## **Battersea United Charities**
## **Battersea United Charities**
**Annual Report and Accounts of the Trustees**
**for the year ended 31[st] March 2021**
**Battersea United Charities** , Battersea Library, 265 Lavender Hill, London SW11 1JB _Contact:_ Clerk to the Trustees – Stephen Willmett, Tel: 07960 482 842, Email: batterseacharities@gmail.com
**Trustees:** Philip Beddows (Chairman), Caroline Usher (Vice Chairman), Tim Woods (Treasurer), Tony Belton, Louise Calland, Pete Griffiths, Pamela O’Reilly, Tessa Strickland, Kate Sutcliffe, Stephen Willmett, The Reverend Canon Simon Butler (ex-officio, as Vicar of St Mary’s Battersea). **Honorary President:** Sven Tester
www.batterseaunitedcharities.org.uk
Registered Charity No. 247377
Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021
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## Trustees’ Report Year to 31[st] March 2021
## **Legal and administrative details**
Battersea United Charities (‘BUC’) – Registered Charity No. 247377 – incorporates almost all of the small historic Parish trusts, created through the generous philanthropy of local women and men from, or closely connected to the historic parish of St Mary's Battersea, and later the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea. The original boundaries of both these are almost entirely contiguous with each other and continue to be the defined geographic area of focus for the charity’s activities.
## **Trustees**
Philip Beddows, _Chair_ Caroline Usher, _Vice Chair_ Stephen Willmett, _Clerk_ Timothy Woods, _Treasurer_ Peter Barnshaw (ret’d 11/11/2020) Tony Belton Louise Calland Pete Griffiths Pamela O’Reilly Tessa Strickland Kate Sutcliffe Rev Canon Simon Butler, _Ex-officio Trustee_[1 ] 1 as Vicar of St. Mary’s Battersea
**Honorary President** Sven Tester **Changes in trustees** Peter Barnshaw retired on 11[th] November 2020. **Bankers** National Westminster Bank plc, Clapham Junction Branch. 66-68 St. John's Road, Battersea, London SW11 1PB **Investment managers** Brewin Dolphin Limited 12 Smithfield Street, London EC1A 9BD **External examiner** Michael Bailey Esq., Chartered Accountant 14 Ellerby Street, Fulham, London SW6 6EY
## **Our Mission & charitable focus**
Battersea United Charities is a grant-making charity in Battersea, London, whose charitable objects are:
- The advancement of education for the benefit of persons in need of financial assistance who reside in, or attend an educational establishment in, the former Metropolitan Borough of Battersea; or
- The relief of poverty of persons who are resident in the former Metropolitan Borough of Battersea, in particular but not exclusively by the payment of pensions or the provision of other financial support.
BUC achieves this by giving grants to organisations and individuals, funded from BUC’s investment income and by generous support via donations from organisations and individuals.
Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021
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## **Chair’s Review of the year**
The year from 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021 must be one of the most unusual the charity has faced and managed over a long historical period, because of course this was the year that began with the COVID pandemic resulting in lockdown across the United Kingdom. The least of the challenges was the innovation of Trustees meeting via zoom rather than in person.
Some significant milestones were reached during the year. Firstly, BUC said farewell to long-standing Trustee Peter Barnshaw who retired from the role during the year after 30 years of service to the Charity. And one of our John Banks Pensioners – Damaris Josephine Bryant - died just 12 days short of her 111th birthday. She had been one of the passengers from the West Indies who came to the UK seeking a new life on board the MV Empire Windrush which docked at Tilbury on 22nd June 1948. BUC were honoured to have known her and Trustees paid tribute to her remarkable character and longevity.
From the very beginning of the pandemic BUC’s Trustees focused their minds and activities on how the Charity could respond to support the local community through what was anticipated to be a very challenging time for many individuals and families. Activities that BUC would typically have supported in the past were simply not possible in the context of lockdown and the need for schools and other organisations to avoid gathering groups together. Projects that Trustees had agreed to make grants to were postponed and then cancelled.
BUC initiated and sought opportunities to target grants on specific initiatives to support the Battersea community through this challenging time.
As the pandemic and lockdown deepened and schools closed, young pupils had to adapt to the challenge of virtual-schooling from home. BUC was able to help by supporting the Nine Elms Arts project. This was a creative project for local school children organised by Rev Betsy Blatchley of The Nine Elms Arts Ministry in collaboration with others including Battersea Arts Centre (‘the BAC’) to provide arts and creative kits (‘Create and Learn Playkits’) with materials to support pupils in the context of home-schooling over the summer months. By 21[st] May 2020 the project had delivered over 230 packs to children at St George’s CE Primary School, Griffin Primary School and St Mary’s RC Primary School; and some packs also included books from the community library at the ROSE community centre. BUC immediately funded a further 100 packs. By February 2021 the project had reached over 3,000 children. The project won an award and BUC’s association and shared-sponsorship of it was recognised publicly. By the end of March 2021, BUC was continuing to look to extend its support into the summer ahead.
Many local people, especially those most at risk from the virus, were all but trapped in their homes self-isolating for quite a period of time. An excellent initiative was organised by Katherine Low Settlement and St Mary’s Church Battersea – this was Battersea Coronavirus Angels, which pulled together and coordinated volunteers of ‘Local Angels’ who could pick up shopping, medicines & prescriptions or just offer a friendly listening ear, or anything else that residents trapped isolating in their homes needed. BUC provided a grant to cover the administrative costs of the operation.
Trustees also provided grants to Battersea Arts Centre (‘the BAC’) to support the rollout of their ‘Create Course’, which would be of valuable help to people seeking to get back into employment. We augmented our funding with an increased grant from The Henry Smith Charity. All of this enabled the BAC to kick-start and extend the Create Course.
The need for and usage of food banks continued. BUC helped the innovative Waste Not Want Not Battersea by providing a grant to support the purchase of a refrigerated van to store food for the foodbanks on the Winstanley and Doddington estates in Battersea.
Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021
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Christmas Giving was understandably different this year, with coronavirus restrictions in place, preventing an event being run on Christmas Day at the BAC. Trustees determined to spread BUC’s Christmas giving across a wide breadth of the community, remaining focused on the elderly and those in need. Grants were made to Kambala Cares, Women of Wandsworth (for elderly residents in secure accommodation), Regenerate Rise at St Michael’s Day-care Centre, Waste Not Want Not Battersea and St John Bosco College. BUC’s grants reached a large number of local residents.
As in previous years, BUC was able to respond to urgent needs of families whose situations were introduced by our network in the local community. One example was introduced via Love to Learn at Katherine Low Settlement – a grant was given to enable a family to purchase a cooker and have it installed, so they could cook food. A grant was made to another family to enable them to have flooring in their flat.
BUC continued to provide grants for Educational support for pupils in local schools. A grant was made to provide occupational therapy support for a primary school child with special needs. A grant was made to purchase school uniform. BUC also provided a grant to a local student to enable them to make the trip back and forth to campus.
The school trips that BUC has traditionally sponsored were not possible this year, but a trip organised by Women of Wandsworth (‘WOW’) did manage to go ahead and Trustees were pleased to make a grant that enabled this to be arranged. WOW organises trips to Cornwall offering exposure to fresh country and sea air for families who suffer from Asthma, Eczema and other disabilities and allergies due to high pollution in London.
A particularly special trip that Trustees had hoped to support had to be cancelled – it would have offered a wonderful opportunity for one or more of the 3rd Battersea Guides to attend a special gathering at the Kanderstag International Scout Centre in Switzerland. We hope such a life experience may arise again in the year ahead.
BUC’s investment portfolio continued to be well managed by Brewin Dolphin, BUC’s Investment Managers. The Charity’s investment portfolio continued to increase in capital value over the year and there was a consequent increase in the income available for charitable giving. All of this is confirmation that the strategy set in motion seven years ago is bearing fruit.
All of BUC’s Trustees have continued to show dedication to the work of the Charity, and worked very effectively through the innovation of virtual meetings. The Chair offers them all very sincere thanks for their contributions throughout this year.
Battersea United Charities is in good heart and looks ahead to the future with optimism about the contribution it can make well into the future.
## **Treasurer’s report**
The attached report and accounts cover the period from 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021. The accounts have been prepared on a cash basis and represent all income, payments and assets held by the underlying Charities and Funds under Battersea United Charities. Following the merger of the underlying Charities and Funds in June 2018 only one consolidated set of accounts is produced. There are currently no landed properties owned, and the Charity is not involved in any long-term projects.
The assets of the Charity have been amalgamated in terms of the investment portfolio and deposit accounts with a view to simplifying the accounts going forward. For the period under review the income of the Charity is at a level whereby an audit is not required by legislation but a review of the accounts has been undertaken by an External Examiner and his report is attached as required by the trust deeds and the Charity Commission.
Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021
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The merger of the underlying Charities, with one set of charitable objectives and pooled resources, has enabled Battersea United Charities to increase the flexibility and size of its grant making. As a result, where commitments are not delayed or deferred due to situations outside their control, it is the Trustees’ intention and expectation that an increasing proportion of the income received will be able to be given away in grants.
A monthly financial summary is circulated to all Trustees highlighting the cash level, the value of the investment portfolio, as well as showing a running total of income and expenditure. In addition, funds due to be received are shown, as well as future commitments and/or payments due to be made or not yet cleared through the bank account.
In the period the Charity made grants to four individuals amounting to £1,460 (£3,087 in the previous year), and twenty three grants to non-individuals totalling £23,054 (£19,780), including Christmas donations. In total the Charity spent £730 (£857) on administration and other miscellaneous matters, including Trustee Indemnity Cover and the payment of annual pensions.
Donations amounting to £183 (£175) were received from individuals in the period, on which gift aid of £44 (£256) was reclaimed, while £6,550 (£4,123) was received from institutions, including funds (£300) to cover our committed pension contributions. In the future it is the Trustees’ intention to concentrate on increasing the levels of donations, from all sources, given the increasing number of calls on our limited resources.
The investment portfolio appreciated in value by 34% in 2020-21, after taking into account the management fees and charges paid to our advisers (£4,339 excluding VAT), and the income withdrawn (£3,500 per quarter). In addition, the Trustees agreed to withdraw the sum of £10,000 from accumulated income which had not previously been withdrawn and is treated as reserves, a policy document for which has been adopted by the Trustees. The portfolio itself generated £15,412 (£18,380) in income during the period under review and the balance not withdrawn was re-invested within the portfolio but is available for future spending as and when required. Trustees continue to keep the performance of its investment managers under close review, receiving quarterly valuations, holding annual meetings, and having regular discussions over market movements.
Brewin Dolphin were appointed as Investment Managers in 2014 when the sum of £410,000 was transferred to them, with an additional £9,252 being transferred in 2016. In late 2019 it was agreed to review this arrangement and the incumbent managers, as well as two new potential companies, were interviewed to ensure that Battersea United Charities were practising good governance, getting good value for money and that the performance of the portfolio met expectations. As a result of this process, and on presentation of a paper by the Finance and Investment sub-Committee to the Trustees in March 2020, it was agreed to retain the services of Brewin Dolphin for the foreseeable future.
The Trustees confirm that when reviewing the Charity’s activities and planning future programmes, they have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and complied with their duties under the Charities Act 2011. In particular, the Trustees have taken into consideration how planned activities and spending programmes will help meet the strategic and specific aims of the Charity.
## **Risk report**
The Trustees consider the risk profile of the Charity on an ongoing basis through a sub-committee of the Chairman, the Treasurer, and at least one other Trustee who meet at least twice a year. Amongst other matters, the Finance and Investment sub-Committee regularly reviews the risks posed by the involvement of third parties - in particular Brewin Dolphin (fund managers) and NatWest (bankers) - as well as regularly reviewing our internal processes of cheque signing where two signatures are always required.
Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021
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A Risk Assessment, based on the Health and Safety Executive’s website, has been adopted, and our internal Grant Policy Guidelines are strictly adhered to. Our Investment Policy is reviewed annually in conjunction with our Investment Managers, and this year a Reserves Policy has been introduced in order that we can continue to build up reserves over the long term, while at the same time maximising our charitable donations.
Grant payments are rarely made to an individual and substantial social and financial investigations are entered into prior to the release of any funds, with full documentation available on each case reviewed. The Charity has also commenced a process of reviewing the benefit of each grant made by investigating the assistance given to the individual or organisation.
In addition, the sub-committee continuously reviews the possibility of potential cyber attacks and has in place a process to mitigate this risk. Other possible risks including fraud, changes to Charity Law, a scandal undermining our reputation, the loss by Trustees of potentially sensitive information, and legal action against the Charity, are kept under regular review. The Charity has also addressed the issues raised by the Data Protection Regulations in order to comply with this new legislation post Brexit. Our processes have also been updated to cover such issues as Safeguarding where a designated person and deputy have been appointed, and a written policy for handling complaints has been drawn up, with no complaints or serious incidents to report during the period under review.
The Charity has a strong Conflict of Interest Policy, and has in place Declarations for Fit and Proper Persons and Related Party Disclosures which are closely adhered to at all times and reviewed annually. Battersea United Charities now has in place policy statements to ensure that all current legislation is complied with and such matters are reviewed on a regular basis by all Trustees. The Charity also supports and endorses the Charity Governance Code which has been circulated to all Trustees to ensure that a good standard of governance is maintained.
## **Summary**
The Trustees continue to act in the Charity’s best interest, manage its resources responsibly, and act with reasonable care and skill. In addition, the Trustees ensure that the Charity is accountable, acts for the public benefit, and complies at all times with our governing document and the Law.
In so far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Charity’s independent examiner is unaware, and the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information.
The Trustees have reviewed the financial position of the Charity as at 31[st] March 2021 and consider that the charity has sufficient reserves and cash resources in order to continue as a going concern.
**By order of the trustees:**
**Philip Beddows TBCH Woods**
Date 28[th] November 2021
Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021
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## External Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Battersea United Charities Year to 31[st] March 2021
I have examined the income and expenditure accounts and statements of assets for the Battersea United Charities for the year ended 31[st] March 2021.
I confirm that the underlying books and records are in accordance with the income and expenditure accounts and the statements of assets prepared for the above period, and therefore I am of the opinion that the income and expenditure accounts and the statements of assets present fairly the financial condition of the Battersea United Charities for the year ended 31[st] March 2021.
Michael Bailey Esq., Chartered Accountant
Date: 28[th] November 2021
14 Ellerby Street Fulham London SW6 6EY
Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021
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## **BATTERSEA UNITED CHARITIES CONSOLIDATED RESULTS FOR YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021**
|**Notes**
**Receipts & payments for year**
**Receipts**
Investment income and reserves
1
Interest
Grants received from individuals
2
Grants received from non-individuals
3
Other receipts
4
**Payments**
Grants paid to individuals
5
Grants paid to non-individuals
6
Pensions
7
Christmas donations
8
Expenses
9
**Excess of receipts over payments**
**Closing balances as at**
**31/3/20**
**Notes**
Brewin Dolphin investment
10
NatWest balance
11
**Totals**
**Closing balances as at**
**31/3/21**
Brewin Dolphin investment
10
NatWest balance
11
**Totals**
**Movement of Funds 2020/21**
Brewin Dolphin investment
10
NatWest balance
11
**Totals**|**Total 2021**
**£**
25,412
0
183
6,550
44|
**Total 2020**
**£**
18,380
0
175
4,123
256|
|---|---|---|
||32,189|22,934|
||1,460
15,554
300
7,500
430|3,087
14,230
800
5,550
57|
||25,244|23,724|
||6,945|-790
434,613
1,550
436,163
553,758
7,082
560,840
119,145
5,532
124,677|
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Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021
## **Notes to the accounts:**
1. Investment income comes from the Brewin Dolphin portfolio. During the period the sum of £3,500 was withdrawn on a quarterly basis (total £14,000). In addition Reserves of £10,000 were withdrawn in December 2020 to cover additional pandemic-related calls for donations.
2. Funds received from 2 (4 in 2019-20) individuals on which Gift Aid has been reclaimed (see note 4).
3. Funds received from 4 institutions (4 in 2019-20), including the Henry Smith Charity, the Worshipful Company of Coopers, the Haberdashers Company, and the Ecclesiastic Insurance Company.
4. Funds received via a reclaim of Gift Aid for the previous tax year.
5. Grants made to Battersea residents towards school uniform, transport expenses, and the purchase of certain items of furniture.
6. Grants made to Battersea-based institutions towards such events as summer trips, arts and crafts packs, food distribution outlets, Christmas meals, learning materials, a new computer, and sports equipment amongst others.
7. The Charity administers the John Banks Pensions and the Non-Apprenticing Pensions annually.
8. This year the Charity made grants towards seven different local causes.
9. This expenditure covered the annual upkeep of the website and the cost of Trustee Indemnity Cover.
10. The Brewin Dolphin investment portfolio is shown at market value at 31/03/2021 at £553,758, against a figure of £434,613 as at 01/04/2020. During the period the capital appreciated by £147,703 (taking into account management fees and income and reserves withdrawn) while the portfolio generated total income of £15,412 of which £14,000 was paid into the Charity’s bank account at NatWest Bank on a quarterly basis. All investments are held in the Brewin Dolphin nominee account to our order.
11. The Charity’s bank account is held in a current account at the Clapham Junction branch of NatWest Bank.
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Battersea United Charities Annual Report 2020-2021