J ROWE-JONES ACCOUNTANTS LIMITED Accountants & Taxation Advisors
62 Seymour Drive, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9GE
01803 839198/07815 758199 jrowejones@aol.com
DARTMOUTH MUSEUM
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
Charity Registration Number 306635
Company Registration Number: 11102452 Registered Office: 62 Seymour Drive, Dartmouth, Devon. TQ6 9GE
DARTMOUTH MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
| CONTENTS | PAGES |
|---|---|
| TRUSTEES' & CHAIR'S REPORT | 1 & 2 |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT | 3 |
| SCHEDULE OF RECEIPTS | 4 |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | 5 |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 6 to 7 |
Dartmouth Museum Association
Annual report of the Trustees for the year ended 31[st] January 2026
The charity is constituted by trust deed dated 17[th] February 1959 and is a registered charity. The charity is unincorporated but is to be incorporated as Dartmouth Museum, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) No: 1214124 from 1[st] February 2026. It was formed to manage The Dartmouth Museum; the address is:
The Butterwalk, Duke Street, Dartmouth Devon TQ6 9PZ
The Trustees and Executive Committee during the year were; Mr. M. R. Rowley (Chair) Mr. F. S. Wigley (Chair Emeritus) Mr. J. Turner (Vice Chair) Prof. R. Cooke (Resigned 13 August 2025) Dr. J. Harrold Mr P Howell (Appointed 13 August 2025) Prof. I.W. McCall Mrs H Morris (Appointed 26 February 2025 – Resigned 13 August 2025) Dr. R. Porter Mrs P Rowley (Appointed 13 August 2025) Mr. A Williams
The Officers during the year were; Mrs C. Lingard. (Hon. Secretary) Mrs. H. Morris (Hon. Treasurer – Resigned 13 August 2025)
During this financial year we have lost two valued Trustees. Richard Cook stepped back in August due to age and health concerns after many years service as a Trustee of the Museum. We thank Richard for his valuable contribution and wish him well for the future.
Hazel Morris retired also in August as a Trustee. Hazel has been the Hon. Treasurer and Office Manager for over 4 years and the work she has done has been truly transformational in the administration of Dartmouth Museum. Hazel did not just walk away though, She has continued to assist the Chair who temporarily took on the Hon. Treasurer role and has worked tirelessly to produce the end of year accounts. Dartmouth Museum is immensely grateful for the competence, efficiency and generosity Hazel has given, the Museum is in a much better shape than she found it. We wish her every good fortune and enjoyment for her future.
We welcome Ken Scott who has been co-opted as Hon. Treasurer and will commence duties from 1[st] February 2026.
Two new Trustees have been co-opted this year at the August Trustee meeting, Peter Howell and Penny Rowley. We welcome them both to the Trustee Board.
2025-6 has been another year of prudent management in challenging economic times. The Museum engaged in only one project this year, the upgrade of the archive management and records programme from PP4 to PP5. An upgrade that is expected to deliver a more efficient archive that is easier to interrogate. It is web based therefore archive work can take place on personal computers at volunteers’ homes. It also has the capability to facilitate archive interrogation on-line. Our Archive Team, led by Peter Howell is working hard populating the programme. The cost of the upgrade has been ~£1200.00 which was largely funded by fund raising.
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Dartmouth Museum Association
Annual report of the Trustees for the year ended 31[st] January 2026
In December the Museum acquired the Vernon McAndrew photographic collection of pre-1940 images on glass plates. This is an archive of national as well as local importance and we thank Alec Smith for generously purchasing and donating the collection for Dartmouth. 2026/7 will be a year of funding raising to allow cataloguing, conserving and displaying the images.
The financial year has ended with a 7.2% drop in visitors at 6076 (6544 in 2024/5). The demographic that has experienced this reduction most is concessions which probably reflects a response to economic perceptions of that generation. We experienced an unusually dry spring and summer, it is difficult to quantify the effect this had on visitor numbers but we know from experience inclement weather increases our footfall. The admissions and sales receipts for the year shows a 10.9% fall at £30,089 (£33,751) and an overall revenue reduction of 16.3% at £50,654.19 (60,549.95).
The Management Team has succeeded in reducing our expenditure by 13.7% from £57,770.69 in 2024/5 to £49,864.08 in 2025/6. This has been achieved by prudent and careful management. Significant reductions in insurance costs and digital services along with a very much reduced project cost has largely made this difference. The reduction in insurance costs came from a change of insurance broker from Howdens to Towergate. Our Treasurer, Hazel Morris was instrumental in researching and implementing this change.
Professional fees are up but this is a one-off increase associated with the change from an unincorporated charitable trust to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This was a necessity to bring us into line with modern practice and to protect the Trustees and volunteers by limiting their individual financial exposure. Spencer Wigley, Chair Emeritus has led this process. Dartmouth Museum became a CIO from 1[st] February 2026 with a new Registered Charity No;1214124 and a new Bank account. All the Museum assets and liabilities have been transferred to the CIO and there should be a seamless continuation of our activities.
The Income/Expenditure for the year ended 31[st] January 2026 shows a small surplus of £790.11 compared to a surplus of £2779.26 for year ending 31[st] January 2025.
Our CCLA investments show the deposit account increasing by £1732.08 (6.1%) to £30339.40. The value of CCLA shares has dropped by 10.2% to £17440.18. CCLA was taken over by Jupiter Asset Management during the year. The CEO of CCLA acknowledged that performance had been poor, hence the takeover. The Management Team will look at investment opportunities with focus on returns, asset value and financial protection going forward.
Overall the Museum’s financial position is stable but continued challenging trading conditions resulting in very small surpluses mean prudence and focus on costs need to be maintained.
Looking ahead we aim to be more active in making our wonderful range of records and artefacts available to the Community through joint activities with the Flavel Arts Centre, educational establishments and others, also through our open days.
My grateful thanks go to the Trustees and the Management Team as well as all of our much valued volunteers. Your continued support and commitment to our Museum is the fundamental reason it remains in good shape and much appreciated by all who visit and come into contact with us.
Mike Rowley Chair 20[th] February 2026
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH MUSEUM ASSOCIATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 January 2026, which are set out on pages 3 to 5.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Independent
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year, under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011, (The Charities Act), and that an independent examination has been requested.
It is my responsibility:
-
1) to examine the accounts under section 145 of The Charities Act
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2) to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission, (under Section 145(5)(b) of The Charities Act), and
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3) to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Charity's Trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all of the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not present an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:
- 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; or to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records have not been met; or
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn, in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
J ROWE-JONES 11 MARCH 2026
J ROWE-JONES ACCOUNTANTS LIMITED ACCOUNTANTS & TAXATION ADVISORS
62 Seymour Drive DARTMOUTH Devon TQ6 9GE
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DARTMOUTH DARTMOUTH MUSEUM ASSOCIATION RECEIPTS MUSEUM AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED ASSOCIATION 31 JANUARY 2026 RECEIPTS AND
| Receipts: Admissions/Entrance (see notes 5) Sales - Shop & On-line Membership - Renewals & New Donations and Bequests Grants; Including Henley Trust (DTC) Inland revenue - Gift Aid & GASDS Interest & dividends CCLA (formerly known as COIF) Income to Project account Miscellaneous (Tea & Coffee) Total Receipts* |
2026 2025 £ £ 23,655.00 26,122.00 6,434.46 7,629.41 1,866.00 1,591.00 4,826.78 8,535.59 10,000.00 12,000.00 1,175.56 2,468.93 1,732.08 1,874.02 964.31 300.00 29.00 50,654.19 £ 60,549.95 £ |
|---|---|
*Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme
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DARTMOUTH MUSEUM ASSOCIATION RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 20246
| Payments Rent Insurance Electricity Gas Water & Sewerage Phone and Broadband Photocopier Maintenance Property Maintenance - Cleaning Goods for resale & postal charges Marketing Office Supplies Digital Services (Formerly IT & Computers) Bankline & SumUp fees- (See notes 6) Professional Fees Curatorial & Archives General Repairs & Maintenance Projects Miscellaneous Total expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) for the year NET SURPLUS / DEFICIT FOR THE YEAR MOVEMENT OF FUNDS Opening Cash Balance Plus/(Minus) movement in year Closing Cash Balance |
2026 2025 £ £ 16,150.00 16,150.00 9,220.25 8,951.88 3,340.05 4,646.20 1,057.64 1,116.33 348.62 191.83 479.03 449.73 0.00 187.63 1,657.50 1,456.95 4,412.73 4,800.57 1,332.89 1,852.16 319.18 1,992.62 3,667.68 6,314.30 666.94 757.85 4,709.80 375.00 1,224.18 178.40 545.16 2,674.09 384.42 5,172.93 348.01 502.22 790.11 2,779.26 2026 2025 £ £ 790.11 2,779.26 63,053.22 71,085.23 1,548.57 -10,811.27 65,391.90 63,053.22 57,770.69 49,864.08 |
|---|---|
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DARTMOUTH MUSEUM ASSOCIATION RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. Accounting policies
The receipts and payments account has been drawn up as a summary of the receipts and payments made during the year by the charity. Amounts are included as received by the charity or, as cheques are drawn.
The accounts and statement do not include any accruals or prepayments in respect of income or expenses.
The receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities have been prepared following the guidance for accounting for small charities issued by the Charity Commission.
2. Statement of assets and liabilities
| 2. Statement of assets and liabilities Bank and cash balances: General account Project account Till float COIF Deposit Account Shop account 4. COIF Shares Value of shares as at 31 January 2026 4. Total cash assets and shares Assets and liabilities – note 2 Social fund COIF shares |
2026 2025 £ £ 34,945.02 25,124.05 0.00 942.33 107.48 91.91 30,339.40 28,607.32 0.00 8,287.61 65,391.90 63,053.22 17,440.18 19,420.21 2026 2025 £ £ 65,391.90 63,053.22 0.00 65.52 17,440.18 19,420.21 82,832.08 82,538.95 |
|---|---|
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DARTMOUTH MUSEUM ASSOCIATION RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
5. Admissions/Entrance
The amounts shown reflect the net amount credited to the account, allowing for the SumUp commission fee of 1.69% per card transaction deducted at point of sale.
6. Bankline & SumUp Fees
Bankline - fees set by Natwest to enable us to use on-line banking facilities. SumUp - comission fees deducted at point of sale and shown on monthly invoice
5. Social Fund
With the imminent change to the museum from an association toa CIO, the management team decided at the meeting of October 8th. to simplify and streamline the accounts into one general current account.
Funds were therefore transferred on 31st October and the accounts closed. Social £65.52 Shop £7,942.75 Project £2,134.85
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