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2021-03-31-accounts

Registered number: 05309512 Charity number: 1108296

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the company, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 6
Trustees' responsibilities statement 7
Independent auditor's report on the financial statements 8 - 11
Statement of financial activities 12
Balance sheet 13
Statement of cash flows 14
Notes to the financial statements 15 - 23

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Trustees Mrs Deborah Morton, Chair
Mr Alastair Richards
Mr Simon Dewsnip
Mrs Lynne Heath
Mrs Sandra McCaughley
Company registered
number
05309512
Charity registered
number
1108296
Registered office and
principal address
12-14 Mill Street
Sutton Coldfield
West Midlands
B72 1TJ
Company secretary
Auriga Services Limited
Senior management
team
The Trust has no employees and has engaged Auriga Services Limited as a third
party provider for administration and management on behalf of the Trustees.
Independent auditor
Crowe U.K. LLP
Black Country House
Rounds Green Road
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 2DG
Bankers
Royal Bank of Scotland
38 Mosley Road
Manchester
M60 2BE

Page 1

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 9 December 2004 and registered as a charity on 24 February 2005. Registered company number is 05309512 and charity no is 1108296.

The organisation is governed by the Articles of Association.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

Recruitment of the first Trustees was by selection by the settlor drawing from experience of the sector and of the region where help is to be provided. Trustees have subsequently been appointed following public advertisement. The Trustees had commenced the recruitment of new Trustees in 2019/20 but this was process was paused by the impact of Covid-19. It will re-commence in the new financial year.

A list of Trustees who governed in the year can be found on page 1.

Trustee induction and training

Before anyone considers seeking appointment as a Trustee, and as part of the induction process, they are expected to familiarise themselves with the responsibilities of charity trustees, read the Charity Commission literature on this subject and carefully read the trust deed, settlor's directions and the latest financial statements.

Opportunities for training are readily available and Trustees are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the day to day operations.

Risk management

The Trustees have considered the risks to which the charity is exposed and have taken steps to mitigate those risks. The Trustees completed a full review of the risk register in 2019/20 and regularly update this at Trustees’ meetings.

The Trustees periodically review the risk profile of the charity. This involves identifying the types of risk the charity faces, prioritising them in terms of potential impact and the likelihood of occurrence, and identifying the means of mitigating those risks. As part of this process, the Trustees work closely with Auriga Services Limited, who manage the day to day operations, to continually assess the adequacy of the charity's current internal controls and the costs of operating them relative to the benefits obtained. Any changes to control systems would be agreed by Trustees.

The Trustees have considered the risk that all donations are received from United Utilities Water plc and the issues that will arise from a failure to receive future donations from United Utilities Water plc. The risk has been mitigated by agreeing with United Utilities Water plc that a donation of £3.5m is guaranteed for the next year (2021/2022).

The Trustees have considered the continued impact on the principal risks of Covid-19.

The Trustees identified that the impact of Covid-19 on the economy may result in an increase in the number of applicants. Their response was to review the criteria for awarding grants as necessary to ensure that grants continue to be awarded to those applicants with greatest need.

Page 2

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The Trustees identified that Auriga Services Limited’s ability to meet its contractual liabilities to the charity could be affected by Covid-19. This risk is normally mitigated by the attendance of Auriga directors and operations managers at Trustee meetings as well as the review and monitoring of Auriga’s performance by Trustees. The Trustees also sought assurance from Auriga Services Limited of its ability to continue to operate as normal when all employees moved to homeworking and are maintaining regular contact with Auriga directors and operations managers.

Organisational structure

The structure of the organisation comprises the Board of Trustees with all non administrative and policy decisions made by the Trustees jointly. There is a single sub committee which is the Audit Committee. Administrative decisions are delegated to Auriga Services Limited who act on behalf of Trustees under an approved Scheme of Delegation.

The Trustees do not employ staff directly and hold no material assets other than bank balances.

Audit committee

The Audit Committee is a sub committee established by the Board of Trustees and has authority from the Board to require Auriga Services Limited to report on any aspect of the powers delegated to it, in respect of the management of the charity and on its service provision.

The responsibility of the committee is:

The committee may be authorised to investigate on behalf of the Board anything that threatens or adversely affects the accomplishment of the charity's aims and objectives, its assets, the reliability of all records and information, its compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, policies, and its governing articles.

The committee shall request and review reports and positive assurances from Auriga Services Limited on the overall arrangements for governance, risk management and internal control. It may also request specific reports from individual functions within Auriga Services Limited as may be appropriate to the overall arrangements.

The Audit Committee will consist of no fewer than two Trustees appointed by the Board.

The Chair of the Audit Committee will be appointed by the Board.

The Company Secretary shall attend meetings of the Committee, along with any other employees of Auriga Services Limited who may be required.

Page 3

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a quorum shall consist of two members of the Audit Committee. (The Chair does not have to be present for a quorum to exist.)

Membership of the committee and its terms of reference shall be reviewed annually by the Board at the Annual General Meeting. Any Trustee of United Utilities Trust Fund has the right to attend any Audit Committee meeting.

The committee meets at least twice a year.

During the year the Audit Committee comprised Alastair Richards (Chairman), Simon Dewsnip and Lynne Heath.

Objectives and activities for the public benefit

The Charity's objects are the relief of those persons who are in condition of need, poverty, hardship or other distress and are unable to meet the cost of charges for the supply of water and/or sewerage services provided to premises used or occupied by them by United Utilities as water and/or sewerage undertaker appointed pursuant to the Water Industry Act 1991 (or any statutory modification or amendment to that Act). Such relief is to be provided at such times and in such manner as the Trustees think fit and includes the prevention and relief of poverty by the provision of advice, counselling and the education of the general public in relation to debt, debt awareness and debt prevention.

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting the grant making policy for the year. The Trustees provide grants to assist eligible people or organisations to achieve the charity's objects.

How our grants delivered public benefit

Achievements and performance

During the year a £3.5m donation was received from United Utilities Water Plc (2020 - £3.5m). This is the sixteenth year of the charity's activities and it has worked to ensure that potential beneficiaries are aware of the availability of grants, as well as providing grants where applicable.

Help for individuals

In pursuit of charitable objectives, the Trust was able to award grants to individuals towards water and other priority costs. Grant payments have been made, as far as possible, directly to the organisation to which the amount is due. The aim of the Trust is to help people out of immediate crisis and financial difficulty and wherever possible, to encourage future financial stability. During the year the Trust received 8,481 (2020 – 6,572) applications and was able to provide grants and further assistance to 3,788 (2020 – 3,455) individuals or families amounting to £2,879,105 (2020 £2,879,137).

Organisational grants

Trustees recognise the value of offering long term help and support to individuals experiencing hardship and have adopted a policy of making grants available to organisations that provide free money advice and debt counselling services. In pursuit of charitable objectives Trustees paid grants of £51,868 to five organisations (2020 £28,460) to support the delivery of money advice and debt counselling services in this financial year.

Applications are encouraged from local organisations that specialise in providing debt and money advice services that are focussed on specific groups of people.

Page 4

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Trustees’ indemnity

The Trustees confirm that the company has Trustees' and Officers' insurance in place.

Financial review

The Trustees consider that the financial position of the Trust is satisfactory.

Impact of Covid-19

The Trustees have continued to consider the impact of Covid-19 on the charity and while there have been significant effects for the wider economy, we have not identified any significant impact to date or specific risk that requires further disclosure.

Reserves policy

The Trust maintains reserves to ensure that it is able to continue to fulfil its charitable purpose by providing for business continuity and to support future capital and revenue expenditure requirements which may not be covered by incoming resources.

At the end of the period total funds of £318,253 (2020 £271,505) represent unrestricted funds of £252,062 and £66,191 designated funds to meet the future costs of the provision of Money Advice and Debt Counselling.

The Trustees have reviewed the reserves policy in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and have agreed that the appropriate target for the Trust’s general, unrestricted reserves should remain at approximately £200,000.

The reserves policy will be reviewed again during 2021-22.

Going Concern

After considering the continued potential impact of Covid-19, the Trustees are of the view that there are sufficient reserves to secure the immediate future of the charity for the next 12 to 18 months and on that basis the charity is a going concern.

Investment policy

The trust deed grants the Trustees the power to invest funds, employ a fund manager and arrange for investments or other property of the charity to be held in the name of a nominee subject to the same conditions permitted by the Trustee Act 2000.

The trustees have adopted a policy to invest any excess funds in a special interest bearing account with the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Page 5

UNITED UTIUTIES TRUST FUND (A company limited by guarants81 TRUSTEES. REPORT {CONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 ns for fu rè The Trusleeg have wnsidered the potential of Cwd-19 on Ihe charity and have detem)ined Ihal as United Utilrties Water Pk have confimied their ccynmitment to support the Tnjst until March 2022, the chanty will be able to continua to.. prowdè grants up lo Ihe full valua of available ftjnds conty'nve its C#)mmitmenl lo svpwt the organisabonal grant programme maintain the re￿I￿nship with the doncf c(XTyany, Unite(l Ulik'b'es Water Pk, to continue the posI￿v£ worf( of the Trust. In March 2021 the Charity receive(18 grant crf £270,988 from Enwgy Saving Tw81. Sincx this grant can only be used for the issu& ol emergency vouchers and the 888wated eA>sts, li Is classffied as Restricted Funds. miatlon f In respect of each Truste8 al the date the Trustees. Report swJned'. So far 36 ￿ are awa￿. there is no infomjat￿1n needed by the charftys auditor in connection wlh preparing their report {rel8vant audi( infornolwybl of whlch they are unaware, and As twslees of thè Charity V￿ have taken al stops that we ought to have taken in order to make ourselv88 aware of any relevant audit infomialion and to establish that the charit18 auditor is aware of the infomallon. Thi8 report has been prepared in awdance with Statement of RecommeThJed Pract￿. Accountsng and Reporting by Charrtie¥ l¢ssued in January 20151 and Mi aCc￿dance vrith Part 15 of Ihe C¢>npan￿$ Act 2006. The Trustees have taken advantage of the small cc¥np8nls exempti￿ from preparfng a strategic report for the year. Approved by order of menknrs of the board of Tru8tee6 and 81gned ￿ their behalf by.. Deborah Morton {Chair of Trustees) lo 11 Il Pagè 6

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes 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. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company 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 company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page 7

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of United Utilities Trust Fund (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Page 8

(A company limited by guarantee)

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND (CONTINUED)

Other information

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report, other than the financial statements and our Auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Page 9

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND (CONTINUED)

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the charitable company operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 together with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). We assessed the required compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items.

In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which might be fundamental to the charitable company’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the charitable company for fraud. The laws and regulations we considered in this context for the UK operations were General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Employment legislation and Taxation legislation.

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Trustees and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be within the timing of recognition of income and the override of controls by management. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals, reviewing accounting estimates for biases, designing audit procedures over income, reviewing regulatory correspondence with the Charity Commission and reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.

Page 10

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND (CONTINUED)

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing noncompliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Kerry Brown (Senior statutory auditor) for and on behalf of Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor Black Country House

Rounds Green Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2DG

Date: 26 November 2021

Page 11

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Note
Income from:
Donations & Grants
3
Investments
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Grants payable
6
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted
funds
2021
£
3,500,000
192
3,500,192
3,453,444
3,453,444
46,748
271,505
46,748
318,253
Restricted
funds
2021
£
270,988
-
270,988
-
-
270,988
-
270,988
270,988
Total
funds
2021
£
3,770,988
192
3,771,180
3,453,444
3,453,444
317,736
271,505
317,736
589,241
Total
funds
2020
£
3,500,000
583
3,500,583
3,456,044
3,456,044
44,539
226,966
44,539
271,505

The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements.

Page 12

UNITED UTILfflES TRUST FUND IA company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 05309512 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021 2021 2020 Current assets Cash al bank and in hand 614.537 29& 193 Creditors.. amounts falling du• ¥￿thIn one y8ar (25.2961 (24,688) Not Currènt assets $89,241 271,505 Charity funds Restrictéd funds Unrestricted furKIs 270,988 318,253 271.￿5 Totsl funds 589.241 271,505 The Trustees aCkn(￿edg8 their responsibilth'es for complying wth ffjquiremnls of the Act with respect lo ccounling records and preparati￿ of financk915tstemenls. The financial statements hav8 been prepared in aCcOrdar￿ with the pr(MSiWS applicab￿ lo entities subject lo the small companies regime. The finarrial stslements were approvwj and authorised issue by the Trustees and on their behalf by. Mrs D•borah Morton (Chair of Tru$lees) Dale,. The notes on pages 15 to 23 fcrfm p¥t of the8e financial State￿rts. P8ge13

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities
14
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
Net cash provided by investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
15
The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements
2021
£
318,152
192
192
318,344
296,193
614,537
2020
£
50,159
583
583
50,742
245,451
296,193

Page 14

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1. General information

United Utilities Trust Fund is a registered charity number 1108296, a Company Limited by Guarantee and registered in England (registered number 05309512). The registered office and principal place of business is 12-14 Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B72 1TJ.

The members of the charity are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements 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 2015), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

United Utilities Trust Fund 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.

2.2 Going concern

The Trustees consider they have sufficient reserves and cash to continue operating on a going concern basis for the foreseeable future.

As stated in the Trustee’s Report, Trustees believe there are no material uncertainties that call into doubt the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern and the accounts have therefore been prepared on the basis that the Charity is a going concern. In light of the current climate in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic the Trustees have reviewed the Charity's finances. In the short term cash holdings are sufficient to ensure adequate cashflow for the foreseeable future. In the medium to long term plans for, and the structure of, United Utilities Trust Fund remain extant and will continue to be reviewed regularly.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Page 15

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity.

The costs of each activity are made up of costs that can be allocated directly and those of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Governance costs include those costs associated with the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the company.

Grant awards are accounted for as expenditure as soon as a valid expectation has been communicated to the recipient, unless the offer is conditional upon events outside the Trust’s control and it is possible but not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will arise, in which case such amounts are recognised as contingent liabilities until the grant conditions are fulfilled.

2.5 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

2.6 Taxation

The organisation is a registered charity and as such is exempt from taxation on its income and gains to the extent that they are applied for its charitable purposes.

2.7 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

2.8 Financial instruments

The company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Page 16

(A company limited by guarantee)

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

3. Income from donations

Unrestricted
funds
2021
Restricted
funds
2021
£
£
Donations from United Utilities
3,500,000
-
Grants
-
270,988
3,500,000
270,988
Unrestricted
funds
2020
£
Donations
3,500,000
4.
Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
2021
£
Investment income
192
Unrestricted
funds
2020
£
Investment income
583
Total
funds
2021
£
3,500,000
270,988
3,770,988
Total
funds
2020
£
3,500,000
Total
funds
2021
£
192
Total
funds
2020
£
583

Page 17

(A company limited by guarantee)

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

5. Grants payable

Payable to individual beneficiaries or direct to creditors in respect of debts owed *.

Grants payable
Water debt - United Utilities Water Plc
White goods and other household needs
Bankruptcy orders
Debt Relief Order
Funeral costs
Grants payable - Organisational grants
Citizens Advice Halton
Citizens Advice Preston
Liverpool Community Advice
The Oaks @ Blackburn Foodbank
Institute of Money Advisers
Involve Northwest
Mind in Salford
Total Grants payable
2021
£
2,729,884
99,466
42,110
7,645
-
2,879,105
15,073
13,126
9,239
11,050
3,380
-
-
51,868
2,930,973
2020
£
2,729,722
99,375
41,190
8,550
300
2,879,137
-
-
-
-
2,460
12,500
13,500
28,460
2,907,597

Page 18

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

6. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Grant making
Grant making
7.
Direct costs
Auriga administration charges
8.
Support costs
Insurance
Website and web maintenance
Bank charges
Governance costs
Activities
undertaken
directly
2021
£
504,107
Activities
undertaken
directly
2020
£
529,402
Grant
funding of
activities
2021
£
2,930,973
Grant
funding of
activities
2020
£
2,907,597
Support
costs
2021
£
18,364
Support
costs
2020
£
19,045
2021
£
504,107
2021
£
2,942
6,000
422
9,000
18,364
Total
funds
2021
£
3,453,444
Total
funds
2020
£
3,456,044
2020
£
529,402
2020
£
2,938
6,300
444
9,363
19,045

Page 19

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

9. Auditor's remuneration

The auditor's remuneration amounts to an auditor fee of £6,525 ( 2020 - £6,250 ).

10. Trustees' remuneration and related party transactions

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2020 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 31 March 2021, no expenses were reimbursed to Trustees (2020 - £388 to four Trustees ).

No Trustee or person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the period.

11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Accruals
2021
£
5,168
20,128
25,296
2020
£
10,535
14,153
24,688

Page 20

(A company limited by guarantee)

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

12. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Balance at 1
April 2020
£
10,604
260,901
-
271,505
Balance at
1 April 2019
£
29,766
197,200
226,966
Income
£
-
3,500,192
270,988
3,771,180
Income
£
-
3,500,583
3,500,583
Expenditure
£
(51,868)
(3,401,576)
-
(3,453,444)
Expenditure
£
(28,460)
(3,427,584)
(3,456,044)
Transfers
in/out
£
107,455
(107,455)
-
-
Transfers
in/out
£
9,298
(9,298)
-
Balance at
31 March
2021
£
66,191
252,062
270,988
589,241
Balance at
31 March
2020
£
10,604
260,901
Summary of funds - prior year
Designated funds
General funds
271,505

Designated Funds

Designated Funds represents amounts designated by the Trustees to meet the future costs of the provision of Organisation Grants.

A transfer was made from the general fund to cover the resources expended from designated funds.

Restricted Funds

Restricted Funds represents amounts relating to specific projects as stated by the funding agreement, and as such can only be used for this purpose.

Page 21

(A company limited by guarantee)

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

13. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted
funds
2021
Restricted
funds
2021
£
£
Current assets
343,549
270,988
Creditors due within one year
(25,296)
-
Total
318,253
270,988
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
Unrestricted
funds
2020
£
Current assets
296,193
Creditors due within one year
(24,688)
Total
271,505
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
2021
£
Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities)
317,736
Adjustments for:
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
(192)
Increase in creditors
608
Net cash provided by operating activities
318,152
Total
funds
2021
£
614,537
(25,296)
589,241
Total
funds
2020
£
296,193
(24,688)
271,505
2020
£
44,539
(583)
6,203
50,159

14. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Page 22

UNITED UTILITIES TRUST FUND

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

15. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents
2021
£
614,537
614,537
2020
£
296,193
296,193

16. Analysis of changes in net debt

At 1 April At 31 March
2020 Cash flows 2021
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 296,193 318,344 614,537

17. Related party transactions

There have been no related party transactions that require disclosure.

Page 23