The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024.
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 society's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 society's objectives are to operate for the public benefit for the following purposes in the area encompassed within a 10 mile radius centred on the Town Hall, Hunstanton:
- To promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit;
- To educate the public in the geography, history and natural history and architecture in the area of benefit; and
- To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in the area of benefit.
- To promote and preserve for the benefit of the public a museum and local studies centre with material of historical, artistic and social importance to the people in the area of benefit.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the society should undertake.
Although still well down from pre-Covid pandemic levels, compared to the previous year there has been no indication of any significant difference in visitor numbers to the Heritage Centre. There is also a slight increase in Society membership. This indicates a steady progress.
We have begun several initiatives that should result in improved visitor numbers and income going forward, including the creation of a specific “Events” team to promote our presence in the wider community and improved membership experience, improved signage for the Heritage centre, and a review update in our items for sale. We have also started renting out the Heritage centre to the U3a French Conversation group on a twice-monthly basis.
We continue the process of applying to the Arts Council England for ‘working towards Accredited Museum Status’ and grateful to SHARE Museum East for their support in the process.
As part of this, the Accessioning group completed the large task of recording all the items that we have in the Heritage Centre and continues to meet for accessioning new items. The coming year will see a focus on completing the forma policies and procedures relating to accreditation.
As part of the improvement of the Society’s offering, under Norfolk Community Foundation's "West Norfolk Rural Community Capital Grants Fund" we completed the purchase of radio sets and a transmitter for a tour guide. This has been trialled during the Norfolk Heritage Days, and the plan is to schedule various tours in the new season.
The History Group is now established and meets monthly. Members work on subjects that they are interested in or answering queries submitted by visitors or other members, in person or online via our website.
Monthly Talks continue to take place in the Heritage Centre over nine months of the year.
It is the policy of the society 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 society’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. The present level of reserves held is £19,860 (2023 - £16,280). This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the society is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The society is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 18 June 2020. It was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on 30 June 2020.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Members of the Society are invited to be nominated onto the Committee of Trustees prior to the Annual General Meeting with approaches made where individuals are identified as having attributes that the Committee consider would support the activities of the Society.
None of the trustees have any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £10 in the event of a winding up.
Three Officers are elected at the Annual General Meeting - a Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. In addition, there are at least three additional trustees elected onto the Committee. These are all Nominated, Proposed and Seconded by members of the Society and are responsible for running the activities of the Society which are run in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the financial statements of Hunstanton Society for the year ended 30 September 2024, which comprise the statement of financial activities and the related notes from the charity’s accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.
As a practising member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at https://www.icaew.com/regulation.
This report is made to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 9 November 2020. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial statements of Hunstanton Society and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the charity's trustees, as a body, in this report in accordance with ICAEW Technical Release 07/16 AAF. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than Hunstanton Society and the charity's trustees as a body, for our work or for this report.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Hunstanton Society is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Heritage Centre, Northgate, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6BB.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the society's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 society is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The society 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 in sterling, which is the functional currency of the society. 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.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the society 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.
The Trustees consider the attendance and associated income from the Heritage Centre broadly in line with the previous year, there were some one-off higher maintenance costs in the Centre this year but there was still a surplus in the Income & Expenditure analysis. Overall funds increased following a large donation.
The Trustees consider that there continues to be no requirement for an impairment to be reflected in these accounts. The Trustees therefore consider it appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on a going concern basis.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
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.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the society has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Membership subscriptions are regarded as being donations to the Society and where a Gift Aid declaration has been received, Gift Aid is claimed from HMRC in respect of these.
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Contractual arrangements and performance related grants are recognised as goods or services are supplied. Other grant payments are recognised when a constructive obligation arises that result in the payment being unavoidable.
Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
Charitable activities are those costs incurred by the charity in meeting its charitable objectives.
Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with the constitutional and statutory requirements.
All support and governance costs have been allocated to charitable activities as this is the main activity during the period.
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
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.
The society 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 society's balance sheet when the society 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, 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, 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.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the society’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the society is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Grants
Sale of guide books, DVDs, calendars and talks
Guide books, DVDs, calendars and talks
Hunstanton Heritage Centre
Hunstanton Society
Hunstanton Heritage Centre
Hunstanton Society
Walking tours radio equipment
Computer equipment
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the society during the year.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Twinning Funds is a balance remaining from Donations made specifically for the Twinning of Hunstanton with the 67th Special Operations Squadron of the United States Air Force.
Grant for Walking Tours Radio Equipment – The Society applied for a grant from the Norfolk Community Foundation’s “West Norfolk Rural Community Capital Grants Fund” towards the equipment required to run guided walks around Hunstanton, led by members or friends of the Society. The application was successful and funds equivalent to 75% of the cost of equipment were received just prior to year-end. The equipment was ordered (and delivered) shortly after year-end.
The Society applied for a grant from Norfolk County Council for a laptop computer for the Heritage Centre, its primary purpose to create a database for the Inventory of the Heritage Centre artefacts. This is to help towards the accreditation of the centre as a museum. The amount was specific to the laptop with security cable and so covered the cost of equipment (apart from £58 due to spec/price change shown under Heritage Centre equipment)
The Society received a donation of £3,406 from the family of the late Brian Holmes, one of the founders of the society, to be spent specifically on the Heritage Centre.
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.
There have been no related party transactions during the year.
The charitable company changed it's name from Hunstanton & District Civic Society to Hunstanton Society on 11 January 2023.