LISA KENT TRUST
Trustees’ Annual Report
Year ended 30 April 2024
Charity Registration No: 1111569
The Trustees:
Mr Noel Kearns Mrs Jane Exton (resigned 9[th] April 2024) Mrs Elizabeth Tinkler (Chair) Mrs Carol Noble (appointed 20[th] October 2023) Mr Giles Tinkler (appointed 20[th] October 2023)
Accountants:
Wheeler Accountants Unit 5 Avenue Business Park Brockley Road Elsworth Cambridge CB23 4EY
Bank: Lloyds, High Street, Huntingdon, Cambs. PE29 3DU.
Report of the Trustees.
The Gambia is the smallest African country and one of the world’s poorest nations in Africa with widespread poverty. The country has very little economic diversity, which makes it vulnerable to food price volatility.
With a population of 2.5 million it is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, with most of the population, 57%, converging around urban & peri urban centres.
Heavily dependent on tourism, as it lacks natural resources & few products to export.
Health sector capacity is weak and social safety nets do not exist.
The Gambian Constitution mandates free and compulsory primary education, but a lack of resources and education infrastructure has made implementation difficult and state schools in the Kombo’s regularly had class sizes in excess of 60 pupils & 90 pupils in a class is not unknown.
Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia) teaches a maximum of thirty-six pupils per class, our teachers are qualified and receive regular training. The resultant high-quality education is ensuring excellent results in the National Exams.
Thanks to the support of our sponsors, we now have students studying at the University of The Gambia, as well as many moving into trades and completing apprenticeships. One of students recently graduated from University of Gambia with a degree in accountancy & has been headhunted by one of the top African Banks. WE are also privileged to have students who have returned from their studies to work in our school after completing their teacher training.
Students’ health & medical issues are supported, and we work with the local communities to draw attention to & educate in the issues of FGM, child marriage, rape, HIV and STD.
Lisa Kent Trust continues to strive to deliver a carbon neutral position across the group, with solar boreholes delivering water to the school, and saving the local community a three mile walk to the nearest water supply. Our pupils grow produce as part of their studies, which is then used to support the local community and trees are planted to counter some of the deforestation which continues to plague The Gambia.
Structure, Governance and Management:
Recruitment, Induction and training, Risk management, Organisational structure, Related parties.
Governing document :
The organisation is a registered charity, registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales, with its Constitution being adopted in October 2005
Trustee selection :
Trustees are appointed in line with Charity Commission requirements and the Lisa Kent Trust’s constitution.
Additional governance :
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration.
Objectives and Activities :
The Trust’s objectives and principal activities is the funding & support of Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia) facilitating them to: -
Promoting education in The Gambia
Advance the education of children and young people through providing, maintaining, equipping, and managing schools.
Teaching which is reflective of relevant standards and address the potential problems related to education in the Gambia
Working to the MoSBE – Gambian Curriculum – and looking at ways to continue to improve educational standards. Working with Gambian business organisations to develop work experience opportunities for pupils with the aim to find students future employment opportunities.
Working in Partnership with other agencies & charities to maximise the best use of funding and resources.
Continued development of the Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia) schools and staff to support the delivery of quality education.
Recycling of used school materials from UK to The Gambia, reducing UK landfill, to be utilised in both Lisa Kent Trust institutions as well as State & other charity supported institutions.
Working towards an understanding of Carbon Neutral with our pupils, staff & local community.
Recruitment and Appointment of Management Committee
The charity trustees for the purposes of charity law are known as members of the Management Committee. The members of the Management Committee are elected to serve as per the terms set out in the Constitution.
Governance Document
The more traditional business and education skills are well represented on the Management Committee. To maintain this broad skill mix, members of the Management Committee are requested to provide a list of their skills (and update each year) and in the event of particular skills being lost due to retirements; individuals are approached to offer themselves for election to the Management Committee.
Trustee Induction and Training
Most trustees are already familiar with the practical work of the charity. New trustees are invited and encouraged to attend a series of short training sessions (of no more than 1 hour) to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates. These are jointly led by the Chair of the Management Committee and cover: -
The obligations of Management Committee members The main documents which set out the operational framework for the charity Resourcing and the current financial position as set out in the latest accounts. Future plans and objectives
Organisational Structure
Lisa Kent Trust has a Management Committee of members who meet regularly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Committee has three members from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity.
A scheme of delegation is in place and day to day responsibility for the provision of the services rest with the Administrator for the Management Committee, under the guidance of the Chair.
Related Parties
Lisa Kent Trust delivers its objectives & activities through Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia) a charitable company registered in The Gambia.
In turn the delivery by Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia) and its directors/trustees is monitored & guided in direction by the Lisa Kent Trust trustees.
And in so far as it is complimentary to the charity’s objectives, the charity is also guided by both local and national Gambian policy. At a national level education provision is steered by our annual strategy. The representation of local organisations/communities has proved invaluable to the charity in establishing improved links within the community and identifying relevant policy developments and prospective funding.
Achievements and performance
The main areas of charitable activity are the provision of schools for teaching children and young people and ensuring once they complete their education, they are provided with the skills & ability to deliver in the workplace & enhance the development of the economy in The Gambia.
The Trust greatly appreciates the support of our sponsors who continue to sponsor children throughout their education.
As students move up the education structure in The Gambia the costs become higher and on occasions sponsors are not in a position to increase their already generous contributions. The Trust has established a Scholarship Fund to support these students complete their goals & ambitions.
Voluntourism trips (Community tourism) – provide volunteers with the opportunity to see and support the work of the Trust in The Gambia as well as living in a Gambian community. Volunteers deliver a variety of support, including the development of ‘work experience’ and regular reviews with the older students guiding them towards their occupational goals.
Duke of Edinburgh Residential Trips for volunteers looking to achieve the residential section of their Gold Award. Following Covid Pandemic the Trust has worked very closely with Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to re-establish regular opportunities for D of E Volunteers following the issues caused by the pandemic. In many cases theses residential courses have proved to be life changing to the participants, many return to The Gambia and others find it has dramatically broadened their horizons & understanding of life’s needs.
Fundraising events – Lisa Kent Trust deliver a comprehensive & varied events calendar which both raise funds as well as awareness of the Trust’s work, including Eco Events to publicise our work & our recycling efforts.
The Trusts continues to ship a wide variety of products to the Gambia, thanks to the support of local businesses and schools who donate furniture which they no longer require, which then have a useful life in our schools & their local communities.
Outreach
The outreach work of the charity provides support to children from very poor backgrounds in The Gambia who would otherwise not have the opportunity for an early start to school through their parents and deliver young adults with a quality education into the workplace to add to the current very small pool of candidates which the large national & international companies operating in The Gambia can employ.
Financial Review
Lisa Kent Trust, thanks the support of generous sponsors & donors, continues to be sustainable and will continue to support Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia) to delivering its objectives .
Lisa Kent Trust historically funded Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia) with a loan to facilitate the purchase of lands and covering the construction of the Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia) buildings, an asset on their financials.
This loan, secured on the land & buildings, has again been reviewed by the trustees who agreed considering the current potential political position, although improved, are currently not sufficiently stable for the cessation of the liability from Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia).
Principal Funding sources
The principal funding sources for the charity continue to focus on funding by way of donations, child sponsorship and scholarship funding. Due to Covid Lisa Kent Trust lost income from our Voluntourism/ Community Tourism programme, this is gradually returning with a group of Duke of Edinburgh volunteers taking up the opportunity at the end of our financial year. It is hoped that Lisa Kent Trust will be able to facilitate an increased number of volunteers in the next financial year.
Investment policy
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the charity’s funds are to be spent in the short term so there are few funds for long term investment. A reserve account is retained to ensure the ability to support Lisa Kent Trust (Gambia)’s salary commitments to its teaching staff.
Reserves Policy
The Management Committee has examined the charity’s requirements or reserves considering the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 6 and 12 months of the expenditure. The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and the Management Committee are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding.
Plans for future periods
Lisa Kent Trust will look to develop our fund-raising activities, expanding on Community Tourism & Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award excursions to The Gambia, as well as developing new & exciting events for our supporters in the UK.
We continue to develop our recycling efforts & are working very closely with our shipper to support our schools, and our local communities.
During the last financial year Lisa Kent Trust Meridian has opened the third of three-year groups for Upper Basic Schooling. This takes our students at this school from 4 years of age through till their 16[th] year. Over the last three years we have taken on specialised teaching staff in a variety of subject to ensure our pupils receive the best opportunities. And these staff are keen to expand into Senior School, enabling our pupils to remain in school till 19 years of age.
The coming academic year requires substantial investment into our school with the need for a separate nursery building, plus a new library supporting an IT area for our older pupils.
The Trustees’ annual report was approved on 8[th] August 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Mrs Elizabeth Tinkler (Chair)
Annual Accounts
Lisa Kent Trust
For the period ended 30 April 2024
Prepared on 14 August 2024
Table of Contents
Profit and Loss ................................................................................................................................................3 Balance Sheet .................................................................................................................................................4
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Profit and Loss
May 2023 - April 2024
| Profit and Loss May 2023 - April 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Total | ||
| May 2023 - Apr 2024 | May 2022 - Apr 2023(PP) | |
| INCOME | ||
| Child sponsorship | 14,107.00 | 14,689.00 |
| DoE / Volunteers | 9,734.22 | 1,100.00 |
| Donations and legacies | 14,981.85 | 22,215.86 |
| Fund Raising Events | 1,119.92 | 1,193.52 |
| Gift Aid | 5,809.72 | 6,342.70 |
| Sales of Product Income | 135.05 | 477.23 |
| ScholarshipFund | 440.00 | 1,440.00 |
| Total Income | 46,327.76 | 47,458.31 |
| COST OF SALES | ||
| Lisa Kent Trust(Gambia)- Cash Donations | 33,000.00 | 40,000.00 |
| Total Cost of Sales | 33,000.00 | 40,000.00 |
| GROSS PROFIT | 13,327.76 | 7,458.31 |
| EXPENSES | ||
| Advertising/Promotional | 451.84 | 92.81 |
| Bank and Paypal charges | 66.92 | 47.46 |
| Computer Costs | 286.38 | 225.59 |
| Insurances | 923.82 | 194.66 |
| Mileage | 387.45 | 577.80 |
| Office/General Administrative Expenses | 17.00 | 48.99 |
| Other Professional Services | 667.00 | 679.50 |
| Printing, Postage and Stationery | 155.98 | 54.00 |
| Volunteeringand Shipping | 5,717.05 | 7,448.07 |
| Total Expenses | 8,673.44 | 9,368.88 |
| NET OPERATING INCOME | 4,654.32 | -1,910.57 |
| OTHER INCOME | ||
| Interest earned | 262.85 | 79.13 |
| Total Other Income | 262.85 | 79.13 |
| OTHER EXPENSES | ||
| Depreciation | 112.00 | 112.00 |
| Total Other Expenses | 112.00 | 112.00 |
| NET OTHER INCOME | 150.85 | -32.87 |
| NET INCOME | £4,805.17 | £ -1,943.44 |
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Lisa Kent Trust
Balance Sheet
As of April 30, 2024
| Balance Sheet As of April 30, 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Total | ||
| As of Apr 30, 2024 | As of Apr 30, 2023(PP) | |
| FIXED ASSET | ||
| Tangible assets | ||
| Office Equipment Cost | 515.00 | 515.00 |
| Office Equipment Depreciation | -402.00 | -290.00 |
| Total Tangible assets | 113.00 | 225.00 |
| Non-Current Assets | ||
| LKT The Gambia Loan | 143,547.05 | 143,547.05 |
| Total Non-Current Assets | 143,547.05 | 143,547.05 |
| Total Fixed Asset | 143,660.05 | 143,772.05 |
| CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND | ||
| Lisa Kent Trust (5874) | 18,532.32 | 15,838.85 |
| Lisa Kent Trust - Medical fund (9468) | 0.00 | 161.58 |
| Lisa Kent Trust - Restricted (6704) | 4,241.60 | 2,728.42 |
| Lisa Kent Trust-Events A/c (4606) | 0.00 | 920.48 |
| LKT- Reserve acc (1068) - 6 months working revenue | 20,818.42 | 20,590.83 |
| Paypal | 859.91 | 416.49 |
| Total Cash at bank and in hand | 44,452.25 | 40,656.65 |
| DEBTORS | ||
| Debtors | 250.00 | 50.00 |
| Total Debtors | 250.00 | 50.00 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||
| Prepayments | 311.50 | 580.73 |
| Total Current Assets | 311.50 | 580.73 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 45,013.75 | 41,287.38 |
| CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||
| Current Liabilities | ||
| Creditors | 480.00 | 1,670.80 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 480.00 | 1,670.80 |
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within oneyear | 480.00 | 1,670.80 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS(LIABILITIES) | 44,533.75 | 39,616.58 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 188,193.80 | 183,388.63 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS (LIABILITIES) | £188,193.80 | £183,388.63 |
| CAPITAL AND RESERVES | ||
| Reserves | 183,388.63 | 185,332.07 |
| Retained Earnings | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Profit for theyear | 4,805.17 | -1,943.44 |
| Total Capital and Reserves | £188,193.80 | £183,388.63 |
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Lisa Kent Trust
Independent Accountant’s Report
Lisa Kent Trust – charity no. 1111569 for year ending 30[th] April 2024.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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 material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
Lisa Kent Trust is a registered charity 1111569
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act
or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
(Sr
Gavin Thomas
JW & Co Accountancy Ltd trading as Wheeler Accountancy Unit 5, Avenue Business Park Brockley Road Elsworth Cambridgeshire CB23 4EY Date: 14 August 2024
Lisa Kent Trust is a registered charity 1111569