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2023-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity number 256700

MARKSHALL ESTATE

GROUP REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 DECEMBER 2023

MARKSHALL ESTATE

CONTENTS


Pages
Officers and professional advisers 1
Trustees’ annual report 2 - 13
Independent auditor’s report 14 - 16
Group statement of financial activities 17
Group balance sheet 18
Charity balance sheet 19
Statement of cash flows and
consolidated statement of cash flows 20
Notes to the financial statements 21 - 44
_______
The following pages are included for the Trustees’ information
and do not form part of the financial statements:
Income and expenditure account 45 - 49

MARKSHALL ESTATE

OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS


Trustees Peter Griffiths (retired 1 June 2023)
Robert Cowlin
Jan E Smith
Benjamin Woodgate
Ian Hodge
David Whipps
Meriel Barclay
Chief Executive David Finkle
Registered Office Markshall Estate
Markshall
Coggeshall
CO6 1TG
Registered Number Charity 256700
Auditors Sumer Auditco Limited
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 2023.

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).

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:

Merial Barclay (Chair of Trustees) Peter Griffiths (retired 1 June 2023) Robert Cowlin Jan Smith Benjamin Woodgate Ian Hodge David Whipps

Structure, Governance & 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.

There was one change to the Trustee Board in 2023 with the retirement of Peter Griffiths after many years of dedicated service to Markshall. We miss his wisdom and his significant experience. Both were of great benefit to the Board. We wish him well for the future.

Markshall Estate extends to approximately 2,350 acres, 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 broadleaf woodland, much of which is of high 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, plant and retail sales and administrative offices. The Coach House is a venue for estate and private events and is managed by a subsidiary of the Charity, trading under the name Markshall Trading Ltd (formerly Marks Hall Enterprises Ltd).


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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


The Trustees meet quarterly as a minimum. There are two sub-committees reporting to the Board - Finance and Risk and Built Estate. A third sub-committee, Natural Environment, was formed in 2024. These committees also meet at least quarterly in advance of the Trustees’ board meeting to review, and to make recommendations to the Board, on all matters relating to finance, investments, risk, the management of the Estate property, an overview of ongoing project work and the natural environment.

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 Chief Executive and he leads the senior management team. Senior staff meetings occur regularly for the purpose of communication, decision making and reporting to Trustees.

Members of the Senior Management Team are: David Finkle Chief Executive Ian Chandler Arboretum Manager Sam Gentry Visitor Centre Manager Lauren Shields Finance Manager

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

Senior staff ensure Health & Safety issues are kept under regular review as far as this affects employees, volunteers, contractors and visitors to Markshall Estate. In 2024 a Health and Safety consultant was appointed to review all aspects of health and safety on the 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 cover for property ownership and public liability cover, is reviewed annually.

Trustee Recruitment, Induction & Training

As at August 2024, there were six Trustees on the Board. After incorporation (detailed below) it is planned to appoint a further three Trustees. 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 and experience audit is undertaken of Trustees to identify those skills and experience 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 their choosing to the Markshall Estate board.

As part of their induction programme, new Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities through discussions with the Chair, their fellow Trustees and senior management. 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.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


Strategic Objectives & Activities

Summary of Activities

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:

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:


MARKSHALL ESTATE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


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. The Charity regularly receives good visitor reviews saying how much people enjoy the estate, its beauty, the general upkeep of the Arboretum and our facilities.

The Trustees have developed a strong social media platform which encourages comments, pictures and input from our visitors and allows us to develop positive and constructive relationships with a wider community.

The Trustees believe that the Charity provides significant public benefit to visitors for general enjoyment, wellbeing, recreation, education 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. The Charity always seeks to complement our existing programme with items that may be of benefit to the public. For instance, we continue to partner with the International Park Run programme to create The Markshall Park Run which brings 250 to 300 runners to the Estate each Saturday.

Arboretum

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

The Landscape Master Plan sets out the vision for the growth of the Arboretum over the next 30 years and, subject to further input from Lear Associates, it is hoped a revised and extended plan will be completed in 2024. During 2019, trees belonging to the Forestry Commission on 10 acres of land were cleared enabling the plant collection to be expanded into this area. A significant new development here is the creation of a Himalayan feature with new planting typical of the Himalayan region, and an attenuation pond in the Asian area which now provides an excellent habitat feature and also acts as a filter for Robins Brook which runs through the Estate. This work was done in collaboration with the adjacent Business Park owners who carried out substantial landscaping works free of charge. The new planting is typical of that growing in the Himalayan region. It is hoped that more visitors will extend their reach into this area to enhance their experience of the Arboretum.


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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


The remaining Forestry Commission trees are due to be felled in the winter of 2025/26. These trees cover approximately 75 acres in total of which 30 acres are in the Arboretum. After felling, there will be significant opportunities for further development of the Arboretum.

The Walled Garden continues to be a very popular destination and is regarded as one of the key features of the Arboretum. In 2023 the Charity celebrated 20 years since its opening.

The new digital database of all the trees and shrubs in the Arboretum and parkland has proved to be an excellent investment and the staff continue to update it with new and revised planting. The database gives a full record of every tree and shrub with GPS measurements. It is a significant resource for the Charity as well as for others interested in the Estate’s arboriculture. It underpins aspects of our business and partnership development as well as maximising learning and research opportunities.

Interpretation, new visitor facilities, and landscape features were introduced across the Arboretum in 2023 enabling visitors to obtain a much better understanding of the collection within each geographical area. An interesting development in 2022 was the display of the Shiffner prints. These are photographs taken between 1977 and 1989 by George Shiffner, a noted local photographer, and show how the Arboretum looked during that time.

A range of guided walks for the public, gardening and social groups, and horticultural and landscape design students have taken place during the year. During 2023 a new play area was created in the Picnic Field and has proved to be a great success. This complements the natural play areas in a wooded area near the Honywood Oak and at Chestnut Chase by Robin’s Grove.

Each year in March the Charity hosts the annual memorial service on the anniversary of ‘Operation Varsity’ to remember those servicemen who in March 1945 flew from Earls Colne airfield during WWII. This event is attended by veterans, their families, members of the local community and local military regiments.

Visitor Centre Activities

The Orchard Kitchen café continues to develop its offering according to its resources and consumer demand. Its menu changes so that it relates to the specific activities such as Halloween and Easter. Our collaboration with A & J Plants continues with an excellent selection of plants available. A & J Plants change their display to reflect seasonal plants which are particularly important in the Arboretum at the time. During 2023 the shop gradually increased its variety of stock, determined by demand from visitors. It will continue to widen its range of products. The new building opened in 2022 provides a much improved admissions area, an area to display artifacts relating to Markshall’s heritage and a retail area. Above the shop is an office providing enhanced work space for staff.

Events continue to be a key feature of Markshall’s offer ranging from a Christmas Grotto, Christmas market to Easter trails and Halloween pumpkin carving.

After the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, the Arboretum reopened to visitors in March 2021 and in 2022 there was a total of 56,750 visits. This fell to 51,000 in 2023. However within these totals Friends visits increased from 17,000 to 24,000.


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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


In 2022 the standard admission rates increased slightly with Gift Aid admission prices offered at 10% higher than the standard rates. There was no change in 2023 with standard admission for adults at £9 with Gift Aid. Online booking was implemented in 2023 and 6 day opening started in January 2024.

Markshall Estate continues to be supported by the Friends scheme with 6436 friends as at August 2024. The Charity continues to seek ways to develop its Friends offer and provide them with added value and incentives.

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 continue to be actively managed in a traditional manner principally through coppicing so as to achieve a sustainable and robust mixed management regime across the Estate’s woodlands. It is the Charity’s aim to continue to restore the ancient broadleaf woods, after the last 75 acres of the Forestry Commission plantation are felled in the next year or two.

Visitors have access through some of the ancient woodland at Markshall Estate, but it is the Trustees’ intention to improve this access in time, and to provide better information on the high ecological and historical importance of the woodlands and their management.

Agriculture & 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 cricket bat willow plantation. Several properties were vacant for periods during the year while new tenants were being sought.

The Charity’s in-hand estate (other than the Arboretum, woodlands and visitor facilities) comprises around 90 acres of parkland, near to the Arboretum. Much of this land was in arable use until the early 1990s and is now grazed with cattle under the 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 2021 the Trustees appointed Savills as the managing agents of the let estate. Savills now manage all tenanted properties on behalf of the Charity. In 2023 rental and estate income for the Charity, including land and environmental grants, totalled £342,064 (£354,418 in 2022).


MARKSHALL ESTATE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


Plans are being developed by the local community for the creation of an 8.2 km cycle path through Markshall Estate linking the villages of Earls Colne and Coggeshall and, at a later stage, further afield towards Braintree town centre and Kelvedon station. The cycle path will provide a safe recreational activity for all age groups and will encourage more visitors to the estate. During 2021 and 2022, Sustrans undertook a feasibility study of the route, and Markshall continues to work with local groups and councils to bring the scheme to fruition.

Strategic Development

Two factors in particular have been challenging for Markshall. Being a visitor attraction that is particularly weather dependent, the wet weather has had a considerable effect on visitor numbers. These were further set back by a very hot spell in August 2023. Secondly, the increased cost of living also affected visitor numbers with the admission income per head increasing slightly from 2022 to 2023 but decreasing in 2024. These challenges are not unique to Markshall but are being experienced by similar visitor attractions around the country, particularly those reliant on the weather. Despite the cutbacks introduced in 2022, it became apparent that the Group would have to further retrench its strategic vision in the hope of achieving balanced budgets. As a result, and with the aim of increasing income and reducing costs, a series of actions were taken. The most important of these was the difficult decision to close down the wedding function in the Coach House from October 2023 as it was failing to generate any surplus and there was significant local competition. The Coach House continues to provide a venue for events including parties, concerts, wakes and corporate events. Further retrenchment was taken in 2024 and these are detailed below.

In 2021 the Trustees decided to incorporate the Charity. With advice from specialist charity lawyers, Bates Wells, the plan is to create a company limited by guarantee with the current Trustees becoming Directors. The company will be the sole Trustee of the Charity which will own the land, which continues to be held as permanent endowment. These changes will make little difference to staff, Friends, volunteers, visitors and suppliers but will provide protection for the new Directors by limiting their personal liability. It will also enable the recruitment of more Directors to increase the numbers on the Board. As at September 2024 this incorporation is not yet complete due to excessive procedural delays by two particular lenders. It is expected that this process will be completed on 31 December 2024.

It is hoped that the Government’s “Biodiversity Net Gain” initiative introduced into the planning system, requiring developers to enhance the level of biodiversity on their sites and/or elsewhere, will prove to be an interesting and profitable one for Markshall. Several sites in the Estate have already been identified by ecologists as potential “BNG” sites and the Charity is working to secure the necessary agreements with developers.

Staff and Remuneration

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.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


In early 2023 there were a number of changes to the staff team and by mid-2023 the Group had a stable and effective team. At the end of 2023, the Charity employed 60 staff, equivalent to 23 full-time positions. 16 were employed on a full-time basis. There over 40 casual staff who provided support in the Orchard Kitchen and events. During 2023 we continued to outsource some HR matters to an external consultant. Payroll is outsourced to local accountancy firm, Scrutton Bland Limited.

The Charity’s staff are supported by 26 volunteers who work at the Visitor Centre, in the admissions, as stewards at events, recording historic artifacts and driving the buggies for those less able. Around 6 volunteers assist regularly in the Arboretum. The Trustees thank the volunteers for their considerable and continued help and support during 2023 and have already welcomed more volunteers to the Charity in 2024.

Financial Review

Revenue for the Charity is raised through the letting of estate property, the admission and Friends scheme, admission fees for the Arboretum, educational events and other activities. Other income is raised from returns on investments, grants, legacies and sponsorship. Markshall Trading Ltd (MTL) is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the Charity. Currently its principal activities are catering, retail activities and the hire and letting of the Coach House and the wider arboretum for events. The Charity charges MTL appropriate levels of rent and service charges. 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 MTL with any variation approved by senior management, or as necessary by the Trustees in accordance with agreed financial controls.

In early 2022 the Senior Management Team and the Trustees considered the financial challenges facing Markshall and planned to develop both the catering offer and an events package to enhance Markshall as one of the leading recreation and exploration venues in Essex. However, Covid-19 resulted in changes in habits in certain market segments and inflationary pressures remain evident. As described above, the Charity has suffered financially from both adverse weather conditions and the cost of living challenges. The resulting decrease in visitor numbers and in spend per head has resulted in a fall in revenue despite several investments and projects to counteract these problems. Vacancies in the Charity’s commercial properties exacerbated the fall in revenue. The whole staff team has been working positively to enhance levels of service and make events financially and operationally successful. Despite this the Charity failed to make a surplus in 2023 and MTL also made a loss. This obviously had considerable consequences both for MTL and the Charity.

A further drain on the Charity finances has been the significant legal costs of incorporation. While this has not yet been completed, the majority of the costs were incurred in 2022 but further expenditure was incurred in 2023 with more to come in 2024. As at September 2024 the total costs to date are over £120K.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


One consequence of this situation was a cash flow problem and so the Trustees agreed to request from the Charity Commission a further draw down from the Permanent Endowment, under a Section 282 application. This request was approved in October 2023 and a total of £500,000 was permitted as expenditure. A loan of £500K, on expensive terms, was taken out in July 2021 for the construction of the new retail and office building, increasing the Charity’s current liabilities, with the security for this loan being the investments with Rathbone Greenbank. A further application under Section 282 for the release of £500,000 was made and approved in May 2024 which enabled the Charity to pay off the loan from Rathbones for this amount. The latest application for a draw-down of funds from the permanent endowment was made to the Charity Commission under S282 in August 2024 for £400K. This was quickly approved on 10 September 2024 and will ensure funding through the winter months.

The trading subsidiary of the Charity, MTL, undertakes all commercial events, retail activities and operates the Orchard Kitchen. Income from MTL decreased from £803K in 2022 to £712K in 2023 but despite this fall, the financial results did improve with a significant reduction in the loss for the year from £98K in 2022 to £49K in 2023. Although the cancellation of weddings in 2023 will result in a fall in revenue, it is hoped that the subsidiary will return to profit in 2024.

Total incoming resources in 2023 for both the Charity and MTL (the Group) were £1,439K (2022 £1,701), a decrease of £262K. With the exception of the Friends scheme and investment income, which both increased slightly, all other income streams decreased from 2022 to 2023.

Total Group expenditure decreased by 5% from £2,250K in 2022 to £2,145K in 2023 but this decrease was not sufficient to avoid a deficit, after the revaluation of investments, for the year of £540K.

The majority of investments are managed by Rathbone Greenbank Investment and at the year end the value of investments was £2,237,926, a slight fall from the previous year. The Trustees 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 company shares with strong balance sheets, sound business models and ESG credentials. In August 2021 Trustees agreed to move to a Total Return model of investment and amended this in 2024 instructing Rathbones to decrease the risk factor applied to the investments in order to increase revenue.

In the light of the above description of the financial situation at Markshall, the Trustees developed a recovery plan with the aim of balancing the budget for 2025 and subsequent years. It is expected that the changes will result in continued balanced budgets from 2026 onwards.

The recovery plan will enable the Charity to continue to support Markshall Trading Ltd until the subsidiary’s deficit is paid off. The Charity is committed to this course of action.


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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


Reserves Policy, Going Concern and Plans for the Future

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. Most of the cash flow required continues to relate to staff costs. As of 31st December 2023, the reserves required for the Group were £141K, but given the cash constraints, this policy was not met at the year end.

The Trustees’ short and medium term focus is on ensuring the Group’s financial sustainability through an intensified drive on income generation across business areas, fundraising and strategic business planning as well as continued review of expenditure. Although the current situation poses considerable financial strain, the Trustees remain optimistic that Markshall Estate will continue to prosper and develop.

As a continuation of existing activities the Trustees have developed several projects and investments to increase income and visitor numbers including:

However we recognise that a continuation of these activities is unlikely to be sufficient to sustain the long term future of both MTL and the Charity. As a result agreement has been reached to outsource three key activities – the Tearoom, marketing activities and the Coach House. These changes will reduce costs, reduce risk and guarantee income streams. A reduction in staff numbers and therefore in overall expenditure has also been agreed with the changes to take effect from January 2025.

It will undoubtedly take time to eradicate the losses brought forward by MTL, but the Trustees of the Charity and the Directors of MTL are optimistic that this can be achieved by the end of 2026 at the latest.

Inevitably the losses of MTL have had an effect on the finances of the Charity. However the cash held in the permanent endowment from historic sales of land does provide a buffer, subject to Charity Commission regulations and approval. This will ensure the viability of the Charity.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT


Risk Management

The Trustees have considered the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems and procedures are in place in order to manage those risks. The risk management plan is reviewed and updated bi-annually by the Finance and Risk Sub-committee and by the Board. The plan focuses on the key risks and uncertainties faced by the Group including finances, the Group’s management, Trustees, reputational risk, environmental risks, health and safety and regulatory requirements.

The responsibility for managing each risk is allocated to individuals within the Senior Management Team who have specialist knowledge of their area of work and is overseen by the Chief Executive.

Financial security is identified as the most significant risk faced by the Group. Reviews of funds, including financial forecasting, are carried out regularly to ensure there is sufficient operational capital for the Charity.

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:


MARKSHALL ESTATE TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Audltors On 28 March 2024 our auditor, SB Audit LLP. rnerged with Sumer Auditco Limrted. Accordingly SB Audit LLP formally resigned as the Company's auditor with the Directors duly appointing Sumer Auditco Limited lo lill the vacarbcy arising. The auditor, Sumer Audilco Limited, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance ￿￿th sectK>n 485 of the Companies Act 2006. A resoluts'on to re-appoint Sumer Auditco Limited as auditors of the Trust will be put to the Trustees at the Board meeting in October 2024. Approved by the Tru51ees on 210. and swned on their behalf by OPLk Meriel Barclay Chair of Truslees 13-

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 2023 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 pages 12 and 13 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.

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 ARKSHALL ESTATE Secondly, the charily is subject lo many other faws and regulalions where the consequences of non¢omplianeÈ could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial slalements. for instance through the imposilion of fines or litigakn'on. We identified the following areas as those most likety to have suth an effect.. heamh and safely legislation, employment law. anli-bribery and cormplion legislation and GDPR. Audiling standards limit the iequired audit procedures lo Identify non-compliance with these laws and ￿UlationS to enquiry of the management and trustee5 and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential Tisks relating to irregularities {whi¢h include fraud and norFGompltance with laws and fegulationsl comprised of., enquiries of management and those chaTged with governan￿ as lo ￿ether the company complies with su¢h iegulalions., enquiries of management and those charged wth govemance concerning any aclual or polentsal liloat￿n or claims. inspection of ielevanl legal documenlation, review of board minutes, testing the appropriateness of ioumal entries and the performan￿ of analytical review to identify any unexpected movements in ae¢ount balance5 which may be indicative of fraud. There are Inherent limitations in the audit pro(2dures described above and the fvrtheT removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Ihe less likely we would become aware of it Irregulafities that result from fraud might be inherentty more difficuli lo detect than irregularitses that result from error. As explained above, there ￿ an unavoidabte risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned arid Perfo￿ed in accordance with ISAS IUK). A further descriptron of Ouf responsibilit￿S for the audrt of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Councifs website at. www.frc.org.ukjauditorsresponsibilrties, This description foms part of our Auditorfs Rep￿t. 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 wth Fegulalions made under Section 154 of th81 Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to Ihe CharWs trnslees those matteTS we are required to slate lo them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept tsf assume fespon5ibility to anyone otherthan the Charity and the chart1￿$ trustees as a body. for our audrt work. for this report, or for the opinlons we have formed. Sumer Auditco Limited Slatulory Auditor 820 The Ciescenl Colchesler Business Park Colchester Essex C04 9Ya Dale- Sumer Auditco Limrted is ehgibje lo acl as an auditor in lerms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. 16-

MARKSHALL ESTATE

GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Endowment Total Total
Notes Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ **£ **
Income
Donations and legacies 2 28,208 5,653 - 33,861 89,043
Income from charitable
activities:
Grants receivable 3 30,076 - - 30,076 27,317
Other income from
charitable activities 4 244,623 - - 244,623 282,453
Income from other
trading activities 5 1,069,799 - - 1,069,799 1,247,461
Investment income 6 60,638 - - 60,638 54,986
----------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Total income 1,433,344 5,653 - 1,438,997 1,701,260
----------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Expenditure on raising
funds 7 1,163,309 - - 1,163,309 1,340,752
Charitable activities 8 980,170 12,167 - 992,337 909,781
----------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Total expenditure 2,143,479 12,167 - 2,155,646 2,250,533
----------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Realised and unrealised
investment gains/(losses) 165,486 - - 165,486 (542,395)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Net expenditure (544,649) (6,514) - (551,163)
(1,091,668)
---------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------
Transfer between funds 24 499,193 - (499,193) - -
----------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Net movement in funds
carried forward (45,456) (6,514) (499,193) (551,163)
(1,091,668)
Balances brought forward
at 1 January 2023 £1,753,106 £14,333 £2,930,374 £4,697,813 £5,789,481
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
----------- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------
Balances carried forward
at 31 December 2023 £1,707,650 £7,819 £2,431,181 £4,146,650 £4,697,813
================== ================= ================= ================== ==================

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

Analysis between funds of the 2022 Statement of Financial Activities is shown in note 27 to the accounts.


MARKSHALL ESTATE GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Notes 2023 2022 Fixed assets Tangible assets Investments 12 13 3.086.962 2,237,926 3,300,862 2,341,008 6,324.888 5,641,870 Curyent assets Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 14 15 18,477 130.378 51.064 20,832 438,038 248,945 199,919 707,815 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 16 414,300 669,639 Net current (liabilitiesyassets {214.381) 38,176 Totsl assets less Current liabilities 5,110,507 5,680,046 C￿dItorS. amounts falling due after more than one year 17 963.857 982,233 Net assets £4,146,650 £4,697,813 Funds Capital funds Endowments 19 2,431,181 2,930,374 Income funds Restricted ftjnds Unrestricted funds General CharIta￿e funds 20 7,819 14.333 21 1.707.650 1,753,106 £4.146,650 £4,697,813 Approved by the Board of Trustees on 21 October 2024 and signed on tts behalf by £,.(q Meriel Barclay 18-

MARKSHALL ESTATE CHARITY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Notes 2023 2022 Flxed assets Tangible assets Investmet)ts 12 13 3.067.529 2,237,933 3.279,421 2.341.015 ,305,462 5,620,436 Current assets Stocks Debtors Cash at barth and in hand 14 15 166,026 40.826 240,150 221,994 206,862 462.144 Creditors: amounts falllng dug wlthln one year 16 293,862 352.603 Net current {liabllitiesllassets 187,010) 109,541 Total assets loss ¢urrent liabilitles 5,218.452 5.729,977 Creditors: amounts falling due after more Ihan one year 17 944.690 954,283 Net assets £4.273.762 £4,775.694 Funds Capltal funds Endowments 19 2.431,181 2.930.374 Income funds Restricted funds Unrestricled funds . General Gharitable funds 20 7,819 14,333 21 1,834,762 1,830,987 £4,273.762 £4,775,694 Approved by the Board of TTUStees on 21 and sKJned on its behaw by 202q- Mgrlel Barclay 19-

MARKSHALL ESTATE

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


Group Group Charity Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Net movements in funds (551,163) (1,091,668) (501,932) (993,667)
Depreciation of tangible assets 294,520 140,801 282,739 137,203
Loss on disposal of tangible assets 39,732 - 39,732 -
Unrealised investment (gain)/loss (165,487) 542,395 (165,487) 542,395
Interest paid 111,417 60,333 100,672 31,796
Interest received (5,636) (482) (5,158) (307)
Dividends received (55,002) (54,504) (55,002) (54,504)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 307,660 36,060 74,124 (90,950)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (224,147) (67,122) (27,549) 50,722
Decrease in stocks 2,355 2,341 - -
_____ _____ _____ _____
Cash used in operations (245,751) (431,846) (257,861) (377,312)
_____ _____ _____ _____
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid (111,417) (60,333) (100,672) (31,796)
Interest received 5,636 482 5,158 307
Net advance on bank debt - 110,963 - 122,077
Finance lease repayments (11,357) - (11,357) -
Loans repaid (42,325) - (33,542) -
__ __ __ __
Net cash (used in)/from financing (159,463) (51,112) (140,413) (90,588)
activities
_____ _____ _____ _____
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (101,402) (108,625) (91,629) (100,989)
Cash withdrawn from investments 268,569 248,329 268,569 248,329
Dividends received 55,002 54,504 55,002 54,504
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 5,000 - 5,000 -
__ __ __ __
Net cash from investing activities 227,169 194,208 236,942 201,844
_____ _____ _____ _____
Change in cash and cash equivalents
in the year (178,045) (186,526) (161,332) (84,880)
Cash and cash equivalents
brought forward 156,003 342,529 129,052 213,932
_____ _____ _____ _____
Cash and cash equivalents
carried forward £ (22,042) £ 156,003 £ (32,280) £ 129,052
================= ================= ================ =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


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. The results of the subsidiary undertaking are consolidated on a line by line basis.

Going concern

Having considered the Charity’s forecasts and projections and the recovery plan put in place for the subsidiary, 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. Following approval from the Charity Commission for the Charity to release £400,000 from permanent endowments in September 2024, the charity is expected to have sufficient cash to continue in operation and support its subsidiary. For these reasons the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

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 2023


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 2023 the total expense not yet due to be transferred back was £nil.

During the years ended 31 December 2018, 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2021 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 was subsequently reallocated, with agreement by the Charities Commission, for operating and project expenditure. During the prior 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. In the year ended 31 December 2022, the Charities Commission agreed to release a further £350,000 of these funds under Section 282 for operating and project expenditure. During the year ending 2023 a further £500,000 was released under Section 282.

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.


NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

MARKSHALL ESTATE


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. Donated facilities are recognised in income and expenditure when the charity has control over the item, conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that the economic benefit can be measured reliably.

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 £1,000.

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. A 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.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

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

Heritage assets

Markshall 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.

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 which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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.


NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

MARKSHALL ESTATE


1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Taxation

Markshall 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 Markshall 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
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Disabled vehicle “Buggy” 817 - - 817 2,355
General donations 27,391 5,653 - 33,044 86,688
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 28,208 £ 5,653 £ - £ 33,861 £ 89,043
================= ================= ================= ================= =================

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.

In the prior year, £Nil donation and legacies income related to restricted funds.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


3 GRANTS RECEIVABLE

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Land and Environmental 30,076 - - 30,076 27,317
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 30,076 £ - £ - £ 30,076 £ 27,317
================= ================= ================= ================= ================

All amounts in 2022 relate to unrestricted funds.

4 OTHER INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Admissions 141,019 - - 141,019 182,589
Members’ fees 103,604 - - 103,604 99,864
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 244,623 £ - £ - £ 244,623 £282,453
================= ================= ================= ================= ================

All amounts in 2022 relate to unrestricted funds.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


5 INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Coach house and visitor
centre lettings 413,417 - - 413,417 472,959
Events income 13,056 - - 13,056 69,358
Shop income 52,954 - - 52,954 57,984
Catering income 247,471 - - 247,471 279,184
Rental and estate income
342,064
- - 342,064 354,418
Timber sales 837 - - 837 2,809
Insurance claim - - - - 4,873
Wayleaves - - - - 2,458
Miscellaneous income - - - - 3,418
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 1,069,799 £ - **£ - ** £ 1,069,799 £1,247,461
================= ================= ================= ================= =================
All amounts in 2022 relate to unrestricted funds.
6 INVESTMENT INCOME
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2023 2022
£ £ £ £
£
UK equities 55,002 - - 55,002
54,504
Interest received 5,636 - - 5,636
482
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 60,638 £ - £ - £ 60,638
£ 54,986
================= ================= ================= ================= ==================

All investment income for 2023 and 2022 relates to financial assets measured at fair value.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


7 EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS

Visitor
Activities Centre
undertaken Support Support Total Total
directly costs costs 2023 2022
£ £ £ £ **£ **
Coach house and visitor
lettings 479,984 - 134,041 614,025 615,322
Events 18,925 13,495 1,278 33,698 131,169
Shop 43,626 1,644 1,745 47,015 9,912
Catering 4,964 - 199 5,163 3,157
Rental and estates
activities 95,835 - 367,573 463,408 581,192
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 643,334 £ 15,139 £ 504,836 £ 1,163,309 £1,340,752
================ ============= ================= ================= =================

There is no grant funding of activities.

8 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Visitor Support
Activities Centre and
undertaken Support Governance Total Total
directly costs costs 2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Arboretum 506,526 - 127,336 633,862 447,229
Admissions - 121,086 - 121,086 120,954
Members’ fees - 88,961 - 88,961 66,154
Trustee and
administration expenses - - 670 670 223
Auditors’ remuneration:
in respect of
audit services - - 31,935 31,935 18,290
in respect of
non audit services - - 2,965 2,965 5,810
Professional fees - - 113,528 113,528 251,121
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 506,526 £ 210,047 £ 275,764 £ 992,337 £ 909,781
================= ================= ================= ================= =================

There is no grant funding of activities.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


9 EXPENDITURE

Total expenditure can be further analysed as follows:

2023 2022
£ £
Staff costs 834,678 851,776
Events and Visitor Centre expenditure 150,475 166,474
Shop and catering expenditure 25,032 34,014
Wedding expenditure 62,710 77,548
Repairs to property and equipment 142,673 119,605
Cleaning 31,639 42,122
Telephone 12,826 10,572
Rates (3,396) 15,794
Heat, light and water 25,190 30,543
Bank interest and charges 41,176 28,537
Depreciation 246,534 140,801
Miscellaneous 101,530 45,527
Transport, fuel and maintenance 16,572 20,076
Insurance 41,917 29,483
Land access payments 7,083 10,069
Loan interest 74,021 31,796
Hire purchase interest 476 -
Subscriptions 10,236 5,297
Auditors’ remuneration 34,900 24,100
Marketing and management fees and expenses 41,899 93,562
Professional fees 118,692 331,333
Trustee and administration expenses 670 223
Management, staff and volunteer expenses 2,927 3,099
Training 2,639 5,986
Plants 36,175 32,904
Bad debts written off 43,089 25,667
Printing 4,666 5,337
Licences 973 1,788
Equipment 7,912 8,032
Sculpture event - 58,468
Loss on disposal 39,732 -
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 2,155,646£ 2,250,533
================= =================

Of the above expenditure, £74,021 (2022: £31,796) of interest expense relates to financial liabilities measured at amortised cost.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


9 EXPENDITURE - (continued)

Visitor Centre support costs

Visitor Centre support costs can be further analysed as follows:

2023 2022
£ £
Staff costs 107,689 79,399
Repairs 27,055 9,978
Cleaning 15,677 13,687
Telephone 6,292 4,785
Light, heat and water 2,863 10,587
Bank interest and charges 12,306 10,712
Miscellaneous 37,452 25,226
Insurance 11,660 9,434
Legal fees 2,089 72,842
Volunteer expenses 1,795 1,163
Subscriptions 308 509
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 225,186 £ 238,322
================= =================

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 2023


9 EXPENDITURE - (continued)

General support costs

Support costs can be further analysed as follows:

2023 2022
£ £
Staff costs 232,791 321,729
Marketing fees 67,934 31,224
Professional fees 190,609 240,380
Management, staff and volunteer expenses 1,512 2,614
Training 2,534 5,545
Miscellaneous 12,737 36,921
Bank charges 29,346 17,825
Cleaning 14,559 27,427
Light, heat and water 22,327 19,956
Repairs 83,765 84,664
Telephone 6,534 5,611
Bad debts written off 43,089 25,667
Printing, postage and stationery 3,070 4,353
Depreciation 11,781 3,598
Insurance 6,937 1,180
Licences 973 1,788
Subscriptions 6,621 2,661
Equipment hire 7,911 -
Trustee and administration expenses 670 223
Auditor’s remuneration 34,900 23,300
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 780,600 £ 856,666
================= =================

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 2023


10 EMPLOYEE AND TRUSTEE INFORMATION

2023 2022
£ £
Employees
Wages and salaries 772,956 789,348
Social security costs 49,788 49,622
Pension costs 11,934 12,806
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
£ 834,678 £851,776
================= =================
The average monthly number of employees during
the year was made up as follows: 60 72
=================== ==================

No employees earned in excess of £60,000 (2022 – no employees).

Trustees

There were 7 Trustees who held office during the year, there were no more than 7 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 £670 (2022: £223). 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 £1,500 (2022: £1,425) 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, Markshall Trading Limited. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the group were £197,965 (2022: £261,529).

11 AUDIT FEE

2023 2022
£ £
Auditors’ remuneration : in respect of audit services 17,150 18,290
: in respect of payroll services 3,205 2,670
: in respect of other non-audit services 2,965 3,140
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
£ 23,320 £24,100
================ ================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


12 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Group

Improvements Improvements
Freehold to Plant and
property properties machinery Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 January 2023 2,390,424 1,330,950 657,924 4,379,298
Additions - 75,059 50,293 125,352
Transfers (36,789) 36,789 - -
Disposals - (73,213) (30,213) (103,426)
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2023 2,353,635 1,369,585 678,004 4,401,224
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023 - 621,188 457,248 1,078,436
Charge for year - 225,800 68,720 294,520
Disposals - (48,827) (9,867) (58,694)
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2023 - 798,161 516,101 1,314,262
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Net book values
At 31 December 2023 £ 2,353,635 £ 571,424 £ 161,903 £ 3,086,962
================= ================ ================ =================
At 31 December 2022 £ 2,390,424 £ 709,762 £ 200,676 £ 3,300,862
================= ================ ================ =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


12 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - (continued)

Charity

Improvements Improvements
Freehold to Plant and
property properties machinery Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 January 2023 2,390,424 1,330,950 606,017 4,327,391
Additions - 75,059 40,520 115,579
Transfers (36,789) 36,789 - -
Disposals - (73,213) (30,213) (103,426)
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2023 2,353,635 1,369,585 616,324 4,339,544
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023 - 621,188 426,782 1,047,970
Charge for year - 225,800 56,939 282,739
Disposals - (48,827) (9,867) (58,694)
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2023 - 798,161 473,854 1,272,015
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Net book values
At 31 December 2023 £ 2,353,635 £ 571,424 £ 142,470 £3,067,529
================ ================ ================ ================
At 31 December 2022 £ 2,390,424 £ 709,762 £ 179,235 £3,279,421
================ ================ ================ ================

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 2023 the minimum annual lease payments to be received in respect of these assets is £337,404 (2022: £354,418).


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


13 INVESTMENTS

Group and Charity

2023 2022
£ £
Listed investments
Market value at 1 January 2023 2,341,008 3,131,732
Additions at cost - -
Disposal at cost (268,568) (248,329)
Net unrealised investment (loss)/gain 165,486 (542,395)
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- ------ ------------------------
Market value at 31 December 2023 £ 2,237,926 £ 2,341,008
================ ===================
Historical cost at 31 December 2023 £ 2,129,574 £ 2,398,136
=================== =====================
Details of the listed investments held at 31 December 2023 are as follows :
Mid-market
Cost value
£ £
M and G Charibond Common Investment Fund
7,168 Income Shares 7,786 8,017
M and G Charifund – Equities Investment Fund for Charities
708 Income Units 8,000 10,160
Charinco Common Investment Fund
4,404 Income Shares 7,042 6,533
Charishare Common Investment Fund
3,442 Income Shares 6,532 25,071
Charities Official Investment Fund
1,226 Income Units 7,802 24,335
37 Accumulated Units 385 9,139
Glaxo Smith Kline PLC
2,804 Income Shares 43,139 40,664
Haleon PLC
3,505 Income Shares 10,785 11,274
Rathbone Portfolio 2,038,103 2,106,119
---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 2,129,574 £ 2,241,312
================= ================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


13 INVESTMENTS - (continued)

Fixed Asset Investments – (continued)

The net unrealised gain of £165,487 (2022: £542,395 loss) is in relation to financial assets recognised at fair value.

Charity investment in subsidiary
2023
2022
£ £
Cost and net book value:
At 1 January 2023 and at 31 December 2023 £ 7 £ 7
================== ==================
Group
Total fixed asset investments £ 2,237,926 £2,341,008
================== ==================
Charity
Total fixed asset investments £ 2,237,933 £2,341,015
================== ==================

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 and running the catering function of the group. For the year to 31 December 2023 the company made a loss before gift aid payments of £38,543 (2022: loss £170,980) and at this date it had net liabilities of £116,417 (2022: £150,853). 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
2023 2022 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Goods for resale £ 18,477 £ 20,832 £- £-
================ ================ ================ ================

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 2023


15 DEBTORS

Group Group Charity Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Trade debtors 55,833 237,334 39,134 3,693
Other debtors 66,662 136,632 63,352 127,715
Prepayments 7,883 64,072 5,972 54,244
Amounts owed from subsidiary - - 57,568 54,498
------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
£ 130,378 £ 438,038 £ 166,026 £ 240,150
================== ================== =================== ==================

16 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Group
Group
Charity Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Loans and overdrafts 129,483 144,629 119,483 134,629
Trade creditors 98,704 143,607 70,526 117,893
Other creditors 64,606 52,068 63,998 50,121
Other taxation and social security 64,938 61,469 9,498 30,629
Accruals 31,697 46,978 21,277 14,061
Deferred income 15,812 215,618 20 -
Amounts due under finance leases 9,060 5,270 9,060 5,270
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
£ 414,300 £ 669,639 £ 293,862 £ 352,603
================ ================ ================ ================

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 £15,812 was accounted for (2022: £215,618) in creditors falling due in under and over one year.

Of the prior year’s deferred income, £215,618 (2022: £113,528) was released during the year ended 31 December 2023.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


17 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Group Group Charity Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Loans:
- Due between one and two years 33,965 47,381 33,965 37,381
- Due between two and five years 631,436 602,426 612,269 584,476
- Due after more than five years 284,875 327,648 284,875 327,648
---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
950,276 977,455 931,109 949,505
---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Amounts due under finance leases:
- Due between one and two years 13,581 4,778 13,581 4,778
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Total £ 963,857 £ 982,233 £ 944,690 £ 954,283
================ ================ ================ ================

The Purley Farm loan of £171,196 (2022: £174,238) 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 second replacement loan of £Nil (2022: £11,678) 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 £250,677 (2022: £257,360) 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 Rathbones loan of £509,236 (2022: £506,229) is secured on the Charity’s investment portfolio held with the creditor. This loan is repayable 5 years from signing of the agreement and bears an interest rate of 2.5% over the base rate.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


18 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Group Group Charity Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Financial assets
Financial assets measured at fair
value through profit or loss 2,237,926 2,341,008 2,237,933 2,341,015
Financial assets measured at
amortised cost 133,183 373,966 160,054 185,906
------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
£ 2,371,109 £ 2,714,974 £ 2,397,987 £ 2,526,921
==================== =================== ==================== ====================
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities measured at
amortised cost £ 1,297,407 £ 1,374,785 £ 1,299,034 £ 1,276,257
=================== ==================== ==================== ====================

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
Balance Expenditure, Balance
at gains/(losses) at
1.1.23 Income and transfers 31.12.23
£ £ £ £
Permanent endowment
Investment 1,140,620 - (499,193) 641,427
Markshall Estate 1,789,754 - - 1,789,754
---------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
£ 2,930,374 £ - £ (499,193) £ 2,431,181
================ =================== ================ ================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


20 RESTRICTED FUNDS

Group and Charity

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Movement in funds| |Balance Expenditure, Balance| |at gains/losses at| |1.1.23 Income and transfers 31.12.23| |£|£|£|£| |Educational events|14,080|-|(7,252)|6,828| |Cycle path|253|-|-|253| |Peter Holland Donation|-|5,653|(4,915)|738| |----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| |£ 14,333|£ 5,653|£ (12,167)|£ 7,819| |=================|=================|=================|=================|

----- End of picture text -----

Educational events

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

21 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Movement in funds| |Balance Expenditure, Balance| |at (gains)/losses at| |1.1.23 Income and transfers 31.12.23| |Group| |General charitable funds|£ 1,753,106|£ 1,433,344|£ (1,478,800) £ 1,707,650| |================|================|================|================| |Charity| |General charitable funds|£ 1,830,987|£ 806,051|£ (802,276) £ 1,834,762| |=================|================|================|================|

----- End of picture text -----

22 CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

At 31 December 2023, the Group and Charity had capital commitments as follows:

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2023 2022| |£|£| |Contracted for but not provided in these financial statements|£ -|£ 14,270| |================|===================|

----- End of picture text -----


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


23 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE CHARITY

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

The summary financial performance of the Charity alone is:

2023 2022
£ £
Income 811,704 1,012,782
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Expenditure
Fundraising trading:
Cost of goods sold and other costs 905,912 987,292
Charitable activities 548,690 460,839
Governance costs 24,520 15,923
Realised and unrealised
Investment loss/(gain) (165,486) 542,395
Loss on disposal -
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net outgoing resources (501,932) (993,667)
Total funds brought forward 4,775,694 5,769,361
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total funds carried forward £ 4,273,762 £ 4,775,694
================== ==================
Represented by:
Restricted funds 7,819 14,333
Endowment funds 2,431,181 2,930,374
Unrestricted funds 1,834,762 1,830,987
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total funds £ 4,273,762 £ 4,775,694
================== ==================

24 TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS

The £807 transfer from unrestricted to endowment funds represents the final annual repayment to endowment reserve as set out in note 1.

The £500,000 transfer from endowment to unrestricted funds was made following a successful S282 application on 30 October 2023.


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


25 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Group

Group
Net current
Tangible assets less
fixed long term
assets Investments liabilities Total
£ £ £ £
Restricted funds - - 7,819 7,819
Endowment funds 216,058 78,769 2,136,354 2,431,181
Unrestricted funds
General charitable funds 2,870,904
2,159,157
(3,322,411) 1,707,650
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Total funds £3,086,962
£2,237,926
£(1,178,238) £4,146,650
=================
==================
================== ================
Charity
Net current
Tangible assets less
fixed long term
assets Investments liabilities Total
£
£

£
£
Restricted funds - - 7,819 7,819
Endowment funds 216,058 78,769 2,136,354 2,431,181
Unrestricted funds
General charitable funds 2,851,471 2,159,164 (3,175,876) 1,834,762
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total funds £3,067,529 £2,237,933 £(1,031,703)
£4,273,762
================= ================= ================= =================

26 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 2023


27 PRIOR YEAR STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total| |Funds Funds Funds Funds| |2022| |£|£|£|£| |Income| |Donations and legacies|89,043|-|-|89,043| |Income from charitable| |activities:| |Grants receivable|27,317|-|-|27,317| |Other income from| |charitable activities|282,453|-|-|282,453| |Income from other| |trading activities|1,247,461|-|-|1,247,461| |Investment income|54,986|-|-|54,986| |-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| |Total income|1,701,260|-|-|1,701,260| |-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| |Expenditure| |Expenditure on raising funds|1,340,752|-|-|1,340,752| |Charitable activities|909,361|420|-|909,781| |-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| |Total expenditure|2,250,113|420|-|2,250,533| |-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| |Realised and unrealised| |-| |investment gains|(192,395)|(350,000)|(542,395)| |Gain on disposal of land|-|-|-|-| |-----------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| |Net income|(741,248)|(420)|(350,000)|(1,091,668)| |-----------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| |Transfer between funds|(4,401)|-|4,401|-| |-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| |Net movement in funds| |carried forward|(745,649)|(420)|(345,599)|(1,091,668)| |Balances brought forward| |at 1 January 2022|£2,498,755|£14,753|£3,275,973|£5,789,481| |-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| |Balances carried forward| |at 31 December 2022|£1,753,106|£14,333|£2,930,374|£4,697,813| |==================|=================|==================|==================|

----- End of picture text -----


MARKSHALL ESTATE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


28 ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT

Group
Balance Balance
at Cash Non Cash at
1.1.23 Movements Movements 31.12.23
£ £ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 156,003 (178,045) - (22,042)
Debt due within one year (51,687) (4,690) - (56,377)
Debt due after one year (977,455) 27,179 - (950,276)
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net debt £ (873,139) £(155,556) £ - £ (1,028,695)
================= ================== ================== ==================
Charity
Balance Balance
at Cash Non Cash at
1.1.23 Movements Movements 31.12.23
£ £ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 129,052 (161,332) - (32,280)
Debt due within one year (41,687) (4,690) - (46,377)
Debt due after one year (949,505) 18,399 - (931,106)
----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Net debt £ (862,140) £(147,623) £ - £ (1,009,763)
================= ================== ================== ==================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


Detailed Income and Expenditure Accounts for the Trustees’ information


MARKSHALL ESTATE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


2023 2022 2022
£ £ £ £
Income
Estate 432,108 440,667
Arboretum and Land in Hand 34,528 93,417
Visitor Centre Operations 972,361 1,167,176
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1,438,997 1,701,260
Expenses
Estate 638,288 711,159
Arboretum and Land in Hand 287,125 258,204
Visitor Centre Operations 1,190,501 1,190,501
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
2,115,914 2,250,533
Operating (deficit)/surplus
Estate (206,180) (270,492)
Arboretum and Land in Hand (252,597) (164,787)
Visitor Centre Operations (218,140) (113,994)
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
(676,917) (549,273)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets (39,732) -
Gain/(loss) on investment 165,486 (542,395)
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Deficit for the financial year £ (551,163) £ (1,091,668)
================= =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 - (continued)


2023 2022 2022
£
£
£ £
Income – Estate
Rental income 331,551 349,752
Tenant contributions 5,853 4,666
Investment income 55,002 54,811
Insurance and other income 6,287 6,163
Grants and donations 30,076 22,817
Nursery 3,339 2,458
------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
432,108 440,667
Expenses – Estate
General maintenance 62,767 63,215
Premises and public liability insurance 11,660 9,434
Other professional fees 113,528 251,121
Accountancy 23,850 15,700
Office administration and services 19,698 38,611
Office electricity and water 15,982 16,023
Staff costs 232,791 252,347
Staff and trustee expenses 1,924 1,878
Bank charges and overdraft interest 13,869 4,934
Miscellaneous 62,911 11,199
Access payments 7,083 10,069
Loan interest 74,021 31,796
Bad debts (recovered)/written off (1,796) 4,832
------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
638,288 711,159
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Divisional deficit £ (206,180) £ (270,492)
================= =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


2023 2022
£
£
£
£
Income – Arboretum and land in hand
Grants and donations 33,691 90,608
Job retention scheme grant - -
Timber sales 837 2,809
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
34,528 93,417
Expenses – Arboretum and land
in hand
Personnel expenses 258 736
Staff costs 208,858 197,080
Equipment 11,747 5,216
Equipment hire 2,308 2,446
Planting and tree surgery 10,637 4,106
Fuel and oil 6,952 12,693
Repairs and maintenance 21,509 20,755
Vehicle insurance and tax 12,833 10,477
Heat, power and water 1,233 437
Miscellaneous 9,364 4,258
Hire Purchase Interest 476
Other professional Fees 950 -
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
287,125 258,204
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Divisional deficit £ (252,597) £ (164,787)
================= =================

MARKSHALL ESTATE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


2023 2022 2022
£
£
£ £
Income – Visitor Centre Operations
Admission 141,019 182,589
Catering 247,471 279,184
Shop and plants 52,914 53,511
Membership 103,604 99,864
Coach house 381,180 419,102
Events 30,251 100,619
Other income 15,922 27,807
Grants - 4,500
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
972,361 1,167,176
Expenses – Visitor Centre Operations
Catering 4,964 23,962
Shop 45,606 38,850
Wedding 62,710 77,548
Events 145,138 224,942
Bank and credit card charges 27,307 23,603
Cleaning 30,236 30,314
VC electric and water 7,975 14,083
Repairs and maintenance 48,053 31,427
Staff, volunteer and trustee expenses 7,066 3,639
Miscellaneous 23,979 77,856
Marketing and promotions 44,564 48,158
Staff costs 393,029 402,553
Office and administration costs 23,990 20,033
Depreciation 246,534 140,801
Insurance 18,597 10,614
Legal and professional fees 14,156 83,920
Equipment 1,712 8,032
Bad debts written off 44,885 20,835
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1,190,501 1,281,170
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Divisional surplus (218,140) (113,994)
================= =================