LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR
31 MARCH 2024
Company Registration Number 04294079 Charity Number 1089963
DERBY COMMUNITY ACCOUNTANCY SERVICE
Babington Lodge 128 Green Lane Derby
DE1 1RY
LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Members of the board and professional advisers | 1 |
| Trustees’ annual report | 2-8 |
| Independent Examiner’s report | 9 |
| Statement of financial activities | 10 |
| Balance sheet | 11 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 12-19 |
LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
The board of trustees
Teresa Waldron Chair (Appointed 25[h ] May 2023) Stephen Wright (Chair) (Resigned 12[th] April 2023) Barbara Arrandale Keith Clarke (Resigned 1[st ] September 2023) Lorraine Dung Joe Roberts (Resigned 12[th] April 2023) Rita King Janice Marriott (Resigned 12[th] April 2023) Shruti Vispute (Resigned 1[st] September 2023) Barbara Sansome Ann Monk (Appointed 12[th] April 2023) Rachael Priest (Appointed 12[th] April 2023) Joseph Roberts (Appointed 4[th] June 2024) Stephen Wright (Appointed 30[th] April 2024)
Company Secretary
James Lee
Chief Executive
James Lee
Registered office
First Floor Market Hall Market Place Chesterfield Derbyshire S40 1AR
Independent Examiner
Mark Newey ACMA Derby Community Accountancy Service Babington Lodge 128 Green Lane Derby DE1 1RY
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees, who are also Directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 26[th] September 2001. It is governed by a memorandum and articles of association which have not been amended since incorporation. Its objects are:
a. to promote any charitable purposes for the benefits of the community in particular but not exclusively in the local government districts of Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire and the neighbourhood (“the area of benefit”) and, in particular, the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness;
b. to promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above purposes and to that end to bring together in council representatives of the voluntary organisations and statutory authorities within the area of benefit.
The charity has three main strategic priorities:
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to improve the environment for a thriving third sector by tackling different forms of inequality;
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to maintain the free initial service to all groups in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire;
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to support the engagement of Black and Minority Ethnic groups and build their capacity.
Summary of main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects
We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our objectives and activities and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the objectives and priorities they have set.
Income Generation
The charity's income during the year ended 31 March 2024 increased from £223,729 to £320,779. Funding received for our Core Service from Derbyshire County Council, and NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board remained at the same level as the previous year. However, as of 01/04/2023, Chesterfield Borough Council decided to reduce their financial contribution towards our core service from £16,002 to £8,000 per year for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. Thereafter, a total cessation of the funding which will amount to 20 per cent of our overall core funding. That will have a significant impact on the organisation’s future financial position. As emphasised in the previous annual report, core funding received by Links, regardless of the amount, is essential and enables the charity to sustain its primary
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
functions and form a firm foundation to bid for additional project works that are compatible to our values and principles.
As the local generic CVS (Council for Voluntary Service), Links continued its primary core functions and infrastructure role by providing free information, advice and support to all VCS frontline groups in the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire area. The charity managed to sustain the offer of accessible information and advice through a range of avenues including the improvement of our website and regular bulletins featuring updates on matters relevant to frontline VCS groups and funding opportunities.
The charity continued to produce regular news updates and policy e-bulletins, as well as having compiled and distributed a regular funding e-bulletins reaching in the region of 700 voluntary organisations and community groups and individuals operating or working in Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and the wider Derbyshire areas.
Areas of advice and information given included Governance and constitutional matters, running a group, legal status, insurance, policies & procedures, funding search and funding applications, strategic and activity planning, budgeting, financial, project and human resource management, etc. Additionally, Links has been facilitating and promoting collaborative working among the frontline groups with the aim to better meet the needs of local residents. The charity is fully committed to the entire equality agenda and has worked closely with a range of community & equality groups including BME, disability, mental health and groups that are working with those who are socially and economically deprived, to address socially constructed inequalities and improve their health and well-being. The charity strongly believes the benefits of having an inclusive, pluralistic and equitable society where everyone can participate, contribute and thrive regardless of their different backgrounds.
During the year, it was clear that the impact of the cost of living crisis persisted to adversely affect the life of many who are struggling to make ends meet. Many of the frontline groups in our area continued to experience a high and indeed excessive level of demands from service users for help with particular reference to those who are socio-economically deprived members of the society. As reported previously, it is widely acknowledged that the impact of the cost of living crisis has put many more people on the poverty line. Many have found themselves having to access support facilities such as food banks, advice agencies for welfare and housing benefits, as well as those community-based VCS groups for general well-being and emotional support which they never thought they would need. The charity's staff team has been very busy in advising and supporting VCS groups to identify and apply for funding that would enable them to respond to the ever-rising needs of their service recipients.
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
As cited in the previous annual report, the increase of income was primarily due to the successful partnership project bid with the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Forum member organisations to the National Lottery Community Fund for the continuous development of the BME Sitting Service to support isolated BME carers and their cared-for.
Similarly, the charity managed to secure further project funding to support the settlement of those who are fleeing the war in Ukraine via providing intensive infrastructure support to help them develop a community group named Verba Ukrainian Social Group that supports their integration into the wider British society. As a local CVS, Links has worked closely with the Derbyshire County Council’s Home for Ukraine Resettlement Team and like-minded community organisations including North Derbyshire Refugee Support Group, Chesterfield Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield Quakers Friends, and the local Rotary Club to help facilitate the transitional pathway for those who came to settle in Derbyshire.
Being the co-ordinating body of the Derbyshire-wide BME Forum, the charity provides an inclusive and culturally sensitive infrastructure support service to all the groups involved. Over the last 18 years, the charity has developed a strong and mutually trusted working relationship with all the participating BME groups which has empowered them to raise and constructively challenge issues relevant to members of their communities. Consequently, the charity has developed a specialism of engaging with the culturally diverse BME communities and worked on numerous initiatives concerning the inclusion and well-being of BME residents across the county primarily (but not exclusively) in collaboration with Derbyshire County Council and relevant partner agencies such as the Joined Up Care Derbyshire, NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, Derbyshire Constabulary and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, etc.
Links Core Service is led by the Chief Executive who is responsible for strategic development work both between different voluntary organisations and with statutory agencies by engaging in a number of strategic networks in Derbyshire. We feed in information to and from the voluntary sector to aid in policy and service development. The charity's Chief Executive is also responsible for the overall management of the charity and its projects. It takes a contribution of overheads including management from projects and services run by Links. This helps sustain the free service to groups and the project and partnership work.
The Core Service was funded by grants from two local authorities: Chesterfield Borough Council (£16,002), Derbyshire County Council (£36,058), and the NHS
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (£26,394) amounting to £78,454 during the financial year 2023-2024. The charity managed to secure additional project funding sources during the year to carry out activities and services compatible to its aims. The charity's core staff hours were as follows: two and half days (18.5 hours) of the Chief Executive; two and half days (18.5 hours) of the Advice and Project Manager; two and half days (18.5 hours) of the Group Support Worker; two days (15 hours) of the ICT Worker; two days (15 hours) of the Administrative Worker; two days (15 hours) of the Marketing, Communications & Event Organiser. Other hours of the Chief Executive's two and half days a week, and the overtime payments of the Advice and Project Manager, the Group Support Worker, the ICT Worker, the Administrative Worker and the Marketing, Communications & Event Organiser were funded by various projects that were compatible to the charity's aims and objectives including strategic projects to engage Black and Minority Ethnic Groups and other service fees.
Investment policy and returns
The charity has only small funds to invest and there are no substantial reserves. A policy of spreading risk has been adopted for many years and long term deposits are placed with another (Co-op) bank deposit account in addition to the main current account with Unity Trust Bank. Unfortunately, due to the economic decline and bank changes, the charity no longer earns any interest from its current account and deposit account. The charity generated zero interest from the bank during the financial year.
Fund-raising
Fund-raising and business development are carried out by the Chief Executive through securing grants, service contracts or negotiating consultancy work with various agencies. The trustees regularly review the fund-raising strategy and approve the general direction of funding bids or project proposals in line with the ' charity s strategic aims. The proportion of resources spent on fund-raising was £5,000 which was the same amount spent in the previous year. The majority of the work was around raising fees from service contracts or projects.
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The majority of successful fund-raising came via the Strategic Projects as a direct result of the excellent track record of the Black & Minority Ethnic support projects led by the Chief Executive.
Resources expended and services
The expenditure on unrestricted (core) work was £20,869. No payments were taken from unrestricted income received and the unrestricted core designated reserves. The overall expenditure figure was £263,148.
Volunteers
The charity recognises it is difficult to involve volunteers in the charity's main activities of infrastructure advice giving which often include interpretation of legal and regulatory requirements. During the year the organisation had no volunteers other than trustees.
Employee involvement and employment of the disabled
Employees have been consulted on issues of concern to them by means of regular staff and team meetings and by individual consultation.
The charity has implemented a number of detailed policies in relation to all aspects of personnel matters including:
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Equal Opportunities policy
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Environmental policy
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Safeguarding Adults policy
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Safeguarding Children policy
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Health & Safety policy
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Job-Sharing policy
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Recruitment guidelines
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Scheme of Delegated Powers
In accordance with the charity's equal opportunities policy, the charity has long established fair employment practices in the recruitment, selection, retention and training of staff. In particular, flexible working arrangements are offered to be family friendly. The policies are reviewed in rotation by the Board at relevant intervals, usually on a three-year cycle.
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves
The reserves have been reviewed to ensure they continue to cover redundancies of core and project staff. The designated reserve has been increased in line with the statutory minimum. Reserves are also kept for covering rent and service charge liabilities. The major reserves are for restricted Strategic Work and for the unrestricted Core Service. The charity had to use a proportion of its reserves during the year due to the increase allocation of the redundancy fund and costs of the two additional staff members (the Administrative Worker and the Marketing, Communications & Event Organiser). The current level of reserves stands at six-month's running costs for the core service. The charity's Chief Executive works closely with the trustee board to review all the expenditures for the future sustainability of the organisation.
Changes in fixed assets
The charity does not have any fixed assets. The trustees are of the view that most computers only have a life of a year before they may need replacing or upgrading. The value of furniture and other office equipment owned by the charity has been written off many years ago.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Links is based at Suite H, Market Hall, Market Place, Chesterfield which is the company's registered office and the principal address of the charity. Links is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital (company registration No. 04294079) and Registered Charity (No. 1089963).
Trustee selection methods
Trustees serve for a three-year period and may be re-elected for a further three-year period. The trustees meet five to six times a year for a two-hour meeting. The total number of places on the board is 21 of which 10 places were filled during the year.
The trustee board discusses each year which trustees are due to retire, who is not standing for re-election, and what gaps in skills, knowledge, and experience this would leave. The board seeks to be representative of the users of the charity in terms of gender, ethnicity, age, size of group, urban/rural, employing/not employing and any other relevant equality groups.
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
It also encourages nominations from local authorities on the same basis as voluntary and community organisations. Board members are supported by the staff to recruit people to the board to fill the identified gaps. A general invitation for nominations is also sent out to all member organisations and individual members together with a description of the role of a trustee of the charity.
The Officers, particularly the Treasurer, maintain a watching brief in between board meetings and visit the premises to discuss strategy and staffing issues, and inspect the books. There are no standing sub-committees.
Risk management policy
The trustees have, with advice from the appointed accountant, introduced an annual review of risks when designating unrestricted reserves and carry out regular management reviews to assess business risks to the core service and to specific projects. This involves identifying the types of risks the charity faces, prioritising them in terms of potential impact and likelihood of occurrence, and identifying means of mitigating the risks.
Auditors
In line with Charity Commission guidance, the trustees have moved to independent examination rather than a full audit and an appropriate resolution was passed at the Annual General Meeting on 4th September 2012.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Registered office: Suite H, Market Hall, Market Place, Chesterfield S40 1 AR
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Lorraine Dung Treasurer of Links Board
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 10 to 19.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to an audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, as amended); and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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1 Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
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2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: Mark Newey ACMA
Address: Derby Community Accountancy Service, Babington Lodge, Green Lane, Derby
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Total Funds | Total Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Year to 31 | Year to 31 | ||
| Funds | Funds | Mar 2024 | Mar 2023 | ||
| Note | £ |
£ | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||||
| Donations | - | - | - | - | |
| Income from charitable | |||||
| activities | 3 | 16,002 | 304,265 | 320,267 | 223,062 |
| Other income | 5 | 512 | - | 512 | 667 |
| Investment income | 4 | - | - | - | - |
| Total incoming | |||||
| resources | 16,514 | 304,265 | 320,779 | 223,729 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | - | - | - | - | |
| Charitable objects | 6 | 20,869 | 242,279 | 263,148 | 209,866 |
| Total resources | |||||
| expended | 20,869 | 242,279 | 263,148 | 209,866 | |
| Net (outgoing)/incoming | |||||
| resources before | |||||
| transfers | (4,355) | 61,986 | 57,631 | 13,863 | |
| Transfer between funds | - | - | - | - | |
| Net movement in funds | (4,355) | 61,986 | 57,631 | 13,863 | |
| Funds brought forward | 55,364 | 117,763 | 173,127 | 159,264 | |
| Funds carried forward | 51,009 | 179,749 | 230,758 | 173,127 |
The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above.
All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing .
The notes on pages 11 to 18 form part of these financial statements.
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
BALANCE SHEET
| 31 MARCH 2024 | 31 MARCH 2024 | 31 MARCH 2024 | 31 MARCH 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |||||||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||
| Debtors | 10 | - | - | |||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 11 | 241,123 | 178,693 | |||||||
| 241,123 | 178,693 | |||||||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due | ||||||||||
| within one year | 12 | 10,365 | 5,566 | |||||||
| Net current assets | 230,758 | 173,127 | ||||||||
| Total assets less current liabilities | Total assets less current liabilities | 230,758 | 173,127 | |||||||
| Net assets | 230,758 | 173,127 | ||||||||
| Funds | ||||||||||
| Restricted | 13 | 179,749 | 117,763 | |||||||
| Unrestricted – general reserves | 13 | - | - | |||||||
| Unrestricted – designated reserves | 13 | 51,009 | 55,364 | |||||||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 230,758 | 173,127 |
For the year ended 31 March 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors responsibilities:
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(i) The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
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(ii) The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the members of the trustees and are signed on their behalf by:
L Dung Treasurer of Links Board Company Registration Number: 04294079
Date: 20/12/2024
The notes on pages 11 to 18 form part of these financial statements.
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
Company information
Links is a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital. The company’s registered office is, First Floor, Market Hall, Market Place, Chesterfield. At the end of the year there were 7 Trustees, each of whom, under the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, had undertaken to contribute the sum not exceeding £1 in the event of a winding up of the company.
1.1 Accounting convention
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102, “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”), “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice as it apples from 1 January 2015. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The accounts are prepared in Sterling which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements to the nearest £.
The accounts have been prepared on historical cost convention apart from freehold property that is carried at market value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The accounts are prepared in accordance with FRS 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The date of transition to FRS 102 was 1 April 2015.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the accounts, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
1.3 Charitable Funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1.4 Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Gifts in kind have been included at market value of gifts received and in assets acquired. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.
1.5 Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. Fund-raising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in the support of the charitable activities.
1.6 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discounts offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
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1.7 Cash and cash equivalents
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Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.8 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.
1.9 Financial instruments
The charity 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.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.10 Employee benefits
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to
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LINKS:
THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
provide termination benefits.
1.11 Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling with section 505 of the 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.
1.12 Depreciation
Individual fixed assets are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:- Asset category Annual rate
Equipment
20%
2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimated and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
3. Incoming resources from the charitable activities
| Total Funds | Total Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted |
Year to 31 | Year to 31 | ||
| Funds | Funds |
Mar 2024 | Mar 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Chesterfield Borough Council | 16,002 | 4,320 | 20,322 | 16,002 | |
| Derbyshire County Council | - | 108,784 | 108,784 | 79,995 | |
| NHS Derby and Derbyshire | - | 68,396 | 68,396 | 27,415 | |
| Kingswell Support | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | |
| Derbyshire Carers | - | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | |
| Erewash Voluntary Action | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | |
| National Lottery Community | |||||
| Fund | - | 110,765 | 110,765 | 69,250 | |
| National Lottery Community | |||||
| Fund – Awards for All | - | - | - | 10,000 | |
| NAVCA | - | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | |
| Rotary Club Active Derbyshire |
- - |
- - |
- - |
400 10,000 |
|
| 16,002 | 304,265 | 320,267 | 223,062 |
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
4. Interest receivable
| Year to 31 Mar 2024 £ Bank interest receivable (unrestricted) - Sundry income (Fees for services) U nrestricted Funds Restricted Funds £ £ Other 512 - 512 - Total resources expended Project work Training Fees Stationery Hospitality Telephone Salaries Equipment and maintenance Rent and premises costs Insurance Sundry |
Total Funds Year to 31 Mar 2024 £ 512 512 Charitable activities Mar 2024 £ 43,279 293 14,972 947 310 1,142 190,691 - 11,099 415 - 263,148 |
Year to 31 Mar 2023 £ - Total Funds Year to 31 Mar 2023 £ 667 667 Charitable activities Year to 31 Mar 2023 £ 20,628 880 9,448 1,372 - 776 164,202 95 11,061 1,404 - 209,866 |
|---|---|---|
5. Sundry income (Fees for services)
6. Total resources expended
Expenditure on charitable activities was £263,148 (2023: £209,866) of which £242,279 was restricted (2023 £183,521)
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
7. Net (expenditure)/income
Net (expenditure)/income for the year is stated after charging/(crediting):
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Independent Examiner’s Fees | 1,250 | 1,250 |
| Depreciation | - | - |
| = | = |
8. Directors and key management personnel
During the year Trustees did not receive remuneration.
The key management personnel of the charity consist of the Trustees, professional advisors and the Chief Executive Officer.
9. Employees
No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum. No Trustees were reimbursed for expenditure.
The average number of staff employed by the charity during the financial year amounted to 8.
| Direct Charitable Staff Governance |
Year to Year to 31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2023 No No 7 5 1 1 8 6 |
|---|---|
The aggregate payroll costs were:
| Yea r to 31 |
Yea r to 31 |
Year to 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ma r |
2024 | Mar 2023 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| Wages and expenses | 172,143 | 147,900 | |
| Expenses | 7,595 | 7,479 | |
| Social security costs | 10,195 | 8,823 | |
| Pension costs | 758 | - | |
| 190,691 | 164,202 |
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum. No trustees were reimbursed for expenditure.
10. Debtors
| Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bank accounts and cash in hand Current Account Co-Op deposit account Sundry |
2024 £ - |
- - 2023 £ 93,713 84,980 178,693 2023 £ |
| - | ||
| 2024 £ 156,143 84,980 241,123 |
11. Bank accounts and cash in hand
12. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| 2024 £ Trade creditors 4,889 Salary 5,476 10,365 = |
2023 £ 1,834 3,732 |
|---|---|
| 5,566 = |
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LINKS: THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
13. Statement of funds
| General reserve Designated reserves Rent Redundancies Fund Total unrestricted funds Strategic Development (inc BME Projects) Derbyshire County Council Derbyshire County Council BME Infrastructure & BME Forum NHS Derby & Derbyshire National Lottery Community Fund BME: Sitting Service Total restricted funds Total funds |
At 1 April 2023 £ - 3,156 52,208 55,364 50,778 - - - 66,985 117,763 173,127 |
Incoming Outgoing Transfers £ £ £ 16,514 (20,869) 4,355 - - - - - (4,355) 16,514 (20,869) - 102,422 (95,102) - 36,058 (36,058) - 28,624 (28,624) - 26,396 (26,396) - 110,765 (56,099) - 304,265 (242,279) - 320,779 (263,148) - |
At 31March 2024 £ - 3,156 47,853 51,009 58,098 - - - 121,651 179,749 230,758 |
|---|---|---|---|
The purpose of each fund is as follows:
Strategic Development (including BME Projects)
This fund is allocated to further the strategic equality and diversity aims of Links. Links is working with different equality groups to explore collaborative initiatives to tackle the wider inequalities in society. Funding during the year was from
| Derbyshire County Council (Ukrainian Support) | £20,000 |
|---|---|
| Derbyshire County Council (Other BME) | £24,102 |
| Kingswell Support | £1,000 |
| NHS Derby and Derbyshire (REND Project) | £37,000 |
| Derbyshire Carers Association | £5,000 |
| Chesterfield Borough Council (UKSPF Training Tender) | £4,320 |
| NHS Derby & Derbyshire | £5,000 |
| NAVCA (Ukrainian Support) | £5,000 |
| Erewash Voluntary Action | £1,000 |
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LINKS:
THE CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND ACTION LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Core Funding Projects :Derbyshire County Council, NHS Derby & Derbyshire (Restricted Funds) and Chesterfield Borough Council (Unrestricted Funds)
Allocated to costs contributing to: two and half days (18.5 hours) of the Chief Executive; two and half days (18.5 hours) of the Advice and Project Manager; two and half days (18.5 hours) of the Group Support Worker; two days (15 hours) of the ICT Worker; two days (15 hours) of the Administrative Worker; two days (15 hours) of the Marketing, Communications & Event Organiser.
Derbyshire County Council BME Infrastructure & BME Forum
Paying for salary and project costs to deliver the service.
National Lottery Community Fund and Awards for All
Paying for costs to develop the BME Sitting Service to support isolated BME carers.
14. Analysis of net assets
| Analysis of net assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangible | |||
| fixed | Other | ||
| assets | net assets | Total | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| General reserve | |||
| Designated reserve: | |||
| Rent | - | 3,156 | 3,156 |
| Redundancies | - | 47,853 | 47,853 |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Strategic Development (inc BME | |||
| Projects) | - | 58,098 | 58,098 |
| National Lottery Sitting Service | - | 121,651 | 121,651 |
| Total restricted funds | - | 179,749 | 179,749 |
| Total funds | - | 230,758 | 230,758 |
15. Related party transactions
The charity had no related party transactions that required disclosure .
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