REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER.. 04347767 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1091463 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 FOR SUSSEX LANTERN Parkers 178-180 Church Road Hove, East Sussex BN3 2DJ
SUSSEX LANTERN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 The trustees who are also directors of the charity for th& purposes of the Companies Acl 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims The charity's objectives are lo relieve and improve the quality of life of the blind and partially sighted, and of disabled people within Brighton and Hove and in East and West Sussex. The year to 31 March 2025 was again another challenging year. Sussex Lanterns Aim was to remain financially stable, to continue developing appropriate services suitable for our client base. To keep flexibility, to use spare capacity to help raise funds for the Charities stated aims and objectives. For the second year running we have been thwarted by the weather. Whilst people were still visiting the site, we were not able to use any of our usual pitches as the ground was far too wet. We were only able to become fully operational on the 1st June, which swiftly ended at the end of September. Giving us only 4 months to secure an income to carry us through the winter months. We remained busy for the time available for us to use. The loss of income from the main site activity has been significant this year. We also must maintain the site and have had a considerable financial outlay to refresh some of the hard standing pitches. which are vital for our disabled visitors. So much so that the concern is that rf this weather continues into next year, we may have to discuss the viability of the site as it stands. During 2024 -2025 we established a working relationship with the architect Matthew Allchurch and Planning consultants Union 4 Planning who specialise in planning and design for lodges within National Parks. Because we are within Southdown's National Park, planning is known to be Iricky to say the least. We want to give ourselves the best possible chance of getting full planning permission to put the lodges on site and offer more to our members, this is now imperative so that we can ensure the ongoing services to our members who would be devastated if the park closed. Having lodges onsite will provide a solid viable income fr)r the charity. And having fully equipped lodges for disabled people will enable the disabled to holiday all year. We have put through the Pre planning application and have been given the go ahead to go for full planning. The charity's main objectives for the year :_ -To maintain the recognition of excellence from the promoters of such facilities, which in turn encourages disabled people to use the park, which has a reputation of excellence. All facilities are maintained lo a high standard, The Trees we have planted throughout the year with the help from the Charity the TreeApp are well established and are providing much needed screening and helping the environment and wildlife. -To continue working towards getting full planning permission to move forward with the installation of the lodges in 2025 -2028. To focus on the upkeep of Ihe land with as little major works carried out as possible. To continue to encourage our member5 lo come and enjoy our peaceful surroundings. and protection of this stunning land -By making the facilities available to the local community on a restricted and tightly controlled basis, we can continue to develop ars income to ensure our charitable work is sustainable. It has been an extremely difficult year, but one in which the staff and volunteers can bejustly proud. Page 1
SUSSEX LANTERN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Achievement and performance Throughout 202412025 we have continued to seek the funds for the development of the new cenlTe and the site overall. We continue to fundraise to build but because of the economic climate prices for building materials have gone up tenfold, making fundraising almost unobtainable. The planned lodges will help with fundraising and helping disabled families and individuals. -The Chief Executive Officer continues developing and supporting both the Leisure Park, its volunteers, and staff- she will continue to build valuable relationships with disabled groups, hospitals The local community and local volunteers -A successful Leisure Park is essential, during this period due to the almost stagnation of charitable fund-raising during these difficult times. It has provided all the finances for our work to date. 11 is also an exceptional financial asset, ensuring that we have the ability to develop and provide much needed, imaginative services to our client group into the future. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financlal position The funding sources so far is from the Leisure Park. A small number of grant making trusts have been approached regarding funding for the building of the new centre. These applications have so far been unsuccessful. All costs are usually met from the earned income of the Leisure Park. However, this year due to the weather, forcing a reduced income. The increase in tsx, wage bills, and utiif(ies we have had to tap into our reserves. this is not something we did lightly, and we will look to replace that over the next couple of years. We can only hope for a better summer in 2025126. Investment policy and objectives Future income will provide steady savings to accumulate funds to ensure the future of the Charity, il's aims and objectives. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document Sussex Lantern is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 4th January 2002 and regislered as a charity on 27th March 2002. Registered Charitable Company Number 43477767. Registered Charity Number 1091463. The charitable company emerged from its original foundation, the Brighton Society for the Blind, which was an unincorporated charity founded pre-1860 and all of the assets and reserves held by the Society were transferred to Sussex Lantern on the 1st April 2002. Sussex Lantern was the original title of the charity which was nicknamed by the users and members as The Lantern" The Charity has worked continually since its foundation pre 1860. The charity is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association and is controlled by a board of trustees whose members are elected at the Annual General Meeting and are directors for the purposes of company law and trustees for the purposes of charity law. Recruitment and appointment of new trustees New directorsltrustees are selected on the basis of the contribution that they will make to the governance of the organisation and the skills they will contribute. Page 2
SUSSEX LANTERN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Induction and training of new trustees Directors rustees are inlroduced to the work of the organisalion by an existing Directortrrustee. The story is told by the use of photographs of our work and Ihe introduction to people partaking of our services . If an applicant is successful, a copy of our governing document is given to them along with the Charities Commission Guidance to Trustees. All Directorstrrustees are kept up to date with external changes in governance, by the Chief Executive and Chairman. Risk management Financial controls are strictly enforced. Compliance requirements which are assessed annually, are met in full. The systems introduced over are monitored and working successfully. To avoid financial risk of deposits in the Bank we have spread the risk by opening a separate Bank "The Charity Bank for our savings account. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 04347767 (England and Wales) Registered Charity number 1091463 Registered office Southdown Farm Lodge Lane Keymer Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LX Trustees F Wright Mrs G D Wright Director and Company Secretary G Hill (resigned 101121241 S Guest R Swale-Pope (MBE) {resigned 10112124) Company Secretary Mrs G D Wright Independent Examiner Annette Watson FCA Parkers 178-180 Church Road Hove, East Sussex BN3 2DJ Bankers Bank of Scotland 38 St Andrews Square Edinburgh EH2 2YR Page 3
SUSSEX LANTERN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Sollcltors Griffith Smith Farringdon Webb 47 Old Steyne Brighton East Sussex BN11NW This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Approved by order of the board of trustees on ...12,-..AQ.LA.g.gw.. and signed on its behalf by: Mrs G D Wright - Trustee Page 4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SUSSEX LANTERN Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Sussex Lantern ('the Company,) I report to the charty trustees on my examination of the account5 of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company lawl you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 {'the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as Carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Acl,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(51 (b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm Ihal l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confinn that no matters have Come to my attention in connection with Ihe examination giving me cause lo believe- accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act., or the accounts do not accord with those records., or the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that Ihe accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities {applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102)). 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. Annette Watson FCA Parkers 178-180 Church Road Hove, East Sussex BN3 2DJ È Qo ctr-A)Q) L02 Date.. Page 5
SUSSEX LANTERN STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 Unrestricted fund 2024 Total funds Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 227,942 244,099 Investment income 22,575 18,651 Total 250,517 262,750 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 140,838 134,622 Charitable actlvlties Members, services 149,923 152,967 Total 290,761 287,589 NET INCOMEI{EXPENDITURE) (40,244) (24,8391 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 2,490,473 2,515,312 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 2,450,229 2,490,473 The notes fomi part of these financial statements Page 6
SUSSEX LANTERN BALANCE SHEET 31 ST MARCH 2025 2025 Unrestrlcted fund 2024 Total funds Notes FIXED ASSETS Tanglble assets 10 q,576,757 1,592,105 CURRENT ASSETS Oebtors Cash at bank and in hand 11 3,588 889,556 17,278 897,001 893,144 914,279 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 12 (19,672) {15,911 > NET CURRENT ASSETS 873,472 898,368 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT UABILITIES 2,450,229 2,490,473 NET ASSETS 2,450,229 2.490,473 FUNDS Unrestricted funds 13 2,450,229 2,490,473 TOTAL FUNDS 2,450,229 2,490.473 The charftsble company Is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2025. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responslbillties for (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and {b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relatlng to financial statements, so far as applicab18 to the charitsble company. These financlal statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subj8Ct to th@ small companies regime. The nancial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on . and were signed on its behalf by: G D ihlright - Tru8te8 The notes fonn part of these financAal ststements Page 7
SUSSEX LANTERN CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2026 2024 Notes Cash flows from operating activitles Cash generated from operations 130,020) 148,416) Net cash used in operating activities (30,0201 148,416) Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets Interest received 12,423) 18,651 22,575 Net cash provided by investing activities 22,575 16,228 Change in cash and cash equlvalents in the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting perlod 17,445) {32,188) 897.001 929,189 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 889,556 897,001 The notes fomi part of these financial statements Page 8
SUSSEX LANTERN NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 RECONCILIATION OF NET EXPENDITURE TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2025 2024 Net expenditure for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charge5 Interest received Decreasel{increase) in debtors Increaselldecrease) in credttors (40.244) (24,839) 15,348 (22,575) 13,690 3,761 15,348 118,651) 117,278) 12,996) Net cash used in operations (30,020) 148,416) ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS At 114124 Cash flow At 3113125 Net cash Cash at bank and in hand 897,001 (7,445) 889,556 897,001 (7,445) 889,556 Total 897,001 (7,445) 889,556 The notes form part of these financial ststements Page 9
SUSSEX LANTERN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparing the financial statements The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance wilh the Charities SORP {FRS 102) '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),, Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Income All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to thal expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all c05t related lo the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Allocatlon and apportlonment of costs Expenditure on Charitable Activities includes the proportion of salaries, secretarial costs and other relevant expenses which relate to the planning, development and administration of these activities. Staff costs are allocated proportionally on a time spent basis. Other indirect costs are apportioned as the trustee5 deem appropriate from time to time. Tangible fixed assets Deprecialion is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Freehold property Plant and machinery Fixtures and fittings in accordance with the property 20 % on cost 200/0 on cost Taxation The charity is exempi from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2025 2024 Campsite income 227,942 244,099 Page 10 continued...
SUSSEX LANTERN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 INVESTMENT INCOME 2025 2024 Deposit account interest 22,575 18,651 RAISING FUNDS Raislng donations and legacies 2025 2024 Campsite costs 140,838 134,622 CHARITA8LE ACTIVITIES COSTS Support costs (see note 61 Direct Costs Totals Members, services 41,133 108,790 149,923 SUPPORT COSTS Manageme Members, services 108,790 NET INCOMEI(EXPENDITURE) Net incomellexpenditure) is stated after chargingl(crediting)- 2025 2024 Depreciation - owned assets 15,348 15,348 TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees, remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 st March 2024. Trustees, expenses There were no trustees, expenses paid for the year ended 31 st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. Page11 continued...
SUSSEX LANTERN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 STAFF COSTS 2025 2024 Wages and salaries Other pension costs 102,645 6,145 107,126 7,975 108,790 115,101 The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows.. 2025 2024 Administrative staff No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. 10. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Fixtures and fittings Freehold property Plant and machinery Totals COST At 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025 1,743,923 118,871 249,577 2,112,371 DEPRECIATION At 1 st April 2024 Charge for year 157,311 11,669 114,857 3,013 248,098 666 520,266 15,348 At 31st March 2025 168,980 117,870 248,764 535,614 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st March 2025 1,574,943 1,001 813 1,576,757 At 31st March 2024 1,586,612 4.014 1,479 1,592,105 11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Other debtors and prepayments 3,588 17,278 Page 12 continued...
SUSSEX LANTERN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - contSnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Social security and other taxes Accrued expenses 1,368 18,304 2,105 13,806 19,672 15,911 13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement in funds Al 3113125 At 114124 Unrestricted funds General fund 2,490,473 {40,2441 2,450,229 TOTAL FUNDS 2,490,473 (40,244) 2,450,229 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows.. Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestrlcted funds General fund 250,517 1290,761) 140,244) TOTAL FUNDS 250,517 1290,761) 140,2441 Comparatives for movement In funds Net movement in funds At 3113124 At 114123 Unrestricted funds General fund 2.515,312 (24,839) 2,490,473 TOTAL FUNDS 2,515,312 (24,839) 2,490,473 Comparative net movement in funds. included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund 262,750 (287,589) (24,839) TOTAL FUNDS 262,750 (287.589) (24,8391 Page 13 continued...
SUSSEX LANTERN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 st March 2025. Page 14