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← The Council For Voluntary Service Uttlesford

2025-03-31-accounts

Company registration number: 04709512 Charity registration number: 1098627

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Lambert Chapman LLP Chartered Accountants and Registered Statutory Auditors 3 Warners Mill Silks Way Braintree Essex CM7 3GB

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 9
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 10
Independent Examiner's Report 11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13
Notes to the Financial Statements 14 to 31

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Reference and Administrative Details
Chairman Mr R Boyce
Trustees Ms R Gardener
Mr R Boyce
Mr L Slade
Ms C E Parker
Secretary Mr R Corby
Senior Management / Leadership Mr C Emmett, Lead Officer
Team Mr R Corby, Business Manager
Charity Registration Number 1098627
Company Registration Number 04709512
The charity is incorporated in England and Wales.
Registered Office 1 Forest Court
Stortford Road
Great Dunmow
Essex
CM6 1DA
Principal Office 1 Forest Court
Stortford Road
Great Dunmow
Essex
CM6 1DA
Independent Examiner Mark Pearson FCA
Lambert Chapman LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered Statutory Auditors
3 Warners Mill
Silks Way
Braintree
Essex
CM7 3GB
Bankers CAF Bank
25 Kings Hill Avenue
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ

Page 1

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Trustees' Report

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford (working as UCAN) is a local infrastructure charity.

The charity's purpose as set out in the objects contained in the Company's Memorandum of Association are:

To promote, develop and facilitate a thriving, effective, sustainable and influential voluntary and community sector in Uttlesford, for the ongoing benefit of the community, thus promoting social action and assisting in the development of social capital.

UCAN helps people and communities come together to form voluntary organisations and successfully run existing organisations. Cuts in public spending are increasing the need for local voluntary sector infrastructure to help communities fill the gaps left by public services.

UCAN provides a range of services which aim to help people improve their local area, communities, pursue shared interests, support each other or work for change and make greater use of locally based assets.

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. Our strategy covers a three-year period.

Objectives, strategies and activities

The charity undertakes a range of activities to support these purposes, including but not limited to:

Provision of services for local residents including the Community Response Hub, Jubilee Hub, Community Fridges, Essex Shed Network, Digital Inclusion, Crisis Response and Ticket Home hospital discharge service.

Promotion of volunteering through the operation of the UCAN Volunteer centre, which recruits, supervises and brokers volunteers not only for UCAN but for other voluntary sector organisations within the district.

Offering a range of support to sector leaders, trustees and volunteers, including advising on funding, governance and set up, as well as disseminating information and acting as the voice of the local sector at strategic meetings and boards.

Services include:

Funding advice – this service includes support to identify funders who would potentially be interested in funding your project or idea, help with putting together an application including thinking about monitoring and evaluation.

Governance advice – help with developing or changing your governing document or legal structure, compliance with the charity commission and the responsibilities of trustees.

Policy development – support to think about the policies your organisations needs and what they should and must include.

Good practice advice – for the sector, including volunteer management, risk assessing and more.

Page 2

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Trustees' Report

Public benefit

Our aims and charitable activities are provided to benefit the people of Uttlesford. At present all our services are free of charge to our clients.

The trustees take due regard of the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.

On occasion we may deliver services to people outside the Uttlesford district. Additionally, working with Essex Association of Local Councils and Essex County Council, we have been managing funds awarded to community start-ups where groups were unable to meet the compliance requirements of the funder. This work takes our support into North, East and West Essex.

Grant making policies

Ordinarily the charity does not give grants, however on occasion may be the lead organisation on a multi-party bid for funds on a collaborative piece of work. On these occasions, UCAN will pay funds to delivery partners which are recorded in the accounts as ‘Grants to Project Partners’, as UCAN is responsible for reporting to the funders the utilisation of the monies and the outcomes achieved.

Use of volunteers

The charity has in excess of 150 registered volunteers who play a major role in delivering crisis response work through our relationship with Stansted Airport, as well as supporting vulnerable and isolated people within our own community. UCAN was nominated for the King's Award for Volunteering in recognition of our crisis work supporting the evacuation of Ukraine and Sudan, and our ongoing contribution to combatting loneliness and isolation in a rural setting.

Equality

Equal access to our services is an important issue to us and in accordance with our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Policy we do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, colour, creed, gender, disability, marital status, sexuality, religion, language, culture, age or class.

Page 3

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Trustees' Report

Chair’s Introduction

UCAN continues to deliver important support to Uttlesford residents, who are isolated or incapacitated, so that they are better able to live a fulfilling life. The board is very proud of the positive impact the organisation continues to make through its various services and projects.

We are working very hard to sustain this through a time of reduced funding. The board is impressed by the positive attitude of the UCAN team, and its ability to focus on its clients through these difficult times.

We are all working very hard to ensure UCAN's future, so it can continue to deliver such important outcomes to Uttlesford residents.

Lead Officer's Review

This year has been one of challenge, resilience, and reflection for Uttlesford Community Action Network. Our charity continues to support local residents across Uttlesford who experience loneliness and isolation, often alongside ill health and the daily pressures of food, transport, and fuel poverty. Demand for our services has continued to grow, highlighting the vital role we play within the community.

At the same time, securing funding has become increasingly difficult. This challenging funding environment, combined with wider external changes affecting the voluntary sector, has required us to make difficult but necessary decisions. We have streamlined our organisation to ensure sustainability, focusing resources where they have the greatest impact.

Despite these pressures, we have remained committed to delivering meaningful, relevant, and compassionate services. Our team, volunteers, and partners have shown exceptional dedication, enabling us to continue supporting those most in need.

Looking ahead, while the landscape remains uncertain, we are optimistic. We are adapting, strengthening partnerships, and exploring new opportunities to ensure our work remains responsive and sustainable. Uttlesford Community Action Network remains proud to serve our district and confident in our future as a valued community organisation.

Summary of Achievements

UCAN helps people in need. We do this by responding to help requests from Uttlesford residents, providing opportunities for social inclusion and participation, and overcoming digital disadvantage.

During 2024-2025, UCAN supported 302 residents through our Community Response Hub, undertaking some 551 practical tasks that enabled local people to continue to live independently in their own homes. As a result of our support, 251 local people reported that they felt less socially isolated, with 101 reporting improved health and wellbeing.

Ticket Home - our supported hospital discharge scheme - has been a significant and ongoing piece of work for UCAN. Working with NHS discharge teams, we have staff embedded in Addenbrooks Hospital (Cambridge) where most Uttlesford residents receive treatment. Their role is to identify patients recently admitted to hospital who may need some extra help and support when going home. We accept referral from any hospital where an Uttlesford resident may be receiving care, including Princess Alexandra (Harlow) and Broomfield Hospital.

Page 4

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Trustees' Report

We start planning for patient discharge on Day 1 (admission) and meet with patients as soon as possible to identify their needs, and start to develop a plan for when they are getting ready to leave hospital, and support for post-discharge. Ways that we help include making sure that patients have suitable transport home, and when they are home having sufficient food in the cupboard and fridge, the power, water and heating is on, and the property is clean and ready for occupation. We also help with providing access to the property for carers. Other ways we help include the provision of hot meals delivered to the front door for up to 14 days post-discharge and moving furniture and obstacles to make the property easier to navigate. We deliver specialist/adapted equipment to the home before the patient arrives, to reduce the risk of trips and falls which could result in emergency readmission. Every patient who is supported by Ticket Home receives a 48 hour post-discharge welfare call, and we continue to telephone weekly for up to six weeks to ensure the patient’s changing needs are still being met. These calls are undertaken by trained volunteers. The impact of the Ticket Home approach - which is far more than discharge support - has been such that we have been able to release a bed back into use with a resultant impact on patient waiting lists. Ensuring patients are able to leave on or before their planned discharge date, that discharges succeed and readmissions are reduced and as a result over £53,000 has been saved this year for the NHS by reducing bed blocking. The Ticket Home team supported the discharge of 358 patients this year, undertaking 1,421 tasks to enable these discharges to be safe and timely.

The Essex Shed Network is a partnership between Maldon and District CVS and Uttlesford Community Action Network. Established in 2016, the aim of the ESN is to provide support to organisations or private individuals within Essex wishing to set up a Mens Shed, whilst also providing help to existing Sheds to ensure their sustainability. We do this by sharing our knowledge and expertise, accumulated through first-hand experience of establishing, setting up and hosting some of the first Mens Sheds in Essex (such as Maldon, Cressing Temple and Takeley). We provide help with funding applications, governance, health and safety, drawing up codes of conduct and more. We arrange training as well as regular events which bring Shedders from across the county together, to share their knowledge and experiences and ultimately strengthen the network for all. The ESN now has over 300 active members, with five men’s sheds active and operational within Uttlesford. More are in development.

UCAN Volunteer is our brokerage service, recruiting and supporting volunteering with third party organisations within Uttlesford and the UCAN Volunteer team also recruit and supervise the many volunteers who support delivery of UCAN’s own initiatives. Volunteering is something that everyone can do, whatever their interests, where they live and however much time they have. Research has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people aged 65 years and older. Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine. By spending time helping others, volunteers report feeling a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have a stress-reducing effect.

Page 5

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Trustees' Report

Achievements and performance

Financial review

UCAN has received various grants, including funds for Ticket Home (Herts and West Essex ICB), Community Response Hub (Uttlesford District Council) Volunteer Centre (Essex County Council, Uttlesford District Council, Essex Community Foundation), Essential Living Fund, Winter Warmth, Dementia Café, and the Jubilee Hub.

UCAN resources, including staff, are shared by our projects and these are fully costed and charged out to the relevant cost headings within the projects.

Additional funds were received through fund raising and donations.

Due to the nature of our funding, we look to use our finances as efficiently and economically as possible to ensure that we are effective in achieving our aims and objectives. UCAN and the projects work to detailed budgets, which are reviewed and monitored by the Treasurer, and Board of Directors, on a regular basis.

For the year ended 31st March 2025 our income was £319,524 (2024 - £784,355). Expenditure on charitable activities was £526,585 (2024 - £760,236). We used funds secured in the previous year to increase our reach and as such are reserves carried into 2025 were reduced from the previous year.

We will continue to ensure that the overheads in UCAN and its projects are fully covered by core and other income, only using reserves when necessary or for the future benefit (growth) of UCAN. We continue to investigate other areas of funding, increases in existing funding, as well as possible new projects in keeping with our objectives and for the benefit of the community.

Whilst volunteers are not paid for their voluntary services, any authorised expenses are reimbursed to them accordingly. In addition, where Trustees perform such voluntary services, any such authorised out of pocket expenses are also reimbursed to them where relevant.

Policy on reserves

UCAN is committed to responsible and efficient management of all funds which are the responsibility of the organisation.

The Management Committee of UCAN has considered the need for the organisation to maintain reserves in order to meet future financial obligations and has taken into account the following factors:

In order to provide for any of these obligations arising, the Committee considers it necessary to establish as a maximum financial reserve sufficient to cover 3-6 months of the previous year's salary costs, plus 3-6 months premises costs and as a minimum 3 months' salary and premises costs. Designated funds have been created for future liabilities and future staff costs (redundancy) to ensure we can fully meet our obligations.

Principal funding sources

UCAN is predominantly funded through grants from statutory agencies, trusts and foundations, and through our own fundraising events and activities.

Page 6

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Trustees' Report

Investment policy and objectives

Under its Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to make any investments the Trustees see fit. UCAN moves funds between a CAF current account and a COIF Charities Deposit Fund, to maximise interest earned.

Principal risks facing the charity

The Trustees examine the major risks which the charity faces in relation to external factors and relationships, its governance and management, its internal operations and its activities. The management of risk is reviewed by the senior management team and by the trustee board.

Going concern

The trustees have serious concerns about future funding, which have mainly arisen from fundamental changes to how councils and other authorities fund essential volunteer services, allied to challenging fundraising conditions which are being experienced by many charities across the country.

As such the trustees have significant concerns around where future funding might come from, and that as a result the charity will only be able to provide limited health and community services in the short term, as things stand. The trustees will have to consider closing the charity within 2026 unless funding conditions change dramatically.

Trustees and officers

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Trustees: Ms R Gardener
Mr R Boyce
Ms A Vye (resigned 31 July 2024)
Ms C Husband (resigned 31 December 2025)
Ms L Howard (resigned 19 November 2025)
Mr S Broome (resigned 18 July 2025)
Mr M Davis (resigned 31 July 2024)
Ms C Boughen (resigned 18 July 2025)
Mr L Slade (appointed 14 January 2025)
Ms C E Parker (appointed 5 December 2025)
Chairman: Mr R Boyce
Secretary: Ms S Game (appointed 31 July 2024 and resigned 26 February 2025)
Mr R Corby (appointed 26 February 2025)
Senior Management / Leadership Mr C Emmett, Lead Officer
Team: Mr R Corby, Business Manager

Page 7

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Trustees' Report

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

The company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which were last amended in August 2014.

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered as a charity on 30 November 1991 and incorporated on 25 March 2003 in the United Kingdom.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The Trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are listed on page 7. New Trustees are elected annually by trustees of the charity and serve for an initial period of 3 years. A further 3 year term may be served. Trustees must be nominated by two trustees. The Board may appoint up to 3 Trustees a year to ensure it has an appropriate range of skills and experience in its Board. The Chair and Director with Financial Responsibility are elected from within the board.

All Trustees give their time freely and no trustee was paid during the year. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and, in accordance with the organisation's Memorandum and Articles, withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises.

Organisational structure

UCAN is a member of NAVCA, the national membership charity for infrastructure organisations and adheres to the core principles of NAVCA, which aims to strengthen and champion social action through local infrastructure.

We are members of several local boards, including Uttlesford Health and Wellbeing Board, Uttlesford Community Safety Partnership and Uttlesford Dementia Action Alliance. We work closely with both the North and South Uttlesford Primary Care Networks (PCN's) and are core members of the Integrated Neighbourhood Team in each of these PCN’s. In 2024 UCAN was co-opted onto the Essex Emergency Response group and is a member of the county’s strategic and operational response in times of crisis. We are members of The Essex Alliance of voluntary organisations and the ICB Voluntary, Community, Social, Faith based enterprise group, working collaboratively with the NHS.

Page 8

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Trustees' Report

Relationships with related parties

Ticket Home CIC

UCAN has created a social enterprise called Ticket Home CIC through which to develop and market the hospital discharge support model in areas outside of Uttlesford. Any surplus generated through Ticket Home CIC will be gift aided to the charity. The social enterprise is currently dormant.

Relationship with employee

An employee of the charity, Sophie Davis, is the wife of a trustee, Marc Davis. Her appointment was made by the Senior Management Team and Marc Davis was not involved in either the decision making or the management of Sophie. The appointment was made on merit as Sophie was the strongest candidate. Our constitution allows the employment of connected parties, and this appointment followed the requirements set out therein. The Charity Commission confirmed this appointment was acceptable.

Marc Davis ceased to be a trustee on 31 July 2024. Sophie Davis’ employment continues.

Major risks and management of those risks

The Trustees examine the major risks which the charity faces in relation to external factors and relationships, its governance and management, its internal operations and its activities. The management of risk is reviewed by the senior management team and by the trustee board.

Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

From time-to-time, UCAN holds money on behalf of other voluntary groups who are unable to meet the governance requirements of funders due to their size or legal status. UCAN has agreed to receive these funds on their behalf, and to be responsible for the financial administration of said funds, however trustees are not in control of the use of the funds or their allocation. This responsibility sits with the management committee of the relevant group/organisation.

As at 31 March 2025, UCAN held third party funds for the following groups, amongst others, as outlined in note 19:

Custodian funds are recorded separately from the charity’s own resources, however are recorded in the accounts as balance sheet items to recognise the liability due to the respective organisation in respect of the funds held.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 2 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Mr R Boyce Chairman and trustee

Page 9

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 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. 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 of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can 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.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by the trustees of the charity on 2 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Mr R Boyce Chairman and trustee

Page 10

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 Company'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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts 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

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

...................................... Mark Pearson FCA Lambert Chapman LLP 3 Warners Mill Silks Way Braintree Essex CM7 3GB

29 January 2026

Page 11

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investment income
5
Other income
6
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
20		 Unrestricted
funds
£
1,724
92,209
977
4,074
98,984
(161,629)
(161,629)
(62,645)
(106)
(62,751)
123,375
60,624		 Restricted
funds
£
6,708
213,832
-
-
220,540
(364,956)
(364,956)
(144,416)
106
(144,310)
251,353
107,043		 Total
2025
£
8,432
306,041
977
4,074
319,524
(526,585)
(526,585)
(207,061)
-
(207,061)
374,728
167,667		 Total
2024
£
5,378
761,288
1,434
16,255
784,355
(760,236)
(760,236)
24,119
-
24,119
350,609
374,728

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdowns for 2024 are shown in note 20.

The notes on pages 14 to 31 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 12

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

(Registration number: 04709512) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
14
Tangible assets
15
Current assets
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
17
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
18
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds
20
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
20		 2025
£
7,305
27,611
34,916
41,915
123,210
165,125
(32,374)
132,751
167,667
107,043
60,624
167,667		 2024
£
9,972
34,274
44,246
23,645
348,147
371,792
(41,310)
330,482
374,728
251,353
123,375
374,728

For the financial year ending 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

The financial statements on pages 12 to 31 were approved by the trustees.

The financial statements were authorised for issue on 26 January 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Mr R Boyce Chairman and trustee

The notes on pages 14 to 31 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1 Charity status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: 1 Forest Court Stortford Road Great Dunmow Essex CM6 1DA

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The trustees have serious concerns about future funding, which have mainly arisen from fundamental changes to how councils and other authorities fund essential volunteer services, allied to challenging fundraising conditions which are being experienced by many charities across the country.

As such the trustees have significant concerns around where future funding might come from, and that as a result the charity will only be able to provide limited health and community services in the short term, as things stand. The trustees will have to consider closing the charity within 2026 unless funding conditions change dramatically.

Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement

The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.

Page 14

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Investment income

Investment income consists of bank interest received from cash deposits.

Charitable activities

Income from charitable activities includes income received on projects undertaken by the charity. It is recognised when there is entitlement to the funds, the amount can be reliably measured and receipt is probable.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Grant provisions

Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Page 15

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are stated in the Balance Sheet at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment. They are amortised on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Amortisation

Amortisation is provided on intangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class

Computer software

Amortisation method and rate 20% Straight line

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Depreciation and amortisation

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Fixtures and fittings 20% Straight line Motor vehicles 20% Straight line Computer hardware 20% Straight line

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from funders in respect of grants receivable and from local residents for services provided such as shopping and cleaning visits .

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents 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.

Page 16

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Page 17

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies;
Donations		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
1,724
1,724		 Restricted
funds
£
6,708
6,708		 Total
2025
£
8,432
8,432		 Total
2024
£
5,378
5,378

Page 18

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

4 Income from charitable activities

Essex County Council
Uttlesford District Council
Sundry Income
Ukraine Hub
Assura
Mobile Supermarket
Maldon CVS
Ticket Home
Essex Community Foundation
North Uttlesford PCN
VCSFE
Volunteer Uttlesford
General Funds
Jubilee Hub
Community Response Hub
Crisis Response
Youth Garden and Shelter
VR Wellbeing
ECVYS
WECAN
Essex Shed Network
Saffron Walden Mencap Society
Dementia Cafes
ECC Transition
Living Well
Stansted Surgery
Fowler Smith and Jones Trust
Homes for Ukraine		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
-
-
11,996
-
11,500
4,992
9,000
17,802
2,250
10,475
1,000
-
7,275
-
-
-
-
-
1,687
3,623
-
450
-
-
-
4,500
2,500
3,159
92,209		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
14,699
7,790
5,682
-
37,423
-
-
-
29,400
-
3,348
57,880
-
-
25,660
-
-
-
-
200
4,750
27,000
-
-
-
213,832		 Total
2025
£
-
-
11,996
14,699
19,290
10,674
9,000
55,225
2,250
10,475
1,000
29,400
7,275
3,348
57,880
-
-
25,660
1,687
3,623
-
450
200
4,750
27,000
4,500
2,500
3,159
306,041		 Total
2024
£
10,000
30,000
6,743
136,330
-
-
39,480
277,435
-
4,212
500
82,905
-
3,900
83,220
64,405
2,500
10,000
1,218
6,240
1,600
600
-
-
-
-
-
-
761,288

Page 19

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

5 Investment income

Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits
6
Other income
Other income
Gains on sale of tangible fixed assets for
charity's own use		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
977
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
4,074
-
4,074		 Restricted
funds
£
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
977
Total
2025
£
4,074
-
4,074		 Total
2024
£
1,434
Total
2024
£
15,895
360
16,255

Page 20

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

7 Expenditure on charitable activities

Note
Purchases
Essential living costs
Staff training
Workshops and activities
Events
Other expenditure
Repairs and maintenance
Depreciation
Staff travel
Volunteer expenses
Telephone
Printing, postage and
stationery
Fuel costs
Winter Warmth costs
Professional fees
Bad debts written off
Emergency food parcels
Crisis response - Sudan
Keysafes
Storage rental
Amortisation
Grants payable - institutions
Rates
Motor repairs and renewals
Light, heat and power
Grant funding of activities
Staff costs
Allocated support costs
8
Governance costs
8		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
1,531
-
1,933
182
2,432
2,755
-
947
246
26
3,558
1,001
89
-
4,613
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
594
19
40,903
95,892
4,908
161,629		 Restricted
funds
£
29,344
5,863
3,570
8,251
114
1,083
3,279
11,249
6,017
933
2,572
645
392
2,812
180
-
44,350
200
3,153
4,980
2,667
14,245
1,560
6,398
-
-
191,026
20,073
-
364,956		 Total
2025
£
30,875
5,863
5,503
8,433
2,546
3,838
3,279
12,196
6,263
959
6,130
1,646
481
2,812
4,793
-
44,350
200
3,153
4,980
2,667
14,245
1,560
6,398
594
19
231,929
115,965
4,908
526,585		 Total
2024
£
31,508
6,653
2,712
7,006
975
4,505
2,430
12,786
17,310
6,538
10,230
3,182
5,944
2,977
3,711
4,675
41,089
33,079
4,682
7,315
2,666
10,702
-
8,373
-
516
391,958
128,092
8,622
760,236

Page 21

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

8 Analysis of governance and support costs

Charitable activities expenditure

Unrestricted
funds
General
£
Advertising and marketing
2,518
Bank fees
143
Evaluation
-
General expenses
-
Insurance
2,599
IT costs
4,999
Office accommodation
16,333
Subscriptions
654
Finance and comms staff
31,828
Leadership staff cost
36,818
95,892
Governance costs
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
Independent examiner fees
Examination of the financial statements
4,908
4,908
9
Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources for the year include:
Other non-audit services		 Restricted
funds
£
2,002
1
-
18
3,907
2,145
6,500
-
2,500
3,000
20,073
Restricted
funds
£
-
-		 Total
2025
£
4,520
144
-
18
6,506
7,144
22,833
654
34,328
39,818
115,965
Total
2025
£
4,908
4,908
2025
£
4,908		 Total
2024
£
9,624
82
3,581
7
6,077
13,652
18,859
2,020
34,372
39,818
128,092
Total
2024
£
8,622
8,622
2024
£
8,622

Page 22

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

10 Trustees remuneration and expenses

During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees:

£Nil (2024: £Nil) of travel expenses were reimbursed during the year.

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

11 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Finance and comms staff
Leadership staff cost
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2025
£
209,284
34,328
39,818
17,315
5,330
306,075		 2024
£
354,660
34,372
39,818
30,151
7,147
466,148

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

Project co-ordination staff
Management staff		 2025
No
10
3
13		 2024
No
19
3
22

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £135,537 (2024 - £143,195).

Page 23

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

12 Independent examiner's remuneration

12 Independent examiner's remuneration
2025 2024
£ £
Examination of the financial statements 4,908 8,622

Independent Examiner's fees for the year ended 31 March 2024 appear higher than usual as the 2023 financial statements did not include an accrual for the examination fee. The above figure of £8,622 includes the cost of both the March 2023 and March 2024 independent examinations.

13 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation to the extent that income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

14 Intangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
Amortisation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Computer
software
£
13,332
13,332
3,360
2,667
6,027
7,305
9,972		 Total
£
13,332
13,332
3,360
2,667
6,027
7,305
9,972

Page 24

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

15 Tangible fixed assets

15 Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
16 Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors
17 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash on hand
Cash at bank		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
17,052
2,700
19,752
12,846
2,228
15,074
4,678
4,206		 Motor vehicles
£
46,030
-
46,030
21,795
6,828
28,623
17,407
24,235		 Computer
hardware
£
12,864
2,833		 Total
£
75,946
5,533
81,479
41,672
12,196
53,868
27,611
34,274
2024
£
21,507
-
-
2,138
46,030 15,697
21,795
6,828		 7,031
3,140
28,623 10,171
17,407 5,526
24,235 5,833
2025
£
33,061
1,368
5,500
1,986
41,915
2025
£
926
122,284
123,210
23,645
2024
£
826
347,321
348,147

Page 25

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

18 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

18 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Wages and salaries control
Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others (see note 19)
Accruals		 2025
£
3,549
1
414
23,898
4,512
32,374		 2024
£
10,035
1
-
26,972
4,302
41,310

19 Funds held as Custodian Trustee on behalf of others

These funds are monies held on behalf of their voluntary groups, who are unable to meet the governance requirements of their funders due to size or legal status. UCAN has agreed to receive these funds on their behalf, and to be responsible for the financial administration of said funds, however our trustees are not in control of the use of the funds or their allocation. This responsibility sits with the management committee of the relevant organisation.

At the end of the financial year, UCAN held cash in hand for the following groups:

Half Term Lunchbox Project
Care Network (Uttlesford)
TouchPoint Stansted
Hatfield Broad Oak Assistance &
Support Group
LACE
Community chest
Stansted Helpline
Jaywick Shed
ECVS
Laindon Uniform Bank
Uttlesford DAA
The Community Callers
Together4Essex
Total		 2025
£
105
377
213
500
11
573
1,299
13,480
1,023
721
2,237
340
3,019
23,898		 2024
£
105
377
213
500
11
573
1,569
16,235
1,023
1,197
1,162
954
3,053
26,972

Page 26

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

20 Funds

Unrestricted funds
General
General funds
Designated
Designated funds - Staff
Designated funds - Office
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Community Response Hub
Cook and Eat
COVID Vaccination Centre
Crisis Response
CVS
Dementia Cafe
Essex Shed Network
Jubilee Hub
PCN Development Fund
Ticket Home
Ukraine Support Hub
Volunteering
VR Wellbeing
Assura
ECC Transition
Living Well
Mobile Supermarket
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at 1
April 2024
£
80,375
25,000
18,000
43,000
123,375
68,375
8,131
2,066
22,306
921
1,294
7,357
(252)
10,000
84,723
(259)
36,741
9,950
-
-
-
-
251,353
374,728		 Incoming
resources
£
98,984
-
-
-
98,984
58,040
-
-
-
-
6,748
-
3,348
-
37,423
14,699
29,400
25,660
7,790
4,750
27,000
5,682
220,540
319,524		 Resources
expended
£
(159,017)
(2,612)
-
(2,612)
(161,629)
(116,989)
(8,131)
(2,066)
(9,215)
(995)
(3,723)
(7,101)
(7,634)
(6,000)
(74,277)
(14,472)
(56,834)
(30,315)
-
-
(27,000)
(204)
(364,956)
(526,585)		 Transfers
£
(106)
-
-
-
(106)
-
-
-
-
74
-
-
-
-
-
32
-
-
-
-
-
-
106
-		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
20,236
22,388
18,000
40,388
60,624
9,426
-
-
13,091
-
4,319
256
(4,538)
4,000
47,869
-
9,307
5,295
7,790
4,750
-
5,478
107,043
167,667

Page 27

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted funds
General
General funds
Designated
Designated funds - Staff
Designated funds - Office
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted
Community Response Hub
Cook and Eat
COVID Vaccination Centre
Crisis Response
CVS
Dementia Cafe
Digital
Essex Shed Network
Frontline
Jubilee Hub
PCN Development Fund
Ticket Home
Timebank
Ukraine Support Hub
Volunteering
VR Wellbeing
Youth Garden and Shelter
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at 1
April 2023
£
23,635
25,000
18,000
43,000
66,635
104,753
20,700
2,066
-
-
2,193
(206)
20,970
(125)
-
10,000
88,866
(2,148)
28,583
8,322
-
-
283,974
350,609		 Incoming
resources
£
128,425
-
-
-
128,425
83,980
-
-
64,405
39,480
2,045
-
606
-
3,900
-
277,435
-
87,571
82,905
10,000
3,603
655,930
784,355		 Resources
expended
£
(71,354)
-
-
-
(71,354)
(120,358)
(12,569)
-
(42,099)
(38,559)
(2,944)
-
(14,219)
-
(4,152)
-
(281,578)
2,148
(116,413)
(54,486)
(50)
(3,603)
(688,882)
(760,236)		 Transfers
£
(331)
-
-
-
(331)
-
-
-
-
-
-
206
-
125
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
331
-		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
80,375
25,000
18,000
43,000
123,375
68,375
8,131
2,066
22,306
921
1,294
-
7,357
-
(252)
10,000
84,723
-
(259)
36,741
9,950
-
251,353
374,728

Page 28

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Designated funds:

Staff - Trustees have set aside this amount in reserve for future potential staff redundancy costs.

Office - Trustees have set aside this amount as provision for future office accommodation costs.

Restricted funds:

Community Response Hub - this project provides practical and emotional support of vulnerable residents.

Cook and Eat - to provide tuition in the preparation of nutritious and economical meals.

COVID Vaccination Centre - to operate the volunteer led vaccination centre at Lord Butler Centre, Saffron Walden.

Crisis Response - UCAN has a Crisis Response team of staff and volunteers who are called upon in times of emergency, such as deployment to Stansted Airport during the evacuation of British nationals or refugees from war zones.

CVS - we are a Council for Voluntary Service representing the voluntary and community sector in Uttlesford, as well as supporting the development of new voluntary groups.

Dementia Cafe - a weekly social for people living with dementia and their carers.

Digital - increases uptake of and the number of opportunities in relation to using digital technology.

Essex Shed Network - to support the growth and development of the Men's Shed movement within Essex.

Frontline - to provide technical support to users of the Frontline Referrals digital platform.

Jubilee Hub - this is a community centre with a focus on family, children and young people and community delivering a programme of inclusive activities. Whilst the accounts show a negative fund balance as at 31 March 2024, further funding has been received since the year end.

PCN Development Fund - health promotion within the community.

Ticket Home - successor to the Pilot Home from hospital, which has been upscaled to support residents from Utltlesford, Harlow and Epping Forest, and covers multiple secondary care facilities.

Timebank - is a way of exchanging skills without exchanging money. Participants in the scheme can 'bank' the hours they volunteer using their own skills, and then draw on the skills of other people when they need help. The negative brought forward balance was due to an accounting error in the previous year, this has been corrected in this financial year.

Ukraine Support Hub - the operation of a welcome point at Stansted Airport supporting refugees from the Ukraine conflict. Whilst the accounts show a negative fund balance as at 31 March 2024, further funding has been received since the year end.

Page 29

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Volunteering - development and promotion of volunteering opportunities within Uttlesford.

VR Wellbeing - a 12 month pilot project for Essex County Council using virtual reality experiences to provide respite for carers.

Youth Garden and Shelter - a short-term project delivered for ECVYS in memory of one of their staff members who sadly passed away. We built a youth garden and shelter when young people in Barnston can go to socialise.

Assura - funding to develop health outreach initiatives in partnership with the PCN's, and respond to crisis situations within the Ticket Home scheme where patients meeting specific criteria can be assisted with making their homes safe.

ECC Transition - a one-off grant from Essex County Council to support CVS organisations as they transition to new ways of working.

Living Well - A one off grant to deliver training in partnership with GP's promoting the Living Well scheme. Funding is to deliver training for volunteers and nominated health service individuals in using the Living Well approach in their practice.

Mobile Supermarket - a 12 month pilot project delivered in partnership with The Active Wellbeing Society. UCAN and TAWS will operate a mobile community supermarket taking affordable food to outlying locations across Uttlesford where rural isolation is a disadvantage.

21 Analysis of net assets between funds

Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
-
1,166
67,934
(8,476)
60,624		 Restricted
funds
£
7,305
26,445
97,191
(23,898)
107,043		 Total funds at
31 March
2025
£
7,305
27,611
165,125
(32,374)
167,667
Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
-
2,112
125,581
(4,318)
123,375		 Restricted
funds
£
9,972
32,162
246,211
(36,992)
251,353		 Total funds at
31 March
2024
£
9,972
34,274
371,792
(41,310)
374,728

Page 30

The Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

22 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year.

Page 31