Charity Registration Number: 1082841 Company Registration Number: 4025310
Communitywise
Trustees' Report and Accounts
For the year ended
31 March 2025
Communitywise Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 4 |
| Examiner's unqualified report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the accounts | 8 - 14 |
Communitywise Legal and administrative information
| Trustees | Miss C Winter |
|---|---|
| Mr P Carter | |
| Mr M Relf | |
| Mrs S Relf | |
| Mr T Jackson | |
| Mr R Kelly (appointed November 2024) | |
| Secretary | Mrs S Relf |
| Centre Co-ordinator | Mrs E Abuton (until October 2024) |
| Mrs M Cockshoot (from December 2024) | |
| Charity Number | 1082841 |
| Company Number | 4025310 |
| Registered Office | The Communitywise Community Centre |
| Ocklynge Road | |
| Eastbourne | |
| East Sussex | |
| BN21 1PY | |
| Reporting Accountants | Maiden Accountancy Services |
| Suite 4, Compass House | |
| 45 Gildredge Road | |
| Eastbourne | |
| East Sussex | |
| BN21 4RY | |
| Bankers | Co operative Bank |
| PO Box 250 | |
| Delf House | |
| Southway | |
| Skelmersdale | |
| WN8 6WT | |
| Solicitors | Lawson Lewis Blakers |
| 11 Hyde Gardens | |
| Eastbourne | |
| East Sussex | |
| BN21 4PP |
Page 1
Communitywise Trustees' report
The trustees present their report and financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2025.
Governance Structure and Management
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
Community Wise became a registered charity in the year 2000 upon relinquishment by the YWCA of Great Britain. The community premises opened in 1965 as the Eastbourne YWCA. The charitable work started then was taken over by Community Wise and the freehold of the premises was purchased. Long engagement with the community, goodwill, experience, local knowledge and support provide social capital that has huge value.
Officer of Charity
Mrs E Abuton Centre Co-ordinator (until October 2024) Mrs M Cockshoot Centre Co-ordinator (from December 2024)
Trustees
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year were:
Miss C Winter Chairman Mr P Carter Mr M Relf Mrs S Relf Mr T Jackson Mr R Kelly (appointed November 2024)
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
Five trustee meetings were held during the year, including an Annual General Meeting at which the accounts and report of the previous year were received and adopted.
Currently the General Committee responsible for the day to day oversight and development of Community Wise is the Trustee body.
Community Wise works closely with Living Stones Community Church.
Review of activities
Objects of the charity
The object of Community Wise is to help to facilitate vibrant community life for all through Christian faith in action. Its core aims are to serve the community, to encourage and support family life, to value individuals and respond to their needs where appropriate, and to promote community spirit.
Page 2
Communitywise Trustees' report (continued)
Review of activities (cont'd)
Objects of the charity (cont'd)
During the year 2024-25 the Trustees have continued providing its services to the local community, supporting foundations and giving hope in life. Community Wise provided community activities and facilities for the benefit of approximately 2000-3000 beneficiaries of all ages and from all backgrounds in an average term time month. Some activities were initiated and led by Community Wise staff and volunteers, such as organising a monthly produce and craft market and providing English lessons for over 50 asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and other local non-English speakers. Other activities were held in association with other agencies or organised by local community or charitable groups who hired the facilities. Over thirty such groups with no premises of their own use Community Wise for their activities on a regular basis, and an additional 30 voluntary and community groups or families book rooms for occasional meetings or events, such as parties, training courses, conferences health care, committee meetings etc. During 2024-25 Community Wise hosted over 2000 separate activities tha took place in our halls, classrooms or seminar rooms.
A grant from Blue Heart led to the introduction of language lessons focusing on the environment, pollution and the natural world to our language students during the year. Improvements to our heating system to reduce wastage was installed by Heating Save and put to use during the year. A grant from Groundwork included conducting a renewable energy appraisal. The main recommendations of the appraisal were to install LED lighting to replace approximately 100 fluorescent tubes and to install a solid insulated roof which would replace the glass roof in the reception area. These measures were implemented, saving substantial heat and electricity.
Volunteering
The charity runs its own integral charity shop to raise funds, to prevent landfill, to offer volunteering opportunities and to promote goodwill and community spirit. Open for 300 mornings during the year, the two part-time staff have made huge improvements to the shop display, increasing footfall, recruiting new volunteers and raising its profile during the year.
Approximately 40 volunteers support Community Wise in its shop, activities and administration or in looking afte and improving its premises on a regular basis. This includes help with maintenance and repairs, painting and decorating, reception duties, working in the charity shop, supporting the monthly village market, teaching English and IT skills, advertising, or running groups for different sections of the community. The value of such activity is valued at over £30,000.
Premises
In 2000 Community Wise secured ownership of the premises. Since 2005/06, annually and in stages, the premises have been renovated, repaired, insulated and modernised. Regular decorating and maintenance have kept the premises in sound condition. 42 Solar Panels on the roof continue to provide energy both to Community Wise and the national grid.
Reserves
The Trustees maintain a level of six months in reserves.
Financial Review
The charity incurred a deficit of £4,006 for the year compared to a deficit of £641 in the previous year. Improved revenues in the year were offset by increased staff costs and spending on repairs and maintenance.
Page 3
Communitywise Trustees' report (continued)
Trustees responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the trust and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its net income and expenditure for the year.
In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
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prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the trust will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Risk factors
The trustees have examined the major business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.
Asset cover for funds
Note 12 sets out an analysis of the assets attributable to the various funds. These assets are sufficient to meet the charity’s obligations on a fund by fund basis.
On behalf of the board of trustees
Miss Clare Winter Trustee Dated:
Page 4
Communitywise Examiner's unqualified report
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Communitywise
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages 6 to 16.
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 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
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:
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(i) examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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(ii) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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(iii) to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
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 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:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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(a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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(b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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 to be reached.
Steve Maiden, ACA Suite 4, Compass House 45 Gildredge Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 4RY
Dated:
Page 5
Communitywise Statement of Financial Activities Including Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Investment income Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects Charitable activities Other incoming resources Total incoming resources 2 Resources expended Costs of generating funds Charitable activities Governance costs Total resources expended 3 Net income for the year Fund balances at 1 April Transfer between funds Fund balances at 31 March |
Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 £ 5,092 0 5,092 53,119 0 53,119 2,881 0 2,881 61,092 0 61,092 83,770 0 83,770 277 0 277 145,139 0 145,139 24,249 0 24,249 123,996 0 123,996 900 0 900 149,145 0 149,145 (4,006) 0 (4,006) 128,543 0 128,543 0 0 0 124,537 0 124,537 |
2024 £ 11,002 45,899 1,796 58,697 73,018 348 132,063 21,073 110,731 900 132,704 (641) 129,184 0 128,543 |
|---|---|---|
Page 6
Communitywise Balance sheet As at 31 March 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 8 Current assets Debtors 9 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 11 Net Assets Income funds General Fund 12 Building and Refurbishment works |
2025 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 74,361 87,728 4,035 3,859 137,218 134,079 141,253 137,938 (7,191) (7,267) 134,062 130,671 208,423 218,399 (83,886) (89,856) 124,537 128,543 124,537 128,543 0 0 124,537 128,543 |
|---|---|
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;
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i) The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476,
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ii) The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts
The financial statements were approved by the board on
C Winter M Relf Trustee Trustee
Page 7
Communitywise Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
1.2 Incoming resources
Voluntary income and donations are accounted for as received by the Charity. Grants are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they are receivable.
1.3 Resources expended
Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred and allocated to the particular cost centre to which they relate. Resources include irrecoverable VAT.
Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and grants and the shop trading activities.
Charitable activities expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries.
Where costs cannot be directly attributed to specific activities, they have been apportioned across the cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of these resources.
| Activities for | **Charitable ** | Governance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| generating | activities | ||
| funds | |||
| Salaries and pension | |||
| Shop staff | 100% | ||
| Other staff | 100% | ||
| Other overheads and direct costs | |||
| Insurance, gas and water rates | 10% | 90% | |
| Administration and support costs | 100% | ||
| Accountancy and Accountants report Review | 100% | ||
| Legal and professional | 100% |
Governance represents the strategic and legal costs of the charity.
Page 8
Communitywise Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the following rates and basis to reduce by annual instalments, the cost of the tangible assets over their estimated useful lives.
Freehold buildings 2% Straight line basis Improvements 10% and 20% Straight line basis Computer equipment 33 1/3% Straight line basis Fixtures, fittings and equipment 25% Straight line basis
Items below £200 are not capitalised.
1.5 Leasing and hire purchase commitments
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
1.6 Stock
Stocks of consumables and food are considered of no value and no valuation is included within the Financial Statements.
1.7 Pensions
The trust operates a defined contributions pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
Page 9
Communitywise Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
| 2 Incoming resources Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 £ £ £ Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income Donations and gifts 5,092 0 5,092 Activities for generating funds Proceeds from the sale of donated goods 52,444 0 52,444 Contributions from users 675 0 675 53,119 0 53,119 Investment income Interest receivable 2,881 0 2,881 Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects Charitable activities Lettings 69,515 0 69,515 Short courses 1,835 0 1,835 Grants 12,420 0 12,420 83,770 0 83,770 Other incoming resources Sundry 277 0 277 277 0 277 Total incoming resources 145,139 0 145,139 |
Total 2024 £ 11,002 43,594 2,305 45,899 1,796 63,201 1,467 8,350 73,018 348 348 132,063 |
|---|---|
Page 10
Communitywise Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
| 3 Resources expended Costs of generating funds Shop salaries Shop heat and light Shop rates Shop insurance Shop volunteer expenses Shop Equipment. Shop Expenses Charitable activities Salaries and NIC Telephone and postage Printing, stationery and photocopier Computer costs Hospitality and resources Depreciation Rates and water Cleaning and household Training Light and heat Insurance Maintenance of building and equipment Loan interest Legal and professional fees Bank charges Advertising Governance Accountancy Total resources expended |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 £ £ £ 21,632 0 21,632 1,007 0 1,007 92 0 92 348 0 348 607 0 607 29 0 29 534 0 534 24,249 0 24,249 14,235 0 14,235 462 0 462 2,467 0 2,467 2,324 0 2,324 1,280 0 1,280 13,367 0 13,367 1,398 0 1,398 19,551 0 19,551 0 0 0 9,067 0 9,067 3,136 0 3,136 47,291 0 47,291 5,590 0 5,590 3,688 0 3,688 0 0 0 140 0 140 123,996 0 123,996 900 0 900 149,145 0 149,145 |
Total 2024 £ 17,940 1,043 91 431 484 657 427 21,073 15,964 802 2,441 1,766 1,067 20,957 1,056 14,604 383 9,391 3,874 28,126 5,935 3,742 478 145 110,731 900 132,704 |
|---|---|---|
Page 11
Communitywise Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
- 4 Trustees
Two of the trustees were reimbursed expenses incurred on behalf of the charity during the year.
5 Employees
| Direct charitable Administrative Employment costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Employers Pension |
2025 Number 2 1 3 2025 £ 35,147 0 719 35,866 |
2024 Number 2 1 3 2024 £ 33,185 0 719 33,904 |
|---|---|---|
There were no employees whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more.
6 Pension costs
The trust is registered with the Government Workplace Pension Scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund and amounted to £719 (2024: £468). No contributions were payable to the fund at the year end.
7 Taxation
No corporation tax is payable on the results as Community Wise is a registered charity number 1065086.
Page 12
Communitywise Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
8 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost As at 1 April 2024 Additions As at 31 March 2025 Depreciation As at 1 April 2024 Charge for year As at 31 March 2025 Net Book Value As at 31 March 2025 As at 1 April 2024 |
Fixtures, Freehold Improvements Computer fittings and property to property equipment equipment £ £ £ £ 135,750 468,710 6,411 30,285 0 0 0 0 135,750 468,710 6,411 30,285 59,725 457,007 6,411 30,285 2,715 10,652 0 0 62,440 467,659 6,411 30,285 73,310 1,051 0 0 76,025 11,703 0 0 |
Total £ 641,156 0 641,156 553,428 13,367 566,795 74,361 87,728 |
|---|---|---|
In the opinion of the trustees the Community Wise Community centre Building is valued in excess of the book value shown.
9 Debtors
| Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Charity bank loan Accruals |
2025 £ 393 3,642 4,035 2025 £ 5,973 1,218 7,191 |
2024 £ 376 3,483 3,859 2024 £ 5,973 1,294 7,267 |
|---|---|---|
Page 13
Communitywise Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
11 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
| Charity bank loan Loan maturity analysis Debt due in one year or less In more than two years but not more than five years In more than five years 12 Fund balances Balance at 1 April Incoming 2024 resources £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 128,543 145,139 Restricted funds Building and Refurbishment works 0 0 |
2025 £ 83,886 5,973 27,810 56,076 89,859 Resources Transfers expended £ £ (149,145) 0 0 0 |
2024 £ 89,856 5,973 27,810 62,046 95,829 Balance at 31 March 2025 £ 124,537 0 |
|---|---|---|
13 Commitments under operating leases
At 31 March 2025 the company had annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
| Expiry date: Within one year Between two and five years |
2025 £ 0 1,334 1,334 |
2024 £ 0 1,334 1,334 |
|---|---|---|
Page 14