## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**for the year ended**
**30th September 2025**
**Registered Charity No: 514802**
## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Annual Report for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **Contents Page**
|Trustees and advisers|1|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|2 - 5|
|Independent Examiner’s report|6|
|Statement of Financial Activities|7|
|Comparative Statement of Financial Activities|8|
|Balance Sheet|9|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|10 - 21|
**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
**Trustees and Advisers for the year ended 30th September 2025**
**Trustees:** The Very Reverend Dr Sue Jones (Dean of Liverpool) Patricia Heyes Thomas Roberts Nicholas Basson Revd Myles Davies Stephen Mannings (Director of Music, Liverpool Cathedral) Margaret Swinson Paul Ferguson (resigned 30.04.26) Ian Bakewell (appointed 11.03.25, Finance Committee Member) Ted Adams (appointed 01.07.25) **Correspondence Address:** Cathedral Office St James’ House 20 St James’ Road Liverpool L1 7BY **Bankers:** National Westminster Bank plc University Branch 5 Oxford Street Liverpool L7 7HL **Investment Managers:** Quilter Cheviot Investment Management 5, St Paul's Square Liverpool L3 9SJ **Independent Examiner:** Louise Casey A.C.A. Mitchell Charlesworth Suites C, D, E & F 14[th] Floor, The Plaza 100 Old Hall Street Liverpool L3 9QJ
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## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 30th September 2025**
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 10 to 13 and comply with the charity’s governing document, 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 Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.
## **History, Objectives and Activities of the Trust**
The charity is governed by a charitable trust deed dated 6th October 1949 made by Francis Neilson as amended by a resolution under s280 of the Charities Act 2011 passed on 28th February 2013, a Scheme of the Charity Commission dated 25th June 2013, and a Deed of Amendment dated 31st July 2019 (“the Trusts”).
The objects of the trust following the 31st July 2019 amendment are:
- a) supporting and promoting the education of the choristers of Liverpool Cathedral Choir (“choristers”) in cultural and scientific arts;
- b) such other benefits to or for the choristers associated with their overall education;
- c) supporting the provision of special services, not being part of the ordinary or daily activity of Liverpool Cathedral;
- d) in promoting the continued existence of Liverpool Cathedral Choir within Liverpool Cathedral including through assisting in the recruitment of Choristers and the promotion of the Choir throughout the Diocese of Liverpool.
For the purposes of these objects, a chorister means any chorister who is under the age of 25.
The Trust deed gives the Trustees the power to apply the funds in such manner as they think fit in accordance with the terms and conditions in the Trust. The Trustees identify projects they wish to support and consider grant applications made by Liverpool Cathedral. The Trust does not support individuals or organisations other than in relation to those associated with Liverpool Cathedral. The Trust receives income from the Will Trust of the late Francis Neilson as administered by JP Morgan Chase, New York, USA. The level of income is affected by the exchange rate with the US dollar.
## **Management and Governance Arrangements**
The Trust deed provides for a minimum of four Trustees, with no maximum. The Trustees must include those holding the office of Dean of Liverpool, a member of the Cathedral Finance Committee and Director of Music of Liverpool Cathedral.
At a meeting held on 21 March 2023, the Trustees approved a Resolution under S280 of the Charities Act 2011 to amend the governing document so that where the Trust Deed makes use of the term ‘the Chair of the Finance Committee’ the term shall refer to ‘a member of the Finance Committee of Liverpool Cathedral’.
Where there is a requirement for new Trustees, these would be identified and appointed by the continuing Trustees. The Chair of the Trustees is responsible for the induction of any new Trustee which involves awareness of a Trustee’s responsibilities, the governing document, administrative procedures, and the history and philosophical approach of the charity. A new Trustee will receive copies of the previous year’s annual report and accounts and a copy of the Charities Commission Leaflet “The Essential Trustee: What You Need to Know”. All decisions made by the Trustees can
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**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Report of the Trustees (continued) for the year ended 30th September 2025**
if necessary, be exercised by majority vote and in the event of a tie, the Dean of Liverpool has a second or casting vote.
## **Procedures and Policy for Grant Making**
The Trustees meet no fewer than three times per year to consider what grants they will make and to review any feedback they have received. Nominations for grants are elicited from Trustees by formal and informal means. The formal means include grant applications made on behalf of Liverpool Cathedral towards the cost of maintaining the choir and special benefits for them.
The Trustees always seek feedback on the actual use of the grants given and the achievements made, including those to individuals. The explanations and feedback received are sufficient for monitoring the quality of the grants made.
## **Financial Review, Investment Policy and Reserves**
The Trustees have agreed to reinvest the income from the Endowed portfolio for the time being. Total return from the investment is split between funds retained as capital and funds used as income.
At each meeting the Trustees receive a report from the Clerk to the Committees on the charity’s current financial position and the effectiveness of its financial controls. Quilter Cheviot, the Investment Managers, invest funds held by the charity to ensure the same are prudently and profitably invested to achieve the required income return and provide reports on the investment performance.
The Trustees are satisfied that the standard of bookkeeping and evidence of expenditure through grants made during the year have been properly carried out and in a manner in which all transactions have been accounted for.
At 30 September 2025 the balance on total funds was £299,409, split between Unrestricted Funds - £139,080, Restricted Funds - £2,000 and Endowed Funds - £158,329.
The Statement of Financial Activities for the Trust is set out on page 7 of the financial statements. It shows net expenditure for the year ended 30 September 2025 of £42,586 (2024: net income of £5,387) due to a combination of decreased income from donations (£14k), increased grants payable (£20k) and decreased net investment gains (£14k).
## **Achievements and Performance of the Trust**
During the year, in addition to their daily schedule of services and rehearsals each week and the Trust’s prescribed responsibilities, the Francis Neilson Trust has by grant:
1. Supported the musical education of the boy and girl choristers by assisting with fees for instrumental, theory and singing tuition.
2. Financed gifts at Christmas and Easter
3. Supported the work of the Cross Guild (Ex-Choristers Guild):
- by assisting with fees for instrumental lessons; and
- in providing financial support to those at university and study placements.
The trustees have had due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
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## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Report of the Trustees (continued) for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **Investment Review**
The Investment Policy is a prudent balance of capital appreciation over the mid- to long-term, with a useful income meanwhile (i.e. medium risk). Investment activity/performance and asset allocations are reviewed on a quarterly basis against suitable benchmarks at each meeting.
Holdings are in the hands of the appointed Investment Managers in accordance with published Charity Commission guidance (CC42). Their appointment and this policy are reviewed once a year.
## **Risk Assessment**
The trustees have reassessed the principal risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that the appropriate systems or controls are in place to mitigate exposure to those risks. It must be said that such systems or controls can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement, fraud or loss.
It is the policy of the Charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the Charity, and remain available in case of need. The trustees regularly discuss the portfolio of the Trust and future requirements of the Trust. The trustees believe that it is prudent to ensure that there are sufficient funds to provide financial flexibility for the current running and future development of the Trust’s objectives and unforeseen events.
## **Future Plans**
Since it was founded in 1949 the Francis Neilson Trust in Liverpool has received income from a parent trust, known as the Francis Neilson Trust Fund A, founded in the USA by the late Francis Neilson and managed by JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.
A number of provisions were set up in the parent trust Deed which determined a point when the parent trust should be wound up and the funds held in the name of the Francis Neilson Trust Fund A divided amongst three residual beneficiaries of which the Francis Neilson Trust in Liverpool was one. In October 2025, the provisions were finally satisfied, and the parent trust was wound up.
Following receipt of authorisation from the Trustees, JP Morgan transferred £2,144,267.94 to the bank account of the Francis Neilson Trust in Liverpool. The funds transfer took place in July 2026. Some of this transfer was retained to provide for short-term Trust expenditure, and £2,100,642.00 was sent to the Trust’s investment managers for reinvestment.
The trustees intend to continue to fulfil the objectives of the Trust by the proper provision of grants to Liverpool Cathedral in accordance with the Trust deed and to review the composition of the Trustee body.
## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Report of the Trustees (continued) for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities (continued)**
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102);
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. 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.
## **Independent Examiner**
The trustees have re-appointed Mitchell Charlesworth to undertake the independent examination of the Trust for the financial year ending 30th September 2025.
## **Trustees**
The trustees who served during the year were:
The Very Reverend Dr Sue Jones (Dean of Liverpool) Patricia Heyes Thomas Roberts Nicholas Basson Margaret Swinson Paul Ferguson (resigned 30.04.26) Reverend Canon Myles Davies Stephen Mannings (Director of Music, Liverpool Cathedral) Ian Bakewell (appointed 11.03.2025, Finance Committee Member) Ted Adams (appointed 01.07.2025)
New trustees are appointed by Deed of Appointment by the current Trustees.
The trustees received no emoluments during the year. There are no employees.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 30 July 2026
The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool Trustee
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## **Mitchell Charlesworth**
## Accountants
Suites C, D, E & F, The Plaza, 100 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9QJ
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of accounts of the charity for the year ended 30th September 2025 set out on pages 7 to 20.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the ‘Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- 2 the accounts do not with accord those records; or
- 3 the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a “true and fair view” which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
- 4 the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
L.R. Casey A.C.A. Mitchell Charlesworth Accountants
30th July 2026
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## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 30th September 2025**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2025**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**Income and**
**endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
79,332
-
Investments
3
8,928
785
**Total income**
88,260
785
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
4
2,216
-
Charitable activities
5
148,320
785
**Total expenditure**
150,536
785
**Net gains (losses) on**
**investments**
7,774
-
**Net income (expenditure)**8
(54,502)
-
**Total funds brought**
**forward**
193,582
2,000
**Total funds carried**
**forward**
13
139,080
2,000
|**Endowed**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,916
11,916
146,413
158,329
|**Totals**
**2025**
**£**
79,332
9,713
89,045
2,216
149,105
151,321
19,690
(42,586)
341,995
299,409
||**Totals**
**2024**
**£**
93,402
9,586
102,988
1,761
129,377
131,138
33,537
5,387
336,608
341,995
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
All activities of the Charity are continuing.
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## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **Comparative information as at 30th September 2024**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**Income and**
**endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
93,402
-
Investments
3
8,756
830
**Total income**
102,158
830
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
4
1,761
-
Charitable activities
5
128,547
830
**Total expenditure**
130,308
830
**Net gains (losses) on**
**investments**
16,976
-
**Net income (expenditure)**8
(11,174)
-
**Total funds brought**
**forward**
204,756
2,000
**Total funds carried**
**forward**
13
193,582
2,000
|**Endowed**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,561
16,561
129,852
146,413
||**Totals**
**2024**
**£**
93,402
9,586
102,988
|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,761
129,377|
||||
131,138
|
||||33,537
|
||||5,387
336,608
|
||||341,995
|
All activities of the Charity are continuing.
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## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Balance Sheet At 30th September 2025**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Investments
9
**Current assets**
Debtors
10
CBF Church of England Deposit
Fund
Cash at bank
**Creditors:**amounts falling due
within one year
11
**Net current (liabilities) assets**
**Total assets less current**
**liabilities**
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
13
Restricted fund
13
Endowment funds
13
**Total funds**
14|**£**
1,600
9,862
14,141
25,603
(33,346)|**2025**
**£**
307,152
(7,743)
299,409
139,080
2,000
158,329
299,409
|**£**
-
9,414
78,112
87,526
(29,377)|**2024**
**£**
283,846
58,149
341,995
|**2024**
**£**
283,846
58,149
341,995
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||
|||
341,995
|
||||||193,582
2,000
146,413|
||||||341,995
|
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 30 July 2026 and signed by:
The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool Trustee
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**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **1. Accounting policies**
## **(a) General information and basis of preparation**
Francis Neilson Trust Fund is a charitable trust established in the United Kingdom. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are included in the Trustees’ Report on page 2.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for Charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention modified to include investments of fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity, and rounded to the nearest £1.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
## **(b) Funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors, or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment Funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Income from the Morton Bursary is restricted for the benefit of assisting young choirboys in their musical studies.
Any capital gains or losses arising on the investments from part of the funds. Investment management charges relating to the fund are charged against unrestricted funds.
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**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **1. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **(c) Income recognition**
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the income will be received.
For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained, then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity, and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.
No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP (FRS 102).
For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received. At this point income is recognised. On occasion legacies will be notified to the charity, however it is not possible to measure the amount expected to be distributed. On these occasions, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed as such.
Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes such as shares and bank deposits. It includes dividends and interest. Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method and dividend income is recognised as the charity’s right to receive payment is established.
## **(d) Expenditure recognition**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:
- Cost of raising funds includes investment managers fees.
- Expenditure on charitable activities includes grants payable to The Corporation of Liverpool Cathedral.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.
Grants payable to third parties are within the charitable objectives. Where an unconditional grant is offered, it is accrued as soon as the recipient is notified of the grant, as this gives rise to a reasonable expectation that the recipient will receive the grant. Where a grant is conditional relating to performance then it is only accrued when any unfulfilled conditions are outside of the control of the charity.
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**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **1. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **(e) Support costs allocation**
Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs and administration costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.
## **(f) Investments**
Investments are recognised initially at fair value, which is normally the transaction price including 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.
## **(g) Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year**
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.
## **(h) Tax**
The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charity for UK tax purposes.
## **(i) Going concern**
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have 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 are sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
## **(j) Financial instruments**
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
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**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **1. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **(j) Financial instruments (continued)**
## **Basic financial assets**
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
## **Basic financial liabilities**
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **Derecognition of financial liabilities**
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
## **(k) Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
There are no critical accounting estimates or judgements in these accounts.
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**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
|**2.**|**Income from donations and legacies**|**Income from donations and legacies**|||**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**Total**|**Total**|
||||||**2025**|**2024**|
||||||**£**|**£**|
||Remittances from trustees in the USA||||78,567|93,402|
||Other donations received||||765|-|
||||||79,332|93,402|
|**3.**|**Income from**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Total**|
||**investments**|**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
||Dividends receivable|7,672|785|-|8,457|8,725|
||Interest on bank deposits|1,256|-|-|1,256|861|
|||8,928
|785
|-
|9,713
|9,586
|
Investment income of £9,586 in 2024 comprised £8,756 attributable to unrestricted funds and £830 attributable to restricted funds.
## **4. Expenditure on raising funds**
Investment managers fees
|**Unrestricted**|**funds**|
|---|---|
|**2025**|**2024**|
|**£**|**£**|
|2,216|1,761|
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**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
|**5.**
**Expenditure on charitable activities**
Grants payable (Note 6)
Support costs (Note 7)|**2025**
**£**
146,727
2,378
149,105
|**2024**
**£**
127,033
2,344
129,377
|
|---|---|---|
For the year ended 30[th] September 2025, £148,320 (2024 - £128,547) of the above costs were attributable to unrestricted funds and £785 (2024 - £830) were attributable to restricted funds.
|**6.**
**Grants payable**
Corporation of the Cathedral Church in Liverpool
Individuals
**7.**
**Support costs**
Bank charges
Honorarium
**Governance costs**
Independent Examiner’s fee|**2025**
**£**
145,987
740
146,727
**2025**
**£**
73
200
2,105
2,378
|**2024**
**£**
125,943
1,090
127,033
**2024**
**£**
74
500
1,770
2,344
|
|---|---|---|
||||
The Honorarium of £200 in 2025 is stated net of an over accrual of £400 brought forward and released from 2024.
The Independent Examiner’s Fee of £2,105 in 2025 includes an under accrual of £120 relating to 2024.
|**8.**|**Net income (expenditure)**|**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Net income (expenditure) is stated after charging:|||
||Independent Examiner’s fee|2,105|1,770|
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## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
|**9.**
**Investments**
Balance as at 1st October 2024
Additions at cost
Disposals proceeds
Realised gains (losses) on sales of investments
Unrealised investment gains (losses)
Cash held on deposit
Market value at 30th September 2025
Historical cost at 30th September 2025
Investments are held in UK Unit Trusts.
Investments exceeding 5% of the total portfolio:
Fidelity UCITS ICAV US Quality Income ETF Inc GBP
BNY Mellon Global Funds Plc US Equity Income E GBP Dis
**10. Debtors**
Prepayments and accrued income
**11. Creditors:**amounts falling due within one year
Accruals||**2025**
**£**
280,544
21,260
(20,331)
2,851
16,839
301,163
5,989
307,152
**2025**
**£**
247,641
**2025**
**£**
26,629
27,741
**2025**
**£**
1,600
**2025**
**£**
33,346
||**2024**
**£**
263,329
23,328
(39,650)
3,944
29,593
280,544
3,302
283,846
**2024**
**£**
244,025
**2024**
**£**
32,615
36,183
**2024**
**£**
-
**2024**
**£**
29,377
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||
||
||
||||||
||||||
||||||
16 | P a g e
**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
|**12. Financial instruments**
Carrying amounts of financial assets:
Basic financial instruments measured at amortised cost
Equity instruments measured at fair value through the SOFA
Carrying amounts of financial liabilities:
Measured at amortised cost|**2025**
**£**
29,992
301,163
33,346|**2024**
**£**
90,828
280,544
29,377|
|---|---|---|
|**13.**
**Movement in funds**
**Current year**
**At**
**1.10.2024**
**£**
**Endowment funds:**
Jackson Legacy
80,098
Friends of Cathedral
Music -
Unrestricted permanent
endowment fund
36,845
Morton Bursary -
Restricted expendable
endowment fund
29,470
**Total endowment**
**funds**
146,413
**Restricted funds:**
Cross Guild Educational
Grants
2,000
Morton Bursary -
Musical studies for
young choristers
-
**Total restricted funds**
2,000
**Unrestricted funds:**
General funds
193,582
**Total Funds**
341,995|**Income**
**Expenditure**
**£**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
785
(785)
785
(785)
88,260
(150,536)
89,045
(151,321)|**Gains**
**and**
**Losses**
**At**
**30.9.2025**
**£**
**£**
6,519
86,617
2,999
39,844
2,398
31,868
11,916
158,329
-
2,000
-
-
-
2,000
7,774
139,080
19,690
299,409|
|---|---|---|
17 | P a g e
## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **Comparative year ended 30th September 2024**
|**13.**
**Movement in funds**
**At**
**1.10.2023**
**£**
**Endowment funds:**
Jackson Legacy
71,039
Friends of Cathedral
Music -
Unrestricted
permanent
endowment fund
32,676
Morton Bursary -
Restricted expendable
endowment fund
26,137
**Total endowment**
**Funds**
129,852
**Restricted funds:**
Cross Guild
Educational Grants
2,000
Morton Bursary -
Musical studies for
young choristers
-
**Total restricted**
**funds**
2,000
**Unrestricted funds:**
General funds
204,756
**Total Funds**
336,608|**Income**
**Expenditure**
**£**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
830
(830)
830
(830)
102,158
(130,308)
102,988
(131,138)|**Gains and**
**Losses**
**At**
**30.9.2024**
**£**
**£**
9,059
80,098
4,169
36,845
3,333
29,470
16,561
146,413
-
2,000
-
-
-
2,000
16,976
193,582
33,537
341,995|
|---|---|---|
||||
||||
||||
18 | P a g e
**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **13. Movement in funds (continued)**
## **Endowment Funds and Restricted Income Funds (continued)**
## _**Jackson Legacy**_
An amount received from the Estate of Miss Kathleen Jackson deceased. Originally, the gift to Liverpool Cathedral Foundation was to support the Liverpool Cathedral Girls Choir and was subsequently transferred to the Francis Neilson Trust when the Trust’s objects were expanded from supporting Liverpool Cathedral Boys Choir to the Choristers of Liverpool Cathedral Choir (which includes the Girls Choir).
## _**Unrestricted permanent endowment fund**_
An amount gifted by the ‘Friends of the Cathedral Music’ together with various unrestricted funds transferred from the Cathedral Foundation. The income generated from this fund is available for the general use of the charity.
## _**Restricted expendable endowment fund**_
This relates to the Morton Bursary. The income generated by this fund is restricted for the benefit of assisting choristers in their musical studies.
## **Restricted Funds**
## _**Cross Guild Educational Grants**_
When children leave the Boys Choir and the Girls Choir, they are automatically enrolled as members of the Cross Guild at Liverpool Cathedral. Members of the Cross Guild assist at Cathedral services and ceremonies. These former choristers are eligible to apply to the Francis Neilson Trust for grants to support their music related studies provided that they have not yet reached the age of 25.
## _**Morton Bursary**_
Income and expenditure in relation to the Restricted expendable endowment fund explained above.
## **Unrestricted Funds**
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.
19 | P a g e
## **FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025**
## **14**
## **. Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Investments
146,823
2,000
158,329
Current assets
25,603
-
-
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
(33,346)
-
-
**Total Funds**
139,080
2,000
158,329
|**Total**
**£**
307,152
25,603
(33,346)
299,409
|
|---|---|
Comparative information in respect of the preceding period is as follows:
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Endowmen**
**t**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Investments
135,433
2,000
146,413
Current assets
87,526
-
-
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
(29,377)
-
-
**Total Funds**
193,582
2,000
146,413
|**Total**
**£**
283,846
87,526
(29,377)
341,995|
|---|---|
## **15 Contingencies and Commitments**
## **.**
There were no contingent liabilities or financial commitments at 30th September 2025 (30th September 2024 – none).
## **16 Related Party Transactions**
## **.**
The Dean of Liverpool is a member of the Chapter, being the administrative body of Liverpool Cathedral. Ian Bakewell is a member of the Liverpool Cathedral Finance Committee and Stephen Mannings is the Director of Music, Liverpool Cathedral.
Grants payable to Liverpool Cathedral during the year amounted to £145,987 (2024 - £125,943).
## **17 Trustees’ Expenses**
**.**
None of the trustees received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the period. The total amount of reimbursed expenses was £Nil (2024 - £Nil).
20 | P a g e
**FRANCIS NEILSON TRUST FUND**
## **18 Ultimate Controlling Party**
## **.**
In the trustees’ opinion, the trust has no ultimate controlling party.
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