Better Lives - Strengthenlng Independence Ltd Registered Charity Number.. 1070751 Registered Company Number,. 03590240 Better Llves - Strengthenlng Independence Ltd (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Better Lives - Strengthenlng Independence Ltd Contents Page Legal and administrative infomiation Report of the Trustees Independent Examiners report Statement of Flnanclal Actlvities Balance Sheet 10 Notes forming part of the financial statements.
Better Llves - Strengthening Independence Ltd Legal and adminlstratlve Informatlon Trustees: T Best Chair P Burrows (Resigned 27110123) KHart M Spreadbury W Wilson (Resigned 27110123) P Whittaker (Appointed 27110123) A Wood (Appointed 27110123) Independent examlner: Ashurst Accountancy Ltd 17 Duke Street Formby Liverpool L37 4AN Registered Office: 17 Duke Street Formby Merseyside L37 4AN Registered Company number: 03590240 Registered Charity number: 1070751
Better Llves - Strengthenlng Independence Ltd The Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Charily was incorporated on 30 June 1998. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practi (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity, ObjecUv8s and Actlvltles The chartable objects of Better Llves- Strengthenlng IndeFendeno Ltd are to pronTrJte the rdief of the elderty in KIY in any manner deem6yJ chartable in law and in partiGular by the provision of advice, counselling support 8nd advocacy services in order to assist such persons to obtain his or her full rights and privileges as a citizen. Structure, Governance and Management Governing document Better LNes - Strengtheniro Independee Ltd is a charitable wmpany limited by guarantee, incorporated on 30th JU 1998, and was registered as a charity on 29th June 1998. The company was established under a memorandum of association whlch established the objects of the charitable company and is govemed by Its artlcles of association. Appointment of the Board of Trustees The Directors of Better Lives- Strengthening Independen Ltd are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law and under B*r Lives- Strp.ngthening IncktEndence Ltd articles are known a8 the Board of Management. The trustees who served durtng the year are noted on the charity information page at the front ofthe financial statements, Trustee induGtion and training Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training cour8es that 8ppertain to their role, In addition, they are expected to help Better Lwes- StngthenIng IndependenTr Ltd and be aware of policies and procedures that we adhere to. Organisation The Board of Management meets regularfy during the year to maintain control over its governance. Risk management The trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that adequate systems are in place to reducelmitigate significant operational and business risks. Golng Concem The board members consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Lctsl ALrthoty funding is awarded on a year-by-yw basis. Financlal Revlew Reserves Policy The trustees consider the financlal position of the charity to be satisfactory. The Charity is in a relatively stable financial position with no unpaid debts and a small reserve. Reserves would only be held to meet
Better Llves - Strengthening Independence Ltd any statulory requirement for redundancy payment liability and also to miligate any inflationary increase in major essential overheads. Future Plans The charty is commFtted to continuing to provide a comprehensive free and impartial service for people Knowsley. Publlc Benefit The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commissions Guidance on the operation of the Public Benefit requirement. Responsibilities of the Trustees The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Reporl and the Financial Statements in accordance with the Comp8nies Act 2008, and for being satisfied that the financial statements giv8 a true and fair view. The Trustees are also responsible for preparing financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and appllcation of resources including income and expenditure for the financial ye2r. In preparing thosg financial staternents, the Trustees are required to: Select suitable accountlng policies and then apply them consistently. Observe the methcds and princlples in the Charities SORP (FRS1021' Maka judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., State whether applicable aGcounting standards have been followèd, subjeL't to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial 8tatements', and Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue on that basis. The trustees are responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which show and explain the Ch8rity's transactions with reasonable aGcura¢y at any time, the financlal position of the Gharitable company and to enable them to ensure that the fi'nancial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible ft)r safequarding the assets of the charitable company and henGe for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In so far as we are aware.. There is no relevant Infomiation of which the charitable company's independent examiner are unaware of,, and We have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Gharitable oompany's independent examiners are aware of that information. Related Charltles Better Lives- Strengthening Independence Ltd has no related charities. Basls of preparation This report and Ihe financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part Vll of thé companies Act 2006 relating to smaller companies,
Better Lives - Strengthening Independence Ltd Transactions and financial position The financi81 staternents are set out on pages 8 to 10. The Statement of Financial AGtivities shows a surplus for the year of £22,377 and a defiGIt for the year in 2023 of £13,077. The reserves at the year end stand at £(5,924). {2023'. (£17.717) for unrestricted funds, and £63,795 {2023'. £53,211) for restricted funds, This report was approved by the board and signed on their behalf by: KHart Date 29th October 2024
Better Lives - Strengthening Independence Ltd Independent Examlner's Report to the Truste8s of Better Lives- Strengthening Independence Ltd 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 8 to 14. Responsibilities and basls 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 Ihe 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 examinerfs 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: accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act., or the accounts do not accord with those records. or 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 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 (FRS 102). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conneclion 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. Kevin Guy FCA On behalf of Ashurst Accountancy Ltd Chartered Accountants Date.. 29th October 2024
Better Llves - Strengthenlng Independence Ltd Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024 Unrestricted Funds 2024 Restricted Funds 2024 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Income and endowments from,. Income from Charitsble activities 44,280 143,460 187,740 109,167 Total income and endowments 44,280 143,460 187,740 109,167 Expenditure on- Charitable activities (32,487) (132,876) {165,363) (122,244) Total expenditure (32,487 (132,876) 1165,363 (122,2441 Net expenditure 11,793 10,584 22,377 113,077) Net movement in funds 11,793 10,584 22,377 113,077) Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward (17,717) 53,211 35,494 48,571 Total funds carried forward {5,924) 63,795 57,871 35,494 Income and expenditure relate to both restricted and unrestricted activities derived from continuing activlties.
Better Llve8 - Strengthening Independence Ltd Statement of Flnancial Activitles for the year ended 31 March 2023 Unrestricted Funds 2023 Restricted Funds 2023 Total Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 Income and endowments from.. Income from Charltable activities 56,541 109,167 143,254 Total income and endowments 62,626 56,541 109,167 143,254 Expenditure on.. Charitable activlties 180,058) (42,186) (122,244) (133,539) Total expenditure (80,0581 (42,186) {122,244) (133,539 Net expenditure (27,432) 14,355 (13,077) 9,715 Net movement In funds (27,432) 14,355 113,07n 9,715 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 9,715 38,856 48,571 38,856 Total funds carried forward {17,717) 53,211 35,494 48,571 Income and expenditure relate to both r66trict8d and unrestricted 8Gtivlties derlved from Gontinulng activities.
Better Lives - Strengthening Independence Ltd Regl$tèrod Charlty Number. 1110989 Reglstered Company Number: 02937464 Balance Sheet for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Nc)tes 2024 2023 Fix6d assets Tangible assel8 451 22 Current assets Deblors Cash at bank 2,003 2,033 Total current assets 63,112 38,640 Credltors Amounts due within one year N8t current assets 35,472 Total as89ts1oss current liabiliti88 57,871 35,494 Creditors Amounts due after rnore than one year Net assets 35,494 Th8 funds ofthe charity.. Unrestricted revenue accumulated funds Restrlcted revenLie accumulaled funds (5,924) (17,717) Total charlty funds 57,871 35,494 For the year ending 31 March 2024, the company was exempt from audit under sectlon 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relaling lo small Gompanies. Directors, responsibilities= the members have not required the company to oblain an audit of Its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; the directors acknowledge thelr responsibllities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of the accounts, These acGounts hav8 been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companles subject to small companies, regime. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue on by the Board of Trustees and signed on 2911012024. K Hart 2911012024 The notes on pages 11 to 14 form an Integral part ofthese accounts. io
Better Llves - Strengthening Independence Ltd Notes to the Flnanclal Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 1 Accountlng policies Basls of preparatlon of the accounts Better Lives - Strengthening Independence Ltd is a Gompany limited by guarantee, registered in England. The address of the registered office is given in the charity. information on page 1 of these fi'nancial statements. The charity constitutes a public entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance With Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practlce applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportrng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1021 issued October 2019 {second edition), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic oflreland (FRS 1021, the Companies Act 2006 and UK General Accepted Practice as It applies from 1 January 2015. Going conc8rn The trustees aiisess whether the use of going concern is appropriate and whether there any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast signlficant doubt on the ability of the trust to continue as a golng concern. The members of the counoil make this assessment each y8ar in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the finanGial statements. The financial statements are presented in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost conventlon. Incoming resources All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when receipt is probable or more likely than not to be received, and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy, 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 attrlbuted to particular headings, they have been allocatsd to activities on a basis consistent with use ofthe reSoUrs. Flxed assets and depre¢latlon Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in orderto write off the assets (less their estimated rasidual value) overtheir usefijl economic lives. Fixtures and fittings 250/0 reducing balance. Grants recelvable Grants are included in the Statsment of Financial Activities when the conditions for receiving the grant have been met. Their performance criteria are not yet met, grant income is deferred until such time as crit&ria is achieved. 11
Better Llves - Strengthenlng Independence Ltd Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Accounting policies (contlnued) Flnance and operatlng leases. Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to income on a slraight-line basis over the lease term. Surplus forthe financlal year 2024 2023 This IS stated after charging:" Independent Examiner's Fees 2.500 2,500 staff Costs and Emoluments Sa5aries and wages Employer's National Insurance Penslon costs 109,726 74,245 109,726 74,245 Numbers of full-timo omployees or full-time equivalents Management and administratlon There were no fees or expenses paid to the trustees. There were no employees with emoluments Sn excess of £60,000 per annum. Taxatlon Taxation is not provided on the grounds that Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 applies (tax exemption for charitable companies). 12
Better Llves - Strengthening Independence Ltd Notes to Ihe Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Tanglble ffxed assets Flxtur96 and fittings As 1 April 2023 Addits'ons As 31 March 2024 26,655 580 27,2355 Accumulated depreciation As 1 April 2023 Charge for the year At 31 March 2024 26,633 151 26,784 NBV at 31 March 2024 NBV at 31 March 2023 22 6 Debtors 2024 2023 other debtors 7 Creditors: arnounts falling due wlthln one-year 2024 2023 Trade creditors Accrue,d expenses TaxatSon and social security Other Creditors 5,692 3,168 5,692 3,168 13
Better Llves - Strengthenlng Independence Ltd Notes to the Financlal Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Analysis of Funds At 31 Mah 2022 Incoming R8soureos Oulgolng R08oiircè8 At31 Incomlng March 2023 Re80urc68 Outgolng Re#ource8 At 31 March 2024 Unre8trkted General r8seN 9,715 52,626 {80.0581 117,7171 44,280 {32,487) 15,9241 Rostrictod Knowsley Disability 38,856 55,541 (42,186) 143,460 1132,8761 63,795 Totsl Reserves 48,571 1119,167 1122,244} 36,494 187,740 (185,3631 57,871 Restricted funds are made up of our contribution to A Lottery Funded Partnership prolect'A Good Llfe, led by Knowsley Disability Concern which will run lo December 2025 and a Lottery Funded companionshSp project of Better Lives, 'CORE' which runs until February 2026 Unrestricted funds derive from our socially trading activities through our SHOP and TASK seNicev4 which the Charity are worf(ing on to grow and develop into the future. Additionally, the Charity receive independent donations from individuals who support our work or who have benefitted from our support. Donations are unpredictable and vary from one. year to the next, Rolated party transaGtions There were no related party transactions in the year under review. 10 Share Capital Tho Gompany is limited by guarantee and as such does not have a share capital. In the event of a winding up, the members will each contribute a sum not exceeding £1. 14