REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
| UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
FOR |
| BEXHILL MUSEUM |
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
| UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
FOR |
| BEXHILL MUSEUM |
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 5 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
Balance Sheet | 8 | to | 9 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 | to | 22 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04959445) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
| The stated objectives of the charity are to provide a museum in order to promote, maintain, improve and advance the education of the public for their benefit, particularly by the presentation of exhibitions, lectures and other means of study relating to the display of local history, archaeology, history of costume, technology and engineering, the arts, ethnography, geology and social history. |
Public benefit |
| The Trustees have confirmed that they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in their opinion the foregoing report on the achievements and performance demonstrates that they have complied therewith. |
BEXHILL MUSEUM (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04959445) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE |
Charitable activities |
| Bexhill Museum continued to deliver its core mission: preserving, interpreting, and sharing its collections with the public. In 2024-25, this included a broad programme of exhibitions, education, and collections care, while laying the groundwork for major capital works in 2025-26. |
| Key policy and documentation updates required for Arts Council England re-accreditation were completed, including a new emergency plan, revised conservation policies, and combined documentation procedures. A review of access, keyholding, and lone working led to improved security, and new digital sensors enhanced environmental monitoring in the Sargent Gallery. |
| More than 1,600 pupils from 23 local schools visited in 2024-25. The museum launched new sessions on Pirates, the Arctic and Law & Order and partnered with Bexhill College to explore opportunities for 16-18-year-olds. Holiday activities remained popular, especially dinosaur-themed sessions.. |
| Engagement with community groups, wellbeing initiatives, and local arts and heritage organisations expanded. Volunteer training included Mental Health First Aid and a safeguarding review. Evening visits by local Scouts and Guides were especially successful, and the museum welcomed over 700 visitors in one evening during the January 2024 Bexhill After Dark festival. |
| A highlight of the year was the restoration of Bexhill's 1895 Merryweather horse-drawn fire engine. Funded by public donations and a local firefighter-led campaign, the restored engine was presented at a special event by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, complete with two shire horses and attendance from past and present firefighters. |
| A lively programme of temporary exhibitions complemented permanent displays, including Blazing Saddles, on pioneering women cyclists, Hats, Hats, Hats and a waistcoat-themed weekend with costume expert J. François-Campbell |
| New or refreshed displays focused on the Bexhill fire service, Victorian cycling, and the town's historic streetscape. The museum's painting of Hoad's Mill by L.S. Lowry will be loaned to the Towner Gallery in 2025. |
| The museum was again supported by a committed team of volunteers, who contributed to operations, outreach, fundraising, maintenance, and collections work. Volunteer-led fundraising activities raised £10,620. Highlights included a quiz night, open garden, fashion show, Tai Chi classes, summer lectures, talks at St Augustine's Church, guided walks, and stalls at local events. The volunteer-run museum shop increased its annual takings to £16,620. |
| Volunteer-earned income remains essential to financial sustainability, especially with the likely end of Rother District Council's service agreement in 2026-27 and uncertainty around future local government funding. |
| Volunteers also supported curatorial work, helping restore the Merryweather engine, relocate collections, and manage special events, including a naturist evening tour managed with professionalism and humour. Specialists assisted with the cleaning, accessioning, and pest-control of historic costumes and textiles, including donations from Pevensey Town Trust. |
BEXHILL MUSEUM (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04959445) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Financial position |
The museum made major strides in strategic fundraising during 2024-25. Core unrestricted income-admissions, shop takings-covered daily operations, while external grant funding became increasingly vital for capital and development work. |
The major achievement was securing a £390,389 grant from DCMS via Arts Council England's MEND (Museum Estate & Development Fund), alongside £113,000 from East Sussex County Council. Together, these funds will support critical infrastructure work in 2025-26: flood-proofing, structural repairs, improved storage, and better environmental conditions for the collection. A total of £197,330 was received in the year. |
Early progress was made preparing for the works. The lower ground floor store was cleared for these works, with objects moved to temporary storage in Bexhill and Pevensey. This also enabled valuable redocumentation work: reviewing artefacts long in storage, checking condition, and repacking. Trustees began establishing a framework for ethical disposal of items that are duplicated, un-accessioned, damaged, or outside the museum's collecting remit. |
The MEND award also allowed the museum to plan for future developments, including a potential new archaeological store and education space by converting disused public toilets in Egerton Park. Beyond capital investment, the museum strengthened ties with local and regional funders. It deepened its partnership with the De La Warr Pavilion under its Transforming Heritage programme, co-leading a new initiative to locate the Pavilion's cultural and architectural archives across Sussex and around the world. |
Looking forward, Bexhill Museum is shifting from reactive grant-seeking to a strategic, integrated fundraising approach. Future bids will align with board-approved objectives: operational sustainability, dynamic collections, and inclusive public engagement. The Development & Finance Sub-Committee will guide this transition, prioritising high-value national bids, strategic match funding, and coordination with local cultural investment strategies. |
Reserves policy |
| The unrestricted General Fund, representing funds available for the day-to-day operation of the Museum, at the end of March 2025 stood at £28,266. The balance of restricted funds at the end of the year, monies restricted for specific donor funded activities, was £225,702. |
| We treat total unrestricted income over the year, which came to £112,898 in 2024-25, as our working turnover figure. We then ensure that no less that ten percent of this is held as a minimum reserve within the General Fund balance in the unlikely event of an enforced closure. |
| In that event the collection would have to be relocated or ethically disposed of, and liabilities such as legal fees or redundancies covered - though in almost every reasonable circumstance the museum would be able claim insurance to cover such expenses. |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The Company's governing documents are its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 9 October 2003 and amended by written resolution dated 10 February 2004 and special resolutions dated 3 October 2012 and 20 October 2021. Copies of these documents are available by request. The company is limited by guarantee. |
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
| The power of appointing new or additional Trustees is vested in the Trustees. Prior to appointment, new Trustees would be introduced to the workings of the charity, given a role description and advised of their responsibilities. |
BEXHILL MUSEUM (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04959445) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Organisational structure |
| The Management Team is appointed by the Trustees and meet weekly to review activities and manage the museum on a day-to-day basis. The group is made up of the volunteer coordinator, Gordon Smith, the Business Support Officer, Rohan Jayasekera, a representative of the Collections Care team, Stella Hales-Morris, and the Curator Julian Porter. |
| There is currently only one formal staff employee of the Museum, housekeeper Toni Neville, employed part-time for housekeeping duties. Rother District Curator Julian Porter MA is seconded by Rother District Council as Curator to Bexhill Museum. Rohan Jayasekera MSc MA is contracted by the Museum month-by-month on a part-time freelance basis as Business Support Officer. |
Risk management |
| The Trustees have reviewed and identified the risks to which the charity is exposed and have ensured that appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The Trustees have updated the existing Child Protection Policy to take account of changes in practice regarding the Safeguarding of vulnerable adults. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
Trustees |
Patron |
Suzy Izzard |
Honorary President |
Presently vacant: Mr D J Betts passed away in 2024. |
Neither the Patron nor Honorary President is an officer of the charity. |
Company Secretary |
BEXHILL MUSEUM (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04959445) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Independent Examiner |
David Ashby FCCA ACA |
Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP |
Chartered Accountants |
20 Eversley Road |
Bexhill-on-Sea |
East Sussex |
TN40 1HE |
Accountants |
Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP |
20 Eversley Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1HE. |
Bankers |
Barclays Bank plc, Devonshire Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1AG. |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Bexhill Museum ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2025. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
Independent examiner's statement |
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. |
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: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or |
4. | the accounts 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 accounts 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 accounts to be reached. |
David Ashby FCCA ACA |
Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP |
20 Eversley Road |
Bexhill-on-Sea |
East Sussex |
TN40 1HE |
17th August 2025 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
2025 | 2024 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies | 2 |
Charitable activities |
Other trading activities | 3 |
Investment income | 4 |
Other income | 5 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds | 6 |
Charitable activities | 7 |
Projects | 11,194 | 23,441 | 34,635 | 20,872 |
Museum expenditure | 86,841 | 6,108 | 92,949 | 62,926 |
Finance and administration services | 23,841 | 3,375 | 27,216 | 20,652 |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( | ) | ( | ) |
Transfers between funds | 20 | 23,381 | (23,381 | ) | - | - |
Net movement in funds | ( | ) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 142,471 | 225,703 | 213,742 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities. |
BEXHILL MUSEUM (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04959445) |
BALANCE SHEET |
31ST MARCH 2025 |
2025 | 2024 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 14 |
Heritage assets | 15 |
Investments | 16 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Stocks | 17 |
Debtors | 18 |
Cash at bank and in hand |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 19 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 20 |
Unrestricted funds | 140,588 |
Restricted funds | 73,154 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 213,742 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2025. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
| The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
| (a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
| (b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
BEXHILL MUSEUM (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04959445) |
BALANCE SHEET - continued |
31ST MARCH 2025 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with and delivered in accordance with the special provisions applicable to small charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value. |
Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions |
The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland': |
• | the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
Tangible fixed assets |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Improvements to Museum building | - |
Display cases and shelving | - |
Fixtures and fittings | - |
Interactive displays | - |
Computer equipment | - |
Heritage assets |
| Acquisitions for the collection since 1st April 2010, whether donated or purchased, are capitalised and recognised in the balance sheet at the cost or value of the acquisition, where such cost or valuation is reasonably obtainable and reliable. Items donated or bequeathed to the Museum's collection are valued by internal valuers if an external valuation for the items is not available. Such items are not depreciated or revalued. |
Stocks |
| Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. |
Taxation |
| The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
| Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Fund accounting |
| Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
| Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
2. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Donations |
Tax recoverable on gift aid |
Legacy |
Grants |
Subscriptions |
Donations to museum collection | 2,165 | 2,074 |
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Rother District Council - Development Project | 3,375 | - |
Rother District Council - Service level agreement | 8,500 | 8,500 |
Rother District Council - Net Zero | 4,978 | - |
Rother District Council - MEND | 2,135 | - |
Arts Council: Hastings and Bexhill Museums and Schools Project (via Hastings Council) | 7,480 | 7,480 |
Bexhill Town Council | - | 3,000 |
Arts Council: MEND | 195,195 | - |
Nineveh Trust | 2,500 | - |
Bexhill 100 | 276 | - |
The Relais Cooden Beach | 276 | - |
Hazell Industries Ltd | 276 | - |
224,991 | 18,980 |
3. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Shop and cafe income |
Fund raising income | 10,790 | 12,727 |
Sale of clothing | 193 | 437 |
Other income | 1,077 | 75 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
4. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Interest on cash investments | 264 | 282 |
5. | OTHER INCOME |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Expenditure recharges to Rother District Council | 8,688 | 2,226 |
6. | RAISING FUNDS |
Other trading activities |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Opening stock |
Purchases |
Closing stock | ( | ) | ( | ) |
Fund raising, publicity and other costs | 2,635 | 3,377 |
12,520 | 15,069 |
7. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
Direct | Support |
Costs (see | costs (see |
note 8) | note 9) | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
Projects | 34,635 | - | 34,635 |
Museum expenditure | 89,961 | 2,988 | 92,949 |
Finance and administration services | - | 27,216 | 27,216 |
124,596 | 30,204 | 154,800 |
8. | DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Conservation | 3,301 | 1,882 |
Collections, exhibitions and special projects | 30,277 | 5,010 |
Computer & IT costs | 5,038 | 3,172 |
Education & lecture costs | 4,506 | 5,401 |
Subscriptions and conferences | 2,163 | 1,738 |
Repairs and renewals | 10,427 | 1,837 |
Advertising & promotion (inc newsletter and website) | 6,205 | 8,226 |
General rates, water rates, gas, electricity & telephone | 29,642 | 14,868 |
Cleaner's salary and cleaning consumables | 6,837 | 7,754 |
Insurance | 3,307 | 3,049 |
Printing, postage and stationery | 1,365 | 1,596 |
Volunteer expenses | 115 | 155 |
Payroll processing fees | 396 | 384 |
Security and fire protection | 4,168 | 4,356 |
Sundry expenses | 43 | 203 |
Travel | 40 | 507 |
Professional fees | 1,741 | 3,373 |
Carried forward | 109,571 | 63,511 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
8. | DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - continued |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Brought forward | 109,571 | 63,511 |
Displays, signage etc | 102 | 13 |
Bank charges | 510 | 480 |
Card fees | 627 | 708 |
Depreciation | 13,786 | 13,272 |
124,596 | 77,984 |
Conservation refers "to the activities and costs involved in preserving, stabilising, and protecting the museum's collections as a whole, whether they are on display or in storage". Collections (or more accurately Collection Management) refers to "activities involved in organising, documenting, storing, and accessing the collection as a whole and to ensure effective control, use, and accountability of the collection as a whole". Both are charitable activities and a revenue cost. |
Exhibitions and special projects are discrete activities, and a mix of restricted, designated and undesignated expenditure. This year they include the Iguanodon project, railway projects, Merryweather, etc. As temporary fixtures, they may be eligible for Museums & Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief (MGTR). |
9. | SUPPORT COSTS |
Governance |
Management | costs | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
Museum expenditure | - | 2,988 | 2,988 |
Finance and administration services | 27,216 | - | 27,216 |
27,216 | 2,988 | 30,204 |
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: |
Management |
2025 | 2024 |
Finance |
and |
administration | Total |
services | activities |
£ | £ |
Sub contract administrative services | 27,216 | 20,652 |
Governance costs |
2025 | 2024 |
Museum | Total |
expenditure | activities |
£ | £ |
Accountancy fees | 2,508 | 1,704 |
Independent examiner's fees | 480 | 456 |
Legal fees | - | 3,654 |
2,988 | 5,814 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
10. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets |
11. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. |
Trustees' expenses |
| There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. |
12. | STAFF COSTS |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Wages and salaries | 5,460 | 5,460 |
Social security costs | 0 | 0 |
Pensions | 0 | 0 |
5,460 | 5,460 |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
2025 | 2024 |
Cleaner | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 |
13. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
funds | funds | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Other trading activities |
Investment income |
Other income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
13. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
funds | funds | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities |
Projects | 3,328 | 17,544 | 20,872 |
Museum expenditure | 62,926 | - | 62,926 |
Finance and administration services | 20,652 | - | 20,652 |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward | 146,884 | 75,719 |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 140,588 | 73,154 | 213,742 |
14. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Improvements | Display | Fixtures |
to Museum | cases and | and |
building | shelving | fittings |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1st April 2024 |
Additions |
At 31st March 2025 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1st April 2024 |
Charge for year |
At 31st March 2025 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31st March 2025 |
At 31st March 2024 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
14. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - continued |
Interactive | Computer |
displays | equipment | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1st April 2024 |
Additions |
At 31st March 2025 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1st April 2024 |
Charge for year |
At 31st March 2025 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31st March 2025 |
At 31st March 2024 |
15. | HERITAGE ASSETS |
Total |
£ |
MARKET VALUE |
At 1st April 2024 | 68,943 |
Additions - donated |
At 31st March 2025 | 71,108 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31st March 2025 |
At 31st March 2024 |
| As set out in note 1, the balance shown here only reflects the acquisitions for the collection since 1 April 2010. The valuation of the donated items are carried out by the Museum's Curator. |
| Five year financial summary of heritage asset transactions |
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
| Purchases | 0 | 0 | 200 | 0 | 0 |
| Donations | 2,165 | 2,074 | 1,048 | 25,662 | 891 |
| Total additions | 2,165 | 2,074 | 1,248 | 25,662 | 891 |
| Disposal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
16. | FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS |
Shares in |
group |
undertakings |
£ |
MARKET VALUE |
At 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31st March 2025 | 2 |
At 31st March 2024 | 2 |
There were no investment assets outside the UK. |
The company's investments at the balance sheet date in the share capital of companies include the following: |
Registered office: Bexhill Museum, Egerton Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 3HL |
Nature of business: Dormant company |
% |
Class of share: | holding |
£ | £ |
Aggregate capital and reserves |
| The Society owns 100% of the issued share capital of Bexhill Museums Trading Limited. Its capital consists of 2 £1 shares both of which have been issued at par. |
| Bexhill Museum Trading Limited ceased trading on 31 March 2019 and is currently dormant. |
17. | STOCKS |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Stocks |
18. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Grant receivable |
Other debtors | 7,263 | 7,986 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
19. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2025 | 2024 |
£ | £ |
Amounts owed to group undertakings |
Other creditors |
20. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net | Transfers |
movement | between | At |
At 1/4/24 | in funds | funds | 31/3/25 |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 35,038 | (4,409 | ) | (2,363 | ) | 28,266 |
Tangible fixed assets designated fund | 75,618 | (13,787 | ) | 20,444 | 82,275 |
Collection acquisitions designated fund | 25,374 | 2,165 | - | 27,539 |
Museums pledge towards improvements | - | (5,065 | ) | 5,300 | 235 |
Elva repairs designated fund | 100 | - | - | 100 |
Bexhills lost world development project designated fund | 4,057 | - | - | 4,057 |
Costumes designated fund | 401 | (401 | ) | - | - |
(21,497 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Collection acquisitions fund | 43,569 | - | - | 43,569 |
Capital works project | 12,089 | (12,089 | ) | - | - |
Izzard family train set | 4,471 | (636 | ) | - | 3,835 |
Piano | 654 | (70 | ) | - | 584 |
Museum and schools | 5,072 | - | (5,072 | ) | - |
Merryweather fund | 7,299 | (7,299 | ) | - | - |
Arts Council MEND grant fund | - | 195,195 | (18,309 | ) | 176,886 |
Motor Heritage Trail signs | - | 828 | - | 828 |
175,929 | ( | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 154,432 | 368,174 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
20. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 110,233 | (114,642 | ) | (4,409 | ) |
Tangible fixed assets designated fund | (1 | ) | (13,786 | ) | (13,787 | ) |
Collection acquisitions designated fund | 2,165 | - | 2,165 |
Museums pledge towards improvements | - | (5,065 | ) | (5,065 | ) |
Costumes designated fund | 501 | (902 | ) | (401 | ) |
( | ) | (21,497 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Capital works project | 3,374 | (15,463 | ) | (12,089 | ) |
Izzard family train set | 39 | (675 | ) | (636 | ) |
Piano | - | (70 | ) | (70 | ) |
Merryweather fund | 1,940 | (9,239 | ) | (7,299 | ) |
Arts Council MEND grant fund | 195,195 | - | 195,195 |
Development in innovation infrastructure for Net Zero | 4,978 | (4,978 | ) | - |
Motor Heritage Trail signs | 828 | - | 828 |
Iguanodon Project | 2,500 | (2,500 | ) | - |
( | ) | 175,929 |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( | ) | 154,432 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
20. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net | Transfers |
movement | between | At |
At 1/4/23 | in funds | funds | 31/3/24 |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 31,625 | 5,213 | (1,800 | ) | 35,038 |
Tangible fixed assets designated fund | 87,090 | (13,272 | ) | 1,800 | 75,618 |
Collection acquisitions designated fund | 23,500 | 1,874 | - | 25,374 |
Elva repairs designated fund | 100 | - | - | 100 |
Bexhills lost world development project designated fund | 4,057 | - | - | 4,057 |
Costumes designated fund | 512 | (111 | ) | - | 401 |
146,884 | (6,296 | ) | - | 140,588 |
Restricted funds |
Collection acquisitions fund | 43,369 | 200 | - | 43,569 |
Local research | 281 | (281 | ) | - | - |
Capital works project | 20,723 | (8,634 | ) | - | 12,089 |
Museum in a box | 168 | (168 | ) | - | - |
Izzard family train set | 6,966 | (2,495 | ) | - | 4,471 |
Piano | 654 | - | - | 654 |
Museum and schools | 2,783 | 2,289 | - | 5,072 |
InSight to Culture | 775 | (775 | ) | - | - |
Merryweather fund | - | 7,299 | - | 7,299 |
75,719 | (2,565 | ) | - | 73,154 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 222,603 | (8,861 | ) | - | 213,742 |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
20. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 93,786 | (88,573 | ) | 5,213 |
Tangible fixed assets designated fund | - | (13,272 | ) | (13,272 | ) |
Collection acquisitions designated fund | 1,874 | - | 1,874 |
Costumes designated fund | 19 | (130 | ) | (111 | ) |
95,679 | (101,975 | ) | (6,296 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Collection acquisitions fund | 200 | - | 200 |
Local research | - | (281 | ) | (281 | ) |
Capital works project | - | (8,634 | ) | (8,634 | ) |
Museum in a box | - | (168 | ) | (168 | ) |
Izzard family train set | - | (2,495 | ) | (2,495 | ) |
Museum and schools | 7,480 | (5,191 | ) | 2,289 |
InSight to Culture | - | (775 | ) | (775 | ) |
Merryweather fund | 7,299 | - | 7,299 |
14,979 | (17,544 | ) | (2,565 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 110,658 | (119,519 | ) | (8,861 | ) |
Designated funds |
The tangible fixed assets fund represents the value of the fixed assets held by the charity. |
The Collection acquisitions designated fund represents the estimated cost of items donated to the museum and the actual cost of items purchased by the museum, since 2010, for items which the trustees have the power to dispose of at their discretion. During the year over 50 items were donated to the museum. |
The Elva repairs fund is money designated for repairs to the Elva car. |
Bexhill's lost world development project fund is monies designated from the receipt of a legacy in 2016 towards an extension to the museum. |
The Costumes fund is made up of a donation of £2,000 which was designated towards the costs relating to the costumes held by the museum. This fund has now been fully expended. |
The Museum pledged £5,300 towards the cost of the improvements to the museum. |
Restricted funds |
The Collection acquisitions restricted fund represents the estimated cost of items donated to the museum and the actual cost of items purchased by the museum, since 2010. During the year over 100 items were donated to the museum. |
A major project for the stripping out and refitting of the semi-derelict basement stores and other urgent works was confirmed at the year's end. Funds received for this purpose in previous years were held in a Capital Project fund during the current year and will be transferred to a new dedicated fund with its own bank account in 2024-25. |
The Izzard family train set fund is monies received towards the upkeep, improvement and changes to the layout of the model train set display. |
BEXHILL MUSEUM |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
20. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
The piano fund is made up of donations for the ongoing costs of maintaining the piano. |
The Merryweather fund is grants and donations received towards the restoration costs of Bexhill's 1895 Merryweather horse-drawn, steam powered fire engine which will be permanently displayed at the museum once restoration is complete. This fund was fully expended at by the year end. |
The Museum and schools fund balance as been transferred to the general fund as the grants are treated as service agreement grants so are not restricted and the trustees have agreed it is acceptable to treat the balance of unspent monies brought forward as unrestricted funds. |
A major project for the stripping out and refitting of the semi-derelict basement stores and other urgent works was confirmed on 8 March 2024 following the award of a £390,389 (£195,195 received in 2024/25) grant from the Arts Council & DCMS operated Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND). Funds received for this project in previous years were held in a Capital Project fund. The remainder has been transferred to a new dedicated MEND Project fund, with its own bank account, in 2024-25. |
Transfers between funds |
Assets have been purchased using unrestricted funds and restricted funds so transfers have been made from the relevant fund to the Tangible fixed assets designated fund for the cost of these assets. Any restrictions cease once an asset is purchased. |
The balance in the Museums and Schools fund at 1 April 2024 has been transferred to the general fund. The funding which is received is not restricted as it is a service contact between the Museum and Hastings Borough Council and is funded by the Department of Education and managed by the Arts Council England. |
The museum has pledged £5,300 towards the costs of the improvements to the museum. Therefore a transfer has been made into a designated fund to show this pledge. |
21. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
22. | LIMITED LIABILITY OF MEMBERS |
The liability of the members is limited. |
Every member of the charity undertakes to contribute to the assets of the charity in the event of the same being wound up while he/she is still a member or within one year after he/she ceases to be a member and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up and for the adjustment of rights of the contributories amongst themselves such amount as may be required, not exceeding £1. |