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2023-12-31-accounts

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

Company Registration No. 867729 (England and Wales)

Charity Registration No. 253575

Registered & Principal Office:

Church House Oxford Langford Locks Kidlington Oxford OX5 1GF

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Table of Contents

able of Contents
Page
Directors’ Annual Report 3
Independent Auditor’s Report 10
Statement of Financial Activities 15
Balance Sheet 16
Statement of Cash Flows 17
Notes to the Financial Statements 18

GLOSSARY

LOSSARY
CBF Central Board of Finance of the Church of England
CCLA CCLA Investment Managers Limited
COIF Charities Official Investment Fund
CSUST Church Schools Uniform Statutory Trust
DT(O)L Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited
LA Local Authority
ODBE Oxford Diocesan Board of Education
ODBF Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance
ODBST Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trust
PCC Parochial Church Council
SOFA Statement of Financial Activities
SORP Statement of Recommended Practice

DEFINITIONS

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The directors, who are also trustees for the purposes of charity law, present their annual report, together with the audited financial statements, for the year ended 31 December 2023.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Charity exists to promote the work of the Church of England in the Diocese of Oxford for the advancement of the Christian religion and to that end to accept and administer property of any kind to be held in trust as appropriate.

The Charity aims to provide the following services in support of the Church of England in the Diocese of Oxford by fulfilling the roles of:

Diocesan Authority and Custodian Trustee

As Diocesan Authority, the Charity administers trusts set up after 30 December 1965, the date of incorporation and administers trusts on behalf of ODBF, in accordance with the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 or the Incumbents and Churchwardens (Trusts) Measure 1964. As Custodian Trustee, the Charity holds the investments of permanent or expendable endowments. In acting as Diocesan Authority or Custodian Trustee, the Charity assists the managing trustees in the administration of trusts, including the implementation of investment instructions, production of the annual statement of funds, provision of advice in conjunction with the Diocesan Registrar and the safe keeping of legal documents and title deeds. A financial summary of each trust fund, prepared on a receipts and payments basis, is issued to the managing trustees by the Finance Department at Church House Oxford. The Charity is also the Diocesan Authority or Custodian Trustee for parish and ecclesiastical/educational trusts within the Diocese whose assets are land and buildings.

As Diocesan Authority or Custodian Trustee, the Charity oversaw the investments of 662 trusts ( 2022: 658 ) with a total value of £80.1million at the end of 2023 ( 2022: £ 74.6 million ). No additional capital was accepted during 2023 ( 2022: £1.73 million). Neither the capital nor the income relating to these trusts are included in the Charity’s financial statements. It is the responsibility of managing trustees to include their financial and property assets and income in the annual accounts of their Parochial Church Council (PCC) or other charitable trusts.

Sole Trustee

The Charity is the Sole Trustee of all the trusts that are included in the financial statements. The principal trust is the Church Schools Uniform Statutory Trust (CSUST). This fund arises from the disposal proceeds or rent of closed schools and school houses in the Diocese and is administered by the Charity in consultation with ODBE under the terms of trust set out in note 12 of the financial statements.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (cont’d)

CSUST supports the work of ODBE, which exists to fulfil the statutory duties of the Diocese of Oxford for the education of children in the Diocese in accordance with the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure 2021 (as amended), by:

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Diocesan Authority and Custodian Trustee

The Charity has successfully performed its role as Diocesan Authority or Custodian Trustee during 2023 and has contributed to the public benefit delivered through the ecclesiastical parishes within the Diocese by assisting PCCs and other local church trustees, who act as the managing trustees, in the administration of trusts, including the implementation of investment instructions, production of the annual statement of funds, provision of advice in conjunction with the Diocesan Registrar and the safe keeping of legal documents and title deeds. Parishes generally contribute to the public benefit by:

Sole Trustee and Managing Trustee

The Charity has successfully performed its role as the sole trustee of CSUST during 2023. It has contributed to the public benefit delivered through the Church of England schools, with some 60,000 pupils across the Diocese, by contributing to the cost of providing educational services and support to schools in accordance with the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure 2021. Therefore, it has helped to promote:

FUTURE PLANS

On 1 January 2024 the CSUST fund, and three other small trusts, the Woolhampton school trusts (the James Blyth Charity Trust and the Misses Blyth Currie Charity Trust) and the Tackley CE School Trust were transferred to Oxford Diocesan Board of Education, following Charity Commission approval. DT(O)L will continue to operate with its remaining restricted funds and as a custodian & managing trustee as explained above.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

FUTURE PLANS (cont’d)

During the year the Directors took the view, in principle, that at the 2024 AGM the future directors of DT(O)L should be the directors of Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Overall result

The net income before investment gains for the year was £259k ( 2022: net expenditure of £159k ) with an overall net increase in funds for which the Charity acts as managing trustee of £1,311k ( 2022: decrease of £1,572k), after taking account of £1,052k unrealised gains on investments ( 2022: £1,413k losses ).

Investment performance

The total value of funds, based on balance sheet totals, for which the Charity acts as managing trustee increased to £11,784k at 31 December 2023 from £10,473k at 31 December 2022. Of these funds £11,468k (2022: £10,189k ) were funds of CSUST consisting of Endowment Funds of £10,226k (2022: £8,972k ) and Accumulated Income Funds of £1,242k ( 2022: £1,217k). (See note 14 to the financial statements).

During the year the CBF Investment Funds increased in value, by 9% ( 2022: decrease of 12% ). These investment holdings comprised 70% of the total investments as at 31 December 2023 ( 2022: 71% ).

The capital values of investments increased during 2023 by 10% ( 2022: decrease of 12% ), a year in which the FTSE 100 index increased by 3.6% ( 2022: 0.9% ). The variance against the FTSE 100 index was due to the specific multi‐asset composition of the CCLA Investment Funds. The directors continue to take advice on how best to balance capital risk against maintaining income in the medium to long term.

Investment policy

The Charity has the power to make any investments, which the directors deem fit, and which further the Charity’s aims.

The principles governing investment are generally driven by a need to be cautious to risk, balanced by a requirement to maximise long‐term total returns. Risk is reduced by investment in shares and bond funds through investment vehicles such as investment companies, common investment funds and unit trusts. The investment policy aims to maintain a total return of both income and capital that meets both current needs and longer‐term capital needs over a 5‐to‐10‐year timescale.

Investments are in funds that, in the majority, have a policy of acting in a socially responsible manner and which have ethical policies that are, as far as possible, in line with the Charity’s policies and objectives.

Reserves policy

Due to the nature of the Charity’s activities, its net assets represent either endowment or restricted funds. As the Charity acts principally as a trustee with no general funds of its own, and as ODBF bears the cost of administration as detailed in note 16 to the financial statements, no free reserves need to be maintained to sustain the Charity.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW (cont’d)

Grant making policy

The Charity makes grant payments as Managing Trustee in accordance with the terms of each trust, as appropriate.

Risk management

The directors confirm that the major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been reviewed and systems have been established to manage those risks. The risk management strategy comprises an annual review of risks which the Charity may face, the establishment of systems and procedures to manage identified risks and the implementation of the procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the Charity should those risks materialise.

The principal risks are that:

The Charity has insurance to indemnify the directors and officers against the consequences of any neglect or default on their part. The cover provided is up to £1,000,000.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited (the Charity) is a Trust Corporation incorporated in England and Wales on 30 December 1965 as a charitable company limited by guarantee (Company Number 867729), which is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and is a registered charity (Charity Number 253575).The members of the company are the directors. In the event of the charitable company being wound up, each member has guaranteed to contribute a maximum of £1. The Charity is not liable to Corporation Tax on its gains and income as the gains and income are applied for charitable purposes.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (cont’d)

Board and Committee structure

The directors, who are also the trustees for the purposes of charity legislation, usually meet four times a year. During 2023 three meetings were held. In addition, the Trustees’ Investment Committee (TIC) is responsible for considering matters relating to the Church Schools Uniform Statutory Trust (CSUST) investments and for making recommendations to the directors. The committee comprises the chairman and up to five other directors, including one representative of ODBE. The committee meets as necessary. The committee met twice during the year.

Appointment of Directors

The directors comprise up to:

Up to three additional members may be co‐opted. Two further persons may be co‐opted from time to time by the directors. Directors normally serve for a three‐year term linked to Synodical elections.

Directors receive induction training when first appointed and ongoing training as appropriate.

Directors’ responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the directors’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the net income and expenditure of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (cont’d)

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Where the Charity acts as the Sole Trustee, the directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records of monies that disclose fairly and reasonably the financial position of those funds. Where the Charity acts as Diocesan Authority or Custodian Trustee, the accounting records are under the control of the managing trustees of each relevant trust.

Key management personnel

The overall responsibility for the company rests with the directors who regard themselves as the key management personnel. No director received any remuneration from the company ( 2022: none ).

Related parties

The directors consider the following to be related parties:

Transactions with related parties are disclosed in note 16 to the financial statements.

Public benefit

The directors have complied with section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 having due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission. The manner in which the charitable company provides public benefit is articulated in the achievements section of this report.

Funds held as the Diocesan Authority or as Custodian Trustee

The directors recommend that the managing trustees of trust funds should review periodically the investments held for trusts taking professional investment advice, as appropriate. Cash and investments are held separately for each trust.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT to the Members of Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, and the notes to the financial statements including the principal accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (cont’d)

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Directors’ Report and Financial Statements, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (cont’d)

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non‐compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non‐compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (cont’d)

We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non‐compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non‐compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non‐ compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (cont’d)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Date: 16 May 2024

Catherine Biscoe (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Buzzacott LLP, Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations
2
Investments
3
Other sources
4
Total
Expenditure on Charitable Activities:
Grants
5a
Other
5b
Total
Net income/(expenditure) before
investment gains/(losses)
Unrealised gains/(losses) on
investments
6
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted
Funds
£’000
74


74

(74)
(74)




Restricted
Funds
£’000

359

359
(429)
(40)
(469)
(110)
151
41
1,332
1,373
Endowment
Funds
£’000


369
369



369
901
1,270
9,141
10,411
Total
2023
£’000
74
359
369
802
(429)
(114)
(543)
259
1,052
1,311
10,473
11,784
Total
2022
£’000
78
354
432
(468)
(123)
(591)
(159)
(1,413)
(1,572)
12,045
10,473

The Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities. The prior year comparative SOFA for 2022 is shown in Note 21 on page 31. The notes on pages 18 to 31 form part of these financial statements.

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BALANCESHEETasat31December2023 —CompanyNo.867729 —CompanyNo.867729 (EnglandandWales)
2023 2022
Note £’000 £000
FIXEDASSETS
Investments 6 11,491 10,439
CURRENTASSETS
Debtorsdueaftermorethanoneyear 7 44 9
Debtorsduewithinoneyear 8 573 181
Cashatbank 194 398
TotalCurrentAssets 811 588
Creditors:Amountsfallingduewithinoneyear 9 (467)
(503)
NetCurrentAssets 344 85
TotalAssetsLessCurrentLiabilities 11,835 10,524
Creditors:Amountsfallingdueaftermorethanoneyear
10
(51)
(51)
NETASSETS 11,784
10,473
FUNDS
PermanentEndowmentFunds 11 109
100
ExpendableEndowmentFunds 12 10,302
9,041
10,411
9,141
RestrictedFunds 13 1,373
1,332
11,784
10,473

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 December 2023

Net cash used in operating activities (Below A)
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends and interest received from investments
Net cash provided by investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December (Below B)
A. Reconciliation of net movements in funds to
net cash flow used in operating activities
Net movement in funds
Adjustments for:
Unrealised (gains)/losses on investments
Dividends and interest receivable from investments
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors
Decrease in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities
B. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank
2023
£’000
£’000
(563)
359
359
(204)
398
194
1,311
(1,052)
(359)
(427)
(36)
(563)
194
2023
£’000
£’000
(563)
359
359
(204)
398
194
1,311
(1,052)
(359)
(427)
(36)
(563)
194
2023
£’000
£’000
(563)
359
359
(204)
398
194
1,311
(1,052)
(359)
(427)
(36)
(563)
194
2022
£’000
£’000
(443)
354
354
(89)
487
398
(1,572)
1,413
(354)
128
(58)
(443)
398
2022
£’000
£’000
(443)
354
354
(89)
487
398
(1,572)
1,413
(354)
128
(58)
(443)
398
2022
£’000
£’000
(443)
354
354
(89)
487
398
(1,572)
1,413
(354)
128
(58)
(443)
398
(204)
398
(89)
487
398
(1,572)
1,413
(354)
128
(58)
(443)
398
194
1,311
(1,052)
(359)
(427)
(36)
(563)
194

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

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Principal Accounting policies

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Ltd (DT(O)L) is a company limited by guarantee (No.867729 (England and Wales)) and a registered charity (No. 253575) governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, incorporated in England. Its registered office is Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 1GF.

Basis of accounting

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

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared for the year to 31 December 2023 with comparative information provided for the year to 31 December 2022 .

The financial statements 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 financial statements.

The financial statements 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 UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest thousand.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the financial statements requires the directors and management to make significant judgements and estimates. The items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Principal Accounting Policies (cont’d)

Going concern

The directors have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The directors have made this assessment with respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these financial statements including the preparation of future income and expenditure cash flows. The directors have concluded there are no material uncertainties that cast doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The directors are of the opinion that the Charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due. This is because the Charity has sufficient monetary assets, including short term cash balances, which could be readily realised to meet liabilities should there be an unexpected curtailment of income.

Income

Income is recognised in the period in which the Charity is entitled to receipt, the amount can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the funds will be received.

Income comprises donations, income from listed and property investments and income relating to closed school sites.

Donations comprise gifts in kind which represent the actual cost of administering the Charity incurred by ODBF. Such gifts in kind are also shown as charitable expenditure.

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Rent receivable is recognised on an accruals basis determined under the relevant licences to occupy and leases.

Income from the sale of closed school sites (see below) is recognised upon receipt of funds after the sale of the site is completed.

Closed school premises

The land and buildings of a number of closed church schools are vested in CSUST. The future of these sites is uncertain as to use and retention. Where such sites are eventually sold, the proceeds may need to be apportioned between CSUST and a Local Authority and/or other parties. As such assets have no meaningful value during this period of uncertainty, they are not valued for the purpose of these financial statements. On 1 January 2024 CSUST was transferred to ODBE (See Note 20).

Rental income from closed school premises is recognised in these accounts when receivable (see above).

Expenditure

Expenditure is included in the statement of financial activities when incurred and includes attributable VAT.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Principal Accounting Policies (cont’d)

Expenditure comprises expenditure on the Charity’s primary charitable purposes as described in the directors’ report including the payments of grants. The expenditure includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those indirect costs necessary to support them.

Grants payable are included in the statement of financial activities when approved and when committed. Commitment will usually arise when the intended recipient has either received the funds or been informed of the decision to make the donation.

Investments

Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market bid‐price.

Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.

Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Apart from fixed asset investments held at fair value, these are recognised initially at transaction value and subsequently measured as described below.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non‐recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

The amounts recoverable from the sale proceeds of closed schools represent professional fees and other costs incurred in respect of those school land and buildings and are recoverable from the disposal proceeds once sold.

It should be noted that there is no certainty about when these sums will be received, but it is deemed appropriate to include the full amounts as debtors in order to preserve the right to recovery should the opportunity arise. If and when any such items become clearly irrecoverable, they are written off as expenditure (see critical estimates and areas of judgement above).

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. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits.

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Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Principal Accounting Policies (cont’d)

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.

Fund structure

The unrestricted funds comprise those monies which may be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the Charity and may be applied at the discretion of the directors.

The restricted funds are monies raised for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor imposed conditions.

The endowment funds comprise assets which normally must be held as capital (permanent) but, where permitted, may be applied towards meeting certain charitable aims (expendable). The income therefrom is used either in accordance with the donors’ wishes, if stipulated, or for general purposes.

Custodian funds

Funds held by the Charity on behalf of various trusts and over which the Charity has no power to make management decisions are classified as custodian funds and are not included in the financial statements. Instead, a description of the funds held is disclosed in the directors’ report.

21

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

2. Income from Donations

Gifts in kind in respect of the administrative and governance
services donated by ODBF
2023
£’000
74
2022
£’000
78

In both the above years, income from donations related to unrestricted funds.

3. Income from Investments

ncome from Investments
Dividends receivable
Interest receivable
Rents receivable
2023
£’000
298
19
42
359
2022
£’000
295
6
53
354

In both the above years, income from investments related to restricted funds.

4. Income from Other Sources

Income from Other Sources
Surplus on disposal of closed school sites
Income from other sources related to CSUST Endowment funds.
2023
£’000
369
2022
£’000

22

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

5. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

a) Grants

TES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)
xpenditure on Charitable Activities
) Grants
Grants to ODBE
Grants of £5,000 or less
Total grants payable
2023
£’000
429

429
2022
£’000
462
6
468

The above grants are from restricted funds.

b) Other

) Other
Administration provided by ODBF
Governance costs borne by ODBF
Total Unrestricted Funds
Property Maintenance
Administration of Funds and Grants
Total Restricted Funds
Total Other Charitable Expenditure
2023
£’000
47
27
74
5
35
40
114
2022
£’000
45
33
78
5
40
45
123

Governance costs are borne by ODBF and form part of the costs recognised in these financial statements and part of the related gift in kind (note 2). Governance costs represent staff costs in relation to governance (including directors’ expenses), committee costs, audit fees and legal costs.

The audit fees were £6K ( 2022: £6K ). Directors comprise the key management of the charity but received no remuneration in either year. No director received reimbursement of travel expenses during the year ( 2022: One director received £0.1K ).

23

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

6. Investments

Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
£’000
£’000
Market value at 1 January
1,387
9,052
Unrealised gains/(losses) in year
151
901
Market value at 31 December
1,538
9,953
Historical cost of investments
1,140
3,537
Analysis of investments at 31 December 2023:
CBF – Investment Fund shares
CBF – Global Equity Fund Income shares
CBF – Property Fund shares
M&G Charifund units
COIF Ethical Accumulation shares
Charities Property Fund
All of the invested funds are held within the UK.
7. Debtors due after more than one year
Amounts recoverable from proceeds of closed schools
Restricted
Funds
£’000
1,387
151
Endowment
Funds
£’000
9,052
901
2023 Total
£’000
10,439
1,052
2022 Total
£’000
11,852
(1,413)
2022 Total
£’000
11,852
(1,413)
1,538 9,953 11,491 10,439
1,140 3,537 4,677 4,677
Total
£’000
8,093
2,207
183
3
253
752
11,491
2023
£’000
44
44
Holding
%
70
19
2

2
7
100
2022
£’000
9
9

24

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)
8. Debtors due within one year
Interest receivable
Amounts recoverable from proceeds of closed schools
Other
9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Amounts due to Local Authorities
Accrued grant to ODBE
Other
10. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Amounts due to Local Authorities
2023
£’000
38
508
27
573
2023
£’000
37
429
1
467
2023
£’000
51
2022
£’000
27
138
16
181
2022
£’000
35
462
6
503
2022
£’000
51

25

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

11. Permanent Endowment Funds

ermanent Endowment Funds
Bishop of Oxford’s Discretionary Fund
Caversfield – F. Sharpe Bequest
Streatley – Judd Bequest
Woolhampton – James Blyth Charity Trust
Woolhampton – Misses Blyth‐Currie Trust
Balance at
1 January
2023
£’000
25
4
3
53
15
100
Investment
Gains
£’000
2


5
2
9
Balance at
31 December
2023
£’000
27
4
3
58
17
109

Included in the balance at 31 December 2023 is £98K ( 2022: £89K ) of unrealised investment gains.

26

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

12. Expendable Endowment Funds

CSUST
Bartlett Memorial Fund
Balance at
1 January
2023
Capital
Introduced
Investment
gains
Balance at
31 December
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
8,972
369
885
10,226
69

7
76
9,041
369
892
10,302

Included in the balance at 31 December 2023 is £6,318k ( 2022: £ 5,426k) of unrealised investment gains.

This fund's capital arises from the sale proceeds of closed schools and school houses within the Diocese. In addition to these funds, the land and buildings of five closed church schools or school houses are vested in CSUST. The future of these sites is uncertain as to use and retention. Even where these are to be eventually sold, the proceeds are usually apportioned between CSUST and the relevant Local Authority and/or other parties. Therefore it is inappropriate to place any particular value on these sites for balance sheet purposes.

The funds shown do not include sale proceeds of schools and school houses where these are held by solicitors pending an order and/or determination.

Both the capital and income may be used for defraying costs incurred in connection with sales of closed schools and for the purchase of a site, building, improving or maintaining Church of England schools and school houses in the Diocese. The income may also be used for advice, guidance and resources regarding the management and education provided, carrying out inspections in connection with such a school and the employment of staff in connection with the administration of the Trusts.

This fund is administered by the company in consultation with ODBE. A summary of all CSUST funds is provided in note 14 below.

 The Bartlett Memorial Fund

27

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

13. Restricted Funds

CSUST
Bartlett Memorial Fund
Bishop of Oxford’s Discretionary Fund
Caversfield – F. Sharpe Bequest
Woolhampton – James Blyth Charity Trust
Woolhampton ‐ Misses Blyth ‐Currie Trust
Tackley CE School
Balance at
1 January
2023
£’000
1,217
63
9
5
31
5
2
1,332
Income
£’000
349
5
1
1
3


359
Expenditure
£’000
(469)






(469)
Investment
gains
£’000
145
5


1


151
Balance at
31 December
2023
£’000
1,242
73
10
6
35
5
2
1,373

Included in the balance for income funds at 31 December 2023 is £397k ( 2022: £247K ) of unrealised investment gains. The majority of these funds represent unexpended income arising from the endowment funds described in Notes 11 and 12 above.

Tackley C.E. School

The fund comprises rent received from Tackley pre‐school and interest thereon. The income is to be used for the benefit of the school.

Descriptions of the other funds may be found in notes 11 and 12 above.

14. CSUST Funds Summary

SUST Funds Summary
Endowment (Note
12)
Restricted (Note 13)
Total
Balance at
1 January
2023
£’000
8,972
1,217
10,189
Income
£’000
369
349
718
Expenditure
£’000

(469)
(469)
Investment
gains
£’000
885
145
1,030
Balance at
31 December
2023
£’000
10,226
1,242
11,468

28

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

15. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

Permanent
Endowment Funds:
Bishop of Oxford’s
Discretionary Fund
Caversfield – F. Sharpe
Bequest
Streatley – Judd
Bequest
Woolhampton – James
Blyth Trust
Woolhampton – Misses
Blyth‐Currie Trust
Expendable
Endowment Funds:
CSUST
Bartlett Memorial Fund
Total Endowment
Funds
Restricted Income
Funds:
CSUST
Bartlett Memorial Fund
Bishop of Oxford’s
Discretionary Fund
Caversfield – F. Sharpe
Bequest
Woolhampton – James
Blyth Trust
Woolhampton – Misses
Blyth‐Currie Trust
Tackley CE School
Total Funds
Investments
£’000
27
4
3
58
17
109
9,768
76
9,844
9,953
1,455
54
4

20
5

1,538
11,491
Cash
£’000






2

2
2
145
19
6
5
15

2
192
194
Debtors
£’000






507

507
507
109


1



110
617
Creditors
£’000






(51)

(51)
(51)
(467)






(467)
(518)
Total
2023
£’000
27
4
3
58
17
109
10,226
76
10,302
10,411
1,242
73
10
6
35
5
2
1,373
11,784
Total
2022
£’000
25
4
3
53
15
100
8,972
69
9,041
9,141
1,217
63
9
5
31
5
2
1,332
10,473

29

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

16. Related party transactions

Administration is carried out by ODBF free of charge. The receipt of this service is classified by the SORP as a gift in kind valued at £74k ( 2022: £78k ) (see Note 2). The cost is included in charitable activities (Note 5b). Included in these administrative costs are staff costs of £27k ( 2022: £32k ). There are some investment management costs that are incurred by ODBF, but they are not material and have not been separately analysed in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Grants totalling £429K were made to ODBE in the year ( 2022: £462K) to support the work of the charity (see Note 5a).

The relationship between the Charity, ODBF and ODBE is as set out within the directors’ report.

The reimbursement of expenses to the directors is disclosed in Note 5.

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

17. Custodian funds

In addition to the Trusts detailed above, the Charity acts as Diocesan Authority or Custodian Trustee on behalf of trusts. These trusts each have individual objects and are related to the Charity in that they are all connected with the Church of England. The Charity oversaw the investments of 662 trusts ( 2022: 658 ) with a total value of £80.1 million at the end of 2023 ( 2022: £74.6 million ). No additional capital was accepted during 2023 ( 2022: £1.73 million ). These trusts are administered separately from those for which the Charity acts as Managing Trustee and are not included in these financial statements.

18. Staff

The Charity has no employees and therefore has no employment, national insurance or pension obligations.

19. Members liability

The Charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee. In the event that the company is wound up, company members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

20. Post Balance Sheet Event

On 1 January 2024 the CSUST funds, the Woolhampton(s) & Tackley school funds were transferred to Oxford Diocesan Board of Education, following Charity Commission approval. DT(O)L will continue to operate with its remaining endowment and restricted funds and as a custodian & managing trustee.

30

Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Limited Directors’ Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont’d)

21. Prior Year Comparatives

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 December 2022

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations
2
Investments
3
Total
Expenditure on Charitable Activities:
Grants
5a
Other
5b
Total
Net expenditure before investment losses
Unrealised losses on investments
6
Net income and net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted
Funds
£’000
78

78

(78)
(78)


Restricted
Funds
£’000

354
354
(468)
(45)
(513)
(159)
(180)
(339)
Endowment
Funds
£’000







(1,233)
(1,233)
Total
2022
£’000
78
354
432
(468)
(123)
(591)
(159)
(1,413)
(1,572)

1,671
1,332
10,374
9,141
12,045
10,473

The Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) include all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities. The notes on pages 18 to 30 support the above figures.

At 31 December 2022, the above funds were represented by the following net assets :‐

Permanent endowment funds
Expendable endowment funds
Restricted income funds
Total
Investments
£’000
100
8,952
1,387
10,439
Cash
£’000

2
396
398
Debtors
£’000

138
52
190
Liabilities
£’000

(51)
(503)
(554)
Total
£’000
100
9,041
1,332
10,473

31