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2022-03-31-accounts

North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Charity Registration no 1103917

Financial Statements and Reports

For the year ended 31 March 2022

The Pinetree Centre Durham Road Birtley Co Durham DH3 2TD

North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Contents

1. Reference and Administrative Information Page 3
2. Structure and Governance Page 4
3. Trustees Report Pages 4 to 9
4. Independent Examiner’s Report Page 10
5. Statement of Financial Activities Page 11
6. Balance Sheet Page 12
7. Notes to the Accounts Pages 13-16

Charity No. 1103917

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Reference and Administrative Information

Name:

North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Charity No: 1103917 Trustees/Directors: Councillor Michael McNestry (Chair) Rosalind Copeland (Vice Chair)

Honorary Treasurer: Alan Brown Registered Address: The Pinetree Centre Durham Road Birtley Co Durham DH3 2TD Bankers: Barclays bank plc 51 Moseley Street Manchester M60 2AU Independent Examiner: Kate Tully FMAAT FCIE AATQB 20 Ennerdale Crescent Winlaton Blaydon on Tyne NE21 6PS

Charity No. 1103917

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Structure and Governance

As laid down in the organisation’s constitution, the governance arrangements remain the same. The management committee and its elected members undertake the general management responsibilities of the association’s function. These members are put forward by individual local authorities as active cabinet/council committee members. A general council meets twice yearly at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and at a half yearly meeting. Both events are open meetings as well as conducting essential business relating to the election and selection of officers, ie Chair, Vice Chair, and Honorary Treasurer. These positions have a duration of three years unless any position is vacant or opposed by general committee members. In the event of such a situation, an Extraordinary General Meeting needs to be called.

In addition, the association also has an Executive Committee and an Advocacy/Welfare Rights service sub-committee. Their meetings are Chaired by Executive members elected from within the association’s membership. Meetings of the Executive are held four times a year with other committees and sub committees synchronised throughout the year.

Trustee’s Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

History, Objectives and Activities/Background

The North Regional Association for Sensory Support (NRASS) was formed in September 2004 because of a merger of the North Regional Deaf Association (NRDA) and the North Regional Association for the Blind (NRAB). NRASS, as it is known, is a registered Disability Confident Charity in its own right.

Service Contracts

Currently NRASS provide Advocacy & Welfare Rights Services in the following Local Authority areas within the North East of England:-

Aims & Objectives

The aims and objectives of NRASS are embodied in the Charity Commission Scheme. The aims being by improving services we intend to, wherever possible, eliminate discrimination and prejudice by providing an Advocacy/Welfare Rights service to people with a Sensory Impairment. In addition, the organisation, if needed, will support Local Authority members to fulfil their obligation under the Disability Discrimination Act.

The objectives being to promote independence, further education opportunities, social integration and a general well-being of all Sensory Loss people in the North regions. Furthermore, the association seeks to improve services wherever possible, to use our influence

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

to provide a better quality and equality of life for people who are Deaf, Deafened, Deafblind, Dual Sensory Loss and Hearing Impaired.

Public Benefit Statement

The Association focus their attention to the needs of people with a sensory loss at the same time as examining new legislation, innovation, developments and standard setting for agencies that provide services. They have been instrumental in influencing necessary changes in benefits or regulations that help improve the quality of life for people and providing essential equipment wherever necessary. This in turn benefits the local economy and adds to improvements in the quality of life for all as set out in our Aims and Objectives.

Management and Governance Arrangements

As laid down in the organisations constitution the governance arrangements remain the same. The Management Committee and its elected members undertake the general management responsibilities of the association function. These members are people put forward by individual Local Authorities as active Cabinet/Council Committee Members. A general council meets twice each year, at the Annual General Meeting and at the half-yearly meeting. Both events are open meetings as well as conducting essential business relating to election and selection of Officers, i.e. Chairperson, Vice Chair and Honorary Treasurer. These positions have duration of three years, unless any position is vacant or opposed by General Committee Members. In the event of such a situation, an Extra Ordinary Meeting needs to be called.

In addition, the Association also has the General Council, an Executive Committee and an Advocacy/Welfare Rights Service Sub-Committee. Executive Members elected from within the Associations membership chair these meetings. Meetings of the Executive are held four times a year with other Committees and Sub-Committees synchronised throughout the year.

Staffing

At the end of the financial year the association engaged one full time freelance Service Manager and two part time Advocate/Welfare Rights Officers.

The staff group operate in the areas of Gateshead and Hartlepool, these being the Local Authorities funding the service.

Vacant positions are advertised to the public in the local/national press, social media and local Job Centre Plus Offices inviting applications from all individuals within the local/national community. Representatives from the nominated committee members and the Service Manager undertake interviews.

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year, which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Association and its financial activities for that year. In preparing these Financial Statements, the Trustees are required to:-

Charity No. 1103917

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Association and to enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements comply with the Charities Act 2016. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Association and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The financial policies and procedures set up by the management committee are designed to provide a consistent accounting/financial framework and internal control by encapsulating best practices within the organisation.

The trustees approve the policies and procedures and are those, which are best, suited to present a true and fair view of the organisations financial affairs and to maintain robust internal controls. They are also intended to ensure that the organisation can meet external requirements of corporate governance.

The overriding principle of the organisations financial reporting and financial control is one of prudence. As such, where areas of judgement are required, they should always err on the side of caution. A fundamental financial responsibility is the management and the minimisation of risk.

The financial statements are required to be drawn up in accordance with UK legislation. It is incumbent upon senior personnel to be conversant with these requirements and with developments to standards and any legislative changes to ensure that these are applied as appropriate.

Full and open disclosure of financial information by the divisions within the organisation is a fundamental prerequisite. Therefore, full co-operation should be afforded to visits from internal audit or any other financial review.

Financial Review and Reserves as of the 31[st] March 2022

In the last financial year NRASS generated £72310 and spent £59271. It follows therefore a surplus of £13039 was the financial outcome we are reporting.

The Bank Balance started the year on 1[st] April 2021 at £4726 and finished on 31[st] March 2022 at £17765.

The income line in addition to contracted income also benefitted from a number of one off grants from Virgin Media and Hartlepool Council and other smaller donations.

The expense line was broadly in line with previous years.

Over the last two years NRASS finances have progressed into a more comfortable operating window.

Charity No. 1103917

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Our Organiser has worked tirelessly to this end researching a variety of grants and potential donators for which she deserves the thanks of the Committee.

Achievements

During 2021-22, NRASS has been able to source grant income to help aid financial recovery plans. NRASS can now begin to focus on a new strategy for the next financial year.

NRASS has continued to deliver its services, offering Advocacy, Information and Advice to a high standard and, as such, have had an impact on the lives of the service users who are D/deaf, Deafened, Deafblind or have hearing loss. All of the NRASS staff are proud of the quality of the service we have provided over the past year and especially so given the continued enormous strain caused by the Covid pandeamic. The charity is indebted to the staff who have continued to deliver in the face of personal and professional stress and uncertainty.

NRASS have continued to provide advocacy, advice and information to our catchment group across the Gateshead and Hartlepool regions. Our staff have delivered the service through a range of remote services to ensure it could continue to deliver and meet demand during the pandemic. Like many charities, NRASS has been affected by the Covid pandemic and has been required to manage immediate risks and to ensure long-term sustainability.

The management of the service has focused on the primary areas of the health, safety and welfare of our staff and the people we support in our support services. At the time of writing, our actions have been successful although we are under no illusions that this crisis is over and this will remain a focus for the Trustees and the Executive Committee for some time to come.

As a result of a slightly stronger financial position, NRASS has been far more resilient to external events than we would otherwise have been. We do not know the long-term economic outlook but, having utilised financial support, managed costs and sought to sustain income, we believe that we are well placed to carry on a viable support service.

We were delighted to receive a number of generous donations from, Service Users, Charitable Trusts and Foundations including:-

Hartlepool Borough Council Discretional Grant £ 6,000.00
Virgin Media/O2 Bringing Communities Back Together Grant £ 1,000.00
Hartlepool Borough Council Discretional Grant £ 3,965.00
Service User Donation £ 50.00
Hartlepool Borough Council Discretional Grant £ 3,000.00
Gateshead Borough Council Digital Maturity Grant £ 4,500.00

Performance

NRASS has managed 370 referrals over the period April 2020 to March 2021, with 863 contacts on behalf of service users. The number of new service users who have approached NRASS for support totals 9. Over the whole period with additional enquiries from 7 potential clients from outside of our funding contract areas. We continue to handle 88 on-going active cases.

The age range of our service user ranges from 18-100+. The largest number of service users were in the 71 to 100+ age band with an overall total of 220 service users utilising the service. These figures are down 14 people on last year’s figures, which can be accounted for when looking at the service users who do not access technology to engage with the service over the Covid lockdowns. The vast majority of the service users being ‘Profoundly Deaf’.

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

The gender figures attending the service being as follows:-

Male: 101 Female: 118 Deaf Groups: 1

Moving forwards, it would be useful for local services to co-ordinate and work together to support our sensory loss community. Thereby helping and encouraging them to utilise whatever technology is available for them to engage with support groups, their peers and advice agencies so that they are not disadvantaged any further. NRASS aim to ensure that it is able to continue to deliver essential support by effectively managing the risk of infection by implementing appropriate contingency arrangements should an outbreak impact our face to face services further and to ensure that we can maintain sufficient staffing levels to operate safely.

Looking to the future NRASS will be liaising closely with both representatives from Gateshead Council and Hartlepool Council to balance risks to control infection within communal areas and implement safety procedures for the delivery of direct services as soon as it is possible.

………………………………… (Chairman – Councillor M McNestry) Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Dated: 31st March 2022

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Independent Examiners Report

Report to the trustees of North Regional Association for Sensory Support on Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 set out on pages 12 to 17.

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 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. The charity's gross income does not exceed £250,000.

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:

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 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 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:

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Kate Tully FMAAT FCIE Date 29[th] July 2022

Signed

acie association of charity independent examiners

Kate Tully is a Fellow Member of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners and a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians

Charity No. 1103917

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Statement of Financial Activities

(incorporating the income and expenditure account)

for the year ended 31 March 2022

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
2
Charitable Activities
2
Other Trading Activities
2
Investment Income
2
Other
2
Total
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
2
Charitable Activities
2
Other
2
Total
Net movement in funds
Transfers
Total Funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£		 Total
Funds
£		 2020-21
Funds
£
50
0
72,260
0
0
0
0		 50
72,260
0
0
0
50
66,078
15
0
0
72,310
0		 72,310 66,143
216
0
59,055
0
0
0		 216
59,055
0
312
61,905
0
59,271
0		 59,271 62,217
13,039
0		 13,039 3,926
4,726
0		 0
4,726
800
17,765
0		 17,765 4,726

The notes on pages 12-17 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Charity No. 1103917

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2022

Current Assets

Prepayments Cash at Bank and In Hand

Total Current Assets

Liabilities

Creditors Amounts falling due within one year Creditors Amounts falling due after one year

Total Assests

The Funds of the Charity: Unrestricted income funds Restricted income funds TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS

Note
4
5		 21-22
Funds
£
0
18,015		 20-21
Funds
£
0
4,976
18,015 4,976
(250)
0		 (250)
0
(250) (250)
17,765 4,726
17,765
0		 4,726
0
17,765 4,726

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf:

………………………………… (Chairman – Councillor M McNestry) Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Dated: 31[st] March 2022

Charity No. 1103917

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the period ending 31 March 2022

1 Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

These 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 January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS 102).

North Regional Association for Sensory Support 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 note(s).

Incoming Resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Capital Grants are released over the economic useful life of the asset to which they relate

Resources Expended and Liabilities

Resources expended have been analysed using a natural classification.

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost, less estimated residual values, of all fixed assets, over their expected useful lives. It is calculated at the following rate:

Computer Equipment 25% straight line Other Office Equipment 15% reducing balance

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

2 Funds

The Charity has one fund, an unrestricted general fund comprising accumulated surpluses and deficits which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity that have not been designated for other purposes.

Analysis of Income and Expenditure 2021-22


Income and Endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
Donations
Precepts
Charitable Activities
Advocacy Service Contracts
Grants
Other
Amounts receivable for equipment purchases
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable Activities - Advocacy Service
Advertising and Promotion
Staff Costs and Related Expenses
Consultants Fees/Travel Expenses
Training
Coronavirus/PPE Costs
Subscriptions/Affilliations/Licences
Management and Committee Expenses
Insurance
Interpreters' fees
Miscellaneous
Printing, stationery and postage
Office Rent/Rates
Small Equipment
Computer/IT Costs
Telephone/Broadband
Raising Funds
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
50
0		 Total
2021-22
£
50
0		 Total
2020-21
£
50
0
50
0		 50 50
65,760
5,500
1,000
0		 65,760
5,500
1,000
0		 52,578
13,500
0
0
72,260
0		 72,260 66,078
72,310
0		 72,310 66,143
0
15,734
37
433
0
0
493
97
2,792		 0
15,734
0
0
37
433
0
0
0
0
493
0
97
0
2,792		 0
16,433
0
4,191
62
409
0
0
0
43
505
275
0
200
2,955
19,586
0		 19,586 25,073
216 216 312

Charitable Activities - Head Office

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Total

North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Total Accountancy/IE Fees
Advertising and Promotion
Computer Costs
Equipment
Meeting expenses
Printing, stationery and postage
Staff Costs and Related Expenses
Coronavirus Costs
Consultants Fees/Travel Expenses
Maintenance/Refurb
Telephone/Broadband/Webhosting
Interpreters' fees
Insurance
Office Rent/Rates
Office Utilities
Miscellaneous
Archive Storage Costs
Independent Examiner's Fee
Subscriptions/Affilliations/Licences
IT Security and IT Costs
Depreciation of office equipment		 250
115
35,645
156
203
200
889
264
0
1,389
359		 250
0
0
0
0
115
35,645
0
156
203
200
0
889
264
0
0
1,389
0
359
0
0		 0
0
0
0
0
357
32,494
46
0
0
0
0
882
207
0
0
1,344
0
258
1,244
0
39,469
0		 39,469 36,832
59,271
0		 59,271 62,217

3 Fixed Assets

There are no fixed assets of material worth at this time

4 Debtors and Prepayments

There are no debtors or prepayments at this time.


Prepayments
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
2021-22
Total
£		 2020-21
Total
£
2,025
0
0		 0 2,025

5 Creditors


Creditors
Creditors and accruals Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
250		 2021-22
Total
£
250		 2020-21
Total
£
250
250
0		 250 250

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

6 Employed Staff


Employed Staff

Gross Salaries and benefits in kind
Pension Costs
Total Staff Costs		 2021-22
£		 2020-21
£
51,378 48,927
51,378 48,927

3 part time staff were employed during this period no-one received remuneration of £60,000 or more.

7 Cash at Bank and in Hand

Business Current
Petty Cash		 17,907
108
18,015

8 Trustees Expenses

The Trustees were paid no remuneration (2021-22:£nil) nor travel expenses (2020-21:£nil) during the year.

Charity No. 1103917

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