OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-03-31-accounts

Company Number: 0837970 Registered Charity number: 241258

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2021

Muras Baker Jones Limited Chartered Accountants Wolverhampton

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Contents of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021

Page Officers, professional advisers and administrative information Report of the Trustees Independent Examiners’ Report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Officers, professional advisers and administrative information

Charity Registration number: 241258 Company Registration number: 0837970 Registered Office: C/O Copia Wealth & Tax 8 Pendeford Place Pendeford Business Park Wolverhampton WV9 5HD Trustees: N Hogben P Arnold D Bills MBE (resigned 5 May 2020) Ms J Pilkington S Mason M Balkham (resigned 22 July 2021) P Adams N Brown Ms S Whitehouse Ms K Andrew A C Foster E G Barron N Crombie I Wilson R A Sellers I D Tompkins (appointed 2 July 2020) Company secretary: P Copsey LLB (resigned 30 April 2021) Independent Examiner Muras Baker Jones Limited Regent House Bath Avenue Wolverhampton WV1 4EG

1

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 March 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The organisation is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. The company was incorporated on 17[th] February 1965 as The County of Hereford and Worcester Building Preservation Trust and re-registered under the changed name The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust on 17 March 1998. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 (one pound).

The Trust was registered as a charity on 25 March 1965.

Recruitment and appointment of the Board of Trustees and induction and training.

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, directors are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they may stand for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting.

Until recently trustee recruitment has depended upon people being recommended to the Board and invited to join. Consideration is given to their interest in the work of the Trust, local knowledge, experience and skills. Whilst this has worked well in the past, the method of trustee recruitment remains under review. Limited progress has been made on recruitment of new trustees to fill skills gaps and increase diversity on the Board this year and it is recognised that there is a great deal of competition in the voluntary sector to secure capable and knowledgeable trustees. As a result new and more innovative approaches will need to be addressed including additional advertising and more effective promotion of the Trust to attract quality candidates. This work is ongoing.

Risk Management

The trustee Board has a duty to identify and review the major risks to which the charity is exposed and ensure systems are in place to mitigate these risks. Established risk assessment and monitoring procedures are currently under review and considerable progress has been made this year on development of a robust Risk Register.

The trustees also oversee the consideration of business and operational risks on a project-by-project basis with regular reports being produced to ensure that the necessary steps can to be taken to mitigate and manage these risks.

Organisational Structure

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust is managed by an independent Board of trustee directors, at present fourteen members, with a wide range of specialist and professional interests. Trustees meet six times per year.

The Board establishes formal sub committees, task and finish groups and project specific steering groups to oversee particular functions and plans including management of specific buildings projects.

2

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

Bookkeeping services are provided by Copia Wealth and Tax Ltd and DTS Solutions Ltd provide Project Director and advisory services to the Board of trustees. The Trust has now identified a pool of Project Organisers on whom it can call for consultancy services when potential projects are identified. The Willow Court farmhouse project is being Project Organised through Bearwood Associates Ltd. Currently the Trust employs no staff directly although grant aid has been secured this year to support three part time staff posts working in collaboration with our other Trust partners (see below).

The Registered Office of the Trust was also transferred to the premises of Copia Wealth and Tax Ltd, Wolverhampton, following the retirement of the Trust Company Secretary (non trustee) of many years, Peter Copsey, from Kidderminster based MFG Solicitors. The Trustees extend their sincere thanks to Peter Copsey for his countless years of dedicated service to the work of the Trust.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives

The objects of the Trust are to preserve for the benefit of the nation buildings of especial beauty or especial historic or architectural interest.

The Trust is specifically interested in buildings located within the County of Worcestershire which are neglected, decaying or at risk of demolition, especially where efforts to secure a commercial solution have not been found. Whilst the emphasis is on statutorily listed buildings and heritage assets within designated conservation areas consideration will be given to all buildings of architectural or historical merit. The Trust also seeks to research and inform the community about the architectural heritage of the County.

Public benefit

In shaping our objectives, planning and delivering our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

Activities

In accordance with the powers, we have, in promoting the objects:

3

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Willow Court (formerly Boycott) Farmhouse, Droitwich

This grade II listed building originated in the 16[th] century with a surviving timber framed element to the rear subsequently extended with a larger brick structure in the 18[th] century. The building has been vacant for 40 years and is in a very precarious condition. The Trust commissioned an Options Appraisal, which recommends conversion into six apartments as the preferred option and identified sources of funding to address a large conservation deficit. Is also identifies the project as having potential to provide opportunities to deliver benefits for people, the local community and local economy, in an area of significant deprivation.

An application to National Lottery Heritage Fund resulted in the award of a project development phase grant up to £259,400 in early March 2020 and ‘Permission to Start’ was confirmed in July 2020. Partnership funding towards the project development phase was also secured from the Architectural Heritage Fund in the form of a Project Development Grant of up to £30,000. Section 106 and revenue funding of up to £144,025 was also secured from Wychavon District Council with a further commitment of funding of up to £585,894 towards the delivery phase of the project. Partnership Agreement Heads of Terms also confirm Wychavon District Council willingness to underwrite any over-spend above the project budget approved by NLHF, thereby removing entirely that project risk and giving confidence to proceed. As at 31st March 2021 the Wychavon District Council grant of £144,025 had been received, with grants from the other sources to be claimed in instalments as the project development work and then the delivery phase work progresses.

A Project Steering Group including trustee representatives has been established and is authorised to make decisions related to the Willow Court Farmhouse project on behalf of the Trust provided they are within the project scope and budget as defined by the NLHF Project Development Phase grant award. This steering group has met virtually owing to Covid restrictions on a monthly basis throughout the year. The Project Organiser has been appointed and the professional team including conservation architects and activity plan co-ordinators have commenced work.

The erection of an external scaffold and temporary roof cover to protect the building and enable safe access for the design team has been unavoidably delayed and this will set the project programme back by several months impacting on the potential target date for submission of the Delivery Stage application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Progress has however been possible on other aspects of the project including drawing up the formal agreements with key partners: Platform Housing and Wychavon District Council; creation of dedicated project pages including short promotional films for the Trust website and early contact and consultation with local residents. The appointment of a Heritage Administrative Assistant, funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, dedicated to assisting in delivery of the project and improving social media outreach has also made progress.

Working with partner Trusts

The collaboration with West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust and The City of Wolverhampton Regenerating Buildings Preservation Trust to mutually support common activities has continued to work well during the past year. Work to produce a Memorandum of Understanding partnership document between the 3 Trusts has been completed and was approved by trustees in January 2021. The revised Project Building Suitability Policy was considered by trustees and adopted at their meeting in May 2020 and will be used to assess future potential buildings projects to ensure the best use of resources. In addition a pool of project organisers whose services the Trust can draw upon for future projects has been identified following a rigorous recruitment procedure which should be acceptable to potential funding organisations as and when there is a need to pursue appraisal of potential future projects.

4

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

Work has continued on development of comprehensive asset and risk registers. The first draft of a comprehensive asset register which identifies all past projects in which the Trust continues to have leasehold or freehold interest has been completed and future actions identified to follow through in the coming year.

Heritage Emergency Fund

The Trust supported the submission of an application to the Heritage Emergency Fund, led by West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust on behalf of the three Trust partners. This is a package of support for the heritage sector made available by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as a response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. An award of £16,800 was secured in September 2020 to cover digital capability enhancement, including enhancing the 3 Trusts joint website, provision for virtual engagement with Trust supporters and enabling of virtual trustee meetings, including purchase of software and equipment, the purchase of PPE to facilitate site visits and other member events to support the development of engagement strategies as Covid restrictions are relaxed. The grant also allowed for a comprehensive review of the 2018 Strategic Plan (adopted by all three Trusts) to more efficiently and effectively work together in the post-Covid environment and to address issues relating to the climate emergency. This Plan will support and give direction to delivery of our joint mission and vision as a heritage development trust in the West Midlands and environs. The revised Strategic Plan 2021-2025 was formally adopted by Trustees at their meeting in March 2021 with a resolution to pursue further funding applications to progress work on a business plan, marketing and fundraising strategies a key priorities for the coming year.

Staff recruitment

Considerable effort and some expenditure on consultancy fees has gone into submitting funding applications this year to secure the direct employment of staff to assist with improving the Trust’s capacity to identify, investigate and develop projects in accordance with the aims of the Strategic Plan. Whilst a grant of £75,000 over three years was awarded in principle by Historic England in late 2019 to be shared between the three Trusts, applications for match funding made to the Architectural Heritage Fund were declined. During 2020 all other potential sources of match funding were closed to applications whilst granting bodies focused their support on organisations most impacted by the Covid19 crisis. In autumn 2020 the Historic England Capacity Building grant offer was increased to £150,000 over a three year period enabling the three Trusts to move forward with plans for the appointment of a Heritage Development Officer and part time Heritage Development Support Officer. The three Trusts will need to provide a joint contribution towards an additional £53,305 over the three year project to match the Historic England grant, which represents a major opportunity to expand the work of the Trusts.

FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

The focus for the coming 12 months is to:

5

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

The financial position of the Trust is set out in detail in this Financial Statement.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the board to maintain a level of reserves sufficient to ensure the continued operation of Trust activities.

Responsibilities of the Management Committee

Company law requires the trustees to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charitable company as at the Balance Sheet date and of its income resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure for the financial year. In preparing those financial Statements, the trustees should follow best practice and:

6

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.

The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper Accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to ensure that the Financial Statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Members of the Management Committee

The members and directors who are also trustees for the purpose of charity law, and served during the year, and up to the date of this report, are set out on page 1.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting Reporting by Charities (issued in 2015) and in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD BY:

Position:

7

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2021 which are set out on pages 10 to 17.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Oliver Ross BSc (Hons) FCA Independent Examiner

Regent House Bath Avenue Wolverhampton WV1 4EG

Date:

8

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Statement of financial activities For the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
FROM
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
4
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
5
NET INCOME/EXPENDITURE
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD
10
2021
2021
2021
2020
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
Funds
Funds
funds
£
£
-
38,577
38,577
21,983
-
-
-
3
13
-
13
43
_
_________
_______
___

13
38,577
38,590
22,029
2,175
36,342
38,517
28,947
_
_

_ _
2,175
36,342
38,517
28,947
(2,162)
2,235
73
(6,918)
24,286
3,011
27,297
34,215
_
_

_
_

22,124
5,246
27,370
27,297
___
___
_
_

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.

The comparative Statement of Financial Activities was solely unrestricted funds.

9

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Balance sheet As at 31 March 2021

2021 2020
Total Total
funds funds
Restated
Notes £ £ £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 8 10,680 7,499
Cash at bank 126,376 21,776
___ ___
137,056 29,275
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one
year 9 (109,686) (1,978)
___ ___
NET CURRENT ASSETS 27,370 27,297
___ ___
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES 27,370 27,297
___ ___
NET ASSETS 27,370 27,297
___ ___
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds 10 22,124 24,286
Restricted 10 5,246 3,011
___ ___
TOTAL FUNDS 27,370 27,297
___ ___

10

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Balance sheet As at 31 March 2021

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2021.

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:

These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and in accordance with FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’.

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on and were signed on its behalf by:

Trustee

Company number: 0837970

11

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)’, and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

12

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

2.
DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Unrestricted
Funds
Donations
£
-
Grants received from:
Architectural Heritage Fund
-
Wychavon District Council
-
_
-
_

3.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Other income
-
_
4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Ground rents
Interest Received
-
13
_

13
___
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
2021
2020
£
-
£
-
£
50
-
-
6,376
38,577
38,577
15,557
_
_

_
38,577
38,577
21,983
_

_
_

Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
2021
2020
£
£
£
-
-
3
_
_

_
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
2021
2020
£
£
£
-
-
-
13
30
13
_

_
_

-
13
43
_
_

___

13

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds 2021 2020
Restated
£ £ £ £
Professional fees - 35,747 35,747 21,507
Loan redemption charge/Interest - - - 352
Printing and advertising 75 337 412 -
Lottery expenditure - - - 7,236
Building utility costs (refund) - - - (2,533)
Insurance 381 - 381 231
Accountancy fees 1,450 - 1,450 1,730
Sundry expenses 269 258 527 424
___ ___ ___ ___
2,175 36,342 38,517 28,947
___ ___ ___ ___

Governance costs – the above figures for Accountancy fees includes an amount of £650 (2020 - £650) in relation to governance costs.

6. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 2021 2020
£ £
Net income/(expenditure) is stated
after charging:
Accountants fees for examination
of accounts 650 650
___ ___

7. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Trustees’ expenses

No trustees’ expenses were paid during the year ending 31 March 2021. Nor in the period ended 31 March 2020.

Staff costs

There were no employees for the year ended 31 March 2021.

14

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2021 2020
£ £
VAT 10,680 7,012
Prepayments - 481
___ ___
10,680 7,499
___ ___
9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE 2021 2020
YEAR £ £
Trade creditors 3,588 1,328
Accrued expenses 650 650
Deferred income 105,448 -
___ ___
109,686 1,978
__ ___

In September 2020 £144,025 was received from Wychavon District Council towards the development phase of the Willow Court project in Droitwich. By the end of this financial year expenditures of £38,576 (including £2,040 developer’s return to WBPT) had been spent on development activities. The remaining £105,448 is reserved for future development activities.

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At Incoming Outgoing At
31.03.20 Transfers Resources Resources 31.3.21
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 24,286 - 13 (2,175) 22,124
Restricted funds
Willow Court
Farmhouse project 3,011 - 38,577 (36,342) 5,246
___ ___ ___ ___ ___
TOTAL FUNDS 27,297 - 38,590 (38,517) 27,370
___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Willow Court Farmhouse Project

Funding was obtained to undertake an Options Appraisal to seek a new viable use for the building and to advise on its conservation.

15

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

11. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Tangible Net current
Fixed Assets/ Total Total
Assets (Liabilities) 2021 2020
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds - 22,124 22,124 24,286
Restricted funds - 5,246 5,246 3,011
___ ___ ___ ___
TOTAL FUNDS - 27,370 27,370 27,297
___ ___ ___ ___

12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Professional fees include £15,599 (2020 - £6,265) paid to Rodney Melville & Partners Limited, a company in which a trustee, M Balkham, is a director. All transactions with that company have been on an arms length basis.

16