Providing conflict resolution services to communities, individuals and business
ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025
Bettws in Bloom Building,
1 Lambourne Way, Bettws, Newport, Wales NP20 7TL Telephone 01633 858441
admin@mediationinwales.org
www.mediationinwales.org
Registered Charity No. 107488
Key people
Volunteer Mediators
Not named individually but without their dedicated contribution and commitment there would be no Newport Mediation
Staff
Service Development Manager – Lynne Hughes-Williams (since September 2024)
Trustees and officers
Chair - Tim Masters from April 2020
Treasurer - Susan Tidley from July 2020 (resigned position in August 2024) Secretary - Vacant
Other Trustees
Robert Lynbeck from January 2022 David Berry from February 2023 Lynne Hughes-Williams from March 2023 (resigned position in August 2024) Helen Ellul from January 2025 Melanie Baldwin from January 2025
| Bankers | Auditors until 24 | Auditors (24/25 |
| Barclays Bank 14 Commercial Street Newport NP20 1HE |
Phil Bessant Limited 72 Caerau Road Newport NP20 4HJ |
Samantha Andrews Thorne & Co. Accountants 1 St. Mary's Street, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HT |
Chair’s Report
2024-25 has been a seminal year for us. Our long-term Co-ordinator Mike Tidley retired after many years ’dedication to us as an organisation, to mediation as a process and to the community at large. His work has undoubtedly placed us where we are now, right at the heart of the community at large and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude.
Mike has been replaced by Lynne Hughes Williams MA who brings a wealth of experience in Community and Workplace Mediation, Law and Community Service as well as years of practice in marketing and social media. Lynne is currently making herself known to our funders, the housing associations and community and civic leaders. We are confident that as she steps into the day-to-day role of management, she will bring her own unique personality and approach to us as an organisation.
As in previous years, neighbour disputes have risen, both direct and indirect as have instances of anti-social behaviour which have had a direct impact on the wider health of communities. Many of these cases are proving to be complex and time-consuming for our volunteers and reflect the changing nature of wider society.
Housing Association finances continue to come under the microscope, and our newly introduced service arrangements have proven to be a success to them as well as their partner organisations. We also formulated a plan to introduce new services which are scheduled to come on stream over the following 12 months. These open some exciting opportunities for us. We were also fortunate enough to receive grant funding from Community Foundation Wales.
Leading from this, we saw a rise in the number of Housing Associations seeking assistance. Changes to legislation have a hidden cost to them which is often overlooked; not only in their financial impact but also in Housing Officers ’workload while handing tenant disputes. The new service arrangements and reporting measures have gone some way towards reduce these pressures.
We must also of course mention the many private landlords, local businesses, the police, social workers and of course the Grant Aid bodies, GAVO and WCVA who worked tirelessly in the community, and of course to our staff and volunteers all of whom responded brilliantly to the challenges we have faced. Without them, we couldn’t continue our work. Their positive contribution to society, and to us, is almost immeasurable.
To every one of them, we give our heartfelt and sincere thanks for their continued support and commitment. Their work has enabled us to retain our treasured position of being the only fully independent and dedicated mediation charity left in South Wales.
Tim Masters FRSA
Achievements in 2024-2025
The past financial year has seen Newport Mediation continue with its service and, despite the challenges facing us, we are in a good financial position and have been able to recruit new volunteer mediators to help us deliver our existing services and introduce new ones.
We have:
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Adhered to the three-year action plan.
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Improved Trustee governance.
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Created new flexible service level agreements with the agreement of our partners.
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Developed and improved the computerised case management system to enhance our mediation methodology.
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[Hold regular team meetings.]
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[Attracted Grant aid from Community Foundation Wales.]
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Recruited new volunteers to meet increased demand with the same resources.
-
Make quicker case interventions.
-
Encourage staff to take more of a lead with practical mediation/and conflict support.
Results for 2024-2025
Enquiries and Cases overall
-
Received 215 new enquiries
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Accepted 58 new cases: mediation and conflict support
-
Helped 247 new clients
As with last year, enquiries came mainly from within Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly. Most cases emanate from high-density housing and mixed tenure wards. Of cases received, most were from social landlords however this year we have received referrals from the police and local authorities,
Community Mediation/Conflict Support
| 2024/2025 | |
|---|---|
| Boundary | 1.4% |
| Workplace | 1.4% |
| Abusive behaviour | 7.27% |
| Disruptive games | 1.4% |
| Animals | 2.8% |
| Other (specify) | 1.4% |
| Noise | 7.27% |
| Lifestyle 5 | 19% |
| Environment | 1.4% |
The number of complex cases ( i.e., those with more than 3 areas of dispute) increased again this year due, primarily to the impact which the cost-of-living crisis is having on community cohesion and mental health.
Volunteer input
The number of volunteering hours has increased to 1403 due to our continuing transition to a more resilient/full cost recovery business model together with the enforced refinements we have continued to make in the use of staff time on case delivery and progression.
Even with more staff time being used to support delivery our completion times are now 10 weeks.
The economic value of our volunteers
Based on The Wales Council for Voluntary Action guidance, the simplest way to calculate the economic value of volunteers’ contribution is to use the average wage.
According to the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, median gross hourly pay for fulltime employees working in Newport was £17.17
- Therefore 1403 hours x £17.17 per hour = £24,089.51
Grant Aid 2024-2025
Due the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, we revised our business models with valued help from Community Foundation Wales which enabled us to:
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Secure more work from other housing associations and other agencies
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Revise our service agreements with our partners
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Support salaries which focus on development
Aims and Objectives for 2025-2026
Our priority aims and objective for 2025/26 remain the same as before, i.e. to continue with the provision of quality conflict resolution services which are:
(a) responsive to the needs and concerns of our partners and individuals within the community and
(b) easily accessible.
We will do this by:
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Working with new and existing partners to maximise added value opportunities to meet the aspirations and priorities of communities
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Seeking grant aid to support the transition to the new working environment
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Maintaining our bi-monthly mediator development meetings
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Making better use of social media
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Increasing the number of referrals to the service
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Continuing to look at ways of speeding up case response times and streamline processes to improve throughput of cases
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[Continuing to remould our service/s to improve opportunities and to reduce threats] of the cost-of-living crisis
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Continuing to investigate ways of increasing the efficient use of volunteer time
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Continuing the expansion of our conflict resolution services to other social landlords, the private rented sector and the public via improving self-referral
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Continuing to seek additional funding to expand service provision into complimentary areas of work.
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[Progressing the 2 new initiatives identified and chosen by the board]
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[Full review and revisiting business plan]
Treasurer’s Report
FINANCIAL YEAR 2024-25
As Treasurer of Newport Mediation, I have pleasure in presenting my report for the Financial Year 2024-2025.
I am pleased to announce that we have again paid diligent attention to our finances and have shown a surplus of funds at year end. Thanks are due to the careful method of operation at all levels. I highlight notable items as follows:
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Service Level Agreements form the foundation of our future progress.
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Service Level Agreements were renewed with Newport City Homes, Melin Homes and Tai Calon and we continued our work with Cynon Taff, Newydd Housing, United Welsh and Cadwyn Housing Associations.
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There was a decline in grant-funding during the period due to changed priorities with funding bodies.
Report
The formal report, which shows in summary:
| Income for the Year 24/25 | 37,938.54 |
|---|---|
| Expenditure | 32,882.23 |
| Surplus for the Year | 5,056.31 |
| Surplus brought forward | 20,964.70 |
| Surplus Carried Forward | 26,021.01 |
A copy of our audited accounts is enclosed for your information.
The Board recognises the need to hold funds in reserve, for both planned development and contingencies and considers that our current reserves provide the necessary financial stability for Newport Mediation’s continued progress and success. Trustees have also considered the need to hold funds in reserve to cover, for example, any possible clawbacks, redundancies or other commitments, whilst considering future development needs.
The Year Ahead 2026-2027
Our Co-ordinator continues to investigate grant funding to utilise our services, as well as seeking alternative income streams with a view to the future sustainability of the organisation.
Conclusion
Before closing, I would ask if there were any questions. If there are none, I have pleasure in commending the accounts to the meeting.
Signed:
Tin, MOET
16th March 2026
FINAL ACCOUNTS
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR 1 APRIL 2024 TO 31 MARCH 2025
Registered Charity No 1074880
Inde ndent Examlnerfs Re To the Tru8tee8 of Newport Medlatlon On the unaudlted accounts for the flnanclal yoar andod 31 March 2025 I report on the accounts of Newport Mediation for the financial year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial A¢tivitie$, the Balan Sheet and Ihe related notss. Respe¢tlve responslbllltles of Trustees and examlner The charivs Trustees are responsible for the preparation ofthe accounts. The charivs Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under S6ction 144121 of thè Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examinatr'on is r4uired. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subj-ect to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: èxamine the accounts undèr Section 145 of the 2011 Act lo follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145{5llb) of the 2011 Act)., and to state wh8ther parts'cular matt8rs have come to my attention. Bagls of Independont examlnevs report My examination was carried out in accordan with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting recnrds kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustee5 concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be required in an audit, and consequenlly no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair Mew ' and the report is limtted to those matters set out in the statements below. Indewndent oxamln8rn' statement In connéction with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. which gives ma r6asonable cause to bèliéve that, in any matérial respert the requirèments to keep accounting records in accordance with s386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006., and to prepare accounts which acrd with the a¢¢ounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of Sections 394 and 395 ofthe Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles ofthe Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Stat6ment of Recomm6nded Practice applicabl8 to charities preparing their accounts in accordance wsth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 20151 hav& not b88n met-, or to whith, in my opinion, attention should drawn in order to enable a propèr understanding of the accounts to be reach6d Samantha Andrews Thome & Co. Accountants 1 St. Mary's Street, Ross-on-Wy8 HR9 5HT Dats. l % NIO Cih £0
NEWPORT MEDIATION Bank & Cash Balances 31 March 2025:
31/03/2025 31/03/2024
Current Account 17,486.22 13,732.01 Deposit Account 8,706.44 8,332.57 Petty Cash 23.88 90.71 26,216.54 22,155.29 CREDITORS ANALYSIS 31 March 2025: HMRC 94.59 630.97 Employee Pension Contribution 100.94 559.62
HMRC Employee Pension Contribution
NEWPORT MEDIATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO 31 MARCH 2025:
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £.pp 31/03/2025 | £.pp 31/03/2024 | ||
| INCOME | |||
| Newport City Homes | 11,846.03 | 9,201.00 | |
| Lottery funding | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | |
| Torfaen CBC | 1,773.00 | 6,667.00 | |
| Cadwyn | 861.80 | ||
| Cynon Taff | 1,772.00 | 614.00 | |
| Postcode Community | 8,000.00 | ||
| Tai Calon | 2,340.00 | 2,203.00 | |
| Melin Homes | 7,200.00 | 6,303.00 | |
| United Welsh | 1,771.84 | ||
| Cyfannol Women | 250.00 | ||
| Deposit Account Interest + | |||
| Balance introduced | 123.87 | 99.14 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | 37,938.54 | 27,087.14 | |
| EXPENDITURE: | |||
| M Tidley | 7,842.17 | 16,745.28 | |
| Other Salaries | 9,558.44 | 3,670.17 | |
| EE Tax & Nic | 1,150.99 | 2,319.18 | |
| Nest Pension | 713.58 | 50.72 | |
| Bettws in Bloom | 1,980.00 | 250.00 | |
| Employee expenses | 225.86 | 276.95 | |
| Phones | 652.93 | 658.06 | |
| Petty Cash expenses | 66.83 | 444.40 | |
| Mediate | 318.74 | 322.12 | |
| Mediation Services | 7,938.97 | ||
| CF Corporate | 360.00 | 360.00 | |
| Ico | 35.00 | 35.00 | |
| Volunteer Expenses | 298.10 | 625.70 | |
| Internet | 147.50 | 197.12 | |
| Accounting & Insurance | 741.99 | 887.90 | |
| Room Hire | 114.66 | 95.00 | |
| Equipment and software | 238.86 | 440.40 | |
| Sundry | 326.05 | ||
| Printing | 171.56 | 40.02 | |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 32,882.23 | 27,418.02 | |
| SURPLUS FOR YEAR | 5,056.31 | -330.88 | |
| SURPLUS BROUGHT FORWARD | 20,964.70 | 21,295.58 | |
| SURPLUS CARRIED FORWARD | 26,021.01 | 20,964.70 |
NEWPORT MEDIATION Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025:
| 2024/25 | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £.pp 31/03/2025 | £.pp 31/03/2025 | £.pp 31/03/2024 | £.pp 31/03/2024 | ||||
| Current Assets: | |||||||
| Bank and Cash | 26,216.54 | 22,155.29 | |||||
| Total Current Assets | 26,216.54 | 22,155.29 | |||||
| Current Liabilities: | Creditors | 195.53 | 1,190.59 | ||||
| Net Current Assets: | 26,021.01 | 20,964.70 | |||||
| OpeningReserve | 20,964.70 | 21,295.58 | |||||
| Surplus for Year | 5,056.31 | -330.88 | |||||
| 26,021.01 | 20,964.70 | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Responsible Finance Officer | Towa,MKT | Chairman | Tar | MAacteRT | MAacteRT |
Report of the Trustees
FOR THE PERIOD 1 APRIL 2024 TO 31 MARCH 2025
Risk Policy
The major risk facing the Trustees is still the continuation of adequate funding despite the impact of Covid 19. However, the opinion of the Board is that with more vigorous and sustained effort, adequate funding will be found.
Reserve Policy
The Trustees are aware of the need for reserves to meet statutory liabilities are necessary and have endeavoured to set aside monies for this purpose including any possible clawbacks or redundancies, commitments and development of the service outside of the present marketplace.
Results
The results for the year and the Charity’s financial position are shown in the attached statements.
Trustees
Trustees do not receive remuneration claiming expenses only to enable them to carry out their duties.
Basis of Preparation
This report is prepared in accordance with the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2000.
Responsibilities
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently and making good judgements that are reasonable and prudent. The Trustees must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue its activities
The Trustees are responsible for the proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1992 section 42(3). The Trustees 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 approved this report on the 16[th of] March 2026 considering the circumstances stated above.
And signed on the Trustees behalf by