REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03686322 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1074784
Croston Old School
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Croston Old School
Contents of the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 to 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 to 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 to 14 |
Croston Old School
Reference and Administrative Details for the year ended 31 December 2023
| TRUSTEES | Mrs K Almond |
|---|---|
| Mrs DJ Marston | |
| SM Parkinson | |
| MD Greenhalgh | |
| MT Peet | |
| MJ Driver | |
| Mrs PA Peet | |
| COMPANY SECRETARY | Mrs K Almond |
| REGISTERED OFFICE | The Old School |
| Church Street | |
| Croston | |
| Leyland | |
| Lancashire | |
| PR26 9HA | |
| REGISTERED COMPANY | 03686322 (England and Wales) |
| NUMBER | |
| REGISTERED CHARITY | 1074784 |
| NUMBER | |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | McMillan & Co LLP |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| 28 Eaton Avenue | |
| Matrix Office Park | |
| Buckshaw Village | |
| Chorley | |
| Lancashire | |
| PR7 7NA |
Page 1
Croston Old School (Registered number: 03686322)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objects are to support and develop community provision in the villages of Croston, Bretherton and Ulnes Walton and establish a Community Resource Centre in Croston, Lancashire.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives.
Volunteers
The support of the many volunteers, who assist in a number of fund raising events, is much appreciated by the trustees.
Page 2
Croston Old School (Registered number: 03686322)
Report of the Trustees
for the year ended 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities
Income
2023 saw an upturn in income from grant funding and bar and refreshment sales.
Two grants were received from Lancashire County Councillor through the Local member Grant Scheme and the late Cllr, Keith Iddon. The grants of £500 and £250 were used to replace and upgrade the emergency lights within the building. Croston Parish Council also gave a grant of £500 towards this work.
In April £7,000 was secured from the Chorley Council large grant scheme which enabled us to purchase chairs and tables for the South Wing, upgrade the children's toilets with adult facilities and cover the heating costs required to open a Pop-up café in the wing which operated on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9.00am - 12.30pm. Trustees Anne and Martin Peet redecorated the main room prior to the café opening on Wednesday 19 April. Estimates for the cost of upgrading the toilets have to date been far in excess of the £1,500 allocated from the grant so this amount has been ring-fenced until further funding can be found. A condition of the grant was that residents should be able to access activity session to improve mental health and well-being and social isolation and to improve levels of fitness. A variety of sessions were organised including painting, macrame and chair exercise for adults, and storytime and craft sessions for babies and toddlers. Two of these activities went on to become regular weekly bookings: Chair fitness and 'Singing Mamas' with Steph's Active adventures and Ruby and Blue putting on several sessions during school holidays. A further grant of £1,000 was secured from Chorley Council through the 'Open/Warm spaces" scheme which was used to off set the heating costs for the café through the winter months.
The café has proved to be very popular and makes a useful profit but in order to ease the volunteers time spent by Anne and Martin, since Jan 2024 it is now only opening on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.
Following the closure of Croston Pre-school their committee made a donation of £6,329 to the Old School (this was shown in the 2022 accounts as income). We also received a donation of £1,113 following the closure of the Coffee Day flowers fund.
In June, following a successful application to the Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF) the paved area outside the main hall was relaid at a cost of £7,107. A large gate was added towards the rear access to provide a storage area for bins etc.
Three concerts were held and four wedding receptions alongside an increased number of private parties many of which made use of the bar facilities.
Local business Lydam Solutions began renting space on a weekly basis in June and in December a contract was agreed for the company to hire the Belfry room on a permanent basis.
The trustees, ably assisted by Centre Manager Lisa Lilley, organised several fundraising events including a very successful Spring market, a twice yearly quiz night and a Gin Tasting evening.
Expenditure
Although slightly higher than in 2022 the cost of gas and electricity remained constant thanks to the work of Chairman Steve Parkinson last year in securing a three year contract with Engie.
In March 2023 Steve also secured a better priced deal for the phone and broadband with Crimson Communications which should see a decrease in these costs going forward.
In September we received the renewal notice for the Insurance for £3,479 this was a decrease of £1,858 from the previous year.
Due to a rise a rise in bookings requiring the bar, two more bar and events assistants were given zero hours contacts. In November bar and events supervisor Charlotte McLaughlin resigned and assistant Leslie Hurst was promoted to replace her.
The trustees continued to employ cleaner Alison Sexton and Centre Manager Lisa Lilley.
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Croston Old School (Registered number: 03686322)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023
The trustees are very grateful for the hard work and diligence shown by Lisa which has seen an increase in bookings going forward.
To conclude - although our financial position has improved, we continue to ensure that any expenditure is closely monitored. We will continue to search for grants were ever possible to improve the costs of heating and lighting etc. and to assist in maintaining the building in good order.
The results of operating the Community Resource Centre (the unrestricted fund) show a surplus of £544 (2022: deficit of £9,909). The maintenance costs are forecast to continue at a high level in order to keep the building in good order.
Plans continue with Spot On Rural Touring for a programme of arts performances. All of the facilities and events are widely publicised through guides distributed to all local households and other organisations as well as regular press releases.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
The principal contribution came from the Community Fund (National Lottery Charities Board), without whom the project would not have been possible.
Reserves policy
The reserves policy is to accumulate funds so as to have as many years running costs as possible in reserve to cover cyclical maintenance, which will provide long term security to the users of the Community Resource Centre. The amount invested in tangible fixed assets is not available to be used for revenue expenditure.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital and, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Companies Act 1985, is exempt from the requirement to use the word 'limited' as part of its name. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The charity was entered in the Central Register of Charities with effect from 22 March 1999 and accepted by the Inland Revenue as a Charity for tax purposes.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The trustees meet bi-monthly and applications for trustees are periodically sought by advertisement. They are selected based on the candidates' personal skills, knowledge of the local area and the needs of the Community.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 16 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Mrs PA Peet - Trustee
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Croston Old School
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Croston Old School ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2023.
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.
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:
-
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
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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
-
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.
JFD McMillan FCA
McMillan & Co LLP Chartered Accountants
16 April 2024
Page 5
Croston Old School
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2023
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 17,499 Charitable activities Community Resource Centre 15,676 Croston in Bloom - Other trading activities 3 27,397 Total 60,572 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 4 9,347 Charitable activities Community Resource Centre 48,889 Croston in Bloom - Other 1,612 Total 59,848 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 724 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 11,630 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 12,354 |
Restricted funds £ - - 1,196 - 1,196 - 10,344 1,180 - 11,524 (10,328) 282,996 272,668 |
2023 Total funds £ 17,499 15,676 1,196 27,397 61,768 9,347 59,233 1,180 1,612 71,372 (9,604) 294,626 285,022 |
2022 Total funds £ 7,629 16,038 2,480 10,437 36,584 6,005 46,578 3,235 1,594 57,412 (20,828) 315,454 294,626 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Croston Old School (Registered number: 03686322)
Balance Sheet 31 December 2023
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 9 642 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 10 1,216 Debtors 11 1,164 Cash at bank 12,373 14,753 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 12 (3,041) NET CURRENT ASSETS 11,712 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 12,354 NET ASSETS 12,354 FUNDS 13 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted funds £ 271,887 - - 781 781 - 781 272,668 272,668 |
2023 Total funds £ 272,529 1,216 1,164 13,154 15,534 (3,041) 12,493 285,022 285,022 12,354 272,668 285,022 |
2022 Total funds £ 282,717 1,189 6,571 6,814 14,574 (2,665) 11,909 294,626 294,626 11,630 282,996 294,626 |
|---|---|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
-
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The notes form part of these financial statements
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continued...
Croston Old School (Registered number: 03686322)
Balance Sheet - continued
31 December 2023
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 16 April 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:
SM Parkinson - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
Croston Old School
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The charity is a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is The Old School, Church Street, Croston, Leyland, PR26 9HA.
There are no material uncertanties about the charity's ability to continue.
The presentational currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).
The amounts in the financial statements have been rounded to the nearest £1.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Government grants
CJRS and small business local authority grants are accounted for under the accruals model. Where the grant is classed as revenue, it is recognised in income on a systematic basis over the periods in which the company recognises the related costs.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £250 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition.
Depreciation is provided, on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, on a straight line basis, over their expected useful economic lives as follows:
| Short leasehold improvements | - over period of 50 year lease |
|---|---|
| Fixtures and fittings | - over 5 or 10 years |
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
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continued...
Croston Old School
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2023
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Fund accounting
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Financial instruments
Financial instruments are recognised when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial assets, which include debtors, prepayments and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price and are subsequently carried at cost unless the arrangement indicates otherwise and then the asset is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Basic financial liabilities, which include creditors, accruals, bank loans and group borrowings, are initially recognised at transaction price and are subsequently carried at cost unless the arrangement indicates otherwise and then the liability is measured at the present value of the future obligations discounted at a market rate of interest.
3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| Bar sales Other income Fundraising events |
2023 £ 12,167 12,097 3,133 27,397 |
2022 £ 6,531 964 2,942 |
|---|---|---|
| 10,437 |
4. RAISING FUNDS
Other trading activities
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Purchases | 7,588 | 3,303 |
| Fundraising events | 1,759 | 2,702 |
| 9,347 | 6,005 | |
5. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Independent examination | 1,068 | 1,020 |
| Payroll fees | 544 | 574 |
| Depreciation - owned assets | 10,188 | 10,188 |
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continued...
Croston Old School
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2023
6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.
7. STAFF COSTS
| Wages 8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 7,629 Charitable activities Community Resource Centre 16,038 Croston in Bloom - Other trading activities 10,437 Total 34,104 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 6,005 Charitable activities Community Resource Centre 36,414 Croston in Bloom - Other 1,594 Total 44,013 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (9,909) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 21,539 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 11,630 |
2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| 15,491 | 10,727 | |
| Restricted funds £ - - 2,480 - 2,480 - 10,164 3,235 - 13,399 (10,919) 293,915 282,996 |
Total funds £ 7,629 16,038 2,480 10,437 36,584 6,005 46,578 3,235 1,594 57,412 (20,828) 315,454 294,626 |
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continued...
Croston Old School
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2023
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Short leasehold £ COST At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023 503,593 DEPRECIATION At 1 January 2023 220,876 Charge for year 10,188 At 31 December 2023 231,064 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2023 272,529 At 31 December 2022 282,717 10. STOCKS Stocks 11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors Room hire 12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals and deferred income |
Fixtures and fittings £ 12,631 12,631 - 12,631 - - 2023 £ 1,216 2023 £ - 1,164 1,164 2023 £ 3,041 |
Totals £ 516,224 |
Totals £ 516,224 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 233,507 10,188 |
|||
| 243,695 | |||
| 272,529 | |||
| 282,717 | |||
| 2022 £ 1,189 |
|||
| 2022 £ 6,329 242 |
|||
| 6,571 | |||
| 2022 £ 2,665 |
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Croston Old School
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2023
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| At 1/1/23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 11,630 Restricted funds Community Resource Centre 282,051 Carvers 551 Croston in Bloom 394 282,996 TOTAL FUNDS 294,626 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 60,572 Restricted funds Community Resource Centre - Carvers - Croston in Bloom 1,196 1,196 TOTAL FUNDS 61,768 Comparatives for movement in funds At 1/1/22 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 21,539 Restricted funds Community Resource Centre 292,215 Carvers 551 Croston in Bloom 1,149 293,915 TOTAL FUNDS 315,454 |
Net movement At in funds 31/12/23 £ £ 724 12,354 (10,164) 271,887 (180) 371 16 410 (10,328) 272,668 (9,604) 285,022 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (59,848) 724 (10,164) (10,164) (180) (180) (1,180) 16 (11,524) (10,328) (71,372) (9,604) Net movement At in funds 31/12/22 £ £ (9,909) 11,630 (10,164) 282,051 - 551 (755) 394 (10,919) 282,996 (20,828) 294,626 |
|---|---|
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continued...
Croston Old School
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2023
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 34,104 | (44,013) | (9,909) |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Community Resource Centre | - | (10,164) | (10,164) |
| Croston in Bloom | 2,480 | (3,235) | (755) |
| 2,480 | (13,399) | (10,919) | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 36,584 | (57,412) | (20,828) |
The purpose of the restricted funds is as follows:
Community Resource Centre - The fund is for the refurbishment of Croston Old School and largely relates to grants from the Community Fund (National Lottery Charities Board) towards the capital costs. The fund will be reduced by the related depreciation charge over the period of the 50 year lease.
Carvers - The fund is for the development of stone carving, including milestones and waymarkers.
Croston in Bloom - The purpose of the fund is to encourage and assist the people of Croston to increase their civic pride by working within the remit of the Royal Horticultural Society's Northwest in Bloom campaign.
14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2023 or for the year ended 31 December 2022.
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