REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1100208
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
for
Lowestoft Shopmobility
CUNNINGHAMS Number Sixty One Alexandra Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 1PL
Lowestoft Shopmobility
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
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|Page|
|Report|of the|Trustees|1|to|2|
|Independent|Examiner's|Report|3|
|Receipts|and Payments Accounts|4|
|Statement|of Assets|and|Liabilities|5|
|Notes|to|the|Financial|Statements|6|to|9|
|Detailed|Statement|of Financial|Activities|10|
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Lowestoft Shopmobility Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims To promote the welfare and independence of persons with impaired mobility in the town of Lowestoft and in the Waveney District by: (a) Providing for hire or loan electric and manual wheelchairs and scooters to enable access to the shops, businesses and places of interest in Lowestoft and its environs. (b) Promoting ease of access to local facilities through provision of direct services and through working with other groups and organisations to improve local built and attitudinal environment. In planning our activities for the year we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our trustee meetings.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities We thought that 2021 to 2022 was a busy year, but in comparison, this year has been our busiest ever! Local residents still seem rather wary about going out and doing their own shopping, but visitors to the town seem to be celebrating with a lot of holiday bookings.
Since our beginnings in 1996, we have had 22,170 hires, increasing from 420 last year to 548 this year. We know that we now do more for visitors to the town than for local people. This all helps tourism in the town and adds to the local economy, but it is different than the support of local people with disabilities which was our original aim. We would not want to change anything though, as we get such lovely comments in our annual User survey from visitors who use our service. 50% of them say they would not come to Lowestoft for a holiday if it was not for our service. Local holiday venues now tell people about our service when people book with them, and this last week we have had two bookings for March 2024!
Using a mobility scooter or a powered wheelchair to get out and about helps people in so many ways. It increases their independence and overcomes feelings of isolation. It helps both physically and mentally. It enables them to do things which other people take for granted, like doing their own shopping, visiting the Bank or the Post Office, going to the hairdressers or having a coffee and cake with friends. We are now the only place in town where someone can hire a wheelchair or a scooter, so if someone breaks a leg or has had an operation and is finding it difficult to get about, even just because of advancing years, they can come to us. In March 2023 we had 29 mobility scooters, 3 powered wheelchairs and 15 manual wheelchairs. We are members of Shopmobility UK who give us their accreditation and support us with a monthly newsletter and training opportunities. They publicised the "Scootsafe Day" which we held in March, which tried to educate local people to the rules and regulations about using a mobility scooter in Lowestoft town centre by handing out flyers to explain this. Unfortunately, we chose a very wet and windy day, which ended up in a snowstorm, so we had to finish at lunchtime, but we are hoping to repeat this in August or September. Another unfortunate happening was that we lost our Co-ordinator during March 2023, due to a worsening health condition, so Trustees had to run the charity for a couple of months following this.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position The financial statements show an overall deficit for the year of £5,821 (2022: surplus of £2,610).
The charity's unrestricted reserves as at 31st March 2023 were £45,161 (2022: £50,787) and restricted reserves were £226 (2022: £421),
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Lowestoft Shopmobility
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The management committee has considered the level of reserves required and deem that £15,000 is an appropriate level. This is based upon approximately 50% of operating costs. This policy is in line with Charity Commission guidelines.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity dated 20 August 2003.
The trustees elected to the management committee are elected for three years. One third of the members of the committee shall retire annually. The management committee may co-opt members onto the committee for one year.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1100208
Principal address 15 Station Square Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 IBA
Trustees
Mrs M Oldham M.B.E (Chairperson) Mr L Oldham (Vice Chairman) Mr J Perring (Joint Secretary) Mr A Bennett (Treasurer to 31.08.2022) Mrs M Armes Mrs G Brough (deceased March 2023) Mrs B Perring (Joint Secretary) Mrs J Ford (resigned 20.07.2022) Mr H Abdullah (Treasurer from 01.09.2022)
Shopmobility Co-ordinator
Mrs Hazel Clouting (resigned March 2023)
Independent Examiner Ms Rachel Garnham CUNNINGHAMS Number Sixty One Alexandra Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 1PL
Approved by order of the board of trustees on veel IX... kALM.....2023 and signed on its behalf by:
Mrs M Oldham M.B.E - Trustee
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Lowestoft Shopmobility
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Lowestoft Shopmobility
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Lowestoft Shopmobility (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3; the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
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LEE
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Ms Rachel Garnham
CUNNINGHAMS Number Sixty One Alexandra Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR32Date: _&1PL [4 02023
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Lowestoft Shopmobility
Receipts and Payments Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| 313.93 | 31.3.22 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| fund | funds | funds | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| RECEIPTS | |||||
| Grants and donations | 1,522 | 500 | 2,022 | 4,908 | |
| Operating activities | 2 | 39,321 | - | 39,321 | 28,521 |
| Investment income | 3 | 625 | - | 625 | 13 |
| Total | 41,468 | 500 | 41,968 | 33,442 | |
| PAYMENTS | |||||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| 47,289 | 500 | 47,789 | 30,832 | ||
| NETINCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (5,821) | - | (5,821) | 2,610 | |
| Transfersbetweenfunds | 5 | 195 | (95) | - | - |
| Netmovement in funds | (5,626) | (195) | (5,821) | 2,610 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Cash funds brought forward | 50,787 | 421 | 51,208 | 48,598 | |
| CASHFUNDSCARRIEDFORWARD | 45,161 | 226 | 45,387 | 51,208 | |
| The following grants were received: | £ | £ | |||
| East Suffolk— Publicity grant | - | 500 | |||
| KirkleyPoor’sLandEstate | 1,000 | - |
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Lowestoft Shopmobility
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
31 March 2023
31:33:23 31.3.22 £ £
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|FIXED|ASSETS|
|Assets|retained|for|charity’s|own|use|
|Laptop|computer,|extra|screen and printer|
|Photocopier|
|Cash|drawer|and|safe|
|Key|safe|
|Office|equipment|
|29|mobility|scooters|
|29|battery chargers|
|3|Powerchairs|
|15|manual|wheelchairs|
|4|rollators|
|4|tri-walkers|
|CASH|FUNDS:|
|COIF|account|40,993|30,368|
|Barclays|current|account|4,394|20,840|
|TOTAL CASH FUNDS|45,387|51,208|
|OTHER|ASSETS|
|Shop|stock|1,150|1,270|
|TOTAL ASSETS|46,537|52,478|
|LIABILITIES|
|Independent|examiners|fee|576|498|
|TOTAL LIABILITIES|576|498|
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Apart from one scooter and one powered wheelchair, all assets and liabilities relate to unrestricted funds, with the exception of £226 of restricted funds within cash balances.
The. financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on Sal and were signed on its behalf by: Mr H Abdullah- Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Lowestoft Shopmobility
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
- ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PREPARING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP. The financial statements have been prepared under the receipts and payments basis.
TAXATION
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
FUND ACCOUNTING
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| 2. | OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31.3.23 | 31.3.22 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Hire ofvehicles andwheelchairs | 32,807 | 22,877 | |
| Saleofdisability goods | 6,446 | 5,356 | |
| Utilities refund | 68 | 288 | |
| 39,321 | 28,521 | ||
| 3: | INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
| 31.3:23 | 313.22 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Bankinterest | 625 | 13 |
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Lowestoft Shopmobility
4, TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Net|‘Transfers|
|movement|between|At|
|At|1.4.22|in funds|funds|31.3-23|
|£|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General|fund|50,787|(5,821)|195|45,161|
|Restricted|funds|
|Lowestoft Town|Council|225|-|-|225|
|Central|England|Co-op|1|-|-|1|
|East|Suffolk Council|195|-|(195)|-|
|421|-|(195)|226|
|TOTAL FUNDS|51,208|(5,821)|-|45,387|
|Net movement|in|funds,|included|in|the|above|are|as|follows:|
|Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|resources|expended|in|funds|
|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General fund|41,468|(47,289)|(5,821)|
|Restricted|funds|
|East|Suffolk|Council|500|(500)|-|
|TOTAL FUNDS|41,968|(47,789)|(5,821)|
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Lowestoft Shopmobility
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
5; MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Net|
|movement|At|
|At|1.4.21|in|funds|31,:3:22|
|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General|fund|48,372|2,415|50,787|
|Restricted|funds|
|Lowestoft Town|Council|225|-|225|
|Central|England|Co-op|1|-|1|
|East|Suffolk|Council|-|195|195|
|226|195|421|
|TOTAL FUNDS|48,598|2,610|51,208|
|Comparative|net movement|in|funds,|included|in|the above|are|as|follows:|
|Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|resources|expended|in|funds|
|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General|fund|32,342|(29,927)|2,415|
|Restricted|funds|
|East Suffolk Council|1,100|(905)|195|
|TOTAL FUNDS|33,442|(30,832)|2,610|
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Description, nature and purpose of fund:
Lowestoft Town Council
Towards the costs of advertising material.
Central England Co-op
Towards the costs of equipment.
East Suffolk Council
Towards the costs of a new laptop, including transfer of data from the old desktop, as well as the cost of 6 months membership subsidies.
Towards the costs of advertising material.
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Lowestoft Shopmobility
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
6. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023.
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Lowestoft Shopmobility
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Detailed|Statement|of Financial|Activities|
|for|the|Year|Ended|31|March|2023|
|31.3.23|31.3.22|
|£|£|
|RECEIPTS|
|Donations|
|Donations|524|303|
|Grants|1,498|4,605|
|2,022|4,908|
|Operating|activities|
|Hire|of vehicles|and wheelchairs|32,807|22,877|
|Sale|of disability|goods|6,446|5,356|
|Utilities|refund|68|288|
|39,321|28,521|
|Investment|income|
|Bank|interest|625|13|
|Total|incoming|resources|41,968|33,442|
|PAYMENTS|
|Charitable|activities|
|Wages|15,470|11,311|
|Insurance|1,284|1,220|
|Utilities|1,187|1,108|
|Scooter|repairs and|transport|15,110|5,790|
|Goods|for resale|3,146|736|
|Property expenses|5,552|6,091|
|Equipment|purchases|800|1,037|
|42,549|27,293|
|Support|costs|
|Management|and|administration|
|Office|costs|and telephone|2,991|1,474|
|Advertising|450|423|
|Sundries|145|122|
|Independent|examination|fee|540|498|
|Subscriptions|220|325|
|Card processing|charges|894|697|
|5,240|3,539|
|Total|resources|expended|47,789|30,832|
|Net (expenditure)/income|(5,821)|2,610|
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