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THE CITY OF WINCHESTER TRUST LIMITED
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2014

1 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies adopted by the Trust are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year, with the exception of the policy on depreciating leasehold property. This policy changed from 1 April 2013 with the effect of suspending depreciation, so long as the property has a very long useful life and is held primarily for charity use.

a. Basis of Accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the inclusion of fixed asset investments at market value, and in accordance with the Companies Act 2011, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective 2008). and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Repoiting by Charities issued in March 2005 and revised in May 2008.

b. Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Council for particular purposes. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by donors. The Alder Bequest restricted fund, both capital and income is restricted to expenditure on the trusts archives.

c. Incoming Resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

d. Resources Expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes VAT which cannot be recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:

e. Tangible Fixed Assets

Individual assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost. Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of fixed assets to their estimated residual value over their expected useful lives. Leasehold property is not depreciated for the foreseeable future on the basis the asset has a long useful economic life and is held primarily for charity use. All other fixed assets are depreciated on a reducing balance basis at 25% per annum.

f. Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.