Registered number 04168050
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade**
## **Report and Unaudited Accounts**
## **31 March 2024**
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Report and Accounts Contents**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Company information|1|
|Trustees' report|2|
|Chartered Accountants' report|4|
|Income and expenditure account|5|
|Balance sheet|6|
|Notes to the accounts|7|
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Company Information**
## **Trustees**
Mr D V Bell Mr N Peters Mr A G Wallace Mr J D Wright Mr P E J Lilley Mr J Peters Mr A H Graham Mr D C Graham Mr L Harrison Mr S Littlewood Dr R Day Mr D Steven Mrs H D Peacock
## **Secretary**
Mr P E J Lilley
## **Accountants**
Bland & Wood Chartered Accountants 6B Planet Business Centre Planet Place Killingworth Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6DY
## **Bankers**
National Westminster Bank plc 18 Park View Whitley Bay Tyne & Wear NE26 2TQ
## **Registered office**
The Watch House Spanish Battery Tynemouth Tyne & Wear NE30 4DD
## **Registered number**
04168050
Page 1
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Trustees' Report**
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014.
## **Objects of the charity, principal activities and organization of our work**
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, founded in 1864, has three distinctive objects:
1. To save life and aid persons and vessels in distress on the coast and elsewhere by any means necessary including, but not limited to, the provision of a declared facility to His Majesty's Coastguard.
2. To conserve and develop the Watch House, associated properties and artefacts and to record, maintain and disseminate information on the history of the Brigade for the benefit and education of the community.
3. To promote coastal safety and to educate children and other persons of the dangers inherent to the coast in order to safeguard the community.
The Brigade is most commonly associated with our coastal search and rescue team, which principally fulfil the aim of our 1st objective. The team specialise in rope, water, and coastal search and rescue, and also have extensive first aid skills. The team are permanently on call – attending an average of 125-135 incidents per year. The team are a ‘declared facility’ to His Majesty’s Coastguard, representing them in the North Tyneside area.
As well as a rescue team of around 20, the Brigade has a Committee of Directors who manage the whole of the organisation. There is also a wider support structure of around another 20 members who support the operation and running of our Watch House Museum, and work with the Rescue Team to provide sea and water safety talks.
## **Development, activities and achievements this year**
During the 2023-2024 financial year, the Brigade took delivery of a second rescue vehicle – this is the first time we have had two vehicles available at the same, and a great deal of work has taken place to ensure the necessary equipment and protocols are in place.
In addition, the Directors conducted a thorough assessment of our future plans for the Brigade Cottage, and made arrangements to allow the building to be made available for long-term rent, to allow a supplementary income to be received by the organisation. In addition, action was also taken to safeguard some of our other premises and holdings.
In the latter part of the financial year, a plan was implemented to recruit an additional group of volunteers to allow our Watch House Museum to re-open at key times to walk-in visitors, with this beginning over the final weekend of March 2024.
## **Future Developments**
Over the coming 12 months the Brigade intends to:
- Submit a planning application, and commence a fundraising campaign, with the end goal of constructing a base for our 2nd rescue vehicle in the Tynemouth area.
- Carry out redevelopment work in the Brigade Cottage to allow the premises to be made available on the private rental market for long-term rent by the end of the financial year.
- Support our new museum volunteers as they re-open our Museum to walk-in visitors and further develop our offering to the local community.
- Celebrate the Brigade’s 160th anniversary with a number of events and commemorations.
Page 2
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Trustees' Report**
Medium to long term targets:
The Directors of the Brigade commit to:
- Maintaining the financial security of the Brigade by having a minimum of £90,000, the equivalent of three year’s operating costs, held within our reserves.
- Continuing to maintain and manage our Watch House Museum in compliance with guidance from Arts Council England, and the maintenance schedule identified as part of our 2014 restoration, to ensure future restoration projects are kept to a manageable level. - Ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place and being followed to allow a successful re-accreditation with Arts Council England for the Watch House Museum.
## **Transactions and financial positions**
The Statement of Financial Activities shows net income for the year of £20,008 for the year, and our reserves stand at £264,040. Our fundraising efforts were once again successful this year and we continue to apply for grants whenever possible. We are also most grateful for the donations we have received from supporters, some of which have been extremely generous. During this financial year we have been fortunate to have received grants from the following: R. W. Mann Trust, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, and North Tyneside Council. We have continued to receive regular support from The W. A. Handley Trust, who have supported us for many years along with Tynemouth Rotary Club. All monies received have enabled us to purchase necessary equipment and maintain our high standards of service.
## **Tangible Fixed assets for use by the charity**
Details of movements in fixed assets are set out in note 10 to the accounts.
## **Investment policy and returns**
Under the memorandum and articles of association, the charity has the power to make any investment, which the trustees see fit. The current investments are returning the expected percentage.
## **Reserves**
The present level of funding is adequate to support the continuation of the TVLB, but we are always looking for further sources of funding, as replacing and maintaining our rescue equipment is costly and the running costs for the museum are always escalating.
## **Directors and trustees**
All directors of the company are also trustees of the charity, and there are no other trustees. All of the trustees named on page 1 served throughout the year. The Board has the power to appoint additional trustees, as it considers fit to do so.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining reserves at current levels, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks faces by the charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
This report was approved by the board on 24 December 2024.
Mr P E J Lilley Trustee
Page 3
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Chartered Accountants' Report**
## **Chartered Accountants' Report to the Board of Directors on the unaudited accounts of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade**
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the accounts of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet and the related notes from the accounting records and information and explanations you have given to us.
As a practising member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at icaew.com/membershandbook.
This report is made solely to the trustees of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the accounts of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the trustees of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, as a body, in this report in accordance with AAF 2/10 as detailed at icaew.com/compilation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and its trustees, as a body, for our work or for this report.
It is your duty to ensure that Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory accounts that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade. You consider that Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the period.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit of the accounts of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the accounts.
Bland & Wood Chartered Accountants
6B Planet Business Centre Planet Place Killingworth Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6DY
24 December 2024
Page 4
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024**
## **Summary income and expenditure account**
|**Notes**
Collection
Incoming resources
**£**
Donations and gifts
2
1,230
Operating activities to further objectives
3
2,239
Operating activities to generate funds
4
-
Grants received
-
Interest income
5
-
Investment income
5
-
Other income
-
**Total income**
3,469
Resources expended
**Cost of generating funds**
6
Running costs
-
**Charitable expenditure**
7
Management and administration
39,374
39,374
**Net income for the year**
(35,905)
**Fund**
**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**
**Fund**
**£**
68,453
-
18,748
19,220
581
1,079
-
108,081
18,002
34,166
52,168
55,913|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
69,683
2,239
18,748
19,220
581
1,079
-
111,550
18,002
73,540
91,542
20,008|**2023**
**£**
9,291
2,878
20,548
85,381
29
1,040
-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||119,167
11,008
80,824|
||||91,832|
||||27,335|
Page 5
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
9
Investments
10
**Current assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds:**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds|148,338|**2024**
**£**
114,007
1,695
115,702
148,338
264,040
237,703
26,337
264,040|149,313|**2023**
**£**
93,024
1,695|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||94,719
149,313|
||||||
|||||244,032|
|||||181,790
62,242|
|||||244,032|
For the year ended 31 March 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
The company has opted not to file a copy of their income and expenditure account at Companies House in accordance with section 444 of the Companies Act 2006.
Mr P E J Lilley Trustee Approved by the board on 24 December 2024
Page 6
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value with the exception of investments which are included at market value. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014.
## _**Depreciation**_
Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives.
Equipment 20% straight line Motor vehicles 25% reducing balance
In addition to the above assets, the company has the use of a number of historic assets which, due to their age and unique nature, it is not practical to capitalise.
## _**Investments**_
Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date.
|**2**
**Donations and legacies**
Unrestricted Fund - Donations
Collection Fund - Donations
Unrestricted Fund - Grants
Rescue Vehicle Fund - Grants
Honorary members
Covid Grants
**3**
**Activities to further objectives**
Collection boxes|**2024**
**£**
66,655
1,230
19,220
-
1,798
-
88,903
**2024**
**£**
2,239|**2023**
**£**
5,962
1,679
20,180
55,751
1,650
9,450|
|---|---|---|
|||94,672|
|||**2023**
**£**
2,878|
Page 7
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade**
## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024**
|**4**
**Activities for generating funds**
Annual supper
Unrestricted Fund - Events
**5**
**Investment income**
Interest receivable
Investment income
**6**
**Costs of generating funds**
Depreciation
**7**
**Charitable expenditure**
Equipment
Operating costs
Repairs and maintenance
Sundry
Uniforms
Support costs
Rescue training
**8**
**Surplus for the year**
The surplus of income over expenditure is stated after charging:
Depreciation|**2024**
**£**
3,332
15,416
18,748
**2024**
**£**
581
1,079
1,660
**2024**
**£**
18,002
18,002
**2024**
**£**
13,360
3,180
11,040
28,334
4,266
11,172
2,188
73,540
**2024**
**£**
18,002
18,002|**2023**
**£**
3,462
17,086|
|---|---|---|
|||20,548|
|||**2023**
**£**
29
1,040|
|||1,069|
|||**2023**
**£**
11,008|
|||11,008|
|||**2023**
**£**
5,522
2,925
7,899
39,839
1,898
15,413
7,328|
|||80,824|
|||**2023**
**£**
11,008|
|||11,008|
Page 8
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade**
## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024**
## **9 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost and revaluation**
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Surplus on revaluation
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 March 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023|**Land and**
**buildings**
**£**
60,000
-
-
-
60,000
-
-
-
-
60,000
60,000|**Plant and**
**machinery**
**etc**
**£**
8,843
-
-
-
8,843
8,843
-
-
8,843
-
-|**Motor**
**vehicles**
**£**
82,692
38,985
-
-
121,677
49,668
18,002
-
67,670
54,007
33,024|**Total**
**£**
151,535
38,985
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||190,520|
|||||58,511
18,002
-|
|||||76,513|
|||||114,007|
|||||93,024|
## **10 Investments**
|**Cost**
At 1 April 2023
At 31 March 2024
**Other investments**
Listed investments
Listed investments at market value|**2024**
**£**
1,695
19,007|**Other**
**investments**
**£**
1,695|
|---|---|---|
|||1,695|
|||**2023**
**£**
1,695|
|||16,846|
Page 9
## **Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024**
## **11 Analysis of net assets between the funds**
|**Analysis of net assets between the funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets|**Unrestricted**
**Fund**
**£**
114,007
1,695
122,001
237,703|**Restricted**
**Fund**
**£**
-
-
26,337
26,337|**Total**
**£**
114,007
1,695
148,338|
||||264,040|
## **12 Statement of funds**
|**Statement of funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds|**At 1 April**
**2023**
**£**
181,790
62,242
244,032|**Income**
**£**
108,081
3,469
111,550|**Expenditure**
**£**
52,168
39,374
91,542|**Revaluations**
**£**
-
-
-|**March**
**2024**
**£**
237,703
26,337|
||||||264,040|
## **13 Company status**
The Company is Limited by Guarantee without a share capital. It was incorporated on 26 February 2001 and took over the activities of the Charitable Trust operating under the same name on 21 November 2002.
## **14 Rocket House**
The Company is the sole corporate trustee of the Rocket House. This came into place on 29 August 2019 when the Brigade, operating on charity number 1093237, (amalgamated with charity 2386655 on 13 January 2003), passed a written resolution at an extraordinary general meeting.
Page 10