THE MERE AT ELLESMERE
ACCOUNTS AND TRUSTEE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
Registered Charity No 504672
THE MERE AT ELLESMERE
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
The Mere at Ellesmere Charity, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6ND is registered with the Charity Commissioners (No. 504672) and constituted by Deed of Trust
Shropshire Council is Corporate Trustee but administered by management committee
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the policies set out in Note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Ireland published on 16 July 2014.
Principle Office
The Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6ND.
Structure, governance and management:
The Mere at Ellesmere is registered with the Charity Commission.
The day to day management of the Charity is undertaken by staff from Shropshire Council
Officers
Countryside and Heritage Sites Manager (North) Mr S Burkey Hon Treasurer Mr J R Walton Hon Accountant Ms C Banfield
Objectives and activities for the public benefit:
The object of the Charity is to maintain the Mere property so that "the property shall forever hereafter be preserved as far as may be expedient in its natural state for the benefit of the public and so as to be available for open air recreation by the public".
Usually the Mere property is used extensively by the public for open air.
Financial Review
The Charities’ performance for the year and that of its funds are laid out in the financial statement on pages 3 to 5. The Charity had a net income of £47,628 and expenditure of £47,628.
Audit
These accounts are covered within the normal External Audit Arrangements for Shropshire Council
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THE MERE CHARITABLE ACCOUNTS 2024-25 Receipts and Payments Account for the Year to 31st March 2025
| 2023-24 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual | Actual | |||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Trading Activities | ||||
| 23,079 | Car parking | 23,434 | ||
| 7,500 | The Boathouse Kiosk | 10,000 | ||
| 21,000 | The Mere Playground Kiosk | 24,000 | ||
| 2,850 | Other income- open air activities | 514 | ||
| - | 998 - |
Income to SC | - | 10,320 - |
| 53,430 | Total receipts | 47,628 | ||
| Direct Charitable Expenditure | ||||
| 9,881 | Cleaning and domestic supplies | 13,674 | ||
| 20,320 | Direct Employee Expenses | 20,320 | ||
| 1,031 | Energy Costs | 955 | ||
| 11,344 | Equipment Furniture and Materials | 433 | ||
| 1,570 | Finance | 1,270 | ||
| 913 | Grants and Subscriptions | - | ||
| 6,000 | Grounds maintenance costs | 6,780 | ||
| 1,580 | Miscellaneous Expenses | 1,608 | ||
| 5 | Printing Stationery and General Office Expenses | - | ||
| 229 | Private Contractors | 264 | ||
| 375 | Repairs alterations and maintenance of buildings | - | ||
| 184 | Services | 2,324 | ||
| 53,430 | Total payments | 47,628 | ||
| Net receipts / (Payments) for the year | - Net receipts / (Payments) for the year |
Net receipts / (Payments) for the year | - |
Signed by Shropshire Council
28/01/2026 …............................................................... .............................................. Duncan Whitfield Date Director: Financial Improvement Shropshire Council
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Appendix 1
The Mere Charitable Trust Notes to the Accounts 2024-25
1 Accounting Policies
- (a) Basis of preparation of accounts
The financial statements have been prepared under in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
The Mere at Ellesmere meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initally recognised at historical value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting poilcy note(s).
- (b) Income
All Income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, and there is sufficient certainty that receipt of income is considered probable and the amount can be measured reliably. The income from fundraising ventures is shown gross, with the associated costs included on fundraising costs. Donated services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt. Donations and Legacies are recognised when they have been communicated in writing and the amount and settlement date is known. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
- (c) Value Added Tax
Value added tax is not recoverable by the Charity, but as Shropshire Council is the Trustee, VAT was recovered through their accounts and as such is not included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.
2 Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis.
3 Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.
4 Staff, Volunter & Trustees' Costs
No Staff were employed by the Charity but staff employed by Shropshire Council have time apportioned to the Charity.
5 Taxation
The Charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
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Appendix 1
6 Tangible Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to income and expenditure.
7 Investments
Investments are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with changes recognised in ‘net gains / (losses) on investments’ in the SoFA if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably. Other investments are measured at cost less impairment.
8 Property
Assets were bequeathed to North Shropshire Council to be run on behalf of the local community. Shropshire Council took over this role in 2009 after the merger of the County Council and District Council. The Charity does not own the property but merely maintains it.
| The Kiosk, Ellesmere Asset value on transfer Asset revalutions The Mere Wardens Bungalow, Cremorne Gardens |
Land Buildings 52,500 122,500 2,000 109,000 54,500 231,500 238,620 47,380 286,000 2023-24 |
Land Buildings 55120 128630 1400 78600 2024-25 |
Land Buildings 55120 128630 1400 78600 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56,520 207,230 |
|||
| 286,000 -22,250 |
|||
| 263,750 |
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9 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.
10 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.
11 Going Concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustee believes that no material uncertainties exist. The trustee has considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern
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