The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 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 charity'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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).
The main object of the Association is the advancement of agriculture and horticulture and allied industries including the holding of an Annual Show at Okehampton in the County of Devon.
These objectives are met by the organisation structure of an Executive Committee who consider suggestions from a Management Committee of eight members.
Showday income decreased this year to a total of £142,895 with showday costs increasing to £185,685, resulting a loss on the day of £42,790 compared with a loss of £314 last year. In addition to income from investments and the Caravan Park left a net income of £34,820 (2023: £56,335).
The financial affairs remain in a satisfactory condition with no capital expenditure in the year (2023: £16,850 financed from reserves). At 31 December 2024, the Association held reserves of £1,437,127 (2022: £1,397,582).
The Trustees have reviewed the reserves policy of the Charity and with the history of shows being cancelled in 2008, 2009 and 2020 some due to inclement weather and the other to the Pandemic, resulting in deficits, the Trustees estimate that there are sufficient reserves to cover such potential deficits but that cash reserves of £200,000 should be retained. Consideration has been given to insurance against inclement weather but the premiums continue to be high with some restrictions as to cover.
The charitable company was incorporated on 8 July 2009 and commenced operations on 1 January 2010 when the assets and liabilities of the previously unincorporated charity (number 272910) were transferred into the company.
A report covering the major risks to which the charity may be exposed was commissioned and is reviewed every three years. There are volunteer officers who cover the risk areas.
Subject as otherwise provided in the rules and to any further direction of the Charity Commissioners. The Executive Committee shall have power to raise, borrow or make such investments of the Association's monies as they shall from time to time deem desirable and may appoint nominees to hold any such investments on the Association's behalf.
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:
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Okehampton and District Agricultural Association (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
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:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirement for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
Okehampton and District Agricultural Association is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is South Narraton Farm, Narratons Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1SL.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity'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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 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 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.
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.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
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.
Income from the holding of the agricultural show is included in the period to which it relates on a cash receivable basis.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity 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.
Rental income is accrued in accordance with the period to which it relates and is recognised as such in the general fund.
Bank interest is received gross to the statement of financial activities as it accrues. It is allocated to the general fund.
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.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Items included in other expenditure are costs which are not incurred directly in any of the charitable activities or projects of the charity.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost, net of depreciation.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
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.
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, 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 charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
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.
Charitable Income
Charitable Income
Entry fees
Gates and advance ticket sales
Special prizes and sponsorship money
Subscriptions and VP collections
Donations and hire
Showfield income
Investment income
Interest received: Bank accounts
Charitable Expenditure
Charitable Expenditure
Advertising
Commission on gates
Fee to rotary club
St Johns ambulance
Local organisations - help on day
Entertainment
Hire of field for car park
Hire of showday equipment
Judging fees and expenses
Loud speaker service
Printing catalogues, schedules and entry forms
Printing, stationery and post
Prize money and awards
Public transport
Repairs and renewals and labour
Charitable Expenditure
Charitable Expenditure
The number of grants made to individuals during the year was 5 (2023: 3). These had an aggregate value of £3,550 (2023: £1,500).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The Association employed one full-time employee during the year, who received £26,162 (2023: £23,812) in salary.
Sundry expenses
Telephone
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The carrying value of the investment properties included within tangible fixed assets is £531,500 (2023: £533,398).
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.
The key management personnel of the Association comprise the trustees and the Show Secretary.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).