WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No. 309534 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire. SN10 1 NS. Telephone: 01380 727369
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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No. 309534 TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 CONTENTS Report of the Trustees Independent Auditors, Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Note8 to the Financial Statements Minutes of AGM held 28 September 2023 10
WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No. 309534 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The objects of the Society (Charity No. 309534) are to educate the publiG by promoting, fostering interest in, exploration, re8earGh and publication on archaeology, art, history and natural history of Wiltshire for the public benefit. The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidan on public benefit. The principal activity of the Society was to provide grants to the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Company) Charity No. 1080096. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE The Society contributed £32,939 to the Company, which provided significant assistance to its operations. FINANCIAL REVIEW Income and expenditure The Society continues to re1v& income as the beneficiary of the Sandell Trust (Charity No. 276879). In this financial year il has paid all its income to the Company. Any operating expenses are bome by the Company. All its expenditure is made towards the charitable activities of the Company. Risk Management The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charily is exposed, including those relating to the finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate any exposure to major risks. Reserves With the transfer, in November 2003, of its reserves to the Company the Society does not retain any substantial reserves. There were no reserves at 31 March 2024. The Trustees will be responsible for deciding how income will be dispensed in future either to the Company or to the Collections Trust or to be held in reserve by the Society as they deem appropriate. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Constitution The Society was established in 1853 and is a registered, unincorporated charity. At the Annual General Meeting on 22 November 2003, revised rules were approved for the regulation of the Society. The charity is a public benefit entity. Management The Trustees of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Company) are the trustees and members of the Society and its management. The Trustees meet annually during the year to authorise expenditure, to approve the annual report and accounts and to consider any other levant matters. Trustees, Financial Responsibilities The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities for that period and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to: i. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently- ii. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent" iii. State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and iv. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records whiGh disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the charity's financial position and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. 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. Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for the authorisation of all transactions and the situation is reviewed at regular intervals. Risk Management The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, including those relating to the finanGes of the charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate any exposure to major risks. Related Parties The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Gharities work closely together. This Society does not employ staff but Company staff assist, when required, with items such as reports and minutes. The Company bears the cost of the audit. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The Trustees For the year ended 31 March 2024 the Trustees of the Society, on account of being Trustees of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Company), were as follows,. Chair: Martin J Nye, MA (Cantab) (to 28 March 2024> From 28 March 2024 - Alison Hems, BA, PhD, AMA, FRSA Alison Herns, BA, PhD, AMA, FRSA (to March 2024) Christopher R Kelly BSC, FCA, FIOD Richard Cardiff Claire Dobbin, MA, BA (Hons) Nicola Harris Bsc (Hons) (from 12 November 2023> Lord Kerry, PhD, MA, MBA, Msc (from 12 November 2023) Gillian Kenny, MA, PhD (resigned May 2023), Ruth Kerr, MA, BA (Hons) Alfred La Vardera, Msc (to 12 November 2023> Katie Marsden, Bsc (Hons) Daniel S Miles, BA, MA, MlfA (to 12 November 2023) Lachlan Robertson, MA, Bsc (Hons) Nominated Tru8teè8: Vacant, Vwltshire Councll nomlnees Cllr. Christine Gay, Member, Devizes Town Council (from May 2021) Deputy Chair: Hon. Treasurer: Elected Trustees: Registered Office The Society offices are based at Wiltshire Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1 NS. Other formal appointments Auditors: David Owen & Co. 17 The Market Place, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1 BA. HSBC Bank Plc, 45 Market Pla, Devizes, Wiltshire. SN10 1 HZ. Bankers: AUDITORS David Owen & Co acted as the Society's auditors during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue to act. Signed: Dr Alison Hems, Chair, 26 September 2024
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Opinion We have audited the financial statements of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise of the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related 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 Charities law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion, the financial statements.. give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year than ended. have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdorn Generally Accepted Accounting Practice., and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and Regulation 15 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Ba813 for opinlon 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 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 Standards, 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 oplnion. Conclusions relating to going conGerns 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 rnaterial uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may east 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 lo going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. other Information The other information comprises the infomation included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon, The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, 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 rnaterial 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 In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees, report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion.. the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees, report., or sufficient accounting records have not been kept, or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Rasponsibilities of Trustees As explained more fully in the Trustees, Responsibilities Statement (set out on page 2), 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 rnisstatement, 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 Trustee's 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 We have been appointed as auditor under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. 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. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at.. htt s:Ilfrc.or .uklauditorsres onsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report. Extent to whlch the audit was considered Gapable of detectlng irregularities, including fraud We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. In identifying and addressing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-Gompliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following.. We obtained an understanding of laws and regulations that affect the company. focusing on those that had a direct effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on its operations. Key laws and regulations that we identified included the Charities Act 2011, tax legislation, data protection legislation and regulations imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with regards to the provision of insurance policies. We enquired of the trustees, reviewed correspondence with HMRC and reviewed meeting minutes for eviden of non-compliance with relevant laws and regulations. We also reviewed controls the trustees have in place to ensure compliance,
We gained an understanding of the controls that the trustees have in place to prevent and detect fraud. We enquired of the trustees about any incidenGes of fraud that had taken place during the accounting period, The risk of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud was discussed within the audit team and tests were planned and performed to address these risks. We identified the potential for fraud in the following areas: misappropriation of cash and other assets, undisclosed related party transactions outside the normal course of business. We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial staternents from irregularities, including fraud and revenue recognition of legacies, grants and investment income. We critically reviewed judgernents and provisions included within the financial statements and examined the associated cut-off issues. Prior period forecasts were compared to actual results to ensure past judgements made were reasonable in comparison with eventual outcomes. We reviewed financial statements disclosures and tested to supporting documentation to assess compliance with relevant laws and regulations discussed above. We enquired of the trustees about actual and pot8ntial litigation and claims. We obtained independent confirrnations from your bank regarding balances at the year-end in additlon to any outstanding charges. We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that mlght indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud. In addressing the risk of fraud due to management override of internal controls we tested the appropriateness of journal entries and assessed whether the judgements made in making accounting estimat8s were indicative of a potential bias. Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there 18 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, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations and cannot be expected to detect all fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations Use of our Report The report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. 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. David Owen & Co Chartered Accountant and Statutory Auditor 17 The Market Place, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1 BA Date: 26 September 2024 David Owen & Co 18 eligible for appointment as auditor of the Gharity by virtue of rfs eligibilty for appointm8nt as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL & NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No. 309534 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Unrestrictsd Fund Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 33,000 33,000 33,000 33,000 33,000 33,000 Expendlture On: Charitable activities 32,939 32,939 33,000 Bank Charges 61 61 33,000 33,000 33,000 Net Incomel(expenditure) Net movèment In funds Reconcillatlon of funds: Total funds brought forward Total Funds carrled forward
WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No. 309534 BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 Notes Current Assets Debtors Cash at Bank 2,745 2,745 2,745 2,745 Total current Assets Llabilities Creditors". Amounts falling due within 2,745 one year Net Current Assets Totsl assets less current liabilities The funds of the Soclety Unrestricted fund8 The noles on page 9 form part of these accounts. The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 26 September 2024 and signed on their behalf: A Hems, Chair C R Kelly, Honorary Treasurer
WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No. 309534 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 l. Statement of Accounting Policies Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost basis. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charites Act 2011, with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) {effective 1 January 2015) and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The Society meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Soclety Statu9 The Society is a registered charity, number 309534, and operates under the rules passed by members at the Annual General Meeting on 22 November 2003, Tangible Fixod Assets and Depreclation The Society has no tangible fixed assets. Incom8 and expendlture Income and expenditure are recognised on an accruals basis. 2. Donations and Legacies Income was received from th8 Sandell Trust of £33,000. 3. Charltable actlvltles At a Council Meeting on 20 July 2023, the Trustees authorised the Treasurer to remit the Sandell Trust monies to the Company (Charity no. 10800961Company no. 3885649) as they arose, provided that the monies were not required by the Collections Trust (linked charity no. 1080096). During the year to 31 March 2024 the Trustees transferred monies to the Company, these transfers incurred bank charges totalling £61, resulting in a total of £32,939 being transferred to the Company. This was with the object of the Company educating the public by promoting, fostering interest in. exploration, research and publication on archaeology, art, history and natural history of Wiltshire for the public benefit. 4. Trustees Remuneration The Trustees neither received nor waived any emoluments or expenses during the year. 5. Debtors Grants and donations: Income from the Sandell Trust 2024 2023 6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Due to Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Company) £2 745 £2 745
WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No. 309534 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY held at Wiltshire Museum on Thursday 28 Septsmber 2023, commencing at 6.30 pm Minute no. 1123 PRESENT Dr Alison Hems (Deputy Chair) - via Zoom, Mr Chris R Kelly (Hon Treasurer), Ms Ruth Kerr- via Zoom, Mr Alfred La Vardera, Ms Katie Marsden - via Zoom, Mr Dan S Miles, Mr Martin Nye (Chair). In Attendance: Mr David Dawson (Director) - via Zoom, Mrs Karen P Jones (Marketing & Administration Manger - minute taker) and Ms Nicola Trowell (Programme Manager- Assizes for Devizes Project). Simon Kerry (Earl Kerry), trustee elect, was also present as an observer. APOLOGIES Mr Richard Cardiff, Mrs Chris Gay (Devizes Town Council nominee), Mr Lachlan Robertson and Mrs Lisa Brown (Curator). Ms Claire Dobbin was unable to attend, 2123 WELCOME The Chair welcomed Trustees to the meeting, with Simon Kerry attending as an observer, prior to his election to the Board of Trustees at the November AGM of WANHS (108009613885649). 3123 MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD 24 November 2022 The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 24 November 2022 were AGREED as a true record of the meeting. 4123 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The meeting RECEIVED the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023, which had been approved by a meeting of the Council on 20 July 2023. 5123 APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS Proposed by Mr Nye and seconded by Mr Kelly, the rneeting AGREED to re-appoint David Owen & Co., Chartered Accountants, as Auditors to the Society and authorised the Council to determine their remuneration. The meetin closed at 6.34 10