Charity Registration Number 800203
THE STARFISH TRUST
Report and Financial Statements 5 April 2025
THE STARFISH TRUST
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
| CONTENTS | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Officers and professional advisers | 1 |
| Trustees’ report | 2 |
| Trustees’ statement of responsibilities | 4 |
| Independent examiners’ report | 5 |
| Receipts and payments | 6 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 |
THE STARFISH TRUST
OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
TRUSTEES
Mr C E Dobson Mrs M Dobson Mr J C Dobson Mrs S M Dobson
REGISTERED OFFICE
3 Gloucester Road Almondsbury Bristol BS32 4BJ
CHARITY NUMBER
800203
BANKERS
Coutts & Co Bristol Office 33-35 Queen Square Bristol BS1 4LU
SOLICITORS
Bond Dickinson LLP 3 Temple Quay Temple Back East Bristol BS1 6DZ
ACCOUNTANT
Deloitte LLP Halo Counterslip BS1 6AJ
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Bevan Buckland LLP Cardigan House Castle Court Swansea SA7 9LA
- 1 -
THE STARFISH TRUST
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
The trustees present their annual report together with the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity Commission guidance for Receipts and payments accounts pack (CC16).
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The Starfish Trust is a registered charity (number 800203). Its registered office is as shown on page 1. The trustees who served during the year, and subsequently, are shown on page 1.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is governed by its Trust Deed dated 27 September 1988 between Charles Edward Dobson and Mary Dobson, who were the original trustees.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the charity. The power to appoint new trustees is vested in the trustees.
OBJECTS, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the charity are to apply the income and, at their absolute discretion, apply all or part of the capital of the Trust for or towards such exclusively charitable purposes or purpose or such exclusively charitable institutions or institution at such time or times and in such manner as the trustees in their absolute discretion see fit.
GRANT MAKING POLICY
It is the trustees’ policy to give priority to appeals from charitable organisations based within a radius of 25 miles of the center of Bristol in the following spheres:
-
Assistance to the disabled, with the priority being disabled children;
-
Assistance to those suffering from illness or disease; and
-
Medical research and welfare in the above areas.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s objectives and in planning for the short term.
GOING CONCERN
The Starfish Trust is funded by the four trustees, Charles E Dobson, Mary Dobson, Julian C Dobson and Suzanne M Dobson, with no contribution from outside parties. Grants made in the years since its inception have amounted to over £6.75 million. This income is generated from the Dobson family business interests.
The trustees have confirmed their willingness to provide ongoing financial support for the Starfish Trust’s charitable activities for the foreseeable future.
- 2 -
THE STARFISH TRUST
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
RESERVES POLICY
The trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds held by the charity are maintained in order to generate incoming resources annually which are then spent in line with the charity’s objects.
The reserves as at 5 April 2025 are £14,528 (2024: £28,411). The Trustees review the financial position of the charity to ensure that it has sufficient reserves to meet its obligations as they fall due.
RISK REVIEW
The trustees have conducted their own review of the risks to which the charity is exposed, and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects and to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charity. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity.
REVIEW OF TRANSACTIONS
Grants made during the year ended 5 April 2025 totalled £43,380 (2024: £16,718).
The Trust’s only sources of income during the year were donations of £22,500 from J C Dobson, Trustee and Gift Aid receipt of £22,275 (with interest of £1,202).
Approved by the trustees on …………………………… 03/02/2026 ..
C E Dobson – Trustee M Dobson – Trustee J C Dobson – Trustee S M Dobson - Trustee
- 3 -
THE STARFISH TRUST
TRUSTEES’ STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.
The law applicable to charities in England and 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;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
- 4 -
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES ON THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE STARFISH TRUST
I report on the accounts of the charitable trust for the year ended 5 April 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 8.
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 145 (5) (b) of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 145(1) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act);
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Dated: 3 February 2026
………………….
Mr Michael Jones
Bevan Buckland LLP Cardigan House Castle Court Swansea SA7 9LA
- 5 -
THE STARFISH TRUST
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS Year ended 5 April 2025
| Note RECEIPTS From voluntary sources Donations Investment income UK Interest Other income Other interest Gift Aid repayment TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR PAYMENTS Charitable expenditure Donations Other expenditure Accountancy fee Website and marketing costs Payments sub-totals TOTAL PAYMENTS FOR YEAR Net (payments)/receipts Cash funds held at 5 April 2024 Cash funds held at 5 April 2025 £ |
2025 2024 £ £ 22,500 18,000 169 73 1,202 - 22,275 - 46,146 18,073 43,380 16,718 - 1,020 - 5,342 43,380 23,080 43,380 23,080 2,766 (5,007) 1,636 6,643 4,402 £ 1,636 |
|---|---|
- 6 -
THE STARFISH TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 5 April 2025
| Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| CASH FUNDS | £ | £ |
| Cash at bank | 4,402 | 1,636 |
| OTHER MONETARY ASSETS | ||
| Tax reclaim | 10,125 | 26,775 |
| 10,125 | 26,775 | |
| TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS | 14,527 | 28,411 |
Approved by the Trustees and signed by:
C E Dobson - Trustee
M Dobson - Trustee
J C Dobson - Trustee S M Dobson - Trustee
Date 03/02/2026
- 7 -
THE STARFISH TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 5 April 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011.
Particular accounting policies adopted by the trustees are described below.
a) Income and expenditure
Income and expenditure is accounted for on a receipts and payments basis.
2 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Loans of £nil were repaid during the year to J C and S Dobson, trustees (2024 - nil). The loans were interest-free and repayable on demand.
3 DONATIONS
| Cerebral Palsy Plus Freya Foundation Jigsaw Thornbury Designability Charity Ltd Make a Move Keynsham and District Mencap Society Spencer Dayman Meningitis Research Wellow Group RDA Young and Free Flamingo Chicks Ups and Downs South West |
£ 3,000 2,000 1,400 6,000 5,000 10,410 250 1,000 2,320 5,000 7,000 |
|---|---|
| 43,380 |
- 8 -