Charity registration number 1085497 (England and Wales)
Company registration number 03837167
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
K Corrigan
M Edgington
S Crew
S Jewell
S Lancey
R Wand
T Gent
(Appointed 9 December 2024)
A Blatchford
(Appointed 4 November 2024)
M Flavell
(Appointed 4 November 2024)
C Mckinnell
A Duncan
Secretary
S Lancey
Senior management
S Crew
Chair
T Gent
Treasurer
Charity number (England and Wales)
1085497
Company number
03837167
Registered office
Avon & Somerset Constabulary
PO Box 87 Valley Road
Portishead
Bristol
United Kingdom
BS20 8QJ
Independent examiner
Xeinadin South Wales & West Limited
Edinburgh House
1-5 Bellevue Road
Clevedon
North Somerset
BS21 7NP
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 4
Independent examiner's report
5
Statement of financial activities
6
Balance sheet
7
Notes to the financial statements
8 - 13
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 1 -

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, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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)".

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

The objectives of The Avon and Somerset Constabulary Benevolent Fund (hereafter referred to as ‘the Fund’)

are as follows;

 

a) To support and to make grants and donations to persons and organisations who are concerned

with the provision of relief in cases of need, including the following:

 

(i) The Gurney Fund

(ii) The Police Convalescent Home

(iii) The Police Dependants’ Trust

(iv) The Widows’ Funds of the former Bath City Police, the former Bristol Constabulary and the

former Somerset Constabulary.

 

b) To relieve by grants or loans or otherwise necessitous members of the following, particular

consideration being given to those in hospital or convalescence:

 

(i) The Constabulary

(ii) Pensioned Members of the Constabulary

(iii) Pensioned members of the former Bath City Police, the former Bristol Constabulary, the

former Somerset Constabulary and the former Somerset and Bath Constabulary, together

with necessitous widows and dependants of any such persons.

 

c) In exceptional circumstances grants and loans may be made to other persons who are in need

and who in the opinion of the Management Committee are closely connected with the constabulary

or with former Police Forces as listed in (b) above.

 

Grants are made at the discretion of the Trustees, based on applications received.

Public benefit

We have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives. All of these aims are undertaken to further our objectives for the public benefit.

 

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

 

Achievements and performance
Significant activities and achievements against objectives

Objectives and policies

The objectives of the charity are the prevention or relief of poverty, suffering, distress, ill-health or financial hardship amongst the Beneficiaries, in particular but not exclusively by providing grants, loans and/or such other financial assistance and support to those individuals in such ways as the Trustees see fit from time to time.

THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 2 -

Cash flow risk

The charity’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The charity uses foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures.

Interest bearing assets and liabilities are held at fixed rate to ensure certainty of cash flows.

Credit risk

The charity’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments.

The charity’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows.

The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies.

The charity has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.

Liquidity risk

In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing operations and future developments, the charity uses a mixture of long-term and short-term debt finance.

Further details regarding liquidity risk can be found in the Statement of accounting policies in the financial statements.

Financial review
Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Fund has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Fund has been able to continue its charitable activities and maintain a strong cash position. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

 

Reserves policy

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.

Structure, governance and management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee .... .
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 3 -

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:

K Corrigan
M Edgington
S Crew
A Farooq
(Resigned 31 May 2025)
S Jewell
S Lancey
N Last
(Resigned 31 December 2024)
R Wand
T Gent
(Appointed 9 December 2024)
A Blatchford
(Appointed 4 November 2024)
M Flavell
(Appointed 4 November 2024)
C Mckinnell
A Duncan
Recruitment and appointment of trustees

Other than the current Trustees, Serving Member Trustees and the Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed by the Trustees for terms of three years and a Trustee who has served their term must retire at the next meeting of the Trustees that occurs nearest to the expiry of their term.

 

A retiring Serving Member Trustee, Secretary or Treasurer who remains eligible may be reappointed.

 

A Trustee may not act as a Trustee until they have expressly acknowledged, in whatever way the Trustees decide, their acceptance of the office of Trustee and confirmation that they meet the eligibility criteria and are not subject to automatic termination of their trusteeship under Article 4.13.

 

Number of Trustees

When complete, there shall be at least three and not more than fifteen Trustees all of whom must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Trustees from time to time and/or as expressly provided in the Articles and must not be subject to automatic termination of their trusteeship under Article 4.13. If the number of Trustees falls below three, the remaining Trustees may only act to appoint further Trustees as required.

 

The Trustees shall comprise the following:

 

a) Up to six Nominated Trustees

b) The Chief Constable who shall be a trustee ex-officio

c) Up to six Trustees each of whom shall be service Officers or members of Police staff or volunteers of the Constabulary (the Serving Member Trustees)

d) The Secretary

d) The Treasurer to the charity

 

 

The Trustees shall have the power of co-opting up to three additional trustees and termination of any co-option.

 

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 4 -

The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to follow the CBI's Prompt Payers Code (copies are available from the CBI, Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU).

 

The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to:

 

 

 

Other matters

Induction and training of trustees

The Trustees continually review the number of trustees and recruits when required. New Trustees have their responsibilities explained by the existing Trustees and other professional advisors as appropriate.

 

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

S Crew
Trustee
19 June 2025
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
- 5 -

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Avon & Somerset Constabulary Benevolent Fund (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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.

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:

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

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

4

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.

Xeinadin South Wales & West Limited
Edinburgh House
1-5 Bellevue Road
Clevedon
North Somerset
BS21 7NP
19 June 2025
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 6 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
26,312
31,511
Investments
4
170
14,396
Total income
26,482
45,907
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
112,483
55,538
Total expenditure
112,483
55,538
Net gains/(losses) on investments
9
101,011
(100,794)
Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds
15,010
(110,425)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 January 2024
1,153,643
1,264,068
Fund balances at 31 December 2024
1,168,653
1,153,643

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

THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2024
31 December 2024
- 7 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Investments
11
1,050,025
1,049,015
Current assets
Debtors
12
55,290
40,480
Cash at bank and in hand
68,478
69,068
123,768
109,548
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
13
(5,140)
(4,920)
Net current assets
118,628
104,628
Total assets less current liabilities
1,168,653
1,153,643
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
14
1,168,653
1,153,643
1,168,653
1,153,643

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 19 June 2025
S Crew
Trustee
Company registration number 03837167 (England and Wales)
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 8 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

The Avon & Somerset Constabulary Benevolent Fund is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Avon & Somerset Constabulary, PO Box 87 Valley Road, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8QJ, United Kingdom.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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)". 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 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 the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and 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.

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.
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. 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.

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. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 9 -
1.5
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.

 

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.

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 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.

1.8
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.

 

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.

THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 10 -
Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.9
Employee benefits

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 charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

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.

3
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Donations and gifts
26,312
31,511
4
Income from investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Other income
-
14,263
Interest receivable
170
133
170
14,396
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 11 -
5
Expenditure on charitable activities
Heading #ac982
Heading #ac982
2024
2023
£
£
Direct costs
Accountancy
2,621
4,499
Legal fees
-
4,676
2,621
9,175
Grant funding of activities (see note 6)
109,862
46,363
112,483
55,538
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
112,483
55,538
6
Grants payable
Heading #ac982
Heading #ac982
2024
2023
£
£
Grants to individuals
109,862
46,363
-
7
Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
8
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024
2023
Number
Number
Total
-
0
-
0
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:

THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 12 -
9
Gains and losses on investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
Gains/(losses) arising on:
£
£
Sale of investments
101,011
(100,794)
10
Taxation

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

11
Fixed asset investments
Investments
Cash in portfolio
Total
£
£
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2024
1,025,024
23,991
1,049,015
Valuation changes
106,651
(5,641)
101,010
Disposals
(100,000)
-
(100,000)
At 31 December 2024
1,031,675
18,350
1,050,025
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
1,031,675
18,350
1,050,025
At 31 December 2023
1,025,024
23,991
1,049,015
12
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
(1)
(1)
Other debtors
55,291
40,481
55,290
40,480
13
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Trade creditors
2,490
2,400
Accruals and deferred income
2,650
2,520
5,140
4,920
THE AVON & SOMERSET CONSTABULARY BENEVOLENT FUND
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 13 -
14
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 January 2024
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Gains and losses
At 31 December 2024
£
£
£
£
£
General funds
1,153,643
26,482
(112,483)
101,011
1,168,653
Previous year:
At 1 January 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Gains and losses
At 31 December 2023
£
£
£
£
£
General funds
1,264,068
45,907
(55,538)
(100,794)
1,153,643
2024-12-312024-01-01falsefalseCCH SoftwareiXBRL Review & Tag 2024.2038371672024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director12024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director22024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director32024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director52024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:CompanySecretary12024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director72024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director82024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director92024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director102024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director112024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director122024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director42024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:Director62024-01-012024-12-31038371672024-12-31038371672023-12-31038371672023-01-012023-12-3103837167bus:FRS1022024-01-012024-12-3103837167char:IndependentExaminationCharity2024-01-012024-12-3103837167bus:FullAccounts2024-01-012024-12-31xbrli:purexbrli:sharesiso4217:GBP