Company No. 2662382
Charity No.1050456
BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Contents
Page
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3 Report of the Directors
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5 Independent Examiner’s report
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6 Statement of Financial Activities
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7 Balance Sheet
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8 Notes to the Financial Statements
12 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for advice services
Principal address and registered office:
96 Blackbird Leys Road Blackbird Leys Oxford OX4 6HS
Independent Examiners
Critchleys Audit LLP, Beaver House, 23 - 38 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, OX1 2EP
Registered Charity No. 1050456
Company No. 2662382
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Directors submit their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Objectives and activities
The principal activity of the company during the year was to provide advice and information services, in particular welfare rights and money advice, to the residents of Blackbird Leys and the surrounding areas. Additionally the company administers grants to individuals in need with funds donated specifically for that purpose.
The trustees consider the company a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102 (2019).
Achievements and performance
A detailed description of the company's activities and performance is available in the charity's annual report at - https://agnessmith.co.uk/annual reports. The Annual Report 2023-2024 there should be read in conjunction with this report for a full coverage of the charity’s achievements and performance.
During the year the company advised 1790 local residents in 2567 advice sessions, with each client potentially representing a household with other members (including children) benefitting from our advice. We achieved additional benefit gains for our clients totalling £2,654,342, and charity grants and other financial gains totalling £368,204. We helped clients to clear a total of £885,384 in unmanageable debts, freeing up client income for everyday living costs, and in some cases removing the risk of eviction for rent arrears. We prevented homelessness for 107 households. The total financial gain won for clients was £3,907,930. Our work contributes directly to local strategic priorities to reduce inequalities in Oxford, by increasing the resilience of local communities, maximising incomes, and teaching skills such as budgeting. We help with complex queries, often involving multiple, interrelated issues: resolving these challenging problems improves the quality of life of our clients and their families, and by extension has benefits for the whole community, through increased spending in the local economy and increased social participation.
Reference and administrative details
The company is a registered charity, No.1050456. The charity operates primarily under the name: Agnes Smith Advice Centre.
The directors who served throughout the year unless otherwise stated were as follows:-
| Andrew Carver | Beverley Humberstone |
|---|---|
| Gillian Dodds | Simon Pitkin |
| Paul Dornan | Cora Spencer |
| Imade Edosomwan | Wendy Spray |
| Jesse Erlam | |
| Catherine Foot |
Anthony Church was appointed as a Trustee on 15 July 2023 and retired on 21 January 2024.
The company is limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. Accordingly the directors have no interest in the share capital of the company.
Structure, Governance, and Management
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
General Information
The charity is a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The governing documents are the Memorandum and Articles of Association incorporated 12 November 1991 as amended by special resolution dated 14 October 1995 as amended on 14 Jul 2021 as amended on 15 Sep 2021 as amended on 25 Oct 2021 and registered with the Charities Commission.
The maximum liability of each member for payment of debts of the company is £1. At 31 March 2024 there were 25 members.
Method of appointment of trustees
The trustees of the charity are also the directors of the company limited by guarantee, BLNSS Ltd. Unless otherwise decided at a general meeting, there are 15 or fewer. At each annual general meeting (AGM), all the trustees/directors stand down, and must stand for re-election; at the AGM, retiring trustees/directors who have indicated their willingness to stand again are capable of being re-elected by the members. Other trustees/directors wanting to be elected at the AGM must be nominated by a member, and must indicate in writing their willingness to stand. Trustees/directors can be co-opted during the year, but must then stand for election at the next AGM.
Financial Review
The financial position as at 31 March 2024 is as detailed in the financial statements following this report. There was £290,366 in gross revenue and a deficit of £2,045, leading to total carried forward reserves of £155,875.
Risk assessment
The trustees have reviewed the major risks facing the organisation and developed strategies to mitigate them; a policy has been approved and adopted.
Reserves policy
Based on discussions about the risk assessment, the trustees have discussed and agreed the following statement on their reserves policy:
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BLNSS Ltd. aims to sustain its reserves at a level which would cover a minimum of 4 months’ and a maximum of 6 months’ operating costs;
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this is to serve as a contingency against future uncertainty affecting the service we provide;
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this will be used only at the discretion of the Board of Trustees in the case of financial necessity; if part of the reserve is used up for this reason the trustees would aim to replace it as soon as possible from any operating surpluses;
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reserves can also be designated for a specific purpose (i.e. to fund the development of the organisation); - trustees would prefer to invest the reserves ethically, although relatively easy access is essential.
Significant costs are also anticipated in the future due to the continuing need to move to new premises. The decision was therefore taken during the 2008/09 year (implemented in 2009/10) to set aside some of these reserves in a relocation fund, to be used if necessary for moving and necessary renovations/alterations, purchase of a building and/or higher rent. A restricted donation of £10,000 was received in 2009/10. In addition, the trustees have set aside a sum of £40,000 from general reserves.
Excluding the £40,000 which has been set aside from unrestricted funds, the unrestricted funds carried forward at 31 March 2024 totalled £104,047which represents between 4 and 5 months' budgeted expenditure.
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
By order of the Board
W Spray, Director Date: 22/07/2024
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Blackbird Leys Neighbourhood Support Scheme Limited for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 11.
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 report
Since the Company’s gross income exceeds £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with examination giving me cause to believe:
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1) Accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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2) The accounts do not accord with those accounting records; or
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3) The accounts do not comply with account 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
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4) The accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name of examiner: Gary Pready FCA Name of firm: Critchleys Audit LLP Relevant professional body: Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales Address: Beaver House, 23-28 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, OX1 2EP
Date: 25 July 2024
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2023-2024 | 2022-2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Restricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
| Direct Benefits | (Advice) | Advice | 2024 | Direct Benefits | (Advice) | Advice | Total 2023 | ||
| Revenue: | |||||||||
| Private donations | 16,545 | 16,545 | - | 17,316 | 1,338 | 18,653 | |||
| Bank interest | 2,890 | 2,890 | - | 1,644 | - | 1,644 | |||
| Grants (see Note 1a) | 28,748 | 147,667 | 94,516 | 270,931 | 83,712 | 114,787 | 151,894 | 350,393 | |
| Total revenue | 28,748 | 167,101 | 94,516 | 290,366 | 83,712 | 133,746 | 153,232 | 370,690 | |
| Expenditure | |||||||||
| Transfers to 3rd parties* | - | 12,480 | 12,480 | - | - | 17,236 | 17,236 | ||
| Administrative costs | |||||||||
| Total staff related costs | - | 126,949 | 78,036 | 204,985 | - | 94,612 | 116,310 | 210,923 | |
| Other admin costs | - | 38,657 | 6,768 | 45,425 | - | 24,023 | 21,396 | 45,419 | |
| Total administrative costs | - | 165,606 | 84,804 | 250,410 | - | 118,635 | 137,707 | 256,342 | |
| Governance costs | - | 1,745 | 0 | 1,745 | - | 1,531 | 131 | 1,662 | |
| (Independent examination and | bookkeeping see | Note 1b) | |||||||
| Direct benefits: | |||||||||
| Total direct benefits | 27,776 | 0 | 0 | 27,776 | 83,633 | 324 | 0 | 83,957 | |
| Total expenditure | 27,776 | 167,351 | 97,284 | 292,411 | 83,633 | 120,490 | 155,074 | 359,197 | |
| Income less expenditure | 972 | (249) | (2,768) | (2,045) | 80 | 13,256 | (1,842) | 11,494 | |
| Reserves: | |||||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 104 | 144,296 | 13,520 | 157,920 | 24 | 131,040 | 15,363 | 146,427 | |
| Current year earnings | 972 | (249) | (2,768) | (2,045) | 80 | 13,256 | (1,842) | 11,494 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 1076 | 144,047 | 10,752 | 155,875 | 104 | 144,296 | 13,520 | 157,920 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The notes on pages 8 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
- Thames Water Trust Fund grant to Oxford Community Work Agency for partnership project.
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
| BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 | BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 | Company No 2662382 | Company No 2662382 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Tangible assets | 5 | 2,667 | 4,010 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 6 | 22,697 | 10,058 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 184,734 | 180,980 | |
| Total current assets | 207,432 | 191,038 | |
| Creditors - amounts falling due within one year |
7 | 54,224 | 37,128 |
| Net current assets | 153,208 | 153,910 | |
| Total assets less current liabil- ities |
155,875 | 157,920 | |
| Unrestricted funds | 10 | 144,047 | 144,296 |
| Restricted funds | 9 | 11,828 | 13,624 |
| 155,875 | 157,920 |
The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the period by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for:
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(i) ensuring that the company keeps proper accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act, and
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(ii) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial period and of its profit or loss for the financial period in accordance with the requirements of section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
These financial statements were approved by the Board on 17th July 2024.
W Spray A Carver Director Director
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. Principal accounting policies
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) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
(a) Grants
Grants receivable represent amounts received during the year as adjusted for any elements that relate to future periods, which are included in the balance sheet as deferred income.
(b) Allocation of expenditure in Statement of Financial Activities
Independent examination and bookkeeping (accountancy service) costs are classified as governance costs. All other costs, which principally relate to advice workers' salaries, premises costs and office overheads, are classified as direct charitable expenditure.
(c) Depreciation
Depreciation is provided on a straight line basis at rates estimated to reduce the cost of fixed assets to their residual values over their anticipated useful lives. The following annual rates are used:
| Computer equipment | 25% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Office equipment | 25% | ||
| movement in funds | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| The net movement in funds is stated after charging: | £ | £ | |
| Reporting examiner's fee | 1,200 | 1,140 |
2. Net movement in funds
3. Directors' emoluments
The directors received no emoluments or reimbursements of expenses from the company during the year.
4. Employees' emoluments
| Salaries Employer's National Insurance Employer's Pension Contributions |
2024 2023 £ £ 186,087 191,302 10,187 10,406 8,712 9,215 |
|---|---|
| £204,985 £210,923 |
The average number of employees during the year was 9 (2022/23: 10). There were no employees who received employee benefits of more than £60,000. There were also none in the previous financial year (2022/23).
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
5. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 April 2023 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2024 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year Released on disposal At 31 March 2024 Net Book Value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 6. Debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 7. Creditors - amounts falling due within one year Accruals Deferred grant income (see note 8) 8. Deferred income - grants in advance Consortium (Peabody and GreenSquareAccord) Henry Smith Charitable Foundation A2 Dominion Oxfordshire Community Foundation Postcode Society Trust National Lottery Small grants up to £1000 |
Equipment 54,308 2,184 (2,184) 54,308 50,298 3,526 (2,184) 51,640 2,667 4,010 2024 2023 £ £ 12,519 369 10,179 9,689 22,697 10,058 £ £ 6,476 13,511 47,748 23,617 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 54,224 37,128 |
|||
| 2024 2023 £ £ 21,879 8,868 20,000 - 5,869 - - 5,000 - 5,249 - 3,400 - 1,100 47,748 23,617 |
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
9. Restricted funds
| Fund AdviceUK DRO City of Oxford Charity - depr Consortium Doris Field Oxford City Council - General Coronavirus - depr Oxford City Council - Household Support Grants Oxfordshire County Council Cost of Living Oxfordshire County Council Community Capacity National Lottery Community Fund Northmoor Relocation Blackbird Leys Parish Council Postcode Society Trust St. Michaels and All Saints Charities Thames Water Trust Fund Westmill Solar Client General Fund Restricted projects total |
Revenue Expenditure Reserves at start Reserves at end 1,000 1,000 0 0 0 167 167 0 22,424 22,424 0 0 0 550 550 0 0 1,928 2,680 752 10,000 10,000 0 0 20,000 20,000 0 0 5,000 5,000 0 0 3,400 3,400 0 0 0 0 10,000 10,000 2,500 2,500 0 0 5,249 5,249 0 0 0 123 123 0 30,000 30,000 0 0 4,943 4,943 0 0 18,748 17,776 104 1,076 |
|---|---|
| 123,265 125,060 13,624 11,828 |
Details of the restricted funds are as follows:
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a) 'Consortium' - a one year grant running from September 2023 to August 2024 from the bodies shown above to contribute towards the salary and associated costs of outreach and other work. Funds received in respect of the period after 31 March have been treated as deferred income (see note 10 above).
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b) The Northmoor Trust - Relocation Fund. Funds are being accumulated towards the costs of relocating the charity’s offices. Unspent amounts are represented by cash at bank.
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c) St Michael's and All Saints' Charities. Originally two separate grants to pay for volunteer childcare costs and floor covering. Agreed in 2016/17 that these could be used to pay for volunteer costs in general. Any unspent amounts are represented by cash held at the bank.
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d) Client General Funds comprise funds provided by various donors exclusively for direct client benefits with the beneficiary either proposed by the donor or recommended by the centre.
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e) Donors as listed - Grants to pay for costs as indicated. Any unspent amounts are represented by cash held at the bank.
10. Unrestricted funds
| Income Expenditure Deficit for the year Fund balance brought forward Fund balance carried forward |
General Fund Designated Reloca- tion Fund Total 167,101 - 167,101 167,351 - 167,351 |
|---|---|
| (249) - (249) 104,296 40,000 144,296 |
|
| 104,047 40,000 144,047 |
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
11. Analysis of assets between the funds
| Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities |
General Designated Relocation Fund Restricted Total £ £ £ £ 1,916 - 752 2,667 156,356 40,000 11,076 207,432 (54,224) - - (54,224) |
|---|---|
| 104,047 40,000 11,828 155,875 |
12. Related party transactions
Donations received from Trustees in the year totalled £1,255 (2023: £21).
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
FINANCIAL DETAILS FOR ADVICE SERVICES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Income | Unrestricted | Restric- ted |
Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford City Council | 81,776 | 81,776 | 98,588 | |
| Oxfordshire County Council | 25,000 | 25,000 | 2,211 | |
| Consortium (Housing Associations) | 22,424 | 22,424 | 21,661 | |
| Garfield Weston | 25,000 | 25,000 | ||
| National Lottery Community Fund | 6,550 | |||
| Blackbird Leys Parish Council | 2,500 | 2,500 | 2,500 | |
| Access to Justice | 10,000 | |||
| Fore Trust | 10,000 | |||
| Henry Smith Charity | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | |
| Batchworth Trust | 10,000 | 10,000 | ||
| Wates Foundation | 7,000 | 7,000 | ||
| Oxfordshire Community Foundation | 15,000 | |||
| Postcode Society Trust | 5,249 | 5,249 | 15,748 | |
| Thames Water Trust Fund | 17,520 | 17,520 | 20,350 | |
| City of Oxford Charity | 2,200 | |||
| Westmill Solar | 4,943 | 4,943 | 4,964 | |
| National Lottery Community Fund | 3,400 | 3,400 | ||
| AdviceUK DRO | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||
| London Legal Support Trust - Legal Walk 2022 | 4,139 | 4,139 | 3,111 | |
| Cumber Family Charitable Trust | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||
| Marsh Charitable Trust | 700 | 700 | ||
| Toby Golds Iyengar Yoga Social Responsibility Fund | 752 | 752 | ||
| MADL - Delteys Supermarket | 500 | 500 | ||
| Cowley Parish Church | 300 | 300 | ||
| 29th May 1961 Charity | 5,000 | |||
| Alice Smith Fund | 3,000 | |||
| P. F. Charitable Trust | 5,000 | |||
| Penningtons Manche | 3,000 | |||
| Lord Faringdon Charitable Trust | 2,500 | |||
| Others | 23,045 | 23,045 | 26,716 | |
| Bank interest | 2,890 | 2,890 | 1,644 | |
| Totals | 167,101 | 82,036 | 249,138 | 269,742 |
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED FINANCIAL DETAILS FOR ADVICE SERVICES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 (Contd)
| Expenditure | Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 |
|---|---|
| Charitable Activities | |
| Consulting | 100 100 400 |
| Depreciation Expense | 1,432 2,095 3,526 3,751 |
| Electricity | 6,002 900 6,902 4,623 |
| Information Resources | 4,612 2,050 6,662 7,418 |
| Insurance | 4,428 4,428 4,772 |
| Interest Paid | 13 |
| Internet | 755 263 1,018 1,050 |
| Non-durable Office equipment | 121 121 136 |
| IT Software and Consumables | 980 980 890 |
| IT Support | 3,099 3,099 2,938 |
| Legal and Professional Expenses | 302 302 1,785 |
| Miscellaneous | 973 20 993 800 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery | 1,303 1,303 951 |
| Photocopying and Printing | 1,304 458 1,762 1,772 |
| Postage, Freight & Courier | 599 600 1,199 1,141 |
| Recruitment costs | 535 535 789 |
| Rent, rates, refuse collection & water | 8,915 8,915 8,196 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 932 932 1,045 |
| Telephone | 796 279 1,075 1,583 |
| Training: Staff & Trustees | 1,241 1,241 1,190 |
| Travel - Staff | 92 92 12 |
| Travel _ Volunteers | 137 103 240 165 |
| Direct client benefits | 324 |
| Salaries and related costs Governance costs |
126,949 78,036 204,985 210,923 |
| Independent examination | 1,200 1,200 1,140 |
| Bookkeeping | 545 545 522 |
| Total expenditure | 167,351 84,804 252,155 258,328 |
| Net Income | (249) (2,768) (3,017) 11,414 |
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