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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1054282

Company registration number 03181755 (England and Wales)

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mr Charles Coats - Chair
Mrs Sally Lewis - Vice Chair
Mr Duncan McGaw
Cllr Stephen Hirst
Mr Roger Godwin
Mr Adrian Hinchcliffe
Charity number 1054282
Company number 03181755
Registered office Community House
15 College Green
Gloucester
GL1 2LZ
Auditor Griffiths Marshall
Beaumont House
172 Southgate Street
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 2EZ
Bankers The Co-operative Bank plc
14 Broadmead
Bristol
BS1 3HH
Solicitors Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP
Narrow Quay House
Narrow Quay
Bristol
BS1 4QA

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 8
Independent auditor's report 9 - 11
Statement of financial activities 12
Group balance sheet 13
Company balance sheet 14
Notes to the financial statements 15 - 30

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. The financial statements have been presented on a group basis. The accounts of Independence Trust form part of the consolidated group accounts and notes contained within.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)”

Public Benefit Statement

In line with GRCC’s Mission Statement all activities focus on our vision of active communities shaping their own futures. This is achieved through direct work with communities, our local knowledge, networks, professional services and our influencing role. The business plan strategic objectives form the basis of the activity throughout the year.

Structure, governance and management

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated April 1996, but originally registered as a charity in May 1923. In 1996 the company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr Charles Coats - Chair Mrs Sally Lewis - Vice Chair Mrs Carole Topple (Resigned 9 March 2023) Mr Duncan McGaw Mr Simon King (Resigned 25 October 2022) Cllr Stephen Hirst Cllr Phillip Awford (Resigned 11 March 2023) Mr Roger Godwin Mr Adrian Hinchcliffe

The directors of the company are also charity Trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Articles are known as members of the Board of Trustees. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the Board of Trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting. They may serve for a maximum of three terms, plus an additional one year in exceptional circumstances.

Due to the nature of the Charity’s work in and with the communities of Gloucestershire the Board of Trustees seeks to ensure that the needs of these communities are appropriately reflected through the diversity of the trustee body. Trustees work together to address succession planning, and co-option is used as required before taking proposals to members at Annual General Meetings. A range of methods are adopted to attract new Trustees, including formal and informal approaches and open recruitment, and interviews undertaken to establish suitability.

The more traditional business and technical skills are well represented on the Board of Trustees. In an effort to maintain this broad skill mix, members of the Board of Trustees are asked to complete a register of their skills and this is refreshed annually, so that any gaps can be identified and filled. This ensures that a balance of skills is maintained. Trustees also complete an annual self-assessment survey to examine their own and the Board’s performance.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Trustee Induction and Training

Trustees undergo an induction upon taking office with training necessary for their role including Safeguarding, GDPR, and Cyber Security. The Board of Trustees complete a skills audit and review of roles to ensure the necessary skills and experience for oversight are sustained at board level. Staff give regular presentations of GRCC’s work at Board of Trustee meetings which are held quarterly, with regular Trustee attendance at staff meetings throughout the year. This year, committees for Governance, Finance and Audit, Marketing and communications have been set up to increase organisational capacity and skills to support the full merger with the Independence Trust charity. A review of the Business Continuity and Risk Register has also been completed. Much of this year’s focus has been on the merger with Independence Trust, with the CEO and SLT preparing for the necessary legal documents to be drawn up.

Organisational Structure

The charity is controlled by the Board of Trustees who meet four times per year attended by the CEO and members of Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Responsibility for day to day management is delegated to the Chief Executive supported by the SLT.

The CEO reports to the Chair and the Board of Trustees and is charged with implementing Board Policy, ensuring compliance and ensuring that the Charity delivers the services specified and that KPI's are met.

The Senior Leadership Team during 2021-22 consisted of:

Ms Barbara Piranty - Chief Executive Officer (appointed September 2021) Mr Russell Hayward – Head of Finance & Resources Mrs Barbara Pond – Head of Operations & Business Development Mrs Angela Gilbert – Community Development Team Manager

During 2022-23 the SLT met regularly to share information, discuss topics in detail and check progress of key elements of GRCC work. Whole staff Team Meetings are held monthly in a hybrid of online and in person.

Related Parties

GRCC is a founder member of ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), the national association of RCCs.

GRCC is the sole member of Independence Trust.

In so far as it is complementary to the Charity’s objects, the Charity is guided by both local and national policy. The continued representation of GRCC on local partnerships and organisations has proved invaluable to the Charity in maintaining and growing its reputation and profile, establishing improved links within the community and identifying relevant policy developments and prospective funding.

Objectives and activities

The Board of Trustees annually reviews the strategic direction of GRCC which is encapsulated in the vision, mission and values below. The strategic objectives inform the annual business plan which forms the basis of the activity throughout the year.

Vision

Supporting and empowering Gloucestershire’s communities through change

Mission

To help build strong, healthy, sustainable communities in Gloucestershire using our knowledge, experience, and networks

Values

GRCC seeks to incorporate the following principles in all its activities:

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Strategic objectives

  1. Ensure GRCC and Independence Trust is fit for purpose, sustainable, and gives best value

  2. Strengthen GRCC’s role as rural specialists

  3. Be the leader in sustainable community development

  4. Be the first choice for VCSE infrastructure support, training, and development

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and Performance

1. Ensure GRCC and Independence Trust is fit for purpose, sustainable, and gives best value

GRCC has refreshed the Board committees to focus on Finance and Audit, Governance, GRCC Centenary/ Village of the Year, and Marketing and Communications. Board members have been identified to sit on these committees as leads with a role to oversee, scrutinise, and report back to the Board on activity and outcomes.

The Business Plan Strategic Priorities were reviewed and revised to set the scene for the organisational and individual work plans going forward. The regular policy review and refresh process was extended to reflect changes around the easing of COVID rules and policy, hybrid working and other Health and Safety considerations, as well as the alignment of GRCC and Independence Trust policies and procedures. A full review of the Employee Handbook is being undertaken. The Performance Review and Induction Policies as well as Equality and Diversity, Employer Supported Volunteering, Finance, and Safeguarding Policies have all been reviewed and updated.

The submission of funding bids has significantly increased, and development or renewal of strategic relationships has resulted in newly commissioned pieces of work such as the refresh of the CARS (Community Approaches to Road Safety) toolkit, and community consultation in the Forest of Dean as part of the Levelling Up agenda. Investment in our new Digital Inclusion project is repositioning and framing GRCC as the ‘go to’ specialists in organisational digital upskilling, including development of relationships with relevant cross sector partners.

Following the transfer of Independence Trust to GRCC in August 2020 and extensive discussions with SLT and members of the Board, it was proposed and agreed that GRCC undertake a full merger with Independence Trust. The merger process, including TUPE of staff, novation of contracts, lease arrangements, and transfer of Trustees, has been conducted throughout 2022/23 and will be completed in June 2023, with Independence Trust maintaining its external identity and branding. A review of services has been undertaken with Independence Trust staff in respect of future business planning and in preparation for recommissioning.

GRCC has invested in a licence to use the Social Value Engine, which has been developed through the ACRE CEO network. It is currently being tested to explore its effectiveness in producing additional intelligence to support future bid submissions and highlighting key outcomes of current service provision. Investment has also been made in GRCC’s back-office infrastructure, with upgrades to telephone and IT systems, office lighting, and electrical installations. A rolling programme of building maintenance has been established.

HR and personnel activities including a focus on recruitment and retention has helped to ensure that work plans and contracts can be sustained and outcomes achieved. Safeguarding practices and policy have been reviewed to reflect the incorporation of Independence Trust into the GRCC group charity and in anticipation of the full merger.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

2. Strengthen GRCC’s role as rural specialists

GRCC is part of the ACRE Network (the England-wide network of rural community councils) through which we receive funding from Defra to advice Defra’s rural priorities. The priorities for 2022/23 were: Digital Infrastructure; Digital Skills and Inclusion; Rural Life Opportunities; Social Infrastructure; Rural Transport; Net Zero and Affordable Energy; Housing and Planning; Business Support and Social Enterprise Development. GRCC undertook a wide range of activities to support these priorities. In April 2022, GRCC was asked to attend the EFRA Select Committee on behalf of ACRE to give oral evidence on mental health and access to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council Trustees’ Report (including Directors’ Report) for the year ended 31 March 2023 services. GRCC was also invited to provide evidence of around solutions and interventions at the follow up evidence sessions in May 2022.

GRCC has developed a new workstream of ‘Digital Community Development’ and recruited and appointed a new staff member to lead on and develop this theme.

The RUSTIK project held its first series of ‘Living Lab’ workshops or focus meetings. RUSTIK is a four-year transdisciplinary research project, funded by the EU, aiming to enable rural communities and policy makers to design better strategies, initiatives and policies fostering sustainability transitions in rural areas. GRCC is one of two ‘Living Labs’ in the UK and is partnered with the University of Gloucestershire. The workshops involved strategic and delivery partners who were able to share valuable insight for the University of Gloucestershire to begin to gather data addressing policy gaps. A paper on this is being prepared for presentation to RUSTIK partners in May. GRCC’s Digital Inclusion Manager Daniel Gale represented the UK Living Lab in Barcelona in February 2023 for the initial launch.

Following a successful recruitment drive, GRCC re-established its full Community Development Team in November 2022, increasing GRCC’s rural presence and activity across the county, with CDT members working hard to raise GRCC’s profile and to

embed themselves in the districts / boroughs through good relationships with parish councils and communities. Employment Support Hub Outreach (ESHO) (phase 2 of the GEM Project) is now more targeted to the economically inactive. GRCC will focus on Tewkesbury borough, and the work GRCC undertakes in relation to affordable housing and digital inclusion will also contribute to this priority.

As a rural specialist, GRCC is recognised as a strategic contributor and contributor in Gloucestershire and is a member of and contributed to several key groups, partnerships and boards. These include Gloucestershire Health & Wellbeing Partnership, GFirst LEP Agri-Tech Food and Business Network; Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership; the Naturally Healthy Leadership Group; and the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) planning group.

Relationship building with the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Communities, the Director of Public Health, and engagement with the development of the Integrated Care Strategy has enabled GRCC to ensure rural access and deprivation remain high on the agenda. Discussions are ongoing with a view to piloting the Rural England / National Centre for Rural Health and Care’s Rural Proofing for Health Toolkit as part of testing the ongoing development of the Integrated Care Strategy. The use of the toolkit with the acute trust, health and care trust, and local authority around social care, is also being explored, testing the toolkit against current strategic planning and phase 2 of the Fit for the Future initiative,

which is focused on medium and long-term future of Gloucestershire’s health services.

The Affordable Housing project continues to build from strength to strength with additional social housing providers and income to help increase capacity and sustain the service. A land led approach has developed partnerships with land agents and Gloucester Diocese.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

3. Be the leader in sustainable community development

Successful recruitment during the year to rebuild the Community Development Team has enabled us to increase our local presence. Our work has a strong focus on key developmental areas around climate change, digital, and mental health through Levelling Up, UK Shared and Rural England Prosperity Funds, increased flood warden presence, and the districts’ strategic objectives in these areas.

Support and advice continue to be provided to village halls and community buildings

across the county, both through a return to in-person Community Buildings Network

meetings and on an individual basis. Bespoke support has been provided to parishes and groups working on community-led planning initiatives, including existing and new NDPs, communities interested in developing Parish Plans, and provision of options for community led planning approaches.

GRCC continues to support communities with their emergency planning. In addition to the long-established Tewkesbury Flood Wardens scheme, GRCC has launched new Flood Warden schemes in Cotswold and Stroud districts in partnership with the respective District Councils. GRCC was also asked to submit proposals to Forest of Dean District Council and to Cheltenham Borough Council for provision of support with their Community Flood Resilience projects. Both submissions were successful.

Strategic discussions with the OPCC and Gloucestershire County Council resulted in funding for us to refresh the CARS (Community Approaches to Road Safety) toolkit. Launch events for parish council representatives and community road safety groups were held to promote the toolkit and GCC’s new Speed Watch fund in the four rural districts of the county, in partnership with the OPCC and GCC. Representatives of 34 parish councils attended along with 12 district / county councillors.

As part of the Levelling Up agenda, GRCC worked in partnership with Forest of Dean District Council over community consultation for a planning proposal for a regeneration site which would create a focal point of a sports and leisure centre in the district. The consultation included an online survey and in-person events relating to the indicative design proposals. 182 people took part in the survey, 22 organisations were represented at a stakeholder workshop, and 24 people signed in to the public drop-in event. As a result of GRCC’s report, changes are being made to the indicative design to better reflect the preferences of the affected communities and general public for sports and arts provision on the site.

GRCC’s Community Wellbeing Service in the Cotswolds has continued developing its partnership working in relation to the drop-in support hubs. The Moreton-in-Marsh hub has been joined by the Stow-on-the-Wold hub this year. In preparation for the Independence Trust merger a joint CWS database has now been developed to help manage both CWS projects more efficiently and effectively. The two Social Prescriber Link Workers financed by the NHS are part of the Community Wellbeing Service offer, including support for Children and Young Adults in the north Cotswolds.

Digital inclusion has been introduced as a key priority in GRCC’s workplan. GRCC successfully bid for the Digi Hubs Project contracts in Cheltenham and Cotswolds, and has since been awarded an additional year’s funding to end March 2025. Our Digital Inclusion Manager has been building relationships and partnerships with organisations in both districts in addition to our bid partners (Cheltenham Borough Homes in Cheltenham and Churn Project in Cotswold) and working to distribute a donation of sim cards with 5G data bundles to those who are digitally excluded.

Key points and outcomes:

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

4. Be the first choice for VCSE infrastructure support, training and development

Following on from GRCC’s work in past years to influence and support the development of the new Gloucestershire Volunteering Collaborative, we submitted a successful bid to enable the facilitation of the partnership as it develops over the next three years. The Collaborative brings together partners from public, private and voluntary sector to look at how volunteering and volunteering infrastructure can be improved throughout the county. Our dedicated VCSE Advice Officer is facilitator for the Collaborative and further developing GRCC’s roleas VCSE infrastructure support provider, particularly in the urban centres of Cheltenham and Gloucester. Strategic discussions are underway with partners for additional networks and forums to support this development.

GRCC’s work on Digital Inclusion is seeing our digital profile steadily build with ongoing awareness raising and engagement via our social media platforms and through our ever-increasing partnership network. The Digi Hubs contracts in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds will allow a base upon which to build strong foundations for the more detailed skills transfer work planned, upskilling our VCS partners providing specialist support to communities and individuals.

Specific work to support BAME-led carers groups is being developed in conjunction with Gloucestershire County Council. Our VCSE Advice Officer is holding strategic meetings with various groups and organisations to discuss and develop GRCC’s role in providing infrastructure support for VCSE organisations in Gloucester. GRCC successfully bid for the contact with FoDDC to provide support with funding applications and networking in the Forest of Dean for 2023/24.

Key points and outcomes:

5. Raise the profile and reputation of the organisation

GRCC has established a marketing and communications team comprising Digital Content Officer and Social Media Lead working under the Digital Inclusion Manager. The team is working hard to help raise the profile of GRCC and Independence Trust through regular social media posts, updates to the News / Blogs section of the websites, and through media engagement. All future communications will include reference to Independence Trust and GRCC’s relationship with the Trust to help increase understanding of the merger.

The key promotion area for 2023 is GRCC’s centenary, with a specially designed logo appearing on the website, all marketing and communications material, letterheads, email signatures, etc. Planning is underway for the centenary celebration event to be held at the Annual General Meeting in July 2023.

Plans are also being developed to refresh both the GRCC and Independence Trust websites, with a focus on clear, concise information and accessibility.

Regular appearances on Radio Gloucestershire and in Cotswold Life magazine continue to raise GRCC’s profile, along with district events and, with the successful recruitment to the Community Development Team, increased visibility of members of staff in districts and at partner meetings and events. GRCC’s e-newsletter Newsbites is currently sent out monthly to 994 subscribers.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Financial review

It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at not less than 6 months’ operating costs, plus a provision for employment liabilities. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

Based on the accounts to 31 March 2023 this target level would be £149,446, whilst freely available unrestricted reserves are shown as £690,887. The Charity also holds £89,302 in restricted funds and a permanent endowment of £48,233.

GRCC owns Community House, 15 College Green, Gloucester (all but “The Archway” room over the flying freehold into Miller’s Green). The latest freehold valuation has indicated a RICS “Red Book” figure of around £400,000, as against a net book value of £17,502.

Risk Management

The Board of Trustees maintains a risk register and has assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risk. GRCC systems and procedures have been reviewed in conjunction with staff and trustees in order to mitigate risks to the Charity.

GRCC is developing future areas of work in response to local need. The Charity continues to have available for use its Trading subsidiary “GRCC Solutions Ltd” as appropriate.

Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and visitors to the offices of GRCC and regular reports are produced for the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, for discussion and action.

Plans for Future Periods

The Business Plan Strategic Priorities for 2022-25 were developed to set the scene for the organisational and individual work plans going forward. An evaluation of current partnerships, gaps, and areas of growth and development undertaken with GRCC staff fed into the development of the strategic priorities. In preparation for the merger with Independence Trust, staff were invited to share areas of best practice, and suggest new areas of work and strategic priorities to develop

through a series of staff meetings and SWOT analysis. This information will be included in a revised Strategic Priorities document to reflect the merger in June 2023. An Operational Plan has been drafted to reflect the changes and adjustments that need to be made once the merger has been completed.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Gloucestershire Rural Community Council for the purpose 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 which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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.

Auditor

Griffiths Marshall were re-appointed as the charitable company’s auditors during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mr Charles Coats - Chair

Mrs Sally Lewis - Vice Chair

Dated: 20 July 2023

Dated:20 July 2023

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and the notes to the financial statements, 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:

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 Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’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 charity’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.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's 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 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.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees' responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose 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 charity’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.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

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 auditor's 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 gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council and the industry in which it operates and, considered the risk of acts by Management and directors of Gloucestershire Rural Community Council which were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. These included but were not limited to compliance with the Companies Act 2006 and Employment Law. We made enquiries of the Directors to obtain further understanding of risks of non-compliance.

We focused on laws and regulations that could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements. Our tests included, but were not limited to:

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed noncompliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's 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 charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Stephen Humphries (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Griffiths Marshall

20 July 2023

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor

Beaumont House 172 Southgate Street Gloucester Gloucestershire GL1 2EZ

Griffiths Marshall is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted Endowment
funds
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
£
Income from:
Voluntary Income
3
45,232
105,998
-
Charitable activities
4
-
1,653,534
-
Other trading activities
5
44,381
23,170
-
Investments
6
16,637
1,837
-
Total income
106,250
1,784,539
-
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
23,547
-
-
Charitable activities
8
98,114
1,377,915
-
Total resources expended
121,661
1,377,915
-
Net gains/(losses) on investments
11
-
-
(3,139)
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources
before transfers
(15,411)
406,624
(3,139)
Gross transfers between funds
327,311
(327,311)
-
Net movement in funds
311,900
79,313
(3,139)
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
1,162,531
27,270
51,372
Fund balances at 31 March 2023
1,474,431
106,583
48,233		 Total
2023
£
151,230
1,653,534
67,551
18,474
1,890,789
23,547
1,476,029
1,499,576
(3,139)
388,074
-
388,074
1,241,173
1,629,247		 Total
2022
£
74,200
1,482,772
20,453
8,622
1,586,047
37,260
1,389,130
1,426,390
3,489
163,146
-
163,146
1,078,027
1,241,173

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

GROUP BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
15
Investments
14
Current assets
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
17
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Capital funds
Endowment funds - general
Income funds
Restricted funds
21
Unrestricted funds		 2023
£
£
37,703
51,233
88,936
277,410
1,625,797
1,903,206
(362,896)
1,540,311
1,629,247
48,233
106,563
1,474,451
1,629,247		 2022
£
£
33,245
54,372
87,617
208,775
1,364,691
1,573,466
(419,910)
1,153,556
1,241,173
51,372
27,270
1,162,531
1,241,173		 2022
£
£
33,245
54,372
87,617
208,775
1,364,691
1,573,466
(419,910)
1,153,556
1,241,173
51,372
27,270
1,162,531
1,241,173
87,617
1,153,556
1,241,173
51,372
27,270
1,162,531
1,241,173

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2023, although an audit has been carried out under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 20 July 2023

Mr Charles Coats - Chair Mrs Sally Lewis - Vice Chair Trustee Trustee

Company Registration No. 03181755

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

2023
Notes
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
15
Investments
14
Current assets
Debtors
16
117,436
Cash at bank and in hand
828,911
946,347
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
17
(199,100)
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Capital funds
Endowment funds - general
Income funds
Restricted funds
21
Unrestricted funds		 2022
£
£
29,930
51,233
81,163
50,521
779,756
830,277
(163,575)
747,247
828,410
48,233
107,828
672,349
828,410		 £
27,047
54,372
81,419
666,702
748,121
51,372
26,697
670,052
748,121

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2023, although an audit has been carried out under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 20 July 2023

Mr Charles Coats - Chair Mrs Sally Lewis - Vice Chair Trustee Trustee

Company Registration No. 03181755

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Gloucestershire Rural Community Council is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Community House, 15 College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LZ.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The Trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Trust has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The financial statements have been presented on a group basis. On 17 August 2020 the control of Independence Trust was transferred from Connexus Housing Two Limited to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. The accounts of Independence Trust form part of the consolidated group accounts and notes to 31 March 2021 contained within.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds represent grants received for specific purposes, less revenue expenditure incurred. Where the grant was received for capital purposes, the expenditure has been capitalised and is included in fixed assets.

Endowment funds represents the net assets, including unrealised gains on the investment of the Goodeve Legacy.

1.4 Income

Legacies, donations, gifts and bank interest are accounted for when they are received unless amounts receivable can be determined with reasonable accuracy.

Income from sales of donated goods is recognised when the goods are sold.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Grant income:

Income is deferred when the donor specifies the income is for a future period or applies conditions that cannot be met until a future period.

Endowment fund income is unrestricted.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure is recorded on the accruals basis and liabilities are included when the legal obligation has been created.

Expenditure in charitable activities represents the costs incurred in carrying out the charitable objectives of the project.

Governance costs represent the cost of general administration functions of the charity.

Basis of apportionment of expenditure:

As a registered charity, the activities are generally exempt from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax in connection with its direct charitable purpose, but not from VAT.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Land and buildings 2% reducing balance Fixtures, fittings & equipment 3 years straight line or specific to length of project Computer equipment 3 years straight line or specific to length of project

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

Entities in which the charity has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.

1.8 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.9 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.10 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.11 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.12 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.13 Deferred income

Income is deferred when the donor specifies the income is for a future period or applies conditions that cannot be met until a future period.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

3 Voluntary Income

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Donations and gifts
23
66,778
Subscriptions & Memberships
1,109
-
Grants receivable
44,100
39,220
45,232
105,998
For the year ended 31 March 2022
34,480
39,720
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Grants receivable for core
activities
£
£
ACRE (DEFRA)
-
39,220
Cotswold District Council
13,100
-
Stroud District Council
11,000
-
Forest of Dean District Counil
5,000
-
Tewkesbury Borough Council
7,000
-
Other
8,000
-
44,100
39,220
Charitable activities
Project funding
Wellbeing Services
Barnwood Trust
Analysis by fund
Restricted funds		 Total
2023
£
66,801
1,109
83,320
151,230
Total
2023
£
39,220
13,100
11,000
5,000
7,000
8,000
83,320
2023
£
493,298
1,160,236
-
1,653,534
1,653,534		 Total
2022
£
864
1,599
71,737
74,200
74,200
Total
2022
£
39,720
13,100
11,000
5,000
2,917
-
71,737
2022
£
525,458
954,220
3,094
1,482,772
1,482,942

4 Charitable activities

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

5 Other trading activities

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Consultancy income
44,381
23,170
Investments
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Rental income
10,467
-
Goodeve income
-
1,837
Interest receivable
6,170
-
16,637
1,837		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
67,551
11,191
9,262
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
10,467
3,178
-
1,837
-
2,439
6,170
2,976
29
18,474
6,154
2,468		 Total
2022
£
20,453
Total
2022
£
3,178
2,439
3,005
8,622

6 Investments

7 Raising funds

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Costs of generating funds
Office service costs - 7,264
Other fundraising costs 282 3,667
Staff costs 23,265 26,329
Costs of generating funds 23,547 37,260
23,547 37,260

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

8 Charitable activities

Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Charitable expenditure
ICT costs
Premises
Office costs
Administration costs
Grant funding activities
Share of support costs (see note 10)
Share of governance costs (see note 10)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 GRCC
Wellbeing
Services
Barnwood
Trust
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
391,751
592,054
-
9,027
4,064
-
89,153
15,595
-
-
18,781
-
-
97,759
-
-
12,908
-
-
8,959
-
489,931
750,120
-
29,831
-
-
86,582
86,806
-
17,236
15,522
-
623,580
852,448
-
98,114
-
-
525,466
852,448
-
623,580
852,448
-		 Total
2023
£
983,805
13,091
104,748
18,781
97,759
12,908
8,959
1,240,051
29,831
173,388
32,759
1,476,029
98,114
1,377,915
1,476,029		 GRCC
Wellbeing
Services
Barnwood
Trust
2022
2022
£
£
£
376,435
568,150
-
10,941
2,947
-
61,430
37,555
2,988
-
22,219
-
-
77,158
-
-
8,121
-
-
9,177
-
448,806
725,327
2,988
12,666
-
-
154,057
-
-
39,461
5,824
-
654,990
731,151
2,988
44,940
-
-
610,050
731,151
2,988
654,990
731,151
2,988		 Total
2022
£
944,585
13,888
101,973
22,219
77,158
8,121
9,177
1,177,121
12,666
154,057
45,285
1,389,130
44,940
1,344,189
1,389,129

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9 Trustees

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.

10 Support costs

Support costs
Staff costs
Support costs
Audit fees
Legal and professional
Other costs
Analysed between
Charitable activities		 Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
117,081
20,571
56,257
-
-
9,360
-
2,217
-
610
173,338
32,758
173,338
32,758		 2023Support costs Governance
costs
£
£
£
137,652
130,136
27,276
56,257
23,921
-
-
9,360
-
11,160
2,217
-
4,300
610
-
2,550
206,096
154,057
45,286
206,096
154,057
45,286		 2022
£
157,412
23,921
11,160
4,300
2,550
199,343
199,343

11 Net gains/(losses) on investments

**Endowment ** Endowment
funds funds
general general
2023 2022
£ £
Revaluation of investments (3,139) 3,489

12 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

13 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Charitable activities
Management and administration
Wellbeing services
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Staff training, life insurance and travel		 2023
Number
19
3
29
51
2023
£
973,830
77,863
66,665
26,364
1,144,722		 2022
Number
18
3
32
53
2022
£
967,156
68,892
66,160
26,118
1,128,326

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

Number of staff with benefits accruing under:
2023
Number
Money purchase scheme
51
Fixed asset investments
Unlisted
investments
Other
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2022
51,372
3,000
Valuation changes
(3,139)
-
At 31 March 2023
48,233
3,000
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2023
48,233
3,000
At 31 March 2022
51,372
3,000		 2022
Number
53
Total
£
54,372
(3,139)
51,233
51,233
54,372

14 Fixed asset investments

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

14 Fixed asset investments (Continued)
2023 2022
Other investments comprise: Notes £ £
Investments in joint ventures 3,000 3,000

GRCC invested £3,000 into Cirican LLP (OC429471) as part of a collaborative effort by 18 rural community councils to provide research and consultancy services. The partnership is registered at Community House, 15 College Green, Gloucester, United Kingdom, GL1 2LZ

Cirican LLP is deemed an associate to GRCC but the results are immaterial to the consolidated group accounts.

15 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2022
Additions
At 31 March 2023
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2022
Depreciation charged in the year
At 31 March 2023
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022
16
Company Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 Land and
buildings
Fixtures,
fittings &
equipment
Computer
equipment
£
£
£
56,606
53,370
89,450
-
8,008
9,539
56,606
61,378
98,989
38,746
49,211
78,223
359
4,171
8,560
39,105
53,382
86,783
17,501
7,996
12,206
17,860
4,159
11,227
2023
£
110,782
6,654
117,436		 Total
£
199,426
17,547
216,973
166,180
13,090
179,270
37,703
33,246
2022
£
43,745
6,776
50,521

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

16
Group Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
17
Company creditors falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Deferred Income
18
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
17
Group creditors falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Deferred Income
18
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals		 2023
£
196,740
6,736
73,934
277,410
2023
£
4,010
160,737
23,406
-
10,947
199,100
2023
£
12,377
282,569
33,980
9,608
24,362
362,896		 2022
£
182,530
6,736
19,510
208,776
2022
£
1,799
138,176
13,769
1,174
8,657
163,575
2022
£
7,858
364,964
21,211
10,782
15,095
419,910

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

18 Company Deferred income

Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:

Consultancy income
Donation and gift aid
Big Assist funding
PCC internet
Stroud DC - Stroud Leader work
GCC - Quality Review
Tewkesbury BC - Retailer support
KYP Cotswolds
Severn Vale Club
COVID 19 Grant
CDC Flood Warren
Cheltenham BC - VCS grant
FOD Digital hub
FOD Village Halls grant
Gloucestershire County Council
CLH Project
Cheltenham BC
Flood Warden
Glos Voluntaty Collaboration
Personal Health Grant
Digihubs
ESHQ Q1		 2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
75,000
10,000
5,666
11,667
6,667
4,737
37,800
9,200
160,737		 2022
£
3,650
63,904
4,165
5,000
3,500
2,000
3,000
5,000
1,680
20,000
5,833
5,667
10,270
4,506
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
138,175

The trustees consider the above grants and funding as deferred income on the basis the resources received do not meet the criteria for recognition as income in the statement of financial activities (SoFA), entitlement to the income does not exist at the balance sheet date. Instead, deferred income is disclosed as a liability in the balance sheet

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

18 Group Deferred income

Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:

As detailed in company note above
NHS Vaccination Programme
Barnwood Trust
Client funds
Discharge Hub
Health Checks
Discharge Hub 2
Discharge Hub 3
Armed Forces Link Worker
Peer Support		 2023
£
160,737
40,000
16,893
-
-
-
-
45,960
17,780
1,200
282,570		 2022
£
138,175
21,000
227
36,685
30,092
47,825
45,960
-
35,000
10,000
364,964

The trustees consider the above grants and funding as deferred income on the basis the resources received do not meet the criteria for recognition as income in the statement of financial activities (SoFA), entitlement to the income does not exist at the balance sheet date. Instead, deferred income is disclosed as a liability in the balance sheet

19 Retirement benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £66,665 (2022 - £66,160).

20 Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

2023 2022
£ £
Aggregate compensation 180,855 168,963

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

20 Related party transactions

(Continued)

GRCC Solutions Ltd

The charity controls GRCC Solutions Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, by way of the directors. There is a deed of covenant in place to donate profits to GRCC. The results of the company are considered immaterial to the group accounts..

Independence Trust

The accounts of Independence Trust form part of the consolidated group accounts of Gloucestershire Rural Community Council to 31 March 2023.

In the period Gloucestershire Rural Community Council charged Independent Trust £98,917 (2022- £91,858) for management and overhead services.

On 12th June Independence Trust merged with it parent charity Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (Charity no. 1054282). At this point all assets and liabilities were transferred and Independence Trust will cease to operate as a standalone entity. All Charitable services will continue within Gloucestershire Rural Community Council.

21 Company Restricted funds

Company Restricted funds
Balance at 1 Incoming Outgoing Transfers
Balance at 31
April 2022 March 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Community Wellbeing - 130,763 142,940 12,177 -
Stroud Flood Resilience - 3,500 (3,269) (231) -
Rural Housing Enabler 11,504 53,160 (46,351) - 18,313
GVC - 13,445 (7,812) (5,633) -
Rustik - 8,178 (7,422) (756) -
FOD Flood Resilience - 3,500 (2,484) (1,016) -
Chel Flood Wardens - 1,167 (814) (353) -
Rural Support - 39,360 (49,932) 10,572 -
CDC Cost of Living - 8,000 (7,805) (195) -
Tewkesbury Flood Resilience - 10,000 (8,274) (1,726) -
GEM Nav Dev Time & Expenditure - 72,191 (87,226) 15,035 -
GEM Part Expenses - 97 (103) 6 -
GEM Extra Mile - 5,532 (5,527) (5) -
Digi Hubs - 2,200 (2,190) (10) -
Gloucester BAME - 363 (363) - -
Cheltenham VCS Support - 39,031 (34,708) (4,323) -
Cheltenham Youth Network - 4,500 (1,057) (3,443) -
Digital Innovaiton fund - 10,270 (10,097) (173) -
Social Prescribers - 59,681 (58,554) (1,127) -
Know Your Patch Network Cheltenham - 12,175 (5,329) (6,846) -
Know Your Patch Network Cotswolds - 17,175 (5,714) (11,461) -
SPTM Big Local - 12,332 (12,855) 523 -
Covid Prevention Grant - 20,000 (5,326) (14,674) -
Cotswold Flod Wardens - 10,500 (9,495) (1,005) -
ESHO GEM - 18,400 (9,819) - 8,581
Older Peopls Fund - 63,904 - - 63,904
Fowler Wright Fund 15,193 269 - (269) 15,193
Anniversary Fund - 936 - (936) -
Goodeve - 1,837 - (1,837) -
26,697 624,303 (525,466) 19,543 105,991

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

21 Group Restricted Funds

Movement in funds
Balance at
1 April 2022
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Transfers
31
£
£
£
£
Company funds (note 24)
26,697
624,303
(525,466)
(19,543)
Wellbeing
-
1,160,236
(852,448)
(307,788)
Barnwood trust
574
-
-
-
27,271
1,784,539
(1,377,914)
(327,331)
22
Company Analysis of net assets between funds
Restricted
Endowment
Unrestricted
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are
represented by:
Investments
-
48,233
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
105,991
-
674,186
105,991
48,233
674,186
Group Analysis of net assets between funds
Restricted
Endowment
Unrestricted
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are
represented by:
Investments
-
48,233
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
106,563
-
1,474,451
106,563
48,233
1,474,451		 Balance at
March 2023
£
105,991
-
574
106,565
Total
£
48,233
780,177
828,410
Total
£
48,233
1,581,014
1,629,247

23 Subsidiaries

On 17 August 2020 the control of Independence Trust was transferred from Connexus Housing Two Limited to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. The accounts of Independence Trust form part of the consolidated group accounts and notes to 31 March 2021 contained within. Full accounts for Independence Trust as a standalone entity can be obtained from the groups registered office.

Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 March 2023 are as follows:

Name of undertaking Registered Nature of business Class of % Held
office shares held Direct Indirect
Independence Trust England Wellbeing Services Guarantee 100.00

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

23 Subsidiaries

(Continued)

The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its and loss account in these financial statements. The surplus generated by the parent charity for the period was £80,286 (2022 - £131,296).