Charity number 1089683
GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | Jo Rettie (Chairman) |
|---|---|
| Julie Ayres | |
| Catherine Baart | |
| Angela Baker (resigned 21 January 2025) | |
| Richard Burrett | |
| Helyn Clack | |
| Alan Jones | |
| Atif Nawaz | |
| Melanie Wrightson | |
| Principal office | Springfield House |
| Springfield Road | |
| Horsham | |
| West Sussex | |
| RH12 2RG | |
| Independent examiner | Graham Hunt FCA |
| Kreston Reeves LLP | |
| Springfield House | |
| Springfield Road | |
| Horsham | |
| West Sussex | |
| RH12 2RG | |
| Bankers | Lloyds Bank Plc |
| The Broadway | |
| Crawley | |
| Charity registration number | 1089683 |
GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 3 |
| Independent examiner's report | 4 |
| Statement of financial activities | 5 |
| Balance sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7 to 10 |
GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31 December 2024
This is the twenty-third report of Gatwick Airport Community Trust (“the Trust”) to the community and the nominating bodies for the year ended 31 December 2024.
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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The Trustees are listed on the legal and administrative information page, together with the details of the charity's bankers, Independent Examiner, the charity registration number and the principal office.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Trust was set up as an independent charity by agreement between West Sussex County Council, Crawley Borough Council and Gatwick Airport Limited ('GAL'). Setting up a community trust was one of the legally binding obligations which formed part of the legal agreement signed by GAL and local authorities following publication of the airport's sustainable development strategy. The Trust was registered as a charity on 6 December 2001.
The parties to the agreement together with other local councils, airport users and bodies, and an environmental organisation have the right to nominate persons for appointment as Trustees. Details of nomination rights are set out below. Appointment of nominees as Trustees is made by the board of Trustees. Trustees serve on a voluntary basis.
The Trust deed provides for three Trustees to serve for a period of 5 years (one each from West Sussex CC and Borough Councils, Surrey CC and District Councils, and GAL), and for other Trustees to serve for four years from the date of their individual appointment.
The Trustees have identified the potential risks to which the Trust is exposed, and are satisfied that they have established systems and procedures to mitigate those risks to an acceptable level. The Trustees reviewed their risk strategy in September 2024. They periodically review performance against budget.
The Trust is managed by the Trustees who are listed on the Legal and Administrative Information page. The Trust had no employees during the year.
In preparing the annual report and financial statements the Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice FRS 102 (second edition - October 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the Trust are that 'the Trustees shall hold the Trust fund and its income upon Trust to apply them for such charitable purposes as the Trustees from time to time determine within the area of benefit' (as shown on the map attached to the Trust deed, which was updated in 2016 and 2018) 'for the benefit of those living or working in or visiting the area of benefit and in particular in any area directly affected by operations at Gatwick Airport.'
The Trust's activity is to make grants in accordance with the objects of the charity. Full details of the grant making policies can be found on the website www.gact.org.uk.
The Trustees have identified many social and environmental categories suitable for financial help within the objects of the Trust. These include projects that are of special help to different sections of the community such as the young, the disabled and the elderly; projects that benefit community life or improve community facilities; arts, cultural or sports projects; environmental or conservation schemes. The Trustees plan to continue this support in future.
Public Benefit Reporting
The Trustees have due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit whilst setting the objects and activities of the charity. See details above on how the charity's activities provide public benefit.
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GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31 December 2024
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
This year was the first time Gatwick Airport Community Trust had set up and accepted all grant application submissions online through the website.
Although there were a few teething problems, the process worked well and the Trustees agreed that this was a more efficient and sustainable way to manage the annual grant application process.
Trustees continued to review applications in pairs. As they were received, they were uploaded onto a Teams page online where they could be viewed as they were submitted.
A total of 165 applications were received by the closing date in March 2024 and the total sum applied for was £755,386. Gatwick Airport Community Trust received £250,000 from Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) in 2024 to distribute to successful applicants. The funding from GAL is now linked to passenger numbers for the previous financial year and passenger numbers increased after the pandemic. If passenger numbers continue to increase, the funding GACT receives from GAL will increase accordingly.
The Trust always receives applications for more funding than is available. The Trustees carried out the annual review process and the outcome was to award grants to 106 organisations amounting to a total of £222,907. There were no conditional grant awards.
For the first time this year all grants were paid to the organisations through bank transfer. Applicants were notified of the outcome of their application by email and successful applicants were required to send a receipt for the grant awarded. As part of their regular monitoring process, Trustees called for an end-of-project report (to be submitted at the end of the year) from all organisations who received grants to ensure funds had been/were being used in accordance with the applications.
Current Financial Position
Under the Agreement signed in December 2008 between West Sussex CC, Crawley Borough Council and Gatwick Airport Limited, commencing in April 2009, Gatwick Airport Limited made yearly donations to the Trust until 2019. The funding was extended for a further two years, taking it to the end of 2021.
In 2022 Gatwick Airport Limited agreed a new funding arrangement with West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council.
From 2022 it has been agreed that Gatwick Airport Limited funds contributions, which are linked to passenger numbers each year. In addition, the Trust receives money raised through noise fines on those airlines that infringe noise limits set by the UK Government on those aircraft taking off at Gatwick Airport.
In 2024 the Trust received income of:
•£250,000 from GAL (2023: £200,000)
•£nil from GAL in relation to noise fines (2023: £nil) Expenditure including operating costs £23,832 (2023: £25,841).
Reserves
The Charity Commission defines reserves as "income which becomes available to the charity and is to be expended at the Trustees' discretion in furtherance of the charity's objects, but is not yet spent, committed or designated".
The Trustees' policy is to distribute funds to organisations in the area of benefit as soon as reasonably practicable, whilst retaining a sensible amount on deposit in the light of possible future requirements. The Trustees believe that 6 months of the budgeted annual operating costs should be held as unrestricted funds, approximately £13,000. This policy is reviewed annually.
The total reserves carried forward at 31 December 2024 were £31,943 (extra money was held in case we had to wind up the Trust) (2023: £27,783). No part of this represents a designated or restricted fund.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 5 to 10.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the
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Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Graham Hunt FCA
Kreston Reeves LLP Springfield House Springfield Road Horsham West Sussex RH12 2RG
Date: 17 June 2025
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GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the year ended 31 December 2024
==> picture [440 x 497] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Notes 2024 2023
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Funds Funds
£ £
INCOME FROM:
Donations
Donations from Gatwick Airport Limited 250,000 200,000
Total income: 250,000 200,000
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities:
Cost of grant provision:
Printing, mailing and processing services 424 855
Executive assistant 18,013 17,100
Telephone & Internet 20 60
Travel & Subsistence 143 257
Insurance 1,032 1,120
IT software and consumables 300 2,039
Depreciation - 6
Grants:
Grants awarded 5 222,907 171,855
Grants not taken up, cancelled or refunded (900) (6,450)
Support costs:
Accountancy fees 3,160 3,704
Independent examination fees 6 740 700
Total expenditure: 245,839 191,246
Net income 4,161 8,754
Net movement in funds 4,161 8,754
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 27,783 19,029
Total funds carried forward 31,944 27,783
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All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Statement of Financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period.
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GATCK AIRPORT COMMUNrrY TRusr BALANCE SHEEr for the year ended 31 (lecember 2024 Mot 2024 2023 Flxad ••Mts TIble assets 1271 32,917 Cash at bank 3352 37,1110 Cr•dltOM: amounts I11) wlthln on• yur (5,218) 16405) M•t aKr•nt ••Mts 31,944 27,783 31,944 27,783 Apwo¥bJ by the Tnst•os c 13A<) IS arKI 9rd on Iall ol the Tnstees Jo RettJe Tnfjfee
GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
1 Principal accounting policies
Basis of preparation
Gatwick Airport Community Trust is a registered charity in England, with charity number 1089683. The address of the principal office is given in the charity information page of these financial statements.
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (second edition - October 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity does not include a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small charity.
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.
Going concern policy
The Trustees are aware that once Gatwick Airport Limited, its primary funder, agrees a DCO, the charity would cease to receive funding and would therefore need to be wound up.
At the date of signing the financial statements, the charity had not had an update as to when the DCO would be agreed, and as such the Trustees feel it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
Fund accounting policy
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the Trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Donations from Gatwick Airport Limited under the Agreement are recognised when the Trust has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Grants payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objectives. Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the recipient of the grant has provided the specific service or output.
Grants payable are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to the grant which remain in the control of the charity.
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GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
Support and governance costs
Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and costs of grant provision. Governance costs include costs of the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts.
Depreciation
Office equipment
3 years straight line
At end of year
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Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.
2 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At beginning of year At end of year Depreciation At beginning of year Charge for the year At end of year Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 3 Debtors Prepayments 4 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Unpaid grants Accruals |
2024 £ 808 2024 £ - 5,216 5,216 |
Office equipment £ 1,103 1,103 1,103 - 1,103 - - 2023 £ 1,271 2023 £ 1,500 4,905 6,405 |
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GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
5 Grants
In 2024 Gatwick Airport Community Trust (GACT) awarded a total of £222,907 (2023: £171,855 ) to 106 successful applicants (2023:105). Grants awarded covered all the eligible categories – young adults, children, the elderly, the disabled and disadvantaged, community and community facilities, environmental projects, sports and recreation, arts, theatre and music.
Grants were awarded right across the Area of Benefit which includes parts of East, West and Mid Sussex, Surrey and West Kent. Amongst the major towns in these areas are Crawley, Horley, East Grinstead, Edenbridge, Horsham, Oxted, Dorking, Reigate & Redhill, Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells and Haywards Heath.
Of the 106 successful applications 19 grants were £3,000 and over and these are listed below. The remaining 87 grants ranged from £500 to £3,000.
| Organisation Balcombe Tennis Club Crawley Open House Ardingly Parish Council Friends of Hever School Groombridge Tennis Club City Gate Community Projects Stripey Stork East Grinstead Community Bonfire Haywards Heath RFC The Craftimation Factory Outwood Cricket Club St Joseph’s Specialist Trust Providence Chapel Charlwood East Park Riding for the Disabled Kangaroos Jigsaw South East The Good Company People Friends of Brook Infant School Family Support Network Total Grants Under £3,000 |
2024 Grants Awarded £8,000 £7,500 £7,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £4,750 £4,476 £3,881 £3,630 £3,500 £3,000 £3,000 £3,000 £3,000 £3,000 £135,170 £222,907 |
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GATWICK AIRPORT COMMUNITY TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
5 Grants (continued)
Details of the grant awards for 2023 are listed below:
| Organisation Children's Forest Limited St Peter & St Paul Church, Lingfield Slaugham Community CIC Ansty Village Centre trust The Good Company People CIC Total Grants Under £3,000 |
2023 Grants Awarded £4,992 £3,400 £3,100 £3,000 £3,000 £154,363 £171,855 |
|---|---|
6 Independent Examiner
The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £740 (2023: £700), and accounts preparation and other services of £3,160 (2023: £3,704).
7 Trustees' remuneration
No Trustees received any remuneration during the year (2023: £nil). During the year the charity incurred Trustee meeting expenses of £nil (2023: £145) and there were no purchases of a gift for a retiring Trustee (2023: £nil). There were no other reimbursed expenses to Trustees during the year (2023: £nil).
8 Related party transactions
During the current year, a grant of £7,500 was awarded to Crawley Open House. A member of the board of Trustees is also a Trustee of Crawley Open House and this grant was awarded without any input from them.
During the prior year, a grant of £2,250 was awarded to Burstow Parish Council. A member of the board of Trustees is a co-opted member of the Burstow F&GP committee and this grant was awarded without any input from them.
During the current and prior year, no other grants were awarded to any entity with which a member of the board of trustees has a relationship.
There were no other related party transactions during the current or prior year.
9 Controlling entity
The charity is controlled by the Trustees.
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