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2023-03-31-accounts

Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council Charity Number 1097767

Company Number 04734851 (England & Wales) Company limited by guarantee and not having share capital

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2023

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

CONTENTS

Page
Report of the Trustees and Directors 1 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements 10 to 13

Page 1

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Company Number 04734851 Charity Number 1097767

Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 March 2023

The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report and their financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (second edition October 2019).

Objectives, Activities and Public Benefit

The charity's objects and its principal activities are to work towards the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion and to provide awareness education and to promote activities which foster understanding between people of diverse backgrounds in order to cultivate good community relations, which is considered by the trustees to be a defined public benefit under the Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011.

This is achieved by carrying out a work program in the following areas:

To provide an effective service to individual complainants of discrimination using all equality enactments. To tackle direct and institutional discrimination, undertaking policy and practice development, with employers and service providers. To aid the victims of Institutional Discrimination in the area of Immigration and Nationality Law.

To help provide an efficient service to victims of hate incidents, attacks and abuse working on a multi - agency basis in Northamptonshire. To undertake public legal education.

The Northamptonshire Rights Equality Council could not operate without the help and time given by unpaid volunteers and the Board recognise the invaluable assistance this makes in furthering the aims of the charity.

Page 2

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Report of the Trustees (continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Achievements and Performance

The trustees consider that the performance of the charity this year has been satisfactory. Overview:

Over the course of 2022/23 Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council dealt with 309 cases. This covered legal, discrimination, immigration advice and hate crime support. This is in addition to 433 enquiries. Of these enquiries 200 related to direct aid through the provision of SIM cards with calls, texts and data.

The organisation was underwent an Advice Quality Standard audit and retained it’s accreditation as delivering a specialist racial discrimination service with casework.

Discrimination:

This service has been delivered by Deputy Chief Executive Christopher Fray. Over the period 80 clients were assisted. The advice given included:

10 racial discrimination

23 disability discrimination

2 pregnancy discrimination

1 sex discrimination 3 sexual orientation discrimination

9 general legal advice 11 about unfair dismissal

Immigration:

This service has been delivered by Deputy Chief Executive Christopher Fray and Immigration specialist Teleola Cartwright.

129 clients have been given immigration advice. The majority of clients have been given level 1 advice but over the last half of the year more complex cases were give advice with the support of supervision from Northampton and County Community Law Service. The organisation has retained OISC level 1 accreditation.

Hate Crime and Incidents This service is delivered by Jenny Labbon as the organisation’s specialist.

Over the course of the year direct support has been given to 13 hate crime victims. Hate crime support give to 7 Communities and groups in the County and 4 Hate crime focussed events took place

Page 3

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Report of the Trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Events and outreach support over the course of the year: 11th April Messages of hope - tackling anti-trans hate online event 27th April Rights During Raids online event delivered by Teleola Cartwright 27th June NREC In Conversation event Mixed Race Britain hybrid event at the Friends Meeting house Northampton with Tre Ventour 20th July Discrimination Training onlinedDelivered by Christopher Fray to Citizen Advice Bureau volunteers 23rd August Are reparations for Trans-Atlantic enslavement a realistic goal? Online event 26th September Rights During Raids online event delivered by Teleola Cartwright

26th September Writing wrongs - How creativity can help us overcome trauma delivered by Chriss Lowe at the Victoria Centre, Wellingborough 10th October Hate crime reporting training delivered by Jenny Labbon online

14th October Hate crime reporting training delivered by Anjona Roy at the Victoria Centre, Wellingborough 1st December Gender based violence & immigration online 5th December Ways to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to services. Facilitators were Christopher Fray and Steve Liney at the Teamwork Trust Wellingborough 31st January 2023 Racism in Cricket: Empire at Work Speaker Tre Ventour at the Wellingborough African Caribbean Centre 5th February 2023 Present Histories: A Quiet Legacy of Holocausts Against Disabled People - Speaker Tre Ventour at the Northampton Synagogue 6th March 2023 Gender based violence & immigration online 23rd March 2023 Express Yourself for Stephen Lawrence Day Physical Presence at community events 11th June Northampton Carnival 26th June Northampton Pride 13th August Deanshanger Pride 13th August Kettering Pleasure Park Festival 20th August Unity Fest 27th August Kettering Cultural Celebration on the Market Square 15th September Launch of the centre for Advancement of Racial Equality 7th October Get on Board's community event Wicksteed Park

Subject to funding the charity aims to deliver the same benefit to the community in the coming year.

Page 4

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Report of the Trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Financial Review

The Statement of Financial Activities shows net income for the year of £28,450. The reserves at the end of the accounting period stand at £145,856 in total, of which £59,052 relate to unrestricted funds.

The main sources of funding in the year were as follows:-
Restricted Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
Total
£
£
£
North Northamptonshire (Kettering)
5000
5000
North Northamptonshire (Wellingborough)
15000
15000
North Northamptonshire (Corby)
1800
1800
Co-op Community Fund
2121
2121
Tudor Trust
29000
3000
32000
Action for Racial Equality
16500
16500
HALS Access to Justice
34544
34544
NCF Migratant Fund
3000
3000
Access to Justice Fund
12208
12208
Western Power Distribtion
9996
9996
Paul Hamlyn Foundation Fund
34100
34100
139348
26921
166269

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document

The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee, and is therefore governed by articles of association, latest version 16.07.2012.

Organisation

The charity is organised so that that the trustees meet regularly to manage its affairs. There was a full time Chief Executive who managed the day to day administration of the charity, organised fund-raising initiatives and dealt with the objects and principal activities of the charity in conjunction with other members of staff. This post was made redundant on 31.12.2018 and its function shared between part time staff and unpaid board members from 01.01.2019 onwards.

The Board comprises 12 persons elected by ballot by the company at its Annual General Meeting and up to another 6 persons may be co-opted by the board itself, including representatives from any sub committees that are from time to time in existence. The elected members of the Board are chosen by means of a secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting or by postal ballot immediately prior to the Annual General Meeting of the company. One third of the elected members are chosen this way every year. They serve for three years and at the conclusion of the third Annual General Meeting after their election they are required to resign . They are however eligible to stand for re-election at that same Annual General Meeting.

For the purposes of enabling the Board to fulfil its functions more effectively the Board may during each year co-opt persons to serve as members of the Board until the next Annual General Meeting .

The nominees of one or more local authorities to the Board serve for one year from the time of their appointment and are eligible for re-appointment if the local authority so wishes. The local authorities may at any time replace one or more of their nominees.

Board decisions are made by the vote of the majority of the members of the Board present and voting at any given Board Meeting. The quorum for the meetings is three directors present and able to vote. Co-optees who are members of the company are voting members of the Board. Co-optees who are not members of the company have the right to speak but not to vote at the meetings of the Board.

New trustees are given an induction training session by the chief executive which covers inter alia:

NREC Policy and Procedure NREC Handbook given and discussed NREC Constitution given and discussed NREC's legal status and responsibilities Role of the NREC explained and discussed Management and Organisational arrangements discussed Future training and development needs discussed

The Trustees endeavour to assess the risk of NREC projects so that the image and reputation of the NREC is maintained and it delivers a high standard of service.

Page 5

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Report of the Trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisors

The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee, and is therefore governed by articles of association, latest version 16.07.2012.

Company Number 04734851
Company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital
Charity Number 1097767
Registered Office c/o Northampton College
Oak Building, Booth Lane
Northampton
United Kingdom
NN3 3RF
Telephone : 01604 400808
Website www.northantsrec.org
Directors and Trustees Christopher Nelson Chair
Siobhan Hyland Chair Resigned January 2023
Kamal Paul Treasurer
Alaine Holland
Caroline Cross
Jasmine Ellington
Owusu-Asante Lovelace
John O'Neil Resigned July 2022
Tre Ventour
William Reid
Charlene Bent Resigned November 2022
Martin Sawyer
Wendi Buchanan Resigned July 2022
Diana Belfon Resigned July 2022
Kelvin Singh
Company Secretary Martin Sawyer
Chief Executive Officer Anjona Roy
Bankers Unity Trust Bank plc
Nine Brindleyplace
4 Oozells Square
Birmingham
B1 2HB
Independent examiner Kunal Thakrar FCA, of
Harish Thakrar Ltd
Chartered Accountants
29-31 Finedon Road
Wellingborough
Northants
NN8 4AS

Page 6

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Report of the Trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Investment Policy

The charity has no investments except its bank balance which earned no interest. The Unity Trust Bank was chosen by the Board as being the most appropriate bank since its ethical values and goals are congruent with the ethos of the charity.

Reserves policy

It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately 3 months' expenditure, together with the sum needed to cover potential redundancy costs of employees should funding lines significantly reduce. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs. The charity aims to maintain funds at this level throughout the year. Unrestricted Funds are £59,052 at 31.03.2023 which is less than one year of expenses.

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 4 served throughout the period unless otherwise stated. The Board has the power to appoint up to six persons as co-opted trustees as it considers fit to do so.

Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The trustees are required by company law to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the financial activities of the charity and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to :

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Small company rules

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Independent Examiners

A resolution proposing Kunal Thakrar FCA of Harish Thakrar Ltd, Chartered Accountants, be re-appointed as independent examiner of the charity will be put to the Annual General Meeting.

Approval

This report was approved by the Board of the Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council on 13 July 2023 and signed on their behalf.

Christopher Nelson Chair

Page 7

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Independent Examiner's Report to the Directors and Trustees of NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL For the year ended 31 March 2023

I report to the trustees, who are also directors for the purpose of company law, on my examination of the financial statements of Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on the pages 7 to 11.

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters I am required to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company 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 financial statements of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (" the 2011 Act" ) and in carrying out my independent examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the financial statements. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements give a " true and fair " view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner's statement.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination .I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Kunal Thakrar FCA on behalf of Harish Thakrar Ltd Chartered Accountants 29-31 Finedon Road Wellingborough Northants NN8 4AS

13 July 2023

Page 8

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Company Number 04734851 Charity Number 1097767

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

----- Start of picture text -----
For the year ended 31 March 2023 `
2023 2023 2023 2022
Restricted Unrestricted Total Total
Notes Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Donations & legacies
Donations 2 0 8340 8340 1870
Grants 3 139348 26921 166269 133811
Income from Charitable Activities 4 0 1150 1150 4433
Investment income - bank interest 0 0 0 0
Total income 139348 36411 175759 140114
Charitable expenditure
Direct costs 5 122421 17939 140360 78066
Governance costs 6 0 1051 1051 2220
Indirect support costs 7 0 5898 5898 3195
Total expenditure 122421 24888 147309 83481
Net income / (expenditure) for the year 16927 11523 28450 56633
----- End of picture text -----

Page 9

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL Company Number 04734851 Charity Number 1097767

Balance Sheet at 31 March 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Current assets
Debtors
10
Bank and cash
Creditors amounts falling due
within one year
11
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets
Represented by :
Funds
Restricted funds
12
Unrestricted funds
13
£
£
£
£
0
0
7890
2137
152581
132367
160471
134504
14615
17100
145856
117404
145856
117404
145856
117404
86804
69875
59052
47529
145856
117404
2022
2023

The directors consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. Members have not required the company, under section 476 of the Companies Act 2006, to obtain an audit for the year ended 31 March 2023. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with sections 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at 31 March 2023 and of its surplus for the year then ended in accordance with the requirements of s.396 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to the accounts so far as applicable to the company.

The financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies within the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 were approved by the board on 13 July 2023 and signed on its behalf.

Christopher Nelson Director and Trustee

K elvin Singh Director and Trustee

Page 10

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Notes to the Accounts

For the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation of accounts

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and also in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

1.2 Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that future funding will be available. At the date of signing of the accounts certain grant providers have not indicated the level of funding for the next 12 months. If significant material grants are not forthcoming at their renegotiation and renewal dates nor replacement funding found there could be significant concern about the appropriateness of the going concern assumption underlying the preparation of the accounts.

1.3 Fund accounting

Income and expenditure is allocated between funds in the Statement of Financial Activities Income and Expenditure Account as follows:-

Restricted funds where the donor has restricted the way in which the income can be spent.

Unrestricted funds where the donor has made no stipulation in the way the income is spent and where the charity may use funds in any way it sees fit in order to pursue its charitable objectives.

Designated funds where unrestricted funds have been earmarked by the Board for a particular charitable purpose.

1.4 Incoming resources

Voluntary income and donations are included in incoming resources when they are receivable except when donors' conditions have not been fulfilled, then the income is deferred. The income from fund-raising ventures is shown gross, with the associated costs included in fund-raising costs.

Grants for capital items are released to revenue over the period of the life of the assets to which the grants relate. Deferred grant income is carried forward at the balance sheet date equivalent to the net book value of the related asset.

1.5 Resources expended

Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered.

Expenditure which is directly attributable to specific activities has been included in these cost categories. Where costs are attributable to more than one activity, they have been apportioned across the cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of these resources .

1.6 Pension costs-defined contribution schemes

Contributions made are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable. All pensions are paid to independent pension providers where the pension fund assets are administered separately from the company.

1.7 Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows:

Computer equipment 33.33% straight line basis

1.8 Charitable activities

These include the direct salary, national insurance and pension costs involved in the employment of members of staff who within their various fields of competence and experience deliver front line advice and training on discrimination and associated matters .

1.9 Charitable activities - governance

This includes independent examination fees.

1.10 Charitable activities - indirect support costs

Indirect Support Costs include all expenditure not directly related to the charitable activity or fund-raising ventures. This includes costs of running office premises,staff salaries for administrative staff and depreciation.

1.11 Voluntary work and services received

The charity benefits from the many thousands of voluntary hours and unclaimed out of pocket expenses contributed by a large number of supporters. It would be impossible to place a value on all these gifts in kind, without which much of the work undertaken by the charity could not be achieved.

Page 11

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Notes to the Accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Donations and Legacies
Restricted
Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
Total
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
2. Donations
Donations & subscriptions
0
8340
8340
0
8340
8340
3. Grants received
North Northamptonshire Council (Kettering)
5000
5000
North Northamptonshire Council (Wellingborough)
15000
15000
North Northamptonshire Council (Corby)
1800
1800
Co-op Community Fund
2121
2121
Tudor Trust
3000
3000
Action for Racial Equality
16500
16500
Tudor Trust
29000
29000
HALs Access to Justice
34544
34544
NCF Migrant Fund
3000
3000
Access to Justice Fund
12208
12208
West Power Distribution Comm Fund
9996
9996
Hamlyn Foundation Fund
34100
34100
Horner Foundation
0
Windrush Justice Fund
0
Tesco Community Grants - Groundwork
0
NCF Northamptonshire Welcome Fund
0
NCF Cecil Pettit Fund
0
Community Justice Fund
0
Awards 4 All - Fund Messages of Hope
0
139348
26921
166269
4. Income from charitable activities
Income from training
0
1150
1150
0
1150
1150
5. Charitable activities - direct costs
Project work & partnership events
24326
1512
25838
Postage, printing and stationery
1759
1759
Wages and salaries
82448
9621
92069
Employers NIC
3010
3010
Pension contributions - defined contribution scheme
3796
3796
Telephone
952
952
Events
0
Marketing
2562
2562
Training
734
734
Payroll
428
428
Travel and subsistence
282
282
IT costs
3857
3857
Rent and room hire
94
94
Repairs and maintenance
2422
2422
Insurance
1003
1003
Subscriptions
346
346
Bank charges
137
Independent examination
369
Book keeping
702
702
122421
17939
139854
6. Charitable activities - governance costs
Book keeping
369
369
Independent examination
682
682
0
1051
1051
7. Charitable activities - indirect support costs
Office rent and services (including depreciation)
1000
1000
Other administrative costs
4898
4898
0
5898
5898
Total
2022
£
1870
1870
5000
15000
1800
1828
7389
30000
20000
3078
3000
2949
4367
30000
9400
133811
4433
4433
6234
53
61791
226
2396
1079
2602
120
2652
71
7
434
173
25
203
78066
1170
1050
2220
1000
2195
3195

8. Staff

No remuneration was paid to trustees in the year (2022 - £nil). The average monthly number of staff employed during the year was 4 (2022: 4) No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000.

3 (2022 - 3) employees had contributions accruing during the year under money purchase pension schemes.

Page 12

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Notes to the Accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

9. Tangible Fixed Assets
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2022
Additions during the year
Disposals during the year
At 31 March 2023
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal
At 31 March 2023
Net book value at 31st March 2023
Net book value at 31st March 2022
10. Debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors
11. Creditors amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
Other creditors
2023
£
7890
0
7890
2023
£
14154
461
14615
Furniture &
Equipment
£
12733
12733
12733
12733
0
0
2022
£
737
1400
2137
2022
£
17073
27
17100

Page 13

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIGHTS AND EQUALITY COUNCIL

Notes to the Accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

12. Restricted Funds

At 1 April 2022
Incoming Resources
Outgoing Resources
Transfers
At 31 March 2023
Horner Groundwork
Awards
Windrush NCF Migrant
NCF Cecil
Western
Access to
Hamlyn HALS Access
Foundation
UK (Tesco)
NUUT
For All Justice Fund
Welcome
Petit
Power
Justice
Foundation
to Justice
14506
4000
11000
6242
5678
2872
4367
0
0
21210
0
0
0
0
0
0
3000
0
9996
12208
34100
34544
-12680
-3000
0
-4767
0
-4769
-4367
-9390
0
-29774
-34172
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1826
1000
11000
1475
5678
1103
0
606
12208
25536
372

13. Unrestricted funds

----- Start of picture text -----
At 1 April 2022 47529
Incoming Resources 36411
Outgoing Resources -24888
Transfers
At 31 March 2023 59052
----- End of picture text -----

14. Contingent Liabilities

Future funding for the charity is subject to the discretion of grant providers. Given this situation the directors consider it prudent to note that if at any time future funding dried up or reduced to an unsustainable level and the two current employees had to be made redundant the level of the charity's activities would have to be scaled back and, in the worst case scenario, cease altogether.

16. General Information

Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council is a company limited by guarantee and incorporated in England. Its registered office is Oak Building c/o Northampton College, Booth Lane, Northampton. Its company number is 04734851. The company is also registered with the Charities Commission in England. Its registered charity number is 1097767. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the company.