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2021-03-31-accounts

CHARITY NUMBER 306350

Blatchington Court Trust

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Blatchington Court Trust INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021

Page
1 Legal and Administrative Information
2 - 5 Report of the Trustees
6 Statement of Trustees Responsibilities
7 - 9 Report of the Independent Auditors
10 Statement of Financial Activities
11 Balance Sheet
12 Statement of Cash Flows
13 – 23 Notes to the Financial Statements

Blatchington Court Trust LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER 306350

TRUSTEES

Alison Acason Shelley Boden Andy Dalby-Welsh ( Chairman from 1 October 2021) Alan Harris Georgina V James Richard J Martin, F.R.I.C.S. (Chairman until 1 October 2021)) Martin Murdoch (Retired 19 July 2021) Steve Pavey Jonathan Wilson

EXECUTIVE MANAGER Alison Evans PRINCIPAL OFFICE 6a Hove Park Villas Hove East Sussex BN3 6HW

AUDITORS Clark Brownscombe Limited Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 2 St Andrews Place Southover Road Lewes East Sussex BN7 1UP

SOLICITORS

Mayo Wynne Baxter One Jubilee Street Brighton East Sussex BN1 1GE

INVESTMENT MANAGERS Charles Stanley and Co Limited 14 Hyde Gardens Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 4PR BANKERS HSBC Bank Plc Charities Aid Foundation Ridgeland House PO Box 289 167 Dyke Road Kent Hove ME19 4YA East Sussex BN3 1TX

Page 1

Blatchington Court Trust TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2021

The trustees present their report together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.

SCHEME

The charity was re-established by a Scheme sealed by the Charity Commissioners on 14 April 1993. Its registered number is 306350.

OBJECTS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT

The object of the charity is the promotion of education (including social and physical training) of blind and partially sighted persons under the age of 30 years.

The trustees have had due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Commission in accordance with section 17 of the Charities Act 2011. Providing aid to the education and development of hundreds of the young visually impaired clearly evidences the public benefit of the trust and its work. Moreover, as parents regularly state, the benefit extends to the families in terms of the reduced stress arising from access to the advice and services of the trust.

Further, the schools in Sussex benefit from both the trust’s work with their pupils, and their professional interaction with the trust.

TRUSTEES

Details of the trustees who served during the year and are still serving are given on page 1.

The charity’s scheme states that the body of trustees shall consist of not less than five or more than eleven competent persons. The scheme also states that every future trustee shall be appointed for a term of five years by a resolution of the trustees passed at a special meeting of which not less than 21 days notice has been given and may be so appointed not more than one month before the term of an existing trustee expires with effect from the date of expiry but so that the latter shall not vote on the matter.

The composition of the board is kept under regular review to ensure balances of expertise and interest. When the board identifies a need for a new trustee they are recruited through personal searches by individual trustees and staff, normally from amongst people who have demonstrated interest in work relevant to the objects of the trust. New trustees are appointed by the full board and are inducted by the chairman.

All trustees are trained in their areas of expertise prior to appointment either as professionals (legal, financial, property etc) or as teachers or others specialising in the field of visual impairment.

They are inducted into the structure and role of the trust by the chairman and the executive manager, or through the receipt of appropriate documentation.

ORGANISATION

The trustees conduct their business in the board, normally at quarterly meetings, without the need for any subcommittees as several individual trustees have specialist portfolios. The day-to-day management of the trust is the responsibility of the executive manager, in consultation with the chairman, and within staff job descriptions agreed by the board. Formal delegation of board responsibility is governed by financial regulations agreed by the board.

Page 2

Blatchington Court Trust TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

STRATEGY

The charity focuses continuously on increasing its support from endowment income (both directly and through partner bodies) to the approximately 700 vision impaired young people in Sussex who constitute its primary client base – as well as providing support outside Sussex in special individual cases.

Trustees also utilise funds to facilitate the development of projects, in partnership with statutory and/or voluntary bodies with a proven track record in the charity’s field, to benefit vision impaired young people across the country.

The above two principal objectives summarise the charity’s strategy, which is subject to annual review on a five year rolling basis.

Under the strategy, the charity is committed to pursuing the following goals:

The trustees regard the above strategy as appropriate to ensure the proper utilisation of the charity’s income both present and accumulated.

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

Despite the impact of the COVID pandemic the Trust was able to maintain a level of activity ( albeit reduced during the lockdown periods) which provided a range of services as follows :

STAFF AND KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

The chairman and the Executive manager (both of whom have been with the trust since its foundation) oversee the administration of the trust. The executive manager has a professional team specialising in the needs of the clients (technical services officer, advocacy officer, and counselling officer).

SUMMARY

In pursuance of a sound strategy and under the control of a stable and experienced board, the Trust’s expert professional team continued to develop much needed services to young vision impaired people in an economical manner.

Page 3

Blatchington Court Trust TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

FINANCE AND INVESTMENT POLICY AND PERFORMANCE

The charity’s investment powers with regard to the endowment fund were governed by the Trustee Investment Act 1961 with which the trustees in their best endeavours complied. The Trustee Act 2000 confers upon trustees the general power of investment enabling them to invest in such stock, shares, investments and property in the UK as they see fit. The trustees have engaged Charles Stanley and Company Limited as discretionary fund managers within an investment policy agreed by the board (which makes no reference to ethical investments). The policy is to adopt a medium risk investment strategy based on maximising income. Performance against this policy was satisfactory.

The income generated by the endowment fund during the year was sufficient to maintain professional services, and a number of grants from the income fund were made.

The trustees consider that the results of the past year are satisfactory and that the resources are adequate to maintain the charity’s existing services and to meet any reasonable demand upon it during the ensuing year.

CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES AND INVESTMENTS

During the year the charity’s custodian trustees were:

GRANT MAKING POLICY

Details of the grants made are provided to the Charity Commission in the details set out in these financial statements.

Sussex Programme

The primary and largest is the Sussex Programme, which provides services to individual clients including advocacy, counselling, education, training and assistance in finding employment and family support.

In pursuance of its objectives, and in accordance with the criteria outlined, the charity will:

The charity’s scheme does not permit the charity to apply income directly in relief of rates, taxes or other public funds but does permit the charity to apply income in supplementing relief or assistance provided out of public funds.

RESERVES POLICY

At 31 March 2021 the charity had total unrestricted reserves of £2,445,099 of which £874,896 represents the balance on the designated fund which was originally set up to offset the future known shortfall in income in the long term. The unrestricted reserves of the charity are represented by the balance of £1,570,203 (see Note 14). The endowment funds are all represented by fixed assets in the form of investments. The trustees are satisfied that the reserves are at the minimum level necessary to cover unexpected fluctuations in results.

Page 4

Blatchington Court Trust TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks. A risk register is considered and approved by the board on an annual basis.

Apart from global economic collapse, the trust faces no major strategic risks, it has a secure endowment fund, providing sufficient income to meet client needs, and a growing demand for its services.

The principal operational risk is the loss of key staff, which has not happened in its history but which is kept under close review.

COVID 19

In early April 2020, the Trustees considered an urgent paper on the COVID 19 emergency and in the light of an expected reduction in investment income approved its recommendations as follows:

a) To furlough appropriate staff under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and to authorise the Chair and Treasurer to approve the details, including arrangements for the Chief Executive and Finance Officer.

b) To explore the option of taking on a business loan under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan and Bounceback loan schemes.

Most of the staff were subsequently put on furlough with the Trustees agreeing to top up the furlough pay (80% of salary) by an extra 20% to ensure that all furloughed staff remained on full pay. Staff began to be brought back from furlough on a part time basis from early July 2020.

The Trust applied for a Bounceback loan and received £50,000 from this Government sponsored scheme.

Approved by the trustees on 6 December 2021 and signed on their behalf by

R Martin Trustee

Page 5

Blatchington Court Trust STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES for the year ended 31 March 2021

The trustees 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).

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:

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 Charities (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.

In so far as the trustees are aware, at the time of approving our trustees annual report:

Page 6

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BLATCHINGTON COURT TRUST

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Blatchington Court Trust (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion

We have been appointed as auditors under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act.

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the [group and parent charity/charity] in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Report and Financial Statements other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Page 7

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BLATCHINGTON COURT TRUST

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities set out on page 5, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Details of the extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations are set out below.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements from irregularities, whether due to fraud or error, and discussed these between our audit team members. We then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework within which the charity operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities SORP (FRS 102). We assessed the required compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items.

In addition we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which might be fundamental to the charity’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the charity for fraud. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were General Data Protection Regulation and Health and Safety legislation.

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence if any.

We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be within the timing of recognition of income and the override of controls by management. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management and the board about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals, reviewing accounting estimates for biases, reviewing regulatory correspondence and reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities. as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional

Page 8

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BLATCHINGTON COURT TRUST

omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing noncompliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees as a body, in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Clark Brownscombe Limited Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 2 St Andrews Place Southover Road Lewes East Sussex BN7 1UP

Date: 7 December 2021

Clark Brownscombe Limited is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 9

Blatchington Court Trust STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes Unrestricted Designated Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds 2021 2020
£ £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations 1,261 - - 1,261 340
Investment income 2 492,561 - - 492,561 550,885
─────── ────── ────── ────── ─────
TOTAL 493,822 - - 493,822 551,225
─────── ────── ────── ───── ─────
EXPENDITURE ON
Costs of Raising funds
Investment management costs 3 - - 34,042 34,042 35,975
Expenditure on charitable 4
activities 382,553 - - 382,553 497,092
─────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
TOTAL 382,553 - 34,042 416,595 533,067
─────── ────── ────── ────── ─────
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
BEFORE GAINS AND LOSSES 111,269 - (34,042) 77,227 18,158
Net gains/(losses) on investments 10 - 181,707 1,303,730 1,485,437 (1,591,456)
─────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
NET INCOME /(EXPENDITURE) 111,269 181,707 1,269,688 1,562,664 (1,573,298)
BEFORE TRANSFERS
Gross transfer between funds - - - - -
─────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
NET MOVEMENT IN
FUNDS 111,269 181,707 1,269,688 1,562,664 (1,573,298)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Balance brought forward at
1 April 2020 1,458,934 693,189 10,389,192 12,541,315 14,114,613
─────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Balance carried forward at 1,570,203 874,896 11,658,880 14,103,979 12,541,315
31 March 2021 ═══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

The detailed 2020 comparative statement of financial activities is reported in note 1.

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 10

Blatchington Court Trust BALANCE SHEET as at 31 March 2021

2021 2020
Note £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets 9 1,482,271 1,510,561
Investments 10 12,304,062 10,466,085
────── ────────
13,786,333 11,976,646
────── ────────
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 11 32,238 37,590
Monies held on deposit 38,071 424,654
Cash at bank and in hand 338,396 142,700
────── ────────
408,705 604,944
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 12 (91,059) (40,275)
Net current assets 317,646 564,669
────── ────────
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 14,103,979 12,541,315
────── ────────
NET ASSETS 14,103,979 12,541,315
══════ ════════
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY:
Endowment funds 14 11,658,880 10,389,192
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
Designated fund for maintaining income 14 874,896 693,189
General funds 14 1,570,203 1,458,934
────── ────────
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 14,103,979 12,541,315
══════ ════════

These financial statements were approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on 6 December 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

R Martin – Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 11

Blatchington Court Trust STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the year ended 31 March 2021

2021
Note
£
Cashflows from operating activities:
Net cash used in operating activities
a
(378,168)
Cashflows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
492,561
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(2,740)
Proceeds from the sale of investments
2,038,448
Purchase of investments
(2,390,988)
Decrease/(increase) in cash held by investment managers
386,583
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
523,864
Cashflows from financing activities:
Bank borrowing acquired
50,000
Net cash provided by financing activities
50,000
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
195,696
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
b
142,700
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
b
338,396
a Reconciliation of net income /(expenditure) to net cashflow from operating activities
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as
per the statement of financial activities)
1,562,664
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
31,030
(Gains)/losses on investments
(1,485,437)
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(492,561)
Decrease in debtors
5,352
Increase in creditors
784
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(378,168)
b Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash in hand
63,274
Notice deposits (less than 3 months)
275,122
Total cash and cash equivalents
338,396		 2020
£
(558,375)
550,885
(4,830)
2,790,612
(2,524,890)
(224,761)
587,016
-
-
28,641
114,059
142,700
(1,573,298)
30,421
1,591,456
(550,885)
3,472
(59,541)
(558,375)
13,985
128,715
142,700

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 12

Blatchington Court Trust ACCOUNTING POLICIES for the year ended 31 March 2021

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities SORP (FRS 10) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014.

The Trustees have reviewed the charity’s forecasts and projections covering a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements, and based upon the level of existing cash and estimated levels of income & expenditure, the Trustees are satisfied that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. In particular, the Trustees have considered the Trust’s position in relation to COVID 19 and its impact on continuing operations. The Trustees concluded that there are no negative material uncertainties in regards to the going concern situation of the Trust.

FUND ACCOUNTING

The charity’s funds consist of permanent endowment funds, designated income funds and unrestricted income funds.

Funds held by the charity are:

Permanent endowment funds - these funds must be held on trust permanently as capital funds and cannot normally be spent as if they were income. Expenses incurred in the administration or protection of the funds, such as investment management charges are charged to the funds.

The endowment funds arose from the sale of land at Seaford, East Sussex and are invested for the purposes of the charity. Income on the endowment funds has been allocated to unrestricted funds in accordance with the scheme deed.

Designated funds – Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been put aside at the discretion of the trustees for a particular purpose. At the year end it comprises a fund for maintaining income in the future to offset a known significant fall in income in the long term.

Unrestricted income funds – these funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.

INCOME

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 income receivable can be measured reliably. Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.

Income derived from investments in the form of dividends is credited to the SOFA when receivable by the charity.

Gross rental income is included in the financial statements on an accruals basis.

Interest income is accrued on a time apportioned basis by reference to the principal outstanding at the effective interest rate.

Activities for generating funds relate to contributions to office costs for the use of office space by external parties. This income is included in the financial statements on an accruals basis.

Page 13

Blatchington Court Trust ACCOUNTING POLICIES ( continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

EXPENDITURE

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings (see below).

Costs of raising funds

Costs of raising funds comprise those costs directly attributable to managing the investment portfolio and raising investment income.

Grants

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is conveyed to the recipient except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year-end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.

Where grants are given by way of computer equipment the full cost is charged in the year of the expense although the charity retains ownership of the equipment and may recall and reissue it. The reissue of this equipment is not reflected in the financial statements.

The exemption of disclosing the names of grant recipients has been taken under Charity Law.

Support costs

Support costs relate to the general running of the charity and include rent and services costs. Costs are allocated specifically where appropriate and practical, and proportionate to use where resources are shared.

Governance Costs

Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include costs related to statutory audit and legal fees.

TAXATION

The charity is a registered charity, and therefore is not liable for income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

Investment properties are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at fair value whilst a reliable measure of fair value is available without undue costs or effort.

The trustees consider that, because investment properties are not held for consumption, but for their investment potential, to depreciate them would not give a true and fair view.

INVESTMENTS

Investments are included at closing mid-market value at the balance sheet date with revaluation surpluses or deficits being credited or charged as unrealised gains or losses to the appropriate fund.

TANGIBLE ASSETS

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition.

Tangible assets other than freehold land are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less the estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Office equipment Freehold property

50 years straight line basis

Page 14

Blatchington Court Trust ACCOUNTING POLICIES ( continued) For the year ended 31 March 2021

PENSIONS

The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes whereby the assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. Contributions are charged against income as they are incurred.

LEASED ASSETS

The trust’s principal leased asset is a property held under an operating lease. The annual rentals for all operating leases are charged wholly to the statement of financial activities as they arise.

DEBTORS

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

CREDITORS AND PROVISIONS

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method .

Page 15

Blatchington Court Trust NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2021

1. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Designated Endowment Total
Funds Funds Funds 2020
£ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations 340 - - 340
Investment income 550,885 - - 550,885
─────── ────── ────── ──────
TOTAL 551,225 - - 551,225
─────── ────── ────── ─────
EXPENDITURE ON
Costs of Raising funds
Investment management costs - - 35,975 35,975
─────── ────── ────── ─────
Expenditure on charitable
activities 497,092 - - 497,092
─────── ────── ────── ──────
TOTAL 497,092 - 35,975 533,067
─────── ────── ────── ──────
Net gains / (losses) on investments - (194,843) (1,396,613) (1,591,456)
─────── ────── ────── ──────
NET INCOME /(EXPENDITURE) 54,133 (194,843) (1,432,588) (1,573,298)
BEFORE TRANSFERS
Gross transfer between funds - - - -
─────── ────── ────── ──────
NET MOVEMENT IN
FUNDS 54,133 (194,843) (1,432,588) (1,573,298)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Balance brought forward at
1 April 2019 1,404,801 888,032 11,821,780 14,114,613
─────── ────── ────── ──────
Balance carried forward at 1,458,934 693,189 10,389,192 12,541,315
31 March 2020 ═══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Page 16

Blatchington Court Trust NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2021

2. INVESTMENT INCOME
2021 2020
Unrestricted funds £ £
Dividends and interest 328,783 386,847
Bank interest 1,307 305
Income from property 162,471 163,733
─────── ────────
492,561 550,885
═══════ ════════
£63,067 (2020: £65,384) of dividend income arose on overseas investments.
3. COST OF RAISING FUNDS
2021 2020
£ £
Endowment fund:
Investment management fees 34,042 35,975
─────── ────────
Total cost of raising funds 34,042 35,975
═══════ ════════
4. ANALYSIS OF CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE
2021 2020
£ £
Grant making 5 37,665 37,631
Staff costs 7 239,449 298,585
Rent & services 69,130 84,715
Social Activities Programme 8,767 42,276
Governance costs 6 27,542 33,885
─────── ───────
382,553 497,092
═══════ ═══════

All charitable expenditure in both the current and the prior year relates to unrestricted funds.

. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) FOR THE YEAR This is stated after charging

Depreciation
9
Auditor’s remuneration		 2021
£
31,030
8,980		 2020
£
30,421
7,500

Page 17

Blatchington Court Trust NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

  1. GRANTS
Grants were payable as follows:
2021 2020
£ £
GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS
Computer grants 47 (2020: 22) 35,884 18,786
Other grants 5 (2020: 60) 1,781 18,845
─────── ───────
37,665 37,631
─────── ───────
6. GOVERNANCE COSTS
2021 2020
£ £
Auditor’s remuneration - Audit fee (inc. of VAT)
8,980		 7,500
Other costs 18,562 26,385
────── ────────
27,542 33,885
═══════ ════════

Page 18

Blatchington Court Trust NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

7. STAFF COSTS AND TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION

An analysis of staff costs is as follows:

n analysis of staff costs is as follows:
2021 2020
£ £
Salaries 259,466 265,951
CJRS grant (51,669) -
Social security 18,351 19,157
Pension contributions 13,301 13,477
─────── ────────
Total 239,449 298,585
═══════ ════════

The average number of employees for 2021 was 13 (2020: 13), with 1 (2020: 1) employee providing support to the governance of the Charity and the remainder providing support services to the charity.

No employees received emoluments of more than £60,000 during either year.

None of the trustees received any emoluments or other payments for their services during either year. No trustee was reimbursed expenses (2020: no trustee). There have been no other related party transactions.

Key management personnel

The trust considers its key management comprise the executive manager supported by a professional team including Technical Services, Advocacy, Counselling & Finance Officers. The total employee benefit including employer pension contributions of the key management personnel were £168,009 (2020: £169,351).

8. PENSIONS

The trust operates defined contribution pension schemes. The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. The pension charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the funds and amounted to £13,301 (2020: £13,477).

9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

ANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2020
Additions
At 31 March 2021
Depreciation
At 1 April 2020
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2021
Net book value or valuation
As at 31 March 2021		 Freehold
Property
£
1,621,666
-
1,621,666
119,400
27,400
146,800
1,474,866		 Office
equipment
£
65,925
2,740
68,665
57,630
3,630
61,260
7,405		 Total
£
1,687,591
2,740
1,690,331
177,030
31,030
208,060
1,482,271

Page 19

Blatchington Court Trust NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

As at 31 March 2020 1,502,266 8,295 1,510,561

  1. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS (continued)

Included within Freehold Property is Barclay House, St Peters Road, Seaford, East Sussex, which forms part of the endowment funds that have been developed by SeeAbility to provide sheltered accommodation and a day centre. The trustees have granted a 99-year lease of the land at a nominal rent to SeeAbility. Similarly, with regard to the SeeAbility Wellington project the charity has retained a long leasehold interest in the property for which funds have been used.

The Trust has an interest in Mary House in Hastings, a property owned by the Martha Trust whereby the Trust made a donation of £350,000 to help construct residential accommodation for visually impaired young people. The Trust has a legal charge over the property and the agreement lasts for 99 years from 2004. Under certain conditions and circumstances, Martha Trust has an obligation to repay the donation to the Trust. The Trustees consider the likelihood of the Martha Trust triggering a repayment obligation to be negligible. Consequently Mary House is held at nil value in Freehold Property.

Included within Freehold Property, at a total cost of £1,621,666 (2020: £1,621,666), is 6a Hove Park Villas, Hove, East Sussex which is the trust’s principal place of operations.

10. INVESTMENTS
Designated Endowment 2021 2020
funds funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
Market value at 1 April 2020 693,189 9,772,896 10,466,085 12,323,263
Additions at cost 320,920 2,070,068 2,390,988 2,524,890
Disposal proceeds (350,000) (1,688,448) (2,038,448) (2,790,612)
Net realised and unrealised investment
(losses)/gains 181,707 1,303,730 1,485,437 (1,590,456)
────── ────── ────── ──────
Market value at 31 March 2021 845,816 11,607,165 12,304,062 10,466,085
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
An analysis of the investments is as follows:
2021 2020
£ £ £
UK investments listed on a recognised stock
exchange or valued by reference to such
investments 6,748,300 6,314,396
Fixed interest securities 2,111,185 1,156,422
Overseas investments 2,444,577 1,995,267
────── ──────
11,304,062 9,466,085
UK investment property
Long leasehold 1,000,000 1,000,000
────── ──────
12,304,062 10,466,085
══════ ══════

In accordance with the trustees’ valuation policy rent reviews on the property portfolio lead to valuations being instigated to monitor the performance of the portfolio. The valuations are the trustees' (named in the trustees’ report on page 1) best estimate of market value following a review of parameters of value provided to them.

Investments representing more than 5% of the total valuation at the year-end were:

2021 2020 £ £

Page 20

Blatchington Court Trust NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Leasehold of Jury’s Inn, Brighton 1,000,000 1,000,000
1,000,000
══════
══════
10. INVESTMENTS (continued)
The cost of the investments including investment properties was as follows:
2021 2020
£ £
Designated funds 633,460 625,000
Endowment funds 8,678,663 8,153,284
────── ──────
9,312,123 8,778,284
══════ ══════
11. DEBTORS
2021 2020
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 32,238 37,590
────── ───────
32,238 37,590
══════ ═══════
12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2021 2020
£ £
Bank loans 50,000 -
Other tax and social security 5,846 10,338
Accruals and deferred income 35,213 29,937
────── ──────
91,059 40,275
══════ ══════

13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

At the balance sheet date the charity held financial assets at amortised cost comprising cash and short term deposits, other debtors and accrued income of £ 408,705 (2020 £604,944) and financial liabilities at amortised cost comprising accruals and deferred income of £35,213 (2020: £29,937).

Total income received in respect of financial assets held at amortised cost totalled £1,306 (2020: £1,305).

The charity held assets at fair value through income and expenditure of £12,304,062 (2020: £10,466,085). Movements in the year through the statement of financial activities comprised gains of £1,485,437 (2020: losses of £,591,456) and income from the investment portfolio of £328,783 (2020: £386,847).

Page 21

Blatchington Court Trust NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

14. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

2021 Unrestricted
Designated
Designated		 Endowment 2021
funds funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 1,482,271 - - 1,482,271
Investments - 874,896 11,429,166 12,304,062
Net current
assets/(liabilities) 87,932 - 229,714 317,646
─────── ────── ─────── ─────
Total funds 1,570,203 874,896 11,658,880 14,103,979
═══════ ══════ ═══════ ═════
2021 Balance Gains/ Balance
b/fwd Income
Expenses
losses		 c/fwd
£ £ £
£		 £
Unrestricted funds 1,458,934 493,822 (382,553)
-		 1,570,203
Designated funds 693,189 - -
181,707		 874,896
Endowment funds 10,389,192 - (34,042)
1,303,730		 11,658,979
────── ───── ──────
──────		 ──────
Total 12,541,315 493,822 (410,308)
1,460,392		 14,085,221
══════ ═════ ══════
═══════		 ══════
2020 Unrestricted
Designated		 Endowment 2020
funds funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 1,510,561 - - 1,510,561
Investments - 693,189 9,772,896 10,466,085
Net current
assets/(liabilities) (51,627) - 616,296 564,669
─────── ────── ─────── ─────
Total funds 1,458,934 693,189 10,389,192 12,541,315
═══════ ══════ ═══════ ═════
2020 Balance Gains/ Balance
b/fwd Income
Expenses
losses		 c/fwd
£ £ £
£		 £
Unrestricted funds 1,404,801 551,225 (497,092)
-		 1,458,934
Designated funds 888,032 - -
(194,843)		 693,189
Endowment funds 11,821,780 - (35,975)
(1,396,613)		 10,389,192
────── ───── ──────
──────		 ──────
Total 14,114,613 551,225 (533,067)
(1,591,456)		 12,541,315
══════ ═════ ══════
═══════		 ══════

15. TRUSTEES’ INDEMNITY INSURANCE

The premium paid for trustees’ indemnity insurance during the year was £389 (2020: £389).

Page 22

Blatchington Court Trust NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

  1. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT: VALUATION OF INVESTMENT PROPERTY (LEASEHOLD OF JURY’S INN HOTEL, BRIGHTON).

This has been held in the Balance Sheet at £1m but, in the light of the severe downturn in the hospitality industry following national lockdown towards the end of March 2021, the Trustees have considered whether to reduce the valuation at the Balance Sheet date of 31 March 2021.

The Trustees decided that the valuation should not be changed for the 2020/21 financial statements, although fully recognising that this should be kept under review in the light of the impact on hotels (and on the Jury’s Inn Hotel in particular) as lockdown is gradually eased.

Their reasons were:

a) the hotel has continued to pay its rent obligations as they fell due and, in particular, the Trust received full payment of rent due on the quarter days in March, June and September 2021.

b) no request for a rent holiday, deferment of rent or reduction of rent had been received from the hotel company.

c) indications at the time of writing ( November 2021) are that nationally the hotel industry outside London is experiencing a sustained recovery and this suggests that the Jury’s Inn Hotel will continue to meet its ongoing rent obligations to the Trust.

d) the wider commercial property sector is still recovering from the effects of COVID 19 and professional valuers say it remains difficult, if not impossible, to give reliable valuation guidance at present for individual commercial buildings. The Trustees will reassess the situation in respect of the 2021/22 financial statements.

Page 23