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
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Guar
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Legal and Administrative Information
Report of the Trustees
Independent Examiner's Report
Statement of Financial Attivlties
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Financial Statements

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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
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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, se￿iCe5, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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Limit
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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
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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

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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

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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
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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.
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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

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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

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MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Bal Bl￿d
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
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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
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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
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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

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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