REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03456224 (England & Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1072529 REP RT F THE TRUSTEE AND FINAN IAL STATEMENTS For The Year End h 2024 LE FORD C MM TRAVE NI Andrew Richardson FCCA 5 Wells Court Springfield Chelmsford Essex CMI 6ND
NI VEL FINA IAL TATEMENT F rth Ye En ar Page Report of the Trustees Ito4 Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of Flnanclal Actlvities Balance Sheet Notes to the Flnanclal Statements 8toll Detailed Statement of Financlal Activities 12
DIREcfoRS' AND TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 The Directors present their pOrt and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Reglstered Company number 3456224 (England and Wales) Registered Charity number 1072529 Registered office Unlt I Flitch Industrlal Estate Chelmsford Road Great Dunmow Essex CM6 IXJ Patron Rt Hon Keml Badenoch MP Trustees Icshaw S J A Blddlecombe D R Perks (Reslgned 04/07/2023) JVFOX F M M Benson J Tokley R Jones (Reslgned 3110512023) P M Church511 (Appointed 25/07/2023) Company Secretary J M Goodwin Accountant Andrew Rlchardson 5 Wells Court Sprlngfleld Chelmsford CMI 6ND STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Objectives and activities for the public benefit. Uttlesford Community Travel (UCT) Is a charity and is registered as a Company Limlted by Guarantee and is therefore governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Assoclatlon. The charity's objective and its princlpal actlvlty Is to provide a non-pmfit communlty door to door transport ser4ice for the residents of the Dlstrlct of Uttlesford who, because of age, mental or physlcal dlsabllity or rural Isolatlon, are unable to use publlc transport to meet thelr needs. The charity is organised so that the trustees/directors meet monthly to manage its affairs. There is also an Advisory Commlttee that meets on alternate months. This allows the trustees to obtain support and advice from users of our service and members of other local representative organisations, includlng local govemment and the voluntsry sector. Risk management The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to whlch the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. Page I
LESFORD COMMUNITY T THE TR TEES Forth Y 24 DIREcfoRS' AND TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 Public benefit statement The trustees confirm that they have complied wlth their duty in the Charities Att 2011 and amendments in the Charities act 2022 to have due regard to public beneflt guidance published by the Charity Commisslon In reviewlng the aims and objectives In planning future attivities and In reviewlng the outcome of our work. The public benefit of the Charity's attivities Is outlined within this report through our attivities and achievement and in planning future development. Developmen¢ actlvltles and achlevements this year 2023124 was the busiest year in the history of U. We attratted more Book A Rlde members, Groups and Hospltal Car passengers as a result of the lack and cost of all other methods of transport. Our performance is above that of many other like organisatlons, which reflects the need for cornmunlty travel and in Our case the very rural nature of our area. The total number of passengers this year was 34,975, whlch Is an increase of 39 % and is the largest number that we have ever transported, which again underllnes that without ucr the cltlzens of Uttlesford would not have the moblllty that they requlre. 2023/24 was also the year In which we had the largest number of members wlth 973 Book A Rlde members and 84 Group members. The more Journeys we make obvlously results In our costs Increaslng whlch Inevitably means that we will have a deficit again this year and we have finished thls year with a deflclt of £14k. We have contSnued to Improve our ways of worklng and also our IT systems whlch are critical to the smooth and efflclent running of ucr. Our sophisticated IT systems show our staff exactly where all our buses are during their joumeys, allowing them to answer tlme querles If ralsed by passengers about to be picked up. I would like to thank all the offlce staff and drlvers for thelr continued dedicatlon to our member's and would agaln particularly like to thank all our volunteers who gave up thelr own time to ensure that our members needs are met. As I mention every year, we are very reliant on volunteers wlthout whom the Hospltal Car Servlce would not exist, and we would not be able to fulfil our passenger journeys or be able to cover all the administration In the office. When we calculate the value of thelr tlme on a commerclal basls, our volunteers saved us £153k. As always, we are immensely grateful to our princlpal funder Essex County Councll and our second most important funder Uttlesford Distrlct Councll, and Hertfordshlre and West Essex Integrated Care Board (H&WEICB) (formerly The West Essex Clinical Commissionlng Group). Without thelr grants and those from Saffron Walden Town Council as well as Great Dunmow Town Council we would not be able to function. I would also1Ske to thank all the Town and Parish Counclls, local organisatlons and Indlvlduals who made donations to us thls year. These, together wlth the proceeds of our fundralslng events, are vital part of our income. Page 2
Future developments 2024125 will be another year In whlch we will be subjected to increased costs, which we can only partly offset by a fares Increase. We are currently budgeting for a deficlt of £24k which we will do everything we can to mitlgate. In June 2024 Malcolm Barrell who has been Ggneral Manager will be retiring. Malcolm joined ucr in 2010 and during his 14 years of leadership has made many changes to both the IT capability and the many funrtlons of the organlsatlon all of which have improve(J the efficiency and running costs of ucr. The good news is that Malcolm will become a Trustee so we wlll continue to beneflt from his knowledge and understandlng of the charlty. Malcolm Is belng succeeded In the role of General Manager by Mlck Bott, who Jolned us In January and who has spent his tlme getting an in-depth understandlng of the many duties of hls role. l am delighted to report that most of our funders have contlnued to support us at the same level as last year with the exception of Uttlesford District Counc15 who, because of the many issues that most counclls are currently experiencing have dUCed our grant by just under IOO/o. However, they have continued to grant us £17k towards the cost of a new bus, for which we are very grateful. We are also grateful to H&WEICB who have guaranteed our grant for 5 years. We a keen to start to change our current dlesel vehicles to electric and we have and wlll continue to investigate the avallablllty of vehicles, whlch provlde the facllities, mlleages, and seats that we need to meet the services that our members requlre. Fund-ralslng provldes a crucial part of our Income and we wlll continue to explore any posslble opportunltles. Over the last 6 years the Trustee who performed thls role has generated more donations and grants than we had prevlously achleved. Unfortunately, because she Is movlng to another part of the country she Is having to reslgn but I would like to thank Jane Fox for all her hard work. Our Chrlstmas concert will again take place thls year. This concert is very Important to our income and we are very grateful to the Dunmow Town Band and The Great Dunmow Blg Volces Community Cholr who glve up thelr tlrne to stage the event. As the use of our servlces Increase, we shall again be in need of more volunteers for the Hospital Car Service, minibus drlvers and to help with our admlnlstratlon and we shall use all the means at our dlsposal to achleve thls. Our offlce staff will as always ensure that we are obtslnlng and using the full capabilities of Flexlroute the computer system whlch allows us to plan Journeys and which calculates all the metrlcs that we require to operate our servlce In our ongoing quest to make our operation as efflcient as possible. We have seen a very positive improvement in the way we can plan trlps,.and the staff are keen to continue to ensure that we build on thls. I would like to thank my fellow Trustees who unstlntlngly glve of their time and talents, and the help and guidance they have given me during the last year, and also the members of our Advisory Committee and all the staff, drlvers and volunteers for their efforts for ucr. Page 3
Reserves policy and going concern It is the policy of the charity to maintaln unrestrirted fijnds, whlch are the free reserves of the charity, at a level which equates to approximately three to six months of unrestritted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs. Unrestricted funds were malntalned at thls level throughout the year. The Accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. No material uncertalntles that cast significant doubt about the ability of the Charity to contlnue as a going concern have been identlfled by the trustees. STATEMENT OF TRusfEES RESPONSIBILrrIES The trustees are responsible for preparlng the financial statements In accordance wlth appllcable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Prartlce. Company law requlres the trustees to prepare flnanclal statements for each financlal year. Under the law the trustees have elected to prepare the financlal statements In accordance with the United Klngdom Generally"Accepted Accountlng Practice (United Klngdom Accountlng Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are requlred by law to glve a true and falr vlew of the state of affairs of the charltable company and of the surplus or deficit of the charitable company for that perlod. In preparing those flnancial statements, the trustees are required to: • Select sultable accountlng pollcles and then apply them conslstentlyi Observe the methods and prlnclples In the Charitles SORP: • Make Judgements and estlmates that are reasonable and prudent. State whether applicable UK accountlng standards have been followed, subject to any materlal departures disclosed and explalned In the financial statements. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basls unless it is approprlate to presume the charitsble company wlll not contlnue In business. The trustees are responslble for keeping proper accountlng records which disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any time the flnanclal posltion of the charltable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguardlng the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detettlon of fraud and other irregularltles. Independent Examiner The Independent Examiner, Andrew Rlchardson, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcomlng Annual General Meeting. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: Oate". I C Shaw - Chalr Page 4
ESF RDC MM NDEPENDENT EXAMINER. YEAR ENDED IMAR H202 REPORT I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 11. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The trustees (who a also directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not requlred to be audited under part 16 of the 2006 Act and that an independent examlnation is needed. The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of The Association of Certified Chartered Accountants. Having satisfied myself that the charlty is not subjett to an audlt under company law and Is ellglble ft)r Independent examlnation, it Is my responslblllty to: Examlne the accounts under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Art: Follow the procedures lald down In the general DSrectlons glven by the Charlty Commission under sectlon 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Att, as amended; and State whether partlcular rriatters have come to my attentlon Basls of Independent examlner'• statement My examination was carrled out in accordance with the general Dlrertions given by the Charlty Commlsslon. An examination includes a revlew of the accountlng records kept by the charlty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes conslderatlon of any unusual items or disclosures In the accounts, and seeking explanatlons from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinlon 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 examin•rf$ statement In connection with my examlnatlon, no matter has come to my attentlon: Which gives me reasonable cause to belleve that, In any material Spert, the requlrements: to keep accountlng records in accordance with sectlon 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accountlng records, comply with the accountlng requirements of settion 396 of the Companles Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practlce: Accounting and Reporting by Charities. have not been met. or To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Andrew Richardson FCCA 5 Wells Court Sprlngfleld Chelmsford CMI 6ND Date: IS trl. Page 5
NITY TRAVEL ATE ENT OF INA 31103/2024 Total funds 3110312023 Total fund5 Notes Unrestricted Restricted funds funds INCOME Income from generated funds Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Investment income In harit Grants 11,779 127,965 4,860 11,779 127,965 4,860 24,412 111,693 2,568 le 190,756 190,756 262,397 Total income 335,360 335,360 401,070 Cost of generating funds Fundraising trading: cost of gorS sold Charitable actlvlties Grants 155,815 12,000 167,815 252,912 180,045 180,045 162,438 Governance costs 1,783 337,643 1,783 349,643 1,680 417,030 Total expendlture 12,000 NET INCOME / (DEFICIT) 2,283 12,000 14,283 15,960 RECONCILITAION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward Transfer to vehlcle replacement fund Movement on reserves 105,989 (12,000) 4,795 52,578 12,000 27,881 158,567 210,202 32,676 (35,675) TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 96,501 80,459 176,960 158,567 The charlty has no recognlsed galns or losses other than the results for the year as set out above. The notes form part of these flnancial statements Page 6
LE FO BA EET 3110312024 Restricted Total funds funds 3110312023 Total funds Notes Unrestritted funds CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Xnvestments Cash at bank and in hand 12 13 18,432 99,778 81,744 199,954 18,432 180,237 81,744 280,413 19,012 211,122 35,264 265,398 80,459 80,459 CREDITORS Amounts falllng due wlthln one year 14 (103,453) (103,453 (106,831) NET CURRENT ASSETS 96,501 80,459 176,960 158,567 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT UABIUTIES 96,501 80,459 176,960 158,567 NET ASSETS 96,501 80,459 176,960 158,567 FUNDS Unrestritted funds Restricted funds 15 16 96,501 80,459 105,989 52,578 TOTAL FUNDS 176,960 158,567 The dlrettors are satlsfied that the company was entitled to exemptlon from the provisions of the Companles Act 2006 (the Act) relatlng to the audlt of the financial statements for the year by vlrtue of settlon 477, and that no members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act. The direttors acknowledge their responsibilitles for: l) ensurlng that the company keeps accountlng records which comply wlth Sectlon 386 and 387 of the Act, and 11)preparlng accounts whlch glve a true and falr vlew of the state of affalrs of the company as at the end of the financlal year and of its profit or loss for the financlal year in accordance wlth the requirements, of Section 393 and which otherwise comply with the reqU1MentS of the Act relating to flnanclal statements, so far as appllcable to the company. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the speclal provlslons for small companies under Part 15 of the Companles Act 2006 and wlth the Financlal Reporting Standard appllcable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland (FRS 102)(effectlve l January 2015). These flnanclal statements were appmved by the board of trustees on the . ..?. 8 M4... > v 2r..... and are signed on thelr behalf by: I C Shaw- Chair The notes on pages 8 to 11 form part of these financial statements The notes form part of these financial statements Page 7
MM NOT TATEMENTS rch2 l Basis of accounting A) The financlal statements have been prepared under the hlstorical cost convention, and in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities SORP Financial Reporting Standard appllcable in the UK (FRS 102, effective l January 2015), the Charity's Act 2011 and the Charity Commissions guidelines on Publlc Benefit. B) Income Income from donatlons and grants, including capital grants, Is included In incoming sources when these are recelvable, except as follows: When donors impose condltlons whlch have to be fulfilled before the charlty becomes entitled to use such income, the income Is deferred and not included In Incomlng resources until the pre-condltlons have been met. When donors speclfy that donations and grants, includlng capltal grants, are for particular restricted purposes, which do not amount to pre-condltions regarding entltlement, thls Income is included In Incomlng resources of restricted funds when CeIvable. C) Expendlture Expenditure Is accounted for on an accruals basls and has been classlfled under headlngs that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be dirertly attributed to partlcular headlngs they have been allocated to attivities on a basls consistent wlth the use of resources. Allocatlon and apportlonment of costs D) Taxatlon The charity is exempt from corporatlon tax on Its charltsble actlvltles. E) Fund accountlng Unrestrlcted funds can be used In accordance with the charltable objectives at the dlscretlon of the trustees. Restrlcted funds can only be used for partlcular restricted purposes wlthln the objects of the charity. Restrlctlons arlse when specified by the donor or when funds are ralsed for particular restricted purposes. Further explanatlon of the nature and purpose of each fund 5s Included In the notes to the flnancial statements, 2 VOLUNTARY INCOME 3110312024 3110312023 Donatlons and fundraislng 11,779 11,779 24,412 24,412 3 AcfivITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS 3110312024 3110312023 Transport 127,965 127,965 111,693 111,693 4 INVESTMENT INCOME 3110312024 3110312023 Deposit account Interest 4,860 4,860 2,568 2,568 Page 8
ITY TRAVEL IAL STATEM l March 2024 NOTES TO THE F For he NA 5 INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Grants 3110312024 31103/2023 Activity Grants 190,756 190,756 262,397 262,397 3110312024 31103/2023 Gt Dunmow Town Council Vehicle funds restritted H&WEICB (Formally WECCG) Saffron Walden Town Council Essex Communlty Foundation Grant uttlesford Distritt Council Essex County Council - core 5,000 5,000 82,337 38,661 8,500 39,357 8,500 10,000 35,000 92,899 190,756 35,000 92,899 262,397 6 FUNDRAISING TRADING: COST OF GOODS SOLD AND OTHER COSTS 3110312024 3110312023 Runnlng costs (inc drlvers wages) Vehlcle Purchases Transfer to vehicle replacement fund 155,815 158,575 82,337 12,000 252,912 12,000 167,815 7 CHAIUTABLE AcfIviTIES COSTS D1ct costs Support Costs (See note 8) 928 Totals Activity Costs 179,117 180,045 3110312024 8 SUPPORT COSTS Bank charges 928 928 3110312024 31/0312023 9 GOVERNANCE COSTS Legal Fees Accountancy (Independent Inspectlon) 83 1,700 80 1,600 1,783 1,680 Page 9
LESFORD COM UNITY TRAVEL NOT S TO THE FINA ATE 24 10 TRUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There We no trustees, remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. Trustees. Expenses There were no trustees, expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. No charity trustee ceiVed payment for professlonal or other services supplied to the charity (2023: £nil). 31/0312024 3110312023 11 STAFF COSTS Wages and salaries 124,303 114,129 124,303 None of the employee's emoluments exceeded £60,000. 114,129 STAFF NUMBERS The average monthly head count was 13 staff, (2023: 12 Stafn. The average number of full tlme equivalent employees (Includlng casual and part tlme staff) durlng the year was as follows: 3110312024 3110312023 Drfvers Admlnlstration 13 12 12 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 3110312024 3110312023 Trade Debtors other Debtors 9,740 8,692 18,432 11,013 7,999 19,012 3110312024 3110312023 13 CURRENT ASSET INVEsfMENTS Cash at bank 180,237 Apart from cash at bank no other investments are held. 211,122 14 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 3110312024 3110312023 Trade credltors Taxation and social securlty Other creditors 2,242 5,004 96,207 103,453 6,348 4,519 95,964 106,831 Page 10
LESFORD COMM NOTE TOTHEF For the NITY TRAVEL IAL TEME 24 Unrestricted General Fund Restricted Funds Total 15 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 01/04/23 105,989 52,578 158,567 Net movement (2,283) (12,000) (14,283) Transfer to vehlcle replacement fund Movement on reserves {12,000) 4,795 12,000 27,881 32,676 TOTAL FUNDS 96,501 80,459 176,960 Net movement in funds, included Ih the above are as follows: Incoming Resources Resources Expended Movement In funds Unrestrlcted funds General fund 335,360 337,643 (2,283) Restrlcted funds 12,000 (12,000) TOTAL FUNDS 335,360 349,643 (14,283 16 REsfRICTED FUNDS Restrlcted funds are made up as follows: 3110312024 3110312023 PCT Partnershlp -advertlslng grant Training Stansted Alrport Communlty Fund Vehicle replacement fund 1,556 310 563 50,149 310 80,149 80,459 52,578 17 The Charity operates a defined contribution penslon scheme, which is open to all ellglble employees, Durlng the year the Charity contributed £3,882 to the scheme (2023 £3,509). The pension plan is managed by the Peoples Pension. The total expenses ratio of the plan Is 3 % and this is deducted from the investment fund annually. The Charity has no Ilability beyond making its contributions and paying across the deductions for the employees contributions. 18 The Charity does not capitalise and depreclate motor vehicles. Motor vehicles are written off in the year of purchase due to the Charity applying for external funds exclusively for motor vehicles. If the Charity did capitalise and depreciate motor vehicles the Net Book Value of the vehicles at 31 March 2024 wouSd be £134,864. Page 11
LE RD COMMUNITY TRAVEL ATEMENT F FINANCIA rc INCOME 3110312024 3110312023 VolLJntary Income Donatlons & fundraising 11,779 24,412 Artlvltles for generatlng funds Transport 127,965 111,693 Investment income Deposit account interest 4,860 2,568 Incoming from charftable activltles . Grants 190,756 262,397 other Income Total Income 335,360 401,070 EXPENDITURE in Drivers wages Transfer to vehlcle replacement fund Vehicle running costs Vehlcle purchase 106,630 12,000 49,185 109,353 12,000 49,222 82,337 252,912 167,815 Charltable actlvltles Wages Rent Water rates Insurance Telephone & Internet Postage & stationery Computer expenses Repalrs & renewals Licence & subscrlptlons Covld 19 expenditure Sundry Professlonal fees Ught & heat 124,303 10,000 284 2,727 7,895 3,211 16,242 477 215 43 4,757 6,632 2,331 179,117 114,129 10,000 223 2,324 7,314 3,021 17,001 652 215 199 3,529 1,633 1,497 161,737 vern nc Audlt & accountancy Legal fees 1,700 83 1,783 1,600 80 1,680 Bank charges 928 701 Total expenditure 349,643 417,030 Net expenditure (14,283) (15,960) Thls page does not form part of the statutory financlal statements Page 12