2025-08-31-accounts - Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund

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Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund

Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

Year ended 31 August 2025

Charity Registration Number: 266393

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Contents

	Page
Reference and Administrative Details	1
Trustees’ Report	2
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities	5
Independent Examiner’s Report on the Financial Statements	6
Statement of Financial Activities incorporating Income & Expenditure Account	7
Balance Sheet	8
Notes to the Financial Statements	9

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees:

Chairman Mr W M Akerman Honorary Treasurer Mr A J Davies Honorary Secretary Ms V J Munday Mrs M C Dovey Mrs J D Hargreaves Mr C D Maxey Mr R H Trickey Reverend T G Wharton

Principal Office

63 The Hundred Romsey Hampshire SO51 8BZ

Charity Registration Number

266393 (England and Wales)

Independent Examiner

T M Rogerson FCA

Bankers

TSB Bank Plc 6 Market Place Romsey Hampshire SO51 8YS

CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Trustees’ Report

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements and independent examiner’s report of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Structure, Governance and Management

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund is a registered charity no. 266393, and the principal office is 63 The Hundred, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8BZ. The governing document is a Trust Deed dated 27 September 1973, as amended by further deeds dated 24 June 1997, 11 May 1998 and 22 April 2002.

The Trust Deed gives detailed instructions as to the number of Trustees and by whom they are to be appointed, as follows:

The Trustees may appoint any number of additional Trustees and shall use their reasonable endeavours to ensure that the number of the Trustees shall be maintained at not less than five and not more than ten and that at least one of their number shall be a member of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary and St Ethelflaeda, Romsey ("Romsey Parochial Church Council") and one other shall be the Vicar for the time being of Romsey Abbey.

Under the Trust Deed, decisions regarding the application of the funds require the approval of at least four Trustees.

Details of the Trustees who served during the year and to the date these accounts are approved are included in the Reference and Administrative Details on page 1.

Objectives and Activities

The main object of the charity is to provide funds for the restoration and repair of the fabric of Romsey Abbey and its contents. The Trustees make such funds available to the Romsey Parochial Church Council who, together with the Vicar and Churchwardens, has the responsibility for the maintenance of Romsey Abbey.

Public Benefit

The charity’s activities ensure the preservation of the fabric of Romsey Abbey and its contents for the benefit of residents of and visitors to the town of Romsey.

In setting our objectives and planning our activities the Trustees have carefully considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Trustees’ Report

Achievements and Performance

During the year the charity continued to act as a collector of donations intended for the restoration and preservation of the fabric of Romsey Abbey and its contents, and to make grants to the Romsey Parochial Church Council. No grants were requested during the year.

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Board of Trustees has a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason it continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

Financial Review

The results for the year and the charity’s financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements.

During the year visitors to Romsey Abbey donated £12,550 (2024: £12,547), legacies received amounted to £nil (2024: £15,000), and other donations amounted to £25 (2024: £1,025). Investment income was £36,578 (2024: £36,015), including accrued interest of £4,921 (2024: £3,951). Total income was £49,153 (2024: £64,587). Grants paid to the Romsey Parochial Church Council during the year totalled £nil (2024: £nil).

Reserves Policy

The General Fund represents general donations and income received in respect of the main object of the charity. During the year there was net income generated of £48,843 (2024: £63,012) on this fund and reserves amounting to £987,173 (2024: £938,330) at 31 August 2025.

The Trustees do not require a minimum level of free reserves to be held since the charity has no significant operating costs. Reserves are therefore accumulated for the sole purpose of making donations to the Romsey Parochial Church Council as and when major expenditure is required in respect of the restoration and preservation of the fabric of Romsey Abbey and its contents. See ‘Plans for Future Periods’ below for details of actual and planned expenditure for which the Trustees anticipate that donations will be required in the forthcoming financial year.

Investment Policy

The charity places fixed term bank deposits via an investment management platform operated by Flagstone Group Limited to increase investment income but retain short term access to funds to ensure that the charity’s main objective, being the provision of funds for the restoration and repair of Romsey Abbey and its contents, which require the funds to remain liquid, are met. The fixed term bank deposits have a maturity of up to twelve months and are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Trustees’ Report

Financial Review (continued)

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

As the charity acts as a collector of donations intended for the restoration and preservation of the fabric of Romsey Abbey and its contents, it has no significant risks and uncertainties other than in respect of the value of its investments and the investment return obtained thereon.

Plans for Future Periods

As at the date of this report, the Trustees anticipate making donations to the Romsey Parochial Church Council in respect of significant work to the Tower roof which is planned to take place in September 2026. This is likely to require donations in the region of £250,000. In addition, the Trustees anticipate making further donations in the region of £17,500 to reimburse expenditure arising from refurbishment of the Tower windows and flooring works required because of a sinking ledger stone.

Funds Held as Custodian Trustee on Behalf of Others

None of the charity’s funds are held as custodian trustee on behalf of others.

The Trustees’ report was approved by order of the Board of Trustees on 16 April 2026 and signed on the board’s behalf by:

Mr W M Akerman Chair of Trustees

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with 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).

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper 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.

Approved by order of the members of the Board of Trustees on 16 April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Mr W M Akerman Chair of Trustees

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund

Independent Examiner’s Report on the Financial Statements to the Trustees of Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 12.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable 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 material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

Signed:

Timothy M Rogerson FCA

18 Saxon Way Romsey Hampshire SO51 5PT

Date: …………………………….………

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2025 (including Income and Expenditure Account)

Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Investments Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities 3 Total Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	2025 Total 2024 Total £ £ £ 12,575 12,575 28,572 36,578 36,578 36,015 Unrestricted funds
	49,153 49,153 64,587
	310 310 1,575
	310 310 1,575
	48,843 48,843 63,012 938,330 938,330 875,318
	987,173 987,173 938,330

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025

2025 £ 4,921 892,814 89,688	2025 £	2024 £ 3,951 832,562 102,067	2024 £
987,423 250		938,580 250

	987,173		938,330
	987,173		938,330
	987,173		938,330

The financial statements on pages 7 to 12 were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 16 April 2026 and are signed on their behalf by:

Mr W M Akerman Chair of Trustees

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of Preparation

The accounts 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) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102 and is an unincorporated charity, registered in England and Wales. The charity's registered number and registered address can be found under Reference and Administrative Details in the Report of the Trustees.

The disclosure requirements of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below:

Going Concern

The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Income

All incoming resources are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably.

Donations
Donations are recognised on a receivable basis (where there are no performance-related conditions) where the receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
Legacies For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity 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. 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 a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Grants made to Romsey Parochial Church Council are in order to facilitate expenditure on the preservation, restoration, and repair of the fabric of Romsey Abbey and its contents.

All resources expended are inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Liabilities

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Current asset investments

Current asset investments comprise bank and building society deposits. These investments are classified as a basic financial instrument and are measured at amortised cost.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted income funds represent those resources which may be used towards meeting any of the charitable objects of the charity at the discretion of the Trustees.

Restricted general funds comprise all other restricted funds received with restrictions imposed by the funder/donor.

2 Donations and legacies

Visitors and Tours Other donations Legacies	Unrestricted 2025 2024 funds Total Total £ £ £ 12,550 12,550 12,547 25 25 1,025 - - 15,000
	12,575 12,575 28,572

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

3 Expenditure

Direct costs - Romsey Parochial Church Council Support costs: Independent examination Investment management fees Bank charges	2025 2024 Total Total £ £ - - 250 250 - 1,265 60 60
	310 1,575

4 Staff

There were no employees during the year.

5 Related Party Transactions – Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

No remuneration, directly or indirectly, out of the funds of the Charity was paid or payable for the year, to any Trustee or to any person or persons known to be connected to them, except as recorded in Note 10.

6 Debtors

Prepayments and accrued income	2025 2024 £ £ 4,921 3,951
	4,921 3,951

7 Current asset investments

Flagstone National Savings & Investments income bonds CCLA deposit account	2025 2024 £ £ 876,179 816,239 10,000 10,000 6,635 6,323
	892,814 832,562

Romsey Abbey Appeal Fund Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Accruals and deferred income Funds General fund Total unrestricted funds Total funds	Balance at 1 September 2024 Income £ £ 938,330 49,153	2025 2024 £ £ 250 250
		250 250
		Balance at 31 August Expenditure 2025 £ £ (310) 987,173
	938,330 49,153	(310) 987,173

	938,330 49,153	(310) 987,173

9 Funds

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

General fund

The General Fund represents general donations and income received in respect of the main object of the Charity.

10 Related party transactions

Reverend T G Wharton and Mrs J D Hargreaves (both Trustees) are members of the Board of Trustees of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary and St Ethelflaeda, Romsey ("Romsey Parochial Church Council"). During the year, the charity made donations of £nil (2024: £nil) to Romsey Parochial Church Council. There were no amounts outstanding at the year-end (2024: £nil).