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2022-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 01515143 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1105202

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

FOR

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP Chartered Accountants 20 Eversley Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HE

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

Page Page Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6 to 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 14

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

To provide a community transport service for such of inhabitants of Bexhill and its neighbourhood 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.

Public benefit

The Trustees have had due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission, and in their opinion the report on the achievements and performance demonstrates that they have complied therewith.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

In 2021 the company investigated alternative routes and carried out a substantial number of timing runs. In May 2022 the new routes were implemented following extensive liaison with East Sussex County Council and approval from the Traffic Commissioners.At the same time adult single fares were increased to £1.20, the first increase since 2015.The new routes have proved very popular with passengers and the company has received some very complimentary feedback.

In August the company implemented electronic ticketing and - despite some initial teething problems - this has brought a number of positives for the company including the displaying of our services on the electronic bus signs and a large amount of data on route and bus stop usage.

Passenger numbers again showed an upturn with 28,206 passengers carried representing a 17% increase on 2021 (24,068 passengers).Passenger numbers however have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels and are still nearly 28% below those of 2019 (39,005 passengers).

Whilst expenditure was up by around 23%, income was also up by around 13% (both after stripping out extraordinary items) and the company received some welcome donations.The company's finances remain healthy - partly due to the maintenance of the reimbursement for concessionary passes at pre-COVID levels by the authorities.However, the reimbursement for concessionary passes reverts to payment against actual passenger numbers from April 2023 so the company will continue to look to attract new passengers.

Whilst volunteer numbers remain consistent the company will be looking to recruit further volunteers in 2023 to increase flexibility.

Page 1

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Thanks to the continued support of East Sussex County Council the total fare receipts have increased by a small amount despite the passenger numbers remaining below pre-pandemic levels. Overall income had increased due mainly to a legacy of £3,000 and grants from East Sussex County Council totalling £4,737 towards the cost of the two new electronic ticket machines, driver training and printing timetables.

The costs of running, maintaining, taxing and insuring the vehicles has increased mainly due to the increase in the price of fuel.

The overall deficit before the unrealised loss on the shares was £9,393 which was an improvement to the 2021 deficit of £16,172.

The charity was able to increase its investments during the year with a view to generating both additional income and capital growth by purchasing additional shares with its spare funds. However the value of the shares at the year end had reduced considerably and there was an unrealised loss of £25,659.

The overall deficit for the year was £35,052 which is deducted from the general fund to give a balance of £290,191 to carry forward to next year.

Investment policy and objectives

Spare capital has been invested to produce investment income in a safe environment and the portfolio is managed by Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management, the Charity's stockbrokers. Income generated is currently being added to the capital in order to provide Capital growth towards the cost of new buses in the future.

Reserves policy

The Charity will retain sufficient reserves to enable it to deal with the timely replacement of buses and other working assets in line with its regular replacement policy. Reserves are invested in LF Hb Cautious Multi Asset Fund B Accumulation Shares.

FUTURE PLANS

Plans for future periods

In 2023, the Company aims to:

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The Company was incorporated on 1st September 1980, subsequently it was agreed in that any taxable profits made would be covenanted to Bexhill Council of Voluntary Services. Due to the winding up of this organisation, the Company sought Charity Commission approval for registration as a Charity in its own right. The application was approved and the Company was registered as a Charity on 29th July 2004. The Charity/Company is controlled by its Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended by Special Resolutions dated 13th May, 9th July 2004 and 16th March 2022.

Structure and management

The power of appointing new or additional Trustees/Directors is vested in the Trustees/Directors.

Any policy decisions are taken by the Trustees/Directors. There were no changes in policy during the year.

Page 2

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 01515143 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number 1105202

Registered office

Unit 2 Beeching Close Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN39 3YF

Trustees

P W Lee (resigned 8/3/2022) A L Hymans B Cann (resigned 6/9/2022) S Hardie J Pacitti B Drayson Mrs L Langlands D Everiss P Brett (appointed 6/9/2022) Mrs E White (appointed 6/9/2022)

Independent Examiner

Samantha Whiting FCA Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP Chartered Accountants 20 Eversley Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HE

Bankers

Lloyds TSB Bank 11/13 Devonshire Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1AQ

Solicitors

Gaby Hardwicke 34 Wellington Square Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1PN

Stockbrokers

Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management No 1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AN

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 11th April 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

S Hardie - Trustee

Page 3

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Bexhill Community Bus Limited ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st December 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Samantha Whiting FCA

Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP Chartered Accountants 20 Eversley Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HE

19th April 2023

Page 4

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
5,394
Charitable activities
Fare receipts
31,823
Fuel duty rebates
2,040
Garage rents
1,600
Other trading activities
3
80
Investment income
4
2,067
Total
43,004
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
5
Community buses
40,139
Office and other costs
10,386
Garage costs
4,645
Total
55,170
Net gains/(losses) on investments
(25,659)
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(37,825)
Transfers between funds
16
2,773
Net movement in funds
(35,052)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
325,243
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
290,191
Restricted
fund
£
2,773
-
-
-
-
-
2,773
-
-
-
-
-
2,773
(2,773)
-
-
-
2022
Total
funds
£
8,167
31,823
2,040
1,600
80
2,067
45,777
40,139
10,386
4,645
55,170
(25,659)
(35,052)
-
(35,052)
325,243
290,191
2021
Total
funds
£
1,501
30,087
2,053
1,200
-
2,108
36,949
41,715
8,033
3,373
53,121
8,924
(7,248)
-
(7,248)
332,491
325,243

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET 31ST DECEMBER 2022

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
11
62,372
Investments
12
210,843
273,215
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
13
2,424
Cash at bank and in hand
15,707
18,131
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
14
(1,155)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
16,976
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
290,191
NET ASSETS
290,191
FUNDS
16
Unrestricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2022
Total
funds
£
62,372
210,843
273,215
2,424
15,707
18,131
(1,155)
16,976
290,191
290,191
290,191
290,191
2021
Total
funds
£
79,968
229,436
309,404
2,170
14,812
16,982
(1,143)
15,839
325,243
325,243
325,243
325,243

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st December 2022.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The notes form part of these financial statements

continued...

Page 6

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET - continued 31ST DECEMBER 2022

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

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 11th April 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

D Everiss - Trustee

S Hardie - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Government grants are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

For legacies, entitlement is when probate is granted, the amount known, there are sufficient funds available for distribution or when a distribution is received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Leasehold property - Straight line over the life of the lease Bus equipment - 20% on cost Office furniture and fittings - 20% on cost Community buses - 25% on reducing balance

Taxation

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

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

continued...

Page 8

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fund accounting

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Cash at bank

Cash at bank includes cash and short term highly liquid investments.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their recoverable amounts to which the charity is entitled.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement value.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Passenger and other donations
Legacies
Grants
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
East Sussex County Council
3.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Profit from raffle
4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends and interest
2022
£
430
3,000
4,737
8,167
2022
£
4,737
2022
£
80
2022
£
2,067
2021
£
1,001
500
-
1,501
2021
£
-
2021
£
-
2021
£
2,108

continued...

Page 9

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Direct
Costs (see
note 6)
£
Community buses
40,139
Office and other costs
9,343
Garage costs
4,645
54,127
6.
DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Vehicle tax and insurance
Fuel and oil
Vehicles repairs and servicing
Office rent, rates, light and heat
Office refurbishment and repairs
Garage expenses
Stationery, postage, computer expenses and advertising
Telephone (inc. broadband)
Sundry expenses
Professional fees
Fuel card charges
Medicals
Training costs
Depreciation
7.
SUPPORT COSTS
Office and other costs
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
Governance costs
Annual return fee
Accountancy
Independent examination fees
Grant
funding of
activities
£
-
80
-
80
Support
costs (see
note 7)
Totals
£
£
-
40,139
963
10,386
-
4,645
963
55,170
2022
2021
£
£
3,693
3,749
9,962
7,169
5,890
4,141
4,853
5,813
181
85
4,645
3,373
1,057
277
470
464
932
379
170
-
278
72
110
-
1,292
-
20,594
26,656
54,127
52,178
Governance
costs
£
963
2022
2021
Office
and other
Total
costs
activities
£
£
13
13
620
610
330
320
963
943

continued...

Page 10

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

8. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2022 2021
£ £
Depreciation - owned assets 20,594 26,656

9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st December 2022 nor for the year ended 31st December 2021.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st December 2022 nor for the year ended 31st December 2021.

10. STAFF COSTS

There were no staff costs for the year ended 31st December 2022 nor for the year ended 31st December 2021.

11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1st January 2022
Additions
At 31st December 2022
DEPRECIATION
At 1st January 2022
Charge for year
At 31st December 2022
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31st December 2022
At 31st December 2021
Leasehold
property
£
58,976
-
58,976
58,976
-
58,976
-
-
Bus
equipment
£
208
2,998
3,206
208
602
810
2,396
-
Office
furniture
and
fittings
£
1,406
-
1,406
1,406
-
1,406
-
-
Community
buses
£
175,980
-
175,980
96,012
19,992
116,004
59,976
79,968
Totals
£
236,570
2,998
239,568
156,602
20,594
177,196
62,372
79,968

The leasehold property consists of a garage to house community buses on land leased from Rother District Council for a period of twenty one years from 23rd October 2000 at an initial rent of one peppercorn (if demanded).

continued...

Page 11

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

12. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Listed
investments
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1st January 2022 229,436
Additions 7,066
Unrealised gain/(loss) (25,659)
At 31st December 2022 210,843
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31st December 2022 210,843
At 31st December 2021 229,436

At the year end there were no investment assets outside the UK.

The historical cost of the listed investments is £177,027.

13.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2022
£
VAT
303
Prepayments
2,121
2,424
14.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2022
£
Trade creditors
202
Other creditors
950
Accrued expenses
3
1,155
15.
LEASING AGREEMENTS
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:
2021
£
143
2,027
2,170
2021
£
210
930
3
1,143
2022 2021
£ £
Between one and five years 8,775 12,675

continued...

Page 12

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1/1/22 in funds funds 31/12/22
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 325,243 (37,825) 2,773 290,191
Restricted funds
Electronic ticket machines - 2,773 (2,773) -
TOTAL FUNDS 325,243 (35,052) - 290,191
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Gains and Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 43,004 (55,170) (25,659) (37,825)
Restricted funds
Electronic ticket machines 2,773 - - 2,773
TOTAL FUNDS 45,777 (55,170) (25,659) (35,052)
Comparatives for movement in funds
Net
movement At
At 1/1/21 in funds 31/12/21
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 332,491 (7,248) 325,243
TOTAL FUNDS 332,491 (7,248) 325,243
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Gains and Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 36,949 (53,121) 8,924 (7,248)
TOTAL FUNDS 36,949 (53,121) 8,924 (7,248)

Restricted funds

Electronic ticket machines fund - A grant was received from East Sussex County Council for two electronic ticket machines which were then purchased by the charity.

continued...

Page 13

BEXHILL COMMUNITY BUS LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Transfers between funds

A grant was received for the cost of two electronic ticket machines. These have been capitalised as assets of the charity and are not restricted assets. Therefore a transfer was made out of the restricted fund to the unrestricted fund when the machines were purchased.

17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st December 2022.

18. LIMITED LIABILITY OF MEMBERS

The liability of the members is limited to a sum of £10 being the amount that each member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Charity in the event of its being wound up while he, she or it is a member or within one year after he, she or it ceases to be a member, for

(1) payment of the charity's debts and liabilities incurred before he or she or it eases to be a member;

19. SCHEDULE OF BUSES

SCHEDULE OF BUSES
GX18ABV RX20RNJ Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1st January 2022 85,400 90,580 175,980
Addition during the year 0 0 0
Disposal during the year 0 0 0
At 31st December 2022 85,400 90,580 175,980
Depreciation
At 1st January 2022 59,780 36,232 96,012
Charge for the year 6,405 13,587 19,992
On disposal 0 0 0
At 31st December 2022 66,185 49,819 116,004
Net book value
At 31st December 2022 19,215 40,761 59,976
At 31st December 2021 25,620 54,348 79,968

Page 14