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2024-05-31-accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 03772855 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1075817

W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial Statements

31 May 2024

DED ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES LTD

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor Cors Afanen Eryrys Road Mynydd Du Denbighshire CH7 4BR

W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 May 2024

Page
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report) 1
Independent auditor's report to the members 8
Statement of financial activities (including income and
expenditure account) 12
Balance sheet 13
Statement of cash flows 14
Notes to the financial statements 15

W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)

Year ended 31 May 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2024.The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 to the accounts and comply with the governing documents, the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning Charity registration number 1075817 Company registration number 03772855 Principal office and registered Unit 18-20, Tower Quays Business Park office Tower Road Birkenhead Wirral CH41 1BP

The trustees

Mr J Engwall Mr K Houghton Mrs H Solomon Ms C Hood Mrs J Murphy Mrs M Hawthorne (Retired 12 December 2023) Mrs C Newton Mrs K Ashcroft (Appointed 17 July 2024) Company secretary Miss D Phulbas Auditor DED Accountancy Services Ltd Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor Cors Afanen Eryrys Road Mynydd Du Denbighshire CH7 4BR

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

Structure, governance and management

The directors of the charity who are also charity trustees are elected in accordance with the memorandum and articles of association (which comprise the governing documents). Many of the trustees are relations of people supported by the charity (though not exclusively so). New trustees receive induction into the objectives and policies of the charity. Trustees are recruited by approaching people that current trustees or staff know through local forums, organisations or businesses and that have expressed an interest in WILL's services and objectives. The person's skills and knowledge are assessed by the Board before being invited to attend a meeting as an observer. There will be a vote by the board's trustees to appoint the new trustee.

The trustees meet on at least a bi-monthly basis to review performance and discuss and make decisions on issues in the operation of the charity. Sub-groups for different functions (for example finance, marketing, fundraising, quality) meet regularly and report back to the trustees to support the decision-making process. These sub-groups include trustees, staff and volunteers. The day to day running of the charity's operations is delegated to staff who regularly report to the trustees and attend trustees' meetings. These staff are the Chief Executive Officer, Dave Large, the Registered Manager, Daune Phulbas, and the Finance Manager, Tracey Kershaw. Rates of pay for management are set by considering rates offered by other organisations in the care sector, taking into account regional, organisation size and type, and other factors.

The company is limited by guarantee.

Risk Management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

The charity has documented policies and procedures to cover all aspects of the service and comply with regulations and legislation. These policies and procedures are reviewed on an ongoing basis using Trusted Standard (previously known as PQASSO), a systematic and consistent way of implementing and demonstrating quality.

This process is to ensure the policies and procedures are relevant and up to date. There are regular team meetings with staff to introduce or reinforce these policies and procedures. The relevant regulatory authorities (for example, the Care Quality Commission) require returns and inspections to satisfy themselves that the charity provides services to a satisfactory quality.

One of the risks to the charity's funding is change to the funding sources and the rates that are paid. The majority of the charity's income is public funding from the local council and in recent years there has been pressure to keep these rates low. The local authority, Wirral Borough Council, increased the social care rates at the start of the Covid pandemic, to allow the payment of the Real Living Wage to social care staff. This was to reward essential workers in those uncertain times and also to to improve staff retention during that period. The Council has continued to pay rates that have risen in line with the Real Living Wage and to reflect inflation and cost of living increases. The management and trustees continue to pass these increases onto staff pay rates to support them through the current cost of living pressures.

The Trustees still monitor operating costs to ensure the charity is getting best value for money and can cover all its costs as inflation rises continue. They are also finding ways to invest in the staff and retain them as they are the charity's most important asset. These initiatives include training, long

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

term awards and Christmas vouchers. The charity has recently purchased access to an organisation that provides health and wellbeing support for the employees.

Another risk to the charity is the level of staff sick leave. WILL is obliged to provide cover for all absences and this may involve paying enhanced rates for overtime as well as paying the person who is off sick if they are entitled to sick pay. The number of management hours spent on trying to find cover should also be taken into account. The Trustees believe that the charity employs enough staff to provide cover for all service users taking into account annual leave, staff non-working dates and minor levels of sickness. A number of "Bank" staff are also retained for periods of higher staff absences. Incentives to attract new staff are regularly being reviewed given the current difficulties in recruiting in the Social Care sector.

To monitor sickness levels, the charity has systems for the notifying and recording of staff sickness, and these seem to have kept the number of days lost to sickness relatively low during the last few years. Research conducted by the charity determined that WILL's level of sickness is slightly below average for this sector and that the methods used were effective.

Related parties

Income in respect of the support of close family relatives of trustees is assessed using the same basis as other supported individuals, and charged at the same hourly rates.

Objectives and activities

The objectives of the charity contained in the Memorandum of Association, are the provision of supported living and learning facilities for the relief of persons with learning difficulties. W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning (WILL) is committed to person-centred planning and will work with the individual to identify their needs and wants and what is important to them. Support staff are employed to help the individual to live the life they want. WILL supports people who live with their families or who wish to live independently in their own accommodation. The staff receive regular training in generally accepted procedures and strive to provide the best support.

WILL aims to deliver its support to any individuals who need it and is registered with the local authority as an approved provider. Staff and trustees attend meetings and forums for care providers in the community and with local special needs schools to promote the charity's services.

The directors of the company who are the trustees of the charity are all volunteers. The trustees, and other volunteers who help with fundraising, receive no remuneration for their services but are reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses. Given the number of volunteers and the difficulty of measuring how much time each volunteer gives to the charity it is considered too difficult to quantify the benefit.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

Achievements and performance

During the year 41 individuals were supported by WILL. Of these, 10 were supported living, 11 living semi-independently in homes or flats; the remaining 20 live with their families and receive outreach support. Support hours are provided in line with each individual's requirements as assessed by the local authority. The charity neither seeks to reduce or increase these hours but ensures that the quality and amount of support is correct by carrying out its own assessments and liaising with social workers and health care professionals. The Care Quality Commission regularly inspect organisations such as WILL to ensure regulations and quality standards are met. WILL's most recent inspection in 2019 resulted in the following: Safe - Good, Effective - Good, Caring - Outstanding, Responsive - Good, Well-led - Good, with an overall rating of Good. The CQC noted that "The service continues to involve people on many levels and treats people with true compassion, gentle kindness, dignity and respect. People receive and outstanding level of of of caring".

Since the pandemic, CQC have used a mixture of on and off-site monitoring. The latest response from CQC was this "We carried out a review of the data available to us about Wirral Independent Living & Learning on 08-06-2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage."

During the year, WILL owned a caravan at Presthaven Sands Holiday Resort, North Wales, a purchase originally supported by the Big Lottery. The caravan was for the use of people supported by WILL, their families and support staff and was rented out at relatively low rates.

Unfortunately, uptake of the caravan reduced since restrictions were relieved following the Covid pandemic in 2020. The caravan was coming to the end of its useful life and its funding was not selfsustaining. The difficult decision to sell the caravan was made at the end of the season in 2023. The trustees now wish to consider new initiatives that will support their users for which the charity can fundraise.

No fundraising activities were performed during the year.

The trustees confirm compliance with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

Financial review

Funding is generated largely from support fees invoiced to supported individuals, enhanced by fundraising and donation income. Resources are largely expended on staff costs, to support these individuals, and associated administrative costs.

Individuals are billed for WILL's services and the funding usually comes through the local authority or other sources that finance supported living. The local authority continues to increase its rates in line with Real Living Wage increases and the Charity has passed on these rates to its staff.

There have been no significant changes to the type or quantity of services provided by WILL. Minor changes in the number of individuals supported and the number of hours provided have occurred and are expected. As a result of these changes, the charity made a surplus of £186,954 (2023 £123,824).

At the end of the year, the funds total £1,146,633 (2023 £959,679). Included within this amount is £3,757 (2023 ,675) in respect of fixed assets, therefore the amount of funds net of fixed assets total £1,142,876 (2023 £956,004).

A portion of the charity's reserves have been invested in funds considered suitable for charities and are managed by CCLA Investment Management Ltd. Further information on the charity's investment policy is given below.

Reserves policy

The trustees have examined the level of free reserves which are unrestricted funds and consider that the level of reserves held at the year end is adequate to fulfill future obligations. The policy is to have reserves that cover at least three months of operating costs so that if all funding ceased we could still provide support for people until they could find alternative funding. The reserves would also cover any staff redundancy costs if the charity were to close.

The Trustees have decided to utilise a small amount of reserves to refurbish the office rather than move elsewhere, and are discussing ways of using some funds to reward staff and encourage retention and recruitment in these challenging times. This will bring down the level of reserves held, to be in line with the reserves policy.

At 31 May 2024, the charity held reserves at approximately 213% (2023 195%) of 3 months expenditure based on the full year's expenditure for the year ended 31 May 2024.

Investment policy

The objectives of the investment are to obtain a better income return than currently achieved, and to retain a similar level of capital over the period of the investment. The trustees consider the level of risk of the investment to be low to medium.

The trustees original intention was to invest over a period of 4-5 years. At the end of this period, around 2027, the current lease on the charity's office will be coming to its end and the trustees wish to be able to consider using the capital in the decision-making process for the charity's next premises

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

Sustainability

The charity trustees and management have due regard to the impact of the charity on its environment and the sustainability of its services. Where applicable and reasonable, travel distances for staff are minimised and public transport is used if possible. Administrative procedures have been altered to reduce the paper requirements. Changes have been made to appliances in the office to improve energy efficiency.

Plans for future periods

The Social Care industry, as a whole, has found staff retention and recruitment to be a risk area as pay rates have struggled to remain in line with other industries, such as retail, because of local authority funding restrictions. The local authority's policy to pay the Real Living Wage to staff through its funding was welcomed by the trustees and this is expected to continue into 2025. WILL's recent recruitment drives have been less successful than expected and the charity's management and trustees continue to consider ways to better reward staff and to attract new workers.

The Trustees feel that the charity is ready to grow the number of service users. The Trustees believe that the charity can provide support to individuals new to WILL at a managed growth rate so that the quality of services is maintained. A marketing sub-group has been set up with staff and trustees as members to promote the services provided by WILL to younger learning-disabled people and their families in the community. Informal links with other care providers in the local area through forums are maintained to share best practice and respond to the changes to finance from the local authority.

The charity is part way through its office lease and after being unable to find another suitable space to downsize, the Trustees have decided to remain in the current office until the end of the lease in 2027. During the year, the office was redecorated and refurbished with more efficient power and heating.

A key objective continues to be helping our supported individuals to maintain healthy and fulfilling lifestyles, including employment (voluntary or paid) and to assist more people to become independent in their own community. Our trustees, management and staff remain committed to identify more opportunities for our service users to become actively involved in their communities. The charity has improved the content of its website and incorporated social media to share information whilst maintaining due care to confidentiality and the rights of the individual.

Trustees' responsibilities statement

The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:

The auditor is deemed to have been re-appointed in accordance with section 487 of the Companies Act 2006.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 31 January 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Miss D Phulbas Charity Secretary

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Year ended 31 May 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 May 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), balance sheet, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent

Living and Learning (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our discussions with the charities management and the Trustees, we identified that the following laws and regulations are significant to the entity:

" These laws and regulations considered to have a direct effect on the financial statements include UK financial reporting standards and Charity Law. " Those laws and regulations for which non-compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects if the charity and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include compliance with the charitable objectives, public benefit, local authority contracts, regulator guidelines and reporting, fundraising regulations, safeguarding and health and safety legislation.

These matters were discussed amongst the engagement team at the planning stage and the team remained alert to non-compliance throughout the audit.

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and the Trustees as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence; review of Trustee meeting minutes, testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity's controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

accordance with ISAs (UK).

A further description of our responsibilities is located in the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilitied. This description forms part of our auditors report

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Deborah Evans-Dudley (Senior Statutory Auditor)

Cors Afanen Eryrys Road Mynydd Du Denbighshire CH7 4BR

For and on behalf of DED Accountancy Services Ltd Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor

31 January 2025

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account)

Year ended 31 May 2024

2024 2024 2023
Unrestricted
funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 5 283 283 500
Charitable activities 6 2,302,232 2,302,232 2,079,146
Other trading activities 7 39 39
Investment income 8 16,852 16,852 9,195
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Total income 2,319,406 2,319,406 2,088,841
========================================== ========================================== ==========================================
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds:
Costs of other trading activities 9 250 250 100
Expenditure on charitable activities 10,11 2,151,195 2,151,195 1,966,761
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Total expenditure 2,151,445 2,151,445 1,966,861
========================================== ========================================== ==========================================
Net gains on investments 13 (18,993) (18,993) (1,844)
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Net income and net movement in funds 186,954 186,954 123,824
========================================== ========================================== ==========================================
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 959,679 959,679 835,855
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Total funds carried forward 1,146,633 1,146,633 959,679
========================================== ========================================== ==========================================

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Balance Sheet

31 May 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 18 3,757 3,675
Investments 19 200,893 151,844
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
204,650 155,519
Current assets
Debtors 20 333,444 296,122
Cash at bank and in hand 839,431 730,029
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
1,172,875 1,026,151
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 21 230,892 221,991
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Net current assets 941,983 804,160
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 1,146,633 959,679
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------
Net assets 1,146,633 959,679
========================================== =================================
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds 1,146,633 959,679
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------
Total charity funds 24 1,146,633 959,679
========================================== =================================

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 31 January 2025, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Mr K Houghton Trustee

The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Cash Flows

Year ended 31 May 2024

2024 2023
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income 186,954 123,824
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 2,791 2,227
Net gains on investments (18,993) (1,844)
Dividends, interest and rents from investments (16,756)
Other interest receivable and similar income (96) (9,195)
Gains on disposal of heritage assets (4,025)
Changes in:
Trade and other debtors (37,322) (33,809)
Trade and other creditors 8,901 757
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Cash generated from operations 121,454 81,960
Interest received 96 9,195
--------------------------------- ----------------------------
Net cash from operating activities 121,550 91,155
================================= ============================
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends, interest and rents from investments 16,756
Purchase of tangible assets (2,873) (229)
Proceeds from sale of heritage assets 4,025
Purchases of other investments (30,056) (150,000)
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities (12,148) (150,229)
================================= =================================
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 109,402 (59,074)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 730,029 789,103
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 839,431 730,029
================================= =================================

The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 May 2024

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Unit 18-20, Tower Quays Business Park, Tower Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 1BP.

2.

Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue for the next 12-18 months. The trustees have prepared budgets to May 2025 based on current support hours and known increases to rates charged and wage increases. Rate information gives some security as to the position for the next 12 months, combined with the reserve policy. The trustees are aware of the long term uncertainty in respect of local authorities being able to pay support rates that will allow wages rates to be paid to enable staff to be recruited and retained. The trustees review any developments in respect of local authority rates and consultations, at each trustee meeting, along with minimum wage developments, to ensure that they can continue to confirm that the charity is able to continue as a going concern.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable at the time such estimates are made. There are no significant judgements, estimates or assumptions.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Restricted funds are created by the terms of any grants receivable. Where assets are purchased with restricted income, but the use of the asset is unrestricted, the asset is transferred from the restricted fund at net book value, or the proportion of restricted funds utilised (if partly funded from unrestricted income). There are currently no restricted funds and were none in the year under review.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Incoming resources

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Operating leases

Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Only items with a cost above £200 are capitalised.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Fixtures & fittings - 25% straight line Equipment - 25% straight line

Investments

Unlisted equity investments are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently measured at fair value. If fair value cannot be reliably measured, assets are measured at cost less impairment.

Listed investments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value being recognised in income or expenditure.

Holiday pay provision

As the annual leave period differs from the financial year end, the accounts included a holiday pay provision. This is calculated by reviewing entitlement to holiday pay at the year end, compared to leave taken.

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date by the Trustees. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts.

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. The charity only has basic financial instruments.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.

4. Limited by guarantee

W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have a share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required, not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member

5. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Donations
Donations 283 283 500 500
============== ============== ============== ==============

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

6. Charitable activities

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Fees in respect of support provided 2,298,692 2,298,692 2,069,582 2,069,582
Caravan 3,540 3,540 9,564 9,564
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
2,302,232 2,302,232 2,079,146 2,079,146
========================================== ========================================== ========================================== ==========================================
7. Other trading activities
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Fundraising events 39 39
============== ============== ============== ==============
8. Investment income
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Income from other investments 14,612 14,612
Bank interest receivable 2,240 2,240 9,195 9,195
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
16,852 16,852 9,195 9,195
============================ ============================ ======================= =======================
9. Costs of other trading activities
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Costs of other trading activities -
Fundraising 250 250 100 100
============== ============== ============== ==============
10. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Support provided 2,054,244 2,054,244 1,861,394 1,861,394
Caravan (2,161) (2,161) 8,945 8,945
Support costs 99,112 99,112 96,422 96,422
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
2,151,195 2,151,195 1,966,761 1,966,761
========================================== ========================================== ========================================== ==========================================

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

11. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

Activities
undertaken Support Total funds Total fund
directly costs 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Support provided 2,054,244 93,092 2,147,336 1,951,800
Caravan (2,161) (2,161) 8,945
Governance costs 6,020 6,020 6,016
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
2,052,083 99,112 2,151,195 1,966,761
========================================== ============================ ========================================== ==========================================
12. Analysis of support costs
Analysis of
support costs Total 2024 Total 2023
£ £ £
Staff costs 3,937 3,937 3,926
Premises 36,257 36,257 34,152
Communications and IT 28,130 28,130 28,545
General office 24,615 24,615 23,612
Finance costs 153 153 171
Governance costs 5,994 5,994 5,994
Support costs – Trustee travel expenses 26 26 22
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
99,112 99,112 96,422
============================ ============================ ============================
13. Net gains on investments
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Gains/(losses) on cash held for
investment purposes 18,993 18,993 1,844 1,844
============================ ============================ ======================= =======================
14. Net income
Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):
2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 2,791 2,227
Gains on disposal of fixed assets (4,025)
Operating lease payments recognised as an expense 24,704 23,712
======================= =======================
15. Auditors remuneration
2024 2023
£ £
Fees payable for the audit of the financial statements 4,994 4,994
Fees payable to the charity's auditor and its associates for other
services:
Other non-audit services 1,000 1,000
---------------------------- ----------------------------
5,994 5,994
============================ ============================

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

16. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 1,856,000 1,678,598
Social security costs 138,934 130,700
Employer contributions to pension plans 45,609 37,873
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
2,040,543 1,847,171
========================================== ==========================================

The average head count of employees during the year was 96 (2023: 94).

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2023: Nil).

Key Management Personnel

Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total compensation paid to key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £90,494 (2023:£85,624).

17. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees.

During the year, travel expenses totalling £25 were reimbursed in respect of one Trustee (2023 £22).

18. Tangible fixed assets

Fixtures and
fittings Equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 June 2023 4,997 37,012 42,009
Additions 945 1,928 2,873
Disposals (20,374) (20,374)
----------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
At 31 May 2024 5,942 18,566 24,508
======================= ============================ ============================
Depreciation
At 1 June 2023 4,559 33,775 38,334
Charge for the year 427 2,364 2,791
Disposals (20,374) (20,374)
----------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
At 31 May 2024 4,986 15,765 20,751
======================= ============================ ============================
Carrying amount
At 31 May 2024 956 2,801 3,757
======================= ============================ ============================
At 31 May 2023 438 3,237 3,675
======================= ============================ ============================

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W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

19. Investments

Other
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 June 2023 151,844
Additions 30,056
Fair value movements 18,993
---------------------------------
At 31 May 2024 200,893
=================================
Impairment
At 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024
=================================
Carrying amount
At 31 May 2024 200,893
=================================
At 31 May 2023 151,844
=================================
All investments shown above are held at market value.
Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Trade debtors 234,913 222,432
Prepayments and accrued income 88,938 72,342
Other debtors 9,593 1,348
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
333,444 296,122
================================= =================================
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Trade creditors 11,709 4,496
Accruals and deferred income 173,737 166,695
Social security and other taxes 37,328 38,674
Other creditors 8,118 12,126
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
230,892 221,991
================================= =================================
Deferred income
2024 2023
£ £
At 1 June 2023 10,623 12,537
Amount released to income (2,911)
Amount deferred in year 954 997
---------------------------- ----------------------------
At 31 May 2024 11,577 10,623
============================ ============================

20. Debtors

21. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

22. Deferred income

- 22 -

W.I.L.L. Wirral Independent Living and Learning

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2024

22. Deferred income (continued)

Deferred income relates to hours billed to some individuals based on agreed support schedules, but not yet utilised. These hours are banked for later use by the individuals, as monthly usage varies.

23. Pensions and other post retirement benefits

At the year end £8,118 (2023 £12,125) was owed in respect of the previous months' contributions and included within other creditors.

24. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
At Gains and At
1 June 2023 Income Expenditure losses 31 May 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 959,679 2,319,406 (2,151,445) 18,993 1,146,633
================================= ========================================== ========================================== ============================ ==========================================
At Gains and At
1 June 2022 Income Expenditure losses 31 May 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 835,855 2,088,841 (1,966,861) 1,844 959,679
================================= ========================================== ========================================== ======================= =================================
Analysis of changes in net debt
At At
1 Jun 2023 Cash flows 31 May 2024
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 730,029 109,402 839,431
================================= ================================= =================================

25. Analysis of changes in net debt

26. Operating lease commitments

The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 60,563 79,688
============================ ============================

27. Related parties

The charitable company is controlled by the Trustees

During the year, the close relatives of Trustees received support services from the charity, based on requirements assessed using the same procedures as other supported people, provided under the same terms and at the same rates.

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