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← Merton Voluntary Service Council

2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04164949 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1085867

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOR

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL

Trading name: MERTON CONNECTED

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Page
Legal and administrative information 3
Report of the Trustees 4 to 16
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members 17 to 19
Statement of Financial Activities 20
Balance Sheet 21
Statement of Cash Flows 22
Notes to the Financial Statements 23 to 37
Detailed Income and Expenditure Account
(This page does not form part of the statutory accounts)		 38

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

04164949 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1085867

Trading Name Merton Connected

Registered office

The Vestry Hall London Road Mitcham Surrey CR4 3UD

Auditor

Kingston Burrowes Audit Ltd 308 Ewell Road Surbiton Surrey KT6 7AL

Bankers

Unity Trust Bank Nine Brindley Place 4 Oozells Square Birmingham B1 2HB

Solicitors

Investments

CCLA Investment Management Ltd Russell-Cooke LLP Senator House 2 Putney Hill 85 Queen Victoria Street Putney London London EC4V 4ET SW15 6AB

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MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees (who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006) are pleased to present their annual Trustees’ Report for Merton Voluntary Service Council (MVSC), together with the audited financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2025, which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

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 2019) and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL’s (MVSC) MISSION

MVSC’s mission is to inspire and develop an excellent voluntary and community sector in the London Borough of Merton (LBM).

MVSC’s Charitable Objects are:

  1. To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the public, principally but not exclusively in the local government area of the London Borough of Merton (LBM) and its environs (hereinafter called the “area of benefit”) and, particularly the advancement of education, the furtherance of health, and the relief of poverty, distress, and sickness.

  2. To build the capacity of third sector organisations and provide them with the necessary support, information, and services to enable them to pursue or contribute to any charitable purpose.

  3. To promote, organise and facilitate co-operation and partnership working between third sector, statutory and other relevant bodies in the achievement of the above purposes within the area of benefit.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY

The charitable company’s principal activity for the year, which is ultimately the objects set out in the Articles of Association, for MVSC was to provide practical support to voluntary and community organisations, liaison and advocacy, community engagement, development, standard setting, strategic partnership working and fund management. The social prescribing service promotes health (in line with Article 1) and partnership working between the NHS and third sector (in line with Article 3).

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission’s published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. We believe that we have complied with this and seek to demonstrate this within this report. Our objects and funding limit the services we provide to those detailed in our charitable objectives.

A review of the Charity’s activities is set out further in this report.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

MVSC is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. MVSC has pursued effective governance throughout the year, following provisions and procedures in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. MVSC trades under the name Merton Connected. Membership of MVSC is as set out in the Articles of Association.

MVSC is reviewing its Articles in 2025/26 to ensure they are aligned with the way of operating and are relevant for the future.

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Trustees

The Trustee Board is made up of not less than five and no more than fifteen persons. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Charity’s governing document. The Board periodically reviews the mix of skills and experience required and recruits new trustees as needed using appropriate methods, including advertising, professional networks and recommendations. New Trustees are provided with an induction programme led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and are provided with a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the latest Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements. The induction programme includes a briefing on their obligations under company and charity law, the decision-making processes within MVSC, the Business and Strategic Plans, and information relating to operational and financial management. Trustees are encouraged to participate in appropriate external training events which can facilitate the undertaking of their role.

The Board of Trustees governs the Charity. The Board meets four to five times a year, with a Finance Committee, meeting and occasional task and finish groups to look at specific issues and report back. All task and finish groups have clear terms of reference, which are agreed by the Board before they are established.

All Trustees give of their time freely and no Trustee received remuneration in the year. Details of Trustees’ expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in Notes 12 and 14 to the accounts.

Trustee Changes in year
Emma Wiley Resigned 12 February 2026
Jennifer Goddard
Wendy Jane Pridmore Resigned 11 December 2025
Asha Newsum
Judith Brodie-Chair
Nigel Lawson-Treasurer Resigned 3 February 2026
Karen Peck Appointed 22 September 2025
Natalie Busari Appointed 22 September 2025
Omar Daair Appointed 22 September 2025
Preeya Parmar Appointed 22 September 2025

Management of MVSC

The Trustees provide policy and strategic leadership and guidance to the organisation. Day to day management and decision making of the Charity is delegated to the CEO who works closely with senior and other staff to fulfil the Charity’s objectives and ensure the smooth and effective running of the organisation. The CEO reports to the Chair and the Board.

Senior Management Team

Senior Management Team
Tony Molloy Chief Executive Officer
Adwoa Fadahunsi Head of Development and Volunteering
Dave Curtis Head of Healthwatch Merton
Kelly Walker Head of Social Prescribing appointed Nov 2024
Amy Gee Head of Operations
Marie Douglas Finance Business Partner

Pay policy for the Senior Management Team

The pay of the senior staff is reviewed annually and normally increased in line with a rate set by the Board of Trustees, considering available funding. In view of the nature of the Charity, the Trustees benchmark against pay levels in other voluntary organisations, other voluntary sector infrastructure organisations across London as well as with the public sector.

Related parties and co-operation with other organisations

None of our Trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the Charity. Any connection between a Trustee or a senior manager of the Charity with a supplier, funder, or charitable organisation in the London Borough of Merton (LBM) is disclosed to the full Board of Trustees in the same way as any other contractual relationship with a related party. Further details of any related party transactions can be found in Notes 12 and 14 of the accounts.

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Use of volunteers

One of the aims of the Charity is to match expressions of interest in volunteering to volunteer opportunities offered, with a focus on providing additional capacity to local voluntary and community organisations. MVSC continues to provide Home Visit Libraries volunteers under contract to the London Borough of Merton (LBM) and is grateful for the support of the many volunteers who support local organisations and MVSC itself.

1. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The continued cost-of-living crisis, alongside sustained pressures on the NHS and statutory services, has resulted in significantly increased demand for voluntary and community sector support across the London Borough of Merton. In response, MVSC has continued to play a pivotal role in inspiring, supporting and strengthening the voluntary, community and faith sector, ensuring residents across the borough can access timely, locally delivered support. Throughout the year, MVSC remained focused in consolidating and adapting its strategic objectives to respond to emerging needs, while maintaining continuity and quality of delivery. Our key objectives, and associated activity, included the following:

1.1 Capacity building and sector development

MVSC continued to support existing voluntary and community organisations, while also enabling the creation and development of new groups. This work strengthened organisational resilience, governance and delivery capacity across the voluntary, community and faith sectors, ensuring local organisations are well positioned to meet the needs of the residents they serve.

1.2 Partnership development and innovation

We developed and delivered effective partnership models, including Motivate Merton , a collaboration of eleven organisations providing mentoring support to local children and young people. This initiative, funded through the GLA and Propel investment, demonstrates the value of coordinated, cross-sector working in achieving improved outcomes for young people.

1.3 Health and integrated care collaboration

MVSC continued to work closely within the Integrated Care System (ICS) at both borough and South West London (SWL) levels. This included the delivery of pilot and longer-term health and wellbeing initiatives such as the Community Health and Wellbeing Project, the Ethnic Minorities Health Improvement Project (EMHIP), and the Core Connectors programme, all of which support preventative approaches and address health inequalities.

1.4 Social Prescribing delivery

We maintained the successful delivery of Social Prescribing services in line with contractual requirements, supporting all GP practices across the six Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in the borough. This ensured residents can access non-clinical, community-based support to improve wellbeing and reduce pressure on primary care services.

1.5 Healthwatch Merton

MVSC ensured Healthwatch Merton continued to operate as an effective and independent consumer health champion. Through engagement and intelligence gathering, Healthwatch Merton identified good practice, emerging challenges and opportunities for improvement across local health and care services, ensuring the voices of residents informed service development.

1.6 Funding, investment and grant administration

Working in partnership with the Merton Chamber of Commerce, statutory partners and donors (including the London Borough of Merton, South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB), Wimbledon Foundation and City Bridge Foundation), MVSC continued to administer and distribute funding through Merton Giving . This enabled targeted investment into local voluntary sector services at a time of heightened financial pressure across the sector.

1.7 Wellbeing Hub at Wilson Hospital

Following its successful launch in April 2023, MVSC continued to support the development and delivery of the Wellbeing Hub at the former Wilson Hospital. This work was undertaken in partnership with the Steering Group, NHS partners and the London Borough of Merton’s Public Health team, providing an accessible, communitybased resource to support local residents’ health and wellbeing.

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Together, these activities reflect MVSC’s continued commitment to collaborative working, preventative approaches, and strengthening the voluntary and community sector to meet the evolving needs of Merton’s residents.

2. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

This section provides highlights from the annual review of MVSC’s work and forms part of the annual financial statement.

2.1 Key highlights for the year

2.1.1 Trustee Board

The board have undertaken to develop a new 5-year strategy for MVSC, this project is underway with completion during 2025/26.

2.1.2 Social Prescribing

The service was extended to deliver a pilot programme providing a Social Prescribing service to high intensity users (HIU) which ceased on 31 March 2025. A new pilot service has been commissioned for 2025/26 to deliver a social prescribing and health coaching service within St George’s Hospital to patients diagnosed with Sickle Cell and/or Thalassemia.

2.1.3 Merton Giving Fund

There has been one successful round of grant giving since April 2024 to support Merton residents with the cost-of-living pressures. An additional payment of £55,000 has been made to the Wilson Wellbeing Centre to fund a service gap. During the year, the Merton Giving service was reviewed and MVSC will now deliver the service with a close working relationship with Merton Chamber of Commerce who will provide insight, knowledge and links into the business sector within the borough.

2.1.4 Motivate Merton fund by the GLA Propel Fund

MVSC was awarded a grant to deliver a partnership mentoring program to young people over a two-year period by bringing a partnership of voluntary groups together to jointly deliver the mentoring through a mix of voluntary and paid mentors. This funding by GLA ceased on 31 March 2025 but has been replaced for one further year through Lottery Funding starting from the start of the 2025/26 financial year. This is expected to be the final year of Motivate Merton funding, however the Motivate Merton partnership and its partners will endure.

2.1.5 Community Health and Wellbeing Project

MVSC are delivering the Community Health and Wellbeing Project funded by the ICB in the Pollards Hill and Cricket Green areas. This service provides one to one contact across 150 – 200 homes in each area.

2.1.6 Providing Support to Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations

MVSC continues to play a central role in supporting and strengthening the VCFSE sector across the London Borough of Merton. Our work focuses on building organisational resilience, improving governance and compliance, supporting workforce and volunteer development, and enabling collaboration to maximise impact for local residents.

2.2 Key areas of activity during the year

2.2.1 Information sharing, training and capacity building

MVSC remained committed to keeping the VCFSE sector informed of essential sector news, funding opportunities and volunteering developments. We facilitated and hosted a comprehensive programme of continuing professional development (CPD) and capacity-building workshops, responding directly to identified sector need.

Topics included:

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2.2.2 Strengthening skills, confidence and compliance across the sector

Over 85 individuals from local organisations participated in workshops across the year.

2.2.3 Communications and digital engagement

MVSC remained committed to keeping the sector informed about key news, funding opportunities, and volunteering updates through our communications channels. Our social media reach continued to grow, with Facebook followers increasing from 886 to 952, Instagram followers rising from 347 to 613, and LinkedIn followers growing from 368 to 444. Across all platforms, average post impressions increased by 50.2 percent. The MVSC newsletter subscriber base grew to 898, and engagement improved significantly, with the average open rate rising from 26.2 percent to 42.6 percent. These developments, shaped by stakeholder feedback, ensure our communications are relevant, timely and accessible to local VCFSE organisations and the residents they serve.

2.2.4 One-to-one organisational support

MVSC continued to deliver tailored one-to-one support to local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations. Support covered a wide range of areas, including:

During the year, 53 organisations benefited from over 820 hours of individualised support, enabling organisations to strengthen delivery, governance and sustainability.

2.2.5 Funding support and investment into the borough

MVSC supported organisations to secure funding from a range of external sources, bringing additional income and services into Merton. Through the Propel scheme, supported by a collaboration of London funders, MVSC was awarded a one-year extension grant of £330,059 for 2025/26. This funding will be shared with ten local partner organisations delivering the Motivate Merton programme, enabling a further 160 local young people to receive one-to-one mentoring support and tailored enrichment activities.

2.2.6 Sector Investment

Further inward investment, more than £500,000 was achieved through the support and assistance in drafting applications on behalf of local VCFSE organisations to the National Lottery Community Fund, Awards For All, BBC Children in Need, Lloyds Foundation, Kitchen Social (Mayor’s Fund for London) and Arts Council (to name but a few)

2.2.7 Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)

MVSC also supported organisations with applications to the Borough’s HAF programme, the Borough of Sports funding stream, and the Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund.

2.2.8 Volunteering infrastructure and leadership

MVSC continued to provide volunteering infrastructure and leadership across the Borough. Over 500 residents registered an interest in volunteering via our specialist volunteering platform, powered by Simply Connect. Existing and prospective volunteers were kept informed through regular bulletins, social media activity and outreach events, including monthly outreach at Mitcham Jobcentre, targeted to specific volunteering roles.

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2.2.9 Management Support

MVSC facilitated bi-monthly Volunteer Managers Forums, enabling those responsible for volunteer coordination to remain informed of legislative changes and best practice, while benefiting from peer support and problem-solving through action learning approaches.

2.2.10 Sector forums and representation

MVSC continued to facilitate the overarching Voluntary Sector Forum ( Involve ), alongside a range of thematic sub-forums including Mental Health, Youth Partnership, CEO/Senior Leadership Network, Family Support Services and the Small Organisations Forum. These forums provided timely briefings, legal updates and opportunities for discussion on emerging issues and sector challenges. They enabled peer support, strengthened advocacy, amplified the collective voice of the sector and supported innovation and collaboration, ensuring the VCFSE sector remains well-placed to meet the evolving needs of Merton’s residents.

2.2.11 Community Health and Wellbeing Service

Through an innovative initiative funded by the Integrated Care Board (ICB), MVSC employs two Community Health and Wellbeing Officers based in Phipps Bridge and Pollards Hill. The service delivers one-to-one support, group-based activities, and community outreach, improving residents’ knowledge, confidence, and access to health services. To date, the programme has engaged over 135 residents, with measurable outcomes including increased attendance at health appointments, uptake of preventative services, and greater participation in community wellbeing initiatives. Through these initiatives, MVSC demonstrates tangible outcomes aligned with local and sub-regional priorities, including:

2.2.12 Celebrating the Achievements of Merton’s VCFSE Sector

MVSC proudly delivered and hosted the Merton Partnership Civic Pride Awards during Volunteer’s week to an audience of over 300 people celebrating and amplifying the incredible volunteering contribution residents made to the London Borough of Merton.

2.3 Creating Models of Innovative Partnership

Evolving the services we provide to respond to the needs of organisations and the wider operating environment. Examples include:

2.3.1 Health Partnerships

Integrated Care Board (ICB): Working with London Borough of Merton (LBM) and health colleagues from the ICB to support several initiatives to engage even more successfully with communities and individuals to improve understanding and engagement with proactive health initiatives. These include The Core 20 Connectors and Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP) initiatives which continued through 2024/25 and were concluded 31 March 2025 in line with most similar projects in the SW ICB area. 2.3.2 Strong VCFSE Partnership Working

Motivate Merton (as set out above)

2.3.3 Sector Representation and Influence

Continuing influencing and contributing to policy at regional, sub-regional and borough level, across the wider health and social care agenda, representing the views and amplifying the voice of the sector, by senior team member presence on key local and regional boards, such as: Care Together Board, Safer Merton Partnership, Children Trust and Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership, Health and Wellbeing Board, Safer Neighbourhood Board, Merton Safeguarding Adult Board and Violence Against Women And Girls (VAWAG) Board.

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The CEO is a member of the SWL VCSE Alliance Leadership Group which has grown from the VSCE transition team for the ICS. The group works sub-regionally with the five other CVS organisations across the London Boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Kingston, Wandsworth, and Richmond in South West London (SWL). The group highlights health inequalities and promotes the idea of co-production (between the voluntary and statutory sectors) as an effective mechanism for addressing these societal issues, sub-regionally, as well as at borough and neighbourhood level as well as the emerging Merton health provider alliance.

2.4 Contracted Home Visits Library Service

MVSC continues to run a home visits library service throughout LBM where volunteers select and deliver library books to those who are unable to visit the library.

2.5 Continued successful delivery of social prescribing services

Social prescribing is a way of linking patients with sources of support within the community. It provides General Practitioners (GPs) with non-medical referral options that can operate alongside existing medical treatments and interventions to improve overall health and well-being, whilst reducing GP appointments so their focus can remain on medical need.

MVSC’s Social Prescribing teams look to support individuals to enable them to have more choice and control in how their health and well-being is managed and maintained whilst importantly increasing the capacity of the GPs to meet increased demand on their services.

During the last ten years the social prescribing model has gained increasing prominence as has MVSC’s social prescribing service which has also grown and developed. Highlights include:

2.5.1 ONS Wellbeing Tool

The Social Prescribing team has been using the wellbeing tool of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) since January 2020.The ONS Wellbeing outcomes for Social Prescribing patients are as follows.

2.5.2 ONS Wellbeing outcomes, Apr 2024 – Mar 2025

2.5.3 Appointments Delivered

The main Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for our contract delivery is KPI 1.4 “Working with Primary Care to achieve 80% service utilisation rate”. During the financial year the service achieved a utilisation rate of 110% exceeding the utilisation rate for the previous year. The annual average utilisation rate for financial year 2023/24 was 89%.

2.5.4 Number of New Referrals Received

The Social Prescribing team received 3,622 new referrals between April 2024 and March 2025 an increase of 50 people on the 2023/24 financial year. During 2022/23 financial year the team received 2,615 new referrals. Demand for the service is increasing, and the main reasons for referrals during the last financial year have been for Mental Health (20.4%), Social Isolation (12.2%), Housing and Financial Advice (28%) and Support for Carers (9.9%).

In total the social prescribing team delivered 8,994 appointments. In addition, the social prescribing team do outreach work to promote the service at Merton events.

2.5.6 Data Collection

The Merton Social Prescribing team uses Elemental software to collect and store data safely. Elemental has been interfaced with EMIS; the software used within Primary Care in LBM. Our team has been clinically evaluated by Oxford University in 2022 and we are one of the most digitally mature Social Prescribing services in the UK. Our data is shared monthly with the ICB and Primary Care Network and quarterly with the ICS.

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2.6 Healthwatch Merton service delivery

Healthwatch Merton (HWM) has continued to deliver on its mission to ensure local people have a voice in shaping local health and care services. 2024/25 was another challenging year. The service continues to deliverer both community outreach, specialised projects and directly influencing change across local, regional, and national health and care strategies.

2.6.1 HWM Community Outreach and Engagement

From April 2024 to March 2025, HWM engaged with over 500 residents across various outreach events and activities. These efforts helped gather essential feedback on local health and social care services, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by service provision were heard and considered in future planning.

Notable outreach activities included:

2.6.2 HWM Influencing Change and Advocacy

Healthwatch Merton has used feedback to advocate for improvement in local health and key areas of influence

2.6.3 The Merton 0-5 Autism diagnostic pathway

In partnership with Merton ICB, HWM created a first of its kind visual flowchart to help parents understand the complex autism diagnostic process for children under the age of 5. HWM reviewed information provided by statutory bodies and interviewed decision makers to map out the pathway, developing a visual triage mapping of the pathway using online design software.

2.6.4 The community nursing services in Merton

HWM gathered feedback on the community nursing services offered in Merton on behalf of SWL ICB to increase their knowledge base and understanding. We created a questionnaire in partnership with Merton Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (Merton CLCH), printed 200 booklets and distributed them to persons accessing community nursing services in Merton. HWM received 26 responses (25 paper and 1 online). Preliminary findings indicated an overall positive outlook and general satisfaction at community nursing services.

2.6.5 Evaluation of Mental Health services provided for the Merton Community

HWM commissioned by the Southwest London ICB and St. George’s Mental Health Trust conducted a baseline survey to feed into and evaluate the state of mental health services provided for the Merton Community. The survey engaged 57 individuals who had previously accessed mental health services in Merton.

2.6.6 Polish and Eastern European community project HWM undertook a project with the Polish and Eastern European (EE) community who live in Merton. This

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includes people from Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine who live and who have made their home in the borough. HWM along with the Polish Family Association (PFA) aimed to investigate the disparities in healthcare for the Polish and EE community within the borough. The assessment engaged 176 individuals attending PFA services through surveys, alongside five focus groups and two in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals. The findings have fed into the Health and Wellbeing Board whereby they are being utilised to inform areas within the current development of several LBM and ICB health strategies.

2.6.7 Veteran Voice and Veteran Aware Accreditation for GP Practices

HWM continued to advocate for better recognition and support for the needs of veterans in the borough. HWM facilitated 16 specific Armed Forces Veteran Outreach sessions to support their voice to inform and improve services locally. We have a healthy database of over 100 Armed Forces Veterans whom most have signed up for HWM monthly E-bulletin where they have their own special “What’s on for Veterans” activity and events page. There has been a positive increase in accredited Veteran Friendly GP practices from 8 to 11 during the year. HWM continues to work with veterans and see further increase of GP practices in the borough attain this accreditation by the end of 2025/2026.

2.6.8 HWM Communication and Public Engagement

Throughout the year, HWM distributed 12 e-bulletins to keep the public informed about health and care services in the borough. These bulletins shared important updates, local opportunities, and invited residents to engage with ongoing consultations.

3. PLANS FOR 2025/2026

MVSC continues to have a key role in the London Borough of Merton, supporting communities through its key role strengthening and developing the Voluntary, Community and Faith sectors in the borough. During 2024/5 work started on a new long-term strategy to take us forward from 2025/26, there will be work to ensure our Articles of Association are updated to support MVSC to deliver the new 2025 to 2030 strategy.

While the past year was challenging, MVSC continued help setup and support new organisations and provide a range of assistance to existing organisations, including helping them to produce successful applications to regional and national funding bodies. MVSC’s ambition remains to commission local services, which will also deliver embedded partnerships working in collaboration amongst and across our local VCSE sector.

3.1 Plans for Core Services 2025/2026

3.1.1 Step-Up Quality Assurance Programme

With continuing funding from The Wimbledon Foundation, the Step-Up Quality Assurance Programme that MVSC developed (a locally tailored framework designed to strengthen small and micro voluntary sector organisations, improving governance, service delivery and organisational resilience) has continued to be rolled out.

The programme provides intensive support to six local organisations, equipping them with knowledge, skills and tools to enhance operational capacity, compliance, safeguarding, and quality assurance. Support is delivered via one-to-one guidance, structured training workshops, and action learning sets. Participating organisations are enabled to evidence achievement against agreed quality standards, improving organisational sustainability and service outcomes for residents.

3.1.2 Community development model

The Core Services Team continues to apply an asset-based model of community development, identifying and building upon existing community strengths and resources. This approach supports improved health, wellbeing, resilience, and social cohesion, empowering local residents to access services, engage in community activities, and participate actively in local decision-making.

3.1.3 Outcome measurement

By embedding outcomes measurement across its core services, MVSC ensures that every intervention is evidence based and responsive to the evolving needs of Merton residents, delivering impactful, sustainable, and socially valuable outcomes for the borough.

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3.2 Plans for Healthwatch Merton 2025/2026

The service will face uncertainty in the coming year given government proposals to abolish Healthwatch and all 150 local Healthwatch services (announced June 2025). The service is expected to remain funded until the end of the financial year 2026/27. HWM has several areas of focus identified for 25/26 (below) which respond to National, Regional and local requirements.

3.3 Plans for Social Prescribing 2025/2026

3.4 Plans for Merton Giving 2025/2026

MVSC’s role has increased to operate all aspects of Merton Giving strategy, funding raising and grant management. The service will recruit a Strategic Lead and a fundraiser, alongside the existing Grant Manager. MVSC will continue to work in partnership with Merton Chamber of Commerce to develop links with local business and services, and with stakeholders on the Merton Giving Steering Group to ensure the programme of work has a strategic and needs-based approach.

3.5 Plans for Central Staff Services 2025/2026

MVSC has invested internally to strengthen and future proof the organisation. This successful work has included expanding the staff team and investing in their individual and collective training and development and wellbeing, this work will continue and develop to strengthen the organisation further. The service will be better placed to use the data from the established annual staff survey to create tailored workplace action plans and respond to the needs of the MVSC team. New systems have improved and will continue to strengthen the recruitment and induction process.

As we continue to develop knowledge, we continue to enhance our digital skills, improve digital inclusion and look to the future with regards to digital assets. The team continues to make better use of SharePoint and Teams, particularly for organising large events and collating surveys and feedback. The entire team meet regularly and receive corporate information to improve team working across the organisation. The team will be

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responsible for recruitment of new trustees and assisting with the development and communication of the new strategy.

4 FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Statements

The financial statements, including the notes, have been prepared in compliance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102). The analysis of income and expenditure reflects the classification of activities, together with costs relating to administration.

Statement of Financial Activities

The Statement of Financial Activities is shown on page 20 with a more detailed analysis of income and expenditure within the notes to the financial statements. Total incoming resources for the year decreased to £1,559,881 (2024: £1,737,292). Income from charitable activities for this year was £1,505,704 (2024: £1,681,686) this is split between £648,857 (2024: £592,426) unrestricted funding, £856,847 (2024 £1,089,260) restricted funding and a range of grant funds which MVSC manages on behalf of the public sector, including holding and distributing funds.

The total of these grants for distribution to third parties is recognised as restricted income, however it is worthwhile noting that these funds are not used in direct charitable expenditure rather given to organisations as grants. During this year the total of this income was £145,688 (2023/24: £154,851). Full details are shown in Note 5.

Donations this year have increased compared to last year £4,939 (2024: £2,822). The total expenditure for the year was £1,674,113 (2024: £1,363,543) increase from the previous year. The net effect of the above has led to an overall operating deficit of (£122,722) compared to last year surplus of £373,441.

Balance Sheet

Overall reserves are £1,280,299 (2024: £1,403,021) with unrestricted reserves being £303,089 (2024: £363,488 after providing for the defined benefit pension liability of £8,417 (2024: £3,734).

Unrestricted reserves: £303,089 (2024: £363,488)

Unrestricted reserves are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity. Such costs can include programmes, fund-raising, management, and administration as well as the cost of meeting any future shortfalls in restricted fund activities. These funds are the accumulated balances arising from cost savings and income generation relating to the core functions of MVSC. They also include sums budgeted by the Board of Trustees to be set aside to meet known future cost threats.

The Board of Trustees considers that the total of accumulated unrestricted reserves needs to be sufficient to ensure:

Restricted Reserves: £977,210 (2024: £1,039,533)

These funds represent grants and contract sums provided to MVSC to fund specific expenditure in agreed areas of work. They are the outstanding amounts waiting to be spent. They cannot be used for any other purpose without the agreement of the grantor or contracting commissioner.

Reserves Policy

The Board of Trustees reviews the reserves policy annually and seeks to maintain a minimum balance of

14

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

unrestricted reserves equivalent to six months of budgeted core net operating costs (including the uncovered pension deficit under FRS102). This equals £194,000 for this financial year.

Currently unrestricted reserves at the year-end are £303,089, less £8,417 set aside for the future pension liability repayments and £12,894 representing fixed assets, and £26,000 represents designated funds, giving a net unrestricted free reserves figure of £255,778 a surplus of £61,778 over the minimum target unrestricted reserves figure of £194,000. This substantial balance of unrestricted reserves will enable MVSC to manage future financial and operational risk in its growing programme of support and guidance to the third sector community within the LBM.

Unrestricted funds also need to be set aside for future major investment (e.g., systems and equipment and other infrastructure assets). There are no plans for making such investments at the date of this Trustees’ Report. A designated fund of £26,000 has been received as management fees for the administration of Merton Giving.

To ensure the minimum impact on Reserves MVSC adopts the following principles in relation to ongoing project funding:

MVSC does not consider its fixed assets to be freely convertible and does not include the value of fixed assets in its calculation of working capital.

The Board of Trustees will continue to monitor the effectiveness of its Reserves Policy so that it remains relevant to its current and future position. However, because the Charity operates in a constantly changing environment the Trustees throughout the year regularly review the Charity’s balances of reserves, together with cash flow levels to ensure prudent management of its funds.

Details of the various reserves and their movements are set out in more detail in Note 23, 24 and 25 on pages 33 to 36.

Cash Management

The Board of Trustees seeks to retain a prudent sum of cash in the Bank Current Account sufficient to cover two months gross income on unrestricted activities and one month’s income on restricted activities. For 2024/25 this required an average balance £188,300. The excess over this sum was placed in a short-term investment account, which offered more security than a current account and a better rate of interest. Current account cash is managed to ensure availability to meet the short-term net budgeted expenditure needs and grant giving requirements.

Currently these excess funds are placed with Charity Offices Investment Fund (COIF) under their Charities Deposit Fund scheme. COIF is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) and is an ethical investor. Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year, MVSC has received a significant amount of investment income which as been added to our unrestricted funds.

The risk to the business rest with uncertainty of long-term core funding. The local authority are looking at how they deliver long term funding with a review starting 26/27. Changes and pressure within the health service persist, however long term planning with regards to delivering better health outcomes are likely to deliver future funding opportunities to MVSC and voluntary sector.

15

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Grant making

The Charity makes grants to a wide range of organisations who are either based in the LBM and neighbouring or adjoining areas or have strong relationships in these areas with a proven track record of benefitting residents. We are particularly keen to help grassroots community groups and small-to-medium-sized voluntary organisations. We would always consider a proposal that has the potential to achieve substantial impact in our community and furthers our charitable objectives. All grant programmes are administered primarily through Merton Giving.

Trustee Responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of Merton Voluntary Service Council for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.”

Company law requires the Charity’s Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied, they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company, and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Statement as to Disclosure of Information to Auditor

So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the company's auditor is unaware, and each director has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditor is aware of that information.

Auditor

Kingston Burrowes Audit Ltd was re-appointed as the charitable company's auditor during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Small Companies

This Trustees report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved on behalf of the Board of Trustees on 19[th] February 2026

Judith Brodie, Chair

Jen Goddard (Feb 23, 2026 15:23:10 GMT) ~~a~~ eo Jen Goddard, Trustee

16

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Merton Voluntary Service Council (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis of opinion

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

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

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

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees' annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements, or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

17

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees' report.

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

Responsibilities of trustees

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

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

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

18

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission, or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://shorturl.at/4UQzV. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

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

Mhfshex

23/02/2026

Kevin Fisher BA FCA CTA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Kingston Burrowes Audit Ltd 308 Ewell Road Surbiton Surrey KT6 7AL

19

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

note
INCOME
Donations
2
Charitable activities
5
Other Income
4
Investments
3
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Charitable Activities
6
TOTAL RESOURCES
EXPENDED
NET INCOME/EXPENDITURE
TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS
24
Other recognised
gains/(losses)
Actuarial gains/(losses) on
defined benefit pension scheme
15
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT
FORWARD
24
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD
24		 Unrestricted
Funds 2025
£
1,519
648,857
3,879
45,359
699,614
822,015
822,015
(122,401)
70,492
(8,490)
(60,399)
363,488
303,089		 Restricted
Funds 2025
£
3,420
856,847
-
-
860,267
852,098
852,098
8,169
(70,492)
-
(62,323)
1,039,533
977,210		 2025
£
4,939
1,505,704
3,879
45,359
1,559,881
1,674,113
1,674,113
(114,232)
-
(8,490)
(122,722)
1,403,021
1,280,299		 2024
£
2,822
1,681,686
8,652
44,132
1,737,292
1,363,543
1,363,543
373,749
-
(308)
373,441
1,029,580
1,403,021

All income and expenditure is derived from continuing activities.

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 23 – 37 form part of these financial statements.

20

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2025

note 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets 17 9,684 11,298
Tangible assets 18 3,210 4,805
12,894 16,103
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 19 229,020 329,242
Cash at bank and in hand 1,195,746 1,179,619
1,424,766 1,508,861
LIABILITIES
Creditors - Amounts falling due
within one year		 20 (148,944) (118,209)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 1,275,822 1,390,652
NET ASSETS EXCLUDING
PENSION LIABILITY		 1,288,716 1,406,755
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION
SCHEME LIABILITY		 15 (8,417) (3,734)
TOTAL NET ASSETS 1,280,299 1,403,021
TOTAL FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted Funds: 24 303,089 363,488
Restricted Funds 24 977,210 1,039,533
Total Charity Funds 1,280,299 1,403,021

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 19 February 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Judith Brodie, Chair

Jen Goddard (Feb 23, 2026 15:23:10 GMT) \eeddo-d Jen Goddard,Trustee

The notes on pages 23 – 37 form part of these financial statements

21

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Cash Flows from Operating Activities
note
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest from Investments
3
Purchase of intangible assets
Net cash provided by/(used in)
investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in
the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of
the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the reporting period
Reconciliation of income/(expenditure)
to net cash flow from operating
activities
Net (expenditure)/income for the
reporting period (as per the statement
of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation charges
17,18
Interest from investments
3
Decrease/(Increase) in debtors
(Decrease)/Increase in creditors
(Decrease)/Increase in pension charge
Net cash used in operating activities		 2025
£
(29,232)
45,359
-		 2024
£
(270,171)
44,132
(4,836)
39,296
(230,875)
1,410,494
1,179,619
373,441
1,645
(44,132)
(176,751)
(424,682)
308
(270,171)
45,359
16,127
1,179,619
1,195,746
(122,722)
3,209
(45,359)
100,222
30,735
4,683
(29,232)
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
note
Bank and cash in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents		 2025
£
1,195,746		 2024
£
1,179,619
1,179,619
1,195,746

The notes on pages 23 – 37 form part of these financial statements

22

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Company status

Merton Voluntary Service Council is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales. The registered office and company registration number are detailed on page 3.

Basis of preparation

Merton Voluntary Service Council meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

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 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 Accounting Practice.

The financial statements are presented in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity.

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.

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention modified to include certain items at fair value. The Trustees have made this assessment considering the Charity’s unrestricted free reserves, secured funding going forward and current and planned activities.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Income received in advance of a project or other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met (see Note 21.).

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure 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 of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the Charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the Charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102), the general volunteer time contributed is not recognised and refer to the Trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which is the amount the Charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.

23

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Allocation of support costs

Expenditure includes those costs of a direct nature, which can be allocated to a specific activity. It also includes indirect costs, including governance costs that do not relate to a specific activity but are necessary to support those activities. Support costs are apportioned on the basis of staff time.

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 which support MVSC’s charitable activities.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The Charity contributes 5% to a defined contribution pension scheme for all of its employees. Contributions payable to the Charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Please refer to Note 15 for further details on Pension arrangements.

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

Fund accounting

The unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of Charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the Charity, which the Trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations and grants, which the donor has specified, are to be solely used for particular areas of the Charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity or funds, which are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Corporation Taxation

The Charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 or Section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

Intangible fixed assets

Intangible fixed assets include the development of a new website and database. The estimated useful years and amortisation method of the intangible assets are calculated on a straight-line basis as follows:

Asset Category Annual Rate Website 10% on cost Database 10% on cost

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £2,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight-line basis as follows:

Asset Category

Asset Category Annual Rate Computer and office equipment 33% on cost

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash at bank in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

24

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Creditors and provisions

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 after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans, which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Operating leases

The Charity classifies the lease of the offices in Vestry Hall as operating leases; rental charges are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2025 2024
£ £
Donations 4,939 2,822

Income from donations was £4,939 (2024: £2,822) of which £1,519 was unrestricted (2024: £744) and £3,420 was restricted (2024: £2,078).

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

2025 2024
£ £
Interest received 45,359 44,132

All the Charity’s investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts and is unrestricted.

4. INCOME EARNED FROM OTHER ACTIVITIES

Service Income
Other income		 2025
£
123
3,756
3,879		 2024
£
3,430
5,222
8,652

Income earned from other activities was £3,879 (2024: £8,652) all being unrestricted income.

25

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Grants and contracts received are as follows:



Unrestricted
Canons House
ICS - Brazilian Model (Community Health & Wellbeing)
LBM - Notional Rent
LBM - Volunteering in Libraries Contract
Merton Clinical Commissioning Group - Social Prescribing Contract
Others
Restricted - Project based
CCG Capacity Building Fund
City Bridge Trust Merton Giving Grant
Core20 Plus Connector’s Programme
Early Years Support
LBM - Civic Pride
LBM - Community Accountancy and Merton Giving Support
LBM - Community Hub Jigsaw
LBM - Healthwatch Grant
LBM - Transforming Communities
Merton EMHIP Inequalities Project
NHS South West Vaccination Outreach
Propel - Motivate Merton
Wimbledon Foundation Grant
Restricted - Grants for third parties
CYP Engagement
LB Haringey - Participatory Grant Giving Pilot
LBM - Inequalities
LBM - Merton Partnership Community Giving Grants
LBM - Ukraine
NHS 24-25 Winter Grants
Total Restricted
Total Income from Charitable Activities		 2025
£
-
88,593
37,949
17,500
493,632
11,183
648,857
-
30,899
46,699
2,302
207,613
-
-
130,000
-
42,878
17,000
213,268
20,500
711,159
7,683
58,500
-
50,000
4,795
24,710
145,688
856,847
1,505,704		 2024
£
15,234
-
37,949
17,500
518,323
3,420
592,426
62,637
61,100
-
-
207,113
24,775
6,708
130,500
37,500
-
-
383,576
20,500
934,409
-
-
19,722
135,129
-
-
154,851
1,089,260
1,681,686

MVSC manages a range of grant funds on behalf of the public sector, including holding and distributing funds. The total of these grant funds is recognised in restricted income, shown above, however it is worthwhile noting that these funds are not used in direct charitable expenditure rather given to organisations as grants. During this year the total of this income was £145,688 (2024: £154,851).

26

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

6. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

General Activities
CCG Capacity Building Fund
City Bridge Trust - Merton Giving
Core20PLUS Connectors Programme
CYP Engagement Grant
Greater London Authority - Young
Londoners
LBM - Civic Pride
LBM - Community Accountancy
Support
LBM - Healthwatch
LBM - Merton Partnership Community
Giving Grants
LBM - Ukraine
NHS 24-25 Winter Grants
Merton EMHIP Inequalities Project
Merton Giving Grant Distribution Fund
Propel - Motivate Merton
Wimbledon Foundation - Step Up		 Direct
Charitable
Expenditure Grants Given
Support
Costs
Total
Charitable
Expenditure
Total
note 7
note 8
note 9
2025
2025
2025
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
£
622,270
-
199,744
822,015
752,129
-
-
-
-
5,000
51,202
-
-
51,202
85,331
23,105
-
-
23,105
-
-
7,693
-
7,693
-
-
-
-
-
49
202,338
-
-
202,338
145,864
7,629
-
-
7,629
327
117,380
-
-
117,380
105,913
-
35,874
-
35,874
-
-
2,430
-
2,430
-
-
8,180
-
8,180
-
209
25,000
-
25,209
1,591
43,522
-
-
43,522
66,856
18,395
294,673
-
313,817
192,434
13,719
-
-
13,719
8,048
1,099,769
373,850
199,744
1,674,113
1,363,542

7. DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE

DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE
Direct Project costs
Office costs
Premises and hall hire costs
Professional fees and other costs
Staff and related costs		 2025
£
78,551
36,840
38,089
-
946,289
1,099,769		 2024
£
108,340
61,794
38,093
10,901
710,648
929,776

27

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8. GRANTS GIVEN

The following institutions were given cumulative grants in the year:

Grants Given 2025 2024
£ £
Accoutre Centre for Learning CIC - 2,500
AFC Wimbledon Foundation 45,952 37,055
Age UK Merton 550 -
Ashdon Jazz Academy 16,953 12,300
ATS Creative Academy CIC 19,157 8,943
Attic Theatre Company (London) Limited 3,020 2,500
Avanti Mental Wellbeing CIC 550 -
Care4Calais SW London 2,500 -
Carers First 400 -
Commonside Community Development Trust 1,100 2,500
Critical Support 1,692 -
Ethnic Minority Centre 4,470 4,994
Faith in Action - Merton Homelessness Project 2,500 -
Fayre n Square CIC - 2,500
Filmanthropy CIC 27,030 12,300
Five Aside Theatre 2,500 2,500
Focus 4 1 - 2,514
Friends in St Helier (FISH) 500 -
Friends of Hillcross Primary School 500 -
FROG Learning CIC 2,310 2,500
Ghanaian Parents Association CIC - 2,500
Graphite & Diamond Ltd - 2,500
Home-Start Merton 470 -
Inner Strength Network CIC 8,700 23,000
Jigsaw4U 500 -
Learn English Together in Merton CIO 2,220 1,910
Learning Keys CIC 2,500 1,905
London Borough of Merton 27,340 6,480
Maggies at the Royal Marsden 2,500 -
Maroon Solis CIC - 2,800
Merton Goan Senior Citizens Association 2,500 2,500
Merton Mencap 4,500 2,500
Merton Parents Bereaved by Suicide 2,505 -
Merton Vision 510 -
Mitcham Arts Collective CIC 2,000 2,482
Mitcham Town Community Trust 26,240 28,700
Need 2 Succeed 16,150 -

28

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8.
GRANTS GIVENcontinued
Sherwood Park Hall CIC
Somali Community CIC
South Mitcham Community Association
South West London Law Centres
South West Runs
Springfield Advice and Law Centre
Sustainable Merton
The Nerve of my Multiple Sclerosis
Togetherness Community Centre
Tooting and Mitcham Community Sports Club Ltd
Ukrainian Refugee Help CIO
Unique Talent CIC
Veterans Community Choir CIC
Wimbledon Guild
Wimbledon Foodbank
Women Arise Ministries
The following individuals were given cumulative grants in the
Antoinette Arthur
Miss Paris R Glasford
TOTAL GRANTS GIVEN
9.
SUPPORT COSTS
note
Governance costs
10
Office costs
Premises and hall hire costs
Professional fees and other costs
Staff and related costs
10.
GOVERNANCE COSTS
Audit fees
Committee & Strategic Planning costs		 2,500
-
1,899
-
-
2,500
-
-
25,550
69,512
2,430
33,640
-
1,000
2,000
2,500		 2,500
2,500
-
5,000
2,500
-
2,500
2,500
-
49,255
2,365
20,267
2,500
2,500
-
2,500
373,850 267,270
year:
250
500		 -
-
750 -
374,600 267,270
2025
£
4,677
62,145
12,644
15,581
104,697
199,744
2025
£
4,111
566
4,677		 2024
£
16,200
18,775
15,091
10,476
105,954
166,496
2024
£
5,000
11,200
16,200

29

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11. NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES

Net resources are stated after charging/(crediting):
Amortisation and depreciation
Audit fees
Operating lease rentals
12.
STAFF COSTS
Pension costs
Social security costs
Wages and Salaries		 2025
£
3,209
4,111
-
2025
£
39,358
79,574
858,108
977,040		 2024
£
1,645
5,000
17,440
2024
£
36,530
55,460
628,083
720,073

One employee (2024: nil) earned total employee benefits between £70,001 - £80,000 (excluding employer’s national insurance and employer pension costs) (2024: £nil). Pension costs are allocated to activities in proportion to the related staffing costs incurred.

The Charity Trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the Charity in the year (2024: £nil) neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year (2024: £nil). No Charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the Charity (2024: £nil). The key management personnel of the Charity are detailed on page 5 of the accounts.

The total employee remuneration of the key management personnel (Trustees and CEO) of the Charity was £87,155 (2024: £82,945). Under FRS 102, total employee benefits include gross pay, benefits in kind, employer’s national insurance contributions and employers pension costs.

13. STAFF NUMBERS

The average monthly number of employees (including casual and part time staff) during the year was as follows:

Senior Management & administration
Other Direct Charitable Staff		 2025
Numbers
6
21
27		 2024
Numbers
5
17
22

The increase during the financial year 24/25 can be attributed to defined projects where staff have been employed on interim contracts to deliver the services.

14. TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED PARTIES

There were no related party transactions during the year or the previous year, other than the remuneration of key management personnel set out in Note 12.

15. PENSION COSTS

The charitable company has a defined contribution pension scheme, which all employees are entitled to join. Previously, the charitable company operated a defined benefit scheme, which is now closed to new members.

30

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

15. PENSION COSTS continued

This is a multi-employer scheme operated by TPT Retirement Solutions and, whilst it is not possible to estimate the share of the assets and liabilities of the scheme attributable to Merton Voluntary Service Council, TPT Retirement Solutions has estimated that the employers’ debt on withdrawal liability at the most recent annual funding update of 30 September 2024 would have been £21,921 (30 September 2023: £44,126).

The Charity’s Trustees consider that it is unlikely that any liability will crystallise in relation to this in the foreseeable future. Under FRS102, provision is required for the net present value of any agreed deficit recovery plan contributions relating to the Plan.

During the year ended 31 March 2025 payments have continued to be made in accordance with this plan and the provision for the net present value of deficit contributions was £8,417 (2024: £3,734).

The amounts recognised in the statement of financial activities are as follows:

Net interest from net defined asset/liability 2025
£
99
99		 2024
£
305
305

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

Defined benefit obligation
Contribution by scheme participants
Interest Cost
Re-measurement from changes in financial assumptions
Re-measurement from amendments to the contribution
scheme		 2025
£
(3,734)
3,807
(99)
(53)
(8,338)
(8,417)		 2024
£
(7,994)
4,568
(305)
(3)
-
(3,734)

The amounts recognised in other recognised gains and losses are as follows:

Actuarial /(losses)/gains from changes in financial
assumptions
Discount rate		 2025
£
(8,490)
(8,490)
2025
£
4.84%		 2024
£
(308)
(308)
2024
£
5.31%

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.

16. CORPORATION TAX

As a registered charity MVSC is exempt from Corporation Tax in respect of its investment and charitable income and in respect of capital gains.

31

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
AMORTISATION
At 1 April 2024
Charge for year
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2025		 Website
£
10,200
-
10,200
3,060
1,020
4,080
7,140
6,120		 Database
£
5,940
-
5,940
1,782
594
2,376
4,158
3,564		 Total
£
16,140
-
16,140
4,842
1,614
6,456
11,298
9,684

18. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Computer
and Office
Equipment
COST

£
At 1 April 2024

32,536
Additions

-
Disposal
-
At 31 March 2025

32,536
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2024

27,731
Charge for the year

1,595
Disposal
-
At 31 March 2025

29,326

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2024

4,805
At 31 March 2025

3,210
19.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025
£
Trade debtors
104,200
Other Debtors
2,133
Accrued Income
55,913
Prepayments
66,774
229,020		 Total
£
32,536
-
-
32,536
27,731
1,595
-
29,326
4,805
3,210
2024
£
123,256
2,133
128,672
75,181
329,242

32

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

20. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025 2024
£ £
Accruals 8,551 2,969
Credit Card 205 -
Credit Union 100 300
Deferred income 24,450 -
Funds held on behalf of other organisations (48,090) 18,826
Grant Holding Account 12,538 12,538
Other creditors 30,345 602
Payroll clearing 25 -
Pension Contributions 7,856 9,577
Taxation and social security 15,961 17,184
Trade creditors 97,003 56,213
148,944 118,209
21. DEFERRED INCOME
Balance Brought
Forward		 Amounts released
from previous year		 Income deferred in
the current year
Balance Carried
Forward
£ £ £
£
Deferred Income - - 24,450
24,450

Deferred income of £24,450 (2024: £nil) included above relates to grant income received during the year but relating to a future accounting period

22. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

Total future minimum lease payments for non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

2025 2024
£ £
Expiring:
Within one year - 17,440
Between one and five years - -
More than five years - -
- 17,440
The above commitments include service charges as well as rent.
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Current year information for the net assets between funds:
Unrestricted Funds Restricted funds 2025
General
Funds		 Designated
Funds
Pension
Funds		 Total Funds
£ £ £ £ £
Fixed assets 12,894 - - - 12,894
Current assets 397,106
26,000		 - 1001,660 1,424,766
Current liabilities (124,494) - - (24,450) (148,944)
Pension liability < 1 year - - (8,417) - (8,417)
285,506
26,000		 (8,417) 977,210 1,280,299

23. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Current year information for the net assets between funds:

33

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Comparative year information for the net assets between funds:

Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Restricted funds Restricted funds 2024
General
Funds
Designated
Funds
Pension
Funds		 Total Funds
£ £ £ £ £
Fixed assets 16,103 - - - 16,103
Current assets 443,328 26,000 - 1,039,533 1,508,861
Current liabilities (118,209) - - - (118,209)
Pension liability < 1 year - - (3,734) - (3,734)
341,222 26,000 (3,734) 1,039,533 1,403,021
24. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Balance at
01/04/2024		 Incoming
Resources		 Outgoing
Resources		 Transfers
between
funds		 Gains/
(losses)		 Balance at
31/03/2025
£
£
£
£
£
£
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund 341,222
699,614
(822,015)
66,685
-
285,506
Designated Fund 26,000
-
-
-
-
26,000
Pension Fund (3,734) -
-
3,807		 (8,490) (8,417)
Total Unrestricted Funds 363,488
699,614
(822,015)
70,492		 (8,490)
303,089
Restricted Funds
CCG Capacity Building Fund 57,637
-
-
-
-
57,637
City Bridge Trust - Merton Giving 149,007
180,008
(148,901)
-
-
180,114
Comm Hub Jigsaw Model Research
Year Project		 31,913
-
-
(31,913)
-
-
Core Connectors -
46,699
(23,105)
-
-
23,594
Early Years Support -
2,302
-
-
-
2,302
LBM - Community Accountancy 79,497
-
(7,629)
(8,000)
-
63,868
LBM - Civic Pride 8,537
207,612
(202,338)
-
-
13,811
LBM - Healthwatch 37,460
130,000
(117,380)
-
-
50,080
LBM - Transforming communities
capacity funding		 37,500
-
-		 -
37,500
Merton EMHIP Inequalities Project 5,000
42,878
(25,209)
-
-
22,669
NHS South West Vaccination
Outreach		 -
17,000
-
-
-
17,000
Propel - Motivate Merton 127,132
213,268
(313,817)
(30,628)
-
(4,045)
Sutton and Merton CCGs’ Charitable
Funds		 488,306
-
-
-
-
488,306
Wimbledon Foundation – Merton
Step Up		 17,593
20,500
(13,719)
-
-
24,374
Young Londoner’s Fund (49)
-
-
49
-
-
Total Restricted Funds 1,039,533
860,267
(852,098)		 (70,492) -
977,210
TOTAL FUNDS 1,403,021
1,559,881		 (1,674,113) - (8,490) 1,280,299

34

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

24. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS continued

Comparative year information for movement in funds:

Balance at
01/04/2023		 Incoming
Resources		 Outgoing
Resources		 Transfers
between
funds		 Gains/
(losses)		 Balance at
31/03/2024
£
£
£
£
£		 £
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund 322,112
645,954
(752,129)
125,285
-		 341,222
Designated Fund 26,000
-
-
-
-		 26,000
Pension Fund (7,994) -
-
4,568
(308)		 (3,734)
Total Unrestricted Funds 340,118
645,954
(752,129)
129,853
(308)		 363,488
£
£
£
£
£		 £
Restricted Funds
City Bridge Trust - Merton Giving 4,244
61,100
(85,331)
19,987
-		 -
CCG Capacity Building Fund -
62,637
(5,000)
-
-		 57,637
Comm Hub Jigsaw Model Research
Year Project		 25,205
6,708
-
-
-		 31,913
LBM - Community Accountancy
Support		 55,049
24,775
(327)
-
-		 79,497
LBM - Healthwatch 12,873
130,500
(105,913)
-
-		 37,460
LBM - Transforming communities
capacity funding		 -
37,500
-
-
-		 37,500
Merton EMHIP Inequalities Project -
19,722
(1,591)
(13,131)
-		 5,000
Propel - Motivate Merton -
383,576
(192,434)
(64,010)
-		 127,132
Sutton and Merton CCGs’ Charitable
Funds
488,306
-
-
-
-		 488,306
LBM Civic Pride -
207,113		 (145,864) (52,712)
-		 8,537
Young Londoner’s Fund -
-		 (49)
-
-		 (49)
Merton Giving Grant Distribution
Fund		 98,644
137,207
(66,857)
(19,987)
-		 149,007
Wimbledon Foundation – Merton
Step Up		 5,141
20,500
(8,048)
-
-		 17,593
Total Restricted Funds 689,462
1,091,338
(611,414)		 (129,853) - 1,039,533
TOTAL FUNDS 1,029,580
1,737,292		 (1,363,543) -
(308)		 1,403,021

25. FUNDS

The surpluses/deficits on restricted funds arise because of timing differences where funding has been received in advance of expenditure and will be utilised over the duration of the relevant projects. The restricted funds recognised in these accounts were provided for the purposes listed below.

The Designated Fund for £26000 relates to future Merton Giving management costs which are expected to contributed towards the management costs during 2026/27.

Name of restricted fund

Description, nature, and purposes of the fund

Capacity Building – Trust for London

To enhance the knowledge and skills of local BAME organisations with regards to housing, planning and regeneration issues, enabling them to better support their members and BAME residents to present and campaign on the issues that affect them. The underspend on this fund was used to continue the project work which was delayed by the pandemic.

35

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

25. FUNDS continued

City Bridge Trust – Merton This element of the City Bridge Trust funding provides funding to both Giving MVSC and Merton Chamber of Commerce to jointly generate income and arrange subsequent grant funding rounds through the Merton Giving Fund. The funding targets and outcomes have been over-achieved as a result of the continued activity of the Merton Giving Coronavirus Fund and its successors.

Core Connectors Health Inequalities funding, support for global majority communities suffering health inequalities Early Years Support Support project for families with young children LBM – Community Accounting As part of the work done within the Merton Giving team, we have also Support supported organisations with community accountancy during the application process. LBM – Civic Pride Core funding for volunteering and development LBM - Healthwatch Healthwatch is the consumer champion for health and social care services in LBM. Merton EMHIP Inequality Project The Ethnic Mental Health Improvement Plan (EMHIP) project provides outreach and support within the borough as part of the ICB Health Inequalities fund to understand barriers to accessing health services

NHS South West Vaccination Promote vaccines to global majority communities where there is low Outreach uptake Propel – Motivate Merton GLA grant funding to support young people through a mentoring programme

Sutton and Merton CCG These funds were transferred to MVSC in February and March 2020 from Charitable Funds an ‘umbrella’ charity managed by the Sutton and Merton CCGs. The transferred funds will be managed by MVSC and channelled through Merton Giving as grants to voluntary organisations and other not-for-profit bodies within the Borough of Merton to provide services with a focus on supporting residents and patients accessing local health and wellbeing services. MVSC will be promoting the development of social prescribing services throughout the borough and undertaking other activities, taking advice from the local PCN.

Wimbledon Foundation – Merton The Merton Step-up programme was conceived as a natural progression Step-Up to the Merton Skill-up project (a capacity building project funded by Wimbledon Foundation for a three-year period). Its aim is to provide a coherent and structured framework to support organisations evolution and ratify that they have met at least a foundation level of quality in terms of organisational governance and service delivery. The programme has been used to respond to inequalities exposed by the pandemic, engaging with small local organisations who have either themselves been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and/or whose beneficiaries have been so (these include three local community centres, two of who are new and the third is undertaking a fundamental review of their organisation).

36

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

26. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

The Charity has authorised and contracted for expenditure of £Nil. The Charity has authorised but not contracted for expenditure of £Nil in its capital budget for the upcoming year.

27. CONTINGENT ASSETS

Total grant funding awarded as at 31 March 2025 but not yet received and recognised as income due to the recognition criteria not being met amounts to £709,624 (2024: £1,644,864).

Funds

City Bridge Trust
LBM - Civic Pride
LBM - Healthwatch Merton
London Borough of Merton
Merton Giving
Propel - Motivate Merton
Social Prescribing Project
Wimbledon Foundation Grant		 2025
£
-
201,113
125,000
307,049
-
-
55,962
20,500
709,624		 2024
£
31,000
402,225
250,000
614,098
100,000
206,541
-
41,000
1,644,864

28. LEGAL STATUS OF THE CHARITY

Merton Voluntary Service Council is a registered charity (charity number 1085867) and private company (Company No: 04164949) incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. 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 address of the registered office is given in the Legal and Administrative Information on page 3.

Voluntary income
Donations
Investment income
Interest received
Incoming resources from charitable
activities
Grants and contracts
Other trading activities
Miscellaneous income
Service Income
Total Income		 2025
£
4,939
45,359
1,505,704
3,756
123
1,559,881		 2024
£
2,822
44,132
1,681,686
5,222
3,430
1,737,292

37

MERTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL Trading name: Merton Connected

DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Charitable activities
Staff Salaries
Employers National Insurance
Pension
Pension Scheme Costs
Staff Training
Associates and Interim Staff
Staff travel
Recruitment
Other staff expenses
Premises costs
Volunteers' expenses
Committee and meeting costs
Grants given
Publications and subscriptions
Communication and publicity
Stationery, postage and telephone
IT costs
Depreciation and amortisation
Other costs
Professional fees
Bank charges
Direct project costs
Governance costs
Audit Fees
Committee and Strategic Planning costs
Total Expenses
Operating (Deficit)/Surplus		 2025
£
858,108
79,574
39,358
8,912
2,140
47,746
435
14,768
3,912
47,523
663
374,600
4,028
5,075
12,540
75,201
3,209
1,622
10,593
878
78,551
1,669,436
4,111
566		 2024
£
628,083
55,460
36,530
-
5,666
66,330
1,646
19,892
2,996
51,540
603
2,824
267,270
6,860
6,165
9,447
54,668
1,645
2,325
17,888
1,164
108,341
1,347,343
5,000
11,200
4,677 16,200
1,674,113 1,363,543
(114,232) 373,749

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

38

ACCOUNTS 31 March 2024 25 - FINAL

Final Audit Report

2026-02-23

Created: 2026-02-23 By: Amy Gee (amyg@mertonconnected.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAgAGlAUrO8-SI-F-n2Z8C7dEVDQyzr1_O

"ACCOUNTS 31 March 2024 25 - FINAL" History

Document created by Amy Gee (amyg@mertonconnected.co.uk)

2026-02-23 - 12:53:12 PM GMT

Document emailed to Judith Brodie (judith@leadershipforsocialchange.co.uk) for signature

2026-02-23 - 12:53:20 PM GMT

Document emailed to Jen Goddard (jen_goddard@hotmail.com) for signature 2026-02-23 - 3:09:04 PM GMT

2026-02-23 - 3:12:50 PM GMT

Signature Date: 2026-02-23 - 3:23:10 PM GMT - Time Source: server

Document emailed to Kevin Fisher (kevinfisher@kingstonburrowes.com) for signature 2026-02-23 - 3:23:12 PM GMT

Agreement completed.

2026-02-23 - 4:00:45 PM GMT