Registered number: 03141164 Charity number: 1053223
# THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee) TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Feltons Chartered Accountants Birmingham B1 3JR
THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## CONTENTS
||Page|
|---|---|
|Reference and Administrative Details ofthe Charity, its Trustees and Advisers|1|
|Trustees’ Report|2-12|
||||
|Independent Auditors’ Report on the Financial Statements|13 - 16|
|Statement of Financial Activities|17|
|Balance Sheet|18-19|
|Statement of Cash Flows|20|
|NotestotheFinancialStatements|21-35|
# THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Trustees Philip Waller CBE, Chair Michael Young, Treasurer John Baruch Rose Bentley Sarita Dent Carolyn Fallon (appointed 26 June 2024) Jean Lammiman Simon Lascelles Meghan Luton Fatima Patel Nicola Tavender Lana Wood (resigned 11 December 2024) Petra Booth (appointed 11 December 2024)
Company registered number 03141164 Charity registered number 1053223 Registered office The Gables St Marys Road Hertfordshire HP2 5HL Independent auditors Feltons 8 Sovereign Court 8 Graham Street Birmingham B1 3UR Bankers Charities Aid Foundation Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue King Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Solicitors Radar Limited 6 Beacon Way Hull East Yorkshire HU3 4AE
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## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the company for the 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors’ report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
The charity also trades under the names Relate North Thames and Chilterns and Relate London NW, Herts, Berks & Bucks.
## Introduction
The Board of Trustees of Relate London North West, Hertfordshire, Mid Thames and Buckinghamshire (note paragraph below - the charity’s name was changed to The Relationships Counselling, Therapy and Mediation Service Ltd by special resolution on 1st July 2025.) ("the charity") presents its annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Board is satisfied with the performance of the charity during the year and its financial position as at 31 March 2025. The Trustees consider that the charity is well placed to continue its activities during the coming year and that its assets are adequate to fulfil its obligations.
## Name, registered office and constitution of the charity
The charity constitutes a registered company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. During the period of this report, the full name of the charitable company is Relate London North West, and Hertfordshire, Mid Thames and Buckinghamshire Ltd. The full name of the charity was changed to The Relationships Counselling, Therapy and Mediation Service Ltd by special resolution on 1st July 2025. The Charity has traded as The Relationships Service since ist June 2025.
The national organisation Relate Ltd went into administration on 29th November 2024. The charity led a consortium of Relate federated centres and submitted a bid to the administrator to buy the Relate brand which they had built together and to maintain the national benevolent contracts, predominantly delivered by the federated centres. This bid was unsuccessful.
The Administrator accepted an offer for the Relate brand and other assets from Family Action (Company number 01068186). It is understood that this purchase was completed on 1st January 2025. In March 2025, Family Action issued non-negotiable terms for continued use of the Relate brand. The Trustees of the charity concluded that these non-negotiable terms were unacceptable, being not in the best interests of the beneficiaries of the charity. Solicitors acting for Family Action issued to the charity a ‘cease and desist’ letter requiring the charity inter alia to stop trading under the Relate brand by no later than 2nd July 2025.
The charity worked with 20 other Relate federated centres to form the Relationships England and Wales network. This network, working in collaboration with Relationships Scotland, is now the largest provider of relationships counselling in the United Kingdom.
The legal registration details are :
° Date of incorporation - 22 December 1995 ° Company registration number - 03141164 ° Registered office address - The Gables, St Marys Road, Hemel Hempstead HP2 5HL
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## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
° Charity registrations number - 1053223 . Telephone number - 0300 003 2324
## Objectives and activities
. .
## a. Policies and objectives
A summary of the objectives of the charity as set out in its governing documents follows.
In terms of its Memorandum and Articles, the charitable company exists to :
- e educate the public concerning the benefits of secure and committed relationships; e seek to enhance the good health, both mental and physical, of adults and children;
- e provide counselling, mediation, advice, education, guidance and relief to adults and/or children in relation to any aspect of contemporary life or work.
The charity operated until the 1st July 2025 in the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Islington and Westminster and across the counties of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and the eastern parts of Berkshire. By special resolution on 1st July 2025, the charity resolved to operate in areas of the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Islington, Camden, Westminster, Merton, Wandsworth, Croydon, Richmond Upon Thames, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Hounslow, Kingston and Sutton together with all parts of the counties of Hertfordshire Buckinghamshire (excluding Milton Keynes) Berkshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire.
The trustees have throughout the year paid regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in dealing with the aims and activities of the charity.
Our vision is a future with thriving relationships in every aspect of life.
Our mission it to provide accessible support in the ways that people want it so everyone can enjoy thriving relationships.
Our values are:
- ° Accessibility - We believe in the possibility of every individual to have thriving relationships, irrespective of their background or identity.
- ° Continuous improvement - We are committed to staying ahead of the curve, anticipating the evolving relationship and wellbeing needs of our communities, and continuously innovating. We ask questions, seek feedback, and adapt to ensure we remain significant and meaningful.
- ° Excellence - With a foundation rooted in expert knowledge and deep skills, we measure our success by the tangible, transformative outcomes we achieve. Every initiative is undertaken with a commitment to excellence and making a lasting difference.
- ° Safety - At the heart of our work lies a commitment to safeguarding every individual's well-being, dignity, and rights. We emphasise the paramount importance of consent, creating an environment where personal boundaries are respected and upheld.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance ‘Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
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THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## Objectives and activities (continued)
The charity's main objective for the year was to promote the objectives set out in its governing document and to provide such further related services that will enhance the range and effectiveness of those objectives.
## b. Strategies for achieving objectives
,
The charity is a member of the Relate Federation and works within its framework and in accordance with the strategy set out in its own business plan.
The charity's STRATEGIC PILLARS for 2024-2027 are:
- e GROWTH through PARTNERSHIPS - to reach more diverse communities, strengthening relationships with partners and communities and diversify what we offer;
- e ENGAGEMENT and INCLUSION - to focus on what works, ensuring our plans are valid offering what clients want and need by providing accessible and inclusive services for all;
- ® TECHNOLOGY with RELATE NATIONAL — to make online working easier and smoother; e INNOVATION - to maximise our appeal, support different approaches and automate our systems; e QUALITY ASSURANCE & CREDENTIALS/ACCREDITATION of practitioners, systems and services; ° SUSTAINABILITY for employees including practitioners, for our organisation financially and for the environment.
## c. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives
The company's services are in three main areas:
1. Counselling - couple counselling, family counselling, adult relationships counselling including one session therapy, psychosexual therapy and counselling for children and young people.
2. Mediation - family mediation and group mediation.
3. Education - courses for individuals, including delivering the Planning Together for Children programme
## d. Social investment policies
There is no programme related investment.
## e. Grant-making policies
The company does not make grants.
## f. Volunteers
The charity has placement student counsellors who work in a voluntary capacity.
All Trustees are volunteers.
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## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## Objectives and activities (continued)
## g. Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit
During 2024/25, about 65% of our counselling sessions and all of our mediation services have continued to be delivered via Zoom. In person counselling has been building in our offices in Maidenhead and Hemel Hempstead. We also deliver face to face counselling in a counselling venue in Museum Street, Westminster, as well as in counsellors’ home practice rooms in Bushey, Hampstead and Ruislip. As at 31st March 2025, our venues were as follows. All other venues are sublet on a sessional basis.
(C) = Counsellors home practice room
(O) = Office occupied full time by the charity
|1.|Archway|Islington|
|---|---|---|
|2.|Bushey (C)|Hertfordshire|
|3.|Hampstead Garden Suburb (C)|Barnet|
|4.|Hemel Hempstead (O)|Hertfordshire|
|5.|Museum St|Westminster|
|6.|St Albans|Hertfordshire|
|7.|Maidenhead (O)|Berkshire|
|8.|Harrow|Harrow|
|9,|Aylesbury|Buckinghamshire|
The services that the charity provides focus on relationships at all stages of life and families. These services are:
- . Adult Relationship counselling - For couples or individuals who experience difficulties in their adult relationships. Clients are seen for an Initial Assessment (IA) session of one hour. Following on from this, they usually attend a series of fifty-minute counselling sessions, typically for 10 consecutive weeks.
- . Family counselling - This is a service for people who wish to attend as a family group. Clients are seen together or separately for sessions of varying lengths, as agreed with the counsellor, to work through issues that are affecting their family and other relationships.
- ° Psychosexual therapy - For individuals or couples for whom the main identified problem is a sexual one. This programme aims to help the individual or couple relearn more satisfying sexual behaviour and to develop a mutual sense of confidence and enjoyment in lovemaking.
- ° Family mediation - This is for people who are separating or divorcing. Each party attends an initial assessment meeting (MIAM) at which suitability for mediation and eligibility for Legal Aid are assessed. If both agreed to come to a joint session, they are able to talk through issues affecting their children, financial arrangements and property in order to find a mutually acceptable way forward. The charity also offers other conflict resolution services such as neighbourhood, intergenerational and workplace mediation.
- ° Children and Young Peoples counselling - The charity is no longer contracted to provide counsellors in local schools as their budgets have been cut in recent years. Young people experiencing a range of difficulties including bereavement and depression may contact us directly for free individual counselling from our specialist counsellors. Usually, family counselling is also appropriate.
- ° Education and training services - Our counsellors provide relationship training in the contact of our collaboration with Hertfordshire based addiction recovery charities The Livingroom and Family Lives. The service is called Families Living in Recovery. https://www.livingroomherts.org/families-living-in-recovery Our Trainers also deliver the CAFCASS Planning Together for Children as subcontractors for Action for Children https://www.planningtogether.cafcass.gov.uk.
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## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## Objectives and activities (continued)
The charitable company acts in accordance with its three year Forward Plan and its annual Business Plan and Budget, which is reviewed by the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees on a regular basis.
## Achievements and performance
## a. Main achievements of the charity
A review of charitable activities and main achievements undertaken by the charity revealed the following performance highlights over the course of the year:
## Counselling
- ° Relationship counselling was used by beneficiaries for 7311 sessions each of 50 mins long (2024 - 8321 sessions).
- . Family counselling was provided for 555 sessions (2024 - 549 sessions).
- ° Children and young people's counselling was carried out for 199 sessions with young people between the ages of 11 and 18 years (2024 - for 181 sessions).
- ° Psychosexual therapy was used by beneficiaries for 593 sessions (2024 - for 858 sessions).
## Mediation
- . Mediation Information and Advice (Assessment) Meetings (MIAM) - a total of 403 (2024 - 365). ° 295 referrals were received (2024 - 299). ° A total of 100 cases were started, (2024 - 148) of which 34 were Legal Aided Funded and 66 were funded privately by the clients.
## Education and training services
- ¢ An extensive CPD programme was run for counsellors, mediators, support staff and advertised across the Relate federation with the majority delivered on Zoom. We ran a number of online Across Teams Gatherings which were well attended and very popular with all staff. It was a chance to explore any issues we have in common or impact across different roles. These are now offered quarterly.
- ° The Annual Gathering titled “Crafting Relationships” for practitioners, staff and Trustees was very successful when approximately 40 practitioners, support staff and Trustees attended in Maidenhead.
- ° The CPD programme offered five full day CPDs, which were open to other Relate centres covering subjects such as: ‘Understanding the Brain’, ‘Polyamory and Open Relationships’, ‘Thinking Difference Differently’, ‘Working Systemically with Severe Parental Conflict’ and ‘Working with Issues around Shame’.
- . Our Clinical Lead delivered a number of training sessions for counsellors and trainees which included ‘Relational Risk Assessment training’, ‘Working with Mental Health Issues’, ‘Counselling with Sexual Focus’, ‘Domestic Abuse workshops’, ‘Developing and Understanding Our Clinical Practice’, ‘EFT’ and a ‘Compulsive Sexual Behaviour workshop’. External Workshops included Antisemitism, Addiction, One Wizard Mediation platform tutorials, EDI, Saying No to Clients, and Transgender, Transition and the changes this bring to Relationships.
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## ee =n THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee) —ee TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ene
## Achievements and performance (continued)
## External Accreditation
° In January 2024, our counselling service was re-accredited by the British Association of Counselling and ; Psychotherapy (BACP). The report from the independent assessors stated: “This service was a delight to visit, and the assessors would like to formally thank all the staff for the giving of their time and their full engagement with the visit. During the visit there were numerous examples from all the staff that the service was delivering a high standard of ethical and professional service. It would seem all staff are working flat out to provide a caring and compassionate service to an increasingly complex range of clients. Of particular note, was the level of staff support and the sense of having strong, collaborative relationships across teams. Alongside this, the level of supervision and free CPD was greatly appreciated by the practitioners. Some of the challenges discussed was how to increase client feedback and go back more fully to face to face work. In conclusion, the assessors enjoyed meeting with the team and hearing more about the ongoing challenges for this service. There was much to celebrate within the service and clients can be assured the service they receive is professional, compassionate and ethical. We wish you well for the coming year.”
## Fundraising activities
- ° Charges are made for the provision of counselling and psychosexual therapy services based on the clients' income and their ability to pay. Only one of the twenty seven local authorities in our territory (8 boroughs , 10 Herts councils, 6 in Buckinghamshire and 3 in Berkshire i.e. Dacorum and Hillingdon) provided a grant, which partially assisted the charitable company to provide services to those clients who could not afford to pay either all or part of the charge.
- ° Counselling clients who cannot afford to pay the full cost of their session may apply for financial assistance. During the year, the number of people applying and the amount of assistance has increased. We believe that this reflects the impact of the ‘cost of living crisis’ in the UK which as affected people living in the communities we serve.
- ° Thescale,charity'scounsellingcounsellorsclients whoexplainhaveto alla household clients thatincome the basic costof more ofthan each£40,000 sessionareis £92.invited Applyingto contribute a sliding ~ more than the base cost. Around 20% of our clients donate more than £92 in order to support the charity. This allows us to provide financial support to about a quarter of the charities clients who cannot afford the full cost of a session. Fewer people are able to pay more than the cost of the service
- ° Family mediation is funded by the Legal Services Commission in the case of clients who are eligible for public funding and by private clients according to incomes. Whena dispute involved arrangements for children, mediation clients are eligible for a £500 mediation voucher which is not means tested
- Client contributions
- . All clients pay their contributions by credit/debit card or bank transfer.
Relationships with other groups, charities and individuals
- ° The charity works closely with other members of The Relationships England and Wales network and the Relate Federation until 2nd July 2025, and with related government agencies, charities and local community groups. The charity is a founding member of the Relationships England and Wales network.
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
## Te TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## ne
## Financial review
## a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
## b. Reserves policy
The Board consider that reserves required to provide:
1. Working capital to ensure operating liquidity 2. Resilience against risks such as 2.1 _ Loss of services and support of Relate National through insolvency 2.2 Economic downturn in our communities resulting from events like Brexit, the Covid 19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis related to the war in Ukraine.
- 2.3. Impact Project funds for:
- 2.3.1 Greater impact in line with our charitable purposes 2.3.2 Improved experiences for our clients
The income generated by the investment of the reserves is also required to cover some of the cost of our programmeoffinancial assistance for reduced cost counselling sessions.
The charity operated online accounts with two banks, CAF bank and Barclays. Our finance team work to ensure that the balance held with CAF bank does not exceed £85,000 in line with the limit of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Trustees consider that an unrestricted reserve of 4 months of expenditure is required for financial resilience and flexibility.
Restricted funds from grants, contracts, consortiums and previous mergers require to be held separately.
Trustees agreed that the current reserves are allocated as follows:
° Working Capital - £200,000 ° Resilience against risk - £397,500 ° Restricted funds for grants and contracts (as budgeted) - £161,000.
For funds exceeding the required reserves, the charity's management will present to Trustees costed proposals for projects that will provide:
° Greater impact in line with our charitable purposes ° Improved experiences for our clients Trustees have agreed to invest in a phased investment in improved Information Technology hardware and upgrades in supporting software. Also, the income from these invested funds are required to cover the shortfall resulting from providing reduced cost counselling.
The reserves policy is reviewed annually and the risk register is reviewed quarterly.
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## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## c. Deficit and financial review
The Statement of Financial Activities shows net outflow of resources for the year of a revenue nature of £151,791 (2024 - outflow £53,924) and no realised resources of a capital nature, making a net overall decrease in resources of £151,791 (2024 - outflow £53,924).
The total reserves at the year end stand at £986,795 of which £71,410 are restricted funds (2024 - £1,138,576 of which £85,851 are restricted funds).
A majority of the expenditure is spent on salaries, for practitioners (counsellors, mediators and trainers), management and administration staff.
Specific changes to fixed assets - The additions to fixed assets are computer and other office equipment costing £9,431 (2024 - £12,177).
Share capital - The company is limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital.
## d. Material investments policy
The investment policy and objectives, including the extent (if any) to which social, environmental or ethical considerations, are taken into account.
Trustees have agreed that invested funds should aim for steady growth and sensible income based on a moderate to medium risk appetite. When possible, Trustees have agreed that Ethical funds should be selected for investment of reserves. These funds where transferred from the CCLA Charity Investment Fund to the CCLA Charities Ethical Investment Fund on 6th August 2024.
## e. Principal risks and uncertainties
The Board of Trustees has conducted its own review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and systems have been established to mitigate those risks, as far as it practicable. Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects and to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charitable company. These procedures are periodically reviewed by the Trustees to ensure that they will meet the needs of the charity.
The principal strategic risks identified during the year are listed below. All these risks have materialised. The charity has taken proactive action by building the new Relationships England and Wales network and investing in a marketing strategy which aims to ensure that people who need our help will find us. While this marketing and promotion activity builds demand, the charity will use some of its reserves to continue to operate.
- . Loss of the Relate brand: The Charity was formerly requested by Family Action to stop trading under the Relate brand by no later than 2nd July 2025 (including loss of the Relate website listing of the charity's venues which attracts self-referral clients). The charity has rebranded as The Relationships Service and launched an independent website, linked to the Relationships England & Wales website. The charity is working with freelance experts to build Search Engine Optimisation for this site. It is also making its services visible by using Google grant and paid advertising.
- ° Loss of the use of Relate National services and systems on 2nd July 2025 (including reduction or loss of support from Relate National for telephone and case management systems). The Charity moved its telephone systems to Zoom in early 2025. In June 2025, like most of the other former Relate centres, the charity moved its client records from Penelope to a more modern case management system called Zanda. Zanda has allowed the charity to offer online bookings to clients.
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## eee" THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## eee TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## eee
- ° Financial underperformance due to not meeting income forecasts: Leading up to and following the national organisation Relate Ltd going into the administration on the 29th November 2024, demand for the charity's counselling services have fallen resulting in significant reduction in earned income.
- . Following the loss of the Relate brand on the 2nd July 2025, the new customer business/pipeline has reduced, which is impacting the revenues in the 2025/26 financial year, and therefore a short to medium term Marketing Strategy has been instigated to ensure that people who need our help can find us. Also, the charity is restructuring its support and operations teams in order to reduce overheads.
The charity has taken action to monitor, mitigate and actively manage these strategic risks. Trustees have also considered the reliability of income and the extent to which expenditure is committed.
## Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The Relationships Counselling, Therapy and Mediation Service Ltd (formerly Relate London North West, Hertfordshire, Mid Thames and Buckinghamshire Ltd) is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association.
## b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.
## c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies
All new Trustees receive an induction which includes briefings on finance and safeguarding. Ongoing training for trustees is overseen by the Trustee Recruitment and Development Committee.
The Board of Trustees sets the pay.and remuneration of the charity's CEO as its key manager and benchmarks their pay against other similar roles in the charitable sector.
The charitable company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to:
° Settle the terms of payment with suppliers when agreeing the terms of each transaction. ° Ensure that suppliers are made aware of the terms of payment by inclusion of the relevant terms in contracts; and ° pay in accordance with the company's contractual and other legal obligations.
## d. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees
All new Trustees receive an induction which includes briefings on finance and safeguarding. Ongoing training for trustees is overseen by the Trustee Recruitment and Development Committee.
## e. Pay policy for key management personnel
The Board of Trustees sets the pay and remuneration of the charity's CEO as its key manager and benchmarks their pay against other similar roles in the charitable sector.
## a
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# THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## a TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ee—=
Structure, governance and management (continued)
f. Financial risk management
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
## Plans for future periods
In future periods, the charity intends to continue to provide existing service in an accessible and sustainable way. A forward plan for the period 2024-2027 was prepared and approved by the Trustees. The strategic pillars are noted above. Given the required rebranding and the formation of the Relationships England and Wales network, the strategic forward plan will be reviewed during the year.
Business Plans and budgets are prepared annually. The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. These risks will be reviewed in detail during the year.
Members’ liability None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
## Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: e select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; e observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102); e make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; e state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; e prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
ee
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eee
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## ee TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## eee
## Disclosure of information to auditors
Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees’ Report is approved has confirmed that:
- e ’ unaware,so far as andthat Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are
- ° that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.
## Auditors
The auditors, Feltons, have indicated their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on
2 | rT lacas and signed on their behalf by:
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Philip Waller CBE Chair of Trustees
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eee
**----- End of picture text -----**
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## Seen THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee) ———— INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) eee
## Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Relationships Counselling, Therapy and Mediation Service Ltd (formerly Relate London North West, Hertfordshire, Mid Thames and Buckinghamshire Ltd) (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
## In our opinion the financial statements:
- e give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
- ® have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- ° have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## eee
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## eee THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee) nnnee INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (CONTINUED) eee
## Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- ° the information given in the Trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
- . the Trustees’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- . adequate accounting records have not been kept; or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- . the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns: or ° certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- ° we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or ° the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the trustees’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
:
## eee
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,
4
## eee THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee) TTUU INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (CONTINUED) ey Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
- ° We reviewed the company’s control and risk management procedures and planned our work based on our assessment of those controls and procedures; , ;
- ° This review included an assessment of the risk of material misstatement due to errors, fraud and management override of controls for all material areas in the financial statements;
- . We made enquiries of management and the company’s lawyers regarding any actual or potential litigation and/or claims;
- ° Financial statements disclosures were reviewed and checked for compliance with applicable laws; ° Detailed testing was conducted on balances and transactions including unusual items and those of individual significance to the financial statements;
- ° Data analytics were used in order to identify unusual or significant trends; ° Communications with management and those charged with governance regarding relevant matters was undertaken throughout the audit and on completion.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.
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THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (CONTINUED)
## Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors’ Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. ~ David W Farnsworth FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Feltons
8 Sovereign Court 8 Graham Street Birmingham B13JR
Date: ate Isfulacas
Page 16
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
||||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total||Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||funds|funds|funds||funds|
||||2025|2025|2025||2024|
|||Note|£|£|£||£|
||Income from:|||||||
||Donations and legacies|3|5,891|-|5,891||8,603|
||Charitable activities||969,949|91,887|1,061,836||1,102,514|
||Other trading activities||11,140|-|11,140||1,418|
||Investments|4|36,323|-|36,323||35,909|
||Total income||1,023,303|91,887|1,115,190||1,148,444|
||Expenditure on:|||||||
||Charitable activities||1,127,975|106,328|1,234,303||1,260,033|
||Total expenditure||1,127,975|106,328|1,234,303||1,260,033|
||Net expenditure before net|||||||
||(losses)/gains on investments||(104,672)|(14,441)|(119,113)||(111,589)|
||Net (losses)/gains on investments||(32,668)|-|(32,668)||57,665|
||Net movement in funds||(137,340)|(14,441)|(151,781)||(53,924)|
||Reconciliation of funds:|||||||
||Total funds brought forward||1,052,725|85,851|1,138,576||1,192,500|
|.|Net movement in funds||(137,340)|(14,441)|(151,781)|.|(53,924)|
||Totalfundscarriedforward||915,385|71,410|986,795||1,138,576|
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 21 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
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:
THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 03141164
|N**e**en n nn ee|N**e**en n nn ee|||e|e|e|e||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||BALANCE SHEET||||||
||||AS AT 31 MARCH 2025||||||
|||||2025|2025|2024|2024||
||||Note|£|£|£|£||
|Fixed assets|||||||;||
|Tangible assets|||9||23,977||30,509||
|Investments|||10||993,691||1,100,201||
||||||1,017,668||1,130,710||
|Current assets|||||||||
|Debtors|||11|51,660||114,929|||
|Cash at bank and in hand||||31,231||13,171|||
|||||82,891||128,100|||
|Current liabilities|||||||||
|Creditors: amounts falling due within||one|||||||
|year|||12|(113,764)||(120,234)|||
|Net current liabilities|/assets||||(30,873)||7,866||
|Total assets less current liabilities|||||986,795||1,138,576||
|Total net assets|||||986,795||1,138,576||
|Charityfunds|||||||||
|Restricted funds||3|13||71,410|,|85,851|©|
|Unrestricted funds|||13||915,385||1,052,725||
|Totalfunds|||||986,795||1,138,576||
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THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 03141164
BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to _ the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on RW)aoas and signed on their behalf by:
Philip Waller CBE
Chair of Trustees
The notes on pages 21 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
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## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Seem
## STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Cash|flows|from|operating|activities|
|Net cash|used|in|operating|activities|(82,674)|(136,247)|
|Cash|flows|from|investing|activities|
|Purchase|of tangible|fixed|assets|(9,431)|(12,177)|
|Other movements|in|investments|73,842|(8,707)|
|Investment|income|received|36,323|35,909|
|Net|cash|provided|by|investing|activities|100,734|15,025|
|Change|in|cash|and|cash|equivalents|in|the|year|18,060|(121,222)|
|Cash|and|cash|equivalents|at|the|beginning|of the|year|13,171|134,393|
|Cash|and|cash|equivalents|at|the|end|of the|year|31,231|13,171|
**----- End of picture text -----**
The notes on pages 21 to 35 form part of these financial statements
Page 20
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. General information
The Relationships Counselling, Therapy and Mediation Service Ltd (formerly Relate London North West, Hertfordshire, Mid Thames and Buckinghamshire Ltd) is a registered company, limited by guarantee, and a charity registered with the Charity Commission. It is incorporated in England, company registration number 03141164 and charity registration number 1053223. The registered office is The Gables, St Mary's Road, Hemel Hempstead, England, HP2 5HL. The liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.
## 2. Accounting policies
- 2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The Relationships Counselling, Therapy and Mediation Service Ltd (formerly Relate London North West, Hertfordshire, Mid Thames and Buckinghamshire Ltd) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling and rounded to the nearest £1.
## 2.2 Going concern
The Trustees have assessed that the basis of going concern is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least twelve months from the date of approving the financial statements, taking into consideration future cashflow ' forecasts.operational TheexistenceTrusteesfor thehaveforeseeableconcluded futurethat theandcharitythere hasare noadequatematerialresourcesuncertaintiesto continueabout thein charity's ability to continue as a going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 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. Amount received in advance relating the following year are deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met. For counselling and mediation services, income is recognised when the appointment occurs or when the conditions of any third-party agreement are met. For education courses, income is recognised when the training course take place.
## 2.3 Income
## Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and the settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
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THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 2. Accounting policies (continued)
## 2.3 Income (continued)
## Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the Statement of Financial Position as deferred income to be released.
## Investment income
Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable. Investment gains and losses include any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value.
## Rental income
Rental income is accounted for on a receivable basis, net of value added tax.
## Volunteers and donation of service
Donated services and facilities are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received. The value of any services provided by volunteers are not incorporated into these financial statements. Further details of any contributions can be found in the trustees report.
## 2.4 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 the resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of the time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of the staff costs.
## Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises 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.
## Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity costs categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by the floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
Page 22
;
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 2. Accounting policies (continued)
## 2.5 Taxation
The charity.is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## 2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefit are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition are included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives.
Depreciation is provided based on the following on a straight line basis:
Leasehold improvements - over the period of the lease Furniture and equipment - 2-5 years over the life of the asset
## 2.7 Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their . transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## 2.8 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
2.9 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
;
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## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 2. Accounting policies (continued)
## 2.10 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as a finance cost.
## 2.11 Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## 2.12 Operating leases
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
## 2.13 Pensions
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the ; amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year. .
## 2.14 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
Page 24
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## TEU
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 3. Income from donations and legacies
||Unrestricted|Total|Total|
|---|---|---|---|
||funds|funds|funds|
||2025|2025|2024|
||£|£|£|
|Donations|5,891|5,891|8,603|
Office space has been rented from Dacorum Borough Council for a £250 peppercorn rent per annum until 2028 and from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for a £1 peppercorn rent per annum until 2028. On the basis that the value of the use of these facilities cannot be reliably determined, no income and equivalent expense has been recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## 4. Investment income
||Unrestricted|Total|Total|
|---|---|---|---|
||funds|funds|funds|
||2025|2025|2024|
||£|£|£|
|Income from investments|36,158|36,158|35,795|
|Bank interest|165|165|114|
|Total2025|36,323|36,323|35,909|
## 5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
||Activities||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||undertaken|Support|Total|Total|
||directly|costs|funds|funds|
||2025|2025|2025|2024|
||£|£|£|£|
|Counselling, mediation and training|784,859|449,444|1,234,303|1,260,033|
|Total2024|505,297|754,736|1,260,033||
Page 25
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities (continued)
## Analysis of direct costs
,
||,|Activities|Total
funds|Total
funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||2025|2025|2024|
|||£|£|£|
|Staff costs||644,958|644,958|401,734|
|Supervision, counselling and mediation expenses||80,887|80,887|103,563|
|Legal, consulting and professional fees||35,836|35,836|-|
|Membership and subscription||1,124|1,124|-|
|Premises costs||6,532|6,532|-|
|Bank charges and interest||9,216|9,216|-|
|Telephone||2,512|2,512|-|
|Other support services||3,794|3,794|-|
|Total 2025||784,859|784,859|505,297|
|Analysis ofsupport costs|||||
|||Activities|Total
funds|Total
funds|
|||2025|2025|2024|
|||£|£|£|
|Staff costs||294,007|294,007|573,972|
|Depreciation||15,963|15,963|11,144|
|Supervision, counselling and mediation expenses||70,798|70,798|36,112|
|Legal, consulting and professional fees||-|-|36,533|
|Membership and subscription||348|348|731|
|Advertising||2,961|2,961|1,587|
|Printing, postage and stationery||686|686|1,219|
|Insurance||9,880|9,880|11,449|
|Premises costs||15,363|15,363|15,048|
|Bank charges and interest||27|27|12,629|
|Telephone||-|-|626|
|Other support services||29,577|29,577|29,341|
|Governance costs||9,834|9,834|24,345|
|Total2025||449,444|449,444|754,736|
Page 26
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities (continued)
## Analysis of support costs (continued)
The charity's activities consist of counselling, mediation and training.
## 6. Net expenditure for the year
||2025|2024|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Net expenditure is stated after charging:|||
|Auditor's remuneration|7,000|12,300|
|Depreciation of tangible fixed assets|15,963|11,144|
|Operatingleaserentals|250|250|
## 7. Staff costs
||2025|2024|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Wages and salaries|862,100|893,169|
|Social security costs|55,388|61,004|
|Pension costs|21,477|21,533|
||938,965|975,706|
The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
||2025|2024|
|---|---|---|
||No.|No.|
|Employees|57|61|
|The average headcount expressed as full-time equivalents was:|||
||2025|2024|
||No.|No.|
|Employees|17.5|18.0|
Page 27
,
,
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
——
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
7. Staff costs (continued)
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
||||||||2025|2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||No.|No.|
|In|the|band|£60,001|-|£70,000||1|1|
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Finance, the Heads of Client Services and the Head of Operations. The total employee benefits of key management personnel of the charity were £225,620 (2024 - £227,557).
8. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £nil).
During the year ended 31 March 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £41 reimbursed to one trustee).
## 9. Tangible fixed assets
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Leasehold Fixtures and
improvements equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024 19,886 91,845 111,731
Additions , , os 9,431 9,431
At 31 March 2025 19,886 101,276 121,162
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 19,886 61,336 81,222
Charge for the year - 15,963 15,963
At 31 March 2025 19,886 77,299 97,185
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 - 23,977 23,977
At 31 March 2024 - 30,509 30,509
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 28
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
————
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 10. Fixed asset investments
||Investments|
|---|---|
||£|
|Cost or valuation||
|At 1 April 2024|1,100,201|
|Cash movement|(73,842)|
|Losses|(32,668)|
|At 31 March 2025|993,691|
|Net book value||
|At 31 March 2025|993,691|
|At 31March2024|1,100,201|
: The Investments represent holdings managed by CCLA Investment Management in the following funds:
||||Endowment|Total|Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||funds|funds|funds|
||||2025|2025|2024|
||||£|£|£|
|COIF|Charities|Ethical InvestmentFunds (251,869.03 units)|747,069|747,069|848,038|
|COIF|Charities|Property Fund (226,061.74 units)|237,298|237,298|233,967|
|COIF|Charities|Deposit Fund|9,324|9,324|18,196|
|Total|2025||993,691|993,691|1,100,201|
Page 29
THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 11. Debtors
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|ra|
|Due|within|one|year|
|Trade|debtors|21,242|48, 256|
|Other|debtors|-|2,724|
|Prepayments|and|accrued|income|30,418|63,949|
|51,660|114,929|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## 12. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Trade|creditors|25,309|23,893|
|Other|taxation|and|social|security|18,845|16,915|
|Other|creditors|4,447|4,625|
|Accruals|and|deferred|income|65,163|74,801|
|113,764|120,234|
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|)|)|.|.|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Deferred|income|
|Deferred|income|at|the|start|of the|year|11,738|-|
|Resources|deferred|during|the|year|15,554|11,738|
|Amounts|released|from|previous|periods|(11,738)|-|
|Deferred|income|at|the|end|of the|year|15,554|11,738|
**----- End of picture text -----**
At the Balance Sheet date, the charity was holding funds received in advance where the qualifying expenditure is expected to be incurred in a future year.
Page 30
|
## eee
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## TE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## pn"
13. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Balance|at|
|Balance|at|1|:|Gains/|31|March|
|April|2024|Income|Expenditure|(Losses)|2025|
|£|£|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General|funds|1,052,725|1,023,303|(1,127,975)|(32,668)|915,385|
|Restricted|funds|
|Dacorum|81,901|91,887|(106,328)|-|67,460|
|Eric Young|donation|3,950|-|-|-|3,950|
|85,851|91,887|(106,328)|-|71,410|
|Total|of funds|1,138,576|1,115,190|(1,234,303)|(32,668)|986,795|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## Restricted funds
.
The Dacorum contract represents an agreement with Dacorum Borough Council to provide services to residents within its area. As part of the Dacorum contract, the charity received amounts totalling £41,496 (2024 - £34,932) on behalf of Mediation Hertfordshire which was paid to them in quarterly payments during the year. The other items represent grants and donations received for specific purposes which have not yet been fully spent in relation to counselling and court mediation service
## Unrestricted funds
The free reserves of the charity which are not designated for particular purposes.
## ="
Page 31
,
THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## a
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 13. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
|||||||||Balance at||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||:|Balance at
1 April2023||Income|Expenditure|Gains/
(Losses)|31 March
2024|—|
||||£||£|£|£|£||
|||Unrestricted funds||||||||
|||General funds|1,090,199||1,067,266|(1,162,405)|57,665|1,052,725||
|||Restricted funds||||||||
|||Dacorum|94,110||77,178|(89,387)|-|81,901||
|||ADVC Bursary|3,844||4,000|(7,844)|-|-||
|||EricYoung donation|4,347||-|(397)|-|3,950||
||||102,301||81,178|(97,628)|-|85,851||
|||Total offunds|1,192,500||1,148,444|(1,260,033)|57,665|1,138,576||
|14.||Summary offunds||||||||
||~|Summary offunds - current year||,||||,||
|||||||||Balance at||
||||Balance at 1
April 2024||Income|Expenditure|Gains/
(Losses)|31 March
2025||
||||£||£|£|£|£||
|||General funds|1,052,725||1,023,303|(1,127,975)|(32,668)|915,385||
|||Restricted funds|85,851||91,887|(106,328)|-|71,410||
||||1,138,576||1,115,190|(1,234,303)|(32,668)|986,795||
Page 32
,
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## Seeeeee
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## 14. Summary of funds (continued)
Summary of funds - prior year
||||||Balance at|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Balance at
1 April2023|Income|,
Expenditure|Gains/
(Losses)|31 March
2024|
||£|£|£|£|£|
|General funds|1,090,199|1,067,266|(1,162,405)|57,665|1,052,725|
|Restricted funds|102,301|81,178|(97,628)|-|85,851|
||1,192,500|1,148,444|(1,260,033)|57,665|1,138,576|
## 15. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
||||Unrestricted|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||funds|funds|funds|
|||||2025|2025|2025|
|||||£|£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets||||23,977|-|23,977|
|Fixed asset investments||||993,691|-|993,691|
|Current assets||||11,481|71,410|82,891|
|Creditors due within one year||||(113,764)|-|(113,764)|
|Total|.||©|915,385|71,410|986,795|
|Analysis ofnet assets between|funds- prior year||||||
||||Unrestricted||Restricted|Total|
|||||funds|funds|funds|
|||||2024|2024|2024|
|||||£|£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets||,||30,509|-|30,509|
|Fixed asset investments||||1,100,201|-|1,100,201|
|Current assets||||42,249|85,851|128,100|
|Creditors due within one year||||(120,234)|-|(120,234)|
|Total||||1,052,725|85,857|1,138,576|
Page 33
## eg
## THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD) (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## —_—————
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
## ee
16. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
|||||2025|2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||£|£|
||Net expenditure forthe year (as perStatement of Financial Activities)|||(151,781)|(53,924)|
||Adjustments for:|||||
||Depreciation charges|||15,963|11,084|
||Gains/(losses) on investments|||32,668|(57,665)|
||Investmentincome|||(36,323)|(35,909)|
||Decrease/(increase) in debtors|||63,269|(34,227)|
||Increase/(decrease) in creditors|||(6,470)|34,394|
||Net cash used in operating activities|||(82,674)|(136,247)|
|17.|Analysis ofcash and cash equivalents|||||
|||||2025|2024|
|||||£|E|
||Cash at bank and in hand|||31,231|13,171|
||Total cash and cash equivalents|||31,231|13,171|
|18.|Analysis ofchanges in net debt|||||
|||At 1|April||At 31 March|
||||2024|Cash flows|2025|
||||£|£|£|
||Cash at bank and in hand|13,171||18,060|31,231|
|||13,171||18,060|31,231|
eeee Page 34
nn
THE RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLING, THERAPY AND MEDIATION SERVICE LTD (FORMERLY RELATE LONDON NORTH WEST, HERTFORDSHIRE, MID THAMES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD)
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
## ee NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
EE
## 19. Pension commitments
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. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £21,477 (2024 - £21,533). Contributions totalling £4,447 (2024 - £4,625) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are’ included in creditors.
## 20. Operating lease commitments
At 31 March 2025 the charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:
||2025|2024|
|---|---|---|
||£|E|
|Not later than 1 year|250|250|
|Later than 1 year and not laterthan 5 years|500|750|
||750|1,000|
## 21. Related party transactions
The company has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the company at 31 March 2025.
ne
Page 35