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2024-06-30-accounts

Charity registration number 528787

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees A Forsyth
C Moody
P Mills
S Beer
R Adams
M Wells
W Simpson
C Flavell
A McGregor
M Herbert
R Colwill
M Chilton-Jones (Appointed 11 July 2024)
Charity number 528787
Principal address Kernow House
Hill Road
Lower Boddington
Daventry
Northamptonshire
NN11 6YB
Independent examiner Whitley Stimpson Limited
Penrose House
67 Hightown Road
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX16 9BE

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 3
Independent examiner's report 4
Statement of financial activities 5 - 6
Balance sheet 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 - 15

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

Objectives and activities

Public benefit

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

Risk Management

The Trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. The Trustees consider the charity’s major risk to be a significant collapse in world stock markets.

Grant making policy

In order to reduce administration costs the Trust has increasingly made grants through partnership arrangements with selected land-based colleges and other institutions. Direct applications will still be considered subject to eligibility and availability of funds. The Trust's website has been updated to inform applicants as to procedural requirements for applications (see www.studleytrust.co.uk).

Achievements and performance

During the year the Trust received 75 enquiries directly from students, 13 applications were received and 9 direct awards were made. A further 79 awards were made by the Bursary Partnership colleges as well as under the Professional Gardeners Guild training scheme and Elizabeth Hess scholarships at Tresco.

Financial review

The charity received a large donation in 1970 from Studley College. The capital of this fund now amounts to over £3.2 million. This fund generates income which is used in accordance with the objects of the charity. The fund generated income of £131,109 in the year which funded grant awards, bursaries and related costs that totaled £105,684.

There are no restrictions on the charity’s power to invest. The investment strategy is set by the Trustees and takes account of recent demand for funds and the quality of the funding applications. The Trustees consider the income requirements, the risk profile and the investment managers’ view of the market prospects in the medium to long term. This strategy is set within an overall policy which states that the Trust funds are to be invested in a variety of assets both to spread risk and to enhance the long term prospects of overall return. Our strategy is reviewed with our investment managers regularly. In the year the charity estimated that it required income of £153,035 and we implemented a medium risk strategy. Income was above the target by £26,484.

Reserves policy

It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level that equates to not less than twelve months unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs and to respond to emergency applications for grants which arise from time to time. Unrestricted funds were maintained at this level throughout the year.

The Trustees acknowledge the generosity of the donors to the Permanent Endowment Fund – the J G Grey Travel Scholarship, the Millard Bequest and the Lady Warwick Fund. In addition the assets of the Horticultural Training Trust were transferred to this Trust during 2006/07 and £7,000 of these funds is also included within the Permanent Endowment Fund.

Plans for future periods

The charity proposes to continue making grants directly to students and also to continue to provide funding to the Bursary Partnership colleges and other partner organisations for them to allocate to appropriate students.

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

Structure, governance and management

The Trust is an unincorporated trust established by a Declaration of Trust dated 17 September 1970 and is a registered charity, number 528787. The Trust has the objective of making grants and awards to assist in the education of students of agriculture, horticulture and associated land-based activities. The Trust is governed by rules set out in the Declaration of Trust.

The Trustees who have served during the year and up to the date of signing the accounts are set out below. Trustees are appointed by the Board of Trustees. Two meetings of all Trustees and two meetings of the Trust’s Finance Committee were held during 2023/2024.

A Forsyth C Moody P Mills S Beer R Adams M Wells W Simpson C Flavell A McGregor M Herbert R Colwill M Chilton-Jones (Appointed 11 July 2024)

At the Trustees’ meetings the Trustees agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the Trust, including consideration of grant making, investment, reserves and risk management policies and performance. The day to day administration of grants and processing and handling of applications prior to consideration by the Trustees is delegated to the Secretary.

The Board of Trustees keeps the skill requirements for the Trustee Body under review and in the event that a Trustee permanently retires or additional Trustees are required, existing Trustees nominate suitable persons. The ultimate decision on selection is a matter for the Board of Trustees.

The induction process for any newly-appointed Trustee is in accordance with best practice. The welcome pack includes a brief history of the Trust, copy Board and sub-committee minutes, a copy of the last three years’ of annual reports and accounts, a copy of the governing trust deed and a copy of the Charity Commission’s guidance “The Essential Trustee: What You Need To Know”.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust and of the income and expenditure for that period. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, and;

• prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Trust will continue its operations.

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

.............................. A Forsyth Trustee Date: .............................................

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Studley College Trust (the charity) for the year ended 30 June 2024.

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

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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.

Hermione Hymers ACA Whitley Stimpson Limited Penrose House 67 Hightown Road Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9BE

Dated: .........................

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

Current financial year
Unrestricted
Endowment
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations
2
33,000
-
Investments
3
131,154
-
Total income
164,154
-
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
123,362
-
Other expenditure
9
14,309
-
Total expenditure
137,671
-
Net gains/(losses) on investments
10
-
73,420
Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds
26,483
73,420
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 July 2023
359,722
2,794,385
Fund balances at 30 June 2024
386,205
2,867,805
Total
2024
£
33,000
131,154
164,154
123,362
14,309
137,671
73,420
99,903
3,154,107
3,254,010
Total
2023
£
33,000
123,898
156,898
107,572
17,716
125,288
(156,634)
(125,024)
3,279,131
3,154,107

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

Prior financial year
Unrestricted
Endowment
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations
2
33,000
-
Investments
3
123,898
-
Total income
156,898
-
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
107,572
-
Other expenditure
9
17,716
-
Total expenditure
125,288
-
Net gains/(losses) on investments
10
-
(156,634)
Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds
31,610
(156,634)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 July 2022
328,112
2,951,019
Fund balances at 30 June 2023
359,722
2,794,385
Total
2023
£
33,000
123,898
156,898
107,572
17,716
125,288
(156,634)
(125,024)
3,279,131
3,154,107

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Investments
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
14
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets
The funds of the charity
Endowment funds
15
Unrestricted funds
2024
£
£
3,196,597
-
61,013
61,013
(3,600)
57,413
3,254,010
3,254,010
2,867,805
386,205
3,254,010
2023
£
£
3,094,766
3,970
57,891
61,861
(2,520)
59,341
3,154,107
3,154,107
2,794,385
359,722
3,154,107
2023
£
£
3,094,766
3,970
57,891
61,861
(2,520)
59,341
3,154,107
3,154,107
2,794,385
359,722
3,154,107
3,154,107
3,154,107
2,794,385
359,722
3,154,107

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on .........................

.............................. .............................. A Forsyth W Simpson Trustee Trustee

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Studley College Trust is a charitable trust registered in England and Wales. The registered address is Kernow House, Hill Road, Lower Boddington, Daventry, NN11 6YB.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Prior period error

An amendment to the prior period financial statements has been recognised within the comparative figures.

Prior period errors have previously arisen where funds received in the form of an expendable endowment had been recognised as a restricted fund for the purposes of the financial statements. The use of these funds remained in compliance with the requirements of the original endowment terms and the Charities Act.

Further information on the adjustments made to the prior period financial statements can be found in note 19.

1.3 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.

1.4 Charitable funds

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted 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.

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 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.

1.6 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

1.7 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.

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 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.

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.

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

2 Income from donations
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust 33,000 33,000
3 Income from investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Dividends and fixed interest 131,109 123,862
Interest on cash deposits 45 36
131,154 123,898
4 Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted Unrestricted
costs costs
2024 2023
£ £
Direct costs
Grant funding of activities (see note 5) 105,684 91,929
Share of support and governance costs (see note 6)
Support 9,080 7,854
Governance 8,598 7,789
123,362 107,572
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 123,362 107,572
5 Grants payable
Unrestricted Unrestricted
costs costs
2024 2023
£ £
Grants to individuals (89 grants) 105,684 91,929

Unrestricted costs

Grants and bursaries paid to assist in the education of students of agriculture, horticulture and associated land-based activities

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

6 Support costs allocated to activities

Unrestricted
costs
2024
£
Administration costs
8,422
Travelling and subsistence
658
Governance
8,599
17,679
2024
Governance costs comprise:
£
Secretarial costs
3,500
Printing, stationery, other materials
164
Telephone, website, and promotion
588
Accountancy and audit
3,600
Other expenses
747
8,599
7
Net movement in funds
2024
£
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial
statements
3,600
Total
2023
£
7,854
-
7,789
15,643
2023
£
3,500
142
770
2,520
857
7,789
2023
£
2,520

8 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. However, 4 of the trustees were reimbursed a total of £622 for travel expenses paid on behalf of the charity (2023 - £673).

9 Other expenditure

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Investment management costs 14,309 17,716

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

10 Gains and losses on investments

Endowment Endowment
funds funds
2024 2023
Gains/(losses) arising on: £ £
Revaluation of investments 89,201 (156,634)
Sale of investments (15,781) -
73,420 (156,634)

11 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

12 Fixed asset investments

Cost or valuation
At 1 July 2023
Additions
Valuation changes
Disposals
At 30 June 2024
Carrying amount
At 30 June 2024
At 30 June 2023
Investments at fair value comprise:
UK listed equities
Overseas listed equities
UK & overseas listed fixed interest securities
13
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Other debtors
Listed
investments
£
3,094,766
323,567
89,201
(310,937)
3,196,597
3,196,597
3,094,766
2024
2023
£
£
1,404,325
1,457,710
1,138,689
1,056,307
653,583
580,749
3,196,597
3,094,766
2024
2023
£
£
-
3,970

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2024 2023
£ £
Accruals 3,600 2,520

15 Endowment funds

Endowment funds consist of two separate fund balances.

The first fund balance represent assets which must be held permanently by the charity, with these amounts being recognised as a permanent endowment. Income arising on the permanent endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund.

The second fund balance represents assets donated to the charity at its registration, with these amounts being recognised as an expendable endowment. As part of this donation, the trustees have been provided with the power to use the available funds (including both capital and income) at their discretion towards furthering the objects of the charity. Income arising on the expendable endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund.

At 1
Permanent endowments
Expendable endowments
Expendable endowment
Previous year:
At 1
Permanent endowments
Expendable endowments
Expendable endowment
July 2023
Gains and
losses
At 30 June
2024
£
£
£
15,470
-
15,470
2,778,915
73,420
2,852,335
2,794,385
73,420
2,867,805
July 2022
Gains and
losses
At 30 June
2023
£
£
£
15,470
-
15,470
2,935,549
(156,634)
2,778,915
2,951,019
(156,634)
2,794,385
July 2023
Gains and
losses
At 30 June
2024
£
£
£
15,470
-
15,470
2,778,915
73,420
2,852,335
2,794,385
73,420
2,867,805
July 2022
Gains and
losses
At 30 June
2023
£
£
£
15,470
-
15,470
2,935,549
(156,634)
2,778,915
2,951,019
(156,634)
2,794,385
2,794,385

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

16 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1
General funds
Previous year:
At 1
General funds
Analysis of net assets between funds
At 30 June 2024:
Investments
Current assets/(liabilities)
At 30 June 2023:
Investments
Current assets/(liabilities)
July 2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 30 June
2024
£
£
£
£
359,722
164,154
(137,671)
386,205
July 2022
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 30 June
2023
£
£
£
£
328,112
156,898
(125,288)
359,722
Unrestricted
Endowment
Total
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
335,792
2,860,805
3,196,597
50,413
7,000
57,413
386,205
2,867,805
3,254,010
Unrestricted
Endowment
Total
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
307,381
2,787,385
3,094,766
52,341
7,000
59,341
359,722
2,794,385
3,154,107

17 Analysis of net assets between funds

18 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).

STUDLEY COLLEGE TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

19 Prior period adjustment
Changes to the balance sheet
At 30 June 2023
As previously Adjustment As restated
reported
£ £ £
Capital funds
Endowment funds 15,470 2,778,915 2,794,385
Income funds
Restricted funds 2,778,915 (2,778,915) -
Unrestricted funds 359,722 - 359,722
Total equity 3,154,107 - 3,154,107
Changes to the statement of financial activities
Period ended 30 June 2023
As previously Adjustment As restated
reported
£ £ £
Net movement in funds (125,024) - (125,024)