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2021-08-31-accounts

BRAMBLLS

THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

CHARITY NUMBER 1071096

www.brambles-kenilworth.com

INDEX

Pages
Trustees' Annual Report 1-4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Affairs 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Accounts 8-12

THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

Reference and administrative information

Thorns Community Trust (TCT) is a registered charity, no. 1071096. TCT trades under the name Brambles Pre-School and Out of School Club (Brambles}. Brambles is located on the site of Thorns Community Infant School (Thorns), and continues to maintain close links with the school. Its principal location is c/o Thorns Community Infant School, Blackthorn Road, Kenilworth, CVS 2DS.

TCT is overseen by a committee of Trustees. There are three types of trustee:

TRUSTEES WHO SERVED DURING THE YEAR
Name Position Type of Trustee
Jonathan Wright Chair Co-opted
Liz Bradbury Ex-officio Ex-officio
Eloise Ottewell Trustee Nominated
Simon Morris Trustee Nominated
Michelle Andrews Trustee Nominated
Katie Tattersall Trustee Nominated
Victoria Lancaster Trustee Nominated
TRUSTEES MANAGING TCT AT THE TIME THIS REPORT IS SIGNED
Name Position Type of Trustee
Jonathan Wright Chair Co-opted
Liz Bradbury Ex-officio Ex-officio
Simon Morris Trustee Nominated
Michelle Andrews Trustee Nominated
Victoria Lancaster Trustee Nominated
Sarah Taubman Trustee Co-opted

Structure, Governance and Management

TCT is governed by a constitution, which was written in January 1998 and supplemented by a further deed of the same year. An amendment to the constitution was made by way of Deed of Variation dated 23rd March 2011.

In 2020-21, the Trustees met as a formal Board on four occasions- on 24 September 2020, 19th November 2020, 11 March 2021 and 24 June 2021. During trust meetings all Trustees had the right to speak and to be heard. Decisions were made by consensus.

The day-to-day management of Brambles is delegated to the manager of Brambles, who is supported by a deputy manager. TCT also contracts a direct employee who is responsible for day to day administration and business management. Operational reports are made by the Brambles manager and the business administrator (who is responsible for finance) at most Trustee meetings.

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Objectives, activities and performance

The main aim of TCT is to provide high quality child care to young children between the ages of 2 years 9 months and eleven years through the provision of a Pre-School, Out of School Club and Holiday Club.

In effect, Brambles fulfils the obligation of Thorns Community Infant School by way of its extended hours provision.

Public benefit

Brambles is a pre-school, out of school club and holiday club setting that provides reasonably priced childcare and educational benefits to the local community. The Trustees always seek to bear in mind that TCT is a charity and that they have a responsibility to act in the public interest. At the time of signing this report all serving Trustees had read the guidance published by the Charities Commission on public benefit.

The Trustees believe that the aims and resulting benefits of TCT are clear and that the benefits obtained from TCT's activities are derived from its aims. In addition, the benefits are focused on a section of the public, namely preschool and primary age children and their parents/carers, and within this range, no section of the public is unreasonably restricted.

Due to its location the children who attend Brambles tend to live within the Thorns' catchment area. The admissions policy does not however exclude children from attending who live outside of this area. The Trustees still consider that the prices are competitive and would not regard the inability to pay fees as a bar to entry.

Pre-school

During the financial year, the Brambles Pre-School was open for five morning and lunchtime sessions as well as a number of afternoon sessions per week during term time.

Brambles Ofsted registration allows 30 children to attend per session. It is TCT policy to not fill each session so that the educational experience for each child is optimised.

The vast majority of the Pre-School children moved from Brambles Pre-School up to Thorns at the end of their preschool year.

Out of School Club

During the financial year, the Out of School Club was also only open during term time, with a good number of children registered, split across the three year groups at Thorns. The Out of School Club opened both before school, from 8am, and then again after school, from 3pm to 6pm. Numbers were impacted due to the November 2020 and January-March 2021 Lockdowns as demand subsided.

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Holiday Club

During the financial year, the Holiday Club was open during a good number of school holidays and offered a variety of sessions, within the timeframe of 8am to 6pm.

The number of children attending Holiday Club varied between holidays. In common with previous years, a good proportion of the children who attended holiday club were pupils at Thorns or Park Hill. These were supplemented by children that attend Clinton and St Augustine's.

Risk Review

The Trustees regularly consider the risks to which TCT is exposed at the Trustees' meetings and, where appropriate, measures are taken to ensure existing systems and procedures are strengthened to mitigate these risks as far as possible. During the year, some new policies were approved and other improvements were made. This is necessary to ensure good governance and manage risk so as to maintain the high standards for the setting.

In order to further mitigate risk, the Trustees have established a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and intend to transfer the undertaking of the Charity to that CIO. The factor that was preventing this happened was an OFSTED reinspection which took place subsequent to this period of financial reporting.

Financial Review

For the year ending 31 August 2021, TCT made a loss of£ 620. This decreased the overall level of reserves to £117,890 at the end of the financial year.

The Trustees are aware that the COVID-19 Pandemic continued to have a material impact on finances following the losses sustained in the previous financial year. The Trustees continued to maintain steps to both support all income generation activities (including maintenance of the job retention scheme). Immediately prior to the start of the financial year, the Trust was successful in reinstating the Nursery Grant that had been lost due to the "Inadequate Rating" at the 2019 OFSTED following an appeal to the Local Authority via the local Member of Parliament. The Trustees continued to monitor all expenditure in order to avoid falling into a loss making position.

There are no restricted or designated funds held by the Trust. From time to time the Trustees may budget to spend certain monies on certain projects, but these funds remain at all times part of the general accumulated fund of the Trust. However, the Trustees believe that an adequate level of reserves of four to six months' running costs should be maintained at all times to enable TCT to continue operating for a term should all external funding cease.

The Trustees observe that the present cash balance held is materially in excess of the stipulated four to six months' running costs. Given the age of the temporary building and the maintenance liabilities that accrue annually, it remains the stated intention of the trustees to look to those surplus funds (with the addition of grant monies) to either refurbish or replace the current temporary building.

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Future Events

Fees continue to be reviewed annually. The spare capacity in preschool continues to focus the minds of trustees as this has had a material effect on the income of the Trust. The implementation of the National Living Wage coupled with the rising inflation have all provided headwinds to expenditure as wages form a large part of this. The OFSTED rating in November 2019 has subsisted due to an inability of OFSTED to reinspect as a consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic and this has limited the ability to attract new children. The Building in which Brambles is housed is now almost 50 years old and requires increasing maintenance. The Trustees will continue to keep both fees and expenditure under close review so as to ensure that the Trust continues to generate a surplus and therefore maintain adequate levels of reserves to remain viable into the future.

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees' Report above.

Signed on behalf of the TCT's Trustees:

Jonathan William Emlyn Wright Chair

27 June 2022

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

I report on the accounts of Thorns Community Trust ('the Trust') for the year ended 31 August 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, and the related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of the report

As the Trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). You are satisfied that the accounts of the Trust are not required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for England and Wales 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 my examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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.

Michelle Larkin Chartered Accountant

FILAN Accountants 57 Ely Street Warwickshire CV37 6LN

27 June 2022

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THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

2021 2020
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Fund Funds Funds Fund Funds Funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donation 3 310 310 500 500
Charitable activities 4 140,251 140,251 114,178 114,178
Other trading activities 5 36 36 92 92
Investments 6 9 9 188 188
Other 7 0 5,699 5,699 7,000 11,369 18,369
Total 140,296 6,009 146,305 121,458 11,869 133,327
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 8 140,916 6,009 146,925 142,019 11,869 153,888
Total 140,916 6,009 146,925 142,019 11,869 153,888
Net (expenditure)/income (620) (620) (20,561) (20,561}
Reconciliation of funds:
Funds brought forward 118,510 118,510 139,071 139,071
Funds carried forward 117,890 117,890 118,510 118,510

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THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2021

2021
2020
Notes
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
11
6,534
Current assets
Debtors
12
1,989
7,645
Cash at bank and in hand
112,477
110,725
114,466
118,371
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
13
(3,110)
(5,595)
Net current assets
111,356
Net assets
117,890
Represented by:
Accumulated funds:
General fund
14
117,890		 £
5,734
112,776
118,510
118,510

These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 27 June 2022 and are signed on their behalf by:

JWE Wright Chair

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS VEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

1. Status

Thorns Community Trust is an unincorporated association; it is also a registered charity (registration nimber 1071096) whose activities are intended to be for the public benefit. Its principal location is c/o Thorns Community Infant School, Blackthorn Road, Kenilworth, CVS 2DS.

2. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view'. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102} issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Going concern

After making enquiries, the trustees are not aware of any material uncertainties that cast doubt on going concern and have a reasonable expectation that the Charity will be able to continue its activities for the foreseeable future, and at least twelve months from the date of approval of these accounts. Accordingly, they have continued to adopt the going concern basis in the financial statements.

Income

Income is recognised as incoming resources to the extent that the charity has provided the services in question.

Expenditure

Costs of activities in furtherance of the charity's objects comprise those costs incurred by the charity as a result of the delivery of its service. Governance costs comprise those costs incurred by the charity in meeting its constitutional and statutory requirements.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are included in the balance sheet at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is generally calculated so that the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value are written off over their estimated useful lives. The following depreciation rates apply:

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THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 (continued)

3. Donations

----- Start of picture text -----
2021 2020
Restricted Total
£ £ £
Donations 310 310 500
----- End of picture text -----

A donation of £310 {2020: £500) was received in the year which was to be used to provide uniform for the staff (2020: to overhaul the outside area).

4. Income from charitable activities

2021 2020
£ £
Out of school club fees 57,699 51,358
Holiday club fees 14,145 11,095
Preschool grant 49,472 40,669
Preschool fees 18,935 11,056
140,251 114,178
5. Other trading activities
2021 2020
£ £
Fundraising activities 36 92
6. Investment income
Unrestricted
funds 2021 2020
£ £ £
Interest receivable on bank deposits 9 9 188

7. Other income

Included in Other income of £5,699 (2020:£18,369) are the folowing grants: £5,699 (2020: £11,369) CJRS grant and £nil (2020: £7,000) of COVID 19 grant.

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THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 (continued)

8. Expenditure on charitable activities

8. Expenditure on charitable activities
2021 2020
Unrestricted Restricted Total
£ £ £ £
Staff costs 114,567
5,699		 120,266 112,287
Insurance 1,921 1,921 3,148
Materials 3,465 3,465 2,847
Electricity 1,620 1,620 1,620
Training 794 794 601
Printing postage and telephone 1,178 1,178 2,362
Depreciation 2,178 2,178 1,961
Rent 4,358 4,358 5,459
Rates 46 46 276
Repairs 403 403 214
Cleaning 2,282 2,282 1,782
Equipment
Professional fees 3,580 3,580 14,143
Uniform 49
310		 359
Garden project 1,858
Nursery IT and software 25 25 406
Bank charges 5 5
Sundry 3,486 3,486 3,964
139,956
6,009		 145,965 152,928
Governance costs:
Trustees' remuneration and expenses
Independent Examiner's fees 960 960 960
140,916
6,009		 146,925 153,888

9. Trustees remuneration and expenses

Mr Jonathan Wright, a trustee, received £8 (2020: £233) for reimbursed expenses during the year.

Ms Michelle Andrews, a trustee, received £117 {2020: nil) for reimbursed expenses during the year.

10. Staff remuneration and numbers

10. Staff remuneration and numbers
2021 2020
£ £
Wages and salaries 119,235 108,774
Employers National Insurance 2,275
Pension contributions 1,031 1,238
120,266 112,287

The average monthly number of employees paid during the year was 2 full time {2020: 2) and 12 part-time (2020: 11) who worked between 5 and 20 hours per week.

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THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 (continued)

11. Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures & Equipment Property
fittings Improvements Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
As at 1 September 2020 25,712 9,557 35,269
Additions 825 2,153 2,978
As at 31 August 2021 26,537 9,557 2,153 38,247
Depreciation
As at 1 September 2020 20,860 8,675 29,535
Provided in year 1,419 221 538 2,178
As at 31 August 2021 22,279 8,896 538 31,713
Net book value
As at 31 August 2021 4,258 662 1,615 6,534
As at 31 August 2020 4,852 882 5,734
12. Debtors 2021 2020
£ £
Trade debtors 1,333 6,812
Prepayments 656 833
1,989 7,645
13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2021 2020
£ £
Trade creditors 532 3,402
Taxation and social security 1,040 771
Accruals 1,538 1,422
3,110 5,595

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THORNS COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 (continued)

14. Movement in funds

14. Movement in funds
Name of fund Opening Incoming Outgoing Closing
resources resources
£ £ £ £
Restricted fund: Staff Uniform 310 (310)
Restricted fund: JRS Claimed 5,699 (5,699)
Unrestricted fund:
General fund 118,510 140,296 (140,916) 117,890
Total of all funds 118,510 146,305 (146,925) 117,890

15. Fees for examination of the accounts

2021 2020
£ £
Independent examiner's fees 960 960
Other fees paid to the independent examiner - payroll costs 1,040 599
2,000 1,559

FILAN Accountants carried out payroll duties at a cost of £620 (2020:£299) and processed furlough claims at a cost of £420 (2020: £300} in the year. A separate department carried out this work to ensure independence was maintained.

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