Tees Valley Rural Action (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Annual Report & Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 "Anderson Barrowcliff Limited Office Copf ANDERSON BARROWCLIFF LIMITED Chartered Accountant5
Tee alle al Ited Guar Page Legal and Administrative Information Report of the Trustees Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Attivlties Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements
Li ua Registered Company number: 03750700 (England and Wales) Registered Charlty number.. 1080282 Registered Office: Unit 76 Cadcam Centre High Force Road Riverside Park Middlesbrough TS21RH Trustees: Valerie Johnston Tanya Singh Paul Frost Chair Vice Chair Chlef Executlve & Company Secretary: Rita Lawson Bankers: Yorkshire Bank 7 Linthorpe Road Middlesbrough T51 1RF Accountants: Anderson Barrowcliff Limited 3 Kingfisher Court Bowesfield Park Stockton on Tees TS18 3EX Page 1
on tof ear ru The Trustees (who are also the direttors for the purposes of company law) present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Tees Valley Rural Action, ITVRAI is committed to working towards the social, economic, and environmental well-being of rural communities in the Tees Valley and those who live in them. It particularly attempts to identify and address rural disadvantage by working with local groups, individuals, and representatives within communities to enable them to identify and respond to local needs,. by providing accurate advice, seiCe5, information and 5LlPPOrt to individuals and local groups,. informing and influencing strategic plans of the ststutory and voluntary sector and activety participating In national, regional, and local partnerships. The work undertaken by TVRA is such that, not only does it align with its aims and objectives, but a150 affords the Charity the ability to influence policy and/or decision makers on rural Sssues thus ensuring these and many of their associated disadvantages remain high on the agenda. TVRA focuses Its attivities on those that directly sUPPOrt individuals and groups within rural communlties and, where appropriate, Tees Valley in its entirety. Throughout 202312024 TVRA has continued to provide advice, gLtidance, and support to a broad range of rural and urban group5 whllst also delivering Local Authority and other grant funded specific contracts. TVRA has continued to recelve funding from the Department of Envlronment, Farming and Rural Affairs IDEFRAI via the Grant in Aid contract with Action with Communities in Rural England {ACRE). This funding is invaluable to the Charity as it enables the core function of the organi5ation to be realised. The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commlssion guidance on public benefit in deciding which activities the Charity should undertake. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE This reporting year, 1st April 2023 to 31 $1 March 2024 TVRA has continued to deliver all its servlces. The Charity has retained a hybrid working pattern for its staff,. 2 days in the office and 3 working from home. TVRA has limited staff and financial resources and so the opportunity to attend external meetings online has reduced the need to travel long distances, Saving time away from the office and mileage costs. It has also afforded staff the opportunlty to attend meetingslconferences in other parts of the region and country that have not been possible due to the additional burden of costly rail travel and accommodatlon. IVRA will, for the foreseeable future, continue with thls hybrid working pattern, providing servlces can remain to be effectively delivered and subject to the business requlrements of the Charity. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to restart the Volunteer Car Scheme, despite there being a demand, due to the two main barrlers: finance and recruiting volunteers. Securing external funding to support both capltal and revenue for Community Transport continues to be a challenge. The Team contlnues to search for funding opportunitles. TVRA has also established a collaborative working partnershlp with Edge Innovation and Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency, primarily to look at innovative solutions to improve access to affordable Community Transport, The cost of living crisi5 has continued to impact on our rural communities. Using the Stockton Borough model of Food Partnerships, TVRA has worked In partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Councll and Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency to establish and develop a Food Power Together Partnership covering Redcar including East Cleveland. Information received through the Charitys local, national, and regional networks on policies and toplcs afferting the settor has continued to be regularly disseminated to Its database of small, medium, and large groups through regular e-bulletins and social media. Page 2
ees Li the Tr ee5 The following section relates to a snapshot of the main areas of activity covered in the period 1 St April 2023 to 315t March 2024: Community Development Continued to provide infrastructure support to village halls, voluntary and community groups in rural areas with regular information, advice, and guidance updates. Continued to provide an independent examination service for village hall annual management accounts that generates a small additional income to the Charity. The focus of Village Halls work has been advice and guldance on recruiting volunteers for thelr management committees, reviewing and updating policies and procedures, Continued to work with Village Halls, Communlty Centres and other groups wanting to consider becoming registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or Community Interest Company. East Cleveland Good Neighbours, IECGNI has continued to operate as a project within Tees Valley Rural Action as well as providing advice and guidance around operations and fundraising. Staffing support, funded through East Cleveland Big Local, has continued. ECGN has continued to provide a volunteer-led 7 day per week helpline, operate the foodbank delivering food parcels of essential supplies on specific days of the week. Doorstep health checks continue and where approprlate signposting individuals to other appropriate services and offer a befriending service. TVRA has a150 been the main conduit for residents of East Cleveland to apply for fuel vouchers. Data for the full 12 months of 202312024 was not available from the referral agency but in the final quarter Uanuary to March 20241 TVRA recorded 22 referrals. Funding through East Cleveland Big Local has continued for an experienced advice worker to provide guidance and support to users of Loftus Community Hub and the Food Bank to maximise their income through ensuring they are accesslng benefits they are entitled to including energy, housing support advice, etc. The number of indivlduals engaged with this support has been 164 and funding has been agreed to continue thls to the end of the main Big Local programme, September 2025. TVRA secured Income of £13,790 for ECGN through general fundralsing and funding applications to Community Trusts. The cost of living crlsis has had an impact on surplus food donations and thls income has ensured that the Foodbank has been able to maintain a supply of staple foods for the food parcels. Continued to support the mutual aid group, Ormesby Good Neighbours, {OGNI and to be their Accountable Body. IVRA supported Summerhouse Village Hall with their Awards for All fundlng application for the refurbishment of thelr kitchen. This was successful and they were awarded the maximum £20,000. In partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency, IRCVDAI entered Into discusslons to provide a funding search seNlce using the IDOX platform. The seNlce, Redcar Fund Seekers, is scheduled to go live in May 2024. Working In Partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency TVRA launched a new partnership working on the agenda of food povety and sustainability for VCS groups across Redcar and Cleveland. An initial meeting was held In September 2023 led by South Tees Health to Identify the interest and thirst for a project. TVRA has attended 2 pre-planning meetings/reviews and hosted, together with RCVDA, the second meeting. The outcome of the meeting was that there was a definite appetite for the project. A brand name, Food Power Network East Cleveland, Redcar and Eston was agreed. The aim to brlng together likeminded people to dlscuss healthy food provision across Redcar and Cleveland. Participants of the partnershlp will be those whose role wlll be promoting heathy and sustainable food, working towards tsckling food povety, using healthyaffordable food, building community food knowledge, catering and food procurement and, reduclng food waste. Technically anyone who supports Posltive thinking around healthy food and sustainability. TVRA does not receive a management fee but is part of our partnership working with RCBC, RCVDA and other VCS organisations. Long term TVRA is working with RCVDA, RCBC to source external funding to support the employment of a Co-ordinator who can work with the Partnership and help its growth and sustainability. It is anticipated that TVRA will be the lead for any funding application and so a management fee will be built into the application. Page 3
Valle an cti eTr Stockton Rural Communities TVRA has functioned as the Accountable Body for funding of £5,739 awarded by County Durham Community Foundation Trust for the Slow Cooker courses. TVRA received a small management fee of £727 and the remainder of the funding was for the provision of slow cooker5, Utensils, tutoring, and room hire. The projert delivered 19 slow cooker sessions benefitting 147 individuals across the rural communities of Stockton. A request has been made to the funder Point North, to look at further funding to keep these sessions going and introducingAir Fryer courses. An opportunity via NHS Charities, Volunteering for Health became available, and a group of VCS anchor organisations in Darlington made the decision to submit a bld. The working group for this was Citizens Advice Darlington, Darlington Association on Disability, Healthwatch Darlington, Theatre Hullabaloo, Tandem (formerly Morrison's Trust), Darlington Mind and TVR4. A bid supported by the Integrated Care Board and Darlington Borough Council was submitted injanuary 2024 and a decision was expected by the end of March 2024. Member of the steering group for the Tees Valley Combined Authoritys Community Investment FLtnd. Thls is scheduled to be launched toward the latter part of the 202412025 financial year. Communlty Transport TVRA has contlnued to deliver the Minibus Group Hire scheme providing affordable transport to its members. Beneflciaries have included members of groups such as Health and Wellbelng, Walking, Church, Youth, RefugeelAsylum, Luncheon, School Academles and Village Halls. The table below shows a comparlson of this reporting period and the two prevlous years: Mlnlbus 202312024 26 1,569 2,295 14,495 1,232 @ £10,42 per hour £12,837 30 202212023 25 777 1,404 9,645 1,335 @ £9.50 per hour £12,683 30 Members Passen ers {Adultl Passengers IU18sl Miles Volunteer Hours Volunteer Drivers TVRA has contlnued to receive enquiries for the Volunteer Car scheme whlch clearty demonstrates demand for transport to and from medical appointments. This is especially in Ilght of the criterla for NHS Patlent Transport and availability being quite stringent. The scheme is resource intensive and due to lack of access to funding opportunities it has not been possible to restart the scheme, niRA, in partnership wlth Tee55ide LGVTraining submltted an expresslon of interest to become a registered Community Transport Associatlon, IcfA} Training Centre. Thls would be a coup for TVF14 and the Tees Valley as the nearest centre for the North East Is Edinburgh. The submission to operate as a 1 year pilot wa5 approved, and partners are in the process of formalising the partnership and agreement wlth CTA. It Is anticipated that a formal launch will be In the Autumn of 2024. TVRA is leading on a series of sessions, 'In Conversation with Community Transport SOcIatiOn,. The purpose belng to raise awareness of Community Transport Association, community transport per se and what this means to rural communities. Exploring innovative solutions to address transport access issues with a view to influencing policy declsions within the Tees Valley Comblned Authority. TVRA worked in collaboration with Edge Innovation and Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency to submit an expression of interestto Mobility. This was looking to go back to basics on community transport for both able bodied and disabled users. Data gathered would be used to inform policy and planning and also to look at an innovative way to address the barriers within Redcar and Cleveland. Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful, but the intelligence gathered for this expression of interest will be used for other funding opportunities. Page 4
Ru ran ort eTr ee 02 Rural Issues The Tees Valley rural dimension is a significant driver for most of the Charitys work, and it has continued to make ground in the recognition of this aspect within the sub region. This has been supported through being able to provide copies of TVRA'S Rural Evidence Base Irepublished January 2021). Significantly, the latter was refreshed to include a section on farming and agriculture in the Tees Valley. TVRA has continued to raise the rural voice whenever possible atvarious meetings with existingand new stakeholders. The DEFRAcontrart, managed through ACRE, has maintained the focus on rural issues, and TVRA has reported back any Tees Valley Intelligence relating to rural broadband, transport, housing, fuel poverty, neighbourhood planning, community a55ets, loneliness, and isolation, as well as other wider rural community concerns. TVRA has continued its annual membership with the Rural Services Network, Voluntary Organisations Network North East, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Voluntary and Communitysector Emergency Partnership and the Tees Valley Infrastructure Partnership. To further our objective of raising the rural voice, new and renewed connections have been made with the local authorities of Darlington, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton on Tees, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissionerfs Office, Tees Esk and Wear Valley N H5 Foundation Trust, Social Prescribing Academy, Lloyds Bank Foundation, Teesside Community Foundation, and North East and Cumbria Integrated Care System. Other East Cleveland Communlty Development (The Natlonal Lottery Communlty Fund) The programme commenced on 15tJune 2023 with the anticipation that the Project Officer would be In post by the end ofJuly 2023. UnfortLsnately, due to a poor response wSth the first advert, TVR4 made the decision to go back out to advertise the posltion. This generated more quality applications, and we were able to appoint a Community Development Officer, East Cleveland, ICDOI who commenced in October 2023,. some 2 months behlnd schedule. The CDO has undertaken a lot of introductory work to her role and famillarising herself with the area of East Cleveland, I,e., reaching out to community groups, social media presence, asset mapplng, collatlng a datsbase of community and farm contacts, attending meetings or regular community events, such as coffee mornlngs. The CDO organised the projecys first event that took place on Thursday 21 st March 2024, at Loftus Town Hall and was called 'Rural Together 24,. The event took place during the annual ACRE-led Village Halls, week with the theme of 'Going Green., East Cleveland Good Neighbours (Big Locall also supported and took part in the event providing £1,500 of seed funding for Village Halls/Community Groups. There were 3 groups that pltched their project ideas to the audience on how they wanted to address environmental sustainability in thelr village and for what they would use the funding. to the audience to secure their votes. The audience then voted on their1 st, 2nd and 3rd choices and the funding was shared as follows.. 1st place- £750,. 2nd place- £500 and 3rd place- £250. At the event, the CDO conducted a consultation exercise focusing on questlons around how TVRA could provide the best support for community groups and what are the main challenges or concerns for their future sustainability. The evaluation and analysis of the data colletted showed the following.. Groups wlshed to engage and recruit new communlty members and volunteers of all ages to participate In Village Hall/ comrnunity projects, and To make it easier for community groups to identify and apply for funding to support thelr projects. The synthesls of this was the development of a Volunteer recrultment Pack with customisible templates of posters, social media posts, local press releases and imagery to help bolstervolunteer recruitmont. The pack was sent directly to communitygroups giving them the freedom to share, quickly and easily, vwhere they felt would be most beneficial to their group. Furthermore, with the development of the new fund seeker5 Portal well under way, the issue of identifying what funding is available and how to apply will be removed. The user-friendly plarform will enable groups to access funding opportunities easily, tailored to their specific needs. During the Rural Together 24 event, attendees were made aware of the additional funding that had been secured from Ballinger Trust to purchase a Thermal Imaging Camera.. ITICI The TIC will be available for loan to community groups so they can carry out their own energy surveys to identify'quick wins, that will help to improve the buildings energy efficiency. It is anticipated this initiative will be launched in the autumn of 2024. Page 5
ees le Li an ort heT ees Support for East Cleveland Villages Big Local Partnership TVRA has continued to function as the Locally Trusted Organisation for the East Cleveland Villages Big Local Partnership, IECVBLI, principally acting as the Accountable Body for the £1.2m funds allocated in 2013 to deliver their investment plan and providing the secretariat for their meetings. TVRA has received additional funding from ECVBL to support the Partnership and East Cleveland Good Neighbours Foodbank of the Head of Business Development for 3 days per week on a full cost recovery basis. This decision by the Partnership has been essential and pivotal to ensuring that the Partnership was able to fulfil its commitments to review the plan ending in February 2024 and securing the funding for their final plan to begin May 2024 through to the end of the programme in September 2025. This role will also oversee the development and delivery of the projects contained within the Partnership's final plan. Local Access Redcar and Cleveland and Hartlepool (LARCHI This 5-year inltiative is being led by Voluntary Organisations Network North East IVONNEI was formally launched in May 2022 following the successful appointment of a Programme Manager. This is an initiative to encourage the growth of new and existing social entrepreneurs that could benefit from development grants or blended finance (social loan and grant). TVRA'S CEO has continued as Chair of the Redcar and Cleveland Area Panel, IRCAPI and representative on thejoint Management Board. The RCAP has overseen the advancement of 29 projects through the programme receiving initial developmentgrant support with a vlew to movlng to social Investment loans. Rural Shared Prosperlty Fund- Redcar and Cleveland This is a fund that 15 an addendum to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and based on levels of deprivation DEFRA Identified East Cleveland as the recipient of funds,. the only area within the Tees Valley to benefit. TVRA'S CEO is part of the working group for thi5 initiative, and It is pleaslng to report that the Tees Valley Combined Authorlty, the lead for this fund, used TVRA'S Rural Evidence base as part of the evidence as to where the fund5 should be targeted. At the closlng date for the 1 st funding call, over 70 applicatlons had been rece5ved. TVRA'S CEO was part of the appraisal panel, and a moderation panel took place on 16th January 2024. Applications to the theme 'Supporting Rural Communities, were low and the over-commitment from'supporting Rural Businesses, could have taken the full allocation. However, RCBC and TrRA argued that this could not happen and so a second round was opened butjust for the Supporting Rural Communities theme with an anticipated closing date of April/May 2024. Up to and including 31 st March 2024, 41 rural businesses had received offers of funding for approximately £490.856, creating an estimated 71 jobs and safeguarding 141 jobs. It would not be possible to deliver thi5 level of activity without partnership and collaboration. TVRA has many partners, too large in number to list individually but throughout thls reporting period have included: Action with Communities in Rural England Community TransPOrtAssociation National Council for Voluntary Organisatlon5 Rural Services NelMork Community Transport Member Groups Darlington Voluntary Communlty Sector Engagement Stockton Rural Communitles (Chair held by RA} Group East Cleveland Good Neighbours- Big Local Partnership Tees Valley Combined Authority including Edge Innovation the Tees Valley 5 Local Authorities Inclusion North rees Valley Infrastructure Partnership National Association for Community and Voluntsry Action Tees Valley Village Hall Network Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency Voluntary Organisations Netmork North East TVRA'S activities have been delivered by a staff team comprising the Chief Executive, Head of Busine55 Development Manager and the Lottery funded, Community Development Officer. TVRA has also engaged the former Rural Development Manager on a casual contract basis to support ad hoc pieces of work for the Charity. Page 6
Acom 1 Mar FINANCIAL REVIEW The financial position of the Charity is continually monitored by the Chief Executive and the Treasurer with financial reports submitted to the Board of Trustees at each meeting. Income and expenditure of the Charity is reviewed against core and project budgets. The Board of TVRA'S Trustees report that the Charity continues to be in a sound financial position for a further year. The results for the year are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 9. The charity showed a deficit on unrestricted funds of £24,48012023'. £30,261) and an overall surplus of £2,15212023.' deficit of £19,041). In the current economic climate, the Trustees aim to maintain free reserves at a level which equates to approximately three months core operating costs, 1£32,0001. This will be reviewed annually to ensure that this target figure is both current and enough to enable casts to be covered. Free non-designated reserves were £63,342 at 31 March 2024. Unrestricted reserves a150 include designated amounts for potential redundancy requirements, £12,538 and Pensions Trust deficit of £6,749. The Pensions Trust liability will not fall due unless TVRA withdraw from the pension scheme in its entirety. Restricted reserves at the year-end were £37,852. TVRA continues to act as accountable body for the ECVBL and £53,144 was held at the end of March 2024. TVRA also acts as agent for East Cleveland Good Neighbours, Ormesby Good Neighbours and Tees Esk & Wear Valley NHS Trust. At the year-end £1,275, £405 and £24 respectively were held for these organisations. The money for these organisations is held within the charity's main bank account and records are kept of their income and expenditure, which are regularly reported to them. STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Tees Valley Rural Action ITVRAI is an independent registered Charity - No 1080282 and was established on 11 th April 2000. TVRA is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England on 121h April 1999. The guarantee of members is limited to £1 each in the event of the company being wound up. The company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Board of Trustees meet, as a rninimum, four times per annum to administer the Charity. The skill base of the Trustees is subject to regular review and training. New Trustees are recommended to the Board of Trustees and are approved at their Board meetings. Honorary Officers and Trustees are also elected following nomination at the Annual General Meeting. New Trustees are provided with an induction file which contains TVRA'S administration details, policies, and procedures. TVRA is a member of Action with Communities in Rural England IACREI, the umbrella body for the national network of Rural Community Councils. The Network currently consists of 38 members. ACRE operates at national. regional, and local levels in support of the Rural Community Councils and rural communities across the country providing a direct link to Central Government. In reviewing the aims and objectives of the Charity and as part of the planning of future work, the Trustees have taken account of the guidance given by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Careful consideration is given to ensuring that activities consistently contribute to the Charitys objectives. TVRA'S main areas of charitable activity are detailed in the Annual Report. This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 1 S of the Companies Act 2006. By Order of the Board Chair Vjohnston Date.. 23 October 2024 Page 7
ral Action I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to 20. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The Trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The Charitys gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Having satisfied myself that the Charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act. follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)Ibl of the 2011 Act.. and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlnerfs Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any SL¢ch unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention'.- which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006., and to prepare accounts which accard with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with methods and principles ofthe Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met., or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts be reached. Mrs J Bennett FCA Anderson Barrowcliff Limited 3 Kingfisher Court Bowesfield Park Stockton on Tees TS18 3EX Date.. 28 November 2024 Page 8
sva ura on ite ua tem es ar Unrestricted Restrirted Funds Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Total Funds INCOME Charitable activities Donations & legacies Other income from Charitable Activities.. Setvice delivery Transport Service Delivery 35,897 102,787 138.684 90,921 2,252 14,343 2.252 14.343 2,905 16,028 Income from other tradlng actlvltles Management fees 3,577 3,5TI 6,758 Investment Income Interest received 7,147 7.147 2,015 Total Income 63,216 102,787 166.003 118,627 EXPENDITURE Charitable activities 187,6961 176,1551 (163,851) 137,668 Total expendlture 187,6961 176,1551 (163.851) 137,668 Net Incomel{Expendlture) l Net movement5 In funds for the year 124,4801 26,632 2,152 179,0411 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 116,166 11,220 127.386 146,427 Total funds carrled forward 91,686 37,852 129.538 127,386 The notes on pages 10 to 20 form part ofthese accounts. Page 9
an Tee an al Action ..&uLrante Limit Sh 24 2024 2023 Fixed asset5 9.057 12,075 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 4.686 177.441 5,029 212,601 182.127 217,630 Creditors: amounts falling dLte within one year 61.269 101,511 Net current assets 120,858 116,119 Total assets less current Ilabllities 129.915 128,194 Defined benefit pension liability 13 (377) 18081 Net assets 129.538 127,386 Funds: Unrestricted funds - general Unrestricted funds - designated 72.399 19.287 84,232 30,792 91.686 37.852 116,166 11,220 Restricted funds Total funds 129.538 127,386 For the year ending 31 March 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors Responsibilities'.- The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting record5 and the preparation of accounts. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Approved by the Board of Trustees on 23 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by.. The notes on pages 11 to 21 form part of these accounts. The notes form part of these financial statements Page10
ra imi ee te ent arch ACCOUNTING POLICIES lal General information and basis of preparatlon The charitable company is a registered charity in England. The address of the registered office is given in the Legal and Administrative details on page 1. The nature of the charitable companls operations and principal activities are shown in the Trustee's Report. The charity is a private company limited by guarantee. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The charitable company constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charitable companies preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reparting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015. The financSal statements are prepared in sterling whlch is the functional currency of the charitable company, rounded to the nearest £. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financlal statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless Otherwise stated. Ibl Golng Concern At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charlty has adequate resources to continue In operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the golng concern basis of accounting In preparing the accounts. {cl Fund Accountlng Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectlves at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictlons Imposed by clonors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and admlnistering the funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. Designated funds comprlse unrestrlcted funds that have been set aslde by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. Idl Incomlng Resources Items of income are recogni5ed and Included In the accounts when all the following criteria are met... The charity has entitlement to the funds, Any performance conditions attached to the item{s) of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity. There is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable,. and The amount can be measured reliably, Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Grants receivable are shown gross and are recognised in the SOFA to the extent that they relate to the period up to the year end. Where funding has been given for a period that spans the year end, the amount that relates to the following period is deferred and carried fotward. Page11
Vall ur ite ti to na te nd {el Resources Expended All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount can be measured reliably. Irrecoverable VAT is included in expenditure against the relevant cost for which the expenditure was incurred. Expenditure is classified under the following headings'.- Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities. It includes both costs which can be directly allocated to activities and those costs of an indirect nature. Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll, and governance costs. Governance costs are those Incurred in connection with compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements. (fj Tanglble Flxed Assets Fixed assets are normally written off in the year of purchase. Akhough thls 15 not In accordance with general accounting principles, the Trustees consider that in view of the nature of the Charity, this Is an appropriately prudent policy. The Charityreceived 2 minibusesfrom the Departmentof Transportduringtheyear 31 March 2017 and, in view of the materiality of thls donatlon, these have been capitalised and depreciated at 25% per annum on a reducing balance basls. (gl Debtors Trade and other debtors with no stated interest rate and receivable within one year are recognised at the transattlon price. Ihl Cash & Cash Equlvalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Credltors Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result Sn the transfer of funds to a thlrd party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount. (il Penslon Costs The company participates in a multi.employer scheme which provides beneflts to some 1,638 non- associated participating employers. The scheme Is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible forthe company to obtain sufficient informatlon to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme, therefore it accounts forthe scheme as a defined contribution scheme. The company must recognise a liability measured as the present value of the contributions payable that arise from the deficit recovery agreement and the resulting expense in the Income and expenditure account i.e. the unwinding of the discount rate as a finance cost in the period in which it arises. See note 13 to the accounts for further information. (k) Operatlng leases Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the SOFA on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. The notes form part of these financial statements Page 12
Rur tot na atem for DONATIONS & LEGACIES Unrestricted Restrlcted 2023 Total 2023 Total Julia and Hans Rausling Trust National Lottery Funding DEFRA (managed by ACRE) RCVDA County Durham Community Grant Volunteering Challenge Sundry Donations Woodsrnith Foundation Big Local - contribution to salaries Greggs Foundation North East 11,220 49.061 34.235 49.061 34.235 7.461 5,012 34,235 7.461 5.012 5,000 363 8,000 18.304 13,799 28.436 28.436 14,479 14,479 35,897 102.787 138,684 90,921 In 2023 £32,466 ofthe grants were unrestricted and £58,455 were restrirted. In 2023 the £2,905 servlce delivery and the £16,028 transport service delivery income were unrestricted. The management fee of £6,758 was unrestrlcted. Page13
the te for ar EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE AcfiviTIES 2024 2023 Staff costs (note 41 Interest expenses (note 131 Payroll seNices costs HR Advisors Training Conferences and meetings Travel expenses AGM & Trustee meeting costs Service delivery Transport costs Premises costs Insurance Office costs Information technology Marketing & publicity Subscriptions Independent examiners fee Bookkeeping services Bank charges Sundry exper¢ses Depreciation Bad debts 105.802 31 216 97,280 216 237 941 188 327 672 1,395 73 1,589 6,899 6,079 1,414 3,055 1,352 648 6,562 3,930 1,800 9.840 7.500 11,850 2.737 5,756 1.813 786 6,767 4.120 1.800 504 3.018 117 165 4,026 163.851 137,668 In 2023 £47,235 of the expenditure related to restricted expenditure and £90,433 related to unrestricted. Page 14
ee ua ar ar 024 STAFF COSTS Staff costs were as follows'.- 2024 2023 Wages & salaries National Insurance costs Pension costs 98.785 4.177 89,614 4,077 3,589 105.802 97,280 The average number of employees during the year was 412023 - 3). No employee had emoluments in excess of £60,000. Trustees. remuneratlon and expenses No remuneration was paid to trustees In the year12023 - nill. No mileage expenses were to trustees in the year12023 - nill. Remuneratlon of key management personnel The key management personnel comprise the trustees and Chief Executive Officer, The total employee benefits of key management personnel were £39,83712023'. £43,830). TAXATION The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the test set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. FIXED ASSETS Motor Vehlcles Total cosr At l April 2023 & 31 March 2024 90,470 90,470 DEPRECIATION At l April 2023 Charge for the year 78,395 3,018 78,395 3,018 At 31 March 2024 81,413 81,413 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2024 9,057 9,057 At 31 March 2023 12,075 12,075 Page15
ee Rur it tion Fin DEBTORS 2024 2023 Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 1,109 659 2.918 1,642 659 2,728 4,686 5,029 CREDITORS: amounts falllng due wlthln one year 2024 2023 Accruals Funds received as agent 6.422 54.847 5,817 95,694 61,269 101,511 As described In the Trustees, Report, the funds received as agent are held on behalf of Big Local, East Cleveland Good Neighbours, Ormesby Good Neighbours, Tees Valley CCG and Tees Valley Rural Action recelve their funds and administer on their behalf. Funds recelved as agent 2024 2023 Balance brought forward Received in the year Paid out in the year Transfer of management fees 95.694 58.570 {99.417) 105,616 85,556 {95,4781 54,847 95,694 Page 16
Rur ctlon an oth MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Bal Bld 01.04.23 Transfers Bal c/fwd 31.03.24 Income Expenditure Pensions Unrestrlcted-general funds Unrestricted. designated funds Redundancy reserve Pensions provision 85,374 63,216 (87.696) 11.505 72.399 15,789 15,003 (3.251) (8.254) 12.538 6,749 116,166 63.216 {87.696) 91.686 Restrlcted: ACRE- contract County Durham Communty Grant Julia and Hans Rausling Trust Volunteering Challenge Greggs Foundatlon North East National Lottery Funding 34.235 5.012 (34.235) (3.799) (11.220) 1.213 11,220 14,479 49.061 (14.479) (12,422) 36.639 Total restrlcted 11,220 102.787 (76.155) 37.852 TOTAL FUNDS 127,386 166.003 {163.851) 129.538 Restrlcted funds The balance of these funds is specific to the cor)tinuation of activity related to the projects for which the funding has been given and the details of the projects are contained within the Trustees report. Deslgnated funds TVRA'S Income Is predominantly from funding contracts or servlce level agreements which are time limited. In the event that the level of income cannot be maintained throughout a financial year and there needs to be a reduction In staff and/or closure of the Charity, the Trustees consider it prudent to designate funds to cover the costs of redLfndancy payments. Redundancy costs at the year end are calculated and a transfer Is made to the designated fund to ensure that it covers this amount. There Is a contingent liability of £15,811 with The Penslons Trust whlch would become payable if the Charitywere to withdraw completelyfrom the pension scheme. Of thls deficit, £377 has been provided in the accounts and is being repaid over time (Note 131 and the balance (£6,749) is included as a designated fund. 10 ANALYSIS OF NET Assyfs BETWEEN FUNDS Unrestrlrted Restricted Funds Funds Total Tangible fixed assets CLJrrent assets Total liabilities 9,057 144.275 (61.646) 9.057 182.127 (61,646) 37.852 91.686 37.852 129.538 Page17
ee IAC ed uar St ent th 11 OPERATING LEASES At the year er7d the company had commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as detailed below.. - 2024 2023 Less than 1 year Within 2-5 years 2,921 4.568 2,885 7.489 2,885 Lease payments In the year amounted to £6,622 12 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS No related party transactions occurred during theyear. Page 18
Tees Rur ctio ot lal 13 PENSION LIABILITY 31 March 2024 l£s) 377 31 March 2023 l£sl 808 31 March 2022 {£5} 1,267 Present value of provision SCHEME: TPT Retlrement Solutlons- The Growth Plan The company participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 638 non-associated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It Is not possible for the company to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore, it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme. The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Penslons Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards i55ued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK. The scherne is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement,. Therefore, the company is potentially liable for other participating employers, obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Particlpating employers are legally required to meet thelr share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme, A full actuarial valuation for the scheme wa5 carried out at 30 September 2020. This valuation showed assets of £800.3m, liabilities of £831.9m and a deficit of £31.6m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows: Deflclt contrlbutlons From 1 April 2023 to 31 January 2026: £3,312,000 per annum (payable monthly) Unless a concession has been agreed wlth the Trustee the term to 31 January 2025 applies. Note that the scheme's previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2017. This valuation showed assets of £794.9rn, liabilities of £926.4m and a deficit of £131.5m. To elimlnate this funding shortfall, the Trustee asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows: Deflclt contrlbutlons From 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2026: £11,243,000 per annum (payable monthly and increasing by 3% each on 1st April) The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each particlpating employer in line with thelr estimated share of the Series 1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities. Where the scheme Is in deficit and where the company has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for thls obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unvvinding of the discount rate is recognlsed as a finance cost. PRESENT VALUES OF PROVISION 31 March 2024 l£s) 337 31 March 2023 l£sl 808 31 March 2022 l£sl 1,267 Present value of provision Page 19
om Lim an th d31 13 PENSION LIABILITY- continued RECONCILIATION OF OPENING AND CLOSING PROVISIONS Period Ending 31.03.24 Period Ending 31.03.23 Provision at start of period Unwinding of the discount factor (interest expense) Deficit contribution paid Re-measurements - impact of any change in assumptions Re-measurements- amendments to the contribution schedule 808 31 {462) 1,267 25 {4621 122) Provision at end of period 377 808 INCOME & EXPENDITURE IMPACT Perlod Endlng 31.03.24 Period Ending 31.03.23 Interest expense Re-measurements 31 25 {221 Impact ofany change in assumptions amendments to the contribution schedule 31 ASSUMPTIONS % PerAnnum 31.03.23 5.52 31.03.24 5.31 31.03.22 2.35 Rate of discount The discount rates shown above are the equivalent slngle discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contrlbutions. Page 20
Lim aran th cial or 14 PENSION LIABILITY- contlnued The following schedule details the deficit contributions agreed between the company and the scheme at each year end period.. DEFICIT CONTRIBUTIONS SCHEDULE Year Endlng 31.03.24 31.03.23 31.03.22 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year S Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Yearlo Year11 Year12 Year13 Year 14 Year15 Year16 Year 17 Year18 Year19 Year 20 385 462 385 462 462 385 The company must recognise a liability measured as the present value of the contributions payable that arise from the deficit recovery agreement and the resulting expense in the Income and expenditure account i.e. the unwinding of the discount rate as a finance cost in the period in which it arises. It is these contributions that have been used to derive the company's balance sheet liability. Page 21