Registered number 01950221
Charity Number 292807
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Report and Accounts
31 March 2023
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust Legal and Administrative Information
Trustees Mr David Bethell Mr Terence Bloomfield Mrs Angela Brock Mrs Beryl Cootes Mr Phil Dutton Ms Sybil Edgar Mr David Fell Mrs Beth Hawking Ms Bryony Norburn Mrs Joanne Thompson Mr Michael Wisbach Mrs Brianna Wyatt
Acting Chairman Mrs Joanne Thompson
Secretary Mr Michael Wisbach
Treasurer Mr Terence Bloomfield
Independent Examiner BirchCooper Accounting Services Ltd 26 Badgers Way Buckingham MK18 7EQ
Registered Office The Old Gaol Market Hill Buckingham MK19 1JX
Company Number 01950221
Charity Number 292907 MK19 1JX
Company Number 1950221
Charity Number 292907
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Buckingham Old Gaol Trust Company Number: 01950221 Charity Number: 292807
Trustee’s Report
The Trustee’s present their Annual Report along with Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Structure, Governance and Management
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 25 September 1985 and registered as charity on 25 October 1985. The charity changed its name from Buckingham Heritage Trust to Buckingham old Gaol Trust on 29 February 2021.
The charity was created with a Memorandum of Association, which establishes the objects and powers of the company. It is governed by its Articles of Association. At the 2023 AGM the board only consisted of 7 members who were all re-elected (Mr David Bethell, Mr Terence Bloomfield, Mr David Fell, Ms Bryony Norburn, Mrs Joanne Thompson, Ms Kim Whitbread and Mr Michael Wisbach). Mrs Thompson resigned as chair but is continuing as acting chair until another board member is ready to take on the position. Ms Whitbread resigned at the end of 2022 but several new trustees were recruited in 2023 – Mrs Angela Brock, Mrs Beryl Cootes, Mr Phil Dutton, Mrs Beth Hawking, Mrs Brianna Wyatt and recently Ms Sybil Edgar. The Board has been able to start implementing the 3-year plan. Rather than apply for reaccreditation it was decided to focus on those areas of development that have been somewhat neglected during and after the pandemic. By dealing with these priorities, we will build resilience and set the Museum on a firm foundation, able to deal with future events more easily and eventually apply again for Accreditation.
Trustees continue to take responsibility for specific areas of the Museums work, working in teams where appropriate. The Action Plan still provides guidance as to our progress and priorities. Mike Wisbach, the Secretary has been abroad for a large part of the year but has continued to carry out the role. This has been both online, and in the Museum when in Buckingham. Terry Bloomfield continues as treasurer. Angela Brock & Beryl Cootes organise and supervise the volunteers. Phil Dutton has been supervising maintenance updates. Joanne Thompson has organised training on conservation and has started the process of cleaning the museum and re-started the process of cataloguing the collection with David Fell. She has also taken on the role of membership secretary. Brianna Wyatt and Beth Hawkings have taken on social media roles and organising the anniversary festival for 2023. Bryony Norburn is liaising with Buckingham University to update our leaflets and Sybil Edgar will take a lead role in our Christmas offering.
The Memorandum of Association with the Town Council defines our relationship with the Tourist Information Office. It has been renegotiated and agreed in order to provide clarification around a number of safety activities. This is now working well.
Related parties There are no related parties
Risk management
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The cost of insurance for the museum continues to be add to the overall financial risk of being a small organisation and the lack of a professional mentor or any volunteer qualified in conservation is a risk to the collection. These risks have been mitigated by producing a provisional budget and paying for a qualified conservator to provide the volunteers with training in cleaning. A slight increase in the entrance fee has also helped us financially. There was previous underinvestment with the Covid years so we appreciate there may be some lean years.
Objectives and Activities
The Objectives of the charity, as set out in the Memorandum of Association, are to restore and maintain the building known as Buckingham Old Gaol as a Grade 2 listed building of historical interest; and to develop the same as a heritage museum and gallery for the benefit of the people of Buckingham and Buckinghamshire.
Achievements and Performance
The office was felt to be too small for our needs and has been transferred to the basement offices, formerly used by the police. This has provided more workspace and storage space as well as room for the new photocopier etc. A new, more robust key safe was installed and all the keys from the old safe catalogued and transferred.
The amalgamation of the Friends and the Trust organisations has now happened and several Friends have now joined the board. The work of the friends has been taken over by volunteers who are managed by Angela Brook and Beryl Cootes. The shop is running smoothly and the fundraising events have been very successful. The membership process was slightly hampered by trying an on-line system but the new simple contacts system on the membership email account has now re-established contact with all the members
As 2023 is the 275[th] year of the gaol and the 30[th] year of the museum it was decided to make this year’s Heritage Day a celebration of the Museum. A team of Trustees has been working very hard to create a day full of events and activities to interest a wide range of stakeholders. There will be more children and family focussed events during the day with adult centred activities in the evening. The day will also see an electronic donation machine being trialled. Visitors simply tap their card on the machine to donate.
We continue our beneficial arrangements with our tenants – the Tourist Information Centre, Giltswan (Mr Russell Cross) and Skyline Taxis. An arrangement was reached with the Taxi company regarding our use of the basement office space and a new contract was signed.
An application was made to the Town Council for funding over the next four years. An award of £5,000 annually with a 3.5% annual uplift, total of £21,075, was agreed by the Town Council. This grant is now in its second year.
The Virtual Museum is now available on our website and an interactive screen is available in the Museum, for visitors who are unable to access the stairs to the upper galleries.
Museum Report
The South-east corner of the museum was repaired (which involved a road closure) and other areas of the walls were re-pointed. This did result in an insurance excess of £5,000 on any future damage. We attempted to engage the Highways Department in possible alteration of the road layout but they were not interested and explained it would require us to pay for a traffic review.
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A flood in the Museum, following a heavy rainstorm, has interfered with some of our work. It entered the basement via the door and the mezzanine via the down pipe that runs internally through the glass roof. This necessitated some electrical work, and replacement of carpets. The downstairs office has not yet been restored.
The management of the collection is currently a priority. Following a thorough report from a conservation specialist, Joanne ordered the recommended equipment and organised training for volunteers, in its use. Part of the BMMT exhibition was cleaned during this training and a report was sent to their board. The cleaning and restoration of the cases has been started. High cleaning of the exercise yard, the tops of cabinets and cleaning of the alarm cupboard we also recommended. We have a professional company coming to clean the exercise yard and we have started to re-organise the alarm cupboard. We now have a multi-meter to take spots checks of the museum environment as a starting point for discovering what continuous environmental monitoring is needed. The accessions room, where items not on display are stored, has long required attention. We are looking at quotes for metal shelving. Unfortunately, the shelving will not accommodate all the stored collection, which has currently spread into the old office. To start with we now have a moratorium on any new items being added to the collection until we have solved the cataloguing and storage issues. This may require looking for external storage space. This has also interrupted plans for using the old office as a new exhibition space.
Staffing
The building, museum and the museum shop continue to be managed and staffed wholly voluntary basis, although valuable day-to-day assistance is provided by TIC staff.
Financial Review
The net (outgoing) resources for the year amount to (£12,379) after depreciation. The balance of unrestricted funds (those monies which were not identified for a specific purpose) at 31 March 2023 stood at £74,926
Trustee’s Responsibilities in Relation to financial Statements
The Trustees remain resolved to:
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Continue to maintain and preserve the Grade 2 listed Old Gaol as a building of historical interest.
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Defer the accreditation process until the collection has been catalogued and a collection care plan
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has been implemented.
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Continue the cleaning process to enhance the life of the collection and the visitor experience. To
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investigate the cost of the properly displaying the lace collection.
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Continue careful management of the museum shop stock, to both reflect the historic building and
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the museum continent and to maximise income
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Improve training of the volunteers and trustees
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Grow the Buckingham Old Gaol Trust membership
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 Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps to prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities
Accounts
A resolution proposing the re-appointment of BirchCooper Accounting Services Ltd as Buckingham Old Gaol Trust’s independent Examiner will be tabled at Annual General meeting.
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This rerNJt was pyesented to the Trusteès at rts Tnffjt Bowd rYwtr"ng on Sgpt4xt*r 5" 2Q23 in draft fom, and IallY aFred by them that dale. Slgn•d.... Mrn Joann¢ Thomp•on (Chalrmanl
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust Accountants' Report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, 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 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 that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did 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.
BirchCooper Accounting Services Limited Accountants
26 Badgers Way Buckingham MK18 7EQ
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Buckingham Old Gaol Trust Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Notes Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income 3 Activities for generating funds 4 Investment income 5 Incoming resources from charitable activities 6 Other incoming resources 7 Total incoming resources Resources expended Costs of generating funds Costs of generating voluntary income 8 Fundraising trading: Cost of goods sold and other costs 9 Charitable activities 10 Governance costs 11 Total resources expended Net incoming (outgoing) resources before transfers Gross transfers 18 Net incoming (outgoing) resources Fund balances brought forward Fund balances carried forward |
Unrestricted funds £ 12,304 21,179 100 5,200 4,421 43,204 382 5,163 41,412 2,443 49,400 (6,196) - (6,196) 81,122 74,926 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - 6,183 - 6,183 (6,183) - (6,183) 193,125 186,942 |
2023 Total £ 12,304 21,179 100 5,200 4,421 43,204 382 5,163 47,595 2,443 55,583 (12,379) - (12,379) 274,247 261,868 |
2022 £ 9,786 18,409 75 5,950 35,061 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69,281 252 (3,861) 69,722 746 |
||||
| 66,859 2,422 - |
||||
| 2,422 271,825 |
||||
| 274,247 |
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klngham Old G1 TN¥t Reglstered number. Balance Sheet at 31 March 2023 0195tr221 2023 2022 Fixèd a$s•ts Tangl6 assets 13 171,208 185,784 Curr•nt a•••ts Stoths Cash at bank •nd in hand 8,618 5,223 81.514 88,737 91,3S8 Crndltyrn: amw)ts hlllng tA4thln on• y4ar 17 16981 ¢urrnnt ••Mt• 86,041 N•t 271825 R••trict•d fund• Conbngoncy and r•pa 18 188,942 199,308 Unr••trl¢t•d fund• fund 18 74,928 72.517 27182S The directors ar• sath"sfied that th• coffpgny is •nlrW lo •x•nybon from th• rnwThnnt to obtsin an audrt und•r sbOn 477 of lh• Corrponi•$ Ad 2QX. The fffimber8 have not rwirtyj th t>)nyany to obtain an •Jdil in •(dIrt• V+th 478 01 The th'rectcn a¢knovA•dg• Ih•ir lor ttnI wilh lh• r•wir•m•nts of th• Corrpanies Acl 20Cé ¥Mth r•Set to wunb"n9 recth •nd th• wp8rnts.on of o¢o)unls. The InIs have been tred delirrIa Ni •c£orthnc¢ wth th? ¥wal wovlsw• to conynies ivbjod to lh• smal rn¥ni•S r•917. Th• profft and bo81 a¢¢4unl ha$ not teen delivered lo the Re9strar of Conyns. Mrs Joann• ThLw Ichoimwnl Director th• ld on 5 S•oerrknr 2W23
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023
1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities SORP (FRS 102) 2019, applicable accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006.ln common with many other businesses of our size and nature we use our accountants to assist us with the preparation of the financial statements.
Cashflow
The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).
Incoming resources
Charitable Trading Activities
Income from museum admissions, lettings and rents is included in incoming resources in the period to which it relates.
Commercial Trading Activities
Income from commercial activities (museum shop and tourist information centre) is included in the period in which the group is entitled to receipt.
Donations and Grants
Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable, except as follows:-
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When donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods.
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When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the pre-conditions are met.
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When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants, are for particular restricted purposes, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable.
Interest Receivable
Interest is included when receivable by the charity.
Resources expended
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible Fixed Assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
| Freehold Buildings Restoration and Refurbishment Costs Fixtures and Fittings | 2% |
|---|---|
| Fixtures and Fittings | 5%-50% |
| Furniture and Equipment | 20% |
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Stocks
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Fund accounting
Funds held by the charity are either:
Unrestricted general funds
These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Designated Funds
These are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific future projects.
Restricted Funds
These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
2 Legal status of the charity
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1.
3 Voluntary income
| Donations & gifts - Other Membership subscription |
Unrestricted funds £ 11,865 439 12,304 |
Restricted funds £ - - - |
2023 Total £ 11,865 439 12,304 |
2022 £ 9,070 716 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,786 |
4 Activities for generating income
| Collection & Entry Fees Events Father Christmas Group visit Cell income rent Shop income Museum Shop & TIC sales |
Unrestricted funds £ 11,398 2,405 814 - 2,750 3,330 482 21,179 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - |
2023 Total £ 11,398 2,405 814 - 2,750 3,330 482 21,179 |
2022 £ 10,340 1,222 744 210 3,000 2,470 423 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18,409 |
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5 Investment income
| Unrestricted funds £ Interest 100 100 6 Incoming resources from charitable activities Unrestricted funds £ Rent receivable 5,200 5,200 7 Other incoming resources Unrestricted funds £ Buckingham & Gawcott Trust - COG grant - Covid-19 grant - Insurance claim 3,409 Storage 750 Bucks lottery 262 Richard III gold coin - Rothschilds Grant - 4,421 |
Restricted funds £ - - Restricted funds £ - - Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - |
2023 Total £ 100 100 2023 Total £ 5,200 5,200 2023 Total £ - - - 3,409 750 262 - - 4,421 |
2022 £ 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | |||
| 2022 £ 5,950 |
|||
| 5,950 | |||
| 2022 £ 785 1,000 12,000 - - 251 1,025 20,000 |
|||
| 35,061 |
8 Costs of generating voluntary income
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds £ £ Advertising and Promotion - - Event and Volunteer Expenses 355 - Sundries 27 - 382 - 9 Fundraising trading: Cost of goods sold and other costs Unrestricted Restricted funds funds £ £ Museum shop & TIC Cost of sales 5,163 - Museum shop & TIC Admin costs - - 5,163 - 11 |
2023 Total £ - 355 27 382 2023 Total £ 5,163 - 5,163 |
2022 £ 85 151 16 |
|---|---|---|
| 252 | ||
| 2022 £ (3,861) - |
||
| (3,861) | ||
10 Charitable activities
| AGM Bank Charges BMMT donation Caretaking Cleaning Consumables Data protection Depreciation : Fixtures & Fittings Depreciation : Furniture & Equipment Depreciation : Restoration Exhibit facilities Modes input New facility Insurance Printing, Postage & Stationery Rates and utilities Repairs (including conservation) Richard III exhibition Room hire Sanatising Software Staff training & welfare Subscriptions Telephone Wifi installation |
Unrestricted funds £ 323 692 - 85 1,897 - 40 - - 1,105 1,500 - 3,618 10,377 514 5,546 13,551 1,090 20 - 248 - 395 411 - 41,412 10 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - 6,183 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6,183 |
2023 Total £ 323 692 - 85 1,897 - 40 - - 7,288 1,500 - 3,618 10,377 514 5,546 13,551 1,090 20 - 248 - 395 411 - 47,595 |
2022 £ 497 575 2,500 - 1,365 - - - - 7,288 - - - 7,508 414 3,597 21,389 19,398 - - 342 - 298 378 4,173 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69,722 |
11 Governance costs
| Accountancy Consultancy Solicitor Strategy day |
Unrestricted funds £ 746 934 763 - 2,443 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - |
2023 Total £ 746 934 763 - 2,443 |
2022 £ 746 - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 746 |
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12 Movement in total funds for the year
| 12 Movement in total funds for the year | ||
|---|---|---|
| This is stated after charging: Depreciation: Restoration & refurbishment costs Accountants remuneration During the year no trustee received any remuneration (2020 : £Nil) 13 Tangible fixed assets Restoration Fixtures & refurb & fittings Costs £ £ Cost At 1 April 2022 364,402 193,804 Additions - - Surplus on revaluation - - Disposals - - At 31 March 2023 364,402 193,804 Depreciation At 1 April 2022 185,906 193,804 Charge for the year 7,288 - Surplus on revaluation - - On disposals - - At 31 March 2023 193,194 193,804 Net book value At 31 March 2023 171,208 - At 31 March 2022 178,496 - 15 Investments Investment in subsidiary undertaking |
2023 £ 7,288 746 Furniture & equip £ 30,844 - - - 30,844 30,844 - - - 30,844 - - 2023 £ - |
2022 £ 7,288 746 |
| Total £ 589,050 - - - |
||
| 589,050 | ||
| 410,554 7,288 - - |
||
| 417,842 | ||
| 171,208 | ||
| 178,496 | ||
| 2022 £ - |
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16 Debtors
| 16 Debtors | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amounts due from Buckingham Heritage Trust (Enterprises) Ltd. Other debtors 17 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year: Trade creditors Other creditors Other taxes and social security 18 Funds Balance at 31.03.22 £ Restricted funds Fixed assets 193,125 Restoration & repairs contingency & building repair - 193,125 Unrestricted funds Designated funds - fixed assets - General fund 81,122 81,122 |
Movement £ (6,183) - (6,183) - (6,196) (6,196) |
2023 £ - - 2023 £ - - - - Transfers £ - - - - - - |
2022 £ - - |
| 2022 £ - 696 - |
|||
| 696 | |||
| Balance at 31.03.23 £ 186,942 - |
|||
| 186,942 | |||
| - 74,926 |
|||
| 74,926 |
19 Related parties
There were no related party transactions during the year
20 Employees
| Employees Average number of persons employed by the company |
2023 Number - |
2022 Number - |
|---|---|---|
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Buckingham Old Gaol Trust Detailed profit and loss account for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Income Bank interest Buckingham & Gawcott Trust Bucks Lottery Cell income rent COG Grant Collections and entry fees Covid-19 grant Donations & gifts Events Father Christmas Grants Group Visit Insurance claim Interest receivable Rent received Richard III gold coin Rothschilds Grant Subscriptions Shop income Storage Talks TIC Venue hire Expentidture Audit & accountancy Advertising and PR AGM Bank charges BMMT donation Caretaking Cleaning Conservation Consultancy fees Cost of sales Data protection Event & volunteer expenses Exhibit facilities Insurance New facility Printing, postage & stationary Rates Richard III exhibition |
2023 £ 100 - 262 2,750 - 11,398 - 6,865 1,466 814 5,000 - 3,409 - 5,200 - - 439 3,330 750 158 482 781 43,204 746 - 323 692 . 85 1,897 1,198 934 5,163 40 355 1,500 10,377 3,618 514 883 1,090 |
2022 £ - 785 251 3,000 1,000 10,340 12,000 6,070 44 744 3,000 210 - 75 5,950 1,025 20,000 716 2,470 104 423 1,074 |
|---|---|---|
| 69,281 | ||
| 746 85 497 575 2,500 - 1,365 - - (3,861) - 151 - 7,508 - 414 451 19,398 |
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Buckingham Old Gaol Trust Detailed profit and loss account for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Income Repairs & renewals Room hire Sanatising Solicitor Subscriptions Sundry Software Telephone Utilities Wifi installation Surplus before depreciation Restoration (Deficit)/Surplus |
2023 £ 12,353 20 - 763 395 27 248 411 4,663 - 48,295 (5,091) 7,288 7,288 (12,379) |
2022 £ 21,389 - - 298 16 342 378 3,146 4,173 |
|---|---|---|
| 59,571 | ||
| 9,710 | ||
| 7,288 | ||
| 7,288 | ||
| 2,422 |
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2023 2022 £ £
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust Detailed profit and loss account for the year ended 31 March 2023
Income
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