appointed by Little Baddow Parish Council, with up to five trustees serving four-year terms. All trustees sign a declaration of acceptance of their duties on appointment and act collectively to ensure the proper management of the Almshouses and the jointly administered Little Baddow Trust (246099).

The trustees meet regularly throughout the year to oversee the management of the six Almshouses, review residents’ welfare, monitor maintenance needs and ensure compliance with the governing document.

They are responsible for setting policies, approving expenditure, and ensuring that the charity’s assets are used solely for the public benefit in accordance with the Scheme. The trustees also ensure that appropriate records, accounts and minutes are maintained.

During the year, the previous Clerk retired and the Board was saddened by the sudden death of its Chair. It has now appointed two new trustees whose skills and experience enhance the charity’s governance capacity. All trustees work on a voluntary basis and bring a range of local knowledge and professional expertise to the charity’s administration.

The trustees recognise their responsibility to identify and manage the key risks facing the charity. Given the small size and focused purpose of the charity, the principal risks relate to property maintenance, resident welfare, financial stewardship and compliance with the governing Scheme. The trustees review these risks as part of their regular meetings, ensuring that appropriate controls are in place, including routine safety checks, planned maintenance, clear financial procedures and regular contact with residents. The trustees are satisfied that the measures in place are proportionate and effective for the scale of the charity’s activities.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when making decisions.

Section C Objectives and activities

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Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

The charity exists to provide safe, affordable Almshouse accommodation in Little Baddow for people of limited means who meet the eligibility criteria, and to use its income and property for their benefit.

During the year, the trustees have continued to deliver the charity’s objects by providing safe, secure and well-maintained Amshouse accommodation for eligible residents in need.

The trustees oversaw the day-to-day management of the six Almshouses, ensuring that essential repairs, routine safety checks and property maintenance were carried out in accordance with the governing Scheme.

They remained in regular contact with residents, offering reassurance, Summary of the main guidance and practical support where appropriate, and responding activities undertaken for the sensitively to individual circumstances. public benefit in relation to these objects (include within Income was applied directly for the benefit of Almspeople, including this section the statutory support during periods of illness or infirmity, as permitted by the Scheme. declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance In planning and delivering these activities, the trustees confirm that they issued by the Charity have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public Commission on public benefit and are satisfied that the charity’s work continues to provide clear benefit) and demonstrable benefit to those it serves.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

All Trustees are volunteers and there are no paid employees of the Charity.

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

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Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The objectives of the trustees in 2025-26 were:

to provide safe, well-maintained accommodation
to support residents and promote community wellbeing
to complete the construction of the car park
to ensure robust governance and risk management

Throughout the year, the trustees have continued to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of the residents. They have ensured that the Almshouses remain safe, comfortable, and well-maintained, overseeing essential repairs, routine safety checks, and improvements to the properties.

Trustees have remained closely engaged with residents, offering reassurance, guidance, and practical support where needed, and responding sensitively to individual circumstances.

They have also reviewed governance arrangements and key policies to ensure the charity continues to meet its obligations and deliver clear public benefit.

Through careful stewardship of resources, the trustees have enabled the construction of a much-needed residents’ car park enhancing the accommodation and strengthening the charity’s ability to provide secure accommodation for people in need, both now and in the future.

The trustees have welcomed two new members to the Board who have already begun contributing to oversight and planning, and their appointment ensures the Board remains well-resources to meet the charity’s responsibilities in the year ahead.

In the coming year the trustees will prioritise completing scheduled maintenance and property improvements and intend to review key policies to ensure they remain up to date and effective. Engagement with residents will continue to be a central focus.

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Section E Financial review

The trustees maintain a formal reserves policy to ensure the charity can Brief statement of the meet its obligations and respond effectively to unforeseen events. charity’s policy on reserves The charity holds an unrestricted Extraordinary Repair and Emergencies Fund , designated to cover structural repairs, unplanned maintenance or major emergencies that cannot be met from annual revenue. The required level of this fund is informed by the charity’s five-year building and maintenance plan and is reviewed annually to ensure it remains appropriate. At year end the amount held in this reserve was £30,000.00 In addition, the charity holds a small level of unrestricted reserves to provide short-term operational flexibility and to support the smooth running of the Almshouses. At year end the amount held in this reserve was £23,657.89

Details of any funds materially in deficit

n/a

Further financial review details (Optional information)

The charity’s finances remain stable, with income and expenditure You may choose to include managed carefully to support the ongoing provision of safe and secure additional information, where almshouse accommodation. relevant about: • the charity’s principal The principal sources of income during the year were residents’ weekly sources of funds (including contributions, and interest from its investments. Expenditure related any fundraising); primarily to routine maintenance, insurance, utilities for communal areas • how expenditure has and the general costs of administering the charity. supported the key objectives Through prudent financial stewardship the trustees had previously of the charity; accumulated a short-term reserve to allow for the purchase of land and • investment policy and construction of a residents’ car park. This fund was utilised in 2025-26 objectives including any and the work completed. ethical investment policy adopted. The trustees are satisfied that the charity remains financially sound and that its reserves policy provides a prudent and proportionate safeguard against future risks. The charity ended the year in a stable position with sufficient resources to continue delivering its charitable purposes and to meet foreseeable maintenance and operational needs.

Section F Other optional information

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Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Jane Rigler Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Trustee-Clerk etc) Date 29.08.2026

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Little B3ddow Amshouses- NO 239382 Incomè and ExpÈndituf Xcount RtvÈnue Actua 25126 29,765.82 1,631.65 393.37 376.32 25126 29732.00 Actual to 311812025 26374.39 Inrerell Iniomeforiherhird quarter Interest iniomeforthefourthquarter Sundryincorne Totalrevenue E¥penditure 1500.00 5403 loo 31877.39 32,167.16 31,232.00 5500.00 -3425.81 W3ter Re5 2000.00 -1204.54 -304.07 649.13 400.00 8000.00 2000.00 1200.00 -$32.23 -7679.46 MÈintenantefort3r park Insurance -1433.03 -1085.99 Garden 474.26 1500.00 -1495.09 AITn5houSeAssotiÈtion -365.OD -577.50 -679 96 600.00 0.00 iooo.00 -563 96.45 0.00 6500.00 -8287.11 Totalroutlnespend -15645.18 16521.98 28700.00 2532.00 -24969.68 6907.71 0Ment0 rese$ Rervesbroughtfowiard 88,583.71 -$1447.80 16521.98 53657.89 88,583.71 -679.96 2532.00 90435.75 192,841.00 -111165.00 6907.71 88583.71 Note Reportedgjrplus Sement0f Fundsasat 3113126 Statementof Funds- asat 311312025 Alm$hou$8 Charity 246099 Ordinary Invs•Mnt actltY Account8 Reffl rè¢tripts Curr• Ac¢¢unt ordianry Carpark Transfers Transfers Paytnènt8 paymtrnts In Out Bal BIFoMartl 2,653.98 29,765.82 115.645.181 151.447.801 47.000.00 12.326.82 85,919.73 1,401 34 147,000 001 47,DOO DOI 41.331.07 88,583.71 2,401 34 29.765 81 115.645.181 151.447.801 47.OOD.oD 53,657.Bg Note. These aGGounts do notinGlude anyollhe ItansaGlions orasspts ofthe CopyholdAllotn7enls Gharity whiGh wasprpviously ported as a $tr1¢t&d fvnd within this Eport. Forthis Eason notall Ihe ¢omparats rtumbets will match wilh poU$yearS'.

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Little Baddow Almshouses

On accounts for the year 31[st] March 2026 Charity no 239382 ended (if any)

Set out on pages Page 7 of the Trustees Annual Report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025 .

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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.

Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed: Name: Graham Charles Lennard Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 2 The Rye Field Little Baddow CM3 4TR

Date: 27/7/2026

October 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

October 2018

IER