Big Issue North Trust Ltd (a company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report
Year Ended
31 March 2024
Company Number 03164559 Charity Number 1056041
Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
Contents
Page:
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1 Legal and administrative information
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2 Directors' and trustees' report
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9 Statement of trustees' responsibilities
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10 Independent auditor's report
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14 Statement of financial activities
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15 Balance sheet
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16 Notes to the financial statements
Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Legal and administrative information for the year ended 31 March 2024
Directors and Trustees of the charity: M Fitzgibbon F Selvan E Robinson S Islam L Symonds (resigned 1 December 2023) M Burrows (appointed 1 March 2024) M Naraynsingh (appointed 1 December 2023) Secretary: M Fitzgibbon Principal and Registered Office: 1[st ] Floor 463 Stretford Road Manchester M16 9AB Company Number 03164559 Charity Number 1056041 Website www.bigissuenorth.com Bankers Santander Bridle Road Bootle Merseyside L30 4GB External Auditor: Beever and Struthers One Express 1 George Leigh Street Manchester M4 5DL
1
Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Directors' and trustees’ report for the year ended 31 March 2024
The directors and trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities".
1 Structure, Governance and Management
Status
Big Issue North Trust Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, (company number 03164559), and a registered charity (charity number 1056041) governed by its memorandum and articles of association.
Directors and Trustees
The Trustees serving during the year were as follows.
M Fitzgibbon F Selvan E Robinson S Islam L Symonds (Resigned 1 December 2023) M Burrows (appointed 1 March 2024) M Naraynsingh (appointed 1 December 2023)
Recruitment and Training of Trustees
As set out in the Articles of Association, the Chair and other Trustees are appointed by The Big Life Company Limited by sending a notice in writing to the Charity.
The training and induction of new Trustees is the responsibility of the Chair and is tailored to the individual needs of new appointees. All Trustees have a one-to-one meeting with the Chair each year to discuss training and development needs.
The Standing Orders of the charity give details of the decisions which are made at Board level and the powers delegated to the management team.
Organisational Management
The Board of Trustees evaluate and agree the priorities of the organisation through a comprehensive business planning process undertaken by the Big Life Group as a whole.
Big Issue North Trust Ltd is part of the Big Life Group of social businesses and charities. It contracts with The Big Life Company Limited for the provision of corporate services and for the delivery of services to vendors through a Service Level Agreement.
Risk Management
The directors have identified the risks that the charity may be exposed to in the next financial year and have established strategies to mitigate those risks. A risk management process is in place whereby risks are identified and profiled against likelihood and consequence, with actions put in place. Each risk is assigned to a member of the Senior Management Team. One of the key risks identified was the management of rising costs of publishing an independent magazine, in a climate where increasing the product price was restricted.
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Directors' and trustees’ report for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
Key Management Personnel – Remuneration
Big Issue North Trust Ltd considers its key management personnel to be trustees and senior leadership of the group. Full costs are borne by The Big Life Company Limited and disclosed in those accounts. The costs of the charity’s key management personnel relating to Big Issue North Trust Ltd are paid for as part of an overall service level agreement with The Big Life Company Limited that is annually agreed by Big Issue North Trust Ltd trustees.
Remuneration of the senior leadership within the group is set by the group’s Audit & Remuneration Committee based on benchmarking against comparable external organisations.
2 Objects of the charity
The objects of the Charity are to carry out activities that relieve poverty particularly in relation to the vendors of the Big Issue magazine.
The charity’s principal aims are:
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To help vendors access employment, education and training opportunities, by working in partnership with local employment and training initiatives.
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To improve the health of vendors and to provide assistance to end substance dependencies.
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To help vendors to secure appropriate, accessible and affordable accommodation.
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To help vendors to access financial services.
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To promote the personal development, mental and emotional well-being of vendors.
Big Issue North Trust Ltd is a registered charity that raises funds to provide services for vendors of the Big Issue magazines to help them move away from homelessness for good.
3 Statement of public benefit
The Trustees have given due consideration to Charity Commission published guidance on the operation of the public benefit requirement. Full details of the public benefit provided by the charity are detailed in the review of activities in section 4.
4 Review of activities and future development
Big Issue North Trust Ltd is a charity which produces the Big Issue North magazine and helps vendors who are selling the Big Issue magazines through support and signposting. It has offices in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield and works in partnership with other organisations to distribute magazines to vendors in towns across Hull and in Cumbria.
At the end of 2022/23, the difficult decision to cease producing the Big Issue North magazine and buy magazines from Big Issue UK to distribute to vendors in the north of England. This was due to unsustainable production costs, influenced by the lasting effect of covid 19 pandemic on magazine sales, and increased inflation on printing and fuel costs. In June 2023 the Big Issue North ceased publication and the Trust began distributing the Big Issue UK magazine to vendors. Although there was sadness at the loss of an independent news publication, this was a seamless transition for vendors and staff.
During the year the charity worked with 466 vendors and each week worked with an average of 223 vendors. It carried out 853 (2023 - 1,289) crisis interventions with vendors, assisted 2 (2023: 98) clients into accommodation, provided 32 (2023: 129) vendors with employment support. The charity provided 85 interventions around Health and 176 interventions around Money issues.
The Trust had 11 volunteers, and 154 casual volunteers signed up to support with fundraising events. Fundraising exceeded target by 2.5%, mainly due to receiving three legacies. This enabled the Trust to
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Directors' and trustees’ report for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
Issue vendors with cashless card machines and as a result over 75% of vendors had use of a card machine. Two grants were also secured.
During the year total income was £925k (2023: £1M) and included Street News, Fundraising and Magazine sales.
Following lower than predicted subscription sales the Trust decided to decommission the Street News App and build on its social media reach. The Street News App reached a wide audience and had strong downloads, but this did not lead to subscriptions. The cost of the app is shown as a disposal in these accounts.
5 Principal risks and uncertainties
The Big Life group secured Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation in June 2023, but despite this, it subsequently experienced a cyber-attack. It was a ransomware attack on hosted servers and did not affect cloud hosted applications and databases, and back-ups were used to restore data where needed. However, there was prolonged disruption to some staff who had to access systems from offices. The Incident Management Team operated to the principle of maximum transparency and kept staff informed throughout, offering support and information, as well as Experian Identity Plus cover. Retaining a two-star Best Companies rating in December 2024, demonstrates that for most staff this incident was handled well.
The Incident Management Team commissioned expert advisers to undertake the forensic investigation, retrieval and search of documents, and legal support to ensure it complied with its statutory duties to report and disclose to individuals who had been affected.
The cyber-attack led to the compromise of personal data and consequently required the notification of over 60,000 people. This was managed through a third party as it was a complex process requiring tailored notifications to individuals detailing what Personal Identifiable information relating to them had been compromised. Big Life offered Identify Plus cover and access to an advice line. In addition, it offered a wellbeing help line staffed by therapists to offer phone support and referral to other agencies where needed.
There were over 80 Subject Access Requests received after notifications were sent, which were all responded to. The attack does not appear to have had a long-term impact on peoples trust in and to access Big Life services. Only a couple of people withdrew from services after receiving a notification.
The financial cost of managing the cyber-attack was considerable, which prudent financial management enabled it to withstand. The Incident Management team kept key stakeholders informed in a timely and transparent manner in order to minimise the impact on the Big Life group reputation. Commissioners complemented the group on the transparency with which the incident was managed.
The ICO and the police were notified, and the Big Life group continues to respond to enquiries as the ICO
investigation remains open.
This incident has utilised significant cash reserves and although this will not impact on day-to-day cash requirements, it will mean that the planned investments in business development and estates will require financing. In the next year the Big Life group will be developing its new business plan for the five years 2025-30 and recovering reserves will be a part of this plan.
Additional expertise was commissioned to help develop and deliver a plan to further enhance the IT security across the group, and this was implemented in year, with the recognition that this will require continual evolution. This was monitored by the Risk and Audit Committee. Considerable progress was made towards securing ISO27001, which will be completed in the forthcoming year.
The risk management process was updated in year to provide greater oversight and assurance in relation to risks. Strategic risks and mitigations relating to the mission and objectives were reviewed at Board and Executive teams. Inherent risks to the delivery of the business (such as risks of client suicide, or of fraud) were identified and the controls reviewed by the Executive Team and the Risk and Audit Committee, and
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Directors' and trustees’ report for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
reported to the board. Emergent operational risks continue to be collated quarterly, reviewed at service level and reported to the Executive Team, Risk and Audit Committee and Board. Risks are identified and profiled against likelihood and consequence with mitigations/controls identified. Each risk is assigned to a member of the Executive Team.
There remains uncertainty around the renewal of a number of our existing contracts in their current form beyond March 2024 given the likelihood that Local Authorities’ and Health budgets will be tight. Over the years we have developed good relationships with commissioners and are a partner in the Greater Manchester Alternative Provider Collaborative, through which we will try to influence commissioning decisions.
Changes in the economic climate and government policy remain high on the agenda following the General Election, with the Labour Government now in place. Rising fuel bills have increased expenditure and we are predicting increasing wage costs in line with inflation. There is a risk that we will not be able to recover these costs through increased income and will need to reduce performance to balance budgets.
At an operational level, services provided by the Group are subject to legislative and quality standards, including ISO 9001 and 14001. Failure to maintain these standards impacts on the Group’s reputation and ability to operate as a high quality business, therefore services are constantly reviewed and audited, and appropriate action taken to ensure targets are met and exceeded
6 Related parties
The charity forms part of the “ Big Life Group ” of social enterprises and charities. The Big Life Company Limited is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, of which one of the company's directors, F Selvan, is the sole guarantor. The Group for accounts purposes now includes Big Life Centres and Self Help Services Ltd.
Big Life Centres is an independent charity which offers opportunities to people who have had a raw deal in life to change their lives for the better.
Self Help Services Ltd is a user led, primary care mental health service offering self- help groups, computerised CBT, counselling, clinical IAPT services, training and volunteering.
7 Grant making policy
The charity receives small grants to support vendors of the Big Issue North. These monies are restricted in their use to the purpose specified in the contract.
8 Financial Review
Income for the year was £924,817 (2023: £1,020,046). Income from Trading Activity (mainly Magazine Sales) was £732,314 (2023: £740,671).
Total expenditure amounted to £1,042,252 (2023: £1,127,107).
The net outgoing resources for the year amounted to £117,435 (2023: £107,061). At the year-end restricted funds amounted to £17,452 (2023: £13,531) and unrestricted funds total £287,256 (2023: £408,612).
9 Key Performance Indicators
Targets are set and are monitored during the year, and their progress is included within the Board Reports. They are categorised under three key priority areas;
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We will work with more people and places to create opportunities and inspire change
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We will be a good business with our social mission at the heart of all we do
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We will have an organisation that enables us to work in the Big Life Way
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Directors' and trustees’ report for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
10 Reserves policy
At the year end the Reserves Policy was reviewed. The aim of the Reserves is to:
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Reduce the risks to service delivery and operations should income levels fall for a period.
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Allow entry into new projects and initiatives that require investment, be paid in arrears or that may not be profitable in the early periods.
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Ensure that, should a contract end, funds are available to allow redeployment of staff.
Reserve Level
Target free reserves (Unrestricted Funds less Fixed Assets) are based on one months’ salary level and one month’s non-pay expenditure (excluding non- cash items). If the level of reserves at the end of a financial year exceeds the target aim, then plans will be made to ensure that excess reserves are utilised.
The current target level of reserves based on 2023/24 costs is £102k and the actual level of free reserves at 31 March 2024 was £278k (2023: £392k).
11 Future Developments
The Big Life Group is in the business of changing lives and we fight inequality by working with people and places to create opportunities and inspire change. All our services work with people to support areas of their life and help remove obstacles which are barriers to individuals in changing their life for the better. We help people see the skills and support they already have so that they can build on it and reach their full potential.
Our work is done in the Big Life Way namely:
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Community led : We work with people and communities to change the things they want to change, build on their strengths, and respond to their aspirations.
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First class : We believe all people deserve a first-class service which develops their resilience, is led by them, and responds to their priorities.
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Listen, learn and change : We know that we can always improve. We listen and learn from the people we work with and the world around us to take action to change things that aren’t right.
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Never give up : Everyone has the capacity to change, but we know it’s not always easy. That’s why we celebrate every achievement, and we never give up.
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People not problems : We work with people on all areas of their lives. We see the skills and potential in everyone and value their life experience.
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Tread new ground : We are not afraid to tread new ground and innovate to respond to new challenges.
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Work in partnership : We work in partnership with people and other organisations to achieve more together than we can alone.
The Group’s Business Plan 2020-25 has identified three key work priorities over the next five years which include
(1) To work with more people and places to create opportunities and inspire change:
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To work with more people to support them in all areas of their life.
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To have volunteer opportunities in every service.
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To increase the opportunities for people to engage with our services through the use of technology, such as online chats, video conferencing and virtual reality.
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Directors' and trustees’ report for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
- To develop place-based plans for every area we work in, and develop partnerships and integrated working.
(2) We will be a ‘good’ business with our social mission at the heart of all that we do:
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To grow in our existing geographies to diversify our offer and move into new areas where there is an opportunity to develop significant roots to anchor ourselves in a community.
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To increase feedback to continually improve the quality of what we do.
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To invest in our assets and technology and ensure we maximise efficiency and the quality of our data to drive service improvement.
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To reduce our carbon footprint and implement agile working.
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To ensure we have an appropriate legal structure that works for us and the people we work with.
(3) We will have an organisation that enables us to work in the Big Life Way:
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To have management structures, IT systems and change processes that facilitate staff and services working together.
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To deliver our workforce strategy, ensuring we have diverse, trained and happy staff, as evidenced by achievement of Best Companies 3-Star accreditation.
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To have trained Multi-Modality Practitioners in every service and ensure all staff will be trained in strengths based approaches.
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To develop tools for people to have control of their own stories and data.
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To ensure Service user engagement shapes our services.
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To ensure all our services are informed by research and evaluation, and to measure the impact of our work.
In the year ahead we will review the business plan and develop a new one for 2025-2030.
12 Investment powers and policy
All investments are made in line with the terms laid out in the Articles of Association. Appropriate professional advice is taken on all investments.
13 Provision of information to auditor
Each of the persons who are Directors at the time when this Directors’ and Trustees’ Report is approved has confirmed that:
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There is no relevant information, being information, needed by the auditor in connection with preparing their report, of which the company’s auditor is unaware, and
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The Directors, having made enquiries of fellow Directors and the company’s auditor that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all the steps that he/she is obliged to take as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
The auditor, Beever and Struthers will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Directors' and trustees’ report for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
14 Basis of preparation
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. As such, the Company is exempt from preparing a Strategic report.
The Annual Report is signed by the CEO on behalf of the Board of Trustees. The Trustees also approve the directors’ and trustees’ report, which is contained within this report, in their capacity as Company Directors
F Selvan Trustee
Date: 18/12/2024
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees (who are directors of Big Issue North Trust Ltd for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual 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 charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102);
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed; subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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.
Financial statements are published on the charity’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the charity’s website is the responsibility of the trustees. The trustees’ responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.
F Selvan Trustee
Date: 18/12/2024
9
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Big Issue North Trust Ltd (Continued)
Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Big Issue North Trust Ltd (“the charitable company”) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (combining income and expenditure account), the Balance Sheet and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies in note 1. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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:
• give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources 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 Auditor’s 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 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 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.
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 (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the other information. 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.
10
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Big Issue North Trust Ltd (Continued)
Big Issue North Trust Ltd
In connection with our audit of the financial statements 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.
Opinions 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, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
• the directors’ report included within 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 the 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 directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 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 trustees’ 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.
Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities set out on page 9, 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.
11
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Big Issue North Trust Ltd (Continued)
Big Issue North Trust Ltd
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.
Auditor’s 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 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 specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
• the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with trustees and other management, and from our knowledge and experience of the charity sector.
• we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charitable company, including the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, taxation legislation, data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation.
• we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence.
• identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
• making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud.
• considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulation
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Big Issue North Trust Ltd (Continued)
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performed analytical procedures on income and salaries to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships.
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tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions.
• assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 1 were indicative of potential bias.
- investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non- compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
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 auditor’s report.
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 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Sue Hutchinson FCCA (Senior Statutory
Auditor) For and on behalf of
Beever and Struthers Statutory Auditor One Express 1 George Leigh Street Manchester M4 5DL
Date:19/12/24
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Statement of financial activities (Combining income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Note Income and Endowments From: Donations and Legacies 2 Charitable Activities 3 Other Trading Activities 4 Investments Other 5 Total Income Expenditure On: Raising Funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Other Trading Activities 8 Total Expenditure Net (Expenditure)/Income 11 Transfers Between Funds Net Movement in Funds Total funds brought forward at 1 April 2023 Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2024 |
Restricted Unrestricted Funds funds £ £ - 134,472 12,953 39,263 - 732,314 - 5,317 - 498 12,953 911,864 - 46,046 9,032 141,736 - 845,438 9,032 1,033,220 3,921 (121,356) - - 3,921 (121,356) 13,531 408,612 17,452 287,256 |
Total 2024 £ 134,472 52,216 732,314 5,317 498 924,817 46,046 150,768 845,438 1,042,252 (117,435) - (117,435) 422,143 304,708 |
Total 2023 £ 147,034 121,093 740,671 2,777 8,471 1,020,046 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47,783 168,192 911,132 1,127,107 (107,061) - (107,061) 529,206 422,145 |
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The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All amounts relate to continuing activities.
The notes on pages 16 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
14
Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Balance sheet at 31 March 2024
| Note | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | 14 | 8,795 | 16,248 | ||
| Intangible fixed assets | 15 | - | 97,948 | ||
| 8,795 | 114,195 | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 16 | 36,738 | 50,721 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 332,704 | 341,550 | |||
| Total Current Assets | 369,442 | 392,271 | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due | |||||
| within one year | 17 | (73,529) | (84,323) | ||
| Net current assets | 295,913 | 307,948 | |||
| - | |||||
| Total Net Assets | 304,708 | 422,143 | |||
| The Funds of the Charity | |||||
| Restricted income funds | 19,20 | 17,452 | 13,531 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 19,20 | 287,256 | 408,612 | ||
| Total Charity Funds | 20 | 304,708 | 422,143 |
These accounts are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.
The financial statements on pages 14 to 28 were approved and authorised for issue by the board on 18 December 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:
F Selvan
Trustee, approved and authorised on behalf of the board Trustees
The notes on pages 16 to 28 form part of these financial statements. Company Number 03164559
15
Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2024
1 Accounting policies
General Information
Big Issue North Trust Ltd is a private company, limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011. The address of the registered office is provided in Legal and administrative details. Details of the charity’s operations are provided in the Directors’ and Trustees’ Report.
Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)(effective 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.
Big Issue North Trust Ltd meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at their historic cost or transaction value.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes an ability to continue operating for the foreseeable future. There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern and the Trustees consider it appropriate to continue to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
In accordance with section 1A of FRS 102, the charity has taken the exemption from including a cash flow statement, as it meets the definition of a small entity.
b) Legal status of the Charity
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the charity.
c) Incoming resources
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.
Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.
Incoming resources from investments is recognised when receivable.
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
d) Resources expended and cost allocation
Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred.
Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. Certain other costs, which are attributable to more than one activity, are apportioned across the cost categories on the basis of an estimate of the proportion of time spent by staff on those activities. Costs allocated to charitable activities are the costs associated with achieving the charity’s main objectives.
Governance costs represent expenditure related to the governance of the charity, to allow it to operate and to generate information for public accountability.
e) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets this criterion is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.
f) Pensions
Big Issue North Trust Ltd is a member of the Big Life Group’s defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.
g) Corporation 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 Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
h) Fixed assets
Individual tangible fixed assets costing £4,000 or more are capitalised. Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets over their expected normal lives as follows:
-
Computer equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 3 - 5 years.
-
Fixtures and fittings are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 5 years.
-
Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 5 years.
Intangible fixed assets are capitalised at cost and depreciation provided to write off the cost of intangible fixed assets over their expected normal lives of 4 years.
i) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
j) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash 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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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (continued)
k) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
l) 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.
m) Leases
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straightline basis over the lease term. Any premiums received at the inception of the lease are recognised on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.
n) Judgements
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors have made the following judgements:
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Determine whether leases entered into by the charity either as a lessor or a lessee are operating leases or finance leases. These decisions depend on an assessment of whether the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred from the lessor to the lessee on a lease by lease basis.
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Determine whether there are indicators of impairment of the charity’s tangible assets. Factors taken into consideration in reaching such a decision include the economic viability and expected future financial performance of the asset and where it is a component of a larger cash-generating unit, the viability and expected future performance of that unit.
Other key sources of estimation uncertainty
-
Tangible fixed assets (see note 14) - Tangible fixed assets are depreciated over their useful lives taking into account residual values, where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In re-assessing asset lives, factors such as technological innovation, product life cycles and maintenance programmes are taken into account. Residual value assessments consider issues such as future market conditions, the remaining life of the asset and projected disposal values.
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Intangible fixed assets (see note 15) – Intangible fixed assets are amortised over their useful lives taking into account residual values, where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In re-assessing asset lives, factors such as technological innovation, product life cycles and maintenance programmes are taking into account. Residual value assessments consider issues such as future market conditions, the remaining life of the asset and projected disposal values.
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
2 Donations and Legacies
| 2 Donations and Legacies | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Unrestricte funds Fund £ £ Donations Gifts and donations - 134,472 - 134,472 3 Incoming resources from charitable activities Restricted Unrestricted funds Funds £ £ Contract Services Funding for various small projects Community Voice Leeds City Council - - - - - 39,263 Total Contract Services - 39,263 Grants Zochonis Charitable - - Trust Small Grants 12,953 - Business Continuation Grant Community Voice - - Total Grants 12,953 - Total Income from Charitable Activities 12,953 39,263 |
Total Funds Restricted Unrestricted 2024 funds funds £ £ £ 134,472 223 146,812 134,472 223 146,812 Total Funds Restricted Unrestricted 2024 funds funds £ £ £ - - 39,263 - - - - 74,930 - 39,263 - 74,930 - - 10,000 12,953 10,104 - - - 26,059 12,953 10,104 36,059 52, 216 10, 104 110,989 |
Total funds 2023 £ 147,034 147,034 Total funds 2023 £ - 74,930 - 74,930 10,000 10,104 26,059 |
|||||||
| 74,930 | 74,930 | ||||||||
| 10,000 - 26,059 36,059 |
10,000 10,104 26,059 |
||||||||
| 46,163 | |||||||||
| 110,989 | 121,093 |
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
| 4 Other Trading Activity Restricted Unrestricted funds Funds £ £ App Sales - 1,632 Big Issue Magazine Sales -730,682 - 732,314 5 Other income Restricted Unrestricted funds Funds £ £ Other Income - 498 - 498 |
Total Total funds Restricted Unrestricted Funds 2024 funds funds 2023 £ £ £ £ 1,632 - 1,869 1,869 730,682 - 738,802 738,802 732,314 - 740,671 740,671 Total Total funds Restricted Unrestricted Funds 2024 funds funds 2023 £ £ £ £ 498 - 8,471 8,471 498 - 8,471 8,471 |
|
|---|---|---|
6 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Total | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Unrestricted | funds | Restricted | Unrestricted | Funds | |
| funds | funds | 2024 | funds | Funds | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Fundraising support | - | 46,046 | 46,046 | - | 47,783 | 47,783 |
| and publicity |
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
7 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Staff Costs General Costs Minor Equipment Recharges from Group Governance Costs: audit fees |
Contract Services Other Governance 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 33,671 86,685 - 120,356 126,286 1,019 1,841 - 2,860 9,302 - 1,944 - 1,944 3,480 5,688 20,027 - 25,715 25,957 - - (107) (107) 3,168 40,378 110,497 (107) 150,768 168,192 |
|---|---|
8 Expenditure on trading activities
Contract
| Contract | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Costs General Costs Room Hire Minor Equipment Recharges from Group Governance Costs: audit fees Restricted Unrestricted |
Services £ - - - - - - - - 40,378 40,378 |
Other £ 296,559 395,149 44,476 3,427 106,279 - 845,890 9,032 993,401 1,002,433 |
Governance £ - - - - - (452) (452) - (559) (559) |
2024 2023 £ £ 296,559 373,649 395,149 432,170 44,476 41,338 3,427 4,120 106,279 50,667 (452) 9,187 845,438 911,132 9,032 9,813 1,033,220 1,117,294 1,042,252 1,127,107 |
|
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
| 9 Total Resources Expended Staff Costs £ Services and projects 416,915 Governance Costs: audit fees - Fundraising support and publicity (Note 6) 33,616 450,531 , 10 Summary Analysis of expenditure and related income Voluntary Charitable Activities Other Trading Activities Governance costs: audit fees 11 Net (expenditure)/income Net (expenditure)/income for the year is stated after charging: Rentals under operating leases Auditor’s remuneration Depreciation |
Other Costs Total 2024 Total 2023 £ £ £ 579,850 996,765 1,066,969 (559) (559) 12,355 12,430 46,046 47,783 591,721 1,042,252 1,127,107 Income Expenditure Net £ £ £ 134,472 (46,046) 88,426 39,263 (40,378) (1,115) 751,082 (956,387) (205,305) - 559 559 924,817 1,042,252 (117,435) 2024 2023 £ £ 39,966 38,084 (559) 12,355 16,325 60,567 |
|
|---|---|---|
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
| 12 Staff costs and emoluments and key management personnel Staff costs: Salaries Social security costs Pension costs The average full time equivalent number of persons employed (based on a 35 hour week) and analysed by function was: Services and projects |
2024 £ 352,114 32,306 10,002 __ 394,422 __ Number 12 |
2023 £ 463,179 43,106 17,375 _ 523,660 _ Number 15 |
|---|---|---|
The average monthly headcount was 17 staff (2023: 18 staff).
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 in the current year or prior year.
No trustee received emoluments during the current or prior year.
Redundancy payments for the year were £53,691 (2023: £0).
Key management personnel of the charity are the Trustees and senior leadership of the group. Costs are borne by the parent company, The Big Life Company Limited, Big Life Centres, and Self Help Services are not recharged to Big Issue North Trust Ltd. The total employee benefits paid to key management personnel by The Big Life Company Ltd was £478,646, comprised of salary of £408,830, pension contributions of £19,128 and employer’s national insurance contributions of £50,688 (2023: £517,584 comprised of salary of £441,325 pension contributions of £20,653 and employer’s national insurance contributions of £55,606).
The salary of the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer, a Trustee, is paid by The Big Life Company Ltd. Employee benefits of £111,807, comprised of salary of £95,350, pension contributions of £4,250 and employer’s national insurance contributions of £12,207 (2023: £109,862 comprised of salary of £93,400 pension contributions of £4,250 and employer’s national insurance contributions of £12,212) was paid by the Big Life Company Ltd during the year.
13 Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
During the year remuneration of £8,000 (2023: £8,000) was paid to E Robinson, a Trustee, by the Big Life Company Ltd for her role as chair of the Big Life Company Ltd. Costs are borne by the parent company, The Big Life Company Ltd and are not recharged to Big Issue North Trust Ltd. No other trustee received remuneration from the charity or a related entity during the year (2023: Nil) other than discussed in Note 12.
No reimbursement of expenses had been made to trustees during the year (2023: Nil)
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
| 14 Tangible fixed assets Leasehold Improvements £ Cost At 1 April 2023 100,187 Additions 8,872 Disposals (55,194) At 31 March 2024 53,865 _ _Depreciation At 1 April 2023 83,939 Charge for the year 16,325 Disposals (55,194) _ At 31 March 2024 45,070 __ _Net book value At 31 March 2024 8,795 __ At 1 April 2023 16,248 |
Office equipment £ 4,359 - (4,359) _ - _ 4,359 - (4,359) _ - _ - __ - |
Computer equipment £ 4,129 - (4,129) _ - _ 4,129 - (4,129) _ - _ - __ - |
Total £ 108,675 8,872 (63,682) 53,865 _ 92,427 16,325 (63,682) _ 45,070 _ 8,795 _ 16,248 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
15 Intangible fixed assets
| Web Application Software £ Cost At 1 April 2023 162,120 Additions - Disposals (162,120) At 31 March 2024 - _ _Depreciation At 1 April 2023 64,173 Charge for the year Disposals - (64,173) _ At 31 March 2024 - __ _Net book value At 31 March 2024 - __ At 31 March 2023 97,948 |
Total £ 162,120 - (162,120) - _ 64,173 - (64,173) _ - _ - _ 97,948 |
|---|---|
| 16 Debtors (due within one year) Trade Debtors Other Prepayments and accrued income Other Taxation and Social Security |
2024 £ 95 11,158 25,466 19 36,738 |
2023 £ 19,604 7 31,110 - |
|---|---|---|
| 50,721 |
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade creditors Amounts owed to group undertakings Accruals and deferred income Other Creditors |
2024 £ 13,357 37,107 23,062 3 73,529 |
2023 £ 34,953 1,555 47,762 53 |
| 84,323 |
18 Deferred Income
Deferred income represents services and recharge income received in advance
£
Balance as at 1 April 2023 15,766 Amounts received and deferred in the year 218,567 Amounts released to incoming resources in the year (232,918) Balance as at 31 March 2024 1,415
19 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Restricted Unrestricted Total 2024 £ £ £ Net current assets 17,452 278,461 295,913 Fixed assets - 8,795 8,795 _ _ __ 17,452 287,256 304,708 |
2023 £ 307,948 114,195 __ 422,143 |
|---|---|
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
| 20 Movement in funds Balance at 1 April 2023 £ Restricted funds Funding for small project 13,531 _ Subtotal 13,531 _ Unrestricted funds General funds 408,612 __ Total funds 422,143 |
Balance at 31 March Income Expenditure 2024 £ £ £ 12,953 (9,032) 17,452 _ _ __ 12,953 (9,032) 17,452 _ _ __ 911,864 (1,033,220) 287,256 __ ____ __ 924,817 (1,042,252) 304,708 |
|---|---|
At 31 March 2024 Big Issue North Trust Ltd held £17,452 (2023 - £13,531) in restricted funds for a number of small projects related to the aims of the charity.
General reserves amounted to £287,256 (2023 - £408,612)
21 Related party transactions
In accordance with FRS 102, the charity discloses related party transactions that were recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. Remuneration of key management personnel is disclosed in note 12. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses are disclosed in note 13.
The charity is charged for direct salary costs, finance, HR, payroll and other central support services provided by The Big Life Company Ltd. Salary costs are recharged based on staff time and other costs are recharged based on % of estimated income.
Related party transactions with other group entities during the year were as follows:
| Amounts charged to group entities | Amounts charged to group entities | Amounts charged by group entities | Amounts charged by group entities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| The Big Life Company Limited | 131,989 | 8,477 | 377,734 | 128,600 |
| Big Life Centres Limited | - | 19,909 | - | 1,933 |
| Self Help Services Ltd | - | - | - | - |
| ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| 131,989 | 28,386 | 377,734 | 130,533 | |
| ___ | ____ | ___ | ___ |
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Big Issue North Trust Ltd
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
The following amounts were owed by/to group entities at the year end:
| Amount owed by group entities | Amount owed by group entities | Amounts owed to group entities | Amounts owed to group entities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| The Big Life Company Limited | 10,517 | 1,047 | 47,623 | 5,012 |
| Big Life Centres Limited | - | 2,409 | - | - |
| Big Issue North Trust Ltd | - | - | - | - |
| ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| 10,517 | 3,456 | 47,623 | 5,012 |
22 Ultimate parent undertaking and controlling party
The ultimate parent company and controlling party is The Big Life Company Limited, a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales.
The parent undertaking of the smallest and largest group for which consolidated accounts are prepared is The Big Life Company Limited. Consolidated accounts are available from Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ.
The mission of The Big Life Company Limited is to create opportunities for the people who have the least to change their lives. Two of the current directors of Big Issue North Trust Ltd are also directors of The Big Life Company Limited. Operational and strategic oversight of Big Issue North Trust Ltd is exercised by The Big Life Company Limited.
23 Operating Lease commitments
The charity had total future minimum commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below:
| Landand Buildings Not later than one year Later than one year and not later than five years Later than five years |
2024 £ 11,500 36,548 - 48,048 |
2023 £ 14,114 46,000 2,048 |
|---|---|---|
| 62,162 |
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