Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice Caring for the Community
KONGOLESE CENTRE for Information & Advise 1
Principal Office: Bangladesh Centre 19 Samford Street London N8 8ER
Tel: 020 88445858 Fax: 020 89645351 Email: kongolesecentre@hotmail.com Website: www.kcia.org.uk
ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2022
K.C.I.A is a Charitable Organisation registered under Charity No. 1090079
2
KONGOLESE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION & ADVICE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| CONTENTS | PAGE |
|---|---|
| Trustees Annual Report | 1 |
| The Chair’s Report | 3 |
| The Organisation’s Background | 4 |
| Independent examiner's report to the members | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities (incorporating the | |
| income and expenditure account) | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 9 |
KCIA
The Chair’s Report
I have pleasure in providing this report on the financial performance of the Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice ( KCIA ) for the year ended 31[st] March 2022. The year 2021/22 has delivered a financial result that provides KCIA a strong basis for sustainability, and the ability to develop new strategies and directions. During the financial year ended 31[st] March 2022 KCIA relied predominantly on grants, and successful applications for core activities and new work led to an increase on the previous year. We saw an encouraging increase to unrestricted donations from our regular funders, with additional generous major donor is now recorded as unrestricted.
With creativity and determination, the KCIA ’s management, staffs , and volunteers defiantly continued to provide welfare services on employment, health services, legal advice and fearless advocacy in support of people seeking asylum relentlessly throughout the year, navigating all of the challenges that COVID-19, the Pandemic and harsh Home Office policies on sending asylum seekers in Rwanda. The 2021 year was marked by continued lockdowns which impacted on lots of ethnic minorities, migrants and our some of our service delivery, but most certainly, affected the lives of refugees and asylum seekers more than most. Increased need saw record investments in areas such as advice & guidance in local languages, food delivery, debts, housing and health - strategic financial decisions that were wholeheartedly supported by our staffs, volunteers and KCIA ’s trustees. Alongside these investments were moments of resolve - successive lockdowns and ongoing restrictions saw our long-running social enterprises deeply impacted. With two part time staffs and four volunteers, providing ongoing welfare benefits advice & guidance to refugees and asylum seekers. I am also very proud that my colleagues from KCIA ’S boards committed to our social enterprises.
Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice today, is an organisation that is more impactful and more influential than at any other point in our 21 years history. We’re financially strong, stable and sustainable. As we embarked this year on the development of our new Strategic Plan for 2022 – 2027, our board challenged ourselves and the organisation to capitalise on this platform to be bolder and more ambitious than we have ever been. We took the challenge seriously and invested in a detailed, rigorous listening process with a diverse range of stakeholders. What we learned was both rewarding and an opportunity for growth. On the one hand, it was clear that the impact we were having for our beneficiaries was incredibly positive and very often life-changing.
Our employees and volunteers told us they were engaged, passionate and had a deep belief in what we do. But it was also noted that sometimes our processes were not as efficient as they could be. While the organisation’s profile, influence and impact is respected throughout the sector, there is still more we could do to support other organisations, particularly grassroots French and Portuguese Speaking refugee-led groups, and to amplify the voices of people with lived experience. Through in-depth collaboration and engagement involving our whole organisation, we took these findings on board and committed to building a new, enduring future for the KCIA .
The result of that commitment is the launch of our Business Strategic Plan for 2022 – 2027, in which we have firmly embedded the Human & Welfare Benefits Rights and voices of people seeking asylum at the heart of everything we do. What will this mean in practice? We will work even more closely together with people seeking asylum and refugees to drive systemic change. We will magnify their influence, invest in refugee-led organisations, sharpen the focus of our services and advocacy around their human rights, and realign our operations to provide the best possible experience and outcomes for our targeted community groups. We will continue to build a movement, and build valued partnerships that help realise the rights of people seeking asylum and settling in the United Kingdom..
My thanks go to my fellow Board members for their unwavering leadership; and to all of our employees, volunteers, beneficiaries and funders without whom none of this would be possible.
Thank you
Mr Kanwar Bhan
The Chair
KCIA
Organisation’s Background
Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice was established in May 2000 but formalised in May 2001 to cater for the needs of the Black African French & Lingala speaking refugee and asylum seekers communities in Westminster in particular and in Great London in general. It uses the name “Kongolese” as opposed to “Congolese” to highlight the historical links between the communities from the once Kingdom of Kongo, which is now divided up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and the Republic of Angola. It also covers people from Rwanda.
Most Black African refugee communities in Westminster cater for English and Arabic speaking people with no other provider in the borough able to cater for the needs of the Kongolese communities.
Kongolese Centre is a Community Legal Services and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner exempted centre providing Free general advice on Immigration, Housing Rights at Level 1 and representation for Welfare issues experienced by refugees and asylum seekers from the above communities in particular and all the refugee groups in general. It is a charitable organisation registered under charity number 1090079.
Organisation’s Structure, Governance and management
Organisation’s Reference and Administrative Details
| Registered charity name | Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice (K.C.I.A) |
|---|---|
| The Governing Document: | The Constitution |
| Charity registration number | 1090079 |
| The Administrative Office of the Organisation: Bangladesh Centre | |
| 19 Samford Street | |
| London | |
| NW8 8ER | |
| Solicitors: | Community Law Clinic Solicitors, |
| 71 Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise, | |
| London NW10 3ND | |
| Tel: 02089644222 | |
| Banker: | NatWest Bank, 315 Station Road, Harrow |
| Middlesex HA1 2AD | |
| Accountant: | MMF Accountants, 506 Hertford Road, Enfield |
| Middlesex EN3 5SS Tel: 02039300472 | |
| Email:info@mmfaccountants.co.uk | |
| Website:www.mmfaccountants.co.uk | |
| Staffs: | Peter Nsumbu, Project Coordinator |
| Anette Wilkins, Community Welfare Officer | |
| Volunteers: | Tania Bridge, Solange Kandu, Jessica Nsimba, |
| Fahrida Lengelo and Ellie Iyampango |
KCIA
Organisation’s Objectives
-
To improve social life of refugee groups and ethnic minorities
-
To promote social justice, equality of opportunities
-
To promote personal development of its members, welfare of individuals and refugee groups.
Organisation’s vision
-
To oppose and challenge discrimination and the denial of human rights against Refugees and Asylum Seekers.
-
To support local refugee and their families by the provision of better quality services and
-
To provide effective services to all who seek refuge in Westminster Borough.
Organisation’s Mission Statement
“The protection and preservation of local refugees and ethnic minorities’ health, by the provision of free advice, information, guidance and a translation service”.
Organisation’s Trustees
KCIA's trustees bring a range of experience and expertise. They include individuals with backgrounds former Refugees, Lawyers, Nurses, I.T technicians, House Wifes, fundraising, finance, organisational development, and they draw on professional experience in both corporate and charity sectors.
At the end of this reporting period the organisation (KCIA) had Eight trustees. KCIA's trustees are selected by application and interview, with at least one member of the panel being a user of our services. One third of trustees must retire at every AGM with those longest in office retiring first and the choice between any of equal service being drawn by lots.
Trustees meet every last Saturday of the month, reviewing strategic progress, financial position, and monitoring against the charity's stated aims. No trustees receive any benefit for their service.
Names of Trustees and Positions
Mr Kanwar Bhan The Chair Mr Christian Carlton Vice Chair Ms Katia Andrade General Secretary Ms Anamarie Especiosa Treasurer Mrs Jeanne Boketshu Senior Advisor Ms Sylvie Rose Bamoshi, Advisor Mrs Essiya Muzumu, Senior Advisor Miss Rose Vita Advisor
The Resources Sub Committee Members
-
The Executive Committee: Mr Kanwar Bhan, Ms Katia Andrade and Jeanne Boketshu
-
The Finance Sub Committee: Ms Anamarie Especiosa, Mr Christian Carlton and Mrs Essiya Muzumu
-
The Fundraising Committee: Ms Sylvie Rose Bamoshi and Miss Rose Vita
Organisation’s Risk Management
During their monthly meeting, the trustees discuss and assess the major risks to which KCIA is exposed, in particular those relating to the specific operational areas of KCIA and its finances. The trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems, reviewing quarterly financial statements, and by examining the operational and business risks faced by the organisation, they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks.
KCIA
Independent Examiners Report
I report on the Accounts of Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice for the year ending 31 [st ] March 2022.
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of the preparation of the accounts
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)- (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
Cash Flow
The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements".
Incoming resources
Grants receivable are recognised in the accounts when conditions for their receipt are satisfied. Grants with conditions attached to their use are included in restricted funds. Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable.
Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay. Expenditure has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to a particular heading they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Costs classified as governance relate to the general running of the charity and include the operations of the Board of Trustees and addressing constitutional audit and other statutory matters. Resources expended include attributable VAT, which cannot be recovered.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each assets over its expected useful life as follows:
Computer & Equipment: 25% Straight Line Basis
Fixed assets are only capitalised if their value is above £100.00 and have a life of more than one year.
KCIA
2. Incoming Sources
| 2. Incoming Sources |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sources | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Total Funds |
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Westminster Amalgamated Charity | ═══════ | 5,950 | 5,950 |
5,054 |
| City Bridge Trust | ═══════ | 28,700 | 28,700 | 28,700 |
| Trust for London | ═══════ | 20,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| John Lyon Charity | ═══════ | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| London Community Foundation | ═══════ | ═══════ | ═══════ | 10,000 |
| Charity Aid Foundation (CAF) | ═══════ | ═══════ | ═══════ | 4,700 |
| KCIA Trustees Yearly Contribution | 2,580 | ═══════ | 2,580 | 3,870 |
| Community Fund (Big Lottery Fund) | ═══════ | 32,300 | 32,300 | ═══════ |
| African Health Policy Network | ═══════ | ═══════ | ═══════ | 10,000 |
| Octavia Foundation | 8,850 | ═══════ | 8,850 | ═══════ |
| Lloyds Bank Foundation | 25,000 | ═══════ | 25,000 | ═══════ |
| Westminster Edward Harvist Trust | 1,250 | ═══════ | 1,250 | ═══════ |
| Cash at Bank / Cash in Hand | 6,540 | ═══════ | 6,540 | 2,040 |
| Total Income Received | 44,220 | 101,950 | 146,170 |
99,364 |
| ═════════ | ═══════ | ═════════ | ═════════ |
3. Expenditures on Charitable Activities
| 3. Expenditures on Charitable Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Rent & Rates | 6,090 | 5,120 |
| Volunteers | 1,850 | 1,720 |
| Advertising & Promotion | 3,125 | 1,500 |
| Equipment | 740 | 930 |
| Postages | 458 | 192 |
| Office & Administration | 1,590 | 620 |
| Travel | 1,258 | 1,040 |
| Telephone & Broadbands | 540 | 287 |
| Insurances | 710 | 525 |
| Outings, Outreach & Workshops | 14,500 | 13,080 |
| Subscriptions and membership | 3,800 | ═══════ |
| Sundries | 420 | 46 |
| Refreshments | 2,272 | 235 |
| Bank Charges | 246 | 222 |
| Depreciation | 110 | ═══════ |
| ═════════ | ═════════ | |
| Total Costs | 36,969 | 25,517 |
| ═════════ | ═════════ | |
| Total staffs costs were as follows: | 2022 | 2021 |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 69,250 | 58,420 |
| Social security costs | 6,742 | 5,564 |
| Employer Pension Contributions | 2,731 | 2,731 |
KCIA
| Accounting & Independent Examination | 1,850 | 1,650 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Staffs Costs | 80,573 | 69,745 |
| Total Expenditures Costs | 118,282 | 93,882 |
| 27,888 | 1,380 | |
| Balance @ 31st March | 34,084 | 11,290 |
Particulars of employees:
The average number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full-time equivalents, was as follows:
No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the year (2022 - Nil).
5. Charitable Incomes by project ended 31[st] March 2022
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sources | Funds | Funds | 2022 | 2021 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Trust for London | ═══════ | 20,000 | 20,000 |
20,000 |
| City Bridge Trust | ═══════ | 28,700 | 28,700 |
28,700 |
| Westminster Amalgamated Charity | ═══════ | 5,950 | 5,950 |
5,054 |
| John Lyon Charity | ═══════ | 15,000 | 15,000 |
15,000 |
| Community Fund (Big Lottery Fund) | ═══════ | 32,300 | 32,300 |
|
| African Health Policy Network | ═══════ | ═══════ | ═══════ | 10,000 |
| Charity Aid Foundation (CAF) | ═══════ | ═══════ | ═══════ | 4,700 |
| KCIA Trustees Yearly Contribution | 2,580 | ═══════ | 2,580 | 3,870 |
| Westminster Edward Harvist Trust | 1,250 | ═══════ | 1,250 | |
| Total Resources Expended | 3,830 | 101,950 | 105,780 |
87,324 |
| ═══════ | ═══════ |
6. Charitable expenditure by project ended 31[st] March 2022
| Payroll Costs | Venue Hire | Project | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Costs | Costs | Total Costs | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| KCIA Elderly Activities | ═══════ | 1,090 | 4,650 | 5,740 |
| Children & Young People Learning | ═══════ | 2,100 | 18,850 | 20,950 |
| Sporting Activities | ═══════ | 5,040 | 9,960 | 15,000 |
| Advice & Welfare Rights | ═══════ | ═══════ | 54,800 | 54,800 |
| Outings & Outreach Programmes | 416 | ═══════ | 4,284 | 4,700 |
| Volunteering | 250 | ═══════ | 1,850 | 2,100 |
| Refreshments | 218 | ═══════ | 2,272 | 2,490 |
| Total Resources Expended | 884 | 8,230 | 96,666 | 105,780 |
| ═══════ | ═══════ |
7. Tangibles Fixed Assets
| 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| At 1stApril 2021 | Computer / Equipment Furniture | 6,568 |
| Additions | Computer & Office Equipment | 740 |
KCIA
| At 1stMarch 2022 | 7,308 | |
|---|---|---|
| ═══════ | ||
| Depreciation | ||
| Charge to date | 264 | |
| Charge for the year | 646 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | 5,658 | |
| ═ | ══════ | |
| 8. Liabilities: Amount Falling dueWithin One Year | ||
| 2022 | ||
| £ | ||
| Staffs Pension | 2,731 | |
| London Weighting | 3,880 | |
| 6,611 | ||
| Balance Sheet | ═══════ | |
| As at 31stMarch 2022 | ||
| Fixed Assets Tangible Assets | 27,888 | |
| Current Assets | 34,084 | |
| Debtors & Bank | 6,196 | |
| Current Liability | 16,460 | |
| Amount Falling due Within One Year | ══════ | |
| Funds | ||
| Unrestricted | 22,121 | |
| Restricted | 3,090 | |
| 19,031 | ||
| ══------════ | ||
| Net Current Assets | 16,241 | |
| Net Assets | 2,790 | |
| ═══════ |
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.
9. Related Parties
There were no related parties within the year and none of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year.
MMF Accountants , 506 Hertford Road, Enfield Middlesex EN3 5SS Tel: 02039300472 Email: info@mmfaccountants.co.uk Website: www.mmfaccountants.co.uk
Roberts Nestorz
Accountant
KCIA
Approved by the K.C.I.A’s Trustees on the ………..15[th] July 2022…………………………………………… Signed on behalf of the Trustees by:
Mr Kanwar Bhan The Chairperson