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2020-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity number 256700

MARKSHALL ESTATE (FORMERLY MARKS HALL ESTATE)

GROUP REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 DECEMBER 2020

MARKSHALL ESTATE

CONTENTS


Pages
Officers and professional advisers 1
Trustees’ annual report 2 - 14
Independent auditor’s report 15 - 17
Group statement of financial activities 18
Group balance sheet 19
Charity balance sheet 20
Statement of cash flows and
consolidated statement of cash flows 21
Notes to the financial statements 22 - 45
_______
The following pages are included for the Trustees’ information
and do not form part of the financial statements :
Income and expenditure account 47 - 50

MARKSHALL ESTATE

OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS


Trustees Peter Griffiths
Margaret Attwood
Robert Cowlin
William Conner
Jan Smith
Benjamin Woodgate
Geoffrey Dunn (appointed 1 January 2021)
Ian Hodge (appointed 26 March 2020)
Executive Director Kath Cockshaw
Markshall Estate
Markshall
Coggeshall
CO6 1TG
Registered Office Markshall Estate
Markshall
Coggeshall
CO6 1TG
Registered Number Charity 256700
Auditors Scrutton Bland LLP
Chartered Accountants and
Statutory Auditor
820 The Crescent
Colchester Business Park
Colchester
CO4 9YQ
Bankers Barclays Bank plc
9 High Street
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1DD
Solicitors Holmes and Hills LLP
Bocking End
Braintree
Essex
CM7 9AJ

MARKSHALL ESTATE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


In accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the Trustees present this annual report and the audited financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2020.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the governing document, the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

2020 – a Year Like No Other

Like most businesses in the world, certainly all public venues, Marks Hall Estate Charity income streams have been severely affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020 and Q1 2021, the Arboretum and Visitor Centre were closed to members and visitors for three separate periods complying with government lockdowns, tier restrictions and other public health measures, as part of a national effort to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus and protect staff and volunteers.

Trustees and senior management began to plan in the first half of March 2020 how to take appropriate measures to reduce outgoings. The Charity took immediate advantage of the Government’s job retention scheme and were successful in applying for and receiving grant support from Braintree District Council.

Income from admissions, catering, and shop and plant centre sales, which is mostly generated through the spring and summer months, ceased entirely from 23 March 2020 for 3 months during lockdown #1, and were phased back in between 2 June and the start of lockdown #2 on 5 November 2020 which lasted four weeks. Weddings and Coach House hire events were postponed or cancelled due to Government bans and very tight public health measures on public gatherings, and weddings, in particular.

Following a case of Covid in the staff in the first week of December, we struggled to staff our visitor facilities safely and on the advice of Trustees and stakeholders we had to cancel a planned Father Christmas trail event which had sold out, losing an important seasonal income stream. Lockdown #3 was announced on 6 January 2021, and the Arboretum re-opened to visitors on 18 March 2021.

Some of our estate tenants have indicated that they may struggle to pay future rent. However, Rental and Estate income was £461,773 in 2020, up on £429,158 in 2019. This was due to the allocation of pre-payments and accruals across some of our tenants rent schedules.

At the time of reporting in August 2021, following the first double vaccine roll-out, public measures are no longer mandatory, but social distancing and mask wearing is still encouraged in some public spaces. The virus is still very much with us, and, at present, there are high levels of Covid-19 in the local schools and community. We anticipate that the Estate may have to adjust its usual trading activities, particularly those of catering, plant sales and retail, events and weddings again in the near future. Rental income may be reduced or delayed, and volunteer resource is likely to be limited.


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In Q1 2021, it was formally agreed by Trustees to change the name of the Estate from Marks Hall Estate to Markshall Estate, following a rebranding exercise which was centred on our heritage and a move back to the original name of our land - Markshall. The name of the charity and subsidiary trading company were consequently changed from Marks Hall Estate to Markshall Estate, and from Marks Hall Enterprises to Markshall Trading Ltd, respectively.

In our next Annual Report, we will detail more innovations at Markshall Estate in 2021, including more on the re-brand project, the new website, new public facilities, and the launch of our 50th Anniversary Year. See the end of this report for more about our future plans.

Legal and administrative information

The information on page 1 forms part of this report. The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales under registration no. 256700.

The Trustees during the year under review were as follows:

Meriel Barclay (Chair of Trustees) (Retired 31 December 2020) Peter Griffiths Margaret Attwood Michael Lear (retired 10 November 2020) William Conner Robert Cowlin Jan Smith Benjamin Woodgate Ian Hodge (appointed 26 March 2020)

Structure, governance and management

The Charity was founded by Will and codicil of Thomas Phillips Price registered in the Principal Registry on 16 February 1933. The scheme for its regulation was approved and established by the Charity Commission on 15th November 1971.

The Trustees meet quarterly as a minimum. At the beginning of 2019 terms of reference were agreed for the establishment of a Finance sub-committee and a Built Estate sub-committee. These committees also meet quarterly in advance of the Trustees’ main board meeting to review, and to make recommendations to the board on all matters relating to finance, investments, and the management of the built estate including an overview of ongoing project work.

Composition of the sub-committees includes at least two Trustees, including the Chair of Trustees, and senior members of staff. The day to day management of the Charity is undertaken by the Executive Director and senior members of staff. Senior staff meetings occur on a regular basis for the purpose of taking decisions and reporting to Trustees principally on the management of the lands in hand including the Arboretum and woodlands, visitor related activities, fundraising, marketing and events.


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Members of the senior management team in 2020 were:

Kath Cockshaw Executive Director Richard Ramsey Estate Manager Ian Chandler Arboretum Manager Karen Marchlik Visitor Operations Manager Drea Lee Marketing & Communications Manager (from January 2020) Lauren Shields Financial Administrator Lisa Calvert Events Manager

Revenue is raised through the letting or hire of estate property, admission and membership fees for the Arboretum and through activities undertaken at the Visitor Centre including a café, shop and plant centre. Other income is raised from events, grants and sponsorship. Markshall Trading Ltd is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the Charity. Its principal activities are the hire and letting of the Coach House for weddings and events. Profits generated by the trading company are gift aided to the Charity.

Expenditure is managed through budget allocation to the department heads for Estate, Arboretum and Woodlands, Visitor Centre and Markshall Trading Ltd with any variation approved by the Executive Director, or as necessary by the Trustees / Directors.

As an integral part of the management policy the Trustees regularly review the risk register which lists external and internal risk factors which may affect the Charity and its subsidiary.

Senior staff keep health and safety issues under regular review as far as this affects employees, volunteers, contractors and visitors to Markshall Estate.

Working with professional advisers, the Trustees seek to ensure that all the Charity’s management and decision making processes take full account of and comply with relevant legislative and regulatory controls. Insurance including property ownership and public liability cover is reassessed annually.

Trustee Recruitment, Induction and Training

As Trustees retire, replacement candidates are identified by the remaining Trustees through open advertising including on the Charity’s website, social media and through approaches to interested organisations including The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (RBG Kew). Prior to the recruitment process commencing, a skills audit is undertaken across the Trustee board to identify those skills which would be most helpful for new Trustees to possess. Prospective Trustees receive a Trustee recruitment pack providing them with details of the role and background information. RBG Kew has the option, but not the obligation, to appoint a Trustee of its choosing to the Marks Hall Estate board. Michael Lear, who was appointed a Trustee of RBG Kew in 2017, fulfilled this role until 10 November 2020.

As part of their induction programme, new Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities through discussion with the Chair and their fellow Trustees. This includes an introduction to the history, objectives, and work of the Charity. New Trustees also receive a copy of the Charity’s governing document, copies of the previous two years’ annual reports and accounts and Charity Commission information on Trustees’ responsibilities. They are also invited and encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Visitor Centre, Arboretum, and the wider estate.


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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


Strategic Objectives and Activities

Summary of activities

Markshall Estate extends to approximately 2,350 acres and is vested in the Official Custodian for Charities in trust for the Charity.

The estate comprises tenanted farm holdings extending in total to around 1,550 acres, residential and commercial property, parkland, coniferous woodlands managed by the Forestry Commission, and in hand broadleaved woodland, much of which is of high nature conservation value. At the heart of the estate is a 200 acre Arboretum established in the mid-1980s with ornamental lakes and a 2 acre walled garden.

The Arboretum and Visitor Centre have been open to the public since 1993. The Visitor Centre contains a café, shop and administrative offices.

There is a membership scheme designed for frequent visitors with individual, joint, family and concessionary categories. There are no restrictions on who may join the membership scheme.

The Coach House is a weddings and events venue and is managed as a subsidiary of the Charity, trading under the name Markshall Trading Ltd (formerly Marks Hall Enterprises Ltd). The bar operation continues to be managed in house.

45,493 visits (day visitors and members) were made to Marks Hall Estate during 2020, an increase of 3,500 on 2019, despite the Arboretum being closed to visitors and members for approximately one third of the year. As travel between different areas of the UK was discourage or prohibited through most of 2020, this number reflects the need for local people to have somewhere easy and safe to walk in nature, where it is easy to socially distance during a global pandemic and a growing awareness of Marks Hall Estate and the qualities of our Arboretum – its scale, beauty and general upkeep were often commented on by visitors in 2020.

Day visitors are charged for admission. In 2020 the standard admission rates remained unchanged which was a decision taken by senior management and Trustees in respect of many people losing or experiencing diminished income streams as a result of the pandemic.

Adult £ 6.00 Adult Concession £ 5.75 (over 65 and disabled). Carers may enter free of charge. Group rate £ 5.00 (for groups of 10+) Family £ 14.50 Child £ 2.75 Under 5’s free

Gift Aid admission prices were also offered @10% higher than the standard rates.

The Charity’s object is ‘the advancement, in the interests of the nation, of agriculture, arboriculture and forestry’.

The aims of the Charity are to:


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The main objectives and activities for the year were shaped by these aims and continued to focus on managing the visitor related activities, Arboretum and the wider let and in hand estate.

The strategies employed by the Charity to achieve its aims include:


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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


Volunteers

The Charity’s staff are supported by approximately 70 volunteers who work at the Visitor Centre on the shop counter, in the admission kiosk or driving the buggy for those less able. A further team of volunteers assist on a regular basis in the Arboretum. It is estimated that the hours given by volunteers would equate to the employment of approximately four full time staff. The Trustees thank the volunteers for their considerable and continued help and support during a difficult year for some of them in 2020 and look forward to welcoming more volunteers to the site in 2021 and beyond.

Public benefit

In deciding the Charity’s work over the course of the year the Trustees give due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. We constantly receive 4 and 5 star visitor reviews saying how much people enjoy the site, its beauty, general upkeep of the Arboretum and our facilities.

The Trustees believe that the Charity provides significant public benefit to visitors for general enjoyment and recreation and to those with specific interests such as historians, gardeners, arboriculturists and landscape and wildlife specialists. The Arboretum hosts regular visits from local schools, colleges, horticultural and other interest groups.

Some of our visitor feedback details specific health related benefits achieved through visiting our site, especially mental health. In 2020, we began to scope a programme of work around health and wellbeing to include activities to improve mental health working with local groups, and regular visitors living with dementia and autism and their carers - and physical health such as yoga, forest bathing, and walking to improve fitness. In 2022 we will start a Park Run programme which was planned to commence in 2021.

As a result of the pandemic there is funding available in this area, and we are looking at ways of working with suppliers in these areas which don’t require too much staff time from our core team to organise and deliver.

Agriculture and the Tenanted Estate

The tenanted estate comprises five arable farm holdings of an average size of approximately 310 acres. Four of the holdings are equipped with traditional and modern buildings and farmhouses. The farm holdings are let on either Agricultural Holdings Act agreements or Farm Business Tenancies. The rest of the let estate is made up of commercial property, which is used as offices, storage or light industrial, residential property and various grazing lets and other land uses, including a small cricket bat willow plantation.

The Charity’s in-hand estate (other than the Arboretum, woodlands and visitor facilities) comprises around 90 acres of parkland, surrounding the Arboretum. Much of this land was in arable use until the early 1990’s and is now grazed with cattle under a Higher Level Environmental Stewardship Scheme, for the benefit of flora and fauna and landscape enhancement.

As in previous years, the Charity has undertaken repairs and building improvements to several properties and infrastructure across the in hand and let estate. The Trustees have also undertaken rent reviews and granted new leases where property has become vacant.

In 2020 rental and estate income including land and environmental grants amounted to £461,773.


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In 2016 planning consent was obtained for the residential development of two small parcels of land at Tilkey Road and Tey Road, Coggeshall. Both sites were marketed in 2017 and the sale of the Tilkey Road site completed in early 2018. Disposal of the site at Tey Road completed in October 2019, once planning consent for a new scheme had been obtained by the purchaser. Under the sale terms it was agreed that payment of part of the purchase price, amounting to £260,500 would be deferred to October 2020 and this was subsequently received.

During 2020 Trustees progressed their plans for the development of land adjacent to Earls Colne Business Park for letting to local businesses. In 2019, Trustees obtained planning consent for conversion of redundant farm buildings at Bullocks Cross to two residential dwellings. When the latter project is completed, it will create a new income stream for the Charity as well as protecting the listed buildings from further deterioration.

With assistance from members of the local community, Trustees are developing plans for the creation of an 8.2 km cycle path through Markshall Estate linking the villages of Earls Colne and Coggeshall and farther towards Braintree town centre and Kelvedon station. The cycle path will provide a safe recreational activity for all age groups and is intended to encourage more visitors to the estate and prolong their stay. We received planning permission for the cycle path and planned changes to the Visitor Centre in August 2020. A further planning application regarding development of the new shop building was approved at the end of the year.

Woodlands

The woodlands at Markshall Estate extend to over 450 acres, the majority of which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites. Little Monks Wood, Crowland’s Wood, Grange Wood, Nunty’s Wood, Cleveland Wood, Lilly Wood and Marks Hall Wood form a continuous block of ancient woodland on the western side of the Estate, parts of which are considered by Natural England to be one of the finest series of small leaved lime woods in the country. Ancient woods are defined as any area that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD and they are the UK’s richest land-based habitat for wildlife. These woodlands have continued to be managed in a traditional manner principally through coppicing.

Visitors have access through some of the ancient woodland at Markshall Estate, but it is the Trustees’ intention to improve this access, and to provide better information on the high ecological and historical importance of the woodlands and their management. In 2018 the Forestry Commission clear felled around 75 acres of commercial standing timber in their ownership and this land will naturally regenerate as broadleaved woodland or be replanted in accordance with the Countryside Stewardship Scheme Woodland Improvement Grant which commenced in early 2019.

At the end of 2019, the Charity (through Marks Hall Enterprises Ltd) transferred the management of the firewood business utilising timber from the estate woodland and from the management of trees within the Arboretum and surrounding parkland to Broadleaf Firewood, run by Ken Rodgers and Gavin Bartholomew. We sell the timber produced from Arboretum and woodland management to Broadleaf, and they also help us in the coppicing of the woodlands.

During 2019 the Trustees had continued to raise their concerns about the construction of an Integrated Waste Management Facility at Rivenhall, located 5 km from Markshall Estate. Concerns focused on the long-term effect of emissions from the incineration of waste on the ecology of the ancient woodlands. Meetings were held with the site promoters, Indaver, who agreed to undertake air monitoring on the estate to determine existing background levels, on which further modelling would be done. At the end of 2020, necessary permits were put in place to allow the development to move to the construction phase. This matter will be updated in the next Annual Report.


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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


Arboretum

The Arboretum continues to be managed for the enjoyment and benefit of the public, offering contemporary lakeside gardens and an extensive Arboretum, with many rare and interesting species, planted in a geographical landscape scheme.

During 2019, 10 acres of ex-Forestry Commission land were cleared allowing for the plant collection to be expanded into this area in 2021 in accordance with the revised Landscape Master Plan setting out the vision for the growth of the Arboretum over the next 20 to 30 years. We will obtain the updated LMP in 2021.

In summer 2020, Ian Chandler Arboretum Manager and Martin Bowers Senior Arborist created a new natural play area in a wooded area between the Honywood Oak and the Walled Garden. When the Arboretum opened to the public following the first lockdown, the area became an instant hit with families. The Arboretum team plan another natural play area at Robins Grove for completion in 2021.

Interpretation, new visitor facilities, and landscape features will be introduced across the Arboretum, in 2021-22 enabling visitors to obtain a much better understanding of the collection within each geographical area.

In a normal year, a number of guided walks for the general public, gardening and social groups, and horticultural and landscape design students have taken place during the year. Markshall Estate has also hosted a number of corporate volunteer groups.

The Charity planned to host the 75th Anniversary annual memorial service for ‘Operation Varsity’ in March 2020 to remember those servicemen who flew from Earls Colne airfield during WWII. Unfortunately, due to Covid pandemic restrictions, the event (which is usually attended by veterans, their families and members of the local community) had to be cancelled.

Visitor Centre Related Activities

Bad weather meant a reasonably quiet start to the year for visitor admissions from January to March. The Visitor Centre closed to the public when the first UK-wide lockdown was announced by the government on Monday 23 March 2020. All staff and Trustee meetings were moved to a video conferencing system.

Members were finally permitted back to the Arboretum at the beginning of June 2020, and Visitors were permitted one week later, but with no café access and limited access to the outside disabled toilet only. We began a limited catering service serving from the doorway of the café in July, mask wearing was made mandatory in the UK on 24 July. A series of further measures were introduced through Q3 meaning continual change and signage planning for the VC and catering teams, until a second national lockdown commenced on 5 November 2020 and lasted for four weeks. Lockdown was lifted on 4 December, replaced by more public measures, but we struggled to staff our facilities due to staff availability and safety, resulting in a period of closure in December. We also had to cancel our planned Christmas trail event, which had sold out.

Due to the pandemic, secondary spend in the café, shop and plant centre was obviously lower than forecast, however visitor numbers were very high in Q3 at 20,046, an increase of 2,082 on Q3 2019 figures, and were the highest ever for half term and Halloween in October 2020 at 5,406, an increase of some 4,111 on 2019.


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Following the commercial success of a popular illustration exhibition in the café in 2019, further exhibitions are scheduled in 2021 but there was no point organising one of these in 2020.

Markshall Estate continues to be supported by a steady membership base with 2076 members as at December 2020, an increase of 300+ on 2019. The Charity continues to seek ways to develop its membership offer and provide members with added value and incentives, a relaunch of the scheme is planned for November 2021 which is the 50th anniversary of the Charity.

Due to the series of national lockdowns and public measures, most of the annual events programme and schools visits were cancelled.

Strategic Development

Despite the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, throughout the year the Trustees and senior staff continued to work on the strategic development of the Charity. Three workshops had taken place in 2019, designed to review and plan its future direction and the pursuit of projects and opportunities which will further the charitable object, promote public benefit and ensure its financial stability.

Executive Director Kath Cockshaw produced a new 5-year Strategy Plan and Operational Plan in June 2020. Both plans were communicated to staff in a series of team meetings during the second half of 2020 and the Operational Plan will form the basis of staff objectives, drafted for the next Annual Performance Development Review process, which is scheduled for March 2021.

Trustee and Staff Changes

At the end of 2019, Professor James Raven had been appointed Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his outstanding contribution to heritage research, and to secure his support for future heritage-related fundraising bids. Executive Director Kath Cockshaw retains a good working relationship with James. In March 2020, Ian Hodge, retired Professor of Land Economy at Cambridge University, was appointed a Trustee.

In January 2020 Drea Lee was appointed Marketing & Communications Manager, she was previously at Historic Royal Palaces, Windsor Castle and English Heritage, Audley End prior to that. In April, Kath Cockshaw made the case to Trustees to accelerate the planned recruitment for a new Education & Engagement Coordinator role, in recognition of the need to provide resources to home educators during the Covid-19 pandemic and to provide new ways of engaging with our visitors, members and local community on site in recognition of our charitable objects and to build new income streams for the Charity. James Harrod was appointed to this position in August, commencing the role at the beginning of September 2020.

Pay Policy for Senior Staff

The Trustees are responsible for the overall direction of the Charity and the senior management team is responsible for the operations and day to day running of the Charity. All Trustees give their time freely and did not receive any remuneration during the year for these duties. Details of Trustee expenses are disclosed within the financial accounts.

The pay for all staff is reviewed annually in line with the Charity’s pay policy and staff were awarded a 2% pay increase in January 2020.


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At the end of 2020, the Charity employed 18 full time and 14 part time members of staff. Assistance is usually provided by seasonal staff in the café and in assisting with the wedding and events operation but demand for this was low due to the impact of Covid-19 on our operations. During 2020 we continued to outsource some HR matters to external consultant Luella Dixon. Payroll is outsourced to local Accountancy firm, Scrutton Bland LLP.

Financial Review

Financial forecasting at the start of Q2 2020 indicated that the Charity would not be able to cover its operating expenditure beyond March 2021. Under a section 282 resolution made by the Trustees, the Charity Commission had agreed in March 2019 to release £227,500 of funds received from the sale of endowed land at Coggeshall in for capital projects. Release of an additional £480,000 was approved by the Charity Commission on 21st April 2020, enabling the Charity to weather the pandemic through 2020 and beyond. On further application to them in Q2 2020, £305,000 of this total amount was reallocated for operating expenditure.

Due to the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on most of our income streams, total incoming resources in 2020 for both the Charity and Markshall Trading Ltd (formerly Marks Hall Enterprises Ltd) (the Group) was £1,041,482, a decrease of £284,752 (21.5%) on 2019.

However, income from admissions, including memberships, actually increased by £8,569 (4.5% rise) to £200,233 which was really encouraging, demonstrating reliance on our outdoor spaces for walking by local visitors and members, old and new, and we noticed an upturn in younger families looking for outdoor places to go.

Given the café closure and reduced catering offer, catering spend decreased by £92,106 (40% down) to £138,548, while public hire of the Coach House and Visitor Centre decreased by nearly 91% to £26,790. Due to the lockdowns and public measures associated with Covid-19, the Coach House hosted just 6 weddings, 3 Essex Air Ambulance business meetings, a book launch, and 2 funerals in 2020. We had been scheduled to host 65 weddings and other bookings. Several couples’ weddings were cancelled, but fortunately most postponed.

Income from donations and legacies in 2020 was £16,828 (£500 Restricted) which was down, again due to the Covid pandemic, on the 2019 figure of £18,671.

Our Land and Environmental Grants totalled £31,385 in 2020. The Group also received Covid Recovery grants from Braintree District Council totalling £27,058, and a total of £42,454 benefit from the government’s Job Retention Scheme.

Total Group expenditure decreased by 3.9% to £1,246,022 due to savings on salaries and other outgoings through periods of enforced closure.

Investments increased in Q1 2020 with the Trust’s deposit of £1.1M income from the land sale (which had completed in 2019) in a multi-asset ethical portfolio managed by Rathbones Greenbank Investment. During 2020, Trustees’ investment approach had been to primarily increase capital, but there was little interest or income. The Group’s fixed assets therefore increased due to investment endowment funds obtained through land sale and Net current assets of the Group decreased from £2,380,328 at year end 2019 to £872,382 in 2020.


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The Trustees had agreed in 2019 that the most appropriate policy for investing funds was in specialised unit trusts and low risk deposits designed for the charity sector, ethical shareholdings, and ethical savings accounts with the intention that the investments generate both income and capital growth in the long term. The Trustees are confident that investments are being managed with appropriate caution and understanding of market volatility, with an emphasis on fixed interest bonds and UK and international companies with strong balance sheets and sound business models.

At the Feb 2021 board meeting, Trustees discussed the idea of moving to a Total Return model of investment which was agreed at the August 2021 board meeting. The Charity’s Trust Deed will be amended accordingly in Q4 2021.

Reserves Policy and Going Concern

The Trustees review the reserves policy annually to ensure that it meets the Group’s changing needs and circumstances. In normal operating conditions the Trustees consider it desirable to hold minimum reserves equating to two months of essential cash flow, with reserves defined according to Charity Commission guidance CC19. The majority of the cash flow required continues to relate to staff costs. As of 31st December 2020, the reserves for the Group were £658,445 and consequently this policy is met comfortably.

While the Trustees are satisfied that the Charity has adequate resources for the foreseeable future, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the Charity in 2020 and 2021. Therefore, the Trustees consider it desirable to hold minimum reserves equating to three months of essential cash flow. The Trustees have taken action to release funds held as permanent endowment to cover operational shortfalls and to continue some long term projects. Although the current situation poses considerable problems, the Trustees remain optimistic that Markshall Estate will continue to prosper and develop.

Risk Management

The Trustees have a risk management plan in place which is updated and reviewed annually by the board. The plan focuses on the key risks and uncertainties faced by the Charity including financial uncertainty, the Charity’s management, Trustees, reputational risk, environmental risks, health and safety and regulatory requirements.

Financial security is identified as the most significant risk faced by the Charity. As outlined above, the Trustees, Executive Director and senior staff conduct regular risk reviews, and regular reviews of funds, including financial forecasting, to ensure there is sufficient operational capital for the Charity.

Plans for the Future

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted the Charity’s ability to fulfil all of its intended plans for 2020 and 2021, and the immediate focus is on ensuring the organisation’s financial sustainability through an intensified drive on income generation across business areas, fundraising and strategic business planning.

The goal of the Charity’s 5-Year Strategy is to enable the sustainable development of Markshall Estate to further the charitable object and public benefit. 2021 marks the start of the 50th anniversary of the Charity – and we will deliver three major objectives in this year:


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ii) Developing our income streams:

Further strategic plans include:


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Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The trustees 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 Charity and of the incoming resources, and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the Charity for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

Auditors

A resolution to re-appoint Scrutton Bland LLP as auditors of the Trust will be put to the trustees.

Approved by the trustees on 16 November 2021 and signed on their behalf by

Geoff Dunn

Chair of Trustees


INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MARKSHALL ESTATE


Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Markshall Estate (the ‘Charity’) and its subsidiary (the ‘Group’) for the year ended 31 December 2020 which comprise the Group Statement of Financial Activities, the Group and Charity Balance Sheet, the Group and Charity Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant 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 Charity 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 Trustees' 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 Charity’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 Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual 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.


INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MARKSHALL ESTATE


We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion :

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 12 the trustees 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 trustees 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 trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity’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 trustees either intend to liquidate the Charity 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:

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience, through discussion with the management and trustees (as required by auditing standards), inspection of the charity’s regulatory and legal correspondence and discussed with management the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of noncompliance throughout the audit.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the charity is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation, charity law and taxation legislation and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.


INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MARKSHALL ESTATE


Secondly, the charity is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of noncompliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: health and safety legislation, anti-bribery and corruption legislation and GDPR. Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the management and trustees and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: enquiries of management and those charged with governance as to whether the company complies with such regulations; enquiries of management and those charged with governance concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims, inspection of relevant legal documentation, review of board minutes, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and the performance of analytical review to identify any unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

No instances of material non-compliance were identified.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).

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.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under Section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charity’s trustees 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 Charity and the Charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

SCRUTTON BLAND LLP

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 820 The Crescent Colchester Business Park Colchester Essex CO4 9YQ

Date: 16 November 2021

Scrutton Bland LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Endowment Total Total
Notes Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2020 2019
£ £ £ £ **£ **
Income
Donations and legacies 2 16,328 500 - 16,828 18,671
Income from charitable
activities:
Grants receivable 3 100,897 - - 100,897 36,976
Other income from
charitable activities 4 200,233 - - 200,233 191,664
Income from other
trading activities 5 687,418 - - 687,418 1,073,175
Investment income 6 36,606 - - 36,606 5,748
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total income 1,041,482 500 - 1,041,982 1,326,234
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds 7 871,887 - - 871,887 950,831
Charitable activities 8 374,135 - - 374,135 346,213
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total expenditure 1,246,022 - - 1,246,022 1,297,044
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Realised and unrealised
investment gains 169,656 - 169,656 20,405
Gain on disposal of land 32 - - 32 1,042,740
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net (expenditure)/income (34,852) 500 - (34,352)
1,092,335
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------
Transfer between funds 19 475,599 - (475,599)
-
-
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net movement in funds
carried forward 440,747 500 (475,599)
(34,352)

1,092,335
Balances brought forward
at 1 January 2020 £2,326,838 £1,000 £2,341,955 £4,669,793 £3,577,458
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Balances carried forward
at 31 December 2020 £2,767,585 £1,500 £1,866,356 £4,635,441 £4,669,793
================== ================== ================== ================== ==================

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

Analysis between funds of the 2019 Statement of Financial Activities is shown in note 26 to the accounts.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020


Notes
2020 2019
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 12 2,952,422 2,847,997
Investments 13 1,571,604 142,836
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
4,524,026 2,990,833
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Current assets
Stocks 14 8,155 20,651
Debtors 15 357,996 502,646
Cash at bank and in hand 1,032,197 2,214,981
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1,398,348 2,738,278
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 16 525,966 357,950
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net current assets 872,382 2,380,328
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 5,396,408 5,371,161
Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year 17 760,967 701,368
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Net assets £4,635,441 £4,669,793
================= =================
Funds
Capital funds
Endowments 19 1,866,356 2,341,955
Income funds
Restricted funds 20 1,500 1,000
Unrestricted funds :
General charitable funds 21 2,767,585 2,326,838
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£4,635,441 £4,669,793
================= =================

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 16 November 2021 and signed on its behalf by

Geoff Dunn


MARKSHALL ESTATE

CHARITY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020


Notes
2020 2019
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 12 2,935,600 2,833,754
Investments 13 1,571,611 142,843
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
4,507,211 2,976,597
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Current assets
Stocks 14 6,384 17,665
Debtors 15 161,559 392,912
Cash at bank and in hand 971,110 2,109,362
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1,139,053 2,519,939
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 16 340,444 217,450
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net current assets 798,609 2,302,489
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 5,305,820 5,279,086
Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year 17 608,827 650,734
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Net assets £4,696,993 £4,628,352
================= =================
Funds
Capital funds
Endowments 19 1,866,356 2,341,955
Income funds
Restricted funds 20 1,500 1,000
Unrestricted funds :
General charitable funds 21 2,829,137 2,285,397
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£4,696,993 £4,628,352
================= =================

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 16 November 2021 and signed on its behalf by

Geoff Dunn


MARKSHALL ESTATE

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


Group Group Charity Charity
2020 2019 2020 2019
£ £
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Net movements in funds (34,352) 1,092,335 68,641 1,075,800
Depreciation of tangible assets 80,802 76,593 76,639 72,472
(Gain) on disposal of tangible assets (32) (1,042,740) (32) (1,042,740)
Unrealised investment (gain) (169,656) (20,405) (169,656) (20,405)
Interest paid 22,903 28,653 22,903 28,653
Interest received (23,673) (530) (23,673) (64)
Dividends received (12,933) (5,218) (12,933) (5,218)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 144,650 (375,214) 231,353 (275,024)
Increase in creditors 227,615 97,098 81,087 (38,593)
Decrease/(increase) in stocks 12,496 (9,069) 11,281 (9,635)
_____ _____ _____ _____
Cash from/(used in) operations 247,820 (158,497) 285,610 (214,754)
_____ _____ _____ _____
Interest paid (22,903) (28,653) (22,903) (28,653)
Interest received 23,673 530 23,673 64
__ __ __ __
Net cash from/(used in)
operating activities 248,590 (186,620) 286,380 (243,343)
_____ _____ _____ _____
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (185,249) (76,187) (178,507) (72,636)
Purchases of investments (1,259,112) (6) (1,259,112) (6)
Dividends received 12,933 5,218 12,933 5,218
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 54 1,043,751 54 1,043,751
__ __ __ __
Net cash (used in)/from investing
activities (1,431,374) 972,776 (1,424,632) 976,327
_____ _____ _____ _____
Change in cash and cash equivalents
in the year 1,182,784 786,156 (1,138,252) 732,984
Cash and cash equivalents
brought forward 2,214,981 1,428,825 2,109,362 1,376,378
_____ _____ _____ _____
Cash and cash equivalents
carried forward £1,032,197 £ 2,214,981 £ 971,110£ 2,109,362
================= ================= ================ =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments, which are included at market value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1 and are prepared in sterling.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Charity and its wholly owned subsidiary undertaking Markshall Trading Ltd (formerly Marks Hall Enterprises Limited). The results of the subsidiary undertaking are consolidated on a line by line basis. As a consolidated statement of financial activities is published, a separate statement of financial activities for the parent Charity is omitted from the group financial statements.

Going concern

Having considered the Charity’s forecasts and projections, the Trustees are satisfied that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, and for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approving these financial statements. For this reason the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

The activities of the group continue to be significantly impacted by the restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The impact of the coronavirus will have a very significant effect on the economy and the Group during 2021 and potentially beyond. As a result, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, it is not possible to guarantee the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The future of the world economy is unclear at this present time due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak and it is therefore difficult to evaluate all of the potential implications on the Group’s activities, customers, suppliers and the wider economy.

Unrestricted funds

These are funds which are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Restricted funds

Funds restricted by the donor are treated as restricted funds. All other receipts are unrestricted funds. When restricted funds, set up for the purpose of acquiring fixed assets, are fully expended on the relevant assets, the fixed assets are transferred into general funds unless the terms of the original receipt require the asset to be held in a restricted fund.

Permanent endowment funds

The land originally donated to the Trust is vested in the official custodian for Charities. The value of this land upon establishment of the Trust in 1971 is included in fixed assets and reflected as a permanent endowment fund in accordance with the Charities SORP. In 1996 and 1998 the Trust obtained permission from the Charity Commission to spend part of its permanent endowment fund on a new workshop barn and the renovation of Keepers Cottage respectively. These permissions are on the condition that one twenty fifth of the expense is transferred back annually to the permanent endowment fund. At 31 December 2020 the total expense not yet due to be transferred back was an amount of £9,609.

During the years ended 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2019 the Trust made sales of endowed land. The sale proceeds less direct legal fees incurred were transferred into separate bank accounts and held as a permanent endowment investment fund.

The Charities Commission agreed to release £227,500 of these funds under Section 282 for capital projects on 15 March 2019 and since the year end this has been reallocated, with agreement by the Charities Commission, for operating and project expenditure. During the year an application for the release of a further £480,000 was made and this was approved by the Charities Commission on 21 April 2020.

Income

All income is accounted for on an accruals basis with the exception of grants which are accounted for when the Charity has sufficient entitlement to them, and legacies, where entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the Charity is made aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the Charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the Charity or the Charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Grants receivable are included as incoming resources from charitable activities when they are for the provision of goods and services to be provided as part of charitable activities or services to beneficiaries and as voluntary income when the grant is of a general nature.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Gifts in kind are included as incoming resources from generated funds and are valued at the estimated value to the Charity of the service received. Gift aid reclaimed on donations is recognised in the financial statements once the Charity has made a claim.

Donated goods and services

The Charity receives donated services in the form of volunteer work. The economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the financial statements.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay. Expenditure has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on the basis of the level of income for each activity.

Expenditure classified as costs of generating funds include fundraising costs and expenditure incurred in the running of the Visitors’ Centre.

Costs classified as charitable activities relate to the expenditure incurred in the running of the arboretum and opening it to visitors, the operations of the Board of Trustees, and addressing constitutional, audit and other statutory matters.

Fixed assets

Fixed assets are included at cost less depreciation. The capitalisation limit of the Charity is £250.

No depreciation is provided on freehold land or freehold buildings. The Charity’s policy is to maintain the properties in a continual state of sound repair and accordingly the Trustees are of the opinion that the lives of the properties are so long and residual values so high that their depreciation is insignificant.

Improvements to properties are depreciated at 10% on cost. Kitchen equipment purchased as part of the improvements to the Visitors’ Centre is depreciated at 20% on the reducing balance method.

The value of the property contained in the financial statements is reviewed on an annual basis by the Trustees for impairment. Provision is made to reduce the value in the financial statements where it is felt the property value is overstated.

The majority of land and buildings owned by the Charity are let to provide income to the Charity. It is not practical to distinguish these as investments as they are part of the donation to the Charity and were not purchased as investments.

Plant and machinery is depreciated at 20% on the reducing balance method.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Heritage assets

Marks Hall Estate comprises a varied landscape. The Charity maintains this landscape in the interests of the nation and for future generations. The ancient woodland, comprising approximately 200 acres and the former Deer Park, comprising approximately 250 acres is recognised as a heritage asset. Due to the nature of the asset the Trustees consider it impractical to obtain a conventional valuation, the costs being onerous compared with the additional benefit derived by the Charity and the users of the accounts.

Leasing and hire purchase commitments

Assets held under hire purchase contracts, are capitalised in the balance sheet and are depreciated over their useful lives. The capital elements of future obligations under hire purchase contracts are included as liabilities in the balance sheet. The interest elements of the hire purchase obligations are charged in the profit and loss account over the periods of the contracts and represent a constant proportion of the balance of capital repayments outstanding.

Investments

Listed investments are included at market rate at the balance sheet date. The SOFA includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year.

Stocks

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

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans and hire purchase which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Pension costs

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity. The annual contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities.

Taxation

Marks Hall Estate is a Charity within the meaning of the Charities Act 2011 and as such is a Charity within the meaning of Part 11, Corporation Tax Act 2010. Accordingly Marks Hall Estate is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Part 11, Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to its charitable purposes.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are recognised as such and included with other cash balances where they represent short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, without being subject to a significant change in value.

Significant judgements and estimates

The more significant judgements and estimates involved in the preparation of the financial statements include assessing the depreciation rates applicable to tangible fixed assets and the way in which certain costs should be apportioned. Further details regarding these points are included within the accounting policies.

2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2020 2019
£ £ £ £ £
Disabled vehicle “Buggy” 144 - - 144 4,369
General donations 16,184 500 - 16,684 14,302
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 16,328 £500 £ - £ 16,828 £ 18,671
================= ================= ================= ================= =================

The Estate benefits greatly from the support of its many volunteers, details of which are given in the Trustees’ Annual Report. In accordance with FRS 102 and the Charities SORP, the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


3 GRANTS RECEIVABLE

Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2020 2019
£ £ £ £ £
Land and Environmental 31,385 - - 31,385 36,976
Other Covid related grants 27,058 - - 27,058 -
Job retention scheme 42,454 - - 42,454 -
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 100,897 £ - £ - £ 100,897 £ 36,976
================== ================= ================= ================= ================

4 OTHER INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2020 2019
£ £ £ £ £
Admissions 133,844 - - 133,844 149,257
Members’ fees 66,389 - - 66,389 42,407
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 200,233 £ - £ - £ 200,233 £ 191,664
================== ================= ================= ================= ================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


5 INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2020 2019
£ £ £ £ £
Coach house and visitor
centre lettings 26,790 - 26,790 293,072
Events income 2,859 - - 2,859 36,924
Shop income 48,877 - - 48,877 63,205
Catering income 138,548 - - 138,548 230,654
Rental and estate income 461,773 - - 461,773 429,158
Timber sales 4,374 - - 4,374 20,162
Educational income 4,197 - - 4,197 -
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 687,418 £ - £ - £ 687,418 £ 1,073,175
================== ================== ================== ================= =================

6 INVESTMENT INCOME

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2020 2019
£ £ £ £ £
UK equities 12,933 - - 12,933 5,218
Interest received 23,673 - - 23,673 530
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 36,606 £ - £ - £ 36,606 £ 5,748
================= ================= ================= ================= ==================

All investment income for 2020 and 2019 relates to financial assets measured at fair value.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


7 EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS

Visitor
Activities Centre
undertaken Support Support Total Total
directly costs costs 2020 2019
£ £ £ £ **£ **
Coach house and visitor
lettings 34,302 - 32,213 66,515 255,395
Events 7,088 1,140 417 8,645 64,034
Shop 39,847 19,494 2,343 61,684 73,911
Catering 56,084 55,259 3,297 114,640 204,380
Rental and estates
activities 115,689 - 504,714 620,403 353,111
-------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 253,010 £ 75,893 £ 542,984 £ 871,887 £ 950,831
================ ================= ================= ================= =================

There is no grant funding of activities.

8 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Visitor Support
Activities Centre and
undertaken Support Governance Total Total
directly costs costs 2020 2019
£ £ £ £ £
Arboretum 242,343 - 34,444 276,787 207,144
Admissions - 53,382 - 53,382 86,715
Members’ fees - 26,479 - 26,479 24,638
Trustee and
administration expenses - - 2,381 2,381 1,512
Auditors’ remuneration:
in respect of
audit services - - 9,878 9,878 16,545
in respect of
non audit services - - 5,228 5,228 9,659
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 242,343 £ 79,861 £ 51,931 £ 374,135 £ 346,213
================= ================= ================= ================= =================

There is no grant funding of activities.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


9 EXPENDITURE

Total expenditure can be further analysed as follows:

2020 2019
£ £
Staff costs 648,717 586,116
Events and Visitor Centre expenditure 3,983 12,347
Shop and catering expenditure 95,737 99,776
Wedding expenditure 16,400 80,585
Repairs to property and equipment 97,909 70,353
Cleaning 28,396 31,316
Telephone 10,890 9,798
Heat, light and water 26,034 24,950
Bank interest and charges 11,063 12,001
Depreciation 80,801 76,593
Miscellaneous 31,691 25,284
Transport, fuel and maintenance 12,425 15,539
Insurance 19,196 22,532
Land access payments 30,000 29,154
Loan interest 11,558 19,264
Hire purchase interest 282 -
Subscriptions 7,325 7,980
Auditors’ remuneration 9,878 26,204
Marketing and management fees and expenses 32,900 33,998
Professional fees 38,788 50,129
Trustee and administration expenses 2,381 1,512
Management, staff and volunteer expenses 2,023 12,957
Training 7,502 4,268
Plants 4,032 4,475
Bad debts recovered 7,106 750
Printing 7,475 6,459
D J Expense - 4,371
Sculpture event 1,530 22,161
Country Show - 6,172
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 1,246,022£ 1,297,044
================= =================

Of the above expenditure, £11,558 (2019: £19,264) of interest expense relates to financial liabilities measured at amortised cost.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

9 EXPENDITURE - (continued)

Visitor Centre support costs

Visitor Centre support costs can be further analysed as follows:

2020 2019
£ £
Staff costs 43,160 200,511
Repairs 11,346 19,595
Cleaning 13,031 14,357
Telephone 5,563 4,057
Light, heat and water 10,523 11,851
Bank interest and charges 8,519 8,124
Miscellaneous 42,024 22,808
Depreciation 8,770 4,755
Insurance 6,267 7,428
Legal fees 5,896 5,029
Volunteer expenses 205 3,484
Subscriptions 450 1,510
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 155,754 £ 303,509
================= =================

Basis of allocation of Visitor Centre support costs

Visitor Centre support costs have been allocated to each activity undertaken at the visitor centre on the basis of income for each activity.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

9 EXPENDITURE - (continued)

General support costs

Support costs can be further analysed as follows:

2020 2019
£ £
Staff costs 375,771 210,702
Marketing fees 27,111 21,040
Professional fees 33,438 45,100
Management, staff and volunteer expenses 1,222 6,325
Training 5,896 1,342
Miscellaneous 23,632 18,871
Bank charges 2,826 3,877
Cleaning 4,568 11,812
Light, heat and water 15,512 13,099
Repairs 69,998 38,943
Telephone 5,327 5,741
Bad debts recovered 7,106 750
Printing, postage and stationery 3,206 3,575
Depreciation 4,162 4,121
Insurance 394 247
Licences 380 388
Subscriptions 2,107 3,739
Equipment hire - 1,214
Trustee and administration expenses 2,381 1,512
Auditors remuneration 9,878 26,204
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 594,915 £ 418,602
================= =================

Basis of allocation of support costs

Support costs are specifically allocated to the department to which they relate.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


10 EMPLOYEE AND TRUSTEE INFORMATION

2020 2019
£ £
Employees
Wages and salaries 594,248 541,000
Social security costs 37,505 37,857
Pension costs 9,823 9,080
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£641,576 £587,937
================= =================
The average monthly number of employees during
the year was made up as follows: 46 43
=================== ==================

One employee earned in excess of £60,000 (2019 – one employee).

Trustees

There were 9 Trustees who held office during the year, there were no more than 9 Trustees in office at any time during the year. A special resolution was passed unanimously to increase the maximum number of Trustees from 8 to 12.

No emoluments are payable to any trustee, in their capacity as a trustee and only directly incurred expenses are reimbursed. The amount reimbursed during the year was £2,381 (2019: £1,512). These expenses largely relate to travel and subsistence costs.

Indemnity insurance is maintained covering the Board of Trustees in their capacity as trustees, which cost £561 (2019: £915) in the year.

The key management personnel of the group comprise those of the Charity and the key management personnel of its wholly owned subsidiary, Marks Hall Enterprises Limited. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the group were £309,589 (2019: £204,916).

11 AUDIT FEE

2020 2019
£ £
Auditors’ remuneration : in respect of audit services 9,878 10,100
: in respect of payroll services 3,913 1,924
: in respect of other non-audit services 1,315 6,920
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
£15,106 £18,944
================ ================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


12 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Group

Improvements
Freehold to Plant and
property properties machinery Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 January 2020 2,405,148 703,120 468,432 3,576,700
Additions 218 150,627 34,404 185,249
Disposals - - (50) (50)
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2020 2,405,366 853,747 502,786 3,761,899
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Depreciation
At 1 January 2020 - 386,677 342,026 728,703
Disposals - 48,704 32,098 80,802
Charge for year - - (28) (28)
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2020 - 435,381 374,096 809,477
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Net book values
At 31 December 2020 £ 2,405,366 £ 418,366 £ 128,690 £ 2,952,422
================= ================ ================ =================
At 31 December 2019 £ 2,405,148 £ 316,443 £ 126,406 £2,847,997
================= ================ ================ =================

Included within the net book value of £2,935,6003 is £9,600 (2019: £12,000) relating to assets held under hire purchase agreements. The depreciation charged to the financial statements in the year in respect of such assets amounted to £2,400 (2019: £3,000).


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


12 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - (continued)

Charity

Improvements
Freehold to Plant and
property properties machinery Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 January 2020 2,405,148 703,120 438,217 3,546,485
Additions 218 150,627 27,662 178,507
Disposals - - (50) (50)
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2020 2,405,366 853,747 465,829 3,724,942
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Depreciation
At 1 January 2020 - 386,677 326,054 712,731
Disposals - 48,704 27,935 76,639
Charge for year - - (28) (28)
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2020 - 435,381 353,961 78,342
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Net book values
At 31 December 2020 £ 2,405,366 £ 418,366 £ 111,868 £2,935,600
================ ================ ================ ================
At 31 December 2019 £ 2,405,148 £ 316,443 £ 112,163 £2,833,754
================ ================ ================ ================

Included within the net book value of £2,935,6003 is £9,600 (2019: £12,000) relating to assets held under hire purchase agreements. The depreciation charged to the financial statements in the year in respect of such assets amounted to £2,400 (2019: £3,000).

Assets held for use in operating leases

Included within fixed assets are assets held for use in operating leases, for which the Charity receives rental income. As at 31 December 2020 the minimum annual lease payments to be received in respect of these assets is £363,681 (2019: £363,681).


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


13 INVESTMENTS

Group and Charity

2020 2019
£ £
Listed investments
Market value at 1 January 2020 142,836 122,425
Additions at cost 1,259,112 6
Net unrealised investment gain 169,656 20,405
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
Market value at 31 December 2020 £ 1,571,604 £ 142,836
================ ================
Historical cost at 31 December 2020 £ 1,353,920 £ 91,443
=================== ====================
Details of the listed investments held at 31 December 2020 are as follows :
Mid-market
Cost value
£ £
M and G Charibond Common Investment Fund
7,168 Income Shares 7,786 8,994
M and G Charifund – Equities Investment Fund for Charities
708 Income Units 8,000 9,718
Charinco Common Investment Fund
4,404 Income Shares 7,042 8,676
Charishare Common Investment Fund
3,442 Income Shares 6,532 22,215
Charities Official Investment Fund
1,226 Income Units 7,802 22,086
37 Accumulated Units 357 7,595
Glaxo Smith Kline PLC
3,505 Income Shares 53,924 47,037
Rathbone Portfolio 1,262,477 1,445,283
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 1,353,920 £ 1,571,604
================= ================

The net unrealised gain of £169,604 (2019: £20,405) is in relation to financial assets recognised at fair value.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


13 INVESTMENTS - (continued)

Fixed Asset Investments – (continued)
Charity investment in subsidiary
2020 2019
£ £
Cost and net book value:
At 1 January 2020 and at 31 December 2020 £ 7 £ 7
================ ================
Group
Total fixed asset investments £1,571,604 £142,836
================ ================
Charity
Total fixed asset investments £1,571,611 £142,843
================ ================

The investment in a subsidiary relates to a 100% shareholding in Markshall Trading Ltd (formerly Marks Hall Enterprises Limited) a company incorporated in England and Wales, company number: 07798255. Marks Hall Enterprises Limited was incorporated on 5 October 2011 and commenced trading on 1 January 2012.

The principal activity of Markshall Trading during the year was the hire of a venue for weddings and other functions. For the year to 31 December 2020 the company made a loss before gift aid payments of £102,993 (2019: profit £28,295) and at this date it had reserves of £(61,541) (2019: £41,452). The results of Markshall Trading Limited have been consolidated within these financial statements on a line by line basis.

14 STOCKS

14 STOCKS
Group
Charity
2020 2019 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Goods for resale £8,155 £20,651 £6,384 £17,665
================ ================ ================ ================

There is no material difference between the book value of stocks and replacement cost.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


15 DEBTORS

Group Group Charity Charity
2020 2019 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Trade debtors 279,623 182,972 89,391 65,206
Other debtors 30,971 297,392 27,824 305,424
Prepayments 47,402 22,282 44,344 22,282
------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
£357,996 £502,646 £161,559 £392,912
================== ================== =================== ==================

16 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Group
Group
Charity Charity
2020 2019 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Loans and overdrafts 44,942 44,213 44,213 44,213
Trade creditors 157,181 36,816 144,531 31,302
Other creditors 86,470 74,425 86,466 73,700
Amounts owed to subsidiary - - 32,228 -
Accruals 36,901 17,300 33,006 13,435
Hire purchase - 1,818 - 1,818
Deferred income 200,472 183,378 - 52,982
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
£ 525,966 £ 357,950 £ 340,444 £ 217,450
================ ================ ================ ================

Deferred income is recognised in respect of income for future events and rent received in advance and is included within other creditors.

During the year deferred income of £303,341 was accounted for (2019: £234,012) in creditors falling due in under and over one year.

Of the prior year’s deferred income, £183,378 (2019: £115,042) was released during the year ended 31 December 2020.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


17 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Group Group Charity Charity
2020 2019 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Loans:
- Due between one and two years 94,628 45,362 45,357 45,362
- Due between two and five years 120,740 139,222 120,740 139,222
- Due after more than five years 442,730 466,150 442,730 466,150
---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
658,098 650,734 608,827 650,734
---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Hire purchase:
- Due between one and two years - - - -
- Due between two and five years - - - -
---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Deferred income:
- Due between one and two years 102,869 50,634 - -
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Total £ 760,967 £ 701,368 £ 608,827 £ 650,734
================ ================ ================ ================

The Purley Farm loan of £189,192 (2019: £199,262) is secured on Bouchiers Grange and Purley Farm, Coggeshall. This loan is repayable by quarterly instalments and bears an interest rate of 2% over base rate.

The first replacement loan of £98,703 (2019: £105,729) is secured on Bouchiers Grange Cottage, Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall, Essex. This loan is repayable by quarterly instalments and bears an interest rate of 5%.

The second replacement loan of £43,277 (2019: £58,875) is secured on approximately 2 acres of land adjacent to Earls Colne Business Park, Earls Colne. The loan is repayable by quarterly instalments and bears an interest rate of 5%.

The third replacement loan of £276,906 (2019: £286,868) is secured on 1 and 2 Bouchiers Grange Cottages, and 2 acres of land adjacent to Earls Colne Business Park, Earls Colne. The loan is repayable by monthly instalments and bears an interest rate of 5%.

The hire purchase liability is secured on the assets to which it relates.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


18 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Group Group Charity Charity
2020 2019 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Financial assets
Financial assets measured at fair
value through profit or loss 1,571,604 142,836 1,571,611 142,843
Financial assets measured at
amortised cost 310,594 480,364 117,215 370,630
------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
£1,882,198 £ 623,200 £ 1,688,826 £ 513,473
==================== =================== ==================== ====================
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities measured at
amortised cost £ 946,691 £ 739,563 £916,265 £734,049
==================== ==================== ==================== ====================

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss comprise investments.

Financial assets measured at amortised cost comprise trade debtors and other debtors.

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost comprise loans and overdrafts, trade creditors, other creditors and accruals.

19 ENDOWMENTS

Group and Charity

Movement in funds Movement in funds
Balance Expenditure, Balance
at gains/(losses) at
1.1.20 Income and transfers 31.12.20
£ £ £ £
Permanent endowment
Investment 1,957,417 - 475,599 1,481,818
Marks Hall Estate 384,538 - - 384,538
---------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 2,341,955 £ - £ 475,599 £ 1,866,356
================ ================= ================ ================

Included within Movement in Funds is a transfer of £480,000 from endowment funds into unrestricted funds which was approved by the Charities Commission on 21 April 2020.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


20 RESTRICTED FUNDS

Group and Charity

Movement in funds
Balance Expenditure, Balance
at (gains)/losses at
1.1.20 Income and transfers 31.12.20
£ £
£
£
Educational events 1,000 500
-
1,500
---------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
£ 1,000 £ 500
£ -
£ 1,500
================= =================
=================
=================

Educational events

This fund represents donations towards educational events that will be held.

21 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Movement in funds
Balance Expenditure, Balance
at (gains)/losses at
1.1.20 Income and transfers 31.12.20
Group
General charitable funds £ 2,326,838 £ 1,041,482 £ 600,735 £ 2,767,585
================ ================ ================ ================
Charity
General charitable funds £ 2,285,397 £ 1,074,715 £530,975 £ 2,829,137
================= ================ ================ ================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


22 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE CHARITY

The consolidated statement of financial activities includes the results of the Charity’s wholly owned subsidiary of Marks Hall Enterprises Limited, which hires a venue for weddings and other functions.

The summary financial performance of the Charity alone is:

2020 2019
£ £
Income 1,074,715 1,139,042
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Expenditure
Fundraising trading:
Cost of goods sold and other costs 805,372 787,433
Charitable activities 361,876 318,497
Governance costs 8,514 20,456
Realised and unrealised
Investment (gain) (169,656) (20,404)
Gain on disposal (32) (1,042,740)
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net incoming resources 68,641 1,075,800
Total funds brought forward 4,628,352 3,552,552
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total funds carried forward £4,696,993 £4,628,352
================== ==================
Represented by:
Restricted funds 1,500 1,000
Endowment funds 1,866,356 2,341,955
Unrestricted funds 2,829,137 2,285,397
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total funds £ 4,696,993 £ 4,628,352
================== ==================

23 TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS

The £4,401 transfer from unrestricted to endowment funds represents the annual repayment to endowment reserve as set out in note 1.

£480,000 has been transferred from endowment funds to unrestricted funds, as approved by the Charities Commission on 21 April 2020.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


24 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Group
Net current
Tangible assets less
fixed long term
assets Investments liabilities Total
£ £ £ £
Restricted funds
Educational events - - 1,500 1,500
Endowment funds 231,000 80,524 1,554,832 1,866,356
Unrestricted funds
General charitable funds 2,721,422 1,491,080 (1,444,917)
2,767,585
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total funds £ 2,952,422 £1,571,604 £ 111,415 £ 4,635,441
================= ================== ================== ==================
Charity
Net current
Tangible assets less
fixed long term
assets Investments liabilities Total
£ £ £ £
Restricted funds
Educational events - - 1,500 1,500
Endowment funds 231,000 80,524 1,554,832 1,866,356
Unrestricted funds
General charitable funds 2,704,600 1,491,087 (1,366,550) 2,829,137
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total funds £ 2,935,600 £1,571,611 £ 189,782
£
4,696,993
================= ================= ================= =================

25 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Charity was under the control of the Trustees during the year.

The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption provided by the related party criteria of FRS 102 not to disclose transactions between group companies where the subsidiary is wholly owned within the group.

During the year there were no further related party transactions.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


26 PRIOR YEAR STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Endowment Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds
2019
£ £ £ £
Income
Donations and legacies 17,671 1,000 - 18,671
Income from charitable
activities:
Grants receivable 36,976 - - 36,976
Other income from
charitable activities 191,664 - - 191,664
Income from other
trading activities 1,073,175 - - 1,073,175
Investment income 5,748 - - 5,748
Other income
- Insurance claims - - - -
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total income 1,325,234 1,000 - 1,326,234
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds 950,831 - - 950,831
Charitable activities 346,213 - - 346,213
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total expenditure 1,297,044 - - 1,297,044
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Realised and unrealised
investment gains 9,866 - 10,539 20,405
Gain on disposal of land 1,748 - 1,040,992 1,042,740
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net income 39,804 1,000 1,051,531 1,092,335
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------
Transfer between funds 223,099 - (223,099)
-
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net movement in funds
carried forward 262,903 1,000 828,432 1,092,335
Balances brought forward
at 1 January 2019 2,063,935 - 1,513,523 3,577,458
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Balances carried forward
at 31 December 2019 £2,326,838 £1,000 £2,341,955 £4,669,793
================== ================== ================== ==================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


27 ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT

Group
Balance Balance
at Cash Non Cash at
1.1.20 Movements Movements 1.12.20
£ £ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 2,214,981 (1,182,784) - 1,032,197
Debt due within one year (44,213) 729 - (44,942)
Debt due after one year (701,368) (59,599) - (760,967)
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net funds £ 1,469,400 £(1,241,654) £ - £ 226,288
================= ================== ================== ==================
Charity
Balance Balance
at Cash Non Cash at
1.1.20 Movements Movements 31.12.20
£ £ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 2,109,362 (1,132,252) - 977,110
Debt due within one year (44,213) - - (44,213)
Debt due after one year (650,734) 41,907 - (608,827)
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net funds £ 1,414,415 £(1,090,345) £ - £ 324,070
================= ================== ================== ==================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


Detailed Income and Expenditure Accounts for the Trustees’ information


MARKSHALL ESTATE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


2020 2019
£
£
£ £
Income
Estate 542,679 479,476
Arboretum and Land in Hand 32,481 30,539
Visitor Centre Operations 466,822 816,219
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1,041,982 1,326,234
Expenses
Estate 494,653 436,109
Arboretum and Land in Hand 223,430 198,449
Visitor Centre Operations 527,939 662,486
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1,246,022 1,297,044
Operating surplus/(deficit)
Estate 48,026 43,367
Arboretum and Land in Hand (190,949) (167,910)
Visitor Centre Operations (61,117) 153,733
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
(204,040) 29,190
Gain on disposal of fixed assets 32 1,042,740
Gain on investment 169,656 20,405
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
(Deficit)/surplus for the financial year £ (34,352) £ 1,092,335
================= =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 - (continued)


2020 2019
£
£
£ £
Income – Estate
Rental income 426,966 398,786
Tenant contributions 1,053 13,135
Investment income 36,606 5,748
Insurance and other income 33,335 19,752
Grants and donations 31,385 36,976
Job retention scheme grant 13,334 -
Nursery - 5,079
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
542,679 479,476
Expenses – Estate
General maintenance 54,833 19,819
Premises and public liability insurance 18,241 7,428
Other professional fees 22,587 24,065
Accountancy 6,133 18,944
Office administration and services 14,361 14,407
Office electricity and water 8,520 6,394
Staff costs 245,426 207,555
Staff and trustee expenses 3,928 8,698
Bank charges and overdraft interest 459 1,265
Miscellaneous 9,346 10,966
Access payments 30,000 29,154
Depreciation 67,869 67,717
Loan interest 11,840 19,264
Bad debts written off 1,110 433
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
494,653 436,109
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Divisional surplus £ 48,026 £ 43,367
================= =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


2020 2019
£
£
£
£
Income – Arboretum and land in hand
Grants and donations 16,827 10,377
Job retention scheme grant 5,096 -
Timber sales 10,558 20,162
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
32,481 30,539
Expenses – Arboretum and land
in hand
Personnel expenses 677 439
Staff costs 165,859 150,715
Equipment 4,065 4,883
Equipment hire 400 2,455
Planting and tree surgery 4,032 4,475
Fuel and oil 5,865 7,044
Repairs and maintenance 7,402 10,738
Vehicle insurance and tax 12,497 8,258
Heat, power and water 6,402 -
Miscellaneous 7,126 6,142
Other professional Fees 9,105 3,300
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
223,430 198,449
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Divisional deficit £ (190,949) £ (167,910)
================= =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020


2020 2019
£
£
£
£
Income – Visitor Centre Operations
Admission 133,844 149,257
Catering 138,548 230,616
Shop and plants 48,877 63,205
Membership 66,389 42,407
Coach house 20,606 293,072
Events 2,859 36,924
Other income 490 738
Education and engagement 4127 -
Job retention scheme grant 24,024 -
Grants 27,058 -
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
466,822 816,219
Expenses – Visitor Centre Operations
Catering 48,488 64,247
Shop 47,253 35,529
Wedding 70,260 80,585
Events 5,513 40,680
Bank and credit card charges 8,519 10,736
Cleaning 22,671 28,498
VC electric and water 10,523 16,041
Repairs and maintenance 14,105 37,851
Staff, volunteer and trustee expenses 845 5,856
Miscellaneous 5,026 7,975
Marketing and promotions 30,923 36,729
Staff costs 228,200 227,846
Office and administration costs 17,341 26,642
Enterprises - 4,371
Depreciation 8,876 8,876
Legal and professional fees 5,896 30,024
Education and engagement 3,500 -
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
527,939 662,486
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Divisional (deficit)/surplus (61,117) 153,733
================= =================