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← Federation Of Essex Women's Institutes

2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02747046 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1014445

Report of the Trustees and

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

for

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Xeinadin South East Limited The Old Grange Warren Estate Lordship Road Writtle Essex CM1 3WT

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6 to 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 14
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 15 to 16

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 02747046 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number 1014445

Registered office

WI Centre, Whitelands Terling Road Hatfield Peverel Essex CM3 2AG

Trustees

J Curtis M Jackson F J Cattermole S Macewen L Crisp G Hathaway G Bruce V Brome K Powell J Hoyles (resigned 24.9.24) C Pine (appointed 12.8.24)

Company Secretary

S Lawton

Independent Examiner

Xeinadin South East Limited The Old Grange Warren Estate Lordship Road Writtle Essex CM1 3WT

Page 1

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Trustees

The trustees who held office during this period are named on page one. The Trust Deed of the charity governs the appointment of trustees. The Managing Trustees are authorised to appoint new trustees to fill casual vacancies arising among the elected members by co-option.

Investment policies and returns

The Trust Deed authorises the trustees to make and hold investments using the general funds of the charity. Under the constitution, the charity has the power to make any investment which the trustees see fit. The trustees consider the return on investments in the period to be good given the prevailing economic climate and will continue to review throughout the year.

Constitution, objects and policies

The charity is governed by the Constitution and rules as laid down for Federations from time to time by the National Federation and its objects are to further the purpose of the Women's Institute organisation in Essex and elsewhere.

The policy of the charity continues to be to offer a wide variety of activities to members and to give support to districts and to local institutes as necessary. In planning the activities for the period, the trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The interests of all members are covered by the variety of classes and events organised. The charity is organised so that the trustees meet regularly to manage its affairs. Three staff are employed to assist with the administration of the charity as appropriate.

Development, activities and achievements

Membership of the Essex Federation of Women's Institutes has decreased slightly over the period under review. Numbers attending activities provided by the Federation at WI Centre and at other locations have increased although are still not at pre-2020 levels. The charity would not be able to provide the wide range of services that it does to its members without the continued support of a large number of sub-team members, along with the Board of Trustees and the WI Advisers, who give their services voluntarily.

Review of financial activities and affairs

Membership fees represent only a proportion of the annual income required and the need to increase revenue from other sources remains imperative. Through our Blue Plaque initiatives across Essex and sponsorships of women's team sports and activities, we are raising awareness of our charity and its activities to a wider audience. All income is entirely reliant upon members' continued support and forms a valuable contribution to the Federation.

Income from Sub-team activities and events decreased in the year to £10,764 (2024: £14,818).

Income from investments is made up of two elements, bank interest received on the Federation's bank balances and movement in the value of the investments. During the period under review, bank interest has increased to £8,323 (2024: £7,983).

There has been a decrease in the value of the investments of £13,006 (2024: gain of £33,001). Despite the decrease this year, the investments are held for their long term performance and the value has increased by £124,000, since the funds were first invested.

Future developments

The trustees intend to continue to develop the services and activities on offer and will actively engage with members to ensure these are well supported to ensure the continued financial strength of the federation. Using hybrid options, the trustees are already able to provide additional services and training, thus generating extra income. The trustees have agreed to offer training for officers in WIs: Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers, at a token cost of £1 a session, therefore those sessions do not generate any additional income. It is felt that it is important that those taking on these roles are confident and we recognise this initiative as a valuable resource for our members.

Reserves policy

The trustees have adopted a Reserves policy that is monitored throughout the year and a full review takes place a minimum of two months prior to the financial year-end. The latest review took place in February 2025 and the trustees agreed £125,000 being held in reserve is sufficient to ensure the continuation of the Federation's activities for the coming year. The total amount of unrestricted funds currently held in reserves is just over £416,000.

Page 2

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Public benefit

The charity acknowledges its requirements to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or aims that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in this Trustees Annual Report. The trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance of public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Risk management

The trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining reserves at current levels, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems and procedures, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks faced by the charity and confirm they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks and have instigated a continual review of all procedures.

Connected charity

The Federation is a member of the National Federation of Women's Institutes of England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, a company limited by guarantee No 2517690, charity registration no. 803793, whose principal address is 104 New Kings Road, London SW6 4LY.

Other assets and liabilities

The trustees hold assets on behalf of newly formed Women's Institutes to assist with their formation and prior to them obtaining their own banking facilities. These funds are held as restricted funds. At the balance sheet date, there were funds of £3,735 (2024: £nil) held for this purpose.

When a Women's Institute is suspended, the balance of the funds remaining after the payment of all outstanding liabilities is handed over to the Board of Trustees of the Federation, to be held by them until the WI is reformed, or for three years, or until a new WI is established which in the opinion of the Federation Board of Trustees serves the area formerly served by the WI, whichever is the shorter period. If at the end of that time the WI has not been reformed, the funds (including interest) are to be retained by the Federation. Currently £6,738 (2024: £24,361) is held on behalf of suspended WIs.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

........................................................................ M Jackson - Trustee

Page 3

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Federation of Essex Women's Institutes ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  3. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mrs A S Kaley

Xeinadin South East Limited The Old Grange Warren Estate Lordship Road Writtle Essex CM1 3WT Date: .............................................

Page 4

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOMING RESOURCES FROM
Voluntary income
93,630
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Charitable activities
37,516
Activities for generating funds
2
1,765
Investment income
3
(4,683)
Total
128,228
EXPENDITURE ON
Fundraising trading costs
-
Charitable expenditure
Charitable activities
113,675
Governance
35,618
Total
149,293
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(21,065)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
436,661
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
415,596		 Restricted
fund
£
-
760
-
-
760
650
-
-
650
110
1,036
1,146		 2025
Total
funds
£
93,630
38,276
1,765
(4,683)
128,988
650
113,675
35,618
149,943
(20,955)
437,697
416,742		 2024
Total
funds
£
74,674
61,020
3,606
40,984
180,284
700
127,727
31,647
160,074
20,210
417,487
437,697

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Balance Sheet 31 March 2025

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Investments
8
339,383
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks
9
7,045
Debtors
10
14,673
Cash at bank and in hand
93,613
115,331
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
11
(39,118)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
76,213
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
415,596
NET ASSETS
415,596
FUNDS
12
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
1,146
1,146
-
1,146
1,146
1,146		 2025
Total
funds
£
339,383
7,045
14,673
94,759
116,477
(39,118)
77,359
416,742
416,742
415,596
1,146
416,742		 2024
Total
funds
£
352,388
5,523
23,881
92,700
122,104
(36,795)
85,309
437,697
437,697
436,661
1,036
437,697

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

The notes form part of these financial statements

continued...

Page 6

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Balance Sheet - continued 31 March 2025

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

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. M Jackson - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost. After initial recognition, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates, in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

continued...

Page 8

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2. ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS

ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS
Shop income
INVESTMENT INCOME
Deposit account interest
Gain / (loss) on investments (see note 8)		 2025
£
1,765
2025
£
8,323
(13,006)
(4,683)		 2024
£
3,606
2024
£
7,983
33,001
40,984

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

During the period, the following expenses have been reimbursed to Trustees in respect of travelling costs, home telephone and other expenses incurred on behalf of the Charity:

Number of trustees who were paid expenses
Total amounts paid		 2025
9
£5,134		 2024
10
£5,299

5. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Charitable activities
Governance		 2025
2
1
3		 2024
2
1
3

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

continued...

Page 9

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

6.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOMING RESOURCES FROM
Voluntary income
74,674
Incoming resources from charitable
activities
Charitable activities
60,112
Activities for generating funds
3,606
Investment income
40,984
Total
179,376
EXPENDITURE ON
Fundraising trading costs
-
Charitable expenditure
Charitable activities
127,727
Governance
31,647
Total
159,374
NET INCOME
20,002
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
416,659
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
436,661
7.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
COST
At 1 April 2024
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
Eliminated on disposal
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 6.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOMING RESOURCES FROM
Voluntary income
74,674
Incoming resources from charitable
activities
Charitable activities
60,112
Activities for generating funds
3,606
Investment income
40,984
Total
179,376
EXPENDITURE ON
Fundraising trading costs
-
Charitable expenditure
Charitable activities
127,727
Governance
31,647
Total
159,374
NET INCOME
20,002
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
416,659
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
436,661
7.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
COST
At 1 April 2024
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
Eliminated on disposal
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Restricted
fund
£
-
908
-
-
908
700
-
-
700
208
828
1,036		 Total
funds
£
74,674
61,020
3,606
40,984
180,284
700
127,727
31,647
160,074
20,210
417,487
437,697
Computer
equipment
£
40,407
(1,460)
38,947
40,407
(1,460)
38,947
-
-

continued...

Page 10

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

8. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

MARKET VALUE
At 1 April 2024
Revaluations
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
There were no investment assets outside the UK.
Cost or valuation at 31 March 2025 is represented by:
Valuation in 2015 and prior
Valuation in 2016
Valuation in 2017
Valuation in 2018
Valuation in 2019
Valuation in 2021
Valuation in 2022
Valuation in 2023
Valuation in 2024
Valuation in 2025
Original investment
9.
STOCKS
Stocks
10.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 Unlisted
investments
£
352,388
(13,005)
339,383
339,383
352,388
Unlisted
investments
£
22,803
6,905
6,291
9,438
17,215
25,697
28,238
(12,337)
33,001
(13,006)
215,138
339,383
2025
2024
£
£
7,045
5,523
2025
2024
£
£
1,349
732
-
515
13,324
22,634
14,673
23,881

continued...

Page 11

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted funds
Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted funds
Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Comparatives for movement in funds
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted funds
Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.4.24
£
436,661
1,036
437,697
Incoming
resources
£
128,228
760
128,988
At 1.4.23
£
416,659
828
417,487		 2025
2024
£
£
8,719
581
8,198
24,406
22,201
11,808
39,118
36,795
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.3.25
£
£
(21,065)
415,596
110
1,146
(20,955)
416,742
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(149,293)
(21,065)
(650)
110
(149,943)
(20,955)
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.3.24
£
£
20,002
436,661
208
1,036
20,210
437,697

12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

continued...

Page 12

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted funds
Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
179,376
908
180,284		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(159,374)
20,002
(700)
208
(160,074)
20,210

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted funds
Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.4.23
£
416,659
828
417,487		 Net
movement
in funds
£
(1,063)
318
(745)		 At
31.3.25
£
415,596
1,146
416,742

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted funds
Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
307,604
1,668
309,272		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(308,667)
(1,063)
(1,350)
318
(310,017)
(745)

continued...

Page 13

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Page 14

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
Membership fees
Sundry grants and donations
Lapsed funds
Activities for generating funds
Shop income
Investment income
Deposit account interest
Gain / (loss) on investments (see note 8)
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Essex News
WI stationery sales
Sub-team activities
County and National meetings
Other income
Board of Trustees' activities
Fed Flutter
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Resources expended
Fed Flutter
Charitable expenditure
Wages
Rent, rates and utilities
Insurance
Telephone
Postage and stationery
Advertising
Essex News costs
Sub-team activity costs
Board of Trustees' activity costs
County and national meetings
World pay card charges
Repairs, maintenance and cleaning
Carried forward		 2025
£
72,698
1,578
19,354
93,630
1,765
8,323
(13,006)
(4,683)
12,880
14
10,764
8,452
3,149
2,257
760
38,276
128,988
650
33,464
17,564
(54)
4,135
2,559
14,496
16,692
7,400
1,708
13,719
132
1,918
113,733		 2024
£
73,749
925
-
74,674
3,606
7,983
33,001
40,984
15,965
47
14,818
21,738
3,465
4,079
908
61,020
180,284
700
27,069
17,746
(833)
3,984
2,680
11,856
16,194
10,062
2,729
33,173
91
2,718
127,469

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 15

Federation of Essex Women's Institutes

Charitable expenditure
Brought forward
Travel and accommodation
Support costs
Governance costs
Wages
Rent, rates and utilities
Insurance
Telephone
Postage and stationery
Sundries
Board of Trustees' expenses
Repairs, maintenance and cleaning
Archives
Legal and professional fees
Office equipment maintenance
Total resources expended
Net (expenditure)/income		 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025		 2025
£
113,733
1,317
115,050
11,155
5,855
(18)
1,378
853
944
5,143
639
128
5,047
3,119
34,243
149,943
(20,955)		 2024
£
127,469
1,204
128,673
9,023
5,914
(278)
1,328
893
629
5,299
906
138
4,175
2,674
30,701
160,074
20,210

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16