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2024-03-31-accounts

COMPANY NUMBER: 3008942

CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER: 1067128

SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU DIRECTORS' AND TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

KEMPTON EMSDEN & CO.

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 34 NAPIER ROAD BROMLEY KENT BR2 9JA

SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Company Number: 3008942
Registered Charity Number: 1067128
Chairman: Mr Stephen Hodges
Treasurer: Mrs Georgia Jones
Directors: Mr Stephen Hodges
Mr David Ely J.P MBA Banking
Mr Michael Carpenter - resigned 3.5.23
Mrs Georgia Jones
Mrs Pauline Pierce
Secretary: Mr Stephan Smith
Registered Office: The Stables,
1 North Street,
Bromley, Kent
BR1 1SD
Accountants: Kempton Emsden & Co.
Chartered Accountants
34 Napier Road
Bromley
Kent
BR2 9JA

SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' Report 1
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Detailed Analysis of Funds 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes 9
Detailed Income and Expenditure Account 15

SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document

The organisation is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 30[th] November 1994.

The company has to comply with the Companies Act 2006 and related SORP.

Organisation and Management

The day to day management of the South East London Family Mediation Bureau is the responsibility of the Service Manager.

The South East London Family Mediation Bureau has five Trustees (one of which is the Chair) and the Company Secretary. Michael Carpenter resigned in May 2023. We were very grateful for the time and support Michael provided during his many years on the board.

An Executive Committee consists of the five Trustees, Company Secretary, Service Manager and other individuals experienced in family dispute matters. The Executive meets four times a year including the Annual General Meeting, usually held in October. The Chair of the Bureau is Chair of the Executive Committee.

The Finance and General Purposes Committee is made up of at least six members of the Executive Committee, including the Chair, Company Secretary and the Service Manager. It is chaired by a trustee who is not chair of the Executive Committee. It meets 4-6 times a year, ordinarily two weeks before the Executive Committee. It works closely with the Service Manager to oversee the administration and finances of the bureau. It makes recommendations to the Executive Committee.

The full Executive Committee has met in a combination of Zoom and face to face meetings and has been kept informed by minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

The bureau is fortunate to have Her Honour Judge Catherine Moore, from the Maidstone Family Court, as its President. She replaced His Honour Judge Atkins following his retirement. Her Honour presides over the Annual General Meeting and is aware of bureau activities by receiving minutes of meetings and volume and financial data.

Meeting minutes are recorded and made available to all committee members.

Risk Policy

The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that necessary steps can be taken to lessen those risks.

Objectives and Activities

The company was established firstly, to provide a mediation service to separated parents who are in dispute over contact and residence arrangements for their children and secondly, to facilitate the settlement of differences arising from family breakdown in relation to financial and property matters and the like.

Achievements and Performance

After the COVID pandemic the number of clients attending office appointments has slowly increased during the year. The use of Zoom for MIAMS and mediation sessions has continued. This is effective and more convenient for many clients and has widened our catchment area.

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The £50,000 Bounce Back Loan from our NatWest on which we commenced repayments in August 2021 and has reduced to £24,088. We have not used any the loan but see it as a reserve for further extraordinary events.

The Government Voucher Scheme commenced in May 2021. A family can apply for a contribution of up to £500 including VAT towards the cost of the mediation process. This assists families who do not qualify for Legal Aid. We utilised £52,139 excluding VAT during the financial year compared to £38,406 last year.

During the financial year Private income rose from £82,781 to £88,452 (7% increase). Voucher Scheme income rose from £38,406 to £52,139 (36% increase).

There has also been a small decrease in clients who qualify for legal aid funding. Last year we used £110,450 legal aid funding, this year £103,174 (7% decrease).

The Service Manager continues to spend considerable effort on staffing and systems issues. We have a staff complement of 5; and a case management system which enables the mediators and office team to work efficiently either remotely or in the office. We use the services of eight independent session mediators.

Financial Review

Total income of £244,374 and expenses of £235,922 gave a surplus of £8,452; the directors had expected a flat year. The board is pleased with the annual result.

We had net funds (excluding vat) from the following sources this year:

We note changes in expenses during this and the following year including:

Excess funds and residual loan funds are kept on deposit with our bank at 1.46%.

Due to the Cost-of-Living impact, the board agreed a 5% increase in salaries for administration staff effective April 2023. This added £6,000 to expenses. Following a review of the market we also increased MIAMs fees from £78.00 to £90.00 from April 2023, generating £6,000 additional income to offset the cost of the salary increases. The new MIAM fee of £90.00 is at the lower to mid-point of the market. We continue to review market rates relative to our own fee schedule.

Plans for Next Year

Plans for 2024-25 are to continue actions taken last year.

We will continue to concentrate on tight cash management with monthly projections to the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Minutes of those meetings will be shared with the full Executive Committee.

The use of ZOOM for both MIAMs and Mediations widens our catchment area. The demand for office appointments has risen through the year and we expect this trend to continue. We will continue to offer clients the choice of office or ZOOM appointments for both MIAMs and mediation sessions.

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

We continue to capitalise on our excellent staff and the case management system enabling the mediators and the administration team to work more efficiently from either home or the office.

The outstanding NatWest Bounce Back Loan of £24,088 will provide a cushion for any further economic impacts. Monthly repayments of £887.37 started in August 2021 and we review the need to maintain this facility on an annual basis.

The Voucher Scheme has been extended to March 2025. We will continue to utilise this Government backed scheme where clients can apply for up to £500 towards mediation costs. We charge clients a reduced fee and claim back up to £500 from the Ministry of Justice. We note that more administrative effort is involved in this scheme which may result in a requirement for more administrative support. This will be closely monitored.

We are aware of a possible need to relocate our offices and are in discussion with the landlord.

We will review the possibility of a full time Professional Practice Manager role combined with a self-funding training element to start in the second quarter.

We are conscious that changes in meeting frequency, location, attendance and structure was changed due to the pandemic. We have continued with a focus on F&GP meetings which effectively have acted as an executive committee. We believe it would be prudent to look at meeting structure, frequency and attendance as part of formal review, during the coming financial year, into how we operate the charity.

The Trustees are grateful to the mediators for their unceasing loyalty and continuing ability to accommodate new ways of working, the administration team for their tireless efforts in continuing challenging times and the Executive and Finance and General Purposes Committees for their guidance and support throughout the year. We know there will always be other challenges in the coming years, particularly the ongoing impact of energy costs, location issues and the cost of living on families. We are confident that the combined efforts of all involved will see us continue to grow and prosper.

We have an excellent administration team and mediator group which continue to rise to challenges.

We anticipate a flat financial year for 2024-25 and will continue tight monitoring of expenses and income.

Over the last 5 financial years have had surpluses of £9,100; £22,300; £27,300; £1,914; and £8,452. This gives us confidence that with our excellent management, mediators and staff we have a secure future ahead of us.

Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' 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 directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year , which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company 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 charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report was approved by the board of directors and trustees on

4 December 2024 and signed on its behalf.

......................................................... STEPHAN SMITH - Secretary

Page 4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 14

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).

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.

........................................ Kempton Emsden & Co. Chartered Accountants 34 Napier Road Bromley Kent BR2 9JA

Dated: 4 December 2024

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Total Total
Unrestricted Funds Funds
Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £
Income and endowments from:
Charitable activities 243,765 243,765 231,798
Investments 609 609 12
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Total income and endowments 244,374 244,374 231,810
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 85,447 85,447 89,417
Other 150,475 150,475 140,479
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Total resources expended 235,922 235,922 229,896
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Net movement in funds 8,452 8,452 1,914
Total funds brought forward £ 42,337 £ 42,337 40,423
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Total funds carried forward £ 50,789 £ 50,789 £ 42,337
======= ======= =======

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2024 2023
£ £ £ £
General Fund
General Fund - opening balance 42,337 40,423
Surplus for the year 8,452 1,753
Transfer from National Lottery Community Fund - 161
–––––– ––––––
50,789 42,337
–––––– ––––––
Total funds at 31 March 2024 £50,789 £42,337
====== ======

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COMPANY NUMBER: 3008942

SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

BALANCE SHEET

AT 31 MARCH 2024 31 MARCH 2024
Note 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible assets 7 4,776 4,754
Current assets
Debtors 8 24,694 21,761
Bank accounts 68,897 80,574
––––––– –––––––
93,591 102,335
Creditors
Amounts falling due within
one year 9 33,652 40,665
––––––– –––––––
Net current assets 59,939 61,670
––––––– –––––––
Total assets less current liabilities 64,715 66,424
Creditors
Amounts falling due
after more than one year 9 (13,926) (24,087)
––––––– –––––––
Net assets £ 50,789 £ 42,337
======= =======
Capital funds
Unrestricted funds 50,789 42,337
––––––– –––––––
Total funds £ 50,789 £ 42,337
======= =======

For the year ending 31 March 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

Directors' responsibilities:

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476;

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006). Approved by the trustees on 4 December 2024 and signed on their behalf.

...................................................

S. HODGES - Director

The annexed notes form part of these financial statements.

Page 8

SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. Accounting policies

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 (FRS102) issued in October 2019, (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical convention (modified to include certain items at fair value). The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years unless otherwise stated.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income, the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income from charitable activities is received in exchange for supplying mediation services and is recognised when entitlement has occurred.

Income from grants is recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement has not been met at the balance sheet date, the income is deferred.

Investment income is earned through the holding of bank deposits.

Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Turnover

Turnover represents grants and fees receivable by the Company in the course of its work.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation and impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Computer equipment - 33% per annum reducing balance Mediation software - 33% per annum straight line Office equipment - 20% per annum reducing balance

Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further the objectives of the charity.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for for particular purposes. The aim and use of restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Leasing

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the income and expenditure account on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the company to the fund in respect of the year.

Debtors

Known bad debts are written off and provision is made for any debtors considered to be doubtful.

Financial instruments

The charity has financial assets and liabilities that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at cost and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Income

Unrestricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds
2024 2024 2023
£ £ £
Charitable activities
Legal Aid Agency grants 103,174 103,174 110,450
AIM receipts - private 46,375 46,375 44,105
Mediation information/assessment meeting 40,202 40,202 36,266
Government mediation support 52,139 52,139 38,406
Court forms receipts 1,875 1,875 2,410
Grant income - - 161
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
243,765 243,765 231,798
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Investment income
Bank interest receivable 609 609 12
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
609 609 12
––––––– ––––––– –––––––
3. Expenditure on charitable activities
2024 2024 2023
£ £ £
AIM mediation fees and expenses 44,349 44,962
MIAM assessment claims 39,010 41,398
Software/website depreciation 2,088 3,057
–––––– ––––––
85,447 89,417
====== ======

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4. Other costs

4. Other costs
2024 2024 2023
£ £ £
North Street expenses 29,770 24,724
Book-keeping services 3,899 3,723
Insurance 561 1,170
Computer and communications costs 4,565 8,102
Subscriptions 2,855 2,778
Bank charges 2,902 2,561
Sundry expenses 450 969
Bank loan interest 739 981
Staff advertising - 245
Staff salaries 96,950 88,045
Employer's NIC 2,103 1,497
Employer's pension contributions 2,909 2,500
Depreciation 1,122 1,541
Loss on disposal of fixed assets - 123
Accountancy 1,650 1,520
––––––– –––––––
150,475 140,479
======= =======
5. Surplus before tax
2024 2023
£ £
This is stated after charging:
Accountancy 1,650 1,520
Depreciation of owned assets 1,122 1,541
Loss on disposal of fixed assets - 123
Pension costs 2,909 2,500
======= =======

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6. Staff costs

The average number of persons employed by the company during the year was as follows:

2024 2023
Administration 5 5
======= =======
The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:
2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 96,950 88,045
Social security 2,103 1,497
Other pension costs 2,909 2,500
––––––– –––––––
£101,962 £ 92,042
======= =======
7. Tangible fixed assets

Office
Equipment
£
Cost:
At 1 April 2023 19,030
Additions 3,232
––––––
At 31 March 2024 22,262
––––––
Depreciation:
At 1 April 2023 14,276
Charge for the year 3,210
––––––
At 31 March 2024 17,486
––––––
Net book value:
At 31 March 2024 £ 4,776
======
At 31 March 2023 £ 4,754
======

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8. Debtors and prepayments

Amounts falling due within one year:

Amounts falling due within one year:
2024 2023
£ £
Other debtors 21,854 19,619
Prepayments 2,840 2,142
–––––– ––––––
£24,694 £21,761
====== ======

9. Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year:-

Amounts falling due within one year:-
2024
2023
£
£
Bank loan 10,162 9,911
Sundry creditors 7,154 8,507
VAT liability 13,236 15,450
PAYE and NIC 1,449 1,678
Accruals and deferred income 1,651 5,119
–––––– ––––––
£33,652 £40,665
====== ======
Amounts falling due after more than one year:-
Bank loan £ 13,926 £ 24,087
====== ======

The bank loan is repayable by 60 monthly instalments which commenced on 14 August 2021 with an interest rate of 2.5 % per annum.

10. Related party transactions

The directors do not receive remuneration, benefits or expenses from the charity.

11. Financial commitments

The charity had total commitments at the balance sheet date of £48,125 (2023: £64,625), payable by monthly instalments within five years.

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SOUTH EAST LONDON FAMILY MEDIATION BUREAU

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Turnover
Legal Aid Agency grants 103,174 110,450
AIM receipts - private 46,375 44,105
Mediation information/assessment meeting 40,202 36,266
Government mediation support 52,139 38,406
Court forms receipts 1,875 2,410
Grant income - 161
Bank interest receivable 609 12
–––––––– ––––––––
244,374 231,810
Resources Expended
Staff costs 101,962 92,042
AIM mediation fees and expenses 44,349 44,962
MIAM assessment claims 39,010 41,398
Software/website depreciation 2,088 3,057
North Street expenses 29,770 24,724
Book-keeping services 3,899 3,723
Insurance 561 1,170
Computer and communications costs 4,565 8,102
Subscriptions 2,855 2,778
Bank charges 2,902 2,561
Sundry expenses 450 969
Bank loan interest 739 981
Staff advertising - 245
Accountancy charges 1,650 1,520
Depreciation 1,122 1,664
–––––––– ––––––––
(235,922) (229,896)
–––––––– ––––––––
Net income over expenditure for the year £ 8,452 £ 1,914
======== ========

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