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← Roman Catholic Purposes In Connexion With The Congregation Of The Sisters Of St. Clare In Ireland

2023-12-31-accounts

Roman Catholic Purposes In Connection with The Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare In Ireland

(The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust)

Annual Report and Accounts

31 December 2023

Charity Registration Number 0246649

Contents

Reports

Reports
Reference and administrative details
of the charity, its trustees and advisers 1
Trustees’ report 3
Independent examiner’s report 9
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Statement of cash flows 12
Principal accounting policies 13
Notes to the accounts 17

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers 31 December 2023

Trustees Sister Mecedes Coen
Sister Zita Daly
Sister Julie McGoldrick
Sister Maureen O’Dea
Sister Karen Small
The trustees are incorporated under the Charities Act
2011
Principal address St Clare’s Convent
15 Glyndebourne Gardens
Corby
Northamptonshire
NN18 0QA
Charity registration number 0246649
Independent examiner Amanda Francis
Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Bankers Yorkshire Bank plc
6 Market Street
Kettering
Northamptonshire
NN16 OEA
National Westminster Bank plc
146 Widnes Road
Widnes
Cheshire
WA8 6BB
Clydesdale Bank plc
7 Gold Street
Northampton
NN1 1EN

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 1

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers 31 December 2023

Solicitors Stone King LLP Upper Borough Court Upper Borough Walls Bath BA1 1RG Pictons Solicitors LLP Ground Floor Building One Eden Brae Business Park Dunstable Road Caddington LU1 4FF

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 2

Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

The trustees present their report together with the accounts of the charity for Roman Catholic Purposes in Connection with the Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare in Ireland (also known as The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Under a Uniting Direction issued by the Charity Commission under section 12(1) of the Charities Act 2011, this charity (i.e. Roman Catholic Purposes In Connection With The Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare In Ireland (Charity Registration Number 246649)) is the reporting charity and its related charity, Roman Catholic Purposes In Connection With The Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare In Ireland – The Porthcawl Charity (Charity Registration Number 246649-1) is the linked charity.

The effect of the Uniting Direction for accountancy and reporting purposes is that a single set of accounts is presented for the two charities combined. Under the Uniting Direction, both charities continue to exist as independent entities in all other respects.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 13 to 16 of the attached accounts and comply with the charities’ trust deeds, applicable laws, applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and the requirements of 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Introduction

The Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare is an international Roman Catholic Religious Congregation divided into a number of separate regions. The Congregation’s Generalate is based in Ireland.

The accounts accompanying this report are the accounts of the charitable trusts on which certain of the assets of the English Region are held and through which its affairs are administered.

Principal aims, activities, and policies

Activities and specific objectives

When setting the objectives and planning the work of the charity and its related charity for the year, and when encouraging the work of individual members of the Congregation, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

The general objective of the charity and its related charity is to support the advancement of the charitable ministries carried on by the members of the Congregation for the advancement of the Roman Catholic religion.

The activities of the charity and its related charity can be divided into two principal areas:

To care for the members throughout their lives with the Congregation.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 3

Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Principal aims, activities, and policies (continued)

Activities and specific objectives (continued)

Protection of children and vulnerable adults

Along with all other organisations who serve in the community, the trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all those the charity and its related charity serve. This means that all sisters who are in any kind of ministry in Great Britain have to obtain clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service. The trustees are committed to implementing all policies and procedures of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA).

Fundraising policy

The charity aims to achieve best practice in the way in which it communicates with donors and other supporters. The charity takes care with both the tone of its communications and the accuracy of its data to minimise the pressures on supporters. It applies best practice to protect supporters’ data and never sells data, it never swaps data and ensures that communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charity manages its own fundraising activities and does not employ the services of professional fundraisers. The charity undertakes to react to and investigate any complaints regarding its fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve its service. During the year, the charity received no complaints about its fundraising activities.

Achievements and performance

Review of activities

During the year the charity has been engaged in the following ministries involving children. Priority is given to children who are disadvantaged, which includes not only education, but the provision of food and clothing, when necessary.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 4

Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Review of activities (continued)

In addition, during the year the charity has worked with adults in many areas, always trying to promote peace and justice. Examples of the work done include:

Financial review of the year

A summary of the year’s results can be found on page 10 of the attached accounts.

Income for the year totalled £428,518 (2022 – £585,042). Salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or Deed of Covenant amounted to £47,955 (2022 – £103,752). Contributions from the Congregation’s Generalate in Ireland were £nil (2022 – £4,500). General donations amounted to £nil (2022 – £1,568) and income from other sources amounted to £380,563 (2022 – £475,222) including £378,332 relating to the surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets (2022 - £468,668).

Expenditure amounted to £475,631 in 2023 (2022 – £705,433) and includes £61,902 (2022 – £20,300) being contributions to the Congregation’s Generalate in Ireland. The monies will be used for the support of the sisters including those returning from overseas missions. Also included within expenditure was £395,332 donated to the Generalate of the Congregation following the disposal of a freehold property (2022 - £603,701).

Net expenditure and the decrease in funds for the year was £47,113 (2022 – £120,391).

The income and expenditure for the years to 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022 all relate to the reporting charity. The linked charity was dormant throughout both years.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 5

Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Financial review of the year (continued)

Reserves policy

Following the disposal by the linked charity of the Porthcawl property in 2017 and the transfer of the sisters, the linked charity became dormant and does not require reserves.

The trustees of the reporting charity have examined the requirement for free reserves i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes, or otherwise committed. The trustees consider that, given the nature of the charity’s work, the level of free reserves should be approximately equal to between two- and sixmonths’ ongoing expenditure (excluding donations).

Financial position

As the linked charity is now dormant, the financial position at 31 December 2023 below is in relation to the reporting charity only.

The balance sheet shows reserves of the reporting charity of £239,269 (2022 – £286,382).

£206,807 (2022 – £223,807) of the total reserves represents the net book value of the tangible fixed assets of the charity and is described on the balance sheet as the charity’s tangible fixed assets fund. A decision was made to differentiate these funds from the general funds and other designated funds in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are used in the day-to-day work of the charity. The fund value, therefore, cannot be realised with ease or without jeopardising the ongoing work of the reporting charity.

Free reserves available to support the work of the charity in the future are those shown on the balance sheet as general funds and, at 31 December 2023, equated to £32,462 (2022 – £62,575) for the reporting charity. At the date of the balance sheet, free reserves were deemed to be slightly in excess of the amount demanded by the above policy. However, excess funds will be transferred to the Congregation’s Generalate in due course. Hence, the trustees are content with the reserves level and believe that the charity is a going concern.

Future plans

At 31 December 2023, there were no sisters remaining in the UK. It is the intention of the trustees to consider the use of the charity’s remaining property in Maghull and whether this should be retained by the charity.

Structure, governance, and management

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust i.e. the reporting charity is governed by a trust deed dated 10 December 1965 and is registered under the Charities Act 2011, Charity Registration No. 0246649.

Organisation

In terms of Canon law, the Congregation is governed by the Abbess General and her General Council. They are elected at a General Chapter or meeting of delegates elected by all the Sisters of the Congregation. Members of the General Council are chosen for their personal qualities, their understanding and experience of the ministries of the sisters throughout the Congregation, and to secure a good skills mix.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 6

Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Structure, governance, and management (continued)

Organisation (continued)

In terms of Civil law, the reporting charity is governed by a trust deed dated 10 December 1965 and is registered under the Charities Act 2011, Charity Registration No. 0246649. The trustees are appointed by the members of the Congregation. The trustees who served during the year are shown on page 1.

The trustees are incorporated under the provisions of the Charities Act 2011.

The trustees are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities, and assets of the charity and also of the related charity. They meet regularly to review developments with regard to the charities or their activities and make any important decisions. The day-to-day management of the charities’ activities and the implementation of policies is delegated to the appropriate members of the Congregation. Management reporting lines are clearly defined, and the trustees receive regular reports and training as considered necessary to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities.

Key management personnel

The trustees consider that they comprise the key management in charge of directing and controlling, running, and operating the charities.

All trustees are members of the Congregation and, whilst the living and personal expenses of those who from time to time may live in England are borne by the charities, none of them receive any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees or work as key management.

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its linked charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity and its linked charity for that period. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 7

Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Structure, governance, and management (continued)

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities (continued)

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the transactions of the charity and its linked charity and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charities and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the related regulations and the provisions of the charities’ trust deeds. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charities and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Risk management

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity and its related charity are exposed. The trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems, and by examining the operational risks faced by the charity and its related charity, they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks.

The trustees are aware that there is both a moral and legal obligation to use the resources of the charity to care for the older members of the Congregation. None of the sisters have resources of their own. As the age profile increases, so too does the need to provide care for the sisters. Key elements of the management of this risk are: (a) ensuring that there are sufficient financial resources to finance this care both now and, in the years, ahead by ensuring that funds are available in the future; and (b) ensuring that the sisters are accommodated in properties that are suitable for their needs and also with other members of the Congregation where the sisters receive the necessary care and support.

Maureen O’Dea

Signed on behalf of the trustees

Approved by the trustees on:

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 8

DRAFT

Independent Examiner’s report 31 December 2023

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Roman Catholic Purposes In Connection With The Congregation Of The Sisters of St. Clare in Ireland (the charity) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

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

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.

25 April 2024

Amanda Francis, Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) Buzzacott LLP Chartered Accountants 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 9

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 December 2023

Notes Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds

2023
£		 2022
£
Income from:
Donations
1
Other sources:
. Surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets
2
. Miscellaneous
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable expenditure
. Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry
3
. Donations
4
Total expenditure
Net expenditure and net movement in funds
6
Reconciliation of funds:
Balances brought forward at 1 January 2023
Balances carried forward at 31 December 2023		 47,955
378,332
2,231
109,820

468,668

6,554
428,518
585,042
18,397
457,234
80,092

625,341
475,631
705,433
(47,113)
286,382
(120,391)

406,773
239,269
286,382

All recognised gains and losses have been included in the above statement of financial activities and hence a separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.

All activities of the reporting charity derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 10

Balance sheet 31 December 2023

Notes
2023
£		 2023
£		 2022
£		 2022
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
10
Net current assets
Total net assets
Represented by:
Funds and reserves
. Reporting charity unrestricted
funds
.. Tangible fixed assets fund
11
.. General fund
42,012

(9,550)
206,807







32,462
 67,300
(4,725)		 223,807
62,575
239,269 286,382




206,807
32,462		 223,807
62,575
239,269 286,382

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Maureen O’Dea

Trustee Approved on:

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 11

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 December 2023

A
B		 Notes 2023
£		 2022
£
(589,634)
606,001
606,001
16,367
50,933
67,300
provided by
2022
£
(120,391)
(468,668)
(575)
(589,634)
2022
£
67,300
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash used in operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from the disposal of tangible fixed assets
Net cash provided by investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2023
B
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2023
B

**(420,620) **


395,332
395,332

(25,288)


67,300

42,012
Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 December 2023
Reconciliation of net expenditure and movement in funds to net cash
operating activities
2023
£
Net expenditure and movement in funds (as per the statement of
financial activities)
(47,113)
Adjustments for:
Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets
(378,332)
Increase (decrease) in creditors
4,825
Net cash used in operating activities
(420,620)
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

2023
£
Total cash and cash equivalents:Cash at bank and in hand
42,012
Net expenditure and movement in funds (as per the statement of
financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Increase (decrease) in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities
(47,113)
(378,332)
4,825
(420,620)
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
 2023
£
Total cash and cash equivalents:Cash at bank and in hand 42,012

No separate statement of changes in net debt has been prepared as there is no difference between the movements in cash and cash equivalents and movement in net cash (debt).

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 12

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 December 2023 with comparative information provided in respect to the year to 31 December 2022.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts combine, on a line-by-line basis, the results of the charity and its linked or related charity (see note 14), made up to the balance sheet date.

The activities of the linked charity, The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust (Charity Registration No 246649-1), ceased during 2017 following the sale of a property in Porthcawl. Further information on the cessation of activities by the linked charity is provided in the notes to the accounts. Following the disposal of the linked charity’s property in 2017, its net assets were donated to the Generalate of the Congregation. The objectives of the Generalate are consistent with the objectives of the linked charity and the funds will be applied towards the support of the sisters, including those returning from overseas missions.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Both the reporting charity and its linked charity constitute public benefit entities as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts requires the trustees to make significant judgements and estimates.

The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

Assessment of going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 13

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Assessment of going concern (continued)

Linked charity

At 31 December 2023, the linked charity had no assets and no liabilities. Since 31 December 2017 it has remained dormant and will continue to do so until such time as a decision is made to remove it from the Register of Charities.

Reporting charity

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due. The most significant areas of judgement that affect items in the accounts are detailed above.

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charities have entitlement to the income, the amount can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income comprises donations and miscellaneous income. Miscellaneous income includes income from charitable activities such as contributions from visitors and other sundry income.

Donations, including salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charities have confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before either charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the relevant charity, and it is probably that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

The surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets is calculated as the difference between the sale proceeds net of sale costs and the net book value of the asset immediately prior to disposal. It is accounted for once legal completion of the disposal has taken place.

Other income is measured at fair value and accounted for on an accruals basis.

In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing either charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 14

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Expenditure recognition (continued)

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses are allocated to the applicable expenditure headings. The majority of expenditure is directly attributable and any apportionment between headings is negligible.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs associated with furthering the charitable purposes of the relevant charity through the provision of its charitable activities and includes:

All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Support and governance costs

Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charities it is necessary to provide support in the form of financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and professional fees.

Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the relevant charity (including independent examiner’s costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice.

All expenditure on support and governance is allocated to the charitable activities of care of members of the community and enabling their ministry as any costs in relation to provision of donations and grants or raising funds is considered to be minimal.

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing more than £1,000 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.

Non-specialised buildings i.e. those designed as, and used wholly or mainly for, private residential accommodation. They are stated in the accounts at historical cost. Such buildings are not depreciated. Their value and conditions are reviewed annually by the trustees, who are satisfied that their residual value is not materially less than their book value.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 15

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. Creditors are discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Fund structure

Each charity’s funds comprise unrestricted income funds which are available for application towards that charity’s objectives. Within such funds the trustees have identified those nonliquid funds represented by tangible fixed assets.

Services provided by members of the Congregation

For the purposes of these accounts, no monetary value has been placed on the administrative and other services provided by members of the Congregation.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 16

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

1 Income from: Donations

Income from: Donations
2023
£		 2022
£
Salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or
Deed of Covenant
Contributions from the Congregation’s Generalate in Ireland (note 15)
General donations		 47,955
—
—
103,752

4,500

1,568
47,955
109,820

2 Income from: Surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets

2023
£		 2022
£
Surplus on disposal of freehold property
Deficit on disposal of furniture and equipment
Surplus on disposal of motor vehicles		 378,332
—
—
468,701

(2,333)

2,300
378,332
468,668

3 Expenditure on: Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry

2023
£
2022
£
Premises
Sisters’ living and personal expenses
Education, training, and spiritual renewal
Support costs
. General administration and support
. Governance costs (note 5)		 9,743
3,438
43
348
4,825
23,117

46,523

2,780

3,747

3,925
18,397
80,092

4 Expenditure on: Donations

The charities make donations principally in support of the overseas work of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare and other causes which further the Christian faith and alleviate poverty.

The donations payable during the year were as follows:

The donations payable during the year were as follows:
2023
£
2022
£
Contributions to the Congregation’s Generalate in Ireland (note 15)
Donations to institutions
Donations to individuals		 457,234
—
—
624,001

664

676
457,234
625,341

Donations to individuals comprise a number of small monetary gifts aimed at relieving poverty by enabling the recipients to purchase food, clothing, etc.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 17

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

5 Governance costs

Governance costs
2023
£
2022
£
Independent examiner’s fees 4,825
3,925

6 Net expenditure and movement in funds

This is stated after charging (crediting):

2023
£
2022
£
Independent examiner’s fees
. Current year
. Prior year
Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets		 4,900
(75)
(378,332)
3,925

—
(468,734)

7 Staff costs, key management personnel and trustees’ remuneration

Neither charity incurred staff costs during the year (2022 – £nil).

As members of the Congregation, certain of the trustees’ living expenses during the year were borne by the charities. No trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees during the year (2022 - £nil).

The members of individual communities who are responsible for the implementation of the trustees’ policies at community level are also members of the Congregation and their living expenses during the year were borne by the charity. The members did not receive any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties during 2023 or 2023.

8 Taxation

Both the reporting charity and the linked charity are registered charities and, therefore, are not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from their charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 18

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

9 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Freehold
land and
buildings:
non-specialised
£		 Motor
vehicles
£		 Total
£
At cost
At 1 January 2023
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Net book values
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022		 223,807
(17,000)		 11,000
—		 234,807
(17,000)
206,807 11,000 217,807
—
—		 11,000
—		 11,000
—
— 11,000 11,000
206,807 — 206,807
223,807 — 223,807

As explained under principal accounting policies, the book value of the non-specialised land and buildings shown above is stated at historical cost. As permitted by FRS 102, both charities have continued to adopt a policy of not revaluing their tangible fixed assets.

It is likely that there are material differences between the open market values of each charity’s non-specialised land and buildings and their book values. The amount of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant costs, which, in the opinion of the trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefit to the users of the accounts.

Other tangible fixed assets are stated at cost.

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
£
9,550		 2022
£
Accruals and other creditors 4,725

In due course, the intention is to transfer excess funds to the Congregation’s Generalate in Ireland. However, at the date of approval of these accounts, the amount could not be quantified and no liability has been recognised in these accounts.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 19

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

11 Tangible fixed assets fund

Tangible fixed assets fund
2023
£		 2022
£
At 1 January
Net movement in year
At 31 December		 223,807
(17,000)		 361,140
(137,333)
206,807 223,807

The tangible fixed assets funds represent the net book value of each charity’s tangible fixed assets. A decision was made to separate these funds from the general funds of each charity in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are essential to the day-to-day work of each charity and as such their value should not be regarded as funds that would be realisable with ease, in order to meet future contingencies.

12 Analysis of net assets between the reporting charity and the linked charity

At 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2023 all assets and liabilities recorded in the balance sheet related o the reporting charity. The linked charity had no assets or liabilities.

There are no unrealised gains included in the assets of the reporting charity.

13 Ultimate control

The charities, both of which are constituted as a trust, were controlled throughout the period by The Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare by virtue of the fact that the Abbess General of the Congregation and her Councillors comprise the trustees. The English Region does not hold any assets, incur liabilities, or enter into any transactions in its own right. Assets and liabilities of the English Region are vested in the trustees of the charities, who undertake all transactions entered into in the course of the Region’s charitable activities.

14 Uniting direction

Following an application to the Charity Commission, the reporting and linked charities were issued with a Uniting Direction under section 12(1) of the Charities Act 2011. Roman Catholic Purposes In Connection With The Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare In Ireland (Charity Registration Number 246649) is the reporting charity and its related charity, Roman Catholic Purposes In Connection With The Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare In Ireland – The Porthcawl Charity (Charity Registration Number 246649-1) is the linked charity.

The effect of the Uniting Direction for accountancy and reporting purposes is that a single set of accounts is presented for the two charities combined. Under the Uniting Direction, both charities continue to exist as independent entities in all other respects.

As previously noted, the linked charity is now dormant and will remain as such until such time as trustees decide to apply to the Charity Commission to have the linked charity removed from the Register of Charities.

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 20

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

15 Connected charity and related party transactions

The reporting charity and the linked charity (note 14) are connected to the Congregation’s Generalate (which has charitable status in the Republic of Ireland) as a result of the charities’ trustees also being trustees of the Irish charity.

During the year the following transactions took place between the reporting charity and the Irish charity:

2023
£		 2022
£
Transactions during the year
Settlement of professional fees and expenses by the Generalate on behalf
of the charities (note 1)
Net proceeds from the disposal of the freehold property donated to the
Congregation’s Generalate (note 4)
Contributionspaid(note 4)		 —
395,332
61,902		 (4,500)
603,701
20,300

There were no related party transactions between the linked charity and the Congregation’s Generalate (2022 – none).

There were no other related party transactions during the year requiring disclosure (2022 – none).

The Sisters of St Clare Charitable Trust 21