The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 5 April 2025
Charity Commission Reference Number 283219
Hereford Cottage 135 Gloucester Road London SW7 4TH
The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Year ended 5 April 2025
| Contents | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 2 to 5 | |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 6 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 | |
| Balance Sheet | 8 | |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 to 11 |
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The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Trustees’ Report for the year ended 5 April 2025
Legal and administrative information
Charity number: 283219 Trustees: Lady Harriet Milnes Coates (principal trustee) Simon Paul Burton Independent Examiner: Timothy Clarke FCA, Ford Campbell Freedman Limited Accountants: Ford Campbell Freedman Limited 33 Park Place Leeds LS1 2RY Bankers: Bank of Scotland plc 33 Old Broad Street London BX2 1LB Investment manager: Rathbones Ltd 1 Curzon Street London WIJ 5FB Principal address: Hereford Cottage 135 Gloucester Road London SW7 4TH Solicitors: Wrigleys LLP 3 Wellington Place Leeds LS1 4AP
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounting and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (Charities SORP (FRS102)).
History and constitution
The trust is an unincorporated trust constituted under a trust deed dated 10 May 1973. The trust was established by an initial gift from Lady Milnes Coates (formerly Miss H A Burton) and has been enhanced by additional funds received in satisfaction of her reversionary interest in the R M Burton 1956 Charitable Trust.
Miss H A Burton settled funds upon the trustees for such charitable institutions, objects or purposes, as the trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit.
The trustees have chosen an accounting reference date of 5 April to coincide with the tax year and to facilitate the efficient repayment of any income tax suffered.
The trust does not fund raise and seeks to continue the philanthropic intentions of the donor through careful stewardship of the existing resources.
The trust is registered with the Charity Commission under number 283219.
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The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 5 April 2025
Objectives and activities
The object of the trust in accordance with the trust deed is to make distributions to such charitable institutions or purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion select.
Donations are made at the discretion of the Trustees and charitable donations are normally made to health, arts, education and social need charities.
Donations to individuals will not be considered. Appeals should be in writing only to the trust managers. Unsuccessful appeals will not necessarily be acknowledged.
Structure, management and governance
The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust is a registered charity, number 283219, and is constituted under a Trust Deed. The trustees who have served during the year are set out on page 2. The board of trustees is responsible for the appointment of trustees. The trust is managed by the trustees who hold meetings on a regular basis.
Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the trust is the responsibility of the trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust Deed.
Strategies for achieving objectives
The trust is managed by the Trustees and policy decisions are determined by consensus. The capital fund is invested in a portfolio of equity based quoted investments. Investments are managed by the Investment Manager on a discretionary basis with the objective of obtaining an acceptable level of income with a reasonable prospect of medium-term capital growth.
Appropriate policies are determined to achieve a balanced investment strategy taking account of the investment risks to which the portfolio is exposed.
Grant-making policies
Grants will normally be made out of income and not capital. The trustees may, however, at their discretion, use the capital of the trust for charitable purposes.
At the trustees' discretion, some charities are supported on a regular basis, but the trustees will also consider individual appeals on a one-off basis. The grants to be awarded are decided at the trustee meetings.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, to ensure that management and administrative expenditure for twelve months can be met out of undistributed investment income. The trustees review both the reserves policy and the reserves position on a regular basis.
The Trustees aim to maintain the existing investment portfolio at current levels and to make charitable donations in line with their income each year. Reserves as at 5 April 2025 amounted to £1,185,403 and are held for the generation of income and furtherance of the charity's objectives.
Investment policy
There are no restrictions on the trustees' powers to invest. The trustees set the investment strategy taking into account the income requirements, risk profile and the investment manager's view of economic market conditions. The portfolio risk profile is medium. The trust aims to achieve a balanced return from capital growth and income. This policy is reviewed annually by the trustees and the portfolio is monitored by them regularly.
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The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 5 April 2025
Risk management
The charity's Trustees have considered the major risks to which the trust is exposed to and take steps to lessen them.
Achievements and performance
Main achievements of the charity
The year proved successful in terms of the number of grants awarded. The grants paid in the year are listed in note 7 to the financial statements.
Financial activities and affairs
Total income for the year from investments and deposits amounted to £27,996 (2024: £29,942), a decrease of £1,946 (6.5%) compared with the previous year.
Charitable donations amounting to £9,000 (2024: £13,100) were made during the year in accordance with the objectives of the charity. Trust management expenditure amounted to £11,056 (2024: £10,006).
Overall net income amounted to £9,167 (2024: £7,095).
Gains realised on the sale of investments amounted to £6,612 (2024: losses of £13,920) and unrealised losses attributable to the change in the market value of investments amounted to £41,187 (2024: gains of £78,155).
The overall net decrease in funds for the year is £25,408 (2024: £71,330 increase) resulting in total funds of £1,185,403 to carry forward as at 5 April 2025.
During the year under review, the charity purchased investments at a cost of £229,294 and received proceeds of £184,136 from the sale of investments.
The market value of the charity's investments at 5 April 2025 amounted to £1,182,953. After taking into account the net realisations during the year, this represents a 3.6% decrease in value from the previous year.
The investments of the trust are administered by portfolio managers on a discretionary basis. Environmental and ethical considerations are given on an individual basis when changes to the investments are discussed with the managers. The investments are held by the investment advisers in a separate designated nominee account.
The trustees receive no remuneration and charged no expenses whilst acting in their capacity as trustee or otherwise.
Public benefit statement
The Trustees of the Harriet Burton Charitable Trust confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.
Plans for the future
The trust will continue to support charitable organisations that benefit health, arts, education and social needs.
Trustees' responsibility for the financial statements
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).
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The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 5 April 2025
Trustees' responsibility for the financial statements (continued)
The law applicable to charities in England & 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 apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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value assets and liabilities in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (Charities SORP (FRS102));
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare 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 adequate accounting records which are sufficient to:
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show and explain the charity's transactions;
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disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity;
-
enable them to ensure that any financial statements comply with the requirements of the Charities (Accounting and Reports) regulations 2008.
The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Compliance and statutory requirements
The Trustees’ Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (Charities SORP (FRS102)).
Trustees’ Approval
The Trustees' Report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by
Lady Harriet Milnes Coates Trustee
Date: 30 January 2026
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The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2025
Charity Commission Reference Number 283219
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the Harriet Burton Charitable Trust on pages 7 to 11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the 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 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.
Timothy Clarke FCA Independent Examiner Date: 30 January 2026
Ford Campbell Freedman Limited 33 Park Place Leeds LS1 2RY
6
The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 5 April 2025
| Note Income Income from investments 3 Deposit interest Total income Expenditure Charitable donations 7 Administrative expenditure Investment management fees Accountancy and independent examination Bank charges Total expenditure Netincome/(expenditure) Other recognised gains and losses Unrealised (losses)/gains on revaluation of investments Realised gains/(losses)on disposal of investments Totalotherrecognised gains Reconciliation of funds Net movementinfunds 6 Funds brought forward Funds carried forward |
Capital fund 2025 £ - - |
Income fund 2025 £ 27,996 1,227 |
2025 £ 27,996 1,227 Total |
2024 £ 29,942 259 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 29,223 | 29,223 | 30,201 | |
| - - 6,832 2,100 - |
9,000 - 2,100 24 |
9,000 - 6,832 4,200 24 |
13,100 - 6,386 3,600 20 |
|
| 8,932 | 11,124 | 20,056 | 23,106 | |
| (8,932) | 18,099 | 9,167 | 7,095 | |
| (41,187) 6,612 |
- - |
(41,187) 6,612 |
78,155 (13,920) |
|
| (34,575) | - | (34,575) | 64,235 | |
| (43,507) 1,198,122 |
18,099 12,689 |
(25,408) 1,210,811 |
71,330 1,139,481 |
|
| 1,154,615 | 30,788 | 1,185,403 | 1,210,811 |
See note 6 on page 11 for the historical cost income and expenditure.
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
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The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Balance Sheet at 5 April 2025
Unrestricted funds
| Fixed assets Investments 4 Current assets Cash in bank Cash held by investment adviser Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 5 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Funds 9 Unrestricted funds Total funds Note |
Capital fund 2025 £ 1,182,953 (31,708) 7,107 (24,601) 3,737 (28,338) 1,154,615 1,154,615 1,154,615 |
Income fund 2025 £ - 38,244 1,709 39,953 9,165 30,788 30,788 30,788 30,788 |
Total 2025 £ 1,182,953 6,536 8,816 15,352 12,902 2,450 1,185,403 1,185,403 1,185,403 |
Total 2024 £ 1,172,370 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,560 45,596 |
||||
| 47,156 8,715 |
||||
| 38,441 | ||||
| 1,210,811 | ||||
| 1,210,811 | ||||
| 1,210,811 |
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
The financial statements were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Lady Harriet Milnes Coates Trustee
Date: 30 January 2026
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The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2025
1. Accounting policies
Charity information
The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust is a charity which is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under the registered number 283219. The principal address is Hereford Cottage 135 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 4TH.
Basis of accounting
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with FRS102 and The Charities SORP (FRS102) and are in compliance with the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 issued under the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include investments at fair value. 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 £.
1.1
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the accounts. The charity has adequate reserves to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
1.2
Income
Donations are accounted for when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the income. Investment income is stated net of unrecoverable foreign tax and is accounted for as and when received by the charity. All other income is accounted for in the financial statements on an accruals basis.
1.3 Direct charitable expenditure
Direct charitable expenditure is included in the financial statements as and when paid by the charity.
1.4 Other expenditure
Other expenditure is included in the financial statements on an accruals basis.
1.5
Taxation
The charity is exempt from income and capital gains tax to the extent that income and gains are applied for charitable purposes. The charity is able to recover UK income tax deducted at source from investment income. The charity is unable to recover value added tax on its expenditure and accordingly expenses are shown gross of value added tax.
1.6
Investments
Investments are stated in the balance sheet at their open market value. Both realised and unrealised gains and losses on investments are included in other recognised gains and losses on the Statement of Financial Activities. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and carrying value at the date of disposal. Carrying value is the sum of market value brought forward at the beginning of the accounting period and the cost of subsequent acquisitions.
2. Trustees' remuneration
None of the trustees receive any remuneration for their work as a trustee.
9
The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 5 April 2025
| 3. Income from investments United Kingdom Equities Fixed interest securities Property income dividends Overseas Equities Fixed interest 4. Investments Market value brought forward Additions at cost Disposals at carrying value Unrealised (losses)/gains Market value carried forward Historical cost |
2025 £ 8,995 9,815 947 7,001 1,237 27,996 2025 £ 1,172,370 229,294 (177,524) (41,187) 1,182,953 1,108,271 |
2024 £ 14,949 4,422 1,786 7,280 1,505 |
|---|---|---|
| 29,942 | ||
| 2024 £ 1,119,586 244,975 (270,346) 78,155 |
||
| 1,172,370 | ||
| 1,051,132 |
All investments are listed on a recognised stock exchange and held within the following categories:
| United Kingdom based organisations Companies Collectives Fixed interest securities Overseas Companies and collectives |
2025 £ 331,797 250,081 196,688 778,566 404,387 1,182,953 |
2024 £ 405,811 224,984 138,932 |
|---|---|---|
| 769,727 402,643 |
||
| 1,172,370 |
Investments are held in nominee accounts on behalf of the trustees but in all other respects are considered to be directly held investments.
| 5. Creditors Accountancy and examination fees Investment management fees |
2025 £ 11,265 1,637 12,902 |
2024 £ 7,065 1,650 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,715 |
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The Harriet Burton Charitable Trust
Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 5 April 2025
6. Note of historical cost income and expenditure
| Net income for the year Realised gains/(losses) on investments calculated using cost Historical cost income and expenditure Difference between the historical gain arising from the realisation of investments and the actual loss calculated using carrying values Unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation of investments Movement in funds on Satetement of Financial Activities |
2025 £ 9,167 11,983 21,150 (5,371) (41,187) (25,408) |
2024 £ 7,095 (35,517) |
|---|---|---|
| (28,422) 21,597 78,155 |
||
| 71,330 |
7. Charitable donations
During the year ended 5 April 2025 aggregate grants made to charitable institutions amounted to £9,000 (2024: £13,100) which were allocated to the following sectors:
| Conservation Education and arts Social and welfare Health Total for the year |
2025 2024 2025 2024 No. Grants No. Grants £ £ 1 2 1,000 6,000 1 1 2,000 2,000 2 1 6,000 5,000 - 1 - 100 |
|---|---|
| 4 5 9,000 13,100 |
8. Related Parties
There were no transactions with related parties during the year.
9. Funds
The capital fund comprises investment assets held for the generation of income. The income fund comprises assets to fund charitable donations.
The trustees are free to use both the income and capital funds in accordance with the objects of the charity.
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