ECO LEARNING LIMITED
(Limited by Guarantee)
COMPANY NO.: 2759299
CHARITY NO.: 1072447
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 30 September 2021
Eco Learning Limited
Status: Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2759299 Charity registration No. 1072447 The Company's governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Registered office: Grove Park Library, Somertrees Avenue London SE12 0BX Director and Trustee: Darren John Taylor (Chair) Allison Frances Davies Peter Charles Haynes Independent Examiner: VE Accounting Services Limited 125 Temple Hill Dartford DA1 5TU Bankers: National Westminster Bank plc Rushey Green, Catford London SE6 4BJ
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Eco Learning Limited
Trustees' report for the year ended 30 September 2021
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2021. This is a directors' report required by s417 of the Companies Act 2006 and all trustees are directors. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing education when reviewing the Company's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
Objects and activities
The objects as set out in the Memorandum and Articles are as follows:
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i. To advance education and provide facilities to aid people to return to work or go on to further education with the object of helping revitalise the local economy and provide a better quality of life.
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ii. To allow long term unemployed and the unemployed the opportunity to train in various aspects of computing, word-processing, bookkeeping, elements of design and office practice, backed up by basic English.
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iii. To help all beneficiaries obtain basic recognised qualifications in the above related subjects.
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iv. To give counselling and educational guidance to beneficiaries to enable them to gain confidence and their self esteem in preparation for work.
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v. To help revitalise the local economy and work towards providing a better quality of life for people in the economically deprived catchment area.
History of Eco Learning Limited
Eco Learning Limited (formerly the North Downham Training Project or NDTP) was formed in 1987 by the North Downham Tenants and Residents Association with the aim of providing training for local people to enable them to find employment. The original location was the Downham Enterprise Centre on Boundfield Road. Demand for courses grew, and more space was required, and so in 1992 the project moved to its current premises at Concept House, Boundfield Road. In 2020 we had to move out of Boundfield road, we had to cut our costs due to no work during the Covid period which is still ongoing. We have now moved into Grove Park Library on Somertrees Avenue.
The original programme included craft skills courses such as woodwork and machine knitting. However, it was soon apparent that there was a demand for computer based courses, and so the main training course, ‘Technology in Business’ course was set up, offering computing, English and counselling support, and accommodated up to six students. By continually changing the course to meet the needs of both the local community and the wider environment, the project became a focal point of training on the North Downham Estate.
The project has always maintained a comprehensive and holistic approach to training and therefore now offers a number of interlinking satellite services, which complement the original aim of training and support individuals on their pathway to personal development. Currently these comprise:
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Employability course - back to work training programme for Lewisham residents
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Digital Inclusion courses
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A programme of short courses in various subjects, both accredited and non-accredited
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Information and Guidance, for job searching and job brokerage service
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Secondment job brokerage services to partner organisations
All of the courses and activity are advertised on the new Eco Learning website at www.ecolearning.org.uk and are free to access for students that are part of a funded programme. Other learners can access the courses for the prices shown on the website.
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Eco Learning Limited
Trustees' report (cont'd) for the year ended 30 September 2021
Vision, values and purpose
Vision
The vision at Eco Learning Limited is to provide affordable and accessible training and community facilities for people of all backgrounds and abilities to enable them to improve their quality of life. Although these services are for people borough wide, Downham residents have always been and remain a priority.
Values
Eco Learning Limited is dedicated to ensuring that students/users enjoy the benefits of consistent high quality services that meet their true needs.
Purpose
Our purpose is to develop individuals to their full potential, to increase their confidence and self-esteem and to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to make steps both personally and professionally towards self improvement.
Aims
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To advance education and provide facilities to aid people to return to work, or go onto further education, with the object of helping to revitalise the local economy and provide a better quality of life for local people.
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To offer life-long learning opportunities for the local community.
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To help all beneficiaries obtain basic recognised qualifications related to the subjects highlighted in the objects and activities section. 4. To provide counselling and educational guidance to beneficiaries to enable them to gain confidence and improve their self-esteem. 5. To help revitalise the local economy and work towards providing a better quality of life for the people in the economically deprived area in which we are based.
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To provide a low-cost childcare provision for working parents. 7. Maintaining a high-quality, safe and stimulating environment within which children can learn and become independent. 8. To provide employment support and careers advice for anyone looking for work.
Activities and performance
The project has still been going through hard times, we started to form new partnerships for delivery but then Covid came. We looked at our spending and decided to move out of Boundfield Road and move into Grove Park Library, where we are able to deliver training on a regular basis. During the year, the following programs continued:
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Formed new partnerships for delivery
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Moved to Grove Park Library
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Registered Grove Park as a UK Online Training Centre
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Moving forward:
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We have streamlined the company to help it breakeven but still be able to deliver its charity aims. We have two session trainers and one office administrators
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We have been closed since March 2020 due to Covid, but are excited with the partnership with the Library to start delivering once we can come back safely
Directors and trustees:
The directors and trustees who served during the period were:
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Darren John Taylor
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Allison Frances Davies
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Peter Charles Haynes
Directors and trustees are appointed by vote of the members at the AGM. Appropriate induction and training are in place.
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Eco Learning Limited
Trustees' report (cont'd) for the year ended 30 September 2021
Financial review
The trustees are pleased to present their financial report for the year ended 30 September 2020, which represented a period of considerable challenges across the sector. We are facing challenging economic conditions and we have seen a reduction in funding available from the government and local authorities due to funding cuts in all the various departments.
Principal funding sources are set out in notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements.
The trustees have examined the requirement for free reserves, which are those unrestricted funds not invested in fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed. Given the nature of our work, free reserves should approximately be £17,500, which will provide adequate working capital for our core costs. We continue to explore opportunities to generate sustainable funding into the Charity and also ways to generate funding. As at 30 September 2021 the charity had net assets of £62,298 (2019: £3,815 net liabilty position) which were well in excess of the minimum required reserves of £17,500. Based on this financial position, management are confident that the charity will continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future.
Risk management
The directors have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have established systems and procedures to manage those risks.
The directors actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining a positive general reserve at the levels stated above, combined with our annual review of the controls over the financial systems, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The directors have also examined other operational and business risks which we face, and confirm that they have put in place systems to mitigate these risks.
Future plans
The directors are planning to continue the charity's current activities. The management of the charity continues to be contracted to Eco Communities C.I.C., with plans to generate revenue and hence reserves over the following years. Eco Communities plans to do this through the pursuit of funding to continue the services, and the aims of the Charity, and to introduce a chargeable service for learners that are not covered by funded programmes, and improving the website: www.ecolearning.org.uk.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our objectives and activities and in the planning of future activities. It is the judgement of the trustees that activities in pursuit of the above objectives fully meet the public benefit test, which they have kept in mind in planning programmes. In delivering services and in the appointment of staff, volunteers and trustees the charity operates a strict policy of no discrimination on any grounds.
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Eco Learning Limited
Trustees' report (cont'd) for the year ended 30 September 2021
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees (who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources (including the income and expenditure) of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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a) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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b) observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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c) make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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d) state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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e) prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company, and which 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.
The trustees confirm that so far as they are aware, there is no relevant examination information of which the charity’s independent examiner is unaware. They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant examination information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information.
This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006, was approved by the Board on 26 July 2022 and signed on its behalf.
___ Darren John Taylor - Chair _26 July 2022
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Accounting Services Limited | Chartered Accountants
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees/ members of Eco Learning Limited
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year end 30 September 2021 which are set out on pages 8 to 14.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s 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 charity’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.
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
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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
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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 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.
____ Given Chanetsa-Mazarura ACA (Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales, Membership Number: 2649792) For and on behalf of VE Accounting Services Limited Chartered Accountants 125 Temple Hill Dartford, DA1 5TU
Date: 27 July 2022
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Eco Learning Limited
Statement of financial activities Income and expenditure account for the year ended 30 September 2021
| Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds: other than voluntary income Incoming resources from charitable activities Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable activities Governance costs Total resources expended Net movement in funds and net surplus/ (expenditure) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Note | Restricted funds £ 15,843 - 15,843 15,843 - 15,843 - - - |
Unrestricted funds £ 69,113 - 69,113 3,000 - 3,000 66,113 (3,815) 62,298 |
Total funds Sep 2021 £ 84,956 - 84,956 18,843 - 18,843 66,113 (3,815) 62,298 |
Total funds Sep 2020 £ 43,035 - |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 3 4 5 11 |
||||||||
| 43,035 | ||||||||
| 31,052 550 |
||||||||
| 31,602 | ||||||||
| 11,433 (15,248) |
||||||||
| (3,815) |
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Eco Learning Limited
Company no.: 2759299
Balance sheet as at 30 September 2021
| Fixed assets Tangible assets Total fixed assets Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Net assets The funds of the charity: Unrestricted funds: Designated General fund Total unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
Note | £ £ - - - 72,364 72,364 (10,066) 62,298 62,298 62,298 - 62,298 62,298 62,298 30 September 2021 |
£ £ - - 23,400 1,516 24,916 (28,731) (3,815) (3,815) (3,815) - (3,815) (3,815) (3,815) 30 September 2020 |
£ £ - - 23,400 1,516 24,916 (28,731) (3,815) (3,815) (3,815) - (3,815) (3,815) (3,815) 30 September 2020 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 9 10 11 |
£ - 72,364 72,364 (10,066) - 62,298 |
£ 23,400 1,516 24,916 (28,731) - (3,815) |
||||
| - (3,815) |
||||||
| (3,815) | ||||||
| (3,815) | ||||||
| (3,815) | ||||||
| (3,815) |
These financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), were approved by the Board on 18 February 2021 and signed on its behalf by:
Darren JohnTaylor - Chair 26 July 2022
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Eco Learning Limited
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021
1 Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding period.
(i) Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance the Charities Act (2011), the Companies Act (2006), and the 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 2015) (the Charities SORP).
(ii) Company limited by guarantee
The company is limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital.
(iv) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
(v) Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
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Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full when receivable.
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Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.
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Investment income is included on an accruals basis.
(vi) Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
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Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income.
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Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
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Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the accountant's fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
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All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
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Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021
Eco Learning Limited
(vii)
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of minor additions or those costing below £500 are not capitalised. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life. The rates used are as follows:
Office and training equipment 25% Building extension 18
18 years on cost in the initial year of the lease (thereafter based on the unexpired term of the lease)
ICT suite extension
3 years on cost in the initial year of the project (thereafter based on the remaining term of the project)
2 Income
| Training and employability project Rental Government grant Other income Total 3 Incoming resources from charitable activities Social Enterprise Activities 4 Charitable activities Staff costs Other premises costs and office overheads Bank charges Total 5 Governance costs Accountancy fee |
Restricted funds £ - - 15,843 - 15,843 - 15,843 - - 15,843 - |
Unrestricted funds £ - 4,003 58,781 6,329 69,113 - 2,706 275 19 3,000 - |
Total funds Sep 2021 £ - 4,003 74,624 6,329 84,956 - 18,549 275 19 18,843 - |
Total funds Sep 2020 £ 6,000 2,014 9,259 25,762 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43,035 | ||||
| - | ||||
| 20,372 10,570 110 |
||||
| 31,052 | ||||
| 550 |
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Eco Learning Limited
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021
| 6 Staff costs and numbers Staff costs were as follows: Salaries and wages Total No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 (September 2020: nil). The average number of employees during the period was as follows: Absolute Full time equivalent |
Sep 2021 £ 18,549 18,549 No. 4 2 |
Sep 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| £ 20,372 |
||
| 20,372 | ||
| No. 4 2 |
The charity does not operate its own pension scheme but makes contributions into its employees' personal pension plans. Contributions of £nil were outstanding at the period end (September 2020: £nil).
7 Trustee remuneration and expenses
No trustees received any remuneration or expenses during the year (September 2020: £nil).
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year (September 2020: £nil)
8 Tangible fixed assets
| Tangible fixed assets Cost At 30 September 2020 Additions Disposals At 30 September 2021 Accumulated depreciation At 30 September 2020 Charge for the period Disposals At 30 September 2021 Net book value At 30 September 2021 At 30 September 2020 |
ICT suite £ 16,265 - - 16,265 16,265 - - 16,265 - - |
Office and training equipment £ 32,419 - - 32,419 32,419 - - 32,419 - - |
Total £ 48,684 - - |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48,684 | ||||
| 48,684 - - |
||||
| 48,684 | ||||
| - | ||||
| - |
The building extension funded by National Lottery Charities Board, Downham Pride and Skillswork was used by the charity throughout the period of the lease on the premises. As the charity has now moved out of the building extension during the year, the building has reverted back to the London Borough of Lewisham at the value at the date of termination, as this been realised as a disposal by the charity, at no profit.
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Eco Learning Limited
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021
9 Debtors
| **9 ** | Debtors | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 2021 | Sept 2020 | ||||||
| £ | £ | ||||||
| Trade and other debtors | - | 23,400 | |||||
| Total | - | 23,400 | |||||
| **10 ** | Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||||||
| Trade and other creditors | - | 7,384 | |||||
| Bank overdraft | - | - | |||||
| Eco Communities C.I.C | 10,066 | 21,125 | |||||
| Taxation and social security | - | 222 | |||||
| Total | 10,066 | 28,731 | |||||
| **11 ** | Movements in funds | ||||||
| At 30 Sep | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | At 30 Sep | |||
| 2020 | Resources | Resources | Between Funds | 2021 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Restricted funds: | |||||||
| Furlough Grants | - | 15,842.65 | (15,843) | - | - | ||
| Total restricted funds | - | 15,842.65 | (15,843) | - | - | ||
| Unrestricted funds: | |||||||
| General fund | (3,815) | 69,113 | (3,000) | - | 62,298 | ||
| Total unrestricted funds | (3,815) | 69,113 | (3,000) | - | 62,298 | ||
| Total funds | (3,815) | 84,956 | (18,843) | - | 62,298 | ||
| Purposes of Restricted Funds: | |||||||
| Other | The funds were | used by three local community groups to | deliver pre- | ||||
| employment support with the overarching aim | of establishing effective working | ||||||
| partnerships of | employability | services, IAG, | pre-employment | training, and | |||
| support to refugees, lone parents and those furthest from | work. |
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Eco Learning Limited
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021
12 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Analysis of net assets between funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Net assets at 30 September 2021 |
Total Funds £ - 72,364 10,066 82,431 |
Designated Funds £ - - - - |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - |
Total Funds £ - 72,364 10,066 |
| 82,431 |
13 Ultimate controlling party and related party transactions
The trustees consider Eco Communities C.I.C. to be the ultimate controlling party, by virtue of its management control. It is a local company, limited by guarantee, and it is a social enterprise.
During the current year, Eco Communities C.I.C. paid for liabilities of £941 on behalf of the charity. At the period end, the charity owed Eco Communities C.I.C. £10,066.27 (September 2020: £21,125).
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