Registered Company Number: 05434630 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity Number: 1112320
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year ended
31[st] December 2024 for
Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Hugh Williams HWBTS 20 Barra Close Highworth Wilts, SN67HX
Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd
Contents of the Financial Statements For the year ended 31[st] December 2024
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 | |
| Report of the Trustees | 2-5 | |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 6-7 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 | |
| Balance Sheet | 9 | |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 | |
| 1. | General Information | 10 |
| 2. | Accounting Policies | 10 |
| 3. | Income from Donations and Legacies | 12 |
| 4. | Income from Charitable Activities | 12 |
| 5. | Investment Income | 12 |
| 6. | Analysis of Expenditure on Charitable Activities | 13 |
| 7. | Analysis of Expenditure by Activities | 13 |
| Analysis of Direct Costs | 13 | |
| Analysis of Support Costs | 14 | |
| 8. | Independent Examiner’s Remuneration | 14 |
| 9. | Staff Costs | 14 |
| 10. | Trustees’ Remuneration and Expenses | 14 |
| 11. | Tangible Fixed Assets | 15 |
| 12. | Debtors | 15 |
| 13. | Creditors | 15 |
| 14. | Statement of Funds (Summary of Funds) | 16 |
| 15. | Analysis of Net Assets between Funds | 16 |
Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee
Reference and Administrative Details of the Company, its Trustees and Advisers
For the Year ended 31[st] December 2024
Trustees: D. P. Darlow R. M. Eynon Lady Patten of Barnes Lady C. L. M. Waldegrave Mrs V. M. M. Lachkovic
Company Registered Number: 05434630
Charity Registered Number: 1112320
Registered Office: Office 105
Regal Court Business Centre 42-44 High Street Slough Bucks SL1 1EL
Independent Examiner: Hugh Williams 20 Barra Close Highworth Wilts SN6 7HX
Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Report for the Year ended 31[st] December 2024
1. Introductory
The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd for the year ended 31[st] December 2024. The annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees’ Report and a Directors’ Report under company law. The trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice Statement (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective 1[st] January 2019. Since the Company qualifies as small under Section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
2. Objectives and Activities
a. Policies and Objectives
Objectives and Aims:
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the trustees have given due consideration to the general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance: Public Benefit: Running a Charity (PB2).
The charity’s objects are to alleviate the hardship and distress caused by the breakdown of family relationships and to preserve and protect the mental and physical health of all the family, in particular by assisting couples involved in separation or divorce to make future plans for themselves and their children. Additionally the charity seeks actively to promote the wellbeing of families affected by separation or divorce by providing allied support services for children, young people and parents.
b. Significant Activities, Achievements and Performance
Like many not for profits/charities, it has been important to maintain close scrutiny over the finances during the challenging times of the current economic situation. The Trustees have fulfilled that responsibility both at the regular Board meetings and by cashflow forecasts from the Service Director in the interim times. Our Reserves policy has been met.
The economic challenges have meant far more people are qualifying for Legal Aid. As expected, the new Legal Aid contracts contained no improvement to the contracted amount payable. As this has not changed since 2004, and all our other costs have by at
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee
least inflation, it is very difficult to find any funds for improvements and investments. Month on month there are fluctuations in our cashflow, but largely income covers day to day expenditure.
Payments for Legal Aid work and those under the MOJ grant are only settled once a case is closed so at any one time, there is a substantial amount of income due, but not received. To support our charitable aims, we continue to offer Child Inclusive Mediation with direct consultations with children at no costs to our clients and we provide free interpretation services for up to 2 joint mediation meetings.
The overhead of our office in Slough is only required under the terms of the Legal Aid contract to have a permanent office. This is an antiquated model that affects our income, but it is still a requirement for the 2024 Legal Aid contract which has just been extended to June 2027. We are therefore reviewing where we might be able to move at a lower cost. We anticipate that after two years in Slough with no rent increases at renewal, there will be an increase when our licence falls due in July 2025. Most of our mediation continues to be over Zoom and when in-person mediation is requested, in all but the Slough area, we hire ad hoc office space which is much more cost effective.
We have been looking to recruit new mediators to manage the volume of work more effectively, but this is proving very challenging. There is a shortage of qualified mediators which is making succession planning more difficult. We continue to offer Working Towards Accreditation for potential new mediators. We now operate with a remote team of 3 part time client managers managed by an office manager. These are our only PAYE staff members – everyone else works on a contract for services to ensure our cost base is managed effectively as possible.
Microsoft are withdrawing many of their free to charity services /reducing grant levels. We will therefore have to start to pay more our Azure services and Microsoft licences from 2026. We therefore need to consider complimentary services in the medium term to raise our income levels.
The cost-of-living crisis also affects all who work at TVFMS. We have not been able to provide the large % increases seen in the public and private sector pay, but some increase to remuneration for some of the team was possible. We have recruited one new part-time customer service manager and hope to find another one during 2024.
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee
Only prudent changes under the inflation rate were made to our private client fees ensuring we can continue to provide family mediation as cost effectively as possible. There is a mix of in-person and Zoom mediation driven largely by client preference, except where the mediator has safeguarding concerns. It is anticipated that mix will continue with the majority of clients still preferring Zoom.
We gratefully acknowledge the support we have received in kind or in value from the following organisations – this has ensured we have stayed a viable charity especially at a time when grant funding is not currently available for most organisations like ours:
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Regal Court Business Centre, Slough,
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The Fitzwilliam Centre, Beaconsfield
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The Privy Purse Charitable Trust.
The Trustees gratefully acknowledge that it is only the continued dedication and commitment of all involved with TVFMS and all who support it practically that has enabled the charity to continue to provide this vital service.
3. Financial Review
a. Going Concern
The Trustees have paid attention to the financial standing of TVFMS most closely, being concerned specifically with the operation of the Reserves Policy and meeting the requirements of the “Going Concern” principle. The last three years have strained the financial stability of TVFMS seriously and so monitoring of the financial status was undertaken on a regular and frequent basis. The Trustees are satisfied that even though circumstances were most testing, TVFMS met the standards required to continue trading.
b. Reserves Policy
Reserves in the financial statements are currently £30,589 (2023 - £24,627). All reserves represent unrestricted and restricted funds, when applicable, and are held:
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In furtherance of the charity’s objectives in the short terms
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To provide funds which can be designated to specific projects to enable these projects to be undertaken at short notice,
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To cover administration, fund-raising and support costs, without which the charity could not function.
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee 4. Structure, Government and Management Constltution Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Limiled ks iegistered as a charitablc coinpany limited by guaranlee and was set up by a trust deed. b. Method of aPPOiDtment or election of Trustees The trustees (who are the directors of the company for the purposes of coinpany law) are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial stateinents in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom and Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial y¢ar or period. 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: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. Observe the Methods and principles of the Charilies SORP (FRS 102). Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounting statements. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequat¢ accounting records that ar¢ 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 safeg•arding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by order of the members of the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by Lady Patten of Barnes, Chair of Trustees,
Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd
A Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Examiner’s Report
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Limited (The Company)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31[st] December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of the Report
As the trustees of the company (and 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 the company’s accounts 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) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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
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The accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)]
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.
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee This report is made solely to the company's trustees, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the company's trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an independent examiner, s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent perniitted by law I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's trustees as a body, for my work or for this report. Signed Dated Hugh Williams z£- Hugh Williams, 20 Barra Close, Highworth, Wilts, SN6 7HX
Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Activities
(Incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the Year ended 31[st] December 2024
| Income from: Donations and Legacies 3 Other Charitable Activities 4 Investments 5 Total Income A Expenditure on: Charitable Activities 6 Total Expenditure B Net Movement in Funds A-B Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward Transfers between funds Movement in funds per above Total Funds carried forward |
2,844 1,517 158,345 161,577 869 140 162,058 163,234 156,096 155,027 156,096 155,027 5,962 8,207 24,627 16,420 0 0 5,962 8,207 30,589 24,627 |
|---|---|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 9-15 form part of these financial statements.
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Thames Valley Family Mediation SeRwice Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee st Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024 2024 2023 Note Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 11 368 491 Current Assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 5,825 31,288 37,113 4,753 26,263 31,016 Current Liabilities Creditors, amounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets 13 (6,892) (6,880) 30,221 24,136 Total Net Assets £30,589 £24,627 Charity Funds Unrestricted Funds 14and 15 30,589 24,627 £30,589 £24,627 The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with Section 476 on the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime. The financial ststements were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: Lady Patten Date The notes on pages l 0-16 forni part of these financial statements.
Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd
A Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024
1. General Information
Thames Valley Mediation Services Limited is a company and charity, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The company and charity registered numbers and registered offices can be found on page 1. The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).
2. Accounting Policies
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a. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
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The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Charities SORP (FRS 102) accounting and reporting by charities: Statement of recommended accounting practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial and Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are officially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
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b. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty Management makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions by definition seldom equal the related actual results. There are no estimates and assumptions that have significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial period.
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c. Income
All income is recognised once the company has entitlement to the income, it is probable the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
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d. Expenditure
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Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal and 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 the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
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e. Interest Receivable Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company. This is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
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f. Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 (Continued)
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g. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
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Tangible fixed assets are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably. Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement cost.
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Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is provided on the following basis: Plant and Machinery: 25% Reducing balance basis.
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h. Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
- i. 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.
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j. Liabilities and Provisions
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Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payment for goods or services it must provide.
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Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
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k. Financial Instruments
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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 with the exception of bank loans, when applicable, which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective instrument method.
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l. Pensions
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company’s pension scheme are charged to the statement of financial activities in the period to which they relate.
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd
A Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 (Continued)
m. 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.
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 charity currently holds no restricted funds but, when held, the aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
n. Restricted Funds
There are no restricted funds.
3 Income from Donations and Legacies
| Donations Similar incoming resources |
Total Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2023 £ 2,844 1,517 0 0 2,844 1,517 |
|---|---|
4 Income from Charitable Activities
| Legal Aid Income Fees Received Total Income from Charitable Services |
Total Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2023 £ 35,692 38,849 122,653 122,728 158,345 161,577 |
|---|---|
| 5 | Investment Income | Total | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Investment income | 869 | 140 |
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd
A Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 (Continued)
| 6. Analysis of Expenditure on Charitable Activities | 6. Analysis of Expenditure on Charitable Activities | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Mediation Services | 156,096 | 155,027 | |
| 7. Analysis of Expenditure by Activities | |||
| Activities | |||
| undertaken | Support Total |
Total | |
| directly | costs funds |
funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 2024 |
2023 | |
| £ | £ £ |
£ | |
| Mediation services | 135,100 | 20,996 156,096 |
155,027 |
| Total 2022 | 132,893 | 22,134 155,027 |
|
| Analysis of Direct Costs | |||
| Total | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Mediation Services | |||
| Staff costs | 43,769 | 43,237 | |
| Postage and telephone | 989 | 882 | |
| Printing and stationery | 10 | 80 | |
| Mediation fees | 52,002 | 49,619 | |
| Management fees and supervision | 37,592 | 38,397 | |
| Travelling | 615 | 514 | |
| Depreciation | 123 | 164 | |
| 135,100 | 132,893 |
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024
(Continued)
| Analysis of Support Costs Mediation Services Office Rental Insurance Light and heat Advertising Sundry expenses Affiliation fees Property repairs and maintenance Bank and credit card charges Computer expenses Equipment hire Accountancy and legal fees |
Total Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2023 £ 10,160 10,501 1,402 1,186 0 0 0 0 264 87 1,535 1,535 0 0 736 1,002 4,899 5,673 0 0 2,000 2,150 20,996 22,134 |
|---|---|
8. Independent Examiner’s Remuneration
The independent examiner’s remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £1,800. (2023 £1,800.)
9. Staff Costs
| Staff Costs | |
|---|---|
| Wages and salaries Training Contribution to defined pension schemes |
2024 2023 £ £ 41,864 40,632 60 100 1,845 2,505 |
| 43,769 43,237 |
The average number of persons employed by the company during the year was as follows:
| r was as | follows: |
|---|---|
| No | No |
| 1.5 | 1.5 |
10. Trustees Remuneration and Expenses
During the year no trustee received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 – £Nil). During the year no trustees’ expenses have been incurred (2023 – £Nil.
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd A Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 (Continued)
| 12. Debtors Due within one year Prepayments and accrued income 13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade Creditors Taxation and Social Security Accruals and deferred income 11. Tangible Fixed Assets Cost or Valuation 1st January 2024 Purchases (Sales) during the year 31st December 2024 Depreciation 1st January 2024 Charge for the year 31st December 2024 Net Book Value 1st January 2024 31st December 2023 |
2024 £ 5,825 |
2023 £ 4,753 4,753 2023 £ 3,901 1,179 1,800 Plant and Machinery £ 5,177 0 5,177 4,686 123 4,809 368 491 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,825 | |||
| 2024 £ 4,710 381 1,800 |
|||
| 6,891 | 6,880 |
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Thames Valley Family Mediation Service Ltd
A Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 (Continued)
14. Statement of Funds (Summary of Funds)
| Statement of Funds - Current Year Balance at 1st January 2024 Income Unrestricted Funds £ £ General funds - all funds 24,627 162,058 Statement of Funds - Prior Year Balance at 1st January 2023 Income £ £ Unrestricted Funds General funds - all funds 16,420 163,234 15. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds Current Year Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assets Creditors due within one year Prior Year Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assets Creditors due within one year |
Balance at 1st January 2024 Income £ £ 24,627 162,058 |
Expenditure Balance at 31st December 2024 £ £ (156,096) 30,589 |
|---|---|---|
| Balance at 1st January 2023 Income £ £ 16,420 163,234 |
Expenditure Balance at 31st December 2023 £ £ (155,027) 24,627 |
|
| Unrestricted Funds 2024 Total Funds 2024 £ £ 368 368 37,113 37,113 (6,892) (6,892) |
||
| 30,589 30,589 |
||
| Unrestricted Funds 2023 Total Funds 2023 £ £ 491 491 31,016 31,016 (6,880) (6,880) |
||
| 24,627 24,627 |
End of Report and Accounts
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