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← Straight Road Community Centre Limited

2024-12-31-accounts

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

Charity number 1102385 Company registration number 04867780

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Page
Legal and administrative information 1
Report of the Trustees 2 - 3
Independent Examiners Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the financial statements 7 - 10

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Drafts as at 6th August 2025
Charity number 1102385
Company registration number 04867780
Business address 329 Straight Road
Colchester
Essex
CO3 9EF
01206 870266
Registered Office 329 Straight Road
Colchester
Essex
CO3 9EF
Trustees Mr Paul Dundas
Mrs Susan Lissimore
Ms Leigh Tate (resigned 1 October 2024)
Ms Angela Linghorn-Baker
Bankers NatWest
25 High Street
Colchester
CO1 1DG
Independent Examiners Community360
Winsley's House
High Street
Colchester
Essex, CO1 1UG

1

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Objectives of the charity

To establish and manage a community building for the benefit of people living and working in Colchester, and in particular the borough wards of Prettygate and Shrub End. The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance in deciding what activities to undertake for the public benefit.

Organisation and origin of the Company

On 15 August 2003 the organisation, previously known as the Straight Road Community Centre Project, was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The Community Centre Project group was formed as the result of a campaign by local residents to preserve for public use the building known as The Centre, in Straight Road, Colchester. The trustees were successful in securing the funding required to purchase the Centre from Essex

County Council and the building is now maintained and managed by the charity for the benefit of the local Community. The affairs of the charity are administered by a board of trustees. At the end of the year the company had two paid employee. The legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report.

Our purpose and activities

The company continues to maintain the Centre building as a facility for various community groups in the Prettygate area of Colchester. The Centre is used regularly by a number of organisations and from time to time there are one-off lettings to local residents for birthday parties etc. The Centre accommodates community groups including church groups, yoga, dance groups as well as being home for the Straight Road Centre Pre school. Our aims are to keep the building available, accessible and safe for the use of local people and others.

Enable a range of social, welfare, educational, training, development and health activities to take place at the Centre which responds to the needs of local people. Provide access to advice and information for all sections of the community and to provide good quality services to users of the Centre and be financial stable.

2

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Financial review

Bookings at the Community Centre remain stable, We are fortunate to accommodate the Centre Pre School at the Community Centre who have always been a reliable and trusted centre user. New hirers have also been welcomed to the Community Centre and we love to see a diverse selection of groups use the centre and offer a great choice for our local community. Although our accounts are showing as a deficit for 2024, this was mainly due to the fact that sadly our Treasurer passed away suddenly in 2023 so making payments were put on hold and all late 2023 payments were paid in 2024. This is now resolved. We also undertook a lot of building and maintenance work this year to ensure that centre is in a good condition for our hirers. Due to the age of the building, this can sometimes be a costly task.

Reserves policy and Risk Management

The trustees have considered the main risks to the charity and a risk assessment review takes place annually. A property fund has been set aside to meet the cost of essential maintenance and major repairs and an equipment fund for the cost of equipment. It is the intention of the trustees to transfer additional amounts to these funds from time to time.The charity trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which 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 the income and expenditure, of the company for that year. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

•• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

•• make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•o state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

•• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume the charity will continue in business.

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

Signed Date ~~$BooPG-~~ Angela Linghorn-Baker

3

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITIED

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

I report on the accounts of Straight Road Community Centre Limitied for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 5 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity’s Trustees 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 Act) but that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I 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.

David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of:

Community360
Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex Date 17/09/2025

4

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generating funds:
Charitable activities:
Activities for generating funds
2
30,356
Investment income
3
149
Total incoming resources
30,505
Resources expended
Cost of generating funds:
Charitable activities
4
47,738
Total resources expended
47,738
Net income for the year
(17,233)
Transfers between funds
21,051
Total funds brought forward
232,034
Total funds carried forward
235,852		 Restricted Designated
funds
funds
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,000
-
1,000
-
(1,000)
-
(21,051)
-
98,728
12,480
76,677
12,480		 2024
Total
£
30,356
149
30,505
48,738
48,738
(18,233)
-
343,242
325,009		 2023
Total
£
30,579
122
30,701
19,486
19,486
11,216
-
332,026
343,242

The notes on pages 7 - 10 form an integral part of these financial statements.

5

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Notes 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets 6
Tangible assets 285,611 288,326
Current assets 7
Debtors 1,721 2,013
Cash at bank and in hand 38,825 53,817
40,547 55,830
Creditors: 8
Amounts falling due within one year 1,149 914
Net current assets 39,398 54,916
Net assets 325,009 343,242
9
Funds
Restricted funds 76,677 98,728
Designated funds 12,480 12,480
Unrestricted funds 235,852 232,034
325,009 343,242

For the year ended 31 December 2024 the company was entitled to the exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

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

The directors declare that they have approved the accounts above.

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Signed Date
Bots Angela Linghorn-Baker
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6

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year.

1.1 Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on 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 2019). (Charities SORP), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Cash flow statements

The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1

1.2 Fund Accounting

1.3 Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Voluntary income is received either by way of grants, donations and gifts or as contractual income in payment for services and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.

Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are receivable.

Income from investments is included in the year in which it is receivable.

1.4 Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on a accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, which is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

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.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirments of the charitable company; this includes the preparation and examination of this annual report and financial statements.

7

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Fixed assets are stated at cost, including initial transfer-in-value, less accumulated depreciation. The cost of minor additions is not capitalised, neither are property refurbishment costs. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, which in all cases is estimated at 10 years.

1.6 Taxation

As a charity, the company is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Sec 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or Sec 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objectives. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

1.7 Going Concern

The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.

2 Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds
£
Lettings income
30,356
Grants
-
30,356
Total 2023
30,579
Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
£
Bank interest receivable
149
149
Total 2023
122
Resources expended: Charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds
£
Insurance
674
Property maintenance and refurbishment
11,350
Management fees
11,148
Utilities
12,372
Wages
7,119
Suscriptions and licences
703
Miscellaneous
621
Other professional fees
1,046
Accountancy
990
Depreciation
1,715
47,738
Total 2023
17,486		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,000
1,000
2,000		 2024
Total
£
30,356
-
30,356
30,579
2024
Total
£
149
149
122
2024
Total
£
674
11,350
11,148
12,372
7,119
703
621
1,046
990
2,715
48,738
19,486		 2023
Total
£
30,579
-
30,579
2023
Total
£
122
122
2023
Total
£
1,106
3,185
1,600
3,916
5,753
686
100
10
416
2,715
19,486

3 Investment income

8

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5 Staff

The average staff members employed during the year was two. No staff earn over £60,000

6
Tangible fixed assets
Cost
As at 1 January 2024
Additions
As at 31 December 2024
Depreciation
As at 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
Net book values
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
7
Debtors
Debtors
Other Debtors
Prepayments
8
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
Accruals
PAYE & NI due		 Fixtures &
Fittings
£
27,154
-
27,154
15,811
2,715
18,526
8,628
11,343		 Building
£
276,983
276,983
-
-
-
276,983
276,983
2024
Total
£
128
245
1,349
1,721
2024
Total
£
1,149
-
1,149		 Total
£
304,137
-
304,137
15,811
2,715
18,526
285,611
288,326
2023
Total
£
1,536
477
-
2,013
2023
Total
£
811
104
915

9

STRAIGHT ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

9 Analysis of funds
Restricted funds
Building
Heating System
Designated funds
Property Fund
Equipment Fund
Training Fund
Unrestricted funds
Total funds		 At
01/01/24
£
94,728
4,000
98,728
9,400
2,080
1,000
12,480
232,034
343,242		 Incoming
resources
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30,505
30,505		 Outgoing
resources
£
-
1,000
1,000
-
-
-
-
47,738
48,738		 Transfers
£
(21,051)
-
(21,051)
-
-
-
-
21,051
-		 At
31/12/24
£
73,677
3,000
76,677
9,400
2,080
1,000
12,480
235,852
325,009

a) The Property Fund, has been set aside to meet essential maintenance and repair costs. No addition was made to this fund from the General Fund during 2024.

b) The Equipment Fund has been set aside to replace furniture and essential equipment. No addition was made to this fund from the General Fund during 2024.

c) The Training Fund has been set aside to meet volunteer and trustee training needs.

10 Contingent Liability

In the event of a future sale of The Centre buildings, the company is liable under covenant to repay a proportion of the grants from Colchester Borough Council and Learning and Skills Council, respectively, that facilitated its purchase; the amount of these repayments decrease to zero on a scheduled sliding scale over 25 years from 2007. In addition, under deed of charge a percentage of any surplus on sale is to be shared with Essex County Council in recognition of the discounted purchase price from them; again, this decreases to zero on a scheduled sliding scale, but over 75 years.

11 Related parties

There were no related parties during the year.

12 Director remuneration

None of the Directors received any remuneration or expenses during the year.

10