## **DORSET HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST** **REGISTERED CHARITY NO 282790** ## **ACCOUNTS** **For the year 31.12 2023** ## **DORSET HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST** ## **REGISTERED CHARITY NO 282790** ||**INDEX**|| |---|---|---| |||**Page**| |**Trust Information**||**1**| |**Trustees' Report**||**2-3**| |**Report of the Independent Examiner**||**4**| |**Receipts and Payments**||**5**| |**Statement of assets and liabilities**||**6**| |**Notes to the Accounts**||**7**| ## **DORSET HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST** ## **Trust Information** ||**Trust Information**| |---|---| |REGISTERED CHARITY NO:|282790| |PRESIDENT:|H M Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset| |VICE-PRESIDENTS:|The Lord Bishop of Salisbury| ||The Bishop of Sherborne| ||Sir Philip Williams Bt, DL| ||G A L-F Pitt-Rivers OBE| ||The Archdeacon of Dorset| ||The Archdeacon of Sherborne| ||Mrs V L-F Pitt-Rivers CVO| ||The Viscount Hood| ||R D Allan| ||Major General J O C Alexander CB,OBE| ||P F Moule| |CHAIRMAN:|His Honour D E B Grant| |TRUSTEES:|Mrs S-A Barrett| ||Mrs S Bruce-Payne| ||R B Blaber| ||Dr T P P Connor| ||Mrs P S Francis| ||His Honour D E B Grant| ||N Head| ||S D Norman| ||J A M A Selfe| ||J T Smith| ||Sir Andrew Graham Bt, CB, CBE| ||T Sweet-Escott| ||M W M Warren| ||The Reverend Canon A J W Rowland| ||C Waite| ||T J Wickson| |HON SECRETARY:|J A M A Selfe| |HON TREASURER:|R B Blaber| |BANKERS:|Lloyds Bank PLC| ||1-2 High West St| ||Dorchester| ||Dorset| ||DT1 1UG| ||Central Finance Board| ||CCLA Investments| ||Senator House| ||85 Queen Victoria Streeet| ||London| ||EC4V 4ET| |INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:|PKF Francis Clark| ||Chartered Accountants| ||Towngate House| ||2-8 Parkstone Road| ||Poole| ||Dorset| ||BH15 2PW| Page 1 ## **DORSET HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST** ## **Trustees' Report for the year ended 31.12.2023** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The Dorset Historic Churches Trust is constituted by Deed of Trust dated 1 March 1960 as varied by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners dated 21 January 2004 and by a Deed of Amendment dated 30 May 2007, and is a registered charity number 282790. Its registered address is Suite 1, Mey House, Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorset, DT1 3QY. Mr Angus Campbell CVO is our President. The power to appoint Trustees is in the Trustees themselves with reserve powers in the President. A list of the current Trustees is shown on page 1 together with those former Trustees who now hold the non-executive position of Vice-President. ## **Objectives and Activities** The object of the Trust is to assist financially with the preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement, upkeep, beautification and reconstruction of churches in the administrative county of Dorset and of monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels in such churches and of the churchyard belonging to any such churches. The Trustees decide as a matter of policy from time to time, published on their website, which of those things shall be aided by grants made by them. The Trustees are the governing body (of at least 4 but no more than 20 people) who meet at least 3 times a year and are responsible for deciding which churches should receive grants and how much these should amount to. Applications for grants and loans are handled in the first instance at Deanery Area level and each Deanery Area has a representative. The Deanery Area Representatives also help to distribute the paperwork essential to the administration of an annual Sponsored Ride + Stride. An administrator initiates and supervises this fund-raising event. ## **Preparation of accounts** The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention modified to include the revaluation of investments and in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2019). ## **Achievement and Performance** Grants totalling £107,000 have been approved for the repair of 12 churches. 17 grants totalling £104,000 have been paid in the year. £39,000 being the 50% return from Ride + Stride has been paid back to parishes. Some churches elect to remit all 100% of their funds raised under Ride + Stride to the Trust. The annual Ride + Stride Cycle Ride raised a total of £90,000 of which, on receipt and if requested, half, excluding Gift Aid is donated to the participating churches for their own direct use. A claim for Gift Aid recoverable from HM Revenue & Customs has been received after the year end bringing the total raised above £98,000. The Morshead Trophy, created as a cycle ride award to celebrate the first 40 years of the Trust in 1999, has been awarded to St Andrew, Fontmell Magna for the year to 31 December 2023. The Charity has no endowments or restricted funds and the whole income and capital of the Trust Fund is available to be applied by the Trustees in their absolute discretion on the charitable purposes of the Trust. In accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act and Accounting Regulations the Investments of the Trust are shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at market value. The Trustees have wide investment powers under the Deed. The majority of investment funds are held by CCLA CCLA Investment Management Ltd, 80, Cheapside, London EC2 in COIF and CBF Church of England funds. (Note 1 ) During the year, following the de-risking strategy initiated in 2022, £84,000 was divested from Bank Deposits and invested in The COIF Charities Global Equities Fund. The intention is to ensure that the Trust's assets are invested in a diversified portfolio of funds. ## **Income** The trust has been fortunate to have continued to achieve outstanding returns from the annual Ride + Stride Event. The sums raised continue to provide a significant contribution to the Trust's funds. We are extremely grateful to all the parishes putting so much effort into making this such a success. Investments managed by CCLA, were overall 10% up on 2022. Page 2 ## **DORSET HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST** ## **Trustees' Report on the year ended 31 December 2023 - continued** ## **Expenditure** Grants approved are slightly down from 2022 (£107,000 v £113,000) . ## **Reserves Policy** It is the Trustees' present intention to aim to maintain a reserve in the region of at least £300,000. The Trustees believe that, in general, the Trust's funds should be directed to awarding grants to fulfil its objectives, rather than being accumulated. To maintain some assurance of continued ability to make grant payments in the region of £125,000 per annum, with the potential to support unexpected and urgent major projects, the present level of reserves has been adopted but this is to be kept under review by the Trustees. ## **Risk Assessment** The Trustees are responsible for considering the risks which may impact upon the Charity. The position was again reviewed in detail by the Trustees in 2023. A risk register is in place and reviewed thrice yearly. ## **Public Benefit** The object of the Trust is set out above and a list of grants approved in the year as set out in the notes to the accounts. As required by section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 the Trustees have considered the guidance published by the Charity Commission in respect of public benefit. They believe that the Charity's object, as set out above, falls within the definitions of charitable purposes in the Act and that the activities as set out above contribute to meeting that object. ## **Trustees' Responsibilities** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales 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 incoming resources and application of resources 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 judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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 the Trustees and signed on their behalf by : Steven Norman on behalf of the Trustees Date: 28 March 2024 Page 3 ## **DORSET HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST** ## **Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees** I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 5 to 7. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act - follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 act - state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented within those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required for an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner's statement** - In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - 1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or - 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Adrian Way FCA (a Director of) PKF Francis Clark Chartered Accountants Towngate House 2-8 Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW Date: 23 April 2024 Page 4 ## **DORSET HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the 12 months to 31st December 2023** **----- Start of picture text -----**
2023 2022
RECEIPTS £ £ £ £
Voluntary Income
Donations & Legacies 23,378 7,249
Friends Subscriptions 7,735 8,702
Parochial Church Councils 1,053 1,022
32,166 16,973
Activities For Generating Funds
Ride & Stride Previous Year 580 1,456
Ride & Stride Current Year 84,714 75,361
85,294 76,817
Gift Aid 13,742 12,441
Friends Events 3,955 1,683
Friends Events Expenditure -1,930 -208
2,025 1,475
Sales of notecards 199 23
Investment Income 9,625 10,494
Deposit Account Interest 5,475 2,855
TOTAL RECEIPTS £148,526 £121,078
PAYMENTS
Ride & Stride
50% Return To Churches 39,336 36,042
Honoraria 1,800 1,350
Brochures, Publicity & Friends Annual Events 2,096 240
Printing and Postage 518 1,750
Administration - 500
Bookkeeping 1,200 1,000
44,950 40,882
Grants
Grants paid in the year 104,000 103,000
Support Costs
Annual Report 3,465 2,690
Postage, Stationery and Travel 670 527
Marketing & Website 159 267
Insurance 450 450
Just Giving Fees 562 562
Bank Charges 377 420
Bookkeeping 635 1,502
Meetings 326 138
6,644 6,556
Governance
Independent Examiners 1,607 1,457
TOTAL PAYMENTS £157,201 £151,895
Net movement in cash funds -£8,675 -£30,817
Purchase and Sale of Investments -£84,000 £210,000
Cash funds last year end £303,892 £124,708
CASH FUNDS THIS PERIOD END £211,217 £303,891
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**Page 5** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023** |**Cash Funds**
Lloyds Bank Main Account|**As at**
**31 Dec 2023**
15,528||**As at**
**31 Dec 2022**
24,022|| |---|---|---|---|---| |
Lloyds Bank Ride & Stride|40,854||46,102|| |CBF Deposit Account
Nationwide Building Society
Total Current assets
**Investment Assets**
CBF Investment Fund
COIF Charities Global Equities Fund
**Total Assets**
**Liabilities**
Grants Awarded But Not Drawn
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES**|129,735
25,100|

211,217
332,373
88,580
**£632,170**
149,000
**£483,170**|208,667
25,100





|

303,891
303,791
**£607,682**
146,000
**£461,682**| **Page 6** ## **GRANTS** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Church Outstanding Approved Paid Written Outstanding Year
at 31.12.2022 in period in year back in period at 31.12.2023 Granted
£ £ £ £ £
Corsham St Mary 5,000 5,000 2019
West Orchard St Luke 1,500 1,500 2020
Gussage St Michael 12,000 12,000 2020
Wimborne St John 4,500 4,500 2020
Bridport Unitarian Chapel in the Garden 3,000 3,000 - 2021
Weymouth St Paul 7,000 7,000 2021
Affpuddle St Laurence 3,000 3,000 2021
Batcombe St Mary 6,000 6,000 - 2021
Frome St Quintin St Mary 6,000 6,000 - 2021
Shapwick St Bartholomew 6,000 6,000 2021
Weymouth Holy Trinity 7,500 7,500 - 2021
Sixpenny Handley 6,000 6,000 - 2022
Broadway St Nicholas 5,000 5,000 - 2022
Worth Matravers St Nicholas 11,000 11,000 - 2022
Lychett Minster 7,000 7,000 2022
Okeford Fitzpaine St Andrew 6,000 6,000 2022
Radipole St Aldhem 5,000 5,000 2022
Pimperne St Peter 9,000 9,000 2022
Okeford Fitzpaine St Andrew 5,000 5,000 2022
Chetnole St Peter 5,000 5,000 - 2022
Stock Gaylard St Barnabus 5,000 5,000 2022
Wimborne St John 2,500 2,500 - 2022
Ashmore St Nicholas 12,000 12,000 2022
Iwerne Minster St Mary 6,000 6,000 2023
Wareham Lady St Mary 6,000 6,000 - 2023
Wyke Regis All Saints 15,000 15,000 2023
Canford Magna 4,000 4,000 - 2023
Shillingstone Holy Rood 12,000 12,000 - 2023
Silton St Nicholas 10,000 10,000 - 2023
Glanvilles Wooton St Mary the Virgin 8,000 8,000 - 2023
Compton Valence St Thomas Becket 1,000 1,000 - 2023
Chilfrome Holy Trinity 6,000 6,000 - 2023
Steeple St Michael 15,000 15,000 2023
Lyme Regis St Michael and St George RC 5,000 5,000 - 2023
Chaldon Herring St Nicholas 15,000 15,000 2023
Broadwey St Nicolas 10,000 10,000 2023
£146,000 £107,000 £104,000 £0 £149,000
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