## Tees Valley Rural Action (Limited by Guarantee) 

Trustees’ Annual Report & Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

“Charity Commissioners Copy” Registered Charity No: 1080282 

ANDERSON BARROWCLIFF LIMITED Chartered Accountants 

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## Tees Vailey Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

## Trustees’ Report & Financial Statements 

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||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Contents|
|Page|
|Legal|and Administrative|information|1|
|Report|of the|Trustees|2-7|
|Independent|Examiner's|Report|8|
|Statement|of Financial Activities|9|
|Balance|Sheet|10|
|Notes to|the|Financial|Statements|11-21|

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‘ 

Tees Valley Rural Action Limited A Company Limited b Guarantee) 

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## Legal and Administrative Information 

|Registered Companynumber:|03750700(England and Wales)|03750700(England and Wales)|
|---|---|---|
|Registered Charity number:|1080282||
|Registered Office:|Unit 16 Cadcam Centre||
||High Force Road||
||Riverside Park||
||Middlesbrough||
||TS2 1RH||
|Trustees:|Valerie Johnston|Chair|
||Paul Frost|Trustee|
||Tanya Singh|Vice Chair|
||Paul Payne|Appointed 19° February2025|
|ChiefExecutive&CompanySecretary:|Rita Lawson||
|Bankers:|Yorkshire Bank||
||7 Linthorpe Road||
||Middlesbrough||
||TS1 1RF||
|Accountants:|Anderson BarrowcliffLimited||
||3 Kingfisher Court||
||Bowesfield Park||
||Stockton on Tees||
||TS183EX||



Page 1 

TeesValleyRural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

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Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

The Trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. 

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Tees Valley Rural Action (TVRA) is dedicated to promoting the social, economic, and environmental well-being of rural communities across the Tees Valley. Our core mission is to identify and address rural disadvantage by working collaboratively with local groups, individuals, and community representatives. We aim to empower communities to understand and respond to their own needs by providing accurate advice, practical support, and relevant information. 

TVRA plays a vital role in informing and influencing the Strategic priorities of both statutory and voluntary sector partners. By actively participating in national, regional, and local partnerships, the Charity ensures that rural issues and the challenges associated with them remain prominent on the policy agenda. This advocacy work aligns closely with our organisational objectives and enhances our ability to influence decision-makers on matters affecting rural communities. 

Our activities are focused on directly supporting rural individuals and groups across the Tees Valley. Where appropriate, we extend our services more broadly across the sub-region. During 2024/2025, TVRA has continued to deliver advice, guidance, and support to a wide variety of community groups — rural and urban alike — while also managing specific contracts funded by Local Authorities and other grant-making bodies. 

A key element of our sustainability is the continued funding we receive from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), provided via the Grant in Aid contract administered by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). This funding is essential, as it supports the core operations of the Charity and enables us to fulfil our mission. 

in determining the Charity’s activities, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that our work continues to serve the broader community interest. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE 

This reporting year, 1** April 2024 to 315* March 2025 TVRA has continued to deliver all its services. The Cha rity has retained a hybrid working pattern for its staff; preferably 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 opportunity to attend meetings/conferences in other parts of the region and country that have not been possible due to the additional burden of costly rail/road travel and accommodation. TVRA will, for the foreseeable future, continue with this hybrid working pattern, providing services can remain to be effectively delivered and subject to the business requirements 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 barriers: finance and recruiting volunteers. Securing external funding to support capital and revenue for Community Transport and revenue for Core Costs to keep the Charity operational is becoming increasingly difficult. theirrespective that there is demonstrable evidence that transport is a barrierto social activities, health, education and skills, majority of funders do not want to fund pure transport projects unless it is part of the project being funded. The Team continues to look at new ideas and search for funding opportunities. TVRA is continuing to work collaboratively with Edge Innovation, Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA) and Citizens Advice Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland (CADRC), primarily to look at innovative solutions to improve access to financial services, food security and affordable Community Transport. 

The cost of living crisis has continued to impact on our rural communities. TVRA has continued to work in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency to co-ordinate and develop the Food Power Together Partnership covering Redcar including East Cleveland. A partnership working on the agenda of food poverty and sustainability for VCS groups across Redcar and Cleveland. Long term TVRA is working with RCVDA, RCBC to source external funding to support the employment ofa 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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Tees Valley Rural Action {A Company Limited by Guarantee) Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

; 

Toward the end of this reporting period, the opportunity arose for TVRA to work in partnership with Darlington Borough Council's Public Health Officer on developing their Food Partnership; the only borough within the Tees Valley without one. A small grant of £1,200 to facilitate this piece of work has been made available from the Assistant Directors for Public Health network. Information received through the Charity’s local, regional, and national networks on policies and topics affecting the sector has continued to be regularly disseminated to its database of small, medium, and large groups through regular e-bulletins and social media. 

- The following section relates to a snapshot of the main areas of activity covered in the period 15t April 2024 to 31** March 2025 i) 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 guidance on recruiting volunteers for their management committees, reviewing, and updating policies and procedures, renewal of leases with their respective Local Authority and asset transfer. 

- > Continued to work with Village Halls, Community Centres and other groups wanting to consider becoming > registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or Community Interest Company. East Cleveland Good Neighbours, (ECGN) has continued to operate as a project within the main East Cleveland Good Neighbours Big Local programme (ECGN BL). TVRA is the accountable body for both initiatives providing staffing support. ECGN has continued to provide a volunteer-led 7 day per week helpline and operate the foodbank delivering food parcels of essential supplies on specific days of the week. Doorstep health checks continue and where appropriate signposting individuals to other appropriate services and offer a befriending service. Funding from the ECGN BL comes to an end in September 2025 and work has commenced on the future sustainability of the initiative. 

- > TVRA has been the main conduit for residents of East Cleveland to apply for fuel vouchers. For this reporting period 46 referrals were made; 34 were successful; 12 were recorded as failures and 1 with no outcome. 

- > Funding through CGN BL has continued to buy in the services of an experienced advice worker employed by Future Regeneration of Grangetown (FROG). The officer provides guidance and support to users of the Loftus Community Hub and the ECGN Food Bank aiming to maximise their income through ensuring they are accessing benefits they are entitled to including energy, housing support advice, etc. The number of individuals engaged with this support has exceeded all expectations with in excess of 200 benefitting from the programme. Funding has been agreed with the ECVBL Partnership to continue this to the end of the main Big Local programme, September 2025. 

- > Continued to support the mutual aid group, Ormesby Good Neighbours, (OGN) and to be their Accountable Body. OGN, in partnership with Age UK Teesside, held an event for 50+ individuals on 7“ March 2025 in Ormesby Library. Their funding supported the hire of the venue, refreshments and entertainment was provided bya local musician. They had over 20 people attend raising the awareness of the safe, warm space of Ormesby Library and the services of Age UK Teesside. OGN has used all the funding held by TVRA but will continue as an informal group on Face Book supporting each other. TVRA will continue to provide advice and guidance as and when required. 

- > In partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency, (RCVDA) continue to provide the free service, Redcar Fund Seekers. 

- > Stockton Rural Communities - TVRA - has continued as the Chair of this partnership. In partnership with Stockton Borough Council, a Slow Cooker course was held at Hilton Village Hall where 12 individuals attended, This has led to Hilton Village Hall re-engaging with the Tees Valley Village Hall Network. 

- > Member of the steering group for the Tees Valley Combined Authority's Community Investment Fund. This was scheduled to be launched toward the latter part of the 2024/2025 financial year but due to an internal governance review was deferred to 2025/2026. 

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Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

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Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

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ii} Community Transport<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


TVRA has continued to operate its Minibus Group Hire Scheme, providing accessible and affordable transport to member organisations across the Tees Valley. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting a wide range of community groups, including those focused on health and wellbeing, walking, faith-based activities, youth support, refugee and asylum services, luncheon clubs, school academies, and village halls. 

The table below shows a comparison of this reporting period and the previous three years: 

## Minibus Group Hire Scheme 

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|202472025 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022<br>[Members | 2 | eT TC*dTSC“(‘ CN CS<br>Passengers (Adult) 1,569 1,325<br>Passengers(U18s)_ |<br>[Miles —s—s—sd|sSs42,—2,54 6 52__—s| 14,4952,295 9,6451404 | 6,820<br>Volunteer Hours 1,108 @ 1,232 @ £10.42 | 1,335@£9,50 | 876@£9.50<br>(average of 4 hours £11.44 per per hour per hour per hour<br>per journey) hour £12,675 £12,837 £12,682.50 £8,332<br>Volunteer Drivers | 60 | 30s80—“‘z|:sé<(<‘i‘zSCd<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


This scheme not only addresses rural transport needs but also generates significant social value through the contribution of volunteer drivers. 

- ~ While demand for the Volunteer Car Scheme remains high — particularly for transport to medical appointments — the scheme remains suspended due to resource constraints and limited access to sustainable funding. The strict eligibility criteria for NHS Patient Transport services has further highlighted the unmet need in the region. TVRA continues to monitor enquiries and explore future funding options to reinstate this vital service. 

- - In March 2025, TVRA submitted a funding application to the National Lottery's Awards for All programme. The bid seeks support for a part-time Business Support Officer role, focused on supporting the coordination and expansion of the Community Transport service. A decision is anticipated by early summer 2025. 

## Significant Developments in 2024/2025 

Community Transport Association (CTA) Training Centre Status 

TVRA has been officially recognised as a registered CTA Training Centre for the Tees Valley region. Training will be delivered in partnership with Teesside LGV Training. This is a significant achievement, as the nearest alternative centre is located in Edinburgh, making this a valuable and accessible resource for the North East. The current partnership agreement with the CTA is scheduled for renewal in Autumn 2025, 

- @ New Minibus Funded Through Levelling Up 

TVRA has secured funding from the Levelling Up initiative, awarded by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, to purchase a new 14-seat minibus. This investment will extend TVRA‘s transport capacity, enabling it to support more individuals and communities. Under a Service Level Agreement with Public Health South Tees, the minibus will also serve as a mobile health clinic, offering dual benefits to the community while generating a sustainable income stream for TVRA’s Community Transport offer. 

Page 4 

Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

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## Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## iii) Rural Issues 

Tees Valley's rural dimension continues to be a core focus of the Charity’s work, driving much of our activity and advocacy. Recognition of rural needs within the sub-region has grown, supported by the continued use and dissemination of TVRA's Rural Evidence Base, which was republished in January 2021. This updated version includes a dedicated section on farming and agriculture in the Tees Valley—an important addition reflecting local priorities. Encouragingly, TVRA is now collaborating with the Tees Valley Combined Authority to produce a further iteration of the Evidence Base, scheduled for publication in mid-Autumn 2025. 

Our work remains underpinned by the DEFRA contract delivered via ACRE, which enables TVRA to contribute meaningfully to the ACRE Network. Through this platform, we continue to provide local insight on a wide range of rural issues, including broadband access, transport, housing, fuel poverty, neighbourhood planning, community assets, loneliness and isolation, and broader community concerns. 

TVRA consistently champions the rural voice, engaging with both established and new stakeholders through a range of forums. We maintain active membership in national and regional networks, including the Rural Services Network, Voluntary Organisations Network North East, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Voluntary and Community Sector Emergency Partnership, and the Tees Valley Infrastructure Partnership. 

To further strengthen our advocacy and influence, TVRA has continued to build and maintain strong relationships with key partners. These include the local authorities of Darlington, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees, as well as the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Cleveland and Durham Police and Crime Commissioners’ Offices, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Social Prescribing Academy, Lloyds Bank Foundation, Tees Foundation, and the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. 

## iv) Other > East Cleveland Community Development (The National Lottery Community Fund) The programme commenced on 1*June 2023 with an anticipated end date of November 2026 due to the late appointment of the Community Development Officer, East Cleveland, (CDO). 

The Community Development Officer has achieved the following in this reporting period: 

   - e Engaged with 10 village halls, e Supported the development of 2 management committees including advice and guidance on amending signatories on a bank account, energy accounts and employing staff. 

   - e Supported 3 East Cleveland Villages Big Local Soup events including being a critical friend to groups on their pitch applications. 

   - e Engaged with 8 organisations linked to rural affairs. e Co-ordinated and delivered in partnership with Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI), National Farmers Union (NFU) and Barclays Bank a social supper with the Farming and Agricultural community of East Cleveland; 17 signed up and attended. Started working on a follow up event based on the feedback captured at the inaugural event. 

   - e® Commissioned and organised 2 Level 2 Food Hygiene Training courses. e Organised a Rural Crime and Safety event with the key note speaker being the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner. 

   - e Attended Mental Health awareness training organised through RABI which is something that is of priority and concern within the East Cleveland area. This new knowledge will benefit greatly the work of TVRA. 

- 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, (ECVBL), 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. Funding has continued from ECVBL to provide 3 days per week of TVRA’s Head of Business Development to support the Partnership and East Cleveland Good Neighbours Foodbank. This agreement with ECVBL is essential and pivotal to ensuring that the Partnership fulfils its commitments to the end of the programme in September 2025. This role will also continue to oversee the development and delivery of the projects contained within the Partnership’s final plan. Page 5 

Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

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## Report of the Trustees 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

- Local Access Redcar and Cleveland and Hartlepool (LARCH) - this 5-year initiative is being led by Voluntary Organisations Network North East (VONNE) 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, (RCAP) and representative on the joint Management Board. The RCAP has overseen the advancement of 29 projects through the programme receiving initial development grant support with a view to moving to social investment loans. Rural Shared Prosperity Fund - Redcar and Cleveland This is a fund that is 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. The project ended on 315t March 2025 with 41 rural businesses receiving offers of funding for approximately £490,856, creating an estimated 71 jobs and safeguarding 141 jobs. It is anticipated that there will be a second year of this programme to end on 31% March 2026 and TVRA’s CEO will be a member of the appraisal and approval panel. 

## Partnership and Collaboration 

It would not be possible to deliver this level of activity without partnership and collaboration. TVRA has many partners, too large in number to list individually but throughout this reporting period have included: 

Action with Communities in Rural England 

Citizens Advice Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland 

Community Transport Association Community Transport Member Groups Darlington Voluntary Community Sector Engagement Group East Cleveland Good Neighbours - Big Local Partnership Edge Innovation National Association for Voluntary and Community Action National Council for Voluntary Organisations Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency Rural Services Network 

Stockton Rural Communities (Chair held by TVRA) Tees Valley Combined Authority including the 5 Local Authorities Tees Valley Infrastructure Partnership Tees Valley Village Hall Network Voluntary Organisations Network North East 

## Staff Resources 

TVRA's activities have been delivered by a staff team comprising the Chief Executive, Head of Business 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 

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Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## 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 before transfers of £15,971 (2024 : £24,480) and an overall deficit of £12,164 (2024 : surplus of £2,152). 

## Reserves Policy 

In the current economic climate, the Trustees aim to maintain free reserves at a level which equates to approximately three months core operating costs, (£32,000). This will be reviewed annually to ensure that this target figure is both current and enough to enable costs to be covered. Free non-designated reserves were £47,026 at 31 March 2025. Unrestricted reserves also include designated amounts for potential redundancy requirements, £15,750 and Pensions Trust deficit of £6,147. 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 £41,659, 

## Funds held on behalf of others 

TVRA continues to act as accountable body for the ECVBL and £74,153 was held at the end of March 2025. TVRA also acts as agent for East Cleveland Good Neighbours, Tees Valley Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust and Liverton Mines Village Hall. At the year-end £2,187, £24 and £1,200 respectively were held for these three 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 (TVRA) is an independent registered Charity - No 1080282 - and was established on 11% April 2000. TVRA is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England on 12* 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 Mernorandum and Articles of Association. 

The Board of Trustees meet, as a minimum, 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 (ACRE), 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 Charity’s 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 15 of the Companies Act 2006. 

By Order of the Board Valerie Johnston Chair 

## Date: AG\O\2ZO2S 

Page 7 

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Tees Valley Rural Action {A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

Independent Examiners Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

| report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 9 to 21. 

## Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner 

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and | 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 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act: and 

- state whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

## Basis of independent examiner's 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 such 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 examiner's statement 

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:- 

- 1 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 accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities 

have not been met; or 

- 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts be reached. 

- MrsJ] BennettAndesFCA on BosraKe Anderson Barrowcliff Limited 3 Kingfisher Court Bowesfield Park Stockton on Tees TS18 3EX 

Date: AO. LIQA2S 

Page 8 

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Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

## Statement of Financial Activities (Including income & Expenditure Account) at 31 March 2025 

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|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|2025|2024|
|Funds|Funds|Total|Funds|Total|Funds|
|Note|E|£|£|£|
|INCOME|
|Charitable|activities|
|Donations & legacies|2|29,048|85,659|114,707|138,684|
|Other|income|from|Charitable|Activities:|
|Service|delivery|1,941|-|1,941|2,252|
|Transport Service|Delivery|18,669|-|18,669|14,343|
|Income from|other trading|activities|
|Management fees|6,436|-|6,436|3,577|
|Investment|income|
|Interest|received|5,508|-|5,508|7,147|
|Total|income|61,602|85,659|147,261|166,003|
|EXPENDITURE|
|Charitable activities|3|(76,783)|(81,852)|(158,635)|(163,851)|
|Total|expenditure|(76,783)|(81,852)|(158,635)|(163,851)|
|Net income/Expenditure|(15,181)|3,807|(11,374)|2,152|
|Re-measurement gain/(loss)|13|(790)|-|(796)|-|
|Net movements|in funds for the year|(15,971)|3,807|(12,164)|2,152|
|RECONCILIATION|OF|FUNDS|
|Total funds|brought forward|91,686|37,852|129,538|127,386|
|Total funds|carried|forward|9|75,715|41,659|117,374|129,538|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The notes on pages 10 to 21 form part of these accounts. 

Page 9 

Company No. 3750700 

Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

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## Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025 

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|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|Fixed|Note|£|£|£|£|
|assets|6|6,792|9,057|
|Current assets|
|Debtors|7|8,635|4,686|
|Cash|at bank and|in hand|187,350|177,441|
|195,985|182,127|
|Creditors: amounts falling due|within|one|
|year|8|84,611|61,269|
|Net current assets|111,374|120,858|
|Total|assets fess current|liabilities|118,166|129,915|
|Defined|benefit pension|liability|13|(792)|(377)|
|Net assets|117,374|129,538|
|Funds:|
|Unrestricted funds|- general|9|53,818|72,399|
|Unrestricted|funds|- designated|9|21,897|19,287|
|75,715|91,686|
|Restricted funds|9|41,659|37,852|
|Total funds|117,374|129,538|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


For the year ending 31 March 2025 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 records 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 ofTrustees on is \10\2025. The notes on pages 11 to 21 form part ofthese accounts. 

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**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
and signed on their behalf by:<br>ALL AW<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 10 

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Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

1 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

(a) General information and basis of preparation 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 company’s 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 (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015. 

The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charitable company, rounded to the nearest £. 

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated. 

(b) Going Concern At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts. 

- {c) Fund Accounting 

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. 

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering 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 comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

- ({d) Incoming Resources items of income are recognised 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 forward. 

Page 11 

Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

(e) 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, 

(f) Tangible Fixed Assets Fixed assets are normally written off in the year of purchase. Although this is 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 Charity received 2 minibuses from the Department of Transport during the year 31 March 2017 and, in view of the materiality of this donation, these have been capitalised and depreciated at 25% per annum on a reducing balance basis. 

(g) Debtors Trade and other debtors with no stated interest rate and receivable within one year are recognised at the transaction price. 

(h) Cash & Cash Equivalents 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. (i) Creditors Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third 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. 

(j) Pension Costs The company participates in a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 1,638 nonassociated 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 asa defined benefit scheme, therefore it accounts for the 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) Operating leases Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the SOFA ona straight-line basis over the period of the lease. 

> The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 12 

Tees Valley Rural Action {A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

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2 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## DONATIONS & LEGACIES 

|DONATIONS & LEGACIES|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted|Restricted|2025 Total|2024Total|
||£|£|£|£|
|National LotteryFunding|-|50,306|50,306|49,061|
|DEFRA(managed byACRE)|-|34,235|34,235|34,235|
|RCVDA|-|-|-|7,461|
|County Durham CommunityGrant|-|1,118|1,118|5,012|
|Big Local -contribution tosalaries|29,048|-|29,048|28,436|
|Greggs Foundation North East|-|-|-|14,479|
||29,048|85,659|114,707|138,684|



In 2024 £35,897 of the grants were unrestricted and £102,787 were restricted. 

In 2024 the £2,905 service delivery and the £16,028 transport service delivery income were unrestricted. The management fee of £6,758 was unrestricted. 

Page 13 

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Tees Valley Rural Action (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

3 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 

|EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES|||
|---|---|---|
||2025|2024|
||£|£|
|Staffcosts (note 4)|111,445|105,802|
|Interest expenses (note 13)|10|31|
|Payroll services costs|216|216|
|Otherstaffrelated costs|123|-|
|Training|1,332|188|
|Conferences and meetings|-|327|
|Travel expenses|1,439|672|
|AGM&Trustee meetingcosts|61|-|
|Service delivery|8,282|9,840|
|Transport costs|5,142|7,500|
|Premises costs|5,201|11,850|
|Insurance|2,999|2,737|
|Office costs|4,120|5,756|
|Information technology|1,359|1,813|
|Marketing& publicity|774|786|
|Subscriptions|7,150|6,767|
|independentexaminersfee|4,340|4,120|
|Bookkeepingservices|1,965|1,800|
|Consultancyfees|107|-|
|Bankcharges|8|7|
|Sundryexpenses|298|504|
|Depreciation|2,264|3,018|
|Bad debts|-|117|
||158,635|163,851|



In 2024 £76,155 of the expenditure related to restricted expenditure and £87,696 related to unrestricted. 

Page 14 

Tees Valley Rural Action {A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

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5 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## 4 STAFF COSTS 

|Staffcosts were as follows:-|||
|---|---|---|
||2025|2024|
||£|£|
|Wages&salaries|103,399|98,785|
|National Insurance costs|5,067|4,177|
|Pension costs|2,979|2,840|
||111,445|105,802|



The average number of employees during the year was 4 (2024 - 4). No employee had emoluments in excess of £60,000. 

## Trustees’ remuneration and expenses 

No remuneration was paid to trustees in the year (2024- nil). No expenses were to trustees in the year (2024 - nil). 

## Remuneration of key management personnel 

The key management personnel comprise the trustees and Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits of key management personnel were £42,028 (2024: £39,837). 

## 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. 

## 6 FIXED ASSETS 

|FIXED ASSETSASSETS|||
|---|---|---|
||Motor||
||Vehicles|Total|
||£|£|
|cost|||
|At 1 April 2024&31 March 2025|90,470|90,470|
|DEPRECIATION|||
|At 1 April 2024<br>Chargefortheyear|81,414<br>2,264|81,414<br>2,264|
|At31 March2025|83,678|83,678|
|NETBOOKVALUE|||
|At31 March2025|6,792|6,792|
|At31March2024|9,057|9,057|



Page 15 

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8 

## Tees Valley Rural Action A Company Limited by Guarantee 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## 7 DEBTORS 

|DEBTORS|||
|---|---|---|
||2025|2024|
||£|£|
|Tradedebtors|2,169|1,109|
|Otherdebtors|659|659|
|Prepayments and accrued income|5,807|2,918|
||8,635|4,686|
|CREDITORS:amounts fallingduewithinoneyear|||
||2025|2024|
||£|£|
|Accruals|7,047|6,422|
|Funds received as agent|77,564|54,847|
||84,611|61,269|



As described in the Trustees’ Report, the funds received as agent are held on behalf of Big Local, East Cleveland Good Neighbours, Tees Valley Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust and Liverton Mines Village Hall, and Tees Valley Rural Action receive their funds and administer on their behalf. 

|Funds received asagent|2025|2024|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Balance brought forward|54,847|95,694|
|Received intheyear|121,592|58,570|
|Paid out inthe year|(98,875)|(99,417)|
|Transfer ofmanagement fees|-|-|
||77,564|54,847|



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Tees Valley Rural Action 

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(A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

9 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 

**==> picture [445 x 243] intentionally omitted <==**

**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Bal|B/fwd|Transferse&|Bal|c/fwd|
|01.04.24|Income|Expenditure|Pensions|31.03.25|
|£|£|£|é|£|
|Unrestricted|- general|funds|72,399|61,602|(76,783)|(3,400)|53,818|
|Unrestricted|- designated|funds|
|Redundancy reserve|12,538|-|-|3,212|15,750|
|Pensions|provision|6,749|-|-|(602)|6,147|
|91,686|61,602|(77,573)|(790)|75,715|
|Restricted:|
|ACRE|- contract|-|34,235|(34,235)|-|-|
|County Durham|Communty|Grant|1,213|1,118|(955)|-|1,376|
|National|Lottery Funding|36,639|50,506|(46,662)|-|40,283|
|Total|restricted|37,852|85,659|(81,852)|-|41,659|
|TOTAL FUNDS|129,538|147,261|(158,635)|(790)|117,374|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Restricted funds The balance of these funds is specific to the continuation 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. 

## Designated funds 

TVRA's income is predominantly from funding contracts or service 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 redundancy 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 £7,729 with The Pensions Trust which would become payable if the Charity were to withdraw completely from the pension scheme. Of this deficit, £792 has been provided in the accounts and is being repaid over time (Note 13) and the balance (6,937) is included as a designated fund. 

## 10 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS 

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**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|
|Funds|Funds|Total|
|£|£|£|
|Tangible|fixed|assets|6,792|-|6,792|
|Current|assets|754,326|41,659|195,985|
|Total|liabilities|(85,403)|-|(35,403)|
|75,715|41,659|117,374|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Page 17 

Tees Valley Rural Action {A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

, 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## 11 OPERATING LEASES 

At the year end the company had commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as detailed below: - 

||2025|2024|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Less than 1 year|2,921|2,921|
|Within 2-5years|2,907|4,568|
||5,828|7,489|



Lease payments in the year amounted to £6,701 

## 12 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

No related party transactions occurred during the year. 

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Tees Valley Rural Action {A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

. 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## 13 PENSION LIABILITY 

**==> picture [423 x 34] intentionally omitted <==**

**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|31|March|2025|31|March|2024|31|March|2023|
|(£s)|(Es)|(€s)|
|Present value|of provision|792|377|808|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


SCHEME: TPT Retirement Solutions ~ The Growth Plan 

The company participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 521 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 Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK. 

The scheme 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. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme. 

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2023. This valuation showed assets of £514.9m, liabilities of £531.0m and a deficit of £16.1m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows: 

## Deficit contributions 

From 1 April 2025 to 31 January 2028: — £2,100,000 perannum _— (payable monthly) 

Unless a concession has been agreed with the Trustee the term to 31 January 2028 applies. Note that the scheme’s previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 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 asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows: 

## Deficit contributions 

From 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2025 £3,312,000 perannum 

## (payable monthly) 

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**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
|||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|The|recovery|plan|contributions|are|allocated|to|each|participating|employer|in|line|with|their|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|this|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|unwinding|of|the|discount|rate|is|
|recognised|as|a|finance|cost.|
|PRESENT VALUES|OF|PROVISION|
|31|March|2025|31|March|2024|31|March|2023|
|(Es)|(Es)|(Es)|
|Present value|of provision|792|377|808|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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Tees Valley Rural Action A Company Limited by Guarantee 

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## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## 13 PENSION LIABILITY - continued 

## RECONCILIATION OF OPENING AND CLOSING PROVISIONS 

__ 

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**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Period|Period|
|Ending|Ending|
|31.03.25|31.03.24|
|£|£|
|Provision|at|start of period|377|808|
|Unwinding of the|discount factor (interest expense)|10|31|
|Deficit|contribution|paid|(385)|(462)|
|Re-measurements|-|impact|of any change|in assumptions|5|-|
|Re-measurements|- amendments|to the|contribution|schedule|785|-|
|Provision|at end|of period|792|377|
|INCOME &|EXPENDITURE|IMPACT|
|Period|Period|
|Ending|Ending|
|31.03.25|31.03.24|
|£|£|
|Interest expense|10|31|
|Re-measurements|- impact of any change|in|assumptions|5|-|
|- amendments to the|contribution|schedule|785|-|
|800|31|
|ASSUMPTIONS|
|%|Per Annum|
|31.03.25|31.03.24|31.03.23|
|Rate|of discount|4.84|5.31|5.52|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The discount rates shown above are the equivalent single 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 contributions. 

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° 

TeesValleyRural Action {A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 

## 14 PENSION LIABILITY - continued 

The following schedule details the deficit contributions agreed between the company and the scheme at each year end period: 

## DEFICIT CONTRIBUTIONS SCHEDULE 

Year Ending 31.03.25 31.03.24 31.03.23 £ £ £ Year 1 283 385 462 Year 2 283 385 Year 3 283 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year 15 Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20 

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