April 2023 to March 2024
Supporting unpaid carers of all ages in Solihull for over 20 years
Solihull Carers Centre is a company limited by guarantee and a Registered Charity operating as Carers Trust Solihull. Registered Company in England No. 04378042. Registered Charity No. 1092613.
During 2023-24 Carers Trust Solihull (CTS) Trustees oversaw the work of the staff and volunteers. CTS worked hard to overcome staff vacancies and absence to fulfil its contract with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) to support Solihull’s unpaid carers.
Our CEO, team managers, staff, and volunteers consolidated our well-established services and new innovative support services that were disrupted by the COVID stay-at-home and lockdown periods. The service could finally pull away from the post-COVID period with a new balance between face-to-face, digital, and telephone communication.
2023-24
Reviewing the year, we are particularly grateful to the staff that coped and soldiered on when it was difficult to recruit to vacant positions and were welcoming and supportive when new additions to the team could be made. It is to their credit that the service reached a record number of registered active carers.
We are particularly grateful to the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Triangle Trust 1949, Heart of England Inclusive Communities, and the innumerable local donors, big and small, who have allowed us to support more carers’ needs.
During the year, Trustees reviewed their strategic role and received regular reports on performance, risk, planned developments and fundraising to maintain high-quality strategic governance and quality assurance.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
OUR OBJECTIVES REMAIN:
CONTENTS
“To support adult and young carers who are, or were, carrying out a caring role for persons who are disabled, elderly or ill, by the provision of practical help, advice, assistance, service, advocacy and support. Also, to advance education concerning caring amongst carers, professionals and the public.”
Our services are restricted to unpaid carers of family members or friends and neighbours who have physical or mental illness, physical or learning disability, long term or terminal illness or addiction. Carers Trust Solihull (CTS) seeks to support carers regardless of disability, race, gender, age, sexuality, belief or social background.
We encourage all people with an unpaid caring role to register with us and receive information, advice, and services or to take an active part in our organisation. We provide:
-
Face-to-face support – telephone, social media and web-based support – someone to talk to who understands.
-
Events and activities – a break from caring and a chance to have fun.
-
Information and advice – an opportunity to learn about services and the help available.
-
Adults and young carers clubs and drop-in sessions – meeting other carers.
-
Training and workshops — gain knowledge and skills as the carer continues to care.
-
Carers assessments – an opportunity for a carer to discuss their role and get help and support.
-
Carers card – confirmation that a person is a carer with access to some discounts.
-
Exploring the future – supporting carers into education, employment and training.
-
Advocate for carers – opportunities to suggest improvement in CTS and other services.
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 19
CTS seeks to address the considerable and on-going needs of carers by the provision of accessible and age-appropriate user-led services. We aim to identify carers as early as possible and support them to prevent their circumstances needlessly deteriorating.
CTS provides support for carers across Solihull. We recognise that there is a large number of unidentified and “hidden” carers, including those who may not realise that they are in an unpaid caring role. To enable these carers to continue their caring role effectively and safely they may need access to information, advice and support.
PROGRESS IN 2023-24
The Trustees, staff and volunteers reconfirmed CTS’ key partnership goals when working with others to promote carer recognition:
-
Raising community awareness of unpaid caring and the available support services.
-
Highlighting the health, well-being, and cost-of-living challenges for unpaid carers.
-
Increasing the recognition of unpaid carers in the health and social care economy.
-
Leading on unpaid carer issues within the care and support sector.
-
Maintaining and extending trusted CTS services for carers.
Public Benefit Statement: The Trustees consider they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
-
Encouraging other organisations to ensure their services are carer friendly.
-
Promoting carers’ opinions in decision-making at national and local levels.
-
Ensuring carers’ representations translate into specific and measurable outcomes.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE STRATEGY
In 2023-24 Carers Trust Solihull reviewed its Strategic Business Plan and amended its Strategic Objectives and continues to deliver on its targets:
CUSTOMER CARE
WE WILL ENSURE THE PROVISION OF CONSISTENTLY HIGH QUALITY SERVICES TO CARERS
-
CTS will empower Solihull’s diverse carers to advance their well-being and influence local and national strategy, policies and services.
-
CTS will work with education and employers to assist carers in achieving their academic, training or employment goals.
-
CTS will grow its Carers Academy training options to support carers in achieving their goals.
-
CTS will continue to develop Carers Interactive, a comprehensive web-based service offer.
LEARNING AND GROWTH
WE WILL WORK WITH HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE AND ENABLE OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TO RAISE CARER AWARENESS
-
CTS will develop its staff and volunteers’ skills and expertise to best support our services to carers.
-
CTS will work with Solihull Safeguarding Boards and carers to raise awareness and safeguard children and adults.
-
CTS will ensure staff and volunteer oversight, supervision, training and professional development.
-
CTS will work with GPs and hospitals to jointly support carers in their dealings with health and care services.
INTERNAL BUSINESS
WE WILL IMPROVE, DEVELOP AND REDESIGN OUR SERVICE’S EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS
-
CTS will ensure core contractual annual key performance indicators are met and exceeded.
-
CTS will ensure data security, health and safety, and general procedures to minimise risks in all our functions.
-
CTS will grow staff and volunteer capacity, increasing and improving our range of services.
-
CTS will increase fundraising and publicity to expand services that promote carer recognition.
-
Campaigning to improve the legal and economic support for carers.
-
Strengthening relationships within the Carers Trust regional and national network.
Trustees confirm that overall, CTS has made considerable progress on meeting our priorities for 2023-24, including our development goals:
-
Collaborate in ensuring winter and cost of living support to carers facing exceptional hardship.
-
Developing pre-bereavement counselling for carers (including young carers with terminally ill parents).
-
Deploying the Triangle1949 funded Young Carer/Young Adult Carer Mentor and Befriending.
-
Producing further carer online training films and modules.
-
Joint work with schools to reduce carers’ education inequalities.
-
Developing our website offer with further content creation to inform carers.
-
Launching the Cranfield Trust web and whole-service Marketing Plan.
Due to staff and volunteers recruitment challenges, the following projects were extended into 2024-25:
-
Relaunching the “Time to Talk” adult carers bereavement project.
-
Growing the volunteer carer Sitting Service.
-
Increasing engagement with pharmacies and relaunching GP surgery carer outreach and contact.
We will also raise CTS and unpaid carers’ profiles by:
-
Developing Carers Week, Carers Rights Day, and Young Carers Action Day.
-
Building partnerships with local businesses and Chamber of Commerce events.
-
Advocating for carers in vital safeguarding processes.
-
Holding a second Charity Ball and Carer Friendly Awards event in June 2024.
Lastly, we will not lose sight of our staff and volunteers. We will:
-
Ensure staff well-being, development, and retention.
-
Relaunch our Volunteer Long Service Award and Monthly Recognition.
-
Establish a new Business Partnership and Fundraising post.
We continue to source funds to adapt support services and meet the needs of carers. We will also reduce any post-COVID legacy service waiting lists.
PAGE 20 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 21
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Directors of the charitable company (“the charity”) are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law and within this report are collectively referred to as the Trustees. The Trustees are listed on page 2.
The Articles of Association require that at least 50% of Trustees must be current or former carers. During 2023-24, the Trustee board saw the recruitment of several new trustees to the board, fully integrating them into its work, including participation in joint events with the staff teams as appropriate.
The Trustees meet at least six times each year and receive a data-rich, “balanced scorecard” of performance as well as supplementary reports covering progress against the overall business strategy, key performance indicators and action plans, detailed fundraising progress, financial reports, risk register audits and an overarching Chief Executive Officer summary.
Various aspects of the organisation of the board were examined, and it was agreed to revise and streamline the paperwork reporting to the board in 2024-25.
The Trustees have implemented its policies and procedures for the recruitment of trustees, and these are followed for every new appointment with routine checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Trustees completed a review of its project management and Board reporting with an external consultant in March 2024 and will use the consultant to further improve its effectiveness on an agreed work programme.
After an independent annual assessment of CTS’s Quality Management System, CTS retained its ISO 9001 certification with a full pass.
STAFFING
At the time of writing, we have a full-time Chief Executive Officer, 8 other full-time posts, 22 part-time staff and 13 sessional staff, (total non-sessional hours being the equivalent of 2,225 hours per month) – overall 13.8 full-time equivalents. No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year or previous year.
At the time of writing, there are 9 Trustees with three new Trustees and four Trustees having stepped down since the last annual report (Anthony Illingsworth, Melanie Stewart, Debbie Taylor and Selina Westwood). The Trustees give freely of their time and expertise and do not receive any emoluments or other benefits. In 2023-24 Trustees met four times for a short Executive Meeting, four times for a full Executive Meeting and convened an Annual General Meeting. A joint workshop with staff, One Trustee Board strategic away day, and various supplementary submeetings have occurred.
Several volunteers support the charity. At the close of 2023-24, the number of volunteers was 24 adult volunteers and 17 young mentors. The number of volunteer hours in 2023-24 was approximately 1,394. These valued volunteers enable us to support more carers.
NETWORKING
During the year, we actively participated in the National Carers Trust network.
We remained members of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) who connect, represent and support UK charities with consultancy, training, advice, and support on governance issues.
We are active in the Solihull Voluntary and Community networks participating in meetings with SMBC and a full range of our voluntary sector colleagues. This enhanced joint working remains a positive feature of the CTS year. We are active members of various local partnerships, including the Carers Partnership Board, Adult Safeguarding and Children Safeguarding Boards.
We have deepened our relationship with Solihull Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The financial year ended with a 5% increase in overall income to over £785,000, our highest ever. The easing recruitment environment allowed us to bring our staff numbers up to the budgeted level towards the end of the year. Staff costs, our most significant element of expenditure, increased by 14% as a result. After several years of surplus, we ended the year with expenditure exceeding income by a little over £13,000.
Looking ahead, with the increase in staff numbers now and budgeted increase in direct expenditure on carer support, we expect to make further inroads into our funds, built up by surpluses in previous years.
YEAR END FINANCIAL POSITION
We finished the year with total reserves of £396,695 down from £410,020 at the start of the year. An element of the reserves is restricted, deriving from income received to be spent on specific projects with the balance unrestricted, available to be spent as necessary to support the work of the charity.
Restricted Funds
Expenditure of restricted funds slightly exceeded restricted income received in the year.
At the year-end restricted income funds amounted to £28,379 (2023:£31,390). Details of restricted fund balances are shown in Note 11.
Unrestricted Funds
During the year unrestricted funds decreased by just over £10,000 to £368,316 which equates to approximately 5 months of ongoing expenditure. The policy of the Trustees is to maintain sufficient unrestricted funds to provide financial stability and ensure that the work of the charity is not affected by unexpected events, delayed receipts, or a short-term lack of incoming funds. Also, to ensure that in the event of a significant and permanent reduction in income, sufficient funds are available to meet all liabilities and provide an acceptable winding down of operations.
The Trustees have reviewed both the reserves policy and the level of reserves as of 31 March 2024 and are satisfied that the reserves are adequate.
PAGE 22 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 23
INVESTMENT POWERS
The Charity has the power to make any investment which the Directors see fit. Our funds are only invested in deposit facilities protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and within the limits of the Scheme. We aim to maximise interest income using both fixed and variable-rate deposits.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Board regularly considers risks to the organisation and agrees on measures to mitigate those identified. The Trustees periodically review their Risk Management and Opportunity Register, which enables the service to plan for and reduce threats to the service we provide to the public.
During 2023-24, the Trustee Board and CEO established subgroups to:
-
Streamline all risks and reports to the Trusts Board.
-
Prepare a Tender Preparation Subgroup.
-
Implement a Portfolio planning model for the 2022-24 CTS Business Plan.
-
Introduce an assurance quarterly Scorecard.
These tasks were discussed at the Trustee Away Day session in March 2024 when the Board received confirmation of the likelihood of a tender process for its All-Age Carer Contract in 2025. Reserves have routinely been held to mitigate this risk.
FUNDING
Our funding mainly relies on the SMBC Community Well Being All Age Carers Contract and service level agreement with Solihull MBC. The current agreement expires in September 2025 and will be subject to a planned competitive re-tender in Spring 2025 on contractual terms that have yet to be agreed. During the year, funding was received from Solihull MBC, Carers Trust national, The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund and other local funders. We are also very grateful to those, including staff, trustees and volunteers, who have raised money for the charity, organised special events, sponsored walks and corporate activities.
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees (who are the Directors of Solihull Carers Centre/Carers Trust Solihull for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and 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.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies’ regime.
On behalf of the Board
David Heaselgrave Chair of Trustees
11 November 2024
PAGE 24 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 25
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOLIHULL CARERS CENTRE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
(incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Solihull Carers Centre (‘the charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements 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 the charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the financial statements 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.
Hannah Justice FCA FCCA Independent Examiner On behalf of BSN Associates Limited
3B Swallowfield Courtyard Wolverhampton Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2JG
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income from: | |||||
| Grants, activities and donations | 5,849 | 2,460 | 8,309 | 12,615 | |
| Investments: Bank interest | 12,295 | - | 12,295 | 5,244 | |
| Charitable activities: Contract | 2 | 715,037 | 50,239 | 765,276 | 729,467 |
| and grants | |||||
| Total income | 733,181 | 52,699 | 785,880 | 747,326 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Charitable activities | 3 | 743,495 | 55,710 | 799,205 | 711,960 |
| Total expenditure | 743,495 | 55,710 | 799,205 | 711,960 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) | |||||
| for the year | (10,314) | (3,011) | (13,325) | 35,366 | |
| Net movement in funds | (10,314) | (3,011) | (13,325) | 35,366 | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 378,630 | 31,390 | 410,020 | 374,654 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 368,316 | 28,379 | 396,695 | 410,020 |
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
11 November 2024
PAGE 26 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 27
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 MARCH 2024
| 31 MARCH 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | 6 | 11,600 | 1,975 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors and prepayments | 8 | 6,538 | 523 |
| Investments | 7 | 361,930 | 419,635 |
| Bank current account | 48,860 | 64,385 | |
| 417,328 | 484,543 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 9 | 32,233 | 76,498 |
| Net current assets | 385,095 | 408,045 | |
| Net assets | 10 | 396,695 | 410,020 |
| Unrestricted funds | 11 | 368,316 | 378,630 |
| Restricted income funds | 12 | 28,379 | 31,390 |
| Total funds | 396,695 | 410,020 |
For the year ending 31 March 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Trustees’ responsibilities:
- The shareholders have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | (61,722) | 50,067 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | (11,508) | - |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period | 484,020 | 433,953 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period | 410,790 | 484,020 |
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Net income for the reporting period | (13,325) | 35,366 |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| Depreciation of fixed assets | 1,883 | 4,880 |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | (6,015) | 1,669 |
| (Decrease)/increase in creditors | (44,265) | 8,152 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | (61,722) | 50,067 |
| ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Cash in hand | 48,860 | 64,385 |
| Notice deposits (less than 3 months) | 361,930 | 419,635 |
| Total cash and cash equivalents | 410,790 | 484,020 |
-
question in accordance with section 476;
-
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Directors on 11 November 2024 and were signed on their behalf by:
David Heaselgrave Chair of Trustees
PAGE 28 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 29
NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. Accounting policies
Status
The Charity is a company registered in England and Wales that is limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. The liability of members is limited to £1. The registered office is shown on page 2. The charity constitutes a public entity as defined by FRS 102.
Statement of compliance, basis of preparation and assessment of going concern
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (SORP FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value.
In common with many charities the organisation is heavily dependent on grant and contract income. Founded over 20 years ago we are a service-led organisation considered as the lead agency supporting carers in the area. The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis in expectation that there will not be a significant decrease in support from funding bodies.
Income recognition
Income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured accurately.
Voluntary income is recognised as above except where the income is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, when the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Charity and it is probable those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Grants and contracts specifically for the provision of services to be provided as part of the charitable activities or services to beneficiaries are accounted for on the basis of amounts receivable for the year.
Interest arising on cash balances is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity. This is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
Expenditure recognition
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement is required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on the accruals basis, inclusive of any value added tax which cannot be recovered.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, being three years for computers and other equipment and five years for motor vehicles. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the period of the lease. Assets are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £2,500.
NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Fund accounting
In order to differentiate the availability of funds they are categorised according to the following definitions:
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure, which meets these criteria, is charged to the fund together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.
Pension costs
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme available to all of its employees. The pension charge represents the amount payable by the Charity to the scheme during the year.
Operating leases
Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Functional currency
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the entity.
2. Income from charitable activities
| 2. Income from charitable activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Contracts and grants | ||
| Local Authority contract - Solihull MBC* | 711,037 | 670,790 |
| Other grants | 4,000 | 6,750 |
| 715,037 | 677,540 | |
| Grants - restricted funds | ||
| Solihull MBC – Adult carers | - | 5,000 |
| Carers Trust – Young carers | 750 | 1,650 |
| Carers Trust – Adult carers | 1,052 | 10,250 |
| Children in Need – Young carers | 12,252 | 28,236 |
| The Triangle Trust – Young carers | 30,000 | - |
| Other grants – Young carers | 5,400 | 6,791 |
| Other grants - Adult carers | 785 | - |
| 50,239 | 51,927 |
Taxation
The Charity is exempt from taxation on its charitable activities.
*Contract with Solihull MBC for the purchase of ‘Community Wellbeing Services Carers of All Ages’.
PAGE 30 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 31
NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
3. Expenditure on charitable activities
Direct and support
| Direct and support | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Carer support and activities | 52,274 | 22,821 | 75,095 | 73,562 |
| Staff costs | 594,463 | 30,649 | 625,112 | 547,373 |
| Recruitment | 5,113 | - | 5,113 | 11,010 |
| Premises | 19,272 | - | 19,272 | (5,649) |
| Communications and office costs | 38,169 | - | 38,169 | 42,514 |
| Motor and travel expenses | 5,021 | 2,072 | 7,093 | 6,680 |
| Training and consultancy | 5,677 | - | 5,677 | 7,231 |
| Publicity/information | 3,425 | - | 3,425 | 11,088 |
| Insurance | 3,860 | - | 3,860 | 3,246 |
| Professional fees and subscriptions | 5,839 | - | 5,839 | 4,962 |
| Other | 4,130 | 168 | 4,298 | 3,920 |
| 737,243 | 55,710 | 792,953 | 705,937 | |
| Governance costs | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Independent examination | 2,016 | - | 2,016 | 1,920 |
| Professional fees | 3,656 | - | 3,656 | 3,563 |
| Other | 580 | - | 580 | 540 |
| 6,252 | - | 6,252 | 6,023 | |
| Total expenditure on charitable | ||||
| activities | 743,495 | 55,710 | 799,205 | 711,960 |
| 2023 | 596,943 | 115,017 | - | 711,960 |
NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
4. Staff costs
The total staff costs for the year amounted to £625,112 (2023:£547,373). The costs for 2024 include employer national insurance contributions amounting to £38,152 (2023:£35,078) and pension costs of £22,938 (2023:£20,751).
The charity during the year had on average 9 full time employees (2023:9) and 18 part time employees (2023:17).
No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year or the previous year.
In addition, at the year-end there were 10 directors (2023:9). The directors all give freely of their time and expertise and did not receive any emoluments or other benefits.
5. Operating lease commitments
The charity has commitments under an operating lease for land and buildings expiring in 2033 amounting to £135,000 (2023:£150,000).
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Amounts falling due within 1 year | 15,000 | 15,000 | ||
| Amounts falling due within 2 to 5 years | 60,000 | 60,000 | ||
| Due after more than 5 years | 60,000 | 75,000 | ||
| 6. Fixed assets | ||||
| Motor Cars | Computer | Leasehold | ||
| Equipment | Improvements | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| COST | ||||
| At beginning of year | 7,900 | 13,200 | - | 21,100 |
| Additions | - | - | 11,508 | 11,508 |
| At end of year | 7,900 | 13,200 | 11,508 | 32,608 |
| ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION | ||||
| Opening balance | 5,925 | 13,200 | - | 19,125 |
| Charge for the year | 1,583 | - | 300 | 1,883 |
| Closing balance | 7,508 | 13,200 | 300 | 21,008 |
| NET BOOK VALUE | 392 | - | 11,208 | 11,600 |
6. Fixed assets
There were no capital commitments at the year-end (2023:none).
PAGE 32 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 33
NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
7. Investments
At cost and valuation
| t cost and valuation | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Short term deposits held at UK banks | 361,930 | 419,635 |
| . Debtors | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Debtors | 5,650 | - |
| Prepayments | 888 | 523 |
| Included within Debtors is an amount of £5,000 (2023:£Nil) | ||
| that is due for payment in more than 12 months. | ||
| 6,538 | 523 | |
| 9. Creditors:amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Creditors and accruals | 15,519 | 30,878 |
| Deferred income | 7,002 | 34,254 |
| Tax & pension contributions | 9,712 | 11,366 |
| 32,233 | 76,498 |
8. Debtors
9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
11. Unrestricted income funds
The unrestricted funds which total £368,316 (2023:£378,630) are available as general funds to be used for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose.
12. Restricted income funds
The restricted income funds comprise the following unexpired balances of donations and grants to be applied for the following purposes:
| Opening | Incoming | Outgoing | Closing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| balances | resources | resources | balances | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Young carers peer mentoring project | - | 42,252 | 36,491 | 5,761 |
| Other young carers projects | 25,424 | 6,150 | 8,956 | 22,618 |
| Adult projects | 5,966 | - | 5,966 | - |
| Other funds | - | 4,297 | 4,297 | - |
| 31,390 | 52,699 | 55,710 | 28,379 |
13. Trustees expenses
Trustees received expense payments totalling £60 during the year (prior year £nil). The charity provided indemnity cover for Trustees costing £677 (2023:£694).
14. Related party transactions
No Trustee or other person connected with the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year. The Trustees are not aware of any related party transactions requiring disclosure.
10. Analysis of net assets by funds
| Unrestricted funds | Restricted funds | Total funds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible assets | 11,600 | - | 11,600 |
| Current assets | 388,949 | 28,379 | 417,328 |
| Current liabilities | 32,233 | - | 32,233 |
| Net assets | 368,316 | 28,379 | 396,695 |
PAGE 34 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023-24 PAGE 35
@solihullcarers
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION
WATCH OUR FILMS
Our films feature unpaid carers in Solihull sharing their experiences. These are a great educational resource for anyone wishing to gain understanding of what it means to be a carer and the support available.
To watch the films use the QR code on the left or visit our YouTube channel and select Awareness Videos here:
Supporting unpaid carers of all ages in Solihull
Carers Trust Solihull Solihull Carers Centre Solihull Fire Station Annexe 620 Streetsbrook Road Solihull B91 1QY
https://www.youtube.com/@solihullcarers/playlists
T 0121 788 1143 E centre@solihullcarers.org www.solihullcarers.org
----- Start of picture text -----
SUPPORTED BY:
----- End of picture text -----
Solihull Carers Centre is a company limited by guarantee and a Registered Charity operating as Carers Trust Solihull. Registered Company in England No. 04378042. Registered Charity No. 1092613.
Registered Office: The Carers Centre Solihull Fire Station Annexe 620 Streetsbrook Road Solihull B91 1QY
© Carers Trust Solihull 2024. This document uses a combination of photos copyrighted to Carers Trust Solihull and stock images copyrighted to the originators. Some small graphic illustrations are copyrighted to the national Carers Trust.