OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-07-31-accounts

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

(Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31 July 2023

Company Registration Number 2674432 Charity Number 1010546

|

| || | | |

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Accounts

Year ended 31 July 2023

Contents Page
Members ofthe Board and Professional Advisors 2
Trustees’AnnualReport 3
IndependentAuditor’s Report 15
Statement of Financial Activities 20
Comparative StatementofFinancialActivities 21
SummaryincomeandExpenditureAccount 22
Balance Sheet 23
Statement ofCash Flows 24
NotestotheAccounts 25

|

Members of the Board and Professional Advisors Year ended 31 July 2023

Registered charity name Blackburne House
Company number 2674432
Charitynumber 1010546
The Board ofTrustees Liz Cross (Chair)
Sally-Anne Watkiss
Annette Hennessy
Therese Patten (resigned 30/11/22)
Kate Fox (resigned 29/09/22)
Claire Dixon
Nina Roberts
Humaira Khan
Ngunan Adamu {appointed 23/02/23)
Lynda Brady (appointed 23/02/23)
Companysecretary Jennifer Lawson
Chiefexecutive Anne McColl (resigned 05/12/22)
Andrea Rushton (appointed Interim CEO 01/12/22)
Andrea Rushton (appointed CEO 08/03/23)
Registered office Blackburne House
Blackburne Place
OffHope Street
Liverpool
L8 7PE
StatutoryAuditor Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
Accountants
Registered Auditor
3rd Floor
5 Temple Square
Temple Street
Liverpool
L2 5RH
Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc
2 - 8 Church Street
Liverpool
L1 3BG
Solicitors MSB Solicitors Ltd
Silkhouse Court
Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
2212

2|Page

Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 July 2023

The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their annual report and the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland published October 2019”.

Trustees

The trustees who served the charity during the period were as follows:

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Liz|Cross|(Chair)|Humaira|Khan| |Kate|Fox|(resigned|29/09/22)|Claire|Dixon| |Sally-Anne|Watkiss|Therese|Patten|(resigned|30/11/22)| |Annette|Hennessy|Nina|Roberts| |Ngunan Adamu|(appointed|23/02/23)|Lynda|Brady|{appointed|23/02/23)|

----- End of picture text -----

Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

None of the trustees receive remuneration or other benefits for their work as trustees of the charity. Any connection between a trustee or senior manager of the charity with a company must be disclosed to the full Board of Trustees in the same way as any contractual relationship with a related party.

Objectives of the Charity

The charity's objects and its principal activity continue to be to advance education and to relieve need by providing or assisting in the provision of vocational training for women and by providing guidance for such of them, as are in need, calculated to enable them to earn their own living. To promote any charitable purpose and in particular charitable purposes directed to the advancement of women’s education and the provision of training facilities for women.

Public Benefit

When planning our activities for the year, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance on charities with other purposes currently recognised as charitable and any new charitable purpose which are similar to other charitable purpose.

We are an equal opportunities organisation and are committed to a working environment that is free from any form of discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability in line with the Equalities Act 2010.

lt is a priority of the organisation that access to our services is not restricted to those who can afford our fees. Our concessionary fee policy contributes to the widening of access to the courses we offer and the facilities we provide.

The trustees have had due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit and in particular the supplementary guidance on public benefit and fee charging.

About Blackburne House

Women’s Technology Training Limited, our founder and sister company (known as Blackburne House Education) was established in 1983 with the aim of progressing women from disadvantaged backgrounds into employment within technical professions — an area in which, at the time, women were significantly under-represented.

3|Page

Trustees’ Annual Report [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

Strategic Report

The organisation grew quickly and considerably and, in 1991 we moved into new premises in Liverpool’s famous Georgian Quarter. More than £4m was raised in order to breathe new life back into Blackburne House and the beautiful, Grade Il-listed building that was once the home of the first Girls’ School in the country then became our new home.

After more than 30 years’ service we received local, national and international recognition for the work that we do in education and in June 2015 were granted Freedom of the City in recognition for our services in Education for Women across Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area.

Today, Blackburne House Education is a vibrant and thriving organisation. Over the years, through Blackburne House, we have established several successful social enterprises that succeed in supporting our educational aims and provide tangible examples of how new markets can be used to serve local communities.

Attracting thousands of visitors each year, our facilities now include a bistro, café, wellness and counselling centre, conference and events facilities, a 36-place nursery and a robust project portfolio.

In operating our social businesses, our social purpose, and the social value we create is key to all of the activities undertaken at Blackburne House. All our contributions enable us to deliver outstanding educational and economic opportunities for women from across the city, who view Blackburne House as a safe place to access learning and personal development.

Feedback from our learners and customers has proven that, by offering a range of educational opportunities with a unique wrap around structure, women across the city go on to access higher education and employment, becoming role models for their family and friends. Blackburne House is key to the economic activity of many women, and this can only be achieved as our social enterprises generate income, provide real life work experience for our learners as well as creating local employment opportunities and far reaching social impact.

Our Vision and Values

Our vision is to educate and upskill women so that they can pursue professions in every sector and at every level, to give confidence to the women we work with, so that they can go on to live independent lives, believe in their dreams and achieve their ambitions. We want to inspire our women to believe that anything is possible, to instill a culture of empathy and understanding; of inclusion and acceptance and to overcome racism, prejudice, discrimination, and adversity, creating a positive and holistic environment where women can share, learn and grow.

Our social enterprises provide an enterprising approach to teaching and learning. Enterprise encourages people to learn and develop in a way that meets their needs and develops skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work. The world is changing rapidly, and people need to be prepared. They need to have the skills and attitudes to cope with an unpredictable future, to be able to deal with setbacks and disappointments in a positive way and to continue to learn for the rest of their lives. Whenever possible, we utilise the resources across the whole of Blackburne House to provide our fearners with real life opportunities to enhance their development and support them to become more influential in their own lives and that of others.

We have a core set of values that are embedded into everything that we do. Those values are integral to our organisation, helping to define our long-term aims and objectives and influence the way we work.

Inspiration

We provide the highest possible quality of inspirational education and development — and our teaching and working methods and our services and environment reflect this relentless commitment.

Transformation

We believe in using creative working methods to develop new and innovative ways of fulfilling and exceeding our financial, social, and environmental aims - renewing and transforming our business and helping us to touch and transform the lives of everyone who works with Blackburne House.

4|Page

Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) Year ended 31 July 2023

Equality

Blackburne House is and has always been about holistic approaches to improving the lives of women — all women, We constantly build on the diversity and range of our services including support and education services for children and men, where these will contribute to improving the lives of women.

Independence

As well as helping our students and service users to develop their own independence, our charitable and commercial activities all operate to continuously improving business standards — to deliver the independence of Blackburne House.

Activities, achievements, and performance

The principal activity of Blackburne House is to provide support structures to its sister organisation, Blackburne House Education. Blackburne House has a range of social business areas, and each business area is driven by our values. In addition to this, our project portfolio provides unique and bespoke wrap around services to enhance wellness and learning opportunities. A summary of the performance of each of these businesses is given below:

The Bistro

The prime aim of our Bistro is to provide students, staff, conference attendees and a broad range of customers with value for money, nutritional meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment. As a bistro that champions social values our ‘Buy Social’ agenda is something that we consciously operate within every day, and we are proud of the social impact we make in so many ways:

We are passionate about the quality of our food and service and the impact we have in the local community. We take pride that all our actions make a positive impact, not only on the education of women, but to the environment and the lives of people we employ and throughout our supply chain,

The Café @ Clatterbridge

Despite previous significant challenges and delays we successfully opened the Café in the Liverpool Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital. We provide catering for visitors, staff and patients, enabling Key Workers to access healthy nutritional meals this also helps generate additional income to the Catering portfolio at Blackburne House in supporting our charitable objectives.

The hospital Trust particularly wanted to work with providers rooted in the Liverpool community, supporting local staff and local suppliers. This provided an opportunity for growth and economies of scale within our Catering Portfolio to ensure we could scale up our hospitality turnover through another outlet for future growth and sustainability.

5|Page

Trustees’ Annual Report [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

Conference and Events

Blackburne House offers a variety of flexible rooms and spaces to host conferences, events, private functions, exhibitions, and development activities. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a welcoming conferencing and events service within a magnificent Grade II listed building.

Dating back to 1744, Blackburne House retains its original charm and style offering a venue with a difference. The very nature and versatility of the building enabled Blackburne House to navigate 2023 Conferencing and Events industry trends which saw event’s organisers wanting smaller sized rooms and event delegates wanting events spaces with a casual atmosphere, quality food and drink as well as space for networking and break out rooms.

As people started to experience virtual fatigue, we saw an increase in demand for room hire along with equipment to support hybrid events. The ability to host hybrid events is predicted to be an industry trend in 2024 and one which Blackburne House must be able to meet if it is to remain competitive in the marketplace.

This year we have continued to work with the Visit Hope Street CIC stakeholder group and have become a BID Levy Payer as the Hope Street area becomes a BID (Business Improvement District) which is a designate zone (BID Area) which will benefit from a wide range of additional services over and above those funded through the standard commercial rates and council services.

Next year, Conferencing & Events Industry trends are expected to focus upon:

Nursery

Our 36-place nursery, from babies to 5-year-olds, provides high quality and innovative childcare that enhances the opportunities and lives of children, parents and families locally. We continue to be a key support structure for our students and the wider community by offering affordable and attainable childcare. We provide early learning interventions for funded 2, 3- and 4-year-olds to ensure they have the opportunity to access a childcare environment and support their development to become school ready. We continue to offer the government 30 hours funded places for 3- and 4-year-olds, tax free childcare, in addition to 15 hours funded places for 2-year-olds.

At our last Ofsted inspection was Jan 23, we were rated Good. The inspectors commended our staff and how they use their qualifications, knowledge, and skills to assess children's progress and to plan activities that reflect children's stages of development and interests.

We have now extended learning from indoors to our new outdoor sensory provision which offers children who do not have access to outdoors the opportunity to do so in a safe and controlled environment.

We pride ourselves on providing a diverse and rich multicultural environment where our children come from as many as 12 different nationalities. Children can speak Spanish as part of their learning in both preschool rooms. All our direct childcare staff are qualified to Level 3 or more and one member of staff has a degree in Early Years & childhood studies.

6|Page

i

|

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Trustees’ Annual Report [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

Nursery [Continued]

By working in close partnership with parents and carers we ensure all the child’s needs are met and supported. We use a software app called Famly in which we share observations, photographs, a live news feed for up-to-date information and any free advice, support or training for parent, carers or for extended family members who may not live in the same country.

As a charitable social enterprise, we give our children and local families the best possible life chances by:

Many of our children experience Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) and we recognize that Covid has been significant and remains an issue for the development of some children.

|

Wellness and Counselling Centre

Formerly known as The Health Place, our on-site space has been re-positioned and repurposed to become a dedicated Wellness and Counselling Centre. There remains significant mental health decline amongst women and so we responded to this through accessing funding support for wellness and counselling services, building on the program of counselling interventions and wellness services we had begun at the start of the pandemic and scaling up the level of services we offer to meet the increasing demand. We are currently providing both a funded and commercial offer for individuals and organisations. For this period, we have supported in excess of 650 women with our funded counselling and wellness interventions.

We have recruited a team of Counsellors all who are generalists and have knowledge and experience in areas such as domestic abuse, trauma and anxiety and our funders have recognised the vital role our services have played in the lives of women in our community. Developing 1-2-1 and group services delivered by counsellors and wellness practitioners. The more recent service developments include support for women who experience menopause and long covid.

A further development is via our ‘Education Through Enterprise’ model, by linking education more closely to the commercial enterprise. We now provide level 4 student counsellors who require 100hrs clinical practice a placement with supervision to gain their full qualification. We have recognized that there is a lack of diversity within the counsellor base, so we have recruited 50% ofthe[learners][ from][Black,][ Asian][and][Minority][Ethnic][ backgrounds.][This][allows][us to][reach][more] women[in][need][ of][ mental] health support whilst enabling student counsellors to qualify and become economically active.

Our recent social accounts show that our social return on investment for ail activities are £1: £51.96,

As we move forward, we have developed the Wellness and Counselling Centre to become part of the core services of Blackburne House, making a significant social impact and becominga vital part of our broader portfolio.

7|Page

Trustees’ Annual Report [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and expect all of our staff, trustees and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults continue to be important to the organisation, and we take seriously our duty to comply with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Education Act 2002 and Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015 and The Board of Trustees and staff have undertaken training in this area and continually review our performance and ability to adapt and respond.

Our Board and the Education & Quality Committee closely monitor our policies and procedures and the organisation has an appointed a Board Safeguarding Lead, a Designated Safeguarding Officer and three four Safeguarding Officers.

We have continued to update our safeguarding policies and action plan in line with our activities.

Projects and Business Development

Developing new contracts to build on our strategic aims is an important part of the sustainability of our organisation. As a charity and social enterprise operating in a Grade II listed building, the revenue we gain through projects and grant funding is essential in support of organizational sustainability due to the contribution to core costs whilst delivering strong social impact to our recipients and partners. During this period, we have received funding from:

Weare active in developing our products and services that enrich our portfolio and are aligned to our strategic aims and values and we operate within the following arenas:

8|Page

;

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Trustees’ Annual Report [Continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

Our plans for the future

Blackburne House hasa portfolio of businesses and projects that complement our core values in supporting the advancement of education and vocational training for women. Our strength is in our diversity as this means we have a variety of great assets and opportunities to maximise our full potential.

Through new strategic partnerships, we can provide responsive and bespoke support to women, families and the Black Asian & Minority Ethnic community that are more impactful and immediate. This will enable us to drive our trading and contracted services to a place of strength and sustainability for future scale and much needed social and economic impact.

Going forward we plan to focus our plans and strategic development on:

Alongside Blackburne House Education, we will support learners will mental health counselling services, helping them to remove obstacles to learning. Blackburne House Wellness and Counselling Centre will also play a vital role in providing an environment for newly qualified Level 4 counsellors to access clinical counselling placements to complete their professional status, increasing the number of diverse qualified counsellors in the city to help to meet the increasing demand for mental health services.

The Education Team in Blackburne House Education will deliver an increased program of counselling courses so the Wellness Centre can provide pathways to employment as Blackburne House learners both gain qualifications and experience in their chosen skill area. Through creating counselling roles, this will be an important employment pathway, particularly for BAME learners, so that service users can access support from professionals from their own community and culture. This is a unique offer that has madea significant social impact and is a vital part of our broader portfolio The Wellness and Counselling Centre will offer services to over 1,000 women over the coming year, supported through both grant and paid-for services of wellness and counselling and we will continue to work with strategic partners and funders to access finance to support the growth required in this sector to combat mental health inequalities.

9|{Page

Trustees’ Annual Report [Continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

Our plans for the future [continued]

The Board will continue to review our plans and shape the business so that we can focus our efforts on mission led, sustainable portfolios that support the vision to empower women. As an organisation with such proven track record, depth and reputation in the focal community, with a blend of services that have been able to adapt to local priorities, we are well positioned to strengthen our organisation and continue to serve the women of Liverpool and the local community.

Financial review

The trustees’ financial responsibilities include the solvency of the organisation, safeguarding the assets of the organisation and approving the annual budget to set financial objectives, which are quantifiable targets against which we can measure achievement. To assist us in achieving these objectives monthly management accounts are produced and discussed at Executive Leadership Team meetings. A formal cycle of reporting of management accounts has been established and includes bi-monthly meetings with both the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FA&RC) and the trustees. The FA&RC continually reviews the reporting mechanisms in place to ensure risk management and financial planning is developed and enhances the opportunities of the organisation. The FARRC, under powers delegated to it by the trustees, regulate and control the finances of the organisation.

We have continued with the increased frequency of meetings and reporting to FA&RC to ensure that we managed and mitigated risks,

Our Financial Performance has significantly improved since 21/22 and with broader opportunities via additional products and services, for instance, contracts gain through our Wellness Centre supporting core costs and economies of scale through Clatterbridge.

10|Page

Trustees’ Annual Report [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

Financial review [Continued]

We are reporting a net expenditure for the year of £72,564 in the year (2022: £160,486 net expenditure) which is stated after depreciation and endowment release costs of £84,682.

We continue to review our strategic plans with our trading ability focusing on sustainability and mission. The financial projections for the remaining part of 2023/24 have been prepared, considering the opportunities to strengthen our offer through strategic partnerships. They reflect our ability to adapt to the landscape in a strong and progressive manner in support of our learners and community. The trustees are confident that we have an ongoing viable business model, and they remain optimistic about the future and our ability to navigate the short-term challenges and trade back up to sustainable levels in the longer term.

Remuneration of key management personnel

The trustees consider the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team to be the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling the charity and running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.

It is the charity’s policy to pay staff at rates reflecting the local market and in line with similar organisations.

Reserves policy

The organisation’s reserve policy has been reviewed in line with guidance from the Charity Commission. It is the policy of the organisation to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the organisation at a level, which equates to three months liquidity requirements. The trustees have reviewed the value of reserves required and have set the desired value of the reserves at £300,000 (2022 £150,000) to reflect current level of overheads as the business grows. This provides sufficient funds to cover management, administration, and support costs for the development of our principal activities to enable us to provide a high-quality service to our stakeholders.

The organisation has not been able to achieve a surplus this year to improve the reserves position but is committed to continual improvement to reverse the negative reserves in future years. The trustees recognise that our negative unrestricted reserves position reflects the fact that we are a trading business rather than grant funded. We have invested our traded income into jobs, services, and strategic aims consistently over our many years in existence, responding to our communities needs and adapting to strengthen our social impact and services. The trustees continue to monitor the situation and have reviewed and agreed the strategy and priorities that align to this objective as we move forward.

Risk policy

The trustees are responsible for overseeing the risks faced by the organisation. Detailed considerations of risks are delegated to the Senior Management Team. Risks are identified and controls established throughout the year. All significant activities undertaken are subject to a risk review. Systems have been established to mitigate the risks and the Senior Management Team regularly reviews the risks and takes any action identified, with strategic oversight from the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

11|Page

Trustees’ Annual Report [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

Investment powers and restrictions

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power, to invest or deposit funds in any manner only after obtaining advice from a financial expert and having regard to the suitability of investments and the need for diversification.

The trustees, having regard to the liquidity requirements of operating the charity and to the reserves policy, do not consider it necessary to invest in a portfolio of investments, but instead have operated a policy of keeping available funds in an interestbearing deposit account and seek to achieve a rate of deposit interest which matches or exceeds inflation as measured by the retail price index.

Invested funds are held on deposit in a high interest savings account for use as and when necessary.

,

Environmental policy

The Board of Trustees and senior managers of Blackburne House are committed to the objectives of sustainable development and to achieving environmental best practice through all business activities, wherever practical to do so. We accept an active and practical leadership in respect of environmental management is a business function and that a concerted approach must be adopted to prevent pollution minimise waste and achieve continual improvement in environmental performance.

Blackburne House is committed to a structured approach to the management of its activities, ensuring it complies with or exceeds applicable environmental legal requirements and alt other relevant requirements and recognised best practices which are related to our environmental aspects.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

Blackburne House is a charitable company limited by guarantee (No. 2674432), incorporated in England on 30 December 1991 and registered as a charity (No. 1010546) on 15 April 1992. The company was established underaMemorandum of Association, which estabiished the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. On winding up of the company each member will contribute £1.

Organisation

Each of the organisation’s business areas and social enterprises has been organised to support our learners they financially contribute to and facilitate the growth and development of the organisation’s resources.

The Board of Trustees administer the charity. The Board meets bi-monthly and there are sub-committees covering Finance & Resources and Education & Quality.

A Chief Executive (CEQ) is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the Chief Executive has delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the trustees, for operational matters including finance and to provide strategic direction for Blackburne House ensuring that its policies, systems, products and services are continually focused on achieving the organisation’s mission, including social, environmental and commercial objectives. The CEO leads business planning for all aspects of the service provision ensuring it fits with the strategic direction, local priorities and to champion high performance in line with the organisations values to ensure the sustainability of the group.

Blackburne House runs several award-winning social enterprises and those businesses are values based and committed to having a positive social and environmental impact on the communities we serve.

We are undertaking a governance review, with a view to exploring a group structure. This is due to our social enterprises being a key part of our strategy in supporting our charitable aims. Whilst waiting to conclude this review we have established an Enterprise Committee to oversee our income generating work and to ensure the Board oversees this in the context of our charitable responsibilities.

12 }Page

Trustees’ Annual Report [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

.

The Management Team

Day to day management of the charity is delegated to the senior managers. The current team is: -

ARushton -_ Chief Executive

Trustee appointment, induction and training

The Board adopt a strategic approach to trustee recruitment and when appropriate all vacancies are advertised within the community to attract trustees to serve on its board and also invite trustees to nominate prior to the AGM.

All members are circulated with invitations to nominate trustees prior to the AGM advising them of the retiring trustees and requesting nominations for the AGM. When considering co-opting trustees, the Board has regard to the requirements for any specialist skillset and competency needed that would enhance the organisation’s ability to deliver on its strategic goals. Board members come from a variety of backgrounds, and it is this variety that adds value to the organisation. However, we recognise that our expectations are high and the demands we place on the Board are considerable, therefore we feel that it is important to support all Board Members with the training and development they need to complement and supplement their current skills and competencies.

The induction program aims to give the new member an understanding of the work of Blackburne House Education and to help recognise how they can makea significant contribution to the organisation during their term of office. New trustees undergo an orientation program to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the contents of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes and recent financial performance of the charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events and internal training and briefings where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.

Related Charities

Blackburne House is related to Women’s Technology Training Limited by virtue of common directors, influence and shared resources.

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees (who are also directors for the purposes of company law} are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

13|Page

Trustees’ Annual Report [continued) Year ended 31 July 2023

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Trustees’ statement of disclosure of information to the auditors

Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirm in so far as they are aware: -

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Auditors

A resolution for the re-appointment of Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Approval

In approving the Trustees’ Annual Report, we also approve the Strategic Report included therein in our capacity as company directors.

RegisteredBlackburne Houseoffice: Blackburne Place Off Hope Street Liverpool L87PE

----- Start of picture text -----
SIGNED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES
a.« . qf f
va 0hph
Pell
Liz Cross
CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
----- End of picture text -----

Approved by the trustees on 25 March 2024

Be

1a Page

| | |

| | | | | |

Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited Accountants

5 Temple Square . Temple Street . Liverpool . L2 5RH

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Blackburne House for the year ended 31 July 2023

Opinion

We2023have whichauditedcomprisethe thefinancial Statementstatements of Financialof BlackburneActivities,Housethe (theBalance‘charitableSheet, thecompany’) Statementfor theof Cashyear Flowsended and31 theJuly notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Material uncertainty related to going concern

We draw attention to note 1(q) in the financial statements, which highlights the fact that there is a net current liability position of £95,391 and a deficit on unrestricted funds of £517,203. Whilst these conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, note 1(q) provides a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding this. Our opinion is not qualified in respect of this matter.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge abtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. ff, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

7

15|Page

Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited

Accountants

5 Temple Square . Temple Street . Liverpool . L2 5RH

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Blackburne House for the year ended 31 July 2023 [continued]

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in strategic report and the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities set out on pages 12 - 13, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purpose of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

in preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

7 16| Page

7

:

,

:

Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited

Accountants

5 Temple Square . Temple Street . Liverpool . L2 5RH

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Blackburne House for the year ended 31 July 2023 [continued]

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial staternents.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below,

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:

17|Page

Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited

Accountants

5 Temple Square . Temple Street . Liverpool . L25RH

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Blackburne House for the year ended 31 July 2023 [continued]

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas:

(i) The presentation of the charitable company’s Statement of Financial Activities, (ij) revenue recognition, and {iii} the overstatement of salary and other costs. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charitable company operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act and the Statement of Recommended Practice - ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued by the joint SORP making body .

In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the charitable company’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. These included Safeguarding, Data Protection and food hygiene regulations.

Audit response to risks identified

As a result of performing the above, we identified the presentation of the charitable company’s Statement of Financial Activities, revenue recognition and overstatement of wages and other costs as the key audit matters related to the potential risk of fraud. The key audit matters section of our report explains the matters in more detail and also describes the specific procedures we performed in response to those key audit matters.

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:

18 |P ag e

Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited

Accountants

5 Temple Square . Temple Street . Liverpool . L2 5RH BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Blackburne House for the year ended 31 July 2023 (continued)

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. The risk increases the more that comptiance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www. frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Mr Philip Griffiths Senior Statutory Auditor

25 March 2024

On behalf of Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited Statutory Auditor

3rd Floor 5 Temple Square Temple Street Liverpool Merseyside L2 5RH

19|Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 July 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Funds|Total|Funds| |Income from:|Notes|Funds|Funds|Funds|2023|2022| |£|£|£|£|£| |Donations|and|legacies|2|11,847|-|-|11,847|19,525| |Charitable|activities|3|1,253,454|142,138|-|1,395,592|1,111,257| |Investments|4|1|-|-|1|1| |Other|5|-|-|-|-|24,750| |Tota!|income|1,265,302|142,138|-|1,407,440|1,155,533| |Expenditure|on:| |Charitable|activities|6|(1,276,272}|(165,675)|(38,057)|(1,480,004)|(1,316,019)| |Total expenditure|(1,276,272)|(165,675)|(38,057)|(1,480,004)|(1,316,019)| |Net expenditure|for|the| |year|11|(10,970)|(23,537)|(38,057)|(72,564)|(160,486)| |Total|funds|brought forward|(506,233)|2,212,832|2,676,704|4,383,303|4,543,789| |Total funds carried forward|(517,203)|2,189,295|2,638,647|4,310,739|4,383,303|

----- End of picture text -----

The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above.

All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.

The notes on pages 25 to 38 form part of these financial statements. 20TP age

.

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Statement of Financial Activities [continued]

Year ended 31 July 2023

Comparative information for the year ended 31 July 2022

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Funds|Total|Funds| |Income|from:|Notes|Funds|Funds|Funds|2022|2021| |£|£|£|£|£| |Donations|and|legacies|2|19,525|-|-|19,525|145,841| |Charitable|activities|3|1,039,156|72,101|-|1,111,257|822,865| |Investments|4|1|-|-|a|6| |Other|5|24,750|-|-|24,750|-| |Total|income|1,083,432|72,101|-|1,155,533|968,712| |Expenditure|on:| |Charitable|activities|6|(1,182,324)|(95,638)|(38,057)|(1,316,019)|(1,090,509)| |Total|expenditure|(1,182,324)|(95,638)|(38,057)|(1,316,019)|(1,090,509)| |Net|expenditure|for|the| |year|11|(98,892)|(23,537)|(38,057)|(160,486)|(121,797}| |Total|funds|brought|forward|(407,341)|2,236,369|2,714,761|4,543,789|4,665,586| |Total funds|carried|forward|(506,233)|2,212,832|2,676,704|4,383,303|4,543,789|

----- End of picture text -----

The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above.

All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.

The notes on pages 25 to 38 form part of these financial statements.

21 | Pa ge

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Summary Income and Expenditure Account Year ended 31 July 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |2023|2022| |Notes|£|£| |Income|1,407,439|1,155,532| |Interest|and|investment|income|4|1|a| |Gross|income|1,407,440|1,155,533| |Expenditure|1,386,835|1,236,897| |interest|payable|8,487|8,245| |Depreciation|84,682|70,877| |Total|expenditure|1,480,004|1,316,019| |Net (expenditure)|(72,564)|(160,486)|

----- End of picture text -----

All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.

The notes on pages 25 to 38 form part of these financial statements.

Oe 22 |Page

|

|

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Balance Sheet

31st July 2023

2023 2022
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 15 4,887,170 4,968,324
Current assets
Stocks 16 3,567 3,654
Debtors 17 91,967 87,384
Cash at bank and in hand 33,045 96,977
128,579 188,015
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within oneyear 18 (223,970) (656,013)
Netcurrent liabilities (95,391) (467,998)
Total assets less current liabilities 4,791,779 4,500,326
Creditors: Amounts fallingdue after
more than one year 19 (481,040) (117,023)
Net assets 4,310,739 4,383,303
-
_
Thefunds ofthe Charity
Endowment 22 2,638,647 2,676,704
Restricted
Unrestricted
23
24
2,189,295
(517,203)
2,212,832
(506,233)
Totalfunds 25 4,310,739 4,383,303

These financial statements were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 25 March 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:

----- Start of picture text -----
4
Claire Dixon
Trustee
----- End of picture text -----

Company Registration Number: 2674432

|

----- Start of picture text -----
{
----- End of picture text -----

The notes on pages 25 to 38 form part of these financial statements.

23 [Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Statement of Cash Flows

Year ended 31 July 2023

2023 2022
Notes £ £ £ £
Cash flowfrom operating activities
Cash generated from operations 31 (22,766) 28,582
Cash flowfrom investing activities
Payments to acquire tangiblefixed assets (3,528) (3,815)
Investment income received 1 1
Netcash flowfrom investing activities (3,527) (3,814)
(26,293) 24,768
Cash flowfrom financing activities
New borrowings - 50,000
Repayment of loans (24,193) (17,598)
Payment ofobligations underfinance leases (4,959) (6,331)
Interest paid (8,487) (8,245)
Netcash flowfrom financing activities (37,639) 17,826
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (63,932) 42,594
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 August 2022 96,977 54,383
Cashandcashequivalentsasat31July2023 33,045 96,977

The notes on pages 25 to 38 form part of these financial statements.

24|Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31 July 2023

1. Summary of accounting policies

(a) General information and basis of preparation

Blackburne House is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity incorporated in England and Wales. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are set out in the Trustees’ Report on page 2.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) issued in October 2019, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

The property fund is treated as a permanent endowment on the basis that the original building is not owned by the charity and the building alterations that have been carried out form a capital fund with which the charity has now power to convert the capital into income.

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP (FRS 102). Further detail is given in the Trustees’ Annual Report.

25|Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

1. Summary of accounting policies [Continued]

(c) Income recognition [Continued]

Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to special performance conditions and is recognised as earned as the related services are provided. Grant income included in this category provides funding to support performance activities and is recognised when there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amounts can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes such as bank deposits. It essentially includes interest which is recognised using the effective interest method.

(d} Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:

(e) Support costs allocation

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs and administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at the charity’s registered office. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

The analysis of these costs is included in note 7.

(f} Capital grants

Grants received to cover the cost of building alterations and fixtures and fittings are included as restricted income and will be credited to the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis consistent with the depreciation policy.

(g) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended. Capital expenditure on equipment is written off in the period in which it is incurred if purchased from grant income. Individual assets are capitalised on the balance sheet where their cost exceeds £100.

7

26|Page

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

1. Summary of accounting policies (Continued)

(g) | Tangible fixed assets [continued]

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows: Building alterations & additions 1- 10% per annum Computers 10 - 33% per annum Fixtures & fittings 10 - 20% per annum Equipment 10 - 20% per annum

Whilst historically building alterations have been depreciated at 1%, additions are not considered to have the same fife and so are depreciated over 10 years.

(h) Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other cost incurred in bringing stock to its present location and condition. Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out formula. Provision is made for damaged, obsolete and slow-moving stock where appropriate.

(i) Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

(j) Loans and borrowings

Loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the transaction price including transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less impairment. If an arrangement constitutes a finance transaction it is measured at present value.

{k) 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. Financia! assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

27 |Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

1; Summary of accounting policies [Continued]

(k) — Financial instruments [Continued]

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 receipts 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.

Derecognition offinancial liabilities

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

(I) Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the charity has an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount can be reliably estimated.

(m) Leases

Assets acquired under finance leases are capitalised and depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and the expected useful life of the asset. Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance charge and the reduction of the outstanding lease liability using the effective interest method. The related obligations, net of future finance charges, are included in creditors.

Rentals payable and receivable under operating leases are charged to the SofA on a straight-tine basis over the period of the lease.

(n) Employee benefits

When employees have rendered service to the charity, short-term employee benefits to which the employees are entitled are recognised at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid in exchange for that service.

The charity operates a defined contribution plan for the benefit of its employees. Contributions are expensed as they become payable.

(o) Tax

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

28|Page

.

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

|

{

|

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

i: Summary of accounting policies [Continued]

(p) VAT

The charity is partially exempt for VAT purposes. VAT for partial exemption which is not allowed in the year is written off to the Statement of Financial Activities.

(q) Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the future outlook reflects the opportunities that have arisen as a result of our ability to support the communities we serve as we emerge from Covid-19, Whilst the Trustees acknowledge the net current liabilities position of £443,550 is a challenging basis on which to enter into post Covid-19 recovery, we are confident that our core business can respond to the transitioning period, bolstered by our embedded social impacts in action.

Our day to day activities that provide much needed services in support of our charitable aims to educate women and drive social and economic advancement have emerged as more valuable than previously recognised, During this pandemic, we have strengthened our work within our community as we are directly aligned to those who need us most. We are able to provide responsive and bespoke support to women, families and the BAME community that are impactful and immediate and funders are investing in organisations that are delivering social value though their day to day trading operations, activities and interventions, rather than through one off projects.

Funders have seen the value of organisations working with particular communities during Covid-19. We are rooted in the local community and have access to people who have been disadvantaged through this pandemic. Our learners and employees, a high proportion of which are women, part of the BAME community and those who experience social deprivation are even more at risk of mental ill health and cultural inequalities. Blackburne House have responded at speed with interventions that reach those people most in need and provided funders with the networks and reach to make a difference. We have successfully contracted to provide that support post Covid19 and we anticipate this will translate into long term, substantial contracts with significant interventions.

The trustees have reviewed the plans and consider that the budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern and remain confident that core business is sustainable in the long term.

2. Incomefrom donationsand —_—Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
legacies Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Donations 11,847 - - 11,847 1,805
Grants receivable - - - - 17,720
11,847 - - 11,847 19,525

All of the above income in 2022 was attributable to unrestricted funds.

29| Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

3. Incomefrom charitable Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Endowment Total Total
activities Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Nursery income 364,644 - - 364,644 358,049
Café Bar income 221,489 - - 221,489 221,896
Rent receivable 115,587 - - 115,587 39,423
Events 102,720 - - 102,720 102,629
Car park income 30,826 - - 30,826 23,993
Clatterbridge café 387,222 - - 387,222 277,222
Wellness Centre 29,957 - - 29,957 2,795
Grants receivable:
People’s Postcode Lottery - 27,083 - 27,083 22,917
Liverpool City Council - Public
Health Domestic Abuse Mental
Health - 8,449 - 8,449 16,898
Liverpool City Council -
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable
People Grant - 64,571 - 64,571 32,286
Big Issue Invest SESF - 40,917 - 40,917 -
The National Garden Scheme - 1,118 - 1,118 -
Other 1,009 - - 1,009 13,149
1,253,454 142,138 - 1,395,592 13111,957
Of the above income in the prior year, £1,039,156 was attributable to unrestricted funds, and £72,101 was
attributable to restricted funds.
4. Income from investments Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Interest received on cash
deposits 1 - = 1 1
All of the above income in 2022 was attributable to unrestricted funds.
5. Other income Unrestricted funds
Total Total
2023 2022
£ £
Businessinterruptioninsuranceclaim - 24,750

BE

8320 Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

|

| } | E | t |

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

6. Analysis ofexpenditure on charitable Activities
activities undertaken Support Total Total
directly costs 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Nursery 268,034 130,758 398,792 427,734
Wellness Centre 41,665 45,623 87,288 1,970
Cafe 424,815 79,424 504,239 486,295
Events 14,308 36,834 51,142 62,488
Projects and Business Development (23,818) - (23,818) (2,083)
Buildingmanagement 94,606 68,628 163,234 119,860
Clatterbridge café 119,782 136,712 256,494 201,916
Other - 42,633 42,633 17,839
939,392 540,612 1,480,004 1,316,019

Of the above costs £1,276,272 (2022 £1,182,324) were attributable to unrestricted funds, £165,675 (2022 £95,638) were attributable to restricted funds, and £38,057 (2022 £38,057) were attributable to endowment funds.

7. Allocation ofsupport costs 2023 2022
Managementsalaries £
157,498
£
185,003
Premises costs 171,083 134,285
Office costs 73,494 57,934
Depreciation
Professional
84,682
649
70,877
6,430
Other 39,035 42,467
Governancecosts (see note 8) 14,171 9,503
540,612 506,499
8. Governance costs 2023 2022
£ £
Audit and accountancy fees 14,171 §,503
9. Staffcostsand employee benefits 2023 2022
£ £
The aggregate payroll costswere:
Wages and salaries 703,268 592,577
Social security costs 44,785 35,049
Other pension costs 18,057 14,691
766,110 642,317
Recharged salaries (net) (30,000) 58,283
736,110 700,600

31{Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

9. Staff costs and employee benefits {continued]

Staff costscosts and employee benefits {continued]
2023 2022
Particulars ofemployees: £ £
Theaverage numberofstaffemployed bytheCharityduring the financial year
amounted to: 43 41
Therearenoemployeeswithemolumentsabove£60,000.

10. Trustees’ and key management personnel remuneration and expenses

No remuneration was paid to the trustees during the year for their services as trustees (2022 £Nil) nor were any expenses reimbursed (2022 ENil).

The total amount of employee remuneration received by key management personnel is £67,800 (2022 £57,298).

The charity considers its key management personnel to comprise the Executive Director of Operations. The CEO role is a shared resource between Blackburne House and its sister company, Women’s Technology Training Limited. There is an annual recharge to Women’s Technology Training Limited each year in connection with this resource,

11. Net income/(expenditure) forthe year 2023 2022
£ £
This is stated aftercharging:
Staffpension contributions 18,057 14,691
Depreciation 84,682 70,877
Auditors’ remuneration - as auditors 14,171 9,503
12. Auditor’s remuneration 2023 2022
£ £
Fees payable to the charity’s auditor for the audit of the
charity’s annual accounts 14,171 9,503
13. Taxation
Thecompany is exemptfrom corporation tax on its charitable activities.
14. ‘interest payable and similar expenses 2023 2022
£ £
Other loans 6,210 5,596
Finance charge payable under finance leases 2,277 2,649
8,487 8,245

32|Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued]

Year ended 31 July 2023

15. Tangible fixed assets Building Fixtures&
Alterations Equipment Fittings Computers Total
£ £ £ £ £
Cost
At 1August 2022 6,139,422 264,186 282,154 58,790 6,744,552
Additions - 1,130 2,398 - 3,528
At31 July2023 6,139,422 265,316 284,552 58,790 6,748,080
Depreciation
At 1 August2022 1,245,474 216,821 255,465 58,468 1,776,228
Chargefortheyear 62,094 13,805 8,676 107 84,682
At31July 2023 1,307,568 230,626 264,141 58,575 1,860,910
Net bookvalue
At31July2023 4,831,854 34,690 20,411 215 4,887,170
At31July 2022 4,893,948 47,365 26,689 322 4,968,324
included in the net bookvalue ofequipment is£27,627 £27,627 (2022 -£34,534) £34,534) in respectof ofassets held underfinance
leases.

16. Stocks

16. Stocks 2023 2022
£ £
Goods for resale 3,567 3,654
17. Debtors 2023 2022
£ £
Trade debtors 64,437 59,628
Prepayments 27,530 26,238
Other debtors - 1,518
91,967 87,384
18. Creditors: Amounts fallingdue within oneyear 2023 2022
£ E
Obligations underfinance leases 7,519 7,483
FirstArk loan 20,974 29,400
People’s Postcode Lottery loan 6,732 6,408
Bounce Back loan 5,571 6,243
Trade creditors 129,304 136,722
Social security and othertaxes 40,130 41,184
Other creditors 1,174 304,182
Accruals and deferred income 12,566 124,391
223,970 656,013

33|Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Notes to the Financial Statements {continued} Year ended 31 July 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |19.|Creditors: Amounts|falling due|after more|than|one year|2023|2022| |£|£| |Obligations under|finance|leases|10,545|15,540| |First Ark|loan|14,358|16,953| |People’s|Postcode|Lottery|loan|36,199|42,931| |Bounce|Back|loan|35,507|41,599| |Other|creditors|(see|note|26)|384,431|-| |481,040|117,023| |The finance|leases|are secured|against|the|assets|acquired.|a|

----- End of picture text -----

On 29 March 2018 First Ark advanced the charity £120,000 repayable in monthly instalments over 6 years at a rate of interest of 8.5%.

On 20 May 2020, National Westminster Bank plc advanced the charity £50,000 under the Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) originally repayable over 6 years but extended to 10 years on 4 June 2021, with an interest rate of 2.5% per annum.

On 31 January 2022, People’s Postcode Lottery advanced the charity £50,000 repayable in monthly instalments over 7 years at a rate of interest of 3%.

  1. Loans and overdrafts

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Creditors|include|loans|which|are|due|to|be|repaid|as|follows:|2023|2022| |£|£| |Amounts|payable:| |In|one|year|or|less|or on|demand|33,276|42,051| |In|more|than|one|year|but|no|more|than|two|years|40,079|28,919| |In|more|than|two|years|but|not|more|than|five|years|40,799|37,960| |Over|five years|and|payable|by|instalments|5,187|34,604| |119,341|143,534| |21.|Leases| |Finance|leases| |Finance|leases|primarily|relate|to|the|purchase|of|kitchen|equipment.| |Total|future|minimum|lease|payments|are|as|follows:|2023|2022| |£|£| |Not|later than|one year|7,519|7,483| |Later than|one and|not|later|than|five|years|10,545|15,540| |18,064|23,023| |Assets|other than| |land and|buildings| |At|31|July|2023|the|charity|had|future|total|commitments|under|2023|2022| |non-cancellable|operating|leases|as|follows:|£|£| |Within|one|year|23,694|20,073| |Between|two|and|five|years|29,618|45,928| |53,312|66,001|

----- End of picture text -----

OO BA] Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued]

Year ended 31 July 2023

22. Endowmentfunds As at Transfer As at
1August between 31 July
2022 Income = Expenditure funds 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Permanent endowments:
Propertyfund 2,676,704 - {38,057) - 2,638,647
Comparative information in respect ofthe preceding period is as follows:
As at Transfer As at
1August between 31July
2021 Income Expenditure funds 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Permanent endowments:
Propertyfund 2,714,761 - {38,057} - 2,676,704
23. Restricted funds As at Transfer Asat
1August between 31July
2022 Income Expenditure funds 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Liverpool CityCouncil Nursery capital 1,154 - (663) - 491
Liverpool City Region - Single
Investment Fund (Capital Investment) 2,211,678 - (22,874) - 2,188,804
People’s Postcode Lottery - 27,083 (27,083) - -
Liverpool City Council - Public Health
DomesticAbuse - 8,449 (8,449) - -
Liverpool City Council - Clinically
ExtremelyVulnerable People - 64,571 (64,571) . -
BIG Issue InvestSESF - 40,917 (40,917) - -
The National Garden Scheme - 1,118 (1,118) - -
2,212,832 142,138 (165,675) - 2,189,295
Comparative information in respect ofthe preceding period is as follows:
Restricted funds As at Transfer As at
1August between 31July
2021 income Expenditure funds 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Liverpool CityCouncil Nursery capital 1,817 - (663) - 1,154
Liverpool City Region - Single
Investment Fund (Capital Investment) 2,234,552 - (22,874) - 2,211,678
People’s Postcode Lottery - 22,917 (22,917) - -
Liverpool CityCouncil - Public Health
DomesticAbuse - 16,898 (16,898) - -
Liverpool City Council - Clinically
Extremely Vulnerable People - 32,286 (32,286) - -
2,236,369 72,101 (95,638) - 2,212,832
_
35

_

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

24. Unrestricted funds As at Transfer As at
1August between 31July
2022 Income Expenditure funds 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General fund (506,233) 1,265,302 (1,276,272) - (517,203)
Comparative information in respect ofthe preceding period is as follows:
As at Transfer As at
1August between 31July
2021 Income Expenditure funds 2022
£ £ £ £ £
General fund (407,341) 1,083,432 (1,182,324) - (506,233)
25. Analysis ofnetassets betweenfunds Tangible Net Creditors
fixed current due after
assets liabilities oneyear Total
£ £ £ £
Endowmentfund 2,638,647 - - 2,638,647
Restricted fund 2,189,295 - - 2,189,295
Unrestricted funds 59,228 (95,391) (481,040) (517,203)
4,887,170 (95,391) (481,040) 4,346,655
Comparative information in respect ofthe preceding period is asfollows:
Tangible Net Creditors
fixed current due after
assets liabilities oneyear Total
£ £ £ £
Endowment fund 2,676,704 - - 2,676,704
Restricted fund 2,212,832 - - 2,212,832
Unrestricted funds 78,788 (467,998) (117,023) (506,233)
4,968,324 (467,998) (117,023) 4,383,303

) SSS == 36|Pa ge

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

26. Related party transactions

Blackburne House is related to Women’s Technology Training Limited by virtue of common directors and influence. Both these charities operate from the same Registered Office. During the year Blackburne House charged Women’s Technology Limited £142,372 for rent and services (2022 £8,437), £Nil for childcare and related project costs (2022 £14,655) and £372,942 for other administration and project costs (2022 £66,999). During the year Women’s Technology Training Limited charged Blackburne House £34,656 (2022 £85,806) for management and administration costs and was refunded £5,916 (2022 ENil) in relation to overstated childcare costs.

The above exclude VAT on vatable items.

At the year-end Blackburne House owed Women’s Technology Training Limited £384,431 (2023 £294,788). On 31 July 2023 the trustees entered into a formal agreement to repay the loan in equal monthly instalments.

27. Pension scheme contributions

The charity operates a defined contributions pension scheme for its employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions paid by the charity to the defined contribution scheme which amounted to £18,057 (2022 £14,691).

28. Deferred income Under 1 year 2023 2022
£ £ £
At 1 August 2022 110,256 110,256 14,268
Additions
Amounts released to income
1,885
(110,256)
1,885
(110,256)
110,256
(14,268)
At31July2023 1,885 1,885 110,256

Income has been deferred when it is received in advance of the period to which it relates or where performance of the activities to which it relates have not yet been undertaken.

  1. Company limited by guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

On winding up of the company each member will contribute £1.

  1. Capital commitments

There are no capital commitments as at 31st July 2023 (2022 £Nil).

37]Page

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

Notes to the Financial Statements [continued] Year ended 31 July 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |31.|Reconciliation|of net|(expenditure) to|net|cash|flow|from|2023|2022| |operating|activities|£|£| |Net|(expenditure}/income|for the|year|(72,564)|(160,486)| |Interest|receivable|(1)|(1)| |Interest|payable|8,487|8,245| |Depreciation|of tangible|fixed|assets|84,682|70,877| |Decrease|in|stock|87|916| |(Increase)|in|debtors|(4,583)|(10,643)| |(Decrease)/increase|in|creditors|(38,874)|119,674| |Net|cash|flow from|operating|activities|(22,766)|28,582| |Cash|and|cash|equivalent|consists|of:|/|)| |Cash|at|bank|29,029|88,970| |Cash|in|hand|4,016|8,007| |33,045|96,977| |32.|Analysis|of changes|in|net|debt|Balance|at|Balance|at| |1st August|Non-cash|31st July| |2022|Cashflows|Changes|2023| |£|£|£|£| |Long term|borrowings|(101,483)|-|15,419|(86,064)| |Short term|borrowings|(42,051)|24,193|(15,419)|(33,277)| |Obligations|under|finance|leases|(23,023)|4,959|-|(18,064)| |Total|liabilities|(166,557)|29,152|-|(137,405)| |Cash|and|cash|equivalent|96,977|(63,932)|-|33,045| |Total|net debt|(69,580)|(34,780)|-|(104,360)|

----- End of picture text -----

OO Bn 8B

Page.