Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 8 April 2024 Period start date To 7 April 2025 Period end date
Charity name: City of Durham Trust
Charity registration number: 502132
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | (1) To preserve, conserve and enhance for the benefit of the public the natural and built environment of the City of Durham and its surroundings, including its green belt, buildings and features of architectural and historic value, and areas of natural beauty and interest. (2) To engage and inform communities and promote their co-operation in the preservation, conservation and protection of the natural and built environment of the City of Durham and its surroundings, including its Green Belt. (3) To encourage and celebrate the highest sustainable standards in planning, design, landscape and architecture in the City of Durham and its surroundings. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Every week Trustees scrutinise all the relevant planning applications validated by the local planning authority and respond as appropriate. We focus on ensuring |
| activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
conformity with the policies of the_NPPF, the_County Durham Plan_and the_Durham _City Neighbourhood Plan._These are designed to protect the historic and natural heritage of the City of Durham and its surroundings. We work closely with the City of Durham Parish Council on these matters. The Trust holds open meetings, including an AGM, three or four times per year to inform members of the public about planning and heritage-related issues. We also provide members with bulletins three or four times per year giving details of our activities and providing information about the work of related bodies. Our website durhamcity.org also contains a great deal of current information. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees do have regard to this guidance. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The Trust’s responses to planning applications have been influential in improving some and causing others to be refused. The Trust works closely with related bodies such as the Durham Museum, Old Durham Gardens, the Wear Rivers Trust and the National Trust which recently acquired Crook Hall, an important heritage site in the City. It is also represented on the WHS Strategic Partnership Board of the Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site. The Trust has co-sponsored with the Parish Council_The Durham City Heritage_ Trail, a walking guide for the City’s rich heritage which is freely available to residents and visitors. All these activities are designed both to raise the profile of the Trust and also to involve as many citizens as possible in issues that affect our historical and natural heritage. |
|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Trust’s financial position is sound as can be seen from our annual accounts. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, sufficient to cover for approximately one year the Trust’s management and administration and support costs. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | The free reserves currently stand at £16,209 (2021 £14,369) which more than meets the criteria laid down by the Trustees. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are elected at the AGM in accordance with paragraph 13 of the constitution. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
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|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | City of Durham Trust |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 502132 |
| Charity’s principal address | Blackett, Hart and Pratt, LLP Aire House Mandale Business Park Durham, DH1 1TH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Ashby | ||||
| Sue Childs | Vice chair | |||
| Tim Clark | ||||
| Roger Cornwell | ||||
| Allan Gemmill | ||||
| Adrian Green | ||||
| Chris Hugill | ||||
| Michael Hurlow | ||||
| John Lowe | Chair | |||
| Matthew Phillips | ||||
| Francis Pritchard | Secretary/ Treasurer | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity
Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Francis William Pritchard Full name(s) John Joseph Lowe Position (eg Secretary, Chair Secretary/Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 29th January 2026
Charity Name No (if any) City of Durham Trust 502132 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To ~~===~~ from 8th April 2024 7th April 2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Last year funds funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Subscriptions & Donations 2,155 - - 2,155 2,385 Gift Aid - Legacies 500 - - 500 Publication Sales 1,250 - - 1,250 1,350 Interest 262 - - 262 125 Insurance Claim 1,870 - - - - - - - - - - Sub total (Gross income for 4,167 5,730 AR) [ 4,167 ] ~~—=====~~ A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - Sub total - Total receipts 4,167 - - 4,167 5,730 ~~——————~~ A3 Payments Cost of sales - Direct expenditure on charitable purposes - Subscriptions and grants to other bodies 640 - - 640 1,127 Management and member services 4,092 - - 4,092 2,657 Governance and professional fees 695 - - 695 341 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sub total [ 5,427 ] - - 5,427 4,126 ~~======~~ A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total [ - ] - - - - ~~—~~ Total payments ~~—————~~ 5,427 - - 5,427 4,126 Net of receipts/(payments) - 1,261 - - - 1,261 1,604 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 17,469 - - 17,469 - Cash funds this year end 16,209 - - 16,209 1,604 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period ~~==—~~ Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Categories Details funds funds funds to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 Cash funds Co-operative Bank current account 2,358 - - Virgin Money charity savings account 13,851 - - - - - Total cash funds_ 16,209 - - ~~SEE~~ (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) OK OK OK CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 1 29/01/2026
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)