Company registration number: 00938670 Charity registration number: 257806
The River Stour Trust Limited
(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Burdett King Accountancy Limited Independent Examiner 8 The Hamiltons Newmarket Suffolk CB8 0NF
The River Stour Trust Limited
Reference and Administrative Details
Chairman P E Brewerton Trustees E G Barrell P E Brewerton S A Durham H Gallo S Giudici J D Lunn M J K Rogers A P Ryan G L T Simmons K J Taylor The charity is incorporated in England. Independent Examiner Burdett King Accountancy Limited Independent Examiner 8 The Hamiltons Newmarket Suffolk CB8 0NF Registered Office The Granary Quay Lane Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2AN Company Registration Number 00938670 Charity Registration Number 257806
The River Stour Trust Limited
Contents
| Trustees' Report | 1 to 3 |
|---|---|
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 to 18 |
The River Stour Trust Limited
Trustees' Report
The Trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Trustees and officers
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees: E G Barrell P E Brewerton S A Durham H Gallo (appointed 15 August 2024) S Giudici (appointed 22 April 2025) J D Lunn M J K Rogers A P Ryan G L T Simmons (appointed 18 April 2025) K J Taylor (appointed 15 February 2024) R S Blay (resigned 9 January 2024) G Gardner (resigned 16 April 2024)
Chairman: P E Brewerton
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum of Association and its Articles of Association. Its purpose is, to quote from that Memorandum 'The preservation, maintenance in good order and improvement of canals, navigable rivers and inland waterways for the use of the public.' In accordance with the Articles of Association, the Members of Council are elected by a vote at the AGM, with one third retiring each year. Vacancies can be filled by appointment of the existing Council, but only until the next AGM when their aapointment must be approved.
The Council meets regularly, at least six times a year. The administration of the Trust by Council is currently assisted through the operation of the following committees:
Sudbury Boat Operations - deals with boating activities from Sudbury, Great Cornard and Great Henny.
Dedham Vale Boating Group - deals with boating activities between Stratford St Mary, Flatford, Dedham and Cattawade.
The Trust relies on volunteers to help organise its activities and events, including keeping the navigation clear, restoring locks and other navigation structures, crewing the trip boats, running the tea room and fund-raising. The Trust employs a small team of paid staff to assist in its operations including a Manager and Administrative Assistant overseeing all day-to-day enquiries and Trust administration, managing our venues and bookings, coordinating educational visits and outreach, providing support to the Trustees and helping to promote the Trust and its activities. A Caretaker and a Cleaner carry out scheduled tasks at The Granary and Visitor Education Centre (VEC) whilst a Bar Manager takes an operational lead role on bar requirements primarily for functions at The Granary.
Page 1
The River Stour Trust Limited
Trustees' Report
Objectives and activities
Objectives, strategies and activities
The strategy of the Trust is broadly two-fold. Firstly the active preservation, maintenance and improvement of navigation structures on the River Stour, principally locks. Secondly, education and increasing public awareness and use of the River Stour as a navigation.
The Trustees believe that this approach clearly demonstrates the public benefits that the Trust wishes to achieve.
The Trust raises funds through regular activities and events. These include boating trips, social and educational events on and off the river, co-operation with other bodies with an interest in the river, rental of our buildings when not in use by the Trust and acquiring land and buildings where these promote our aims. The Trust has a policy of raising funds as and when needed for major projects. We co-operate with other organisations that have an interest in the Stour navigation particularly the Environment Agency who are the navigation authority.
Achievements and Performance
In 2024 the Trust continued with all its usual operations, including boat trips from Sudbury, Dedham and Flatford, Granary and VEC venue hire, educational activities and the Granary tea room and bar.
The trustees continued to meet regularly via the online facility of Zoom and discussed many issues. We held a face to face AGM for the second year running.
We continued to operate as an agent for the Environment Agency to process their craft registrations for unpowered and private use craft.
We are pleased that after many years of negotiation, fundraising and preparation the work of re-gating Dedham Lock was finally completed in September 2024. The piling work to the lock island is the only outstanding issue here and it is anticipated that this will be completed in 2025. Many thanks to our project team for all the hours of work involved.
We are continuing to seek new sources of grants and funding for our restoration projects, and also for general maintenance work.
We continued to be represented and liaise with national and regional organisations such as the Environment Agency, Inland Waterways Association, National Trust, Dedham Vale National Landscape, Stour Valley Education Network, Quay Lane Trust, Canoe and Rowing Clubs, Parish and District Councils.
The River Maintenance Group has continued to do splendid work in improving access to the river, including work on breaches in the Dedham area which may have had severe implications had they not been repaired.
Our application, together with Sudbury Town Council, for Designated Bathing Water Status was approved during 2024. Our stance was that improved water quality would benefit all river users - swimmers, rowers, canoeists, kayakers, paddleboarders and anglers.
The ever-increasing popularity of the river, due in part to the availability of affordable and easily transportable craft, has led to yet more canoes, kayaks, paddleboards as well as wild swimming activity. Particularly, but not exclusively, in the Dedham Vale area this places further challenges to our ability to run our boat trips, especially at weekends. Weed growth and silting have also made life difficult for our crews.
Sudbury to the Sea resumed a full 2 day programme thanks to the agreement of the owners of Boxted Mill and Environment Agency to allow us to construct a temporary portage downstream of the bridge.
We repeated our successful special themed trips at Sudbury including ‘Santa Cruises’ in December, ‘Bat Cruise’ and bank holiday specials ‘Regal River Rides’, ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ and ‘Pirates on the Stour’.
Page 2
The River Stour Trust Limited
Trustees' Report
We actively participated in other events, such as the Suffolk Walking Festival where we offered our ‘Walk ‘n’ Water’ experience and ‘Wild in the Stour Valley’ where we offered free boat trips and river-based crafting activities. We also attended ‘Crucial Crew’ to provide a Water Safety activity over 5 days for up to 150 children per day!
During June and July, our staff and volunteers welcomed a number of primary school children with their teachers for a day at our Visitor Education Centre. The visit starts with a talk to learn about the history of the Stour Navigation (past and present), the working river, the cargo, the lighters, the locks and the links with John Constable’s artwork. Additional activities include river dipping, operation of the lock and a boat trip. All children are presented with a certificate of achievement and sticker at the end of the day.
Boats were safely brought ashore at the end of the season and put into winter storage at a new venue for Sudbury boats, and our usual storage venue for the Dedham Vale boats.
Our Stour lighter John Constable was repaired by the insurance-appointed marine electrician but these repairs proved unsatisfactory and by the end of the year insurers had agreed to fund a complete replacement of the motors and associated electronics. It is anticipated that the lighter will be back in service before the end of the 2025 season.
We are grateful to all our volunteers for their time and efforts, whether this is crewing our trip boats, boat/river/site maintenance, tea room, and all the other tasks that are necessary to keep the Trust running.
We are also grateful to our hardworking employees without whom the Trust would not be able to operate.
Public benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Financial review
The trustees have reviewed the charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission and believe that reserves should be at a level to ensure the charity can run efficiently and cover perceivable risk factors that may arise.
Funds are regularly transferred to a holding deposit account which is ring fenced as a reserve fund. The balance in that account at 31 December 2024 was £113,854 (2023 - £100,602) which would allow the charity to operate under normal circumstances for a number of months.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 21 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... P E Brewerton Chairman and trustee
Page 3
The River Stour Trust Limited
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of The River Stour Trust Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Page 4
The River Stour Trust Limited
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The River Stour Trust Limited ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of The River Stour Trust Limited as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
...................................... Lisa King Independent Examiner Chartered Certified Accountant
8 The Hamiltons Newmarket Suffolk CB8 0NF
21 August 2025
Page 5
The River Stour Trust Limited
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other trading activities 5 Investment income 6 Other income Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 18 Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investment income Other income Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted £ 11,928 145,093 12,618 1,749 - 171,388 (162,794) (162,794) 8,594 8,594 708,773 717,367 Note 3 4 5 6 7 18 |
Restricted £ 39,300 - - - - 39,300 (86,658) (86,658) (47,358) (47,358) 194,416 147,058 Unrestricted funds £ 10,060 126,966 9,583 1,246 9,658 157,513 (128,418) (128,418) 29,095 29,095 679,678 708,773 |
Total 2024 £ 51,228 145,093 12,618 1,749 - 210,688 (249,452) (249,452) (38,764) (38,764) 903,189 864,425 Restricted funds £ - 10,000 - - - 10,000 (13,031) (13,031) (3,031) (3,031) 197,447 194,416 |
Total 2023 £ 10,060 136,966 9,583 1,246 9,658 167,513 (141,449) (141,449) 26,064 26,064 877,125 903,189 Total 2023 £ 10,060 136,966 9,583 1,246 9,658 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 167,513 | ||||
| (141,449) | ||||
| (141,449) | ||||
| 26,064 | ||||
| 26,064 877,125 |
||||
| 903,189 |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.
The notes on pages 8 to 18 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
The River Stour Trust Limited
(Registration number: 00938670) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 14 Current assets Stocks Debtors 15 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 16 Net current assets Net assets Funds of the charity: Restricted income funds Restricted funds Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 18 |
2024 £ 651,134 1,799 22,530 213,067 237,396 (24,105) 213,291 864,425 147,058 717,367 864,425 |
2023 £ 665,106 1,665 9,625 266,448 |
|---|---|---|
| 277,738 (39,655) |
||
| 238,083 | ||
| 903,189 | ||
| 194,416 708,773 |
||
| 903,189 |
For the financial year ending 31 December 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The financial statements on pages 6 to 18 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 21 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
.........................................
----- Start of picture text -----
P E Brewerton
Chairman and trustee
----- End of picture text -----
The notes on pages 8 to 18 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
1 Charity status
The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England, and consequently does not have share capital. Every member is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
The address of its registered office is: The Granary Quay Lane Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2AN
These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 21 August 2025.
2 Accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
The River Stour Trust Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
Income and endowments
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.
Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Page 8
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the 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 charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class Depreciation method and rate Boats 15% reducing balance/5% straight line Fittings 20% reducing balance Pumps & equipment 10% reducing balance/2% straight line
Stock
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after due regard for obsolete and slow moving stocks. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO).
Page 9
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Borrowings
Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.
Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Page 10
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Pensions and other post retirement obligations
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.
Page 11
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals Gift aid reclaimed Grants received; Grants received |
Unrestricted funds General £ 3,170 3,767 4,991 11,928 |
Restricted funds £ - - 39,300 39,300 |
Total 2024 £ 3,170 3,767 44,291 51,228 |
Total 2023 £ 6,264 3,796 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,060 |
4 Income from charitable activities
| Boat operations Granary operations Visitor Education Centre Tea Room Granary bar 5 Income from other trading activities Fundraising Membership subscriptions Other income from other trading activities |
Unrestricted funds General £ 79,339 33,147 8,657 6,997 16,953 145,093 Unrestricted funds General £ 2,326 4,955 5,337 12,618 |
Total 2024 £ 79,339 33,147 8,657 6,997 16,953 145,093 Total 2024 £ 2,326 4,955 5,337 12,618 |
Total 2023 £ 93,123 17,591 6,922 6,982 12,348 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 136,966 | |||
| Total 2023 £ 298 5,371 3,914 |
|||
| 9,583 |
Page 12
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
6 Investment income
| Interest receivable and similar income: Interest receivable on bank deposits 7 Expenditure on charitable activities Unrestricted funds Note General £ Staff costs 58,054 Governance costs 8 32,831 90,885 |
Unrestricted General £ 1,749 Restricted funds £ - 9,772 9,772 |
Total 2024 £ 1,749 Total 2024 £ 58,054 42,603 100,657 |
Total 2023 £ 1,246 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total 2023 £ 51,852 35,521 |
|||
| 87,373 |
In addition to the expenditure analysed above, there are also governance costs of £42,603 (2023 - £35,521) which relate directly to charitable activities. See note 8 for further details.
8 Analysis of governance and support costs
Charitable activities expenditure
| Boat operations Granary operations Visitor Education Centre Tea room Granary bar Support costs ( incl admin payroll & governance) |
Unrestricted General £ 37,873 9,052 20,662 2,104 11,379 81,724 162,794 |
Restricted £ 76,886 - - - - 9,772 86,658 |
Total 2024 £ 114,759 9,052 20,662 2,104 11,379 91,496 249,452 |
Total 2023 £ 37,434 5,860 9,404 1,812 8,704 78,235 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 141,449 |
The restricted funds portion of boat operations expenditure largely relates to the cost of restoring Dedham Lock.
Page 13
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Governance costs (incl in support costs)
| Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements Other fees paid to examiners Legal fees Depreciation, amortisation and other similar costs Other governance costs |
Unrestricted funds General £ 1,075 325 7,529 4,200 19,702 32,831 |
Restricted funds £ - - - 9,772 - 9,772 |
Total 2024 £ 1,075 325 7,529 13,972 19,702 42,603 |
Total 2023 £ 1,000 350 1,201 14,530 18,440 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35,521 |
Page 14
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
9 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net (outgoing)/incoming /outgoing resources for the year include:
| Depreciation of fixed assets | 2024 £ 13,972 |
2023 £ 14,530 |
|---|---|---|
10 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
11 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries Pension costs |
2024 £ 56,751 1,303 58,054 |
2023 £ 50,747 1,105 |
|---|---|---|
| 51,852 |
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
| The average head count of employees during the year was | 2024 No 4 |
2023 No 4 |
|---|---|---|
4 (2023 - 4) of the above employees participated in the Defined Contribution Pension Schemes.
Contributions to the employee pension schemes for the year totalled £1,303 (2023 - £1,105).
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.
12 Independent examiner's remuneration
| Examination of the financial statements Other fees to examiners All other services |
2024 £ 1,075 325 |
2023 £ 1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 350 |
Page 15
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
13 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
14 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 January 2024 At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 Charge for the year At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Land and buildings £ 444,818 444,818 - - - 444,818 444,818 |
Boats £ 210,641 210,641 135,995 8,690 144,685 65,956 74,646 |
Pumps & equipment £ 170,859 170,859 34,318 3,462 37,780 133,079 136,541 |
Fittings £ 75,888 75,888 66,787 1,820 68,607 7,281 9,101 |
Total £ 902,206 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 902,206 | |||||
| 237,100 13,972 |
|||||
| 251,072 | |||||
| 651,134 | |||||
| 665,106 |
Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £216,433 (2023 - £216,433) in respect of freehold land and buildings and £228,385 (2023 - £228,385) in respect of leaseholds.
15 Debtors
| Trade debtors Prepayments Accrued income |
2024 £ 2,178 16,585 3,767 22,530 |
2023 £ 9,269 356 - |
|---|---|---|
| 9,625 |
Page 16
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| 16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bank loans Trade creditors Other taxation and social security VAT Other creditors Accruals |
2024 £ - 1,541 2,157 (12,524) 31,931 1,000 24,105 |
2023 £ 15,000 2,049 1,996 (17,376) 36,986 1,000 |
| 39,655 |
17 Pension and other schemes
Defined contribution pension scheme
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £1,303 (2023 - £1,105).
18 Funds
| Unrestricted funds General Restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds General Restricted funds Total funds |
Balance at 1 January 2024 £ 708,773 194,416 903,189 Balance at 1 January 2023 £ 679,678 197,447 877,125 |
Incoming resources £ 171,388 39,300 210,688 Incoming resources £ 157,513 10,000 167,513 |
Resources expended £ (162,794) (86,658) (249,452) Resources expended £ (128,418) (13,031) (141,449) |
Balance at 31 December 2024 £ 717,367 147,058 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 864,425 | ||||
| Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 708,773 194,416 |
||||
| 903,189 |
Page 17
The River Stour Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
19 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets |
Unrestricted funds General £ Designated £ 473,368 - 123,541 113,855 (24,105) - 572,804 113,855 Unrestricted funds General £ Designated £ 477,568 - 177,136 100,602 (39,655) - 615,049 100,602 |
Restricted funds £ 177,766 - - 177,766 Restricted funds £ 187,538 - - 187,538 |
Total funds at 31 December 2024 £ 651,134 237,396 (24,105) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 864,425 | |||
| Total funds at 31 December 2023 £ 665,106 277,738 (39,655) |
|||
| 903,189 |
20 Related party transactions
During the year the charity made the following related party transactions:
The Thames Electric Launch Co.
(Owned by a Trustee)
The Trust incurred costs to the value of £10,126 (2023 - £1,843) from The Thames Electric Launch Co., a company owned by Mr E Barrell, a Trustee. No profits were made on the transactions. At the balance sheet date the amount due to/from The Thames Electric Launch Co. was £Nil (2023 - £Nil).
Mr S Durham
(Trustee)
The Trust incurred costs to the value of £401 from Mr S Durham, a Trustee. No profits were made on the transactions. At the balance sheet date the amount due from Mr S Durham was £39 (2023 - £Nil).
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