Charity Registration Number 

Charity Registration Number : 1058584 

**SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**||
|---|---|---|---|
|FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025||||
||**Trustees**|Richard Brooks||
|||Bernadette Marie Hammick||
|||Steve Mahoney||
|||Wendy Jackson||
|||Peter Jack Sharp||
|||Jennfer Ann Wilson||
||**Charity Number**|1058584||
||**Registered Office**|2-4 Willows Link||
|||Stevenage||
|||SG2 8AR||
||**Independent Examiner**|Shelley Coulman||
|||Coulman Scott LLP||
|||20-22 Wenlock Road||
|||London||
|||N1 7GU||





## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

**CONTENTS** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

Trustees' Report 

Independent Examiner's Report 

Statement of Financial Activities 

Balance Sheet 

Notes to the Financial Statements 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 . 

## Structure, Governance and Management 

The charity is controlled by its governing document, constitution, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. The trustees are elected by the membership at the AGM. 

The Scheme is administered and managed by the members of the Executive Committee, which in addition to the officers and trustees includes advisers from relevant interested organisations in the community. 

## Objectives and activities 

The objective of the Scheme is to support all residents in Stevenage who are on a low income or in conditions of need by the provision of furniture, electrical white goods and other household items to reduce debt, hardship or distress. The Scheme also works in collaboration with other agencies helping them to support their clients. 

The Scheme was established with the aim of supporting Stevenage residents by making available to them good quality, affordable furniture for a low/affordable handling charge. The Scheme continues to provide this unique service by collecting and delivering suitable items free of charge, displaying them in the Scheme’s shop and passing them on to their customers. 

Additionally, the Scheme helps to protect the environment by promoting reuse of items which otherwise are very likely to go to landfill. Donors often comment that this is the only sustainable and affordable way to dispose of items that are no longer wanted, and customers say that they do not know what they would do without the services of the Scheme. 

In carrying out these activities the trustees confirm adherence with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit activities. 

## Achievements and performance 

Once again it must be said that the Scheme is only able to continue to provide its muchneeded services by the efforts of its dedicated staff, volunteers and trustees who contribute so much of their time and energy. Their hard work and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated as without them the Scheme would be unable to continue and as always thanks go to everyone who has been involved. 



There has been a turnover of volunteers over the year, some leaving and new ones being recruited but there is always a need for additional volunteers and trustees there are regular campaigns to recruit these. 

The extension to the previous lease of the shop and a proposed lease for the additional units were both received from Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) and discussed. While the extension lease was satisfactory and was signed and the necessary statutory declaration made and returned to SBC it was felt that the terms of the new lease were too restrictive and reluctantly the decision was made not to progress this any further and SBC were informed accordingly. 

Over the period of this report there have been a number of new drivers which has impacted operations. Successful recruitment has brought a period of stability and a better working atmosphere. 

As in previous years, the Scheme was once again able to make a generous donation at Christmas to the Toy Shed. 

## Reserves Policy 

Spruse Stevenage Reuse Scheme reserves policy is in place to protect relevant parties in the unlikely event that the scheme’s income reduces, and the scheme is unable to continue. 

## Risk management 

The trustees have a duty to identify and review risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. 

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by: 

---------------------------------------------------- 

## **Richard Brooks** 

**Chair** 

Date : 11/11/2025 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** 

## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Spruse Stevenage Reuse Scheme 

I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which consists of the statement of financial activities,balance sheet and the related notes 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act') 

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. 

## **Independent Examiner's Statement** 

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of ACCA 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: 

- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or 

- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or 

- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 

- I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Name: Shelley Coulman Date: 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

|**categories by**<br>**activity**<br>**Notes**<br>**Income and**<br>**endowments**<br>**from:**<br>Donations and<br>legacies<br>2<br>Charitable<br>activities<br>3|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>6,533.35<br>21,078.00<br>27,611.35<br>18,959.69<br>110,414.76<br>-<br>110,414.76<br>111,662.45<br>972.53<br>-<br>972.53<br>792.08|
|---|---|
|Investments<br>4||
|||
|**Total**|**117,920.64**<br>**21,078.00**<br>**138,998.64**<br>**131,414.22**|
||12,072.49<br>21,078.00<br>33,150.49<br>24,392.78<br>85,868.33<br>-<br>85,868.33<br>79,641.05<br>3,168.54<br>-<br>3,168.54<br>5,337.00|
|**Expenditure on:**||
|||
|Raising funds<br>6||
|Charitable<br>activities<br>7||
|Other<br>9||
|||
|**Total**|**101,109.36**<br>**21,078.00**<br>**122,187.36**<br>**109,370.83**|
||16,811.28<br>-<br>16,811.28<br>22,043.39|
|Net income||
|**Net movement in**<br>**funds**||
||**16,811.28**<br>**-**<br>**16,811.28**<br>**22,043.39**|





|||
|---|---|
|**Reconciliation of**<br>**funds:**<br>Total funds<br>brought forward<br>**Total funds**<br>**carried forward**|98,638.36<br>290.00<br>98,928.36<br>76,884.97<br>**115,449.64**<br>**290.00**<br>**115,739.64**<br>**98,928.36**|
|||





## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **BALANCE SHEET** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

|**Recommended categories**<br>**by activity**<br>**Notes**|**Total Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>593.19<br>2,980.59|
|---|---|
|Fixed assets||
|||
|Tangible assets<br>13||
|||
|**Total fixed assets**|**593.19**<br>**2,980.59**|
||2,336.47<br>2,064.56<br>114,610.46<br>95,297.65<br>**116,946.93**<br>**97,362.21**<br>1,800.48<br>1,414.44<br>**115,146.45**<br>**95,947.77**<br>115,739.64<br>98,928.36<br>115,449.64<br>98,638.36<br>290.00<br>290.00<br>-<br>-|
|Current assets||
|||
|Debtors<br>14||
|||
|Cash at bank and in hand<br>15||
|||
|**Total current assets**||
|Creditors: amounts falling<br>due within one year<br>16<br>**Net current**<br>**assets/(liabilities)**||
|Total net assets||
|||
|**Funds of the Charity**||
|||
|Unrestricted funds<br>17||
|||
|Restricted income funds<br>17||
|||
|Endowment funds<br>17||
|||
|**Total funds**|**115,739.64**<br>**98,928.36**|



The financial statements were approved by the trustees on                       and signed on its behalf by: 

## **Richard Brooks** 

## **Chair** 

Date : 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

## **1. Accounting Policies** 

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Charity, which is a public benefit entity, in the preparation of the accounts are as follows. 

## **1.1 Basis of preparation** 

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of charitable properties and fixed asset investments and investment properties at valuation. 

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. 

These accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

The Trustees have prepared financial projections, taking into consideration the current economic conditions and have, at the time of approving these accounts, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts. 

## **1.3 Income from donations or grants** 

Income from donations and grants is recognised when the charity is entitled to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. For donations, this is usually on receipt. For grants, this is usually when a formal offer is made in writing. If a donation or grant contains terms and conditions outside of the charity’s control which must be met before the charity is entitled to the funds, or if the donor specifies that the funds must be used in future time periods, then the income is deferred. 

## **1.4 Tax reclaims on donations and gifts** 

Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. 



## **1.5 Contractual income and performance related grants** 

This is only included in the SoFA once the charity has provided the related goods or services or met the performance related conditions. 

## **1.6 Donated services and facilities** 

Donated services and facilities are included in the SOFA when received at the value of the gift to the charity provided the value of the gift can be measured reliably. 

Donated services and facilities that are consumed immediately are recognised as income with an equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SOFA. 

## **1.7 Income from charitable activities** 

Income from charitable activities is recognised over the period to which the income relates. 

## **1.8 Other trading income** 

Other trading income from non-charitable sources is recognised over the period to which it relates, Any relating to future periods is deferred. 

## **1.9 Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be estimated reliably. It is inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered. 

Direct costs are those costs which directly attribute to its activities. Wages and salaries are not split and are included in support costs. 

## **1.10 Pensions** 

The Charity makes contributions to defined contribution pension schemes through auto enrolment. These contributions are charged to the income and expenditure account in the year in which they become payable. 

## **1.11 Taxation** 

The organisation is a registered charity and has no liability to corporation tax on its charitable activities during the year. 

## **1.12 Creditors** 

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts. 




## **1.13 Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets, such as land and buildings, plant, vehicles and equipment, are held to provide an on-going economic benefit to a charity through their contribution, directly or indirectly, to the provision of goods or services by the charity. 

Tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, are stated at cost or valuation less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis: 

|**Name**|**Rate (%)**|**Method**|
|---|---|---|
|Plant & Machinery|25%|Cost|
|Motor Vehicles|20%|Cost|
|Office Equipment & IT|33.33%|Cost|
|Fixtures & Fittings|33.33%|Cost|



## **1.14 Debtors** 

Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received. 

## **2. Income from Donations and Legacies** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**|**Restricted**<br>**income funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Donated<br>Goods,<br>facilities<br>and<br>services|-|21,078.00|21,078.00|13,078.00|
|Donation<br>andgifts|363.86|-|363.86|22.01|
|Gift Aid|5,275.49|-|5,275.49|5,044.68|
|Other|894.00|-|894.00|815.00|
|**Total**|**6,533.35**|**21,078.00**|**27,611.35**|**18,959.69**|






## **3. Income from Charitable Activities** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Sale of<br>Good|110,414.76|110,414.76|111,662.45|
|**Total**|**110,414.76**|**110,414.76**|**111,662.45**|



## **4. Income from Investments** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Interest<br>income|972.53|972.53|792.08|
|**Total**|**972.53**|**972.53**|**792.08**|



## **5. Donated Goods, Facilities and Services** 

The scheme run from two units of which no rent is charged, and they take charitable relief and discretionary relief from the rates. This is being treated as a gift in kind. 

Donations of services and facilities and are recognised as income with an equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SOFA. 

Donations by way of unpaid volunteers are not recognised in the accounts. 

## **6. Expenditure on Raising Funds** 

||**Analysis**|**Analysis**|
|---|---|---|
||||
||Operatingcharityshops||
||Van Costs||
||Total||
||Support Costs||
||||
||**Analysis**||
||Bank charges||
||Charityrunningcost||
||Cost of services||
||Donations||
||Legal/professional fees||
||||





||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Wages and salaries||||73,009.57|69,401.57<br>186.60<br>2,370.93<br>1,579.95<br>78,792.87<br>848.18<br>**79,641.05**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>352.36<br>672.00<br>**1,024.36**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>61.74<br>3,959.60<br>384.66<br>657.48<br>273.52<br>**5,337.00**|
||Staff costs||||1,139.32||
||Volunteer Costs||||3,672.30||
||Travel,Entertaining& Subsistence||||1,941.67||
||Total||||84,959.23||
||Support Costs||||909.10||
||||||**85,868.33**||
||**8. Support Costs**||||||
||||||**Total funds 2025**||
||**Analysis**||||**£**||
||**Support Costs**||||||
||Printingand stationery||||474.20||
||**Governance Costs**||||||
||Independent examiners fees||||672.00||
||||||**1,146.20**||
||**9. Other Expenditure**||||||
||||**Unrestricted funds**||**Total funds 2025**||
||**Analysis**||||||
||||**£**||**£**||
||||||||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Plant &<br>Machinery||129.08||129.08||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Motor<br>Vehicles||2,557.24||2,557.24||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Fixtures &<br>Fittings||195.08||195.08||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Computer<br>Equipment||-||-||
||Other<br>Expenditure||287.14||287.14||
||**Total**||**3,168.54**||**3,168.54**||
||**10. Details of certain Items of Expenditure**||||||
||||||||





|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**This year**<br>**Last year**<br>£<br>**£**<br>Independent examiner’s fees<br>400<br>400<br>Other fees (for example: financial advice,<br>consultancy, accountancy services) paid to the<br>independent examiner<br>200<br>200<br>**11. Employee’s Emoluments**<br>**11.1 Staff Costs**<br>**This year£**<br>**Last year£**<br>Salaries and wages<br>70,119.10<br>67,133.74<br>Social security costs<br>0<br>113.90<br>Pension costs (defined contribution scheme)<br>2,890.47<br>2,153.94<br>**Total staff costs**<br>73,009.57<br>69,401.58<br>**11.2 Average head count in theyear**<br>**11.3 Ex-gratia payments to employees and others (excluding trustees)**<br>**11.4 Redundancy payments**<br>**12. Defined contribution Pension Scheme**<br>**This year**<br>**Last year**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Amount of contributions recognised in the SOFA as<br>an expense<br>2,890.47<br>2,153.94<br>**13. Tangible Fixed Assets**<br>**Plant &**<br>**Machinery**<br>**Motor**<br>**Vehicles**<br>**Fixtures &**<br>**Fittings**<br>**Computer**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**13.1 Cost or valuation**<br>At 01 April<br>2024<br>246.97<br>19,798.00<br>3,527.85<br>3,400.38<br>Additions<br>494.00<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Disposals<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Revaluations<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Transfers<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>At 31 March<br>2025<br>**740.97**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,527.85**<br>**3,400.38**|||||
|||**Plant &**<br>**Machinery**<br>**Motor**<br>**Vehicles**<br>**Fixtures &**<br>**Fittings**<br>**Computer**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**valuation**<br>246.97<br>19,798.00<br>3,527.85<br>3,400.38<br>494.00<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br> <br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br> <br>**740.97**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,527.85**<br>**3,400.38**||||
|||||||






## **13.2 Depreciation and impairments** 

|At 01|April<br>133.78<br>17,240.80<br>3,217.69<br>3,400.38|April<br>133.78<br>17,240.80<br>3,217.69<br>3,400.38|
|---|---|---|
|2024|||
|Charg|e for<br>ar<br>129.08<br>2,557.20<br>195.08<br>-||
|<br>the ye|||
|Dispos|als<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||
|Revalu|ations<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||
|Transf|ers|-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
|At 31|March|<br>**262.86**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,412.77**<br>**3,400.38**|
|2025|||



## **13.3 Net book value** 

|At 01|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|April|113.19|<br>2,557.20|<br>310.16|<br>-|
|2024|||||
|At 31|||||
|March|<br>**478.11**|**-**|**115.08**|**-**|
|2025|||||



## **14. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year** 

|||**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>681.63<br>1,363.81<br>19.12<br>**2,064.56**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>50,526.28<br>44,771.37<br>**95,297.65**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**||
||Prepayments & accrued income|613.44||
||Trade debtors|799.50||
||Other debtors|923.53||
||**Total**|**2,336.47**||
||**15. Cash at bank and in hand**|||
|||**Total funds 2025**||
|||**£**||
||Short term deposits|51,498.81||
||Cash at bank and in hand|63,111.65||
||**Total**|**114,610.46**||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||





## **16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year** 

||**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Trade creditors|1,118.58|723.12|
|Accruals and deferred income|672.00|672.00|
|Taxation and social security|(9.43)|-|
|Other creditors|19.33|19.32|
|**Total**|**1,800.48**|**1,414.44**|
||||



## **17. Charity funds** 

## **17.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period** 

||**Fund names**|**Fund names**|
|---|---|---|
||||
||||
||**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**||
||||
||||
||**Total**||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||





## **17.2 Details of material funds held and movements during the PREVIOUS reporting period** 

||**Fund**<br>**balances**<br> <br> <br> <br>**Gains and**<br>**Fund**<br>**balances**|
|---|---|
|**Fund names**|<br>**brought**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Transfers**<br>**losses**<br>**carried**|
||**forward**<br>**forward**|
||**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**|
|**Unrestricted**||
|**funds**||
||76,594.97<br>118,050.22<br>96,006.83<br>-<br>-<br>98,638.36|
|**Restricted**||
|**income**||
|**funds**||
||290.00<br>13,364.00<br>13,364.00<br>-<br>-<br>290.00|
|||
|**Total**|**76,884.97**<br>**131,414.22**<br>**109,370.83**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**98,928.36**|
|||
|||



## **18. Transactions with trustees and related parties** 

## **18.1 Trustee remuneration and benefits** 

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025.(2024: None). 

## **18.2 Trustees' expenses** 

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025. (2024: None). 

## **18.3 Transaction(s) with related parties** 

There has been no related party transaction in the reporting period (2024: None). 

## **19. Average Number of Employees** 

|**19. Average Number of Employees**||
|---|---|
|**Average Employees**|**Thisyear**<br>**Lastyear**|
|Support Staff|5<br>5|
|||
|**Total Employees**|5<br>5|



Average number of employees during this year : 5 and last year : 5 



Charity Registration Number 

Charity Registration Number : 1058584 

**SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**||
|---|---|---|---|
|FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025||||
||**Trustees**|Richard Brooks||
|||Bernadette Marie Hammick||
|||Steve Mahoney||
|||Wendy Jackson||
|||Peter Jack Sharp||
|||Jennfer Ann Wilson||
||**Charity Number**|1058584||
||**Registered Office**|2-4 Willows Link||
|||Stevenage||
|||SG2 8AR||
||**Independent Examiner**|Shelley Coulman||
|||Coulman Scott LLP||
|||20-22 Wenlock Road||
|||London||
|||N1 7GU||





## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

**CONTENTS** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

Trustees' Report 

Independent Examiner's Report 

Statement of Financial Activities 

Balance Sheet 

Notes to the Financial Statements 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 . 

## Structure, Governance and Management 

The charity is controlled by its governing document, constitution, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. The trustees are elected by the membership at the AGM. 

The Scheme is administered and managed by the members of the Executive Committee, which in addition to the officers and trustees includes advisers from relevant interested organisations in the community. 

## Objectives and activities 

The objective of the Scheme is to support all residents in Stevenage who are on a low income or in conditions of need by the provision of furniture, electrical white goods and other household items to reduce debt, hardship or distress. The Scheme also works in collaboration with other agencies helping them to support their clients. 

The Scheme was established with the aim of supporting Stevenage residents by making available to them good quality, affordable furniture for a low/affordable handling charge. The Scheme continues to provide this unique service by collecting and delivering suitable items free of charge, displaying them in the Scheme’s shop and passing them on to their customers. 

Additionally, the Scheme helps to protect the environment by promoting reuse of items which otherwise are very likely to go to landfill. Donors often comment that this is the only sustainable and affordable way to dispose of items that are no longer wanted, and customers say that they do not know what they would do without the services of the Scheme. 

In carrying out these activities the trustees confirm adherence with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit activities. 

## Achievements and performance 

Once again it must be said that the Scheme is only able to continue to provide its muchneeded services by the efforts of its dedicated staff, volunteers and trustees who contribute so much of their time and energy. Their hard work and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated as without them the Scheme would be unable to continue and as always thanks go to everyone who has been involved. 



There has been a turnover of volunteers over the year, some leaving and new ones being recruited but there is always a need for additional volunteers and trustees there are regular campaigns to recruit these. 

The extension to the previous lease of the shop and a proposed lease for the additional units were both received from Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) and discussed. While the extension lease was satisfactory and was signed and the necessary statutory declaration made and returned to SBC it was felt that the terms of the new lease were too restrictive and reluctantly the decision was made not to progress this any further and SBC were informed accordingly. 

Over the period of this report there have been a number of new drivers which has impacted operations. Successful recruitment has brought a period of stability and a better working atmosphere. 

As in previous years, the Scheme was once again able to make a generous donation at Christmas to the Toy Shed. 

## Reserves Policy 

Spruse Stevenage Reuse Scheme reserves policy is in place to protect relevant parties in the unlikely event that the scheme’s income reduces, and the scheme is unable to continue. 

## Risk management 

The trustees have a duty to identify and review risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. 

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by: 

---------------------------------------------------- 

## **Richard Brooks** 

**Chair** 

Date : 11/11/2025 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** 

## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Spruse Stevenage Reuse Scheme 

I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which consists of the statement of financial activities,balance sheet and the related notes 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act') 

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. 

## **Independent Examiner's Statement** 

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of ACCA 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: 

- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or 

- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or 

- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 

- I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Name: Shelley Coulman Date: 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

|**categories by**<br>**activity**<br>**Notes**<br>**Income and**<br>**endowments**<br>**from:**<br>Donations and<br>legacies<br>2<br>Charitable<br>activities<br>3|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>6,533.35<br>21,078.00<br>27,611.35<br>18,959.69<br>110,414.76<br>-<br>110,414.76<br>111,662.45<br>972.53<br>-<br>972.53<br>792.08|
|---|---|
|Investments<br>4||
|||
|**Total**|**117,920.64**<br>**21,078.00**<br>**138,998.64**<br>**131,414.22**|
||12,072.49<br>21,078.00<br>33,150.49<br>24,392.78<br>85,868.33<br>-<br>85,868.33<br>79,641.05<br>3,168.54<br>-<br>3,168.54<br>5,337.00|
|**Expenditure on:**||
|||
|Raising funds<br>6||
|Charitable<br>activities<br>7||
|Other<br>9||
|||
|**Total**|**101,109.36**<br>**21,078.00**<br>**122,187.36**<br>**109,370.83**|
||16,811.28<br>-<br>16,811.28<br>22,043.39|
|Net income||
|**Net movement in**<br>**funds**||
||**16,811.28**<br>**-**<br>**16,811.28**<br>**22,043.39**|





|||
|---|---|
|**Reconciliation of**<br>**funds:**<br>Total funds<br>brought forward<br>**Total funds**<br>**carried forward**|98,638.36<br>290.00<br>98,928.36<br>76,884.97<br>**115,449.64**<br>**290.00**<br>**115,739.64**<br>**98,928.36**|
|||





## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **BALANCE SHEET** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

|**Recommended categories**<br>**by activity**<br>**Notes**|**Total Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>593.19<br>2,980.59|
|---|---|
|Fixed assets||
|||
|Tangible assets<br>13||
|||
|**Total fixed assets**|**593.19**<br>**2,980.59**|
||2,336.47<br>2,064.56<br>114,610.46<br>95,297.65<br>**116,946.93**<br>**97,362.21**<br>1,800.48<br>1,414.44<br>**115,146.45**<br>**95,947.77**<br>115,739.64<br>98,928.36<br>115,449.64<br>98,638.36<br>290.00<br>290.00<br>-<br>-|
|Current assets||
|||
|Debtors<br>14||
|||
|Cash at bank and in hand<br>15||
|||
|**Total current assets**||
|Creditors: amounts falling<br>due within one year<br>16<br>**Net current**<br>**assets/(liabilities)**||
|Total net assets||
|||
|**Funds of the Charity**||
|||
|Unrestricted funds<br>17||
|||
|Restricted income funds<br>17||
|||
|Endowment funds<br>17||
|||
|**Total funds**|**115,739.64**<br>**98,928.36**|



The financial statements were approved by the trustees on                       and signed on its behalf by: 

## **Richard Brooks** 

## **Chair** 

Date : 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

## **1. Accounting Policies** 

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Charity, which is a public benefit entity, in the preparation of the accounts are as follows. 

## **1.1 Basis of preparation** 

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of charitable properties and fixed asset investments and investment properties at valuation. 

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. 

These accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

The Trustees have prepared financial projections, taking into consideration the current economic conditions and have, at the time of approving these accounts, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts. 

## **1.3 Income from donations or grants** 

Income from donations and grants is recognised when the charity is entitled to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. For donations, this is usually on receipt. For grants, this is usually when a formal offer is made in writing. If a donation or grant contains terms and conditions outside of the charity’s control which must be met before the charity is entitled to the funds, or if the donor specifies that the funds must be used in future time periods, then the income is deferred. 

## **1.4 Tax reclaims on donations and gifts** 

Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. 



## **1.5 Contractual income and performance related grants** 

This is only included in the SoFA once the charity has provided the related goods or services or met the performance related conditions. 

## **1.6 Donated services and facilities** 

Donated services and facilities are included in the SOFA when received at the value of the gift to the charity provided the value of the gift can be measured reliably. 

Donated services and facilities that are consumed immediately are recognised as income with an equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SOFA. 

## **1.7 Income from charitable activities** 

Income from charitable activities is recognised over the period to which the income relates. 

## **1.8 Other trading income** 

Other trading income from non-charitable sources is recognised over the period to which it relates, Any relating to future periods is deferred. 

## **1.9 Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be estimated reliably. It is inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered. 

Direct costs are those costs which directly attribute to its activities. Wages and salaries are not split and are included in support costs. 

## **1.10 Pensions** 

The Charity makes contributions to defined contribution pension schemes through auto enrolment. These contributions are charged to the income and expenditure account in the year in which they become payable. 

## **1.11 Taxation** 

The organisation is a registered charity and has no liability to corporation tax on its charitable activities during the year. 

## **1.12 Creditors** 

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts. 




## **1.13 Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets, such as land and buildings, plant, vehicles and equipment, are held to provide an on-going economic benefit to a charity through their contribution, directly or indirectly, to the provision of goods or services by the charity. 

Tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, are stated at cost or valuation less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis: 

|**Name**|**Rate (%)**|**Method**|
|---|---|---|
|Plant & Machinery|25%|Cost|
|Motor Vehicles|20%|Cost|
|Office Equipment & IT|33.33%|Cost|
|Fixtures & Fittings|33.33%|Cost|



## **1.14 Debtors** 

Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received. 

## **2. Income from Donations and Legacies** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**|**Restricted**<br>**income funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Donated<br>Goods,<br>facilities<br>and<br>services|-|21,078.00|21,078.00|13,078.00|
|Donation<br>andgifts|363.86|-|363.86|22.01|
|Gift Aid|5,275.49|-|5,275.49|5,044.68|
|Other|894.00|-|894.00|815.00|
|**Total**|**6,533.35**|**21,078.00**|**27,611.35**|**18,959.69**|






## **3. Income from Charitable Activities** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Sale of<br>Good|110,414.76|110,414.76|111,662.45|
|**Total**|**110,414.76**|**110,414.76**|**111,662.45**|



## **4. Income from Investments** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Interest<br>income|972.53|972.53|792.08|
|**Total**|**972.53**|**972.53**|**792.08**|



## **5. Donated Goods, Facilities and Services** 

The scheme run from two units of which no rent is charged, and they take charitable relief and discretionary relief from the rates. This is being treated as a gift in kind. 

Donations of services and facilities and are recognised as income with an equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SOFA. 

Donations by way of unpaid volunteers are not recognised in the accounts. 

## **6. Expenditure on Raising Funds** 

||**Analysis**|**Analysis**|
|---|---|---|
||||
||Operatingcharityshops||
||Van Costs||
||Total||
||Support Costs||
||||
||**Analysis**||
||Bank charges||
||Charityrunningcost||
||Cost of services||
||Donations||
||Legal/professional fees||
||||





||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Wages and salaries||||73,009.57|69,401.57<br>186.60<br>2,370.93<br>1,579.95<br>78,792.87<br>848.18<br>**79,641.05**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>352.36<br>672.00<br>**1,024.36**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>61.74<br>3,959.60<br>384.66<br>657.48<br>273.52<br>**5,337.00**|
||Staff costs||||1,139.32||
||Volunteer Costs||||3,672.30||
||Travel,Entertaining& Subsistence||||1,941.67||
||Total||||84,959.23||
||Support Costs||||909.10||
||||||**85,868.33**||
||**8. Support Costs**||||||
||||||**Total funds 2025**||
||**Analysis**||||**£**||
||**Support Costs**||||||
||Printingand stationery||||474.20||
||**Governance Costs**||||||
||Independent examiners fees||||672.00||
||||||**1,146.20**||
||**9. Other Expenditure**||||||
||||**Unrestricted funds**||**Total funds 2025**||
||**Analysis**||||||
||||**£**||**£**||
||||||||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Plant &<br>Machinery||129.08||129.08||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Motor<br>Vehicles||2,557.24||2,557.24||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Fixtures &<br>Fittings||195.08||195.08||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Computer<br>Equipment||-||-||
||Other<br>Expenditure||287.14||287.14||
||**Total**||**3,168.54**||**3,168.54**||
||**10. Details of certain Items of Expenditure**||||||
||||||||





|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**This year**<br>**Last year**<br>£<br>**£**<br>Independent examiner’s fees<br>400<br>400<br>Other fees (for example: financial advice,<br>consultancy, accountancy services) paid to the<br>independent examiner<br>200<br>200<br>**11. Employee’s Emoluments**<br>**11.1 Staff Costs**<br>**This year£**<br>**Last year£**<br>Salaries and wages<br>70,119.10<br>67,133.74<br>Social security costs<br>0<br>113.90<br>Pension costs (defined contribution scheme)<br>2,890.47<br>2,153.94<br>**Total staff costs**<br>73,009.57<br>69,401.58<br>**11.2 Average head count in theyear**<br>**11.3 Ex-gratia payments to employees and others (excluding trustees)**<br>**11.4 Redundancy payments**<br>**12. Defined contribution Pension Scheme**<br>**This year**<br>**Last year**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Amount of contributions recognised in the SOFA as<br>an expense<br>2,890.47<br>2,153.94<br>**13. Tangible Fixed Assets**<br>**Plant &**<br>**Machinery**<br>**Motor**<br>**Vehicles**<br>**Fixtures &**<br>**Fittings**<br>**Computer**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**13.1 Cost or valuation**<br>At 01 April<br>2024<br>246.97<br>19,798.00<br>3,527.85<br>3,400.38<br>Additions<br>494.00<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Disposals<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Revaluations<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Transfers<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>At 31 March<br>2025<br>**740.97**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,527.85**<br>**3,400.38**|||||
|||**Plant &**<br>**Machinery**<br>**Motor**<br>**Vehicles**<br>**Fixtures &**<br>**Fittings**<br>**Computer**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**valuation**<br>246.97<br>19,798.00<br>3,527.85<br>3,400.38<br>494.00<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br> <br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br> <br>**740.97**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,527.85**<br>**3,400.38**||||
|||||||






## **13.2 Depreciation and impairments** 

|At 01|April<br>133.78<br>17,240.80<br>3,217.69<br>3,400.38|April<br>133.78<br>17,240.80<br>3,217.69<br>3,400.38|
|---|---|---|
|2024|||
|Charg|e for<br>ar<br>129.08<br>2,557.20<br>195.08<br>-||
|<br>the ye|||
|Dispos|als<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||
|Revalu|ations<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||
|Transf|ers|-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
|At 31|March|<br>**262.86**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,412.77**<br>**3,400.38**|
|2025|||



## **13.3 Net book value** 

|At 01|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|April|113.19|<br>2,557.20|<br>310.16|<br>-|
|2024|||||
|At 31|||||
|March|<br>**478.11**|**-**|**115.08**|**-**|
|2025|||||



## **14. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year** 

|||**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>681.63<br>1,363.81<br>19.12<br>**2,064.56**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>50,526.28<br>44,771.37<br>**95,297.65**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**||
||Prepayments & accrued income|613.44||
||Trade debtors|799.50||
||Other debtors|923.53||
||**Total**|**2,336.47**||
||**15. Cash at bank and in hand**|||
|||**Total funds 2025**||
|||**£**||
||Short term deposits|51,498.81||
||Cash at bank and in hand|63,111.65||
||**Total**|**114,610.46**||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||





## **16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year** 

||**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Trade creditors|1,118.58|723.12|
|Accruals and deferred income|672.00|672.00|
|Taxation and social security|(9.43)|-|
|Other creditors|19.33|19.32|
|**Total**|**1,800.48**|**1,414.44**|
||||



## **17. Charity funds** 

## **17.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period** 

||**Fund names**|**Fund names**|
|---|---|---|
||||
||||
||**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**||
||||
||||
||**Total**||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||





## **17.2 Details of material funds held and movements during the PREVIOUS reporting period** 

||**Fund**<br>**balances**<br> <br> <br> <br>**Gains and**<br>**Fund**<br>**balances**|
|---|---|
|**Fund names**|<br>**brought**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Transfers**<br>**losses**<br>**carried**|
||**forward**<br>**forward**|
||**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**|
|**Unrestricted**||
|**funds**||
||76,594.97<br>118,050.22<br>96,006.83<br>-<br>-<br>98,638.36|
|**Restricted**||
|**income**||
|**funds**||
||290.00<br>13,364.00<br>13,364.00<br>-<br>-<br>290.00|
|||
|**Total**|**76,884.97**<br>**131,414.22**<br>**109,370.83**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**98,928.36**|
|||
|||



## **18. Transactions with trustees and related parties** 

## **18.1 Trustee remuneration and benefits** 

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025.(2024: None). 

## **18.2 Trustees' expenses** 

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025. (2024: None). 

## **18.3 Transaction(s) with related parties** 

There has been no related party transaction in the reporting period (2024: None). 

## **19. Average Number of Employees** 

|**19. Average Number of Employees**||
|---|---|
|**Average Employees**|**Thisyear**<br>**Lastyear**|
|Support Staff|5<br>5|
|||
|**Total Employees**|5<br>5|



Average number of employees during this year : 5 and last year : 5 



Charity Registration Number 

Charity Registration Number : 1058584 

**SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**|**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**||
|---|---|---|---|
|FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025||||
||**Trustees**|Richard Brooks||
|||Bernadette Marie Hammick||
|||Steve Mahoney||
|||Wendy Jackson||
|||Peter Jack Sharp||
|||Jennfer Ann Wilson||
||**Charity Number**|1058584||
||**Registered Office**|2-4 Willows Link||
|||Stevenage||
|||SG2 8AR||
||**Independent Examiner**|Shelley Coulman||
|||Coulman Scott LLP||
|||20-22 Wenlock Road||
|||London||
|||N1 7GU||





## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

**CONTENTS** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

Trustees' Report 

Independent Examiner's Report 

Statement of Financial Activities 

Balance Sheet 

Notes to the Financial Statements 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 . 

## Structure, Governance and Management 

The charity is controlled by its governing document, constitution, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. The trustees are elected by the membership at the AGM. 

The Scheme is administered and managed by the members of the Executive Committee, which in addition to the officers and trustees includes advisers from relevant interested organisations in the community. 

## Objectives and activities 

The objective of the Scheme is to support all residents in Stevenage who are on a low income or in conditions of need by the provision of furniture, electrical white goods and other household items to reduce debt, hardship or distress. The Scheme also works in collaboration with other agencies helping them to support their clients. 

The Scheme was established with the aim of supporting Stevenage residents by making available to them good quality, affordable furniture for a low/affordable handling charge. The Scheme continues to provide this unique service by collecting and delivering suitable items free of charge, displaying them in the Scheme’s shop and passing them on to their customers. 

Additionally, the Scheme helps to protect the environment by promoting reuse of items which otherwise are very likely to go to landfill. Donors often comment that this is the only sustainable and affordable way to dispose of items that are no longer wanted, and customers say that they do not know what they would do without the services of the Scheme. 

In carrying out these activities the trustees confirm adherence with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit activities. 

## Achievements and performance 

Once again it must be said that the Scheme is only able to continue to provide its muchneeded services by the efforts of its dedicated staff, volunteers and trustees who contribute so much of their time and energy. Their hard work and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated as without them the Scheme would be unable to continue and as always thanks go to everyone who has been involved. 



There has been a turnover of volunteers over the year, some leaving and new ones being recruited but there is always a need for additional volunteers and trustees there are regular campaigns to recruit these. 

The extension to the previous lease of the shop and a proposed lease for the additional units were both received from Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) and discussed. While the extension lease was satisfactory and was signed and the necessary statutory declaration made and returned to SBC it was felt that the terms of the new lease were too restrictive and reluctantly the decision was made not to progress this any further and SBC were informed accordingly. 

Over the period of this report there have been a number of new drivers which has impacted operations. Successful recruitment has brought a period of stability and a better working atmosphere. 

As in previous years, the Scheme was once again able to make a generous donation at Christmas to the Toy Shed. 

## Reserves Policy 

Spruse Stevenage Reuse Scheme reserves policy is in place to protect relevant parties in the unlikely event that the scheme’s income reduces, and the scheme is unable to continue. 

## Risk management 

The trustees have a duty to identify and review risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. 

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by: 

---------------------------------------------------- 

## **Richard Brooks** 

**Chair** 

Date : 11/11/2025 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** 

## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Spruse Stevenage Reuse Scheme 

I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which consists of the statement of financial activities,balance sheet and the related notes 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act') 

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. 

## **Independent Examiner's Statement** 

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of ACCA 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: 

- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or 

- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or 

- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 

- I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Name: Shelley Coulman Date: 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

|**categories by**<br>**activity**<br>**Notes**<br>**Income and**<br>**endowments**<br>**from:**<br>Donations and<br>legacies<br>2<br>Charitable<br>activities<br>3|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>6,533.35<br>21,078.00<br>27,611.35<br>18,959.69<br>110,414.76<br>-<br>110,414.76<br>111,662.45<br>972.53<br>-<br>972.53<br>792.08|
|---|---|
|Investments<br>4||
|||
|**Total**|**117,920.64**<br>**21,078.00**<br>**138,998.64**<br>**131,414.22**|
||12,072.49<br>21,078.00<br>33,150.49<br>24,392.78<br>85,868.33<br>-<br>85,868.33<br>79,641.05<br>3,168.54<br>-<br>3,168.54<br>5,337.00|
|**Expenditure on:**||
|||
|Raising funds<br>6||
|Charitable<br>activities<br>7||
|Other<br>9||
|||
|**Total**|**101,109.36**<br>**21,078.00**<br>**122,187.36**<br>**109,370.83**|
||16,811.28<br>-<br>16,811.28<br>22,043.39|
|Net income||
|**Net movement in**<br>**funds**||
||**16,811.28**<br>**-**<br>**16,811.28**<br>**22,043.39**|





|||
|---|---|
|**Reconciliation of**<br>**funds:**<br>Total funds<br>brought forward<br>**Total funds**<br>**carried forward**|98,638.36<br>290.00<br>98,928.36<br>76,884.97<br>**115,449.64**<br>**290.00**<br>**115,739.64**<br>**98,928.36**|
|||





## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **BALANCE SHEET** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

|**Recommended categories**<br>**by activity**<br>**Notes**|**Total Funds 2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total Funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>593.19<br>2,980.59|
|---|---|
|Fixed assets||
|||
|Tangible assets<br>13||
|||
|**Total fixed assets**|**593.19**<br>**2,980.59**|
||2,336.47<br>2,064.56<br>114,610.46<br>95,297.65<br>**116,946.93**<br>**97,362.21**<br>1,800.48<br>1,414.44<br>**115,146.45**<br>**95,947.77**<br>115,739.64<br>98,928.36<br>115,449.64<br>98,638.36<br>290.00<br>290.00<br>-<br>-|
|Current assets||
|||
|Debtors<br>14||
|||
|Cash at bank and in hand<br>15||
|||
|**Total current assets**||
|Creditors: amounts falling<br>due within one year<br>16<br>**Net current**<br>**assets/(liabilities)**||
|Total net assets||
|||
|**Funds of the Charity**||
|||
|Unrestricted funds<br>17||
|||
|Restricted income funds<br>17||
|||
|Endowment funds<br>17||
|||
|**Total funds**|**115,739.64**<br>**98,928.36**|



The financial statements were approved by the trustees on                       and signed on its behalf by: 

## **Richard Brooks** 

## **Chair** 

Date : 



## **SPRUSE STEVENAGE REUSE SCHEME** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 

## **1. Accounting Policies** 

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Charity, which is a public benefit entity, in the preparation of the accounts are as follows. 

## **1.1 Basis of preparation** 

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of charitable properties and fixed asset investments and investment properties at valuation. 

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. 

These accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

The Trustees have prepared financial projections, taking into consideration the current economic conditions and have, at the time of approving these accounts, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts. 

## **1.3 Income from donations or grants** 

Income from donations and grants is recognised when the charity is entitled to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. For donations, this is usually on receipt. For grants, this is usually when a formal offer is made in writing. If a donation or grant contains terms and conditions outside of the charity’s control which must be met before the charity is entitled to the funds, or if the donor specifies that the funds must be used in future time periods, then the income is deferred. 

## **1.4 Tax reclaims on donations and gifts** 

Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. 



## **1.5 Contractual income and performance related grants** 

This is only included in the SoFA once the charity has provided the related goods or services or met the performance related conditions. 

## **1.6 Donated services and facilities** 

Donated services and facilities are included in the SOFA when received at the value of the gift to the charity provided the value of the gift can be measured reliably. 

Donated services and facilities that are consumed immediately are recognised as income with an equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SOFA. 

## **1.7 Income from charitable activities** 

Income from charitable activities is recognised over the period to which the income relates. 

## **1.8 Other trading income** 

Other trading income from non-charitable sources is recognised over the period to which it relates, Any relating to future periods is deferred. 

## **1.9 Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be estimated reliably. It is inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered. 

Direct costs are those costs which directly attribute to its activities. Wages and salaries are not split and are included in support costs. 

## **1.10 Pensions** 

The Charity makes contributions to defined contribution pension schemes through auto enrolment. These contributions are charged to the income and expenditure account in the year in which they become payable. 

## **1.11 Taxation** 

The organisation is a registered charity and has no liability to corporation tax on its charitable activities during the year. 

## **1.12 Creditors** 

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts. 




## **1.13 Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets, such as land and buildings, plant, vehicles and equipment, are held to provide an on-going economic benefit to a charity through their contribution, directly or indirectly, to the provision of goods or services by the charity. 

Tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, are stated at cost or valuation less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis: 

|**Name**|**Rate (%)**|**Method**|
|---|---|---|
|Plant & Machinery|25%|Cost|
|Motor Vehicles|20%|Cost|
|Office Equipment & IT|33.33%|Cost|
|Fixtures & Fittings|33.33%|Cost|



## **1.14 Debtors** 

Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received. 

## **2. Income from Donations and Legacies** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**|**Restricted**<br>**income funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Donated<br>Goods,<br>facilities<br>and<br>services|-|21,078.00|21,078.00|13,078.00|
|Donation<br>andgifts|363.86|-|363.86|22.01|
|Gift Aid|5,275.49|-|5,275.49|5,044.68|
|Other|894.00|-|894.00|815.00|
|**Total**|**6,533.35**|**21,078.00**|**27,611.35**|**18,959.69**|






## **3. Income from Charitable Activities** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Sale of<br>Good|110,414.76|110,414.76|111,662.45|
|**Total**|**110,414.76**|**110,414.76**|**111,662.45**|



## **4. Income from Investments** 

|**Analysis**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Interest<br>income|972.53|972.53|792.08|
|**Total**|**972.53**|**972.53**|**792.08**|



## **5. Donated Goods, Facilities and Services** 

The scheme run from two units of which no rent is charged, and they take charitable relief and discretionary relief from the rates. This is being treated as a gift in kind. 

Donations of services and facilities and are recognised as income with an equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SOFA. 

Donations by way of unpaid volunteers are not recognised in the accounts. 

## **6. Expenditure on Raising Funds** 

||**Analysis**|**Analysis**|
|---|---|---|
||||
||Operatingcharityshops||
||Van Costs||
||Total||
||Support Costs||
||||
||**Analysis**||
||Bank charges||
||Charityrunningcost||
||Cost of services||
||Donations||
||Legal/professional fees||
||||





||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Wages and salaries||||73,009.57|69,401.57<br>186.60<br>2,370.93<br>1,579.95<br>78,792.87<br>848.18<br>**79,641.05**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>352.36<br>672.00<br>**1,024.36**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>61.74<br>3,959.60<br>384.66<br>657.48<br>273.52<br>**5,337.00**|
||Staff costs||||1,139.32||
||Volunteer Costs||||3,672.30||
||Travel,Entertaining& Subsistence||||1,941.67||
||Total||||84,959.23||
||Support Costs||||909.10||
||||||**85,868.33**||
||**8. Support Costs**||||||
||||||**Total funds 2025**||
||**Analysis**||||**£**||
||**Support Costs**||||||
||Printingand stationery||||474.20||
||**Governance Costs**||||||
||Independent examiners fees||||672.00||
||||||**1,146.20**||
||**9. Other Expenditure**||||||
||||**Unrestricted funds**||**Total funds 2025**||
||**Analysis**||||||
||||**£**||**£**||
||||||||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Plant &<br>Machinery||129.08||129.08||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Motor<br>Vehicles||2,557.24||2,557.24||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Fixtures &<br>Fittings||195.08||195.08||
||Depreciation<br>Charge for<br>the Year -<br>Computer<br>Equipment||-||-||
||Other<br>Expenditure||287.14||287.14||
||**Total**||**3,168.54**||**3,168.54**||
||**10. Details of certain Items of Expenditure**||||||
||||||||





|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**This year**<br>**Last year**<br>£<br>**£**<br>Independent examiner’s fees<br>400<br>400<br>Other fees (for example: financial advice,<br>consultancy, accountancy services) paid to the<br>independent examiner<br>200<br>200<br>**11. Employee’s Emoluments**<br>**11.1 Staff Costs**<br>**This year£**<br>**Last year£**<br>Salaries and wages<br>70,119.10<br>67,133.74<br>Social security costs<br>0<br>113.90<br>Pension costs (defined contribution scheme)<br>2,890.47<br>2,153.94<br>**Total staff costs**<br>73,009.57<br>69,401.58<br>**11.2 Average head count in theyear**<br>**11.3 Ex-gratia payments to employees and others (excluding trustees)**<br>**11.4 Redundancy payments**<br>**12. Defined contribution Pension Scheme**<br>**This year**<br>**Last year**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Amount of contributions recognised in the SOFA as<br>an expense<br>2,890.47<br>2,153.94<br>**13. Tangible Fixed Assets**<br>**Plant &**<br>**Machinery**<br>**Motor**<br>**Vehicles**<br>**Fixtures &**<br>**Fittings**<br>**Computer**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**13.1 Cost or valuation**<br>At 01 April<br>2024<br>246.97<br>19,798.00<br>3,527.85<br>3,400.38<br>Additions<br>494.00<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Disposals<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Revaluations<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Transfers<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>At 31 March<br>2025<br>**740.97**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,527.85**<br>**3,400.38**|||||
|||**Plant &**<br>**Machinery**<br>**Motor**<br>**Vehicles**<br>**Fixtures &**<br>**Fittings**<br>**Computer**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**valuation**<br>246.97<br>19,798.00<br>3,527.85<br>3,400.38<br>494.00<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br> <br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br> <br>**740.97**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,527.85**<br>**3,400.38**||||
|||||||






## **13.2 Depreciation and impairments** 

|At 01|April<br>133.78<br>17,240.80<br>3,217.69<br>3,400.38|April<br>133.78<br>17,240.80<br>3,217.69<br>3,400.38|
|---|---|---|
|2024|||
|Charg|e for<br>ar<br>129.08<br>2,557.20<br>195.08<br>-||
|<br>the ye|||
|Dispos|als<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||
|Revalu|ations<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||
|Transf|ers|-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
|At 31|March|<br>**262.86**<br>**19,798.00**<br>**3,412.77**<br>**3,400.38**|
|2025|||



## **13.3 Net book value** 

|At 01|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|April|113.19|<br>2,557.20|<br>310.16|<br>-|
|2024|||||
|At 31|||||
|March|<br>**478.11**|**-**|**115.08**|**-**|
|2025|||||



## **14. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year** 

|||**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>681.63<br>1,363.81<br>19.12<br>**2,064.56**<br>**Total funds 2024**<br>**£**<br>50,526.28<br>44,771.37<br>**95,297.65**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**||
||Prepayments & accrued income|613.44||
||Trade debtors|799.50||
||Other debtors|923.53||
||**Total**|**2,336.47**||
||**15. Cash at bank and in hand**|||
|||**Total funds 2025**||
|||**£**||
||Short term deposits|51,498.81||
||Cash at bank and in hand|63,111.65||
||**Total**|**114,610.46**||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||





## **16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year** 

||**Total funds 2025**|**Total funds 2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Trade creditors|1,118.58|723.12|
|Accruals and deferred income|672.00|672.00|
|Taxation and social security|(9.43)|-|
|Other creditors|19.33|19.32|
|**Total**|**1,800.48**|**1,414.44**|
||||



## **17. Charity funds** 

## **17.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period** 

||**Fund names**|**Fund names**|
|---|---|---|
||||
||||
||**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**||
||||
||||
||**Total**||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||





## **17.2 Details of material funds held and movements during the PREVIOUS reporting period** 

||**Fund**<br>**balances**<br> <br> <br> <br>**Gains and**<br>**Fund**<br>**balances**|
|---|---|
|**Fund names**|<br>**brought**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Transfers**<br>**losses**<br>**carried**|
||**forward**<br>**forward**|
||**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**|
|**Unrestricted**||
|**funds**||
||76,594.97<br>118,050.22<br>96,006.83<br>-<br>-<br>98,638.36|
|**Restricted**||
|**income**||
|**funds**||
||290.00<br>13,364.00<br>13,364.00<br>-<br>-<br>290.00|
|||
|**Total**|**76,884.97**<br>**131,414.22**<br>**109,370.83**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**98,928.36**|
|||
|||



## **18. Transactions with trustees and related parties** 

## **18.1 Trustee remuneration and benefits** 

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025.(2024: None). 

## **18.2 Trustees' expenses** 

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025. (2024: None). 

## **18.3 Transaction(s) with related parties** 

There has been no related party transaction in the reporting period (2024: None). 

## **19. Average Number of Employees** 

|**19. Average Number of Employees**||
|---|---|
|**Average Employees**|**Thisyear**<br>**Lastyear**|
|Support Staff|5<br>5|
|||
|**Total Employees**|5<br>5|



Average number of employees during this year : 5 and last year : 5 

