THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2024
REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 245212 HOUSING CORPORATION NO: A4012
Cound & Co LLP
Chartered Accountants
1 Princes Court Royal Way Loughborough Leics LE11 5XR
Tel: 01509 214163
THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Trustees Report Report of the Accountants Receipts and Payments Statement of Assets and Liabilities Notes to the Financial Statements |
INDEX Page 1 - 3 4 5 6 7 - 9 |
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THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES
TRUSTEES REPORT
1) Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Number 245212 Housing Corporation Number A4012 Principal Office The Charity of Hannah Clarke for Almshouses Hannah Clarke Court Park Road Birstall Leicester LE4 4AW Accountants Cound & Co LLP 1 Princes Court Royal Way Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 5XR Principal Bankers The Co-Operative Bank plc P O Box 250 Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
Trustees
The trustees serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Ms R Kelham A Atkinson D J Marlow Mrs M Allen Mrs P Evans Ms M Jelley
2) Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The charity was established under a Trust Deed financed by a legacy from a Miss Hannah Clarke in 1922. A subsequent Trust Deed (dated 15[th] April 1985) was drawn up with amended objectives/aims.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Trust Deed of 15[th] April 1985. There is a requirement to have six Trustees, two of who are nominative and four co-optative trustees. The two nominative Trustees are appointed by Birstall Parish Council and the co-optative trustees are appointed from persons who have knowledge of Birstall and experience in the administration and maintenance of sheltered accommodation.
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THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES
TRUSTEES REPORT (continued)
2) Structure, Governance and Management (continued)
Trustees Induction and Training
New trustees are advised of their obligations under charity and company law, the content of the governing Trust Deed, as well as the structure and decision-making process of the trustees committee.
Organisation
The board of trustees normally meet approximately 4 times a year, and when necessary the trustees meet in between these times to discuss, and where necessary, act upon urgent matters which may arise.
Risk Management
The trustees confirm that the major risks, to which the charity is exposed, have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks:
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(i) The properties are properly insured and well maintained.
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(ii) All bank transactions have to be authorised by, at least, two trustees.
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(iii) The financial progress through the year, compared with the annual budget, is presented by the treasurer at the regular trustees’ meeting.
3) Objects and Activities
The original Hannah Clarke Almshouses were a complex of six bed-sitters constructed in 1922 and financed by a legacy from a Miss Hannah Clarke a lady with a concern for women of her generation, single or widowed, who at the end of their working lives were without a home in which to spend the remaining years of their lives. In her original and uncomplicated Trust Deed the stipulation was made that each resident should pay a fixed rent of (12.5p) per week. This meant that over the years the rental income was not sufficient to maintain and modernise the buildings. With the departure of the last resident in 1982 the old and deteriorating buildings were demolished. A new Trust Deed (dated 15th April 1985) was drawn up and a new complex of eight flats (“Hannah Clarke Court”) was constructed on the site to provide accommodation for “poor, aged women who are unmarried or widowed”.
4) Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives in planning future activities and policies. We continue to provide dwellings in the community for single ladies over the age of 60 who are in need, through hardship or other circumstances, within the confines of the trust deed.
5) Achievements and Performance
A routine Quinquennial Inspection was carried out by a specialist surveyor approved by the Almshouse Association. The survey included buildings, individual flats, communal areas, gardens, energy efficiency, and legionella risk assessment. The General Structural Condition Report stated that “The property is in good condition with no major items of disrepair, some minor issues need addressing and some maintenance will be needed within the quinquennium. The flats are all ‘decent’ according to the Government’s Decent Homes Standard.”
The five yearly electrical installation inspection was carried out By MGS Electrical. All work was completed as recommended by the electrician. Refinements in the bathroom of flat No. 5 included a new vanity unit and shower along with various additional items improving the facilities for the resident.
Mr. David Marlow’s planning, for a progressive series of improvements and updates to the Almshouses continued throughout 2024. An opportunity arose to install a new kitchen in flat No. 2, during the resident’s absence. There were also improvements to the electrical installation, energy efficient lighting, insulation and general decorating within the property.
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THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES
TRUSTEES REPORT (continued)
5) Achievements and Performance (continued)
The garden storage facilities, external security and other general improvements to the residents’ communal areas, were also completed during 2024. The paving in the garden seating area, other paved areas and the car parking surfaces were renovated by a specialist contractor.
The north east garden at the front of the property, continued to be professionally developed by Dragonfly Gardening and has now become an attractive feature of the property. Several residents are enthusiastic gardeners and the trustees have provided support.
The trustees are delighted to report that the regular Christmas social event was combined with a resident’s 70[th] birthday party at the Charnwood Golf and Leisure Centre.
All the residents expressed thanks for the Trustee’s work and support throughout 2024.
6) Financial Review
The finances of the Charity continue to remain healthy. At the end of the financial year, we had cash reserves of £103,984 (2023: £108,807) and there was an operating deficit of £4,823 (2023: £11,687 deficit).
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REPORTING ACCOUNTANT’S REPORT TO MEMBERS OF
THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES
We report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 4 to 7.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND REPORTING ACCOUNTANT
The Trustees of The Charity of Hannah Clarke for Almshouses are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, and they consider that The Charity of Hannah Clarke for Almshouses is exempt from an audit. It is our responsibility to carry out procedures designed to enable us to report our opinion.
BASIS OF OPINION
Our procedures consisted of comparing the accounts with the accounting records kept by The Charity of Hannah Clarke for Almshouses and making such limited enquiries of the officers of The Charity of Hannah Clarke for Almshouses as we considered necessary for the purpose of this report. These procedures provide the only assurance expressed in our opinion.
OPINION
In our opinion:
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the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 are in accordance with the accounting records kept by The Charity of Hannah Clarke for Almshouses under paragraph 135(2)(a) of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008;
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having regard only to, and on the basis of the information contained in the accounting records:
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the accounts comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011;
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The Charity of Hannah Clarke for Almshouses has satisfied the condition for exemption from an audit of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 specified in Section 136 (6) of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008;
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the accounts comply with the requirements of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 and the Accounting Direction for private registered providers of social housing in England (2022).
Cound & Co LLP Chartered Accountants 1 Princes Court Royal Way Loughborough Leics LE11 5XR
29 September 2025
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THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Funds | Total | Funds | Total | Funds | |||
| TURNOVER | ||||||||
| Social Housing Lettings | 24341 | 24341 | 23312 | |||||
| OPERATING COSTS | ||||||||
| Services | 9160 | 9160 | 8124 | |||||
| Management | 4561 | 4561 | 2329 | |||||
| Day to Day Maintenance | 8896 | 8896 | 5564 | |||||
| Cyclical Maintenance | 9500 | 9500 | 22158 | |||||
| Maintenance of Equipment | 960 | 33077 | 960 | 33077 | 901 | 39076 | ||
| ____ | _____ | ____ | _____ | ____ | _____ | |||
| (8736) | (8736) | (15764) | ||||||
| INTEREST RECEIVABLE & OTHER INCOME: | ||||||||
| Interest Receivable | 3913 | 3913 | 4077 | |||||
| _____ | _____ | _____ | ||||||
| (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR | (4823) | (4823) | (11687) | |||||
| Purchase of Fixed Assets | - | - | - | |||||
| Bank Balances Brought Forward | 108795 | 108795 | 120482 | |||||
| Bank Balances Carried Forward | 103972 ______ |
103972 ______ |
£108795 ______ |
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THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
TANGIBLE ASSETS Freehold Housing Land Almshouses - Cost to Date Less: Housing Corporation Grant Fittings & Equipment CURRENT ASSETS Petty Cash Bank Account COIF Deposit Account NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS FUNDS REPRESENTED BY: Revaluation Reserve Cyclical Maintenance Reserve Extraordinary Maintenance Reserve General Funds |
Notes 2024 2023 5 a) 100000 100000 241503 241503 b) 143556 97947 143556 97947 _ _ c) 2164 2546 __ _ 200111 200493 12 12 26461 11697 77511 97098 103984 108807 103984 108807 304095 309300 6 100000 100000 10244 14444 168723 159523 25128 35333 £304095 £309300 ___ |
100000 97947 2546 __ 200493 ____ |
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| 12 11697 97098 __ 108807 ____ |
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| 108807 __ 309300 ____ |
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 29 September 2025.
...................................................... A Atkinson Trustee
...................................................... M Jelley Trustee
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THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of Accounting
As the charity is a small entity, accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments (cash) basis. Accordingly, none of the Charity or Registered Social Housing SORPS are applicable to this charity.
b) Turnover
Turnover represents maintenance contributions receivable.
c) Supporting People Contracts
Income relating to supporting people services are included within the maintenance contributions within turnover.
d) Housing Properties
The original Hannah Clarke Almshouses were constructed in 1922 and demolished in 1982. A new complex of eight flats, “Hannah Clarke Court”, was constructed on the site, funded by a Housing Corporation Grant, a loan from the National Westminster Bank, and the balance from the resources of the Hannah Clarke Trust. The flats were occupied in December 1994 and have been valued on the basis of the cost of construction and related professional fees. No charge has been made for depreciation of the buildings because the trustees intend to maintain the properties in such a way as to ensure that they have an indefinite useful life.
e) Housing Association Grants
A Housing Association Grant (HAG) has been received from the Housing Corporation to reduce the cost of development and it is, therefore, shown as a deduction from the cost of Housing Properties on the Balance Sheet. The HAG is repayable under certain circumstances, primarily following the sale of the property but the repayment will normally be restricted to the net proceeds of sale.
f) Future Cyclical Repairs and Maintenance
The Trustees intend to establish a regular programme of cyclical repairs and maintenance and a Cyclical Maintenance Fund has been set up in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed, which suggests an annual appropriation of £870. Because of inflation since 1985, the Trustees have made an appropriation of £5300 in 2023 (2022: £5300).
g) Extraordinary Repairs Fund
The Trustees have set up an Extraordinary Repairs Fund in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed, which suggests a minimum appropriation of £390. The Trustees have made an appropriation of £9200 in 2023 (2022: £9200) based on the Housing Corporation formula of 0.8% of the estimated reconstruction costs.
h) Value Added Tax
Hannah Clarke for Almshouses is not registered for Value Added Tax. In these financial statements, where VAT is applicable, expenditure is shown inclusive of VAT.
2) DIRECTORS EMOLUMENTS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
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(a) The Directors are defined as the Trustees and the Honorary Treasurer to the Trustees.
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(b) None of the Trustees or the Honorary Treasurer to the Trustees received any emoluments.
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THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 3) 4) 5) a) b) c) |
EMPLOYEE INFORMATION The Trust has no employees. NUMBER OF UNITS IN MANAGEMENT 2024 2023 Number of Flats 8 8 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Freehold Housing Land At Valuation At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 £100000 __ Housing Properties Completed Flats Cost At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 £241503 _ Less: Housing Association Grant At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 £143556 Net Book Value at 31 December 2024 £97947 The flats are valued at £1,220,024 for insurance purposes. This valuation, by definition, reflects the cost of demolition and rebuilding and, therefore, may be significantly different from the open market value. Fittings & Equipment Cost At 1 January 2024 19675 Additions 0 _ At 31 December 2024 £19675 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 17129 Charge for Year 382 At 31 December 2024 £17511 _ Net Book Value At 31 December 2024 £2164 At 31 December 2023 £2546 __ |
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THE CHARITY OF HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
6) RESERVES
| B/F R&P Deficit Non cash item (depreciation) Actual cyclical maintenance costs Cyclical maintenance provision Extraordinary maintenance provision C/F |
General Funds 35333 (4823) (382) 9500 (5300) (9200) __ £25128 ____ |
Cyclical Maintenance 14444 (9500) 5300 __ £10244 ____ |
Extraordinary Maintenance 159523 9200 __ £168723 ____ |
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