Company No. 2662382 Charity No.1050456
BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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
Gravita Audit Oxford LLP, Park Central 40-41 Park End St Oxford OX1 1JD
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 2025
The Directors submit their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Objectives and activities
The principal activity of the company during the year was to provide advice and information services, in particular welfare rights, housing 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 impact report at https://agnessmith.co.uk/annual-reports. The Annual Impact Report 2024-2025 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 1667 local residents in 2459 advice sessions, with each client potentially representing a household with other members (including children) benefiting from our advice. We achieved additional benefit gains for our clients totalling £3,487,884, and charity grants and other financial gains totalling £81,425. We helped clients to clear a total of £707,552 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 95 households. The total financial gain won for clients was £4,276,861. 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. This year we opened a new outreach service at the Oxford Community Action food distribution hub, and provided money management groups as an initiative designed to prevent the development or escalation of financial problems for our clients.
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:-
Elizabeth Cairncross Catherine Foot Andrew Carver Beverley Humberstone Gillian Dodds Peter Nowland – from 17[th] July 2024 Paul Dornan Simon Pitkin Imade Edosomwan Cora Spencer Jesse Erlam Wendy Spray
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
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 2025 there were 26 members.
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
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 2025 is as detailed in the financial statements following this report. There was £370,617 in gross income and a surplus of £33,588, leading to total carried forward reserves of £189,632.
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);
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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 2025 totalled £130,281, which represents approximately 5 months' budgeted expenditure.
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: 03/09/2025
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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 2025, 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: Gravita Audit Oxford LLP
Relevant professional body: Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales Address: Park Central, 40-41 Park End St, Oxford, OX1 1JD
Date: 5 September 2025
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 2024-2025 2023-2024 Restricted Direct Benefits Unrestricted (Advice) Restricted Advice Total 2025 Restricted Direct Benefits Unrestricted (Advice) Restricted Advice Income: Donations and legacies 24,517 24,517 16545 Bank interest 4,018 4,018 2890 Grants (see Note 1a) 30,317 185,172 126,593 342,082 28,748 147,667 94,516 Total income 30,317 213,707 126,593 370,617 28,748 167,101 94,516 Expenditure Transfers to 3rd parties - - 16,640 16,640 - - 12,480 Administrative costs Total staff related costs - 142,342 82,553 224,895 - 126,949 78,036 Other admin costs - 43,437 18,339 61,776 - 38,615 6,768 Total administrative costs - 185,778 100,892 286,671 - 165,564 84,804 Governance costs - 1,863 500 2,363 - 1,745 - (Independent examination and bookkeeping see Note 1b) Account code 401 Direct benefits: Total direct benefits 31,356 - - 31,356 27,776 - - Total expenditure 31,356 187,642 118,032 337,030 27,776 167,309 97,284 Net movement in funds -1,039 26,065 8,561 33,588 972 -207 -2,768 Reconciliation of funds:* Total funds brought forward 1,076 144,216 10,752 156,044 104 144,423 13,520 Current year earnings -1,039 26,065 8,561 33,588 972 -207 -2,768 Total funds carried forward 37 170,281 19,313 189,632 1,076 144,216 10,752 |
Total 2024 16545 2890 270,931 290,366 12,480 204,985 45,383 250,368 1,745 27,776 292,369 -2,003 158,047 -2,003 156,044 |
|---|---|
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 2025 Company No 2662382
| Fixed assets | Note | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangible assets | 5 | 2,979 | 2,837 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 6 | 45,106 | 22,697 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 194,401 | 184,734 | |||
| Total current assets | 239,507 | 207,432 | |||
| Creditors - amounts falling due within one year |
7 | 52,854 | 54,224 | ||
| Net current assets | 186,653 | 153,208 | |||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 189,632 | 156,044 | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 10 | 170,281 | 144,216 | ||
| Restricted funds | 9 | 19,351 | 11,328 | ||
| Total funds | 189,632 | 156,044 |
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 3[rd] September 2025
W Spray Director
A Carver
Director
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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.
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 £.
(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%
(d) Recognition of creditors
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
(e) 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.
2. Net movement in funds
| movement in funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| The net movement in funds is stated after charging: | £ | £ |
| Reporting examiner's fee | 1,800 | 1,200 |
3. Directors' emoluments
The directors received no emoluments or reimbursements of expenses from the company during the year.
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
4. Employees' emoluments
| Salaries Employer's National Insurance Employer's Pension Contributions |
2025 2024 £ £ 203,419 186,087 11,957 10,187 9,519 8,712 £224,895 £204,985 |
|---|---|
The average number of employees during the year was 9 (2023/24: 10). There were no employees who received employee benefits of more than £60,000. There were also none in the previous financial year (2023/24).
5. Tangible fixed assets
| fixed assets | |
|---|---|
| Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year Released on disposal At 31 March 2025 Net Book Value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
Equipment 54,308 1,554 -2,396 |
| 53,466 | |
| 51,471 1,412 -2,396 |
|
| 50,487 | |
| 2,979 2,837 |
6. Debtors
| Accounts Receivable Prepayments and accrued income tors - amounts falling due within one year Accruals Deferred grant income (see note 8) |
2025 2024 £ £ 27,518 12,519 17,588 10,179 45,106 22,697 £ £ 11,104 6,476 41,750 47,748 52,854 54,224 |
|---|---|
7. Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
8. Deferred income - grants in advance
| Consortium (Peabody and GreenSquareAccord) Henry Smith Charitable Foundation A2 Dominion Society of the Holy Child Jesus |
2025 2024 £ £ 10,061 21,879 20,000 20,000 - 5,869 11,689 41,750 47,748 |
|---|---|
9. Restricted funds
Advice Services
| Advice Services | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund | Revenue | Expenditure | Reserves at start |
Reserves at end |
| AdviceUK DRO | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Oxford Advice Partnership | 2,885 | 2,085 | - | 800 |
| Alice Smith Blackbird Leys | 3,500 | 3,500 | - | - |
| Consortium | 23,769 | 23,769 | - | - |
| CWU | 975 | 61 | - | 914 |
| Doris Field | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| OCC- General Coronavirus | - | 752 | 752 | - |
| Oxford County Council | 20,000 | 20,000 | - | - |
| Money and Pensions Service | 24,653 | 17,054 | - | 7,599 |
| Northmoor Relocation | - | - | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Parish Council | 500 | 500 | - | - |
| Society of the Holy Child Jesus | 8,311 | 8,311 | - | - |
| Thames Water | 23,360 | 23,360 | - | - |
| Restricted projects total | 109,953 | 101,392 | 10,752 | 19,313 |
| Thames Water funding for Oxford Community Work Agency | 16,640 | 16,640 | - | - |
| Total Restricted funds for advice services | 126,593 | 118,032 | 10,752 | 19,313 |
| Direct client benefits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund | Revenue | Expenditure | Reserves at start |
Reserves at end |
| Client City of Oxford | 14,710 | 15,742 | 1,032 | - |
| Client Stanton Ballard | 4,927 | 4,927 | - | - |
| OCC - Household Support Grants | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - |
| Client General Fund | 680 | 686 | 44 | 37 |
| All donors total | 30,317 | 31,356 | 1,076 | 37 |
Details of the restricted funds are as follows:
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a) 'Consortium' - a one year grant running from September 2024 to August 2025 from Peabody Trust and GreenSquareAccord Limited to contribute towards the salary and associated costs of advice work. Funds received in respect of the period after 31 March have been treated as deferred income (see note 8 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) 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. The more significant donors in this category are named in the table above.
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d) Donors as listed - Grants to pay for costs as indicated. Any unspent amounts are represented by cash held at the bank or undepreciated fixed assets.
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
10. Unrestricted funds
10. Unrestricted funds
| Income Expenditure Surplus for the year Fund balance brought forward Fund balance carried forward |
General Fund Designated Re- location Fund Total |
|---|---|
| 213,707 - 213,707 187,642 - 187,642 26,065 - 26,065 104,216 40,000 144,216 |
|
| 130,281 40,000 170,281 |
11. Analysis of assets between the funds
| Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities |
General Designated Relocation Fund Restricted Total |
|---|---|
| 1,522 - 1,457 2,979 166,483 40,000 33,024 239,507 -37,724 - -15,130 -52,854 130,281 40,000 19,351 189,632 |
12. Related party transactions
Donations received from Trustees in the year totalled £34 (2024: £1,255).
13. Operating lease commitments
| 13. Operating lease commitments | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Due not later than one year | 7,250 | 7,250 |
| Due later than one year and not later than five years. | 5,438 | 12,688 |
| Due later than fiveyears | ||
| Total future minimum lease payments under operating | ||
| leases forpremises atyear end | 12,688 | 19,938 |
| Lease payments during the year | 7,250 | 7,250 |
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
FINANCIAL DETAILS FOR ADVICE SERVICES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Income | Unrestricted Restricted Total 2025 Total 2024 |
|---|---|
| Oxford CityCouncil | 81,026 800 81,826 81,776 |
| Oxfordshire CountyCouncil | 20,000 20,000 25,000 |
| Consortium(HousingAssociations) | 23,769 23,769 22,424 |
| A2 Dominium | 5,869 5,869 |
| Garfield Weston | 25,000 |
| National LotteryCommunityFund | |
| Blackbird Leys Parish Council | 2,500 |
| Doris Field | 1,000 1,000 |
| HenrySmith Charity | 60,000 60,000 10,000 |
| J.A. Pye Foundation | 5,000 5,000 |
| Batchworth Trust | 10,000 |
| Kathryn Salmon Legacy | 15,000 15,000 |
| Wates Foundation | 7,000 |
| Oxfordshire CommunityFoundation | 10,000 10,000 |
| Postcode SocietyTrust | 5,249 |
| Thames Water Trust Fund | 23,360 23,360 17,520 |
| Landsec Futures | 999 999 |
| Westmill Solar | 5,000 5,000 4,943 |
| Societyof the HolyChild Jesus | 8,311 8,311 |
| National LotteryCommunityFund | 3,400 |
| AdviceUK | 1,000 1,000 1,000 |
| London Legal Support Trust - Legal Walk | 5,101 5,101 4,139 |
| Cumber FamilyCharitable Trust | 1,000 |
| Marsh Charitable Trust | 700 |
| TobyGolds Iyengar Yoga Social ResponsibilityFund | 1,134 1,134 752 |
| MADL - Delteys Supermarket | 500 |
| Money& Pensions Service | 24,653 24,653 |
| Stanton Ballard Charitable Trust | 1,000 1,000 |
| St Peter's Church Wolvercote | 1,494 1,494 |
| Somerville JCR | 1,595 1,595 |
| Age UK | 2,085 2,085 |
| Alice Smith Fund | 3,500 3,500 |
| Comms Workers Union | 975 975 |
| Penningtons Manche | 600 600 |
| Lord Faringdon Charitable Trust | 2,500 2,500 |
| BBL Bowls Club | 550 550 |
| Others | 12,821 500 13,321 23,345 |
| Bank interest | 4,018 4,018 2,890 |
| Totals | 213,707 109,953 323,660 249,138 |
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BLACKBIRD LEYS NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT SCHEME LIMITED
FINANCIAL DETAILS FOR ADVICE SERVICES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Contd)
| Expenditure | Unrestricted Restricted Total 2025 Total 2024 |
|---|---|
| Charitable Activities | |
| Consulting | 1,315 700 2,015 100 |
| Depreciation Expense | 563 849 1,412 3484 |
| Electricity | 5,621 5,621 6902 |
| Information Resources | 6,004 1000 7,004 6662 |
| Insurance | 1805 3,000 4,805 4428 |
| Internet | 1,198 1,198 1018 |
| Non-durable Office equipment | 653 341 993 121 |
| IT Software and Consumables | 980 |
| IT Support | 4,508 9,900 14,408 3099 |
| Legal and Professional Expenses | 2,172 2,172 302 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,797 1,797 993 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery | 1,085 1,085 1303 |
| Photocopyingand Printing | 1,511 1,511 1762 |
| Postage, Freight & Courier | 888 888 1199 |
| Recruitment costs | 602 526 1,128 535 |
| Rent, rates, refuse collection & water | 7,585 1,343 8,928 8915 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 993 500 1,493 932 |
| Telephone | 1,550 180 1,730 1075 |
| Training: Staff & Trustees | 2,942 2,942 1241 |
| Training: Volunteers | 152 152 |
| Travel - Staff | 36 36 92 |
| Travel_Volunteers | 459 459 240 |
| Salaries and related costs Governance costs |
142,342 82,553 224,895 204985 |
| Independent examination | 1,800 1,800 1200 |
| Bookkeeping | 63 500 563 545 |
| Total expenditure | 187,642 101,392 289034 252113 |
| Net Income | 26,065 8,561 34626 -2976 |
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