2023-03-31-accounts - Midland Neuroscience Teaching And Research Fund

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

	Period start date	Period start date			Period end date	Period end date
From	01	04	2022	To	31	03	2023

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name The Midland Neuroscience Teaching and Research Fund

[The Midland Centre for Neurosurgery and ] Other names charity is known by[Formerly know as:] Neurology Teaching and Research Fund

Registered charity number (if any) 313446

red charity number (if any)	313446
Charity's principal address	Suite 2 and 4, Lodge Park House,
	Kettering Venture Park,
	Kettering,
	NN15 6XU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Graham Flint	Chairman
Rowan Hardy	Scientific Adviser
TonyBelli	NeurosurgeryAdviser
Elizabeth Formby	LayAdviser
Alex Sinclair	NeurologyAdviser	Resigned, January2023

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

TAR

March 2012

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Treasurer	Rachel Whitwell	c/o Charity address
Research adviser	Olivia Gretch	c/o Charity address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document Trust Deed 3rd September 1971

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted Trust (eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods Appointed by existing Trustees (eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

The Trust Fund is to be applied to, for and upon such charitable trusts and for such charitable institutions and charitable purposes as the trustees shall in their uncontrolled discretion from time to time determine. (It is intended that the Fund be used primarily for medical and surgical teaching and research).

TAR

March 2012

The Charity was founded in 1971 with the principal purposes of supporting research and teaching into disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. At that time it was known as the Midland Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology Teaching and Research Fund, this name identifying the institution at which the Charity was founded. When this hospital closed the clinical services that it had provided up until then were transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB). The Charity therefore adopted QEHB as its “home” thereafter.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

The Charity has now been in existence for over 50 years, during which time it has supported research into a variety of diseases affecting the nervous system. Historically the Charity did this principally by funding the purchase of various small items of equipment that were generally unavailable in NHS departments but which might, once the research project was completed, be of use in the hospital environment. Because clinically useful equipment has since become much more expensive to buy, the Charity has, latterly, tended to fund the purchase of small items of equipment, or reagents, that can be used in laboratory-based, experimental work, albeit still work that is directed towards improving our understanding of the causes of and potential treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system. .

It is our firm belief that research is of little use unless it is followed by the dissemination of any knowledge gained. We therefore look to ensure that the findings of the research that we support are published in suitable medical or scientific journals. In addition, we sponsor guest lecturers to address audiences of practising clinicians and neurological scientists, about their own research, or that of others, thereby providing updates about the current state of knowledge of various neurological diseases.

By the above means we aim to advance understanding of the causes of and the potential prevention and treatment of a wide range of neurological conditions, such as stroke, head injury, dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease), brain tumours, spinal tumours, multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, movement disorders (e.g.Parkinson’s disease), motor neurone disease (MND) and a variety of disorders producing chronic pain, such as neuralgia and migraine.

Importantly, and continuing one of the original objectives of the Charity, the research grants awarded also support the personal development of the medical professionals involved in each project. In particular, the Charity aims to promote their understanding of clinical and laboratory research methods and ethics, such that they can, in turn, support further research workers in the future.

Trustees of the Charity are all well experienced in their individual fields of expertise, be these clinical medicine, basic science research, financial management or elsewhere. A number of our trustees also work for or with other registered charities. All trustees have due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

TAR

March 2012

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;

We invite staff in the various departments of the clinical neurological sciences, in hospitals within the West Midlands region, to put proposals before us for funding of projects associated with their own specific aspects of research. Each proposal is then assessed by our medical and scientific advisers (who are hospital consultants and university research scientists) and fellow trustees. If we consider the proposed research to have adequate merit and ethical approval, we sanction the purchase of the necessary equipment or consumables and then monitor its or their use.

All Charity trustees and other advisers give their time and service on an entirely voluntary basis. The Charity pays for its website administration fees.

contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

TAR

March 2012

Section D Achievements and erformance p

Summary of the main The Charity continued to settle invoices arising from existing projects that achievements of the charity were clearly still active but there were several other projects that during the year appeared to have lapsed, either due to COVID or for other reasons. A number of previously “agreed” (i.e. to support) projects have therefore now been designated as time-expired, although the Charity is open to consider re-applications, if appropriate.

Whilst no new grants were awarded in the year 2021-2022 (as a result of the global pandemic halting much non-COVID related research), a number were awarded during 2022-2023. The Charity will meet its financial obligations to these and any remaining, agreed and active projects, provided that they are completed within the agreed timescale (with a discretionary added grace period) and other agreed conditions are met.

TAR

March 2012

Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the

charity’s policy on reserves

The Charity holds funds in a Lloyds Bank current account, in order to meet day-to-day running costs. The majority of its assets are in longterm investments, currently administered on its behalf by Harris Allday, whose portfolios have performed well and have served the interests of the Charity for many years. The trustees and other Charity officers nevertheless retain oversight of and responsibility for these assets and, in doing so, recognise and accept the risks associated with investment in mainstream financial markets, in exchange for returns over longer periods. The Charity aims to achieve a balanced return from income and capital growth, which is then used to provide research grants, normally up to £10,000 in value, and guest lecturer expenses, normally in the range of £100 - £300.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;

The Charity receives income from the investments held on its behalf and from donations made by members of the public or other charitable bodies. The Trustees review both cash and investment assets when considering any new proposals and in reviewing the ongoing cash requirements of the existing projects.

In the current financial climate the Charity anticipates being able to spend in the region of £25,000 annually in supporting research and educational projects. The trustees’ aim is to avoid, if possible, calling upon its reserves to fund projects, preferring instead to preserve these assets to ensure the long-term stability of the Charity.

investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

Professor Alex Sinclair, consultant neurologist, one of the Charity trustees, resigned in January 2023, due to her other commitments.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature Full name Graham Arthur Flint Position Chairman Date 23/01/2024

TAR

March 2012

Charity Name No (if any) The Midland Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology 313446 Teaching and Research Fund CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/04/2022 31/03/2023

Section A Receipts and payments	Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 29,743 1,053 - - - - - - 30,796	Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - -	Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - -	Total funds to the nearest £ 29,743 1,053 - - - - - - 30,796	Last year to the nearest £
Investment Income	29,743	-	-	29,743	27,724
Donations	1,053	-	-	1,053	254
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	30,796	-	-	30,796	27,978
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).	- - - 30,796	- - - -	- - - -	- - - 30,796
	-
	-				-
*Sub total*	-				-
**Total receipts **
	30,796	-	-	30,796	27,978

A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*	-	-	-	-	-

**Total receipts **	30,796	-	-	30,796	27,978

A3 Payments

Projects	18,139	-	-	18,139
Website costs	318	-	-	318
Other Expenditure	81	-	-	81
		-	-	-
	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
**Sub total **	18,538	-	-	18,538

A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
	-	-		-	-
	-	-		-	-
**Sub total **	-	-		-	-	-

**Total payments **	18,538	-		-	18,538	29,595
*Net of receipts/(payments)*	12,258	-		-	12,258	- 1,617
A5 Transfers between funds	-	-	-		-	-
A6 Cash funds last year end	94,503	-	-		94,503	96,120
*Cash funds this year end*	106,761	-		-	106,761	94,503

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories B1 Cash funds CCXX R1 accounts (SS)	Details Lloyds Bank ~~1~~	Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 106,761	Restricted funds to nearest £ -	Endowment funds to nearest £
				- ~~28/01/2024~~

		-	-	-
		-	-	-
	*Total cash funds*	106,761	-	-
	(agree balances with receipts and payments
	account(s))	OK	OK	OK
		Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment
		funds	funds	funds
	Details	to nearest £	to nearest £	to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
	Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)	Current value (optional)
B3 Investment assets	EFG Investment portolio	Trust	-	677,382
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
	Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)	Current value (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the			-	-
charity’s own use			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
		Fund to which	Amount due	When due
	Details	liability relates	(optional)	(optional)
B5 Liabilities			-
			-
			-
			-
			-

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

Signature	Print Name Graham Flint	Date of approval
	Graham Flint	23/01/2024

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

28/01/2024

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of The Midlands Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology Teaching and Research Fund On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 Charlty no (if any) 313446 Set out on pagès R8CalPts and Payments Accounts (1 & 2) - Fonn CC16a I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above harity lllhe Trusfi for the year ended 3110312022. Responslbllltles and As the charity twstees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounls in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying oul my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5){bl of the Act. I have completed my examination. l (x)nfim that no material matters have ¢ome to my attention lolher Ihan thal disclosed below ') in connection with the examination vthich gives me cause to believe that in, any mat8rial respect: a¢¢ounting records were not kept in accordance with se10n 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounbng records Independent 8xamlner's statemant I have no concems and have Come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Slgned: Dato: Name: K iutj Relevant professlonal qualifi¢atlon(s} or body Ilf any): Address: IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glve hère brief detalls of any Items that the examlner wlshes to dlsclose. l A IER October 2018