REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04141812 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1092502
Report of the Trustees and
Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2024
for
Northampton Town FC Community Trust (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Cheney & Co Statutory Auditor 310 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EP
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st July 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 9 |
| Report of the Independent Auditors | 10 to 12 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
| Balance Sheet | 14 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 15 |
| Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 16 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 17 to 23 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 24 to 25 |
Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st July 2024. 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).
Chair's report
As we reflect on the past 12 months, I am pleased to report on another period of growth and success for the Northampton Town Community Trust. This year has seen continued growth across all areas of our operations-finances, reach, and impact - and this is testament to the dedication of our wonderful team and the continued support of our partners. In terms of impact, we have supported over 6,000 people across Northamptonshire in the past 12 months, helping to create a happier, healthier and more connected Northamptonshire.
In 2023-2024, we began an exciting transition of the Further Education Programme (FEP) from the football club to the Trust. The FEP provides full-time post-16 education with a programme of work experience opportunities in a professional sports club environment and this move will enable us to deliver a high standard of education and vocational opportunities for young people. We've already seen the first cohort of students come through this year and look forward to welcoming the second-year students in 2024-25.
A major highlight of the year was the successful installation of our Mini Pitch, the prize awarded to us by the European Football Development Network in 2022 and which officially opened in late 2023. This facility is now an invaluable asset for the local community, providing a safe and accessible space for young people to enjoy outdoor activities and it is very uplifting to see the pitch being used on matchdays by a variety of different groups.
This year, we have also made significant strides in our commitment to environmental sustainability. We were proud to be named winners of 'Pledgeball', a recognition of our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote green initiatives. Additionally, for the second consecutive year, we were selected as finalists for the EFL Green Award, further cementing our place as leaders in sustainability within the football community. And finally, we launched the 'Cobblers Tackling Food Waste' initiative, which is aimed at reducing food waste throughout the county.
The Northampton Town Women's team built on the success of their first season in the FA Women's National League (Tier 4) by finishing an admirable 5th in the league. We are very much looking forward to next season and I hope to be able to update you on some exciting plans for the team in my next report.
Our relationship with Northampton Town Football Club continues to go from strength to strength. Joint working has remained a key focus throughout the year, and the collaboration between the Trust and the club has allowed us to reach new audiences and amplify our community impact. We are, as ever, indebted to our colleagues at Northampton Town FC, particularly Kelvin, James Whiting, James Corrigan and his team, Nick and Gareth for their unwavering support and generosity.
Finally, as we move into the next year, we do so with a sense of pride in all that we've achieved and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Phill and his incredible team, the many volunteers and wonderful supporters whose dedication, hard work, and passion puts the Trust at the centre of our community, making it a stronger, more inclusive, and more connected place to be.
Thank you for your continued support.
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Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims
Mission Statement
Our mission is to use the unique appeal of Northampton Town FC to deliver activities that connect our communities and improve people's lives.
Charity Objects and Outcomes
The objects of the charity are to further and benefit the inhabitants of Northamptonshire without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions in particular through the use of football and other sports as a tool to connect communities, to promote good health, to help educate with the objective of improving the lives of the said inhabitants.
To do this there are three outcomes the community trust focus on:
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Improved Health and Wellbeing
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Stronger, Safer, Connected Communities
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Enhanced Life Opportunities
Our outcomes also link closely and contribute to the UN sustainable goals of 'Quality Education' , 'Good Health and Wellbeing' and 'Reduced Inequalities. The work we deliver is categorised into four core areas.
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Education and Skills
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Health and Wellbeing
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Disability, Inclusion and Participation
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NTFC experiences
We referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future services.
Delivering the Charities Outcomes
We hold an annual review of the company's objectives to make sure we are achieving the smart targets set by the board, we focus on key achievements set against the objectives. A theory of change is in place which is reported back on annually to track progress. The review also helps the charity to focus on our aims within the community, we have referred to the guidance contained in the charity commissions general guidance on public benefits when reviewing our aims and objectives when planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
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Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Public benefit
How our activities deliver public benefit
Our inclusive activities support people of all ages from the community of Northamptonshire to connect local communities and improve their lives. Over the past year we have continued to support people across our core work strands of education and skills, disability, inclusion and participation, health and wellbeing and NTFC experiences. This has seen 30 different projects delivered. Our strategy focuses on three key outcomes for our work - improved health and wellbeing, enhanced life chances and stronger, safer, connected communities.
In 2023-2024, we supported over 6000 people across Northamptonshire through our work. We once again had an external social impact assessment undertaken on our work. This piece of work was commissioned by the EFL in the Community and undertaken by Substance utilising the UEFA grow model. This outlined our total social value as £3,974,361. This was split into Physical Health - £265,763, Mental Health - £2,864,744, Social £378,774 and Education & Employability £465,080. These findings have been really important in showcasing the tangible benefits of our work to funders and key stakeholders locally. Our work continues to focus on communities and the people of Northamptonshire, with a key focus on areas of inequalities across the county.
Below outlines a departmental breakdown of how our work further delivers public benefit
Education and Skills
The school's department remains the largest areas of work for the community trust and focuses on the key outcome of 'enhanced life chances'. We continued to deliver the Premier League Primary Stars Programme along with a targeted secondary schools programme called 'reset' supporting a total of 1278 pupils over the year. This programme specifically targets pupils at risk of exclusion, supporting them to stay in mainstream education. Our school's workforce expanded to 14 full time staff delivering in 30 schools across the county, 14 of these were based in areas of the highest deprivation (IMD 1-3). Interventions around literacy, numeracy and wellbeing were delivered along with our work to engage with children, young people and families around sustainability continued to expand in 23-24. We once again took part in Planet League, a sustainability challenge to support children and families to make changes to their lifestyles that will impact on the planet. Through this project, families access information and represent the football club against other clubs across the country to make small, lasting changes that can have a big effect on environmental sustainability. We also took part in Pledgeball and thanks to the dedicated efforts of cobblers fans, a staggering 1,950,038kg of Carbon dioxide was pledged to be saved, showcasing the transformative power of collective action in combating climate change. NTFC CT were crowned Pledgeball Champions nationally for the 23-24 season due to the impact made through the programme. 23-24 also saw a new programme called Cobblers Tackling Food Waste launched, this project, working closely with the council aims to bring families and fans together to reduce food waste. 1209 households were engaged & 61 businesses. In one of the schools we worked with, they saw food waste reduce by 47% after being part of the programme. Data also showed a positive correlated increase in the use of food waste bins when the project was being promoted.
Alongside our core schools programmes, we continued to deliver curriculum enrichment events focussing on key themes of racism, girls football and resilience.
Our employability department supports those furthest away from work or education to access opportunities. Through our work on the Pathways 4 Recovery project which provided bespoke one to one support to people facing multiple barriers, 7 people were supported to move into and stay in work and a further 2 moved into education or training. Through our Volunteer Coach Academy Programme 8 participants successfully completed the programme with 100% of these reporting improvements in confidence having completed.
We continued to deliver the Multiply project for North Northamptonshire funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This project targeted families, notably parents with low levels of numeracy skills to help improve their confidence and skills with 100% of the participants engaged in our winning with numbers intervention reporting improved confidence in numeracy skills on completion of the course.
In 23-24 we also took on board a new Further Education Programme for 16-18 year old's. The programme is being phased across from the football club across the next two years, with 30 first year students transferring across in 23-24, and a further 40 students transferring across in 24-25. Four of the female students progressed to playing in the NTFC women's first team during the season.
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Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Significant activities
Disability, Inclusion and Participation
Our work in this themed area is delivered by three project leads (disability officer, inclusion officer and women and girls officer) with each taking ownership of targeted areas to develop and deliver provision. This area of work focuses on developing stronger, safer, connected communities.
Our disability work supports over 150 participants every week through pan disability (NTMDFC) and targeted provision (Powerchair, CP football, downs syndrome football). We continue to also deliver holiday course provision to further address local needs with 100% of participants attending this programme reporting an increase in confidence. The Northampton Town FC Multi disabled football club continue to take part in a calendar of fixtures enabling people with a disability to represent the football club as part of the BOBI league as well as delivering a play on the pitch opportunity at the end of the season to further inspire participants. Through the every player counts programme, a targeted weekly football programme for people living with mental health or physical disabilities, 86% of participants increased their physical activity levels after being part of the programme.
The Inclusion department continues to deliver across five hub sites set up across Wellingborough, Northampton and Kettering. A new site was also introduced in Corby based on increased need. The largest project within this department is Premier League Kicks which engaged with 309 participants. The project continues to engage a higher percentage of diverse participants than the average in the county. This project has helped to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve community relations by providing structured evening activities (football and multi-sports) on estates and in identified areas where there were high occurrences of anti-social behaviour. During the year we identified the increasing number of participants who were being affected by food poverty and working with a local partner, Goodwill Solutions, on top of the regular activities, we were able to also provide food at all sessions for participants. In addition to delivery of these activitybased sessions NTFC CT also continued to deliver food and football activity camps during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays to support young people in areas of high deprivation to combat food poverty. 232 participants took part in this programme with 70% reporting increased physical activity levels and 65% reporting increased knowledge in healthy eating after taking part in the programme. 365 meals were provided through these camps.
As part of our work to develop stronger, safer, connected communities, we continue to deliver the innovative 'anti-crime ambassador' programme, funded by the OPFCC and the Safer Streets Fund. This project continues to help raise awareness of the risks of knife crime in secondary school aged children and engaged with 111 young people across the year. 20 were trained as peer mentors within their schools and communities to further raise awareness with their peers. Our partnership working has been integral to the success of our inclusion work.
The NTFC CT sports participation work aims to support people of all ages to access sport and physical activity opportunities. During 2023-24 the NTFC CT programmes continued to provide opportunities for women and girls to take part in football with 423 participants engaging on programmes (up by 30% on last year). The activities provided ranged from first engagement turn up and play sessions such as FA wildcats, Monday Night Legends and Skills centres, all the way through to team-based set ups such as the grassroots football teams, Player Development Centre and the NTFC Women's First Team and Development Team. A structured pathway has been maintained to support women and girls to progress from a first entry into football at the age of 8, all the way through to the NTFC women's team. We continued to deliver the FA's Emerging Talent Centre programme enabling 57 talented girls to take part in structured football coaching and be part of the England talent pathway. 3 participants were invited to England Talent ID days from this programme in 23-24. This project, now in its second year, is run in partnership locally with the county FA and the University of Northampton. Girls football only holiday courses continue to also be well received with 93% of participants reporting increased confidence having attended the programme.
It was a successful season for the NTFC Women's Team who once again retained their status in the FA Women's National League, building on their performances once again. The team also took part in two games held at Sixfields Stadium which saw continued record attendances as we use these opportunities to help to inspire the next generation and raise the profile of women's football across Northamptonshire.
Finally, the holiday course provision delivered by NTFC CT continued to expand with 478 participants (an increase of 160 from last year) engaging on the programme. 90% of participants improved their confidence through taking part in the programme and 61% stated it supported them to increase their physical activity levels. 72% of participants reported more positive relationships with others as a result of attending the programme.
Health and Wellbeing
Our work to improve physical and mental health continued to grow in 23-24. Through our extra time hubs programme, which aims to reduce isolation and loneliness in older adults by bringing people together to take part in weekly social and physical activities, 100% of participants outlined they'd developed new positive social connections through the programme and 19% of participants highlighted an improvement in their mental wellbeing (WEMWBS score) after attending the programme.
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Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
We also continued to deliver our hugely impactful physical health programmes - Man v Fat and Fit Cobblers. Through these programmes, a total of 488kg of weight was lost by participants, with 33 of these participants losing 5% or more of their body weight.
There continues to be a trend of poor mental health in children locally. Our support in this area has continued through the 'Team Talk' programme, funded by Children in Need. 46 targeted pupils engaged in this programme in 23-24 with 91% reporting improved mental wellbeing after completion. 89% now find it easier to understand their own feelings and speak to someone about it. This innovative programme covers a range of themes to help children and young people better understand and manage their feelings, using experiences from NTFC academy players to support.
We are commissioned by Public Health to deliver NHS health checks across the county, with 786 free health checks completed across the community, an increase once again on the previous year. We are now the largest third party provider of NHS health checks within the county. This support has helped reduce some of the strain on GP surgeries by offering people the opportunity to receive a free health check at a local community setting or workplace at a convenient time to them. Through this work, we are able to signpost people onto further support services where additional support is needed.
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Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
STRATEGIC REPORT
Achievement and performance
Fundraising activities
Northampton Town FC Community Trust is not a member of the fundraising regulator due to the limited amount of fundraising engaged in. To date, the Trust has not received any complaints with regards to fundraising activities and are mindful not to undertake fundraising activities that: intrude on privacy, are unreasonably persistent, or put any person - especially vulnerable people - under undue pressure to donate. Northampton Town FC Community Trust does not employ or engage with any external fundraising agencies and do not undertake any street-fundraising or telephone cold-calling.
Financial review
Financial position
The Community Trust has continued its growth once again this year. The Board has been focused on continuing to improve the financial position of the Trust so that it can effectively weather expected and unexpected challenges, notably as we see high inflation and the continued rising cost of living affecting not only our organisation but the people we serve too. Over the past twelve months, NTFC CT continues to show excellent growth across all areas of the organisation and has continued to diversify funding streams, notably trying to grow all departments so that it does not remain reliant on specific areas to cover others. The results achieved this year continue to indicate that the Trust remains on the right path. In terms of income a positive surplus has been made to help to cover off the outlay for the pitch. With the addition of the further education programme, there has been an increase in turnover of £226,489 with all other 6 departments also increasing in size.
Strong systems are in place to understand and control expenditure and due to the work of the Finance Team clear and concise budgets are now produced which are worked through with project holders and key staff. We continually look to improve our financial policies, procedures and reporting mechanisms as we grow as a charity.
Principal funding sources
The Community Trust looks to draw its funding from three core areas, 1. Self-generated income - this is through the form of registration fees and sessions fees from participants attending activities and charged work to schools. 2. External grants - which enable us to provide activities free of charge or enabling us to create innovative solutions to challenges our community face 3. Fundraising and donations. In order to receive grant funding from the EFL Trust and the Premier League Charitable Fund, the charity must complete the capability code of practice (CCOP) annually, a form of kitemarking in the sector of which NTFC Community Trust continued to meet the required criteria for 23-24.
We would like to place on record our thanks to the following funding partners and grant makers who have supported our work and impact this year:
EFL in the Community (formerly EFL Trust) Premier League Charitable Fund BBC Children in Need Northamptonshire Community Foundation The Football Foundation North Northamptonshire Council West Northamptonshire Council The PFA The FA and FA Women's National League Northants Police Crime Commissioners Office Northamptonshire Sport Sport England European Social Fund Wellingborough Town Council Cummins The National Lottery Hubbub Foundation
Reserves policy
The board review and examine the expected level of incoming resources and outgoing expenditure on a quarterly basis. The board has examined the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation and it has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the Charity should be equivalent to the average expenditure incurred over three months of activity.
As at 31st July 2024, unrestricted cash reserves stood at £226,109. Based on the significant growth the charity has seen over the past year, and the investment in the previous financial year for a new mini pitch, the new three-month running cost requirement for the organisation is £236,545. In line with our business plan, work will continue in 24-25 to grow these reserves to return to three months as outlined in our policy. The trustees have reviewed the current reserves position along with confirmed income for the next 12 months and consider the organisation will be able to continue operating for at least one year from when the accounts have been signed.
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Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
STRATEGIC REPORT
Principal risks and uncertainties
The Trust maintains a risk register which focus on the key risks to the Charity, mainly focused on risks to income but also wider partnership risks and challenges. These are reviewed monthly by the Finance Committee, Quality Assurance Committee and full board. All committees also receive programme updates to ensure that targets are being met and are on course. Given the regularity of meetings the Board can respond quickly to risks and challenges. The Board recognise that there is increased pressure and competition for funding and that there is a higher expectation on impact and as such, have been focussed on ensuring that it maintains diversified funding streams and are not overly reliant on grants. Looking ahead; the strength of our business model continues to support the charity to be in a positive position. Inflation and the rising costs of living continue to affect everyone including charities and businesses and is something we are aware of and continue to mitigate against. We are confident but not complacent that we have the right staff and skills in place to continue to work effectively for and with our local communities.
Future plans
In the future, we continue to work towards the goals set out in the Community Trust's 2022-25 Strategy. Northampton Town FC Community Trust is a strong and successful organisation which is well equipped and ready to meet the challenges that the future may bring and are able, due to our flexibility as a charity, to reposition to respond effectively. As such the Trust has put in place for 2022-2025 a detailed and robust business plan.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 16 January 2001 and registered as a charity on 16 January 2001. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association that established its objects and powers and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10. The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as members of the Board. All members of the Board give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Trustees are appointed by the charity through an open recruitment procedure. Roles are advertised based on the skills required to support the charity. Trustees are required to retire from office on a rotational basis and may be re-elected for a further term.
Organisational structure
The organisation has a board of eleven members who meet on a quarterly cycle and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. Sub committees are in place for finance and quality assurance which also meet in addition to the full board on a quarterly basis. A scheme of delegation is in place and day-to-day responsibility for the provision of the services rest with the CEO, supported by department leads, delivery staff and administrative staff. The CEO is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are met. The CEO and Operations Manager provide supervision of the staff team and ensures that the team continues to develop their skills and working practices in line with good practice.
Induction and training of new trustees
New trustees receive a formal induction where they are informed of their legal obligations under charity and company law, the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and the content of the memorandum and articles of association, the committee and decision making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. Trustees are encouraged and offered opportunities to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate and enhance the undertaking of their role.
Related parties
The charity has assessed its related party relationships in accordance with the Charities SORP. For the financial year ended 2023-24, the charity confirms that there are no related party relationships and as such, no transactions requiring disclosure.
Risk management
The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has appropriate systems of controls, financial and otherwise, to manage the risks that it faces and to provide reasonable assurance that the charity is operating effectively and efficiently. The trustees have assessed the various risks within the charity and have put in place policies and a risk register to mitigate. Ongoing assessment of risks take place and these are reported and reviewed by the board in both full board and sub-committee meetings.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
04141812 (England and Wales)
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Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
Registered Charity number 1092502
Registered office Sixfields Stadium Northampton Northamptonshire NN5 5QA
Trustees
Ms M E Balchin-Love D J Croot Ms J Deboo S Desborough A M Hanning T J Hollowell S P Jones Ms D Mattock M May B W Ransley J Whiting
The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the Trustees.
Auditors Cheney & Co Statutory Auditor 310 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EP
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also the directors of Northampton Town FC Community Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
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there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
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the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
AUDITORS
The auditors, Cheney & Co, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
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Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st July 2024
Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 19[th] March 2025 and signed on the board's behalf by:
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S Desborough - Trustee
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Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Northampton Town FC Community Trust (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31st July 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31st July 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the Report of the Trustees is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
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the charitable company has not kept adequate accounting records; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
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Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed as auditors under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Irregularities , including fraud , are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities , including fraud, is detailed below:
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the company and the sector in which it operates. We determine that the following laws and regulations were most significant: the Companies Act 2006 ,the Charities Act 2022, UK employment taxation laws , safe guarding regulations governing the care of vulnerable persons, Employment Legislation and Health and Safety Legislation affecting employees.
There are no critical judgements of an unusual nature. The turnover is income which is closely monitored by the trustees and other administrative staff including the CEO.
We have undertaken high levels of substantive testing of balances in the statement of financial position and have performed a detailed analytical review of the income statement.
Prior to commencement of the audit staff were briefed on the risk assessment of the susceptibility of the company financial statements to material misstatement , including fraud .
Audit procedures performed included:
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identifying and assessing the design and effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;and
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understanding how the trustee directors considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process; and
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challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in significant accounting estimates where appropriate;and
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identifying and testing journal entries , in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations, as appropriate; and
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assessing the extent of compliance with laws and regulations.
At the completion stage of the audit the results of audit tests were re-examined to ensure that they were consistent with our knowledge of the company and did not warrant further investigation of transactions and balances.
Our responsibility is to conduct an audit of the company's financial statements in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and to issue an audit report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.
Other matters which we are required to address
ISA (UK) 710 paragraph 14 requires the auditor to state in the auditor's report, that the corresponding figures for 2023 are unaudited.
Page 11
Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Paul Cummings ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Cheney & Co Statutory Auditor 310 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EP
Date: 25[th] March 2025
Page 12
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st July 2024
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 4 Charitable activities Investment income 3 Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 5 Charitable activities NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Transfers between funds 16 Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted fund £ 56,037 762,209 4,889 823,135 812,007 11,128 (93) 11,035 215,074 226,109 |
Restricted funds £ - 327,844 - 327,844 333,678 (5,834) 93 (5,741) 5,741 - |
2024 Total funds £ 56,037 1,090,053 4,889 1,150,979 1,145,685 5,294 - 5,294 220,815 226,109 |
2023 Total funds £ 17,449 906,360 683 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 924,492 | ||||
| 873,509 | ||||
| 50,983 - |
||||
| 50,983 169,832 |
||||
| 220,815 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 13
Northampton Town FC Community Trust (Registered number: 04141812)
Balance Sheet 31st July 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| fund | funds | funds | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||||
| Tangible assets | 12 | 53,880 | - | 53,880 | 4,264 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Debtors | 13 | 25,402 | - | 25,402 | 54,297 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 14 | 350,449 | - | 350,449 | 278,741 |
| 375,851 | - | 375,851 | 333,038 | ||
| CREDITORS | |||||
| Amounts falling due within one year | Amounts falling due within one year 15 |
(203,622) | - | (203,622) | (116,487) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 172,229 | - | 172,229 | 216,551 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 226,109 | - | 226,109 | 220,815 |
| NET ASSETS | 226,109 | - | 226,109 | 220,815 | |
| FUNDS | 16 | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 226,109 | 215,074 | |||
| Restricted funds | - | 5,741 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 226,109 | 220,815 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st July 2024.
The members have not deposited notice, pursuant to Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 requiring an audit of these financial statements.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities 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 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been audited under the requirements of Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 19[th] March 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
........................................................................ S Desborough - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 14
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
| Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31st July 2024 2024 Notes £ Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 1 124,346 Net cash provided by operating activities 124,346 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets (57,527) Interest received 4,889 Net cash used in investing activities (52,638) Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period 71,708 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 278,741 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 350,449 |
2023 £ 45,830 45,830 (825) 683 (142) 45,688 233,053 278,741 |
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 15
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31st July 2024
| 1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2024 £ Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) 5,294 Adjustments for: Depreciation charges 7,911 Interest received (4,889) Decrease in debtors 28,895 Increase/(decrease) in creditors 87,135 Net cash provided by operations 124,346 |
2023 £ 50,983 1,421 (683) 1,038 (6,929) 45,830 |
|---|---|
2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS
| At 1.8.23 | Cash flow | At 31.7.24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Net cash | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 278,741 | 71,708 | 350,449 |
| 278,741 | 71,708 | 350,449 | |
| Total | 278,741 | 71,708 | 350,449 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 16
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st July 2024
1. 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 with 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.
The accounts were prepared in accordance with applicable charity and company law in the jurisdiction of registration.
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 that 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 cost related to 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.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
| Football pitch | - 10% on cost |
|---|---|
| Fixtures and fittings | - 20% on cost |
| Motor vehicles | - 25% on cost |
Taxation
The charity is exempt 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.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Donations | 2024 £ **56,037 ** |
2023 £ 17,449 |
|---|---|---|
Page 17
continued...
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st July 2024
| 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Deposit account interest 4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Activity Inclusion projects Charitable activities Women & girls projects Charitable activities Disability projects Charitable activities Education projects Charitable activities Health and wellbeing projects Charitable activities Employability projects Charitable activities Other income Charitable activities Other grants receivable Charitable activities FEP Charitable activities 5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Charitable activities 6. SUPPORT COSTS Charitable activities 7. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): Depreciation - owned assets 8. AUDITORS' REMUNERATION Fees payable to the charity's auditors and their associates for the charity's financial statements |
Direct Costs £ 1,133,157 audit of the |
2024 £ 4,889 2024 £ 48,002 142,526 48,533 399,535 94,308 139,117 14,331 90,219 113,482 1,090,053 Support costs (see note 6) £ 12,528 2024 £ 7,911 2024 £ 5,000 |
2023 £ 683 2023 £ 57,986 122,551 39,803 411,549 102,219 108,564 7,888 55,800 - 906,360 Totals £ 1,145,685 Governance costs £ 12,528 2023 £ 1,421 2023 £ - |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 18
continued...
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st July 2024
9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st July 2024 nor for the year ended 31st July 2023.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st July 2024 nor for the year ended 31st July 2023.
10. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: Charitable activities |
2024 £ 738,786 45,974 14,328 799,088 2024 43 |
2023 £ 610,807 38,380 12,274 |
|---|---|---|
| 661,461 | ||
| 2023 40 |
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Key management personnel compensation for all benefits and consideration for services rendered during the year amounted to £96,927.
11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 17,449 Charitable activities Charitable activities 662,846 Investment income 683 Total 680,978 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Charitable activities 635,736 NET INCOME 45,242 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 169,832 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 215,074 |
Restricted funds £ - 243,514 - 243,514 237,773 5,741 - 5,741 |
Total funds £ 17,449 906,360 683 |
|---|---|---|
| 924,492 | ||
| 873,509 | ||
| 50,983 169,832 |
||
| 220,815 |
Page 19
continued...
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the year ended 31st July 2024
12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Football pitch £ COST At 1st August 2023 - Additions 57,527 At 31st July 2024 57,527 DEPRECIATION At 1st August 2023 - Charge for year 4,311 At 31st July 2024 4,311 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st July 2024 53,216 At 31st July 2023 - 13. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors |
Fixtures and fittings £ 20,110 - 20,110 15,846 3,600 19,446 664 4,264 |
Motor vehicles £ 3,000 - 3,000 3,000 - 3,000 - - 2024 £ **25,402 ** |
Totals £ 23,110 57,527 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80,637 | |||
| 18,846 7,911 |
|||
| 26,757 | |||
| 53,880 | |||
| 4,264 | |||
| 2023 £ 54,297 |
Debtors are measured at their recoverable amounts.
14. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Cash at bank and in hand comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade creditors Social security and other taxes Pension creditor NTFC creditor Accruals and deferred income |
2024 £ 18,039 13,457 2,400 2,524 167,202 203,622 |
2023 £ 2,471 - - - 114,016 |
| 116,487 |
Liabilities are recognised and measured at their settlement amount.
Page 20
continued...
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st July 2024
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Women & girls projects Disability projects Health and wellbeing projects Employability projects Other income TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are a Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Inclusion projects Women & girls projects Disability projects Education projects Health and wellbeing projects Employability projects Other income TOTAL FUNDS Comparatives for movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Other income TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.8.23 £ 215,074 - - - - 5,741 5,741 220,815 s follows: |
|
|---|---|---|
Page 21
continued...
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st July 2024
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Inclusion projects Women & girls projects Disability projects Education projects Health and wellbeing projects Employability projects Other income TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 680,978 55,311 30,800 8,150 36,492 21,773 82,688 8,300 243,514 924,492 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (635,736) 45,242 (55,311) - (30,800) - (8,150) - (36,492) - (21,773) - (82,688) - (2,559) 5,741 (237,773) 5,741 (873,509) 50,983 |
|---|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Women & girls projects Disability projects Health and wellbeing projects Employability projects TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.8.22 £ 169,832 - - - - - 169,832 |
Net movement in funds £ 56,370 14 (20) (73) (14) (93) 56,277 |
Transfers between funds £ (93) (14) 20 73 14 93 - |
At 31.7.24 £ 226,109 - - - - - 226,109 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Inclusion projects Women & girls projects Disability projects Education projects Health and wellbeing projects Employability projects Other income TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 1,504,113 103,311 65,876 23,580 71,493 42,877 200,701 63,520 571,358 2,075,471 |
Resources expended £ (1,447,743) (103,311) (65,862) (23,600) (71,493) (42,950) (200,715) (63,520) (571,451) (2,019,194) |
Movement in funds £ 56,370 - 14 (20) - (73) (14) - (93) 56,277 |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 22
continued...
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st July 2024
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Inclusion projects
These are restricted funds for the five hub sites across Wellingborough , Northampton and Kettering providing structured evening activities to young people in areas of high deprivation.
Women and girls projects
These are restricted funds to provide opportunities for women and girls to access sport and physical activity.
Disability projects
These are restricted funds to provide a programme for people living with mental health or physical disabilities every week.
Education projects
These are restricted funds to provide pupils at risk of exclusion support to stay in mainstream education.
Sports participation and health projects
These are restricted funds used to reduce isolation and loneliness in older adults and to improve physical and mental health.
Employability projects
These are restricted funds to provide one to one support to people facing multiple barriers to move into and stay in work.
Other income projects
These are restricted funds for smaller projects which take place in a much shorter timescale.
17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st July 2024.
Page 23
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st July 2024
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Investment income Deposit account interest Charitable activities Inclusion projects Women & girls projects Disability projects Education projects Health and wellbeing projects Employability projects Other income Other grants receivable FEP Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Wages Social security Pensions Kit allowances Advertising Rent Venue hire Registration fees Other expenses Insurance Motor vehicle expenses Postage & stationery Legal and professional fees Telephone Events , festivals and tournaments Bank charges Sundry expenses Equipment and prizes Courses and training Coaching / teaching fees Referee fees Trustee meetings Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Support costs Governance costs Auditors' remuneration Carried forward |
2024 £ 56,037 4,889 48,002 142,526 48,533 399,535 94,308 139,117 14,331 90,219 113,482 1,090,053 1,150,979 738,786 45,974 14,328 35,070 38,381 9,268 65,003 7,756 2,546 1,522 5,511 10 7,568 2,636 18,384 4,806 18,958 9,926 1,604 88,394 5,609 3,206 7,911 1,133,157 5,000 5,000 |
2023 £ 17,449 683 57,986 122,551 39,803 411,549 102,219 108,564 7,888 55,800 - |
|---|---|---|
| 906,360 | ||
| 924,492 610,807 38,380 12,274 6,557 15,090 10,951 57,179 4,562 5,699 2,406 7,419 24 9,124 2,556 23,169 2,944 12,003 10,959 1,123 28,048 6,012 - 1,421 |
||
| 868,707 - - |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 24
Northampton Town FC Community Trust
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31st July 2024
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st July 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Governance costs Brought forward Bookkeeping Accounts and independent examination Payroll preparation Total resources expended Net income |
2024 £ 5,000 3,388 1,980 2,160 12,528 1,145,685 5,294 |
2023 £ - - 4,802 - |
| 4,802 | ||
| 873,509 | ||
| 50,983 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 25