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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 528288

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees

Trustees R Armitage A Gavin J Crossley J Reddin S Spillane Charity number 528288 Principal address The Clerk 58 Beverley Road Leamington Spa CV32 6PJ Independent examiner Rachel Skells BA FCA The Old Exchange 64 West Stockwell Street Colchester Essex CO1 1HE

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees report 1 - 3
Independent examiner's report 4
Statement of financial activities 5
Balance sheet 6
Notes to the financial statements 7 - 13

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

TRUSTEES REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's trust deed, 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

The charity's objectives are the provision of education to children attending Ratcliffe College, Leicester with preference given to children of former pupils of Ratcliffe College and children of poor Irish parents.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Grant making policy

The Trustees review new applications for grants towards the provision of education to children in accordance with the objectives of the charity. All grants have for many years been based on financial need as against scholastic ability and the Trustees have endeavoured wherever possible to fund pupils whose parents are unable to complete their studies as a result for instance of the loss of a job or redundancy.

The Trustees have had due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and consider that the activities of the charity meet the requirements of the guidance.

The Trustees policy also necessitates review of all grants where the grantee has reached year eight at Ratcliffe College and is proceeding to GCSE. Grantees who have completed GCSE courses and are continuing to A level courses are also reviewed.

Achievements and performance

During the current financial year the fund paid over £49,000 in grants for attendance at Ratcliffe College. This level of grants is unsustainable for the Fund in the longer term, but the Trustees believed they should, in these unprecedented times, reduce their distributable reserves to aid the children of those currently at the school to help continue their education.

Financial markets have seen some volatility as a result of the economic impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The Fund is still in a healthy position with over £1.9m invested with our Fund Managers, James Hambro Partners, at 31st March 2023. This is a similar position to 31st March 2022 despite taking additional cash away from the Fund Managers during the year to pay for the grants.

The charity retains approximately one year’s grants in bank balances and the Trustees believe that in the event of any further reduction in the fund’s investments the charity will remain a going concern and be able to cover its liabilities. The Trustees will continue to closely monitor the situation, with quarterly and ad hoc reports from their professional financial advisor.

Financial review

The results for the year are shown on pages 5 to 13 of the financial statements. The charity has incurred a deficit of £17,178 before investment losses of £62,761.

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

The total unrestricted reserves at the year-end stood at £193,434 (2022: £187,908) Endowment funds totalled £1,732,643 (2022: £1,818,108). The Trustees have agreed a policy whereby unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets or investments held by the charity should be maintained at approximately a year's outgoings on scholarship awards.

Additional surplus income has been invested to provide additional income.

This policy allows for a possible reduction in the more stable parts of income and so would allow the charity to continue its activities at the current level for some years.

The Trustees have considered the risks to which the charity is exposed and have established monitoring processes to understand and mitigate those risks. Strategic and shorter-term plans are reviewed regularly and funding obtained from a number of sources. Internal risks are minimised by implementing procedures for authorising transactions, grants etc, and to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charity.

The Trustees review these procedures periodically.

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Structure, governance and management

The charity was formed following the amalgamation of the Ratcliffian Association Centenary Fund, Ratcliffian Association Land Trust, Cunningham Centenary Fund, and the Ratcliffian Association University Scholarship Trust Fund.

The approval of this scheme was given by the Association Council on 27 November 1997, and the scheme was registered with the Charity Commissioners for England & Wales (registered number 528288) and is regulated by schemes sealed on 7 January 1998.

It is with great sadness that John Tucker who served as a dedicated Trustee for many years died unexpectedly whilst in office during the year. His replacement has not yet taken place. Our thoughts are with his family.

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: R Armitage A Gavin J Crossley J Reddin J Tucker (Deceased 14 February 2023) S Spillane

Provincial of the Institute of Charity and the Headmaster are ex-officio Trustees. Other Trustees are appointed by the Council of the Ratcliffian Association for periods of 4 years in accordance with the scheme rules. All Trustees are long standing and experienced. Any new Trustees are advised concerning their duties and responsibilities by the Clerk to the Charity.

New co-optative trustees are appointed by the Ratcliffian Association Council based on their character, experience and suitability for trusteeship of the Charity and receive ad hoc training.

The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

R Armitage Trustee Dated: 14 November 2023

J Crossley Trustee Dated:14 November 2023

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Ratcliffian Association and Cunningham Fund (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Rachel Skells BA FCA

The Old Exchange 64 West Stockwell Street Colchester Essex CO1 1HE

Dated: 14 November 2023

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted Endowment
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and
legacies
2
395
-
Investments
3
29,128
-
Total income
29,523
-
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
-
4,834
Charitable activities
5
41,867
-
Total expenditure
41,867
4,834
Net gains/(losses)
on investments
9
17,870
(80,631)
Net movement in funds
5,526
(85,465)
Fund balances at 1 April
2022
187,908
1,818,108
Fund balances at 31 March
2023
193,434
1,732,643
Total
Unrestricted Endowment
funds
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
395
495
-
29,128
20,810
-
29,523
21,305
-
4,834
-
4,038
41,867
99,792
-
46,701
99,792
4,038
(62,761)
604
49,275
(79,939)
(77,883)
45,237
2,006,016
265,791
1,772,871
1,926,077
187,908
1,818,108
Total
2022
£
495
20,810
21,305
4,038
99,792
103,830
49,879
(32,646)
2,038,662
2,006,016

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Investments
11
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
12
Net current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities
Capital funds
Endowment funds - general
13
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
14
General unrestricted funds
2023
£
34,486
(50,522)
-
193,434
£
1,942,113
(16,036)
1,926,077
1,732,643
193,434
1,926,077
2022
£
32,420
(58,934)
48,040
139,868
£
2,032,530
(26,514)
2,006,016
1,818,108
187,908
2,006,016

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 14 November 2023

R Armitage J Crossley Trustee Trustee

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

The Ratcliffian Association and Cunningham Fund is a charity, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and is regulated by the Trust Deed dated 7 January 1998.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's trust deed, 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

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 have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected.

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure on grants is recorded once the Trust has made an unconditional commitment to pay the grant and this is communicated to the beneficiary or the grant has been paid, whichever is the earlier.

Other expenditure is included in the accounts on the accruals basis. Irrecoverable VAT is charged to the SOFA as incurred.

The cost of managing investments is split 25:75 between administration fees charged to raising funds and endowment investment fees charged to unrealised gains on investments.

1.6 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. Financial assets comprise cash at bank together with other debtors. Cash at bank is defined as all cash held in instant access bank accounts and used as working capital. Investments are held at fair value at the balance sheet date, with gains and losses being recognised within income and expenditure. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise all creditors.

2 Donations and legacies

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Donations and gifts 395 495

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

3 Investments

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Income from listed investments 28,310 20,389
Interest receivable 818 421
29,128 20,810

4 Raising funds

Endowment Endowment
funds funds
general general
2023 2022
£ £
Investment management 4,834 4,038
4,834 4,038

The portfolio is managed by James Hambro. Investment managers fees for the year totalled £19,337 (2022: £16,153) and have been split 25:75 between raising funds (£4,834) and unrealised gains on investments (£14,503) and both expensed within the endowment funds.

5 Charitable activities

Charitable activities
Independent examiners fees
Sundry expenses
Grant funding of activities (see note 6)
2023
£
2,935
105
3,040
38,827
41,867
2022
£
1,074
168
1,242
98,550
99,792

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6 Grants payable

Grants to individuals 2023
£
38,827
38,827
2022
£
98,550
98,550

7 Trustees

During the year, no Trustees received remuneration for their services (2022: £Nil). During the year, one trustee was reimbursed a total of £70 for travel expenses (2022: £133).

8 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2023 2022
Number Number
Total - -

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

9 Net gains/(losses) on investments

Unrestricted Endowment
Total
funds
funds
2023
general
£
£
£
Revaluation of investments
11,305
(98,855)
(87,550)
Gain/(loss) on sale of investments
6,565
18,224
24,789
17,870
(80,631)
(62,761)
For the year ended 31 March
2022
604
49,275
Total
2022
£
6,365
43,514
49,879
49,879

10 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11 Fixed asset investments

Listed
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2022
1,913,746
Additions
604,842
Valuation changes
(87,550)
Movements
-
Gain on sale of investments
39,290
Disposals
(572,431)
At 31 March 2023
1,897,897
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2023
1,897,897
At 31 March 2022
1,913,746
Cash in
portfolio
£
118,784
-
-
(74,568)
-
-
44,216
44,216
118,784
Total
£
2,032,530
604,842
(87,550)
(74,568)
39,290
(572,431)
1,942,113
1,942,113
2,032,530

12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Bursaries pledged for future terms
Accruals and deferred income
2023
£
42,642
7,880
50,522
2022
£
52,860
6,074
58,934

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

13 Endowment funds

The income earned by the endowment investments is utilised to provide grants in accordance with the charity's governing document.

Balance at Resources Balance at
1 April 2022 expended 31 March 2023
£ £ £
Expendable endowments
Endowment fund 1,818,108 (85,465) 1,732,643
1,818,108 (85,465) 1,732,643

Endowment funds are funds which have been given to the charity subject to the restriction that they are held as capital.

14 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which had been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees. This fund was set aside in 2020 specifically for the provision of additional Covid-19 support grants which were to be awarded to families with children at the school who have been financially effected by the pandemic.

During the year, £nil grants were awarded from the emergency Covid-19 support designated funds (2022: £nil) and the trustees decided in November 2022 to undesignate this fund and transfer the balance back to general unrestricted funds..

Movement
in funds
Balance at
1 April 2021
Incoming
resources
Balance at
1 April 2022
£
£
£
COVID-19 Relief fund
48,040
-
48,040
48,040
-
48,040
Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2023
£
£
(48,040)
-
(48,040)
-
Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2023
£
£
(48,040)
-
(48,040)
-
-

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AND CUNNINGHAM FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

15
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Endowment
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Fund balances at 31
March 2023 are
represented by:
Investments
196,504
1,745,609
Current
assets/(liabilities)
(16,036)
-
180,468
1,745,609
Total Unrestricted
funds
Endowment
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
1,942,113
223,857
1,808,673
(16,036)
(26,514)
-
1,926,077
197,343
1,808,673
Total
2022
£
2,032,530
(26,514)
2,006,016

16 Related party transactions

There were no further disclosable related party transactions during the year other than those included in note 8 of the financial statements (2022- none).