**Charity registration number 1012522**
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **Trustees**
Mrs M Scott Mr C G Quinn
(Appointed 5 January 2024)
**Charity number** 1012522
**Principal address**
## **Independent examiner**
22 Lowther Street Whitehaven Cumbria CA28 7DG
Armstrong Watson LLP Carleton House 136 Gray Street Workington Cumbria CA14 2LU
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 4|
|Independent examiner's report|5|
|Statement of financial activities|6 - 7|
|Balance sheet|8|
|Notes to the financial statements|9 - 17|
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
## **Objectives and activities**
The objectives of the Charity are to promote the welfare of visually impaired people and to educate the public about their needs and aspirations in the area of benefit. The aim of the Society is to provide support and information for visually impaired people in West Cumbria and to continue to do so to the highest standards.
## **Objects of the Charity, Principal Activities and Organisation of Our Work**
## **Project Aim**
To enable visually impaired people in West Cumbria (Copeland & Allerdale) to be more independent, more socially included, feel safer and have improved wellbeing. The outcomes of the Charity are that:
1. Visually impaired people in our area have access to information and advice, safety equipment, independent living equipment, financial benefits advice, emotional support and referrals to other services/organisations via our Resource Centre services and telephone helpline.
2. Housebound visually impaired people in our area will feel safer, more independent and have improved psychological wellbeing, by receiving regular support through our telephone support program.
3. Socially isolated and lonely visually impaired people will feel less lonely, and less isolated because of our social activities programme.
The following activities are undertaken to ensure that the above outcomes are achieved:
**Resource & Information Centre** – Our Centre is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and weekends by appointment. All visually impaired people and their family/carers are welcome to call into our Resource Centre for advice, guidance, emotional support and specialist equipment. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteers are always on hand to demonstrate the latest specialist equipment and to offer support.
**Support Groups** – We organise social activities throughout the area. At these groups members can enjoy a varied range of activities such as: guest speakers, bingo, dominoes, cards, musical entertainment etc. Members also receive practical and emotional support from our staff, volunteers and from each other to enable them to feel more socially included.
## **Activities during the year**
Since the Society was formally established in 1990 we have supported many thousands of visually impaired people and their families, providing them with emotional support, specialist equipment and advice. Our Chairman, Trustees, staff and volunteers continue this vital work to this day, ensuring that everything we do helps to improve the quality of life of those who are living with sight loss.
## **A) Our resource & information centre services**
There were 497 visits to our Resource and Information Centre by visually impaired people and their carers seeking practical and emotional support. There were 917 telephone calls made & received to/from visually impaired people seeking support and advice. We referred 96 people to other services for additional support e.g. Social Services, low vision clinics, financial benefits etc.
- 1 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **B) Support service for housebound people**
We continue to proactively telephone people periodically according to their needs and wishes. This will continue into the future. The scheme has proven more appropriate to meet the needs of the community and continues to be a success.
This change of approach coincided with the loss of funding for the home visit service. The plan is to continue with the effective support we currently provide via the telephone and re-evaluate if funding becomes available in the future.
At present we provide monthly, six monthly and annual calls to people
To ensure that we continued to support the most vulnerable, lonely and isolated visually impaired people we began providing weekly telephone support to people who would usually receive home support. Our home support worker made 322 telephone calls to housebound visually impaired people throughout Copeland and Allerdale providing vital practical and emotional support.
## **C) Our social support groups**
We organise regular support groups and outings throughout the area. 29 groups and outings were organised with 149 attendances
## **D) Local talking newspaper**
We work in conjunction with the Copeland Talking Newspaper Team (Talking Whitehaven News) helping their volunteers with distribution of audio equipment.
## **E) Outcomes**
The combined outcomes of all our services are we:
- Provided emotional support on 848 occasions.
- Supplied 255 items of safety equipment and 436 independent living aids.
- Gave accident prevention advice on 385 occasions and independence advice on 574 occasions.
- Referred 96 people to other support organisations.
- Supported 286 people with financial benefits claims and advice.
## **Financial review**
The National Lottery Community Fund (Partnership Grants Scheme) awarded a restricted grant of £25,995.20 towards the cost of a Vision Support Officer. The grant was distributed to partners by the lead partner, Vision Support Barrow (Barrow & District Society for the Blind).
The Charlie and Kathleen Dunnery Children’s Fund donated a restricted grant of £500.00 to support visually impaired children.
The John Slater Trust donated a mainly restricted grant of £2,700.00 towards our work supporting visually impaired people.
- £5,432.68 was raised through private donations and collection boxes.
- £1,029.66 was donated in memory of deceased clients.
Legacies donated to the Society totalled £150.00
We would like to thank everyone who has given generous donations thus ensuring the continuation of our services.
- 2 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
We hold three separate accounts, a Revenue Account, a Current Account and the Society holds reserves in an easy access savings account which is held as unrestricted reserves for contingency costs. The unrestricted reserves at the year-end excluding property and Trustees contingency fund total £134,000.00. The Trustees have increased the level of the Trustees contingency fund to £100,000.00.
During the year there have been no significant events that have impacted upon the finances of the Charity.
## **Reserves policy**
In determining the Society’s Reserves Policy, the Trustees have taken into account the following:
- The unpredictable nature of income from collection boxes, donations and legacies.
- It would be very undesirable to have to reduce services on which the visually impaired rely.
The Trustees have agreed the Society’s Reserves Policy is:
To hold contingency reserves for:
- A minimum of 12 months’ operating costs
- Matched funding for our 2021-2024 National Lottery Communities Fund partnership grant the with the other Blind Societies in Cumbria.
- Unforeseen maintenance costs of the premises (Grade 2 listed building over 300 years old)
- To cover winding up charges and redundancies that would need to be met if the Society ceased to exist.
The policy is reviewed annually when the financial statements are approved.
As of the 31[st] March 2024 the Trustees contingency reserves were £100,000.00. Reserved for the purposes designated above.
## **Investment powers and maintenance of reserves**
Under the Charity’s governing document, the Charity has the power to make any investment that the Trustees see fit. Trustees also have discretionary powers regarding the retention of reserves. These should be used to attract matched funding when necessary to enable the charity to provide services.
## **Risk Management**
The Trustees actively review the major risks the Charity may face. The Trustees believe that maintaining reserves at the current levels, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational risks faced by the Charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate significant risks.
## **Plans for future periods**
The trustees recognise the need to develop a broad range of sustainable streams of income to ensure continuation of our vital work supporting visually impaired people. They have developed and continue to enhance plans towards this aim. They are also giving thought to the strategic direction which the work of The Society should take and the potential value of partnerships and other co-operative arrangements with other charities to help to achieve this.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The Charity is governed by a Constitution adopted in 1988 subsequently amended on 9th June 2006 and is regulated through the Companies’ Act 2006. Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting (within the terms of The Constitution). The Chairman of the Charity approaches potential suitably experienced and trustworthy individuals whom they believe have the desired attributes to become a trustee of the Charity. The Charity, in line with the Constitution, must ensure that a minimum of 25% of Trustees are visually impaired. Newly appointed trustees go through an induction process which includes introduction to the Charities’ policies and procedures, familiarisation of their role and their responsibilities.
- 3 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Mrs M Scott Mr David Sharples (Resigned 23 June 2023) Mrs D Hill (Resigned 23 June 2023) Mr M Hill (Resigned 23 June 2023) Mr D Johnson (Resigned 29 April 2024) Mrs A Johnson (Resigned 29 April 2024) Mr C G Quinn (Appointed 5 January 2024)
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Mrs M Scott **Trustee**
31 May 2024
- 4 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of West Cumbria Society for the Blind (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Steven Kirkbride BFP ACA ATT MAAT Armstrong Watson LLP Chartered Accountants Carleton House 136 Gray Street Workington Cumbria CA14 2LU
Dated: 14 October 2024
- 5 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**Current financial year**
**Unrestricted Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**designated**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
9,663
-
25,995
Investments
**4**
8,235
-
-
Other income
**5**
7,698
-
-
**Total income**
25,596
-
25,995
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
**6**
56,547
-
27,944
**Net (outgoing)/incoming resources before**
**transfers**
(30,951)
-
(1,949)
Gross transfers between funds
12,753
-
(12,753)
**Net (expenditure)/income for the year/**
**Net movement in funds**
(18,198)
-
(14,702)
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
86,582
388,000
27,781
**Fund balances at 31 March 2024**
68,384
388,000
13,079|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
35,658
8,235
7,698
51,591
84,491
(32,900)
-
(32,900)
502,363
469,463|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
114,443
2,155
6,749|
|---|---|---|
|||123,347|
|||64,837|
|||58,510
-|
|||58,510
443,853|
|||502,363|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
- 6 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**Prior financial year**
**Unrestricted Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**designated**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
81,907
-
32,536
Investments
**4**
2,155
-
-
Other income
**5**
6,749
-
-
**Total income**
90,811
-
32,536
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
**6**
46,341
-
18,496
**Net (outgoing)/incoming resources before transfers**
44,470
-
14,040
Gross transfers between funds
(38,000)
38,000
-
**Net (expenditure)/income for the year/**
**Net movement in funds**
6,470
38,000
14,040
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
80,113
350,000
13,740
**Fund balances at 31 March 2023**
86,583
388,000
27,780|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
114,443
2,155
6,749|
|---|---|
||123,347|
||64,837|
||58,510
-|
||58,510
443,853|
||502,363|
- 7 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## _**AS AT 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**10**
**Current assets**
Stocks
**11**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within**
**one year**
**12**
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**The funds of the charity**
Restricted income funds
**15**
Unrestricted funds - general
Unrestricted funds - designated
**14**|**2024**
**£**
1,000
290,347
291,347
(1,884)|**£**
180,000
289,463
469,463
13,079
68,384
388,000
469,463|**2023**
**£**
1,700
322,334
324,034
(1,700)|**£**
180,029
322,334|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||502,363|
|||||27,780
86,583
388,000|
|||||502,363|
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 31 May 2024
Mrs M Scott **Trustee**
- 8 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
West Cumbria Society for the Blind is an unincorporated charity.
## **1.1 Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **1.2 Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **1.3 Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
## **1.4 Income**
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
- 9 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
**(Continued)**
## **1.5 Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Freehold land and buildings Nil Fixtures and fittings 20%/40%/50% straight line basis
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
## **1.7 Impairment of fixed assets**
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
## **1.8 Stocks**
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
## **1.9 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
## _**Basic financial assets**_
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
- 10 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
**(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 payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
## **1.10 Employee benefits**
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
## **1.11 Retirement benefits**
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
- 11 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **3 Donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
Donations and gifts
3,841
-
Legacies receivable
1,030
-
Grants receivable
3,200
25,995
Other donations
1,592
-
9,663
25,995|**Total**
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
general
**2024**
2023
2023
**£**
£
£
3,841
2,068
-
1,030
-
-
29,195
6,400
32,536
1,592
73,439
-
35,658
81,907
32,536|Total
2023
£
2,068
-
38,936
73,439|
|---|---|---|
|||114,443|
## **4 Income from investments**
|||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**funds**|**funds**|
|||**2024**|**2023**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Interest receivable|8,235|2,155|
|**5**|**Other income**|||
|||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|||**funds**|**funds**|
|||**2024**|**2023**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Other income|1,030|206|
||Sales of specialist equipment|6,668|6,543|
|||7,698|6,749|
- 12 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**Direct costs**
Staff costs
20,604
27,696
Mentor
1,045
-
Volunteer expenses
1,176
-
Rates
2,650
-
Insurance
3,440
-
Repairs
12,265
-
Purchase of specialist
equipment
5,163
-
Telephone
2,175
-
Resource office expenses
1,714
-
Client social activities
1,587
248
Sundry expenses
1,929
-
Staff travel
786
-
Professional fees
1,984
-
Depreciation
29
-
56,547
27,944
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds
56,547
-
Restricted funds
-
27,944
56,547
27,944|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2024**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
48,300
18,317
18,335
1,045
57
-
1,176
465
-
2,650
1,598
-
3,440
1,764
-
12,265
5,603
-
5,163
6,840
-
2,175
3,154
-
1,714
3,374
-
1,835
1,447
161
1,929
823
-
786
1,385
-
1,984
1,253
-
29
261
-
84,491
46,341
18,496
56,547
46,341
-
27,944
-
18,496
84,491
46,341
18,496|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
36,652
57
465
1,598
1,764
5,603
6,840
3,154
3,374
1,608
823
1,385
1,253
261|
|---|---|---|
|||64,837|
|||46,341
18,496|
|||64,837|
## **7 Trustees**
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
## **8 Employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
|**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|
|**Number**|**Number**|
|5|3|
- 13 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**Employees**
**Employment costs**
Wages and salaries
Other pension costs|**(Continued)**
**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
46,744
35,945
1,556
707
48,300
36,652|**(Continued)**
**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
46,744
35,945
1,556
707
48,300
36,652|
|---|---|---|
|||36,652|
## **8 Employees**
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.
## **9 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
## **10 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Freehold land**
**and buildings**
**Fixtures and**
**fittings**
**£**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2023
180,000
44,544
At 31 March 2024
180,000
44,544
**Depreciation and impairment**
At 1 April 2023
-
44,515
Depreciation charged in the year
-
29
At 31 March 2024
-
44,544
**Carrying amount**
At 31 March 2024
180,000
-
At 31 March 2023
180,000
29|**Total**
**£**
224,544|
|---|---|
||224,544|
||44,515
29|
||44,544|
||180,000|
||180,029|
The building held at 22 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7DG is held on behalf of the charity by the following property owning trustees, Marie Scott, Darren Blanks and Christine McKnight.
The Big Lottery Fund has a financial interest for 80 years from 1997. If for any reason the property is sold, The Big Lottery Fund expect their grant of £89,000 to be repaid to them, and any remaining funds must be given by the Trustees to a local society (not a national society) who exclusively provide services for the blind and partially sighted.
- 14 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**11**
**Stocks**
Finished goods and goods for resale
**12**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals and deferred income
**13**
**Retirement benefit schemes**
**Defined contribution schemes**
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes|**2024**
**£**
1,000
**2024**
**£**
1,884
**2024**
**£**
1,556|**2023**
**£**
1,700|
|---|---|---|
|||**2023**
**£**
1,700|
|||**2023**
**£**
707|
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
## **14 Unrestricted funds -**
These are unrestricted funds which are material to the charity's activities.
||**At 1 April**|**Transfers**|**At 31 March**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**2023**||**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Trustees Contingency|100,000|-|100,000|
|Property reserve|180,000|-|180,000|
|Investment Reserve|18,000|-|18,000|
|Matched Funding|90,000|-|90,000|
||388,000|-|388,000|
|**Previous year:**|**At 1 April**|**Transfers**|**At 31 March**|
||**2022**||**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Trustees Contingeny|70,000|30,000|100,000|
|Property Reserve|180,000|-|180,000|
|Investment Reserve|10,000|8,000|18,000|
|Matched Funding|90,000|-|90,000|
||350,000|38,000|388,000|
- 15 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **14 Unrestricted funds -**
## **(Continued)**
The purposes of the Designated Funds are as follows;
Trustee's contingency reserve - This is money set aside by the Trustees to ensure the Charity is able to continue during dips in funding which would cover a 24 month period.
Property reserve - This reserve shows the value of the property and helps to clarify the true value of the unrestricted General Reserves.
Investment reserve - This is money donated by Roger Jefcoate for long term investment in Charifund for the future benefit of the Charity.
Matched funding reserve - The Trustees have decided to setup a separate reserve for the purposes of 'matched funding' with potential external funders.
## **15 Restricted funds**
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
|**At**
Social groups
The Big Lottery Fund
**Previous year:**
**At**
Social groups
The Big Lottery Fund|**1 April**
**2023**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**Resources**
**expended**
**Transfers**
**At 31 March**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
329
-
(248)
-
81
27,452
25,995
(27,696)
(12,753)
12,998
27,781
25,995
(27,944)
(12,753)
13,079
**1 April**
**2022**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**Resources**
**expended**
**Transfers**
**At 31 March**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
490
-
(161)
-
329
13,250
32,536
(18,335)
-
27,451
13,740
32,536
(18,496)
-
27,780|
|---|---|
The purposes of the Restricted Funds are as follows:
Social groups - This funding is to support the social activities/outings of the visually impaired.
The Big Lottery Fund - This funding is to provide financial support to employment in five roles and to provide financial support in the general running expenses of the Charity.
- 16 -
## **WEST CUMBRIA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **16 Unrestricted funds**
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
||**At 1 April**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 31 March**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2023**|**resources**|**expended**||**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|General funds|86,582|25,596|(56,547)|12,753|68,384|
|**Previous year:**|**At 1 April**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 31 March**|
||**2022**|**resources**|**expended**||**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|General funds|80,113|90,811|(46,341)|(38,000)|86,583|
## **17 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**At 31 March 2024:**
Tangible assets
-
180,000
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
68,384
208,000
13,079
68,384
388,000
13,079
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**At 31 March 2023:**
Tangible assets
29
180,000
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
86,554
208,000
27,780
86,583
388,000
27,780|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
180,000
289,463|
|---|---|
||469,463|
||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
180,029
322,334|
||502,363|
## **18 Related party transactions**
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).
- 17 -