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2024-01-31-accounts

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee) Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements Year ended 31 January 2024 Company registration number: 04614816 Charity registration number: 1100982

Chapman Gain Chartered Accountants St Austell

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Legal and Administrative Information

Trustees D M Edmondson - Chair
M Williams (Resigned 8 January 2024)
P Crossley
A Tatterton
B Cocking
Charity number 1100982
Company number 046148l6
Principal address Green Build Hub
The Eden Project
Bodelva
St Austell
Cornwall
PL24 2SG
Registered office Green Build Hub
The Eden Project
Bodelva
St Austell
Cornwall
PL24 2SG
Independent examiner Craig Chapman BSc (Hons) ACA
Chapman Gain Chartered Accountants
4 Tregarne Terrace
St Austell
Cornwall
PL25 4BE
Bankers Triodos Bank
Deanery Road
Bristol
BS1 5AS
Solicitors Stephens Scown LLP
Osprey House
Malpas Road
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 1UT

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Contents

Page
Trustees’ report 2 - 3
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 4
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Balance sheet 7 - 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 -17

1

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report)

For the year ended 31 January 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's memorandum and articles, the Companies Act 2006 and 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).

Objectives and activities

The objects, as set out in the memorandum and articles of association, are assisting with the provision of sustainable and affordable housing, promoting the advancement of education and learning relating to sustainable building and preserving, protecting and enhancing the environment.

The past year has been a period of consolidation with positive cash flow and an improving balance sheet. Our Trustees, have a variety of skills from diverse professions but we are, as always, looking to recruit more committed people to support and deliver our aims and objectives

The Trust's wholly owned consultancy company, Sustain Cornwall Limited, has had a busy year providing a premises management service for the Trust and delivering the ten-module on-line Skills Store Project

The Trust continues to offer free advice to Cornwall residents, community groups and town and parish councils on questions of sustainable building practices. If the advice requested is more extensive, the Trust engages its trading company Sustain Cornwall Limited to offer more in-depth consultations on a commercial basis with profits returned to the charity. A few local community groups have also been assisted by the Trust and have benefited from a guided tour of the Green Build Hub.

The effective use of the Green Build Hub building has continued with a continuing good relationship with Cornwall College and with the installation of webinar facilities. This has allowed the Trust to conduct meetings and workshops to an extended audience and to contribute with presentations at other like-minded organisations’ events. The College staff and their students continue to be extremely pleased with the building, with its highly energy efficient environment. It is a busy, lively, positive learning community. We have now started the process to develop a five-year strategic plan to take into account what we do well and what we can do in what is an ever evolving sustainable construction sector

The CSBT trading company SW-Ecowarehouse remains dormant until we can establish the appropriate arrangements to make this a viable venture.

There have been regular Board and Management Meetings throughout the year. The Trust is gaining in strength, knowledge and expertise and is looking to a bright future. As with previous years, we continue to develop and expand our network of local employers, academics and like-minded organisations.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

2

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (Including Directors’ Report) (continued)

For the year ended 31 January 2024

Financial review

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between 1 - 2 month's expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

As of 31 January 2024, The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust had unrestricted funds of £157,320.

Risks

The Trust has produced a register of risks, which is reviewed at every meeting. The trustees and officers continue to bring their experience and knowledge to assist the process of risk minimisation, the most significant of which is GBH rental income.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its memorandum and articles. The Board of CSBT formed a Management Committee in 2015, consisting of the Chairman, a Trustee and the Voluntary Finance Director to deal with day to day activity.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and those who served during the year were:

D M Edmondson - Chair M Williams (Resigned 8 January 2024) P Crossley A Tatterton B Cocking

Recruitment of Trustees

We have had good engagement with other volunteers and specialists who may in time become Trustees. The Board of Trustees continues to work hard but are always actively searching for new trustees and/or secondments from other like-minded partners to fill the gaps with specific skill sets, notably from the private sector, legal and finance. Stewart Bradley has continued to provide excellent support and greatly assist the Trust as its Financial Director and as Chairman of Sustain Cornwall Limited.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

D M Edmondson - Chair

Trustee

13 June 2024

3

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee) for the purpose 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).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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.

Statement of disclosure to independent examiner

So far as the trustees are aware, there is no relevant information of which the charitable company's independent examiner is unaware. Additionally, the trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charitable company's independent examiner is aware of that information.

4

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee) (the charity) for the year ended 31 January 2024.

Respective responsibilities of The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust and examiner

The trustees of The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust members concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:-

16 July 2024

Craig Chapman BSc (Hons) ACA Chapman Gain Chartered Accountants 4 Tregarne Terrace St Austell Cornwall PL25 4BE

5

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Statement of Financial Activities Including Income and Expenditure Account

for the year ended 31 January 2024

Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Total
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
Note £ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 4 25 - 25 639 - 639
Other trading activities 5 15,695 - 15,695 5,848 - 5,848
Investments 6 50,511 - 50,511 51,972 - 51,972
_ _ _ _ _ _
Total Income 66,231 - 66,231 58,459 - 58,459
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 7 (61,512) - (61,512) (44,993) - (44,993)
_ _ _ _ _ _
Net incoming
resources before 4,719 - 4,719 13,466 - 13,466
transfers
Gross transfers
between funds 13,400 (13,400) - 13,400 (13,400) -
_ _ _ _ _ _
Net income/
(expenditure) for the 18,119 (13,400) 4,719 26,866 (13,400) 13,466
year/ Net movement
in funds
Fund balances at
1 February 2023 139,201 206,554 345,755 112,335 219,954 332,289
_ _ _ _ _ _
Fund balances at
31 January 2024 157,320 193,154 350,474 139,201 206,554 345,755

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

6

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Balance sheet

at 31 January 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 12 618,047 632,844
Investments 13 1 1
_ _
618,048 632,845
Current assets
Debtors 14 24,873 558
Cash at bank and in hand 9,806 5,285
_ _
34,679 5,843
Creditors:Amounts falling due within
one year 15 (62,401) (43,624)
_ _
Net current (liabilities)/assets (27,722) (37,781)
_ _
Total assets less current liabilities 590,326 595,064
Creditors: Amounts falling due after
more than one year 16 (239,852) (249,309)
_ _
Net assets 350,474 345,755
Capital and reserves
Restricted funds 18 193,154 206,554
Unrestricted funds 157,320 139,201
_ _
Shareholders’ funds 350,474 345,755

7

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Balance sheet (continued)

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 January 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 16 July 2024 and were signed by:

D M Edmondson – Chair Trustee

Company registration number 04614816

8

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Statutory Information

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust is a private company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The company’s registered office address can be found on the Company Information page.

2. Accounting Policies

2.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

2.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation based upon future forecasts, that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

2.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

2.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount.

Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.

2.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is included on an accrual basis. The irrecoverable element of VAT is included with the item of expense to which it relates. Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in 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. Governance costs represent board expenses and examiner's fees.

9

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

2.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Leasehold land and buildings over the life of the lease Plant and equipment 10% per annum reducing balance

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

2.7 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are stated at cost less provision for diminution in value.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

2.8 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

2.9 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

2.10 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments' and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues' of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

10

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

2.10 Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.11 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2.12 Exemption from producing group financial statements

The trustees consider the company to be exempt from preparing group financial statements as the aggregate gross income of the group would not exceed £1 million.

This treatment is consistent with paragraph 24.6 of the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)’

3. Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

11

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

4. Donations and legacies
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Funds Funds
2024 2023
£ £
Donations and gifts 25 639
Grants receivable - -
______ ______
25 639
5. Other trading activities
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Funds Funds
2024 2023
£ £
Feed in Tariff 1,709 1,627
Service charges 13,986 4,221
______ ______
15,695 5,848
6. Investment income
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Funds Funds
2024 2023
£ £
Rental income 50,500 51,971
Interest receivable 11 1
______ ______
50,511 51,972
7. Charitable activities
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Funds Funds
2024 2023
£ £
Share of support costs (see note 8) 58,834 42,378
Share of governance costs (see note 8) 2,678 2,615
______ ______
61,512 44,993

12

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

8. Support Costs

Support
Costs
Governance
Costs
£
£
Depreciation
14,797
-
Insurance
2,984
-
Rent
22,500
-
Management charges
-
-
Computer costs
1,096
-
Sundry expenses
847
-
Legal/professional
58
-
Irrecoverable VAT
(9,759)
-
Bank charges
9
-
Loan interest
26,302
-
Accountancy
-
2,678
______
______
_
58,834
2,678
Analysed between
Charitable activities
58,834
2,678
2024
Support
Costs
Governance
Costs
£
£
£
14,797
14,847
-
2,984
3,722
-
22,500
-
-
-
13,500
-
1,096
111
-
847
57
-
58
895
-
(9,759)
(9,759)
-
9
11
-
26,302
18,994
-
2,678
-
2,615
______
_
_
_
61,512
42,378
2,615
61,512
42,378
2,615
2024
£
14,847
3,722
-
13,500
111
57
895
(9,759)
11
18,994
2,615
______
44,993
44,993

9. Net movement in funds

Net movement in funds
2024 2023
£ £
Net movement in funds after charging/(crediting)
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 14,797 14,847

10. Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

11. Employees

There were no employees during the year.

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

13

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

12. Tangible fixed assets

Leasehold
land and
buildings
Plant and
equipment
£
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 February 2023
737,459
10,413
Additions
-
-
_
_

At 31 January 2024
737,459
10,413
Depreciation
At 1 February 2023
109,098
5,930
Depreciation charged in year
14,349
448
_
_

At 31 January 2024
123,447
6,378
Net book value
At 31 January 2024
614,012
4,035
At 31 January 2023
628,361
4,483
Total
£
747,872
-
_
747,872
115,028
14,797
_
129,825
618,047
632,844

Land and buildings were revalued at 13 September 2013 by Miller Commercial Valuers Ltd on the basis of market value.

13. Fixed Asset Investments

Cost or valuation
At 1 February 2023 and at 31 January 2024
Net book value
At 31 January 2024
At 31 January 2023
Other investments comprise:
Note
2024
£
Investment in subsidiaries
22
1
£
1
1
1
2023
£
1

14

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

14.
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Prepayments and accrued income
Amounts due from group undertakings

_

15.
Creditors: amount falling due within one year
Notes
Bank loans
17
Other taxation and social security
Amounts due to group undertakings
Accruals and deferred income
16.
Creditors: amount falling due after one year
Notes
Bank loans
17

17.
Loans and overdrafts
Bank loans

Payable within one year
Payable after one year

Amounts included above which fall due after five years:
Payable by instalments
2024
2023
£
£
-
558
24,873
-
_____
__
24,873
558
2024
2023
£
£
11,138
11,770
16,006
6,097
-
16,470
35,257
9,287
______
____
62,401
43,624
2024
2023
£
£
239,852
249,309
2024
2023
£
£
250,990
261,709
11,138
11,770
239,852
249,309
195,300
202,231
2023
£
558
-
______
558

The bank loans are secured by a fixed charge over the land and buildings and a floating charge over all other assets.

15

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

18. Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Balance at Balance at 1 Balance at
1 February Transfers February Transfers 31 January
2022 2023 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Green Build Hub 219,954 (13,400) 206,554 (13,400) 193,154
_ _ _ _ _
219,954 (13,400) 206,554 (13,400) 193,154

Purposes of funds:

Green Build Hub

This restricted fund consists of funding from the ERDF for the development of a new building at the Eden Project and is reducing in line with the depreciation charged. It represents funding that has already been spent and is tied up in fixed assets (as demonstrated in note 19).

19. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Total
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31
January 2024 are
represented by:
Tangible assets 424,893 193,154 618,047 426,290 206,554 632,844
Investments 1 - 1 1 - 1
Current assets/(liabilities) (27,722) - (27,722) (37,781) - (37,781)
Long term liabilities (239,852) - (239,852) (249,309) - (249,309)
_ _ _ _ ______
_
157,320 193,154 350,474 139,201 206,554 345,755

20. Related party transactions

Controlling party

The charity is controlled by the trustees who are all directors of the company.

Related party transactions

During the year, Sustain Cornwall Limited (the charity’s subsidiary) charged the charity £nil (2023: £13,500) for management charges in relation to the maintenance of the property.

At the balance sheet date, the amount owed by the subsidiary to the charity was £24,873 (2023: £16,470 owed by the charity to the subsidiary).

16

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)

21. Operating lease commitments

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Within one year 2,500 2,500
Between two and five years 10,000 10,000
In over five years 25,000 27,500
______ ______
37,500 40,000

22. Subsidiaries

These financial statements are separate charity financial statements for 31 January 2024.

Details of the charity’s subsidiaries at 31 January 2024 are as follows:

Name of Registered office Nature of business Class of % held
undertaking shares held direct/indirect
Sustain Cornwall England General construction and civil Ordinary 100.00
Limited engineering

The aggregate capital and reserves and the result for the year of subsidiaries excluded from consolidation was as follows:

ollows:
Profit/(loss) Capital and
Reserves
£ £
Name of undertaking
Sustain Cornwall Limited 815 196

The charity also controls Eco Warehouse Limited, a dormant company limited by guarantee.

17