SOUTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| CONTENTS | PAGE |
|---|---|
| Directors' report | 1-4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the accounts | 8-11 |
| Company registration number | 4968756 |
|---|---|
| Registered Charity number | 1101645 |
MAX FOOTE ASSOCIATES LIMITED
CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS
2 BAILEY HILL, CASTLE CARY, SOMERSET, BA7 7AD
South Somerset Community Accessible Transport
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The directors present their report with the statutory accounts of the company for the period ended 31 March 2023.
CONSTITUTION
South Somerset Community Accessible Transport (Catbus) is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Registered company number 4968756: Registered charity number 1101645.
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES
The principal activities of the company are to provide accessible and affordable community transport to a rural area of South Somerset.
The objects of Catbus are to provide a community transport service for such of the inhabitants of South East Somerset who are in need of such a service because of age, sickness or disability (mental or physical), or poverty, or because of a lack of availability of adequate and safe public passenger services.
DIRECTORS
The company is limited by guarantee not having a share capital. The directors, who are all trustees of the charity, holding office during the year were as follows:
A P Arnold N Anderson – Chairman N Truman S Place J Holt N Shepherd A D Moore (Appointed 11/05/2022) A R Pitt (Appointed 11/05/2022)
APPOINTMENT AND TRAINING OF DIRECTORS
Directors are appointed by the existing board of directors and members at Ordinary and Annual General meetings. Newly appointed directors are given a verbal induction together with current relevant papers including the governing document, policies and minutes of previous meetings. At each board meeting financial reports of budget progress to date and operational reports, including statistical summaries of work undertaken, are provided.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The directors meet quarterly to set budgets and operational targets and review performance against the goals set. The day to day running of the charity is delegated to the Operations Manager.
Page 1
South Somerset Community Accessible Transport
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
...continued
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The directors confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties. Catbus’s purpose is to assist the young, the aged and disabled and to promote community interests by providing its users with the opportunity for independence and greater social inclusion through its offer of community transport.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The core business of the company is a successful on demand responsive door to door Ring & Ride service. SSCAT (CATBus) operates five wheelchair accessible mini-buses under Section 19 permits to provide transport to people in the operating area of South East Somerset who are unable to use public transport or because the service provided does not suit.
Individual membership has increased to over eight hundred members, with passenger numbers increasing by 23% from the last financial year. The Cost of Living issues have impacted a significant number of our passengers, many who are on fixed incomes, so the decision was taken by the Trustees to maintain fare levels at 2022 levels, until at least 2024, to support our passengers.
Catbus continues to promote its services to the Town and Parish Councils in its area, often doing presentations or attending public events to define the services we offer to the local community. Catbus is a valued community benefit, however, even though we have been in operation for over 20 years, there is still a lack of understanding about how a Community Transport operation runs and who can use it. We will continue to promote Catbus and engage with as many people as we can, also using supporters, such a Town and Parish Councillors to identify a need within their own community.
The introduction of card machines in the buses has been very successful, with now over 65% of fares taken by card, making transactions quicker and simpler for passengers. We hope to continue this development of card use over the coming year.
The Social Car Scheme continues to operate, with number of hospital appointments increasing once again. With the number of volunteers available, the allocation of drivers is becoming challenging. The lack of volunteers to undertake this work is an issue many similar Charities are facing but we will continue to promote the need to attract new volunteers.
We have been fortunate to add two new minibus drivers to Catbus, which has ensured the buses can deal with the increased demand and ensure that we can continue to maximise the minibus usage.
Catbus continues to be the main provider of community transport for South East Somerset and is an invaluable service to the passengers, who, without our accessible vehicles many would be socially isolated in their own homes.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The statement of financial activities and balance sheet are set out on pages 6 and 7 of the accounts. The charity recorded a surplus of £10,604 on unrestricted funds but decreased restricted funds by £1,323 in the year ended 31 March 2023. Catbus will continue to be proactive in its fundraising policies.
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South Somerset Community Accessible Transport
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
...continued
RESERVES POLICY
The directors have established a policy whereby sufficient unrestricted funds should be accumulated over time to enable the continuation of the charity’s operation for a period of six to eight months and to provide for the funding of anticipated capital expenditure not covered by restricted funds.
The directors note that the reserves at the 31 March 2023 are in accord to this policy.
DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The directors are required by UK company law to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the statement of financial activities of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements the directors are required to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Companies Act 2006 to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission.
ADDRESS
The principal address of the company is The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB.
ADVISORS
The company’s advisors are:
Accountants: Max Foote Associates Ltd, 2 Bailey Hill, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7AD Bankers: The Co-operative Bank, PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
ACCOUNTS
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum & Articles of Association, 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) effective 1 January 2015.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
Page 3
South Somerset Community Accessible Transport
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
...continued
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
N Anderson – Chairman
Dated:
Page 4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS OF SOUTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
I report to the trustees on the accounts of South Somerset Community Accessible Transport for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
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 charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees 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 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with s386 of the Companies Act 2006 and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard appliable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) have not been met; or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Sian Hill FCCA Max Foote Associates Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 2 Bailey Hill Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7AD
Dated:
Page 5
SOUTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Note | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| Fund | Funds | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income | |||||
| Donations and grants | 2 | 54,512 | - | 54,512 | 54,477 |
| Charitable activities | 3 | 84,343 | - | 84,343 | 68,961 |
| Investment income - interest | received | - | - | - | 114 |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | -------------- | ||
| Total income | 138,855 | - | 138,855 | 123,552 | |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | -------------- | ||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Charitable activities | 4 | 126,928 | 1,323 | 128,251 | 121,363 |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | -------------- | ||
| Total expenditure | 126,928 | 1,323 | 128,251 | 121,363 | |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | -------------- | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) representing a net movement in fund | 11,927 | (1,323) | 10,604 | 2,189 | |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 91,857 | 52,794 | 144,651 | 142,462 | |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | -------------- | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 103,784 | 51,471 | 155,255 | 144,651 | |
| ========= | ========= | ========= | ======== |
Page 6
SOUTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2023
| Note | 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | 9 | 64,304 | 66,276 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 10 | 3,317 | 5,026 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 91,130 | 77,411 | |||
| -------------- | -------------- | ||||
| Total current assets | 94,447 | 82,437 | |||
| Liabilities | |||||
| Creditors falling due within one year | 11 | (3,496) | (4,062) | ||
| -------------- | -------------- | ||||
| Net current assets | 90,951 | 78,375 | |||
| -------------- | -------------- | ||||
| Net assets | 155,255 | 144,651 | |||
| ======== | ======== | ||||
| The funds of the charity: | |||||
| Restricted income funds | 12 | 51,471 | 52,794 | ||
| Unrestricted income funds | 12 | 103,784 | 91,857 | ||
| -------------- | -------------- | ||||
| 155,255 | 144,651 | ||||
| ======== | ======== |
The directors are satisfied that the company was entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledges their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The accounts were approved by the board on 1 August 2023.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,
Name: Position:
Date: 1 August 2023
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SOUTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below and have been consistently applied.
a) Basis of preparation
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) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
South Somerset Community Accessible Transport meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value.
b) Depreciation
Depreciation has been computed to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets less residual value over their expected useful lives using the following rates:-
Minibuses 10% straight line method
The depreciation base was changed this year as the residual values of vehicles is now considered to be significantly higher than in previous years. The depreciation charge this year is therefore lower.
Fixed assets costing less than £1,000 are not capitalised.
c) Income recognition
Group hire charges, fares and membership fees
Group hire charges, fares and membership fees are accounted for on a receivable basis.
Grants receivable
Grants receivable are accounted for when the charity becomes fully entitled to the funding.
Fuel Duty Rebates
Fuel Duty Rebates are accounted for on a receivable basis.
d) Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings appropriate to the organisation. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
e) Funds structure
Unrestricted fund
Income within this fund has been generated by the charity and the use of such income has not been restricted to a particular purpose. In addition to meeting the costs of activities in furtherance of the charity's objects, the unrestricted fund has to pay for the general administration of the company.
Restricted funds
These are funds restricted to a particular purpose. The charity has two restricted funds:
The Minibus Fund represents funds raised and grants received for the purchase and replacement of buses.
The Software fund represents grants received for the purchase of specialist community transport software.
f) Pensions
Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution ‘money purchase’ scheme. There were no outstanding contributions at the year end.
Page 8
SOUTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| 2 3 4 |
INCOME Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds 2023 £ Total funds 2022 £ Donations and Grants Grants from Town and Parish Councils 11,410 - 11,410 8,100 Grant from South Somerset District Council 10,000 - 10,000 12,000 Donation from Somerset Community Foundation 7,350 - 7,350 5,000 Donation from Friends of Verrington Hospital 5,000 - 5,000 2,000 Donation from Arnold Clark Foundation 1,000 - 1,000 1,000 Donation from The Sobell Foundataion 10,000 - 10,000 - Donation from Wienstock Foundation 3,000 - 3,000 - Donation from Wincanton Stroke Club - - - 10,000 Donation from Parkinsons Disease Association - - - 500 Donation from Guild of Fine Food - - - 500 Donation from Wincanton Freemasons - - - 800 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Grants - - - 12,570 Other Donations 6,752 - 6,752 2,007 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ---------------- Total income from donations and grants 54,512 - 54,512 54,477 ========== ========== ========== ========= INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Group hire charges and contracts 22,885 - 22,885 21,488 Fares and membership fees 27,176 - 27,176 13,925 Concessionary fare rebates 27,696 - 27,696 27,696 Fuel Duty rebates 4,365 - 4,365 4,365 Employment allowance 2,221 - 2,221 1,487 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ---------------- Total income from charitable activities 84,343 - 84,343 68,961 ========== ========== ========== ========= EXPENDITURE Activities undertaken directly Support Costs Total 2023 Total 2022 Expenditure on charitable activities £ £ £ £ Provision of transport services: Fuel 13,940 - 13,940 9,777 Vehicle maintenance 9,421 - 9,421 10,188 Vehicle licences and insurance 4,179 - 4,179 5,688 Vehicle depreciation 1,972 - 1,972 10,359 Salaries - Drivers 46,256 - 46,256 38,688 Salaries - Operations Manager 23,743 - 23,743 20,880 Pension - Drivers 59 - 59 141 Pension - Operations Manager 522 - 522 370 Miscellaneous transport costs 489 - 489 86 Training 405 - 405 176 Protective clothing and personal protective equipment 67 - 67 169 Bad debts written off 2,541 - 2,541 - Support costs - note 6 - 24,657 24,657 24,841 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ---------------- Total of expenditure on charitable activities 103,594 24,657 128,251 121,363 ========== ========== ========== ========= |
|---|---|
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SOUTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
6 ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT COSTS BY ACTIVITY
| Provision of | Provision of | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| transport | transport | |||
| Apportionment | services | services | ||
| method | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | |||
| Insurance | Actual use | 926 | 752 | |
| Subscriptions | Actual use | 120 | 120 | |
| Salaries - finance and administration | Actual use | 12,639 | 16,904 | |
| Advertising and recruitment | Actual use | 1,552 | 821 | |
| Rent, rates and room hire | Actual use | 2,366 | 2,305 | |
| Telephone | Actual use | 2,807 | 1,875 | |
| Office equipment repairs and renewals | Actual use | 2,062 | - | |
| Printing, postage and stationery | Actual use | 437 | 287 | |
| Software | Actual use | 251 | 288 | |
| Bank charges | Actual use | 117 | - | |
| Legal fees | Actual use | 48 | 149 | |
| Accountancy | Actual use | 1,332 | 1,340 | |
| ----------------- | ----------------- | |||
| 24,657 | 24,841 | |||
| ========= | ========== | |||
| 7 | STAFF COSTS | Total | Total | |
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Gross wages and salaries | 80,417 | 74,985 | ||
| Social security costs | 2,221 | 1,487 | ||
| ----------------- | ----------------- | |||
| 82,638 | 76,472 | |||
| ========= | ========== | |||
| Average number of employees | 15 | 13 | ||
| ========= | ========== | |||
| The following Trustees received emolumnents as drivers: | ||||
| Andrew Moore - £3,634 | ||||
| Adrian Pitt - £9,099 | ||||
| No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000. | ||||
| 8 | NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR | 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |||
| This is stated after charging: | ||||
| Depreciation of tangible assets - owned | 1,972 | 10,359 | ||
| ========= | ========== | |||
| 9 | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | Minibuses | ||
| £ | ||||
| COST | ||||
| At 1 April 2022 | 191,743 | |||
| Additions | - | |||
| Disposals | - | |||
| ----------------- | ||||
| At 31 March 2023 | 191,743 | |||
| ----------------- | ||||
| DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1 April 2022 | 125,467 | |||
| Charge for the year | 1,972 | |||
| Eliminated on disposals | - | |||
| ----------------- | ||||
| At 31 March 2023 | 127,439 | |||
| ----------------- | ||||
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||
| At 31 March 2023 | 64,304 | |||
| ========= | ||||
| At 31 March 2022 | 66,276 | |||
| ========= |
Page 10
SOUTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| 10 | DEBTORS | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade debtors | 350 | 2,572 | |
| Other debtors | 2,967 | 2,454 | |
| ---------------- | --------------- | ||
| 3,317 | 5,026 | ||
| ========= | ========= | ||
| 11 | CREDITORS | ||
| - amounts falling due within one year | 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade creditors | 1,922 | 1,999 | |
| Taxation and social security | 641 | 424 | |
| Other creditors | 933 | 1,639 | |
| ---------------- | --------------- | ||
| 3,496 | 4,062 | ||
| ========= | ========= |
12 MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS
| MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted Funds | Total | ||
| Funds | Minibus | Software | Funds | |
| Fund | Fund | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Balance at 1 April 2022 | 91,857 | 50,601 | 2,193 | 144,651 |
| Incoming resources | 138,855 | - | - | 138,855 |
| Outgoing resources | (126,928) | (1,323) | - | (128,251) |
| -------------------- | ------------------ ---------------- | --------------- | ||
| Balance at 31 March 2023 | 103,784 | 49,278 | 2,193 | 155,255 |
| =========== | ========== ========= | ========= |
The Minibus fund is for donations and grants to fund the purchase and replacement costs of minibuses. The cost of the minibuses has been included in the balance sheet as a tangible fixed asset.
The balance on the Minibus fund includes £49,278 (2022 £50,601) which will be written off as depreciation over the useful life of the buses.
over the useful life of the buses. |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN | FUNDS | |||
| Unrestricted | Restricted Funds | Total | |||
| Funds | Minibus | Software | Funds | ||
| Fund | Fund | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Tangible fixed assets | 26,353 | 37,951 | - | 64,304 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 88,937 | - | 2,193 | 91,130 | |
| Other current net assets/(liabilities) | (179) | - | - | (179) | |
| -------------------- | ------------------ | ---------------- | --------------- | ||
| Total | 115,111 | 37,951 | 2,193 | 155,255 | |
| =========== | ========== | ========= | ========= |
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