2025-12-31-accounts

• • WIDECOMBE IN THE-MOOR CHURCH HOUSE AND LANDS CHARITY Established 1635 – Registered charity number 241096

2025 Annual Report

Year ended 31 Dec 2025

Widecombe-in-the-Moor Church House and Lands Charity is registered with the Charity Commission under registration number 241096. The history of the charity goes back to 1635.

Governing documents

The governing documents of the Charity now comprise:

 29 June 1877 Scheme by the Charity Commission;  13 March 1883 Scheme by the Charity Commission;  25 November 1904 Order by the Charity Commission; and  19 January 2021 Scheme by the Charity Commission;

supplemented by:

 24 June 2004 Order by the Charity Commission;  23 March 2005 Resolution by the trustees of the charity; and  25 June 2020 Resolution by the trustees of the charity.

Property

The Church House itself was disposed of more than 100 years ago. The charity’s principal assets now comprise 1 to 4 Church Cottages, Dunstone, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Devon, TQ13 7TH and some adjacent fenced common land. Previous Annual Reports have referred to the application for a revision of the register of common land such that the land adjacent to cottage no 4 could be re-included in the Charity’s assets. This revision was agreed by Devon County Council during 2025.

1 to 4 Church Cottages are all let, where appropriate, to tenants at affordable rents. These assisted rents are broadly equivalent to 80 per cent of the open-market rent. The Charity Commission scheme of 19 January 2021 confirms the properties can be let at less than market rent where financial need is demonstrated.

Beneficiaries

Under the governing documents of the charity:

• half of any distributable money remaining goes towards the upkeep and outgoings of Widecombein-the-Moor parish church; and

• the other half goes to the Widecombe Educational Foundation (registered charity number 306864).

Officers

At the beginning of 2025, the trustees were:





church

• church

Rev Ross Hathway Vicar of Widecombe parish church Michael Pascoe a churchwarden of Widecombe-in-the-Moor parish Philippa Gimlette a churchwarden of Widecombe-in-the-Moor parish

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 Johnn Dracup appointed by Widecombe-in-the-Moor Parochial Church Council (chair)  Caroline Mann appointed by Widecombe-in-the-Moor Parochial Church Council  John Southcombe appointed by Devon County Council

During the year there were no changes to the trustee body, though the trustees note that there will be changes in 2026.

In summary and per the requirement of the charity’s Constitution, at the end of 2025 and at the date of this report, the trustees were:

 Rev Ross Hathway Vicar of Widecombe-in-the-Moor  Michael Pascoe a churchwarden of Widecombe-in-the-Moor parish church  Philippa Gimlette a churchwarden of Widecombe-in-the-Moor parish church  John Dracup appointed by Widecombe-in-the-Moor Parochial Church Council (chair)  Caroline Mann appointed by Widecombe-in-the-Moor Parochial Church Council  John Southcombe appointed by Devon County Council

Until 16 February 2025 the clerk to the charity was David Thomas of Stone, Natsworthy, Widecombein-the-Moor, Devon, TQ13 7TR. Thereafter and for the remainder of 2025, the clerk to the charity was Peter Oldham of Bonehill Bungalow, Widecombe-in-the-Moor TQ13 7TD.

Principal activities

The principal activities of the charity during 2025 comprised:

• letting and managing the tenanted properties;

• making grants to the two beneficiaries; and

• continuing to review the charity’s operations and documentation, including taking legal advice about assisted rent arrangements.

Public benefit was provided through:

• the provision of accommodation for affordable rent;

• assisting the maintenance of the parish church; and

• through the Widecombe Educational Foundation, assisting education.

Finance

During 2025:

• income amounted to £32,800.23 (rents of £32,700.00 plus bank interest of £100.23);

• all debts were paid as they fell due;

• outgoings (including on property renovations, repairs, insurance, the £3,000.00 loan repayment, legal advice and the £5,000.00 of grants detailed below) amounted to £15,849.37;

• this outgoings figure was enhanced by one-off payments of an insurance refund of £2,525.47 and compensation from Lloyds Bank of £135.00, leading to a nett figure of £13,188.90;

• there were other non-material adjustments re interest income during the change of bank accounts during the year;

• grants totalling £2,500.00 were paid to the Widecombe-in-the-Moor Parochial Church Council;

• grants totalling £2,500.00 were paid to the Widecombe Educational Foundation; and

• overall, income exceeded nett outgoings by £19,619.32.

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In 2021, to facilitate the refurbishment of the charity’s properties, Mr and Mrs John Southcombe lent the charity £15,000.00 interest-free, repayable by yearly instalments of £3,000.00 each payable on 1 May in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Following repayments of £3,000.00 each in 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025, £3,000.00 was outstanding at 31 December 2025. While not covered by the time period of this report, this loan was fully repaid and cleared in February 2026.

At 31 Dec 2025:

• the charity’s bank balances amounted to £38,912.10;

• this includes the £3,000.00 balance of the Southcombe loan;

• there are no material financial commitments at December 2025, though the trustees note that payment for the necessary five year electrical safety testing of the installations in all four cottages will be needed early in the next financial year. This is estimated at £1,600.00.

• At their 2026 annual general meeting, the trustees decided to:

• make a grant of £3,000.00 to the Widecombe-in-the-Moor Parochial Church Council;

• make a grant of £3,000.00 to the Widecombe Educational Foundation; and

• to place the balance to reserve against repairs to the tenanted properties and the refurbishment of cottage no 2 during 2026, so

• this minimum reserve level is thus determined at £30,000.00.

This annual report for 2025 was approved by a meeting of the trustees on 23 February 2026

Signed by the chair of the meeting

John Dracup

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- - WIDECOMBE IN THE-MOOR CHURCH HOUSE AND LANDS CHARITY

Established 1635 – Registered charity number 241096

2025 Annual Accounts

Year ended 31 Dec 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
INCOME (CASH BASIS) £ £
Rent
 1 Church Cottages [#1], incl adjacent building on licence 8,760.00
 2 Church Cottages [#2] 7,452.00
 3 Church Cottages [#3] 8,016.00
 4 Church Cottages [#4] 8,472.00
32,700.00
Bank interest 100.23
Rolled in interest from bank transfer 7.99
Building insurance rebate 2,525.47
Lloyds Bank compensation x 2 135.00
Physical cash balance held nil
TOTAL INCOME 35,468.69
EXPENDITURE (CASH BASIS) £ £
Repairs and renovations
 Oil tank replacement #4
- Devon Tank Replacements Ltd 1,089.50
- Oil Tank supply (via John Dracup) 1,089.60
 C Whale
- General maintenance #1 - #4 158.00
- ditto 508.30
 C Tonepohl
- Boiler cert & service #4 168.00
 Frank Martin
- fencing 624.00
 Fry & Son
- fencing materials 671.46
First Locate 44.80
-
Electricity bill re refurb at #3
Services
 Always Cleansing
- Emptying septic tank #1-4 224.00
 Howard Douglas
- Inspection report #1-4 374.40
----- End of picture text -----

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 Other Payments

----- Start of picture text -----
 - Trustee insurance, Ecclesiastical Insurance 296.79
-
Property Insurance, Access Underwriting 1,190.52
-
Legal Advice, Tozers LLP 1,260.00
EPC Certification #1 and#2
A McCaffrey
150.00
Loan repayment
 Mr and Mrs J Southcombe
- Fourth annual loan repayment 3,000.00
Payments to beneficiaries
 Widecombe Educational Foundation 2,500.00
 Widecombe Parochial Church Council 2,500.00
 Physical cash balance held nil
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 15,849.37
EXCESS INCOME/EXPENDITURE (CASH BASIS) £
Total income (as above) 35,468.69
Total expenditure (as above) -15,849.37
EXCESS INCOME over EXPENDITURE 19,619.32
CASH MOVEMENTS 31 DEC 2024 TO 31 DEC 2025 £ £
Opening bank balances at 31 Dec 2024
Current account 16,084.55
Deposit account 3,208.23
19,292.78
Net income over expenditure (as above) 19,619.32
Anticipated Cash at bank on 31 Dec 2025 38,912.10
Long-term loan by Mr and Mrs J Southcombe -3,000.00
FREE FUNDS BALANCE AT 31 DEC 2025 35,912.10
ACTUAL CASH AT BANK, 31 DEC 2025 £ £
bank balances
Current account 4,811.87
Deposit account 34,100.23
CLOSING BALANCE 38,912.10
----- End of picture text -----

These 2025 accounts were approved by a meeting of the trustees of the charity on 23 Feb 2026 Signed by the chair of the meeting

John Dracup

John Dracup

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Scrutiny and Examination of Accounts #nd Procedures Wide¢ombe Church House and Lands Charity No. 241096 Followrynk the sad Ocmis¢ of Richard C&fjey. who for many y¢3rs h&s ijndertake]2 Ihe independ¢ni r¢vi¢wof the pApers ]Elatin¥ 10 Iht a￿)v¢ C.hariry. l ple&￿d io havc been oftered the opportunity 10 ¢oniinu¢ his worL commen¢in¥ wilh the financial year 2025. To fa¢iliiaie ihis I I￿ve swken al len￿h wilh P¢r Oldham, the Clerk and Adminisirgtor for the Charity and I have revi¢wd the d(Kumentalion. Finolltial Year to 31 Dtcember 2025 The a¢¢ounts supwrting dium¢nwion were found lo k wfttily saiisfactory. ConknD15 are gwd and it Was pleasing 10 see thai there are no gFreaTS of rent and no OULqtsnding pavments. Although Tnonihly wnirols of both receipts and paymLnts ar¢ £tmn& this musL k kepl undvT rLviiw in the light of the recenl tnov¢ io ¢l¢¢tronic Ruthorisation of Pa￿￿ents by th¢ Charity in plxe ofLhe4uL'¥. PIL4s¢ T¢fer to the Corntnents seetion below. The mana8¢m¢nt accounting 5trucitsre is som¢wh8t cumbersotne dthough in fa￿ th¢ a¢¢ounts Bre clearl) kept up 10 dat¢ during the year battk reconciliation prw¢dures are 5tron¥. However plus¢ a150 r¢ferto Ihi Comments s￿tIon below. Recordin¥ur￿jThCnts w F¢n¢ficiarie5 al￿ oth￿5 is sttvn Tendering'."fhis was TL'ferr¢d w in last year's Scrutineer's rekxlrt and it 15 gix)d lo note that p]ts￿r tendering processes set out in the Fit￿￿¢ and Administrntive Policses are tx)w us¢4J_ P1¢8se refer to the CoTnmen15 uon below. Again. following last year's ScTuIiTer'$ TewrL li is good to see that the Trusiett havc k¢pi under r¢vi¢w the abilily of IcngnL% io psy a market Tenl and V•hLihir a suh%idj is appropriale. Le¥al adviLt hag k'¢n tak¢n to ensutp thai ihis pYa¢iic¢ is ethical and ￿ monilui hvw and ihe ¢h2nging legal envirotunenl fLTrr k￿leS 11 aff<cl the Lharity and its (¢Dan￿ The I"ruslees e 10 k ¢omm¢nd¢d for this. Th¢ Charity apFears to have followed th¢ Charity ComJni55ion'5 enhaj￿￿ gutdanc¢ on th¢ provision of adequaie and r¢gsoned re5erYes. In summary. th¢ financial adtllinisknliott ofihc Chariiy 15 S￿)d and the accounts Tefleti a good assessmeni of the tnoThies passing 1hr￿ugh the Cknrity. Its financial w)siiion 3ppe3rs to k strongerthan in p￿￿1￿u$ comme￿t$ I feel li necessary io make the following observation5. Managetneni A¢¢4)unts and rwording of eXpenditu￿.'[htr Chariiy has mov¢d frorn pAyThents by cheque to electronic pay7neni$. Prtviow%ly the relevant bills or invoices were rt)uied ihrough lh¢ Clerk to enable 3 record to k made PriOF 10 teing passed io the Trustees for authoti5alicn and ￿yMent. This proi'id¢d an extra sHfe8uard to ensure the ￿e0rdIng of th¢s¢ items in the Manage]]]enl Accounts maintsined by ihc Cl¥k.

The Trustees need 10 devise a mean$ of adapting these very neeessary mana¥ement ￿ntrOl$ io (he electroni¢ payment regirne. Thi5 kcome5 even rnore itnportani whv]e sibrtifi¢ani wotks or costs aTe likely. Tendering Processes. As noted above these pnxesses Jre in pl&￿e in the Finance and Adniinistrntive Policies bui li is funJam¢nkqlly imwiruqni ihai th¢> should Clearl> and demonstrahly follo￿ed particularly wh¢r¢. as in ih¢ past. a consiJ¢rabl¢ p￿￿nIOn of tvorks w¢r¢ Carried oui by local tradeS￿>ple. While ihis is underb￿ndable and tsL'osiblL, tht v￿uL, foi monL'y &¥PWI mu$1 bL' baekLxt by thLb ￿nde￿i￿￿' procLyJuTV to p]DI￿1 the Trustees. Charity Control Documents. The layoul and complexily of some of the charity control documents should perhaps b¢ r¢vi¢w¢d io simplity ih¢m and r¢mov¢ duplication. Finally it is noied Ihai a p*niially ditFi¢uli siiuation arose wh¢r¢by durin¥ transf¢r ofthe Flank Accounts from SantartdLr lu LloyJ& a Irdnsf¥r vffunds which 5hvuld have been made durin¥ the (oTtnal IrdnsfeT process. wa5 in fact tnade via the [￿rSonal account of one of the trustees. While this ap￿ to have ￿￿en a genuine attempt lo assist the transfer and the funds were indeed tr￿￿ferred without loss, this must lo the attention of the Trustees as 2 completely unaccepLqble and foolish practice and wou]d ￿ very much frowned upon by the Charities Commi&%ion to say the least. l 8m ther¢for¢ fornI￿lY drawing ihis io th¢ Trust¢¢s att¢ntion for th¢ fulure. Conclusion l am very happy lo approve the papers plllced ￿fOre me llnd to comtnend the work of the Charity and. of course, to cotnmend the work of the Trustees themselv¢s. Signed.. TLTrny Hudgkiss. MBE, LLB Retird Soliciior TheTrustees are grateful forthe input from the Scrudneer, resperthis independence and fully tskeon board hls commerttt However, they feelthat describingthe aoion5 ofone ofthe TrusreesduTirtgthetransfer ofbankaecounts a5 being potentially'foLilish' is a bltsrron8. Every pennywasattounted forand rhetransfer. in general. wa5 llothandled vJelL leadlng to onÈ ofthe banks paying compensation. Further, theThstee involved has been a hiBhly regardedand loyal se)vant ofthe Charity over manyyears. re￿ntlY resignlDgbecause of leavingthe Par￿￿ and therefore no longer bein8ell8iblea5 a Trustee.