GRANTHAM & DISTRICT POVERTY CONCERN GROUP
( Incorporating THE GRANTHAM PASSAGE)
A Company Limited by Guarantee & Registered Charity No: 1060003 Company No: 013-922110
Reg. Address: c/o D Lynn, Charity & Company Treasurer, 142 Harrowby Road, Lincs, NG31 9DU
AGM and ANNUAL REPORT for year ending 31 December 2023 for
Grantham Poverty Concern Annual General Meeting held on 8[th] April 2024 at the Seventh Day Adventist church, Dudley Road, Grantham
Present:
Trustees: Andy Maddison, David Lynn, Pat Temple Fielder, Esme Sutton, Ian Whittle, Stephen Cameron, Maureen Griffiths, Ann Walker
Apologies: Mary Howard
Management Committee: Sheila Knight, Stephen Howe,
Aims and Objectives
Andy Maddison walked everyone through the charity’s aims and objectives, below.
AIMS
‘The aims of Grantham Poverty Concern is to help in emergency need, to oversee the Grantham Passages which operates in the following churches:
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Christ Church, Finkin Street
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Grantham Passage Resource Centre, St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Grantham
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Baptist Church Grantham
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Seventh Day Adventist Grantham
With the provision by rota to provide food every day of the week. The Charity also sets out to act for the relief of poverty and helps children, young people and the elderly as well as the general public. Grantham Poverty Concern operates by making loans to individuals to alleviate hunger and deprivation. It gives a ‘listening ear’, networks with other agencies and signposts clients where to go for help.
The Charity is staffed entirely by volunteers and financed by donations, with the aforesaid churches giving their premises free.
OBJECTS
The objects of Grantham Poverty Concern are the relief of poverty and of elderly persons in Grantham and the surrounding area in the county of Lincolnshire as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine.
In furtherance of the Objects but not otherwise, the Charity may exercise the following powers:1. To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, bills, cheques and other instruments and to operate bank accounts in the name of the Charity.
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To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions; provided that in raising funds the Charity shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall confirm to any relevant statutory regulations
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To establish or support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for all or any of the Objects
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To co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in the furtherance of the Objects or similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them
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To pay out of the funds of the Charity the costs, charges and expenses of and incidental of the formation and registration of the Charity
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To do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the Objects’
Grantham Poverty Concern – Charity Number 1060003 CHAIRMANS REPORT FOR 2023
I’d like to start my report this year by thanking everyone that is involved with the Passage - Trustees, volunteers and those who have helped in any way to assist us in providing our services. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work alongside so many other dedicated individuals that care so much and provide such care for those in society that others have written off. It’s heartwarming to see what can be achieved when so many people all pull in the right direction for the benefit of others.
Reflecting back on the report for 2022, I think we have achieved some of our goals and still actively working towards others. We are well on the way now towards CIO status and for that, I would like to minute thanks for both Maureen and David for their hard work on this. This time next year, during my report, we will be safely transferred across and seeing the benefits that the migration will bring to us.
Our provision of the meals, support and the wrap-around help that is the cornerstone of what the Passage is has been unwavering and busier than I think it ever has been. As things change in the benefits system, money is tighter in the public realm, cost of living is increasing, we are seeing more and more strain on those that have the least. Again, I would like to minute the amazing and tireless work that Maureen puts in for the paperwork and benefits side on a Friday. A large number of people, Passage clients and non-Passage clients, would most definitely be in a much worse position without your incredibly knowledgeable and detailed experience and advice.
We have completed the Safeguarding training and continue our unbroken record of 5* food hygiene inspections from all locations. First aid and other training is in the process of being arranged so, hopefully, all this will be finalised in the coming months for peace of mind for those that complete the courses.
Looking outwards we continue to be well supported from the local community and our reputation precedes us. Again, we were nominated for the ‘Social Enterprise of the Year’ and got to be finalists which is a great accolade. Being a charity of long standing and reputation helps in innumerable ways not only financially but also for the links to other organisations and individuals that we can work together with.
Following that particular vein, I would like to thank those that have been involved in any way to work and promote what we do to the other agencies, charities and companies of the local area. Networking is so important in what we do and the strong links that we have formed with Local Government, other charities, churches and in the local area mean we are at the leading edge of decisions made in our sector. We are regular attendees of the SKDC homeless forum, Grantham Community Connector and work closely alongside Change4Lincs for those that are
rough sleeping or need other assistance. SKDC also used us as the local trusted organisation for the national Government rough sleeper count which shows the level of trust that we have. On that note, it was nice to be able to get the correct figures put in for once on the true scale of the problem!
Financially we are stable and in a position that many other charities would like to be in. We do have some expenditure coming up this year to change and update Mikes Place but this will not be a financial strain. We continue to be very well supported by a range of individuals and companies throughout the year to ensure that whatever we need to provide our service is well covered.
As mentioned in the recent Trustee meetings I am looking to potentially expand the reach of the Passage and start a session outside of the Grantham area. I think the time is right for us to seriously investigate the options that we have to start another service in another town, drawing on the expertise that we have here in Grantham. This means that we start on the front foot with all the knowledge, drive and experience gained over the years doing what we do best. I have been in touch with various places and have some data to consider before bringing back a formal proposal to all you at Trustee level.
I’d also like to extend my thanks for the team that took over and provided the Christmas meal this year. There were some potential changes to how the meal was going to be run with a new team taking over the reins for the organisation and provision of the meal. This unfortunately didn’t pan out as planned so Chris Thomas, Esther Maddison and others stepped in at the eleventh hour to arrange, prepare and deliver our Christmas meal. All went brilliantly and to plan so I, and the Trustees, would like to pass on our grateful thanks.
I’d like to close my report by again thanking everyone involved in what we do, in whatever way they help, as together we are a formidable force for social good and providing that secure and reliable safety net that so many of our clients rely on. I’m sure that 2024 will be a year of growth and positivity interspersed with those little challenges that sometimes make you take a step backwards - but we always take two steps forwards to overcome and grow.
The Trustees have not received any emoluments other than authorised expenses.
Andy Maddison, Chair of Trustees 08 April 2024
Treasurer’s Annual Report for financial year ending 31 December 2023
David Lynn submitted a report of the annual accounts for the period 1 January to 31 December 2023. He had prepared accounts and had been examined by an Independent Examiner and no corrections were needed. They were signed off on 13 February 2024. DL then gave a summary of the accounts.
| Bank balance at 01 January 2023 | 57,506.57 |
|---|---|
| Income: | |
| Donations | 30,281.08 |
| HMRC tax claim | 0.00 |
| Bank interest | 0.00 |
| Total Income 2023: | 30,281.08 |
| Expenditure: | |
|---|---|
| Discretionary emergency relief to clients | 0.00 |
| Food Vouchers | 0.00 |
| Passage Costs |
26,100.00 |
| Donation for use of premises | 2,500.00 |
| Admin/Miscellaneous |
1,932.70 |
| Stock of mobiles, tents & sleeping bags | 689.94 |
| Centre costs |
6,841.35 |
| Benefit advice | 265.79 |
| Total Expenditure 2023: | 38,585.60 |
| Bank balance at 31 December 2023 |
49,202.05 |
| Account held with: | |
| Virgin Money Bank Total balance – | 49,202.05 |
o General Account - balance |
47,246.66 |
o Edith Meredith Account – Balance |
1955.39 |
o Development Account - Balance |
0.00 |
The Accounts had been Independently Examined by Virginia Leverton – see her report below.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
Report to the Trustees of Grantham Poverty Concern Charity Number 1166263 On accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023
Respective Responsibilities of trustees and examiner: The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (The Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement: My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement: In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: * to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
Signed:
Date: 13 February 2024
Virginia Leverton
Name: Virginia Leverton 73/74 Main Street Denton Grantham Lincs NG32 1JZ