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← The Birmingham Boys And Girls Union

2024-03-31-accounts

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

(a Company Limited by Guarantee)

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Registered Company number 06311234 Registered Charity number 1120499

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

Index Page
Report of the Trustees 3 - 10
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities 10
Report of the Independent Examiner 11
Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income & Expenditure Account) 12
Balance sheet 13
Principal Accounting Policies 14 - 17
Notes to the financial statements 18 – 30

2

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union is a Company limited by guarantee and is also a Registered Charity. The Trustees, who are also directors of the Charitable Company for the purposes of the Companies Act are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objects as set out in the Memorandum of Association are:

‘The advancement of the education of young people. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing the trustees shall provide leisure time activities for the age group of 7 years to and including 25 years of age so as to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and as members of society and that their conditions of life may be improved’.

The aims of Woodlands Adventure & Outdoor Learning Centre (‘the Centre’) are to advance the education of young people including in particular those with disabilities, social disadvantage or special educational needs, through undertaking challenges and learning new skills, to try and increase their self-confidence and social skills, and to educate them in the social and the environmental benefits of the countryside.

Woodlands Adventure is an outdoor activity centre for children and young people, accommodating both residential and day visitors. Residential visitors can choose to stay in our dormitory building or on our camping field. Visits can be arranged from half a day to a full week, according to the visitors’ requirements. The minimum group size is 12, and the maximum is 64 for a residential visit or 150 for a day visit. The Centre is open to anyone who makes a booking, on a “first come first served” basis. The majority of our visitor groups are schools and scout/guide groups from Birmingham and the surrounding areas, but some travel from further afield. We welcome disabled visitors, and we are set up to enable them to enjoy our facilities to the fullest practicable extent.

The Centre has modern, well-equipped facilities. We have two sets of washing and toilet facilities, and so we can safely have two separate sets of visitors on site at any one time. Visitors staying in our dormitory building have full use of our main building which includes a large communal area and a well-equipped kitchen and serving area. Day visitors and campers have use of a cabin with simple kitchen facilities, and a barbeque area. There are picnic benches and tables, covered by stretch tents to protect people from the rain or the sun.

1

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

We offer a wide range of outdoor activities, all supervised by qualified instructors. The main activities comprise, in no particular order, climbing wall, bouldering wall, abseiling, caving, archery, target shooting, vines and bridges, raft-building, kayaking and canoeing on our lake, a high ropes course, assault course, and two zip-wires of different types. The additional activities comprise Woodlands Explorer, Riverlands Explorer, geocaching and orienteering (for all ages) bush-craft, shelter-building and tomahawk and atlatl throwing (for older children), Mini Medics and nature studies (for younger children), and circus skills, five a side football and frisbee golf. In the evenings, residential visitors can play table tennis or table football or simply screen a film.

By taking part in these varied activities, children and young people can acquire new skills and improve existing skills, building their self-confidence and their ability to communicate, work as a team and solve problems; at the same time of course as having fun. We encourage visitors to develop their interest in particular activities into longer-term hobbies.

In shaping our objectives for each year, and planning ahead, the Trustees take due consideration of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance “Public Benefit: Running a Charity (PB2)”.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The Trustees wish to thank our team of staff; we appreciate their hard work and commitment.

Woodlands Adventure, as a voluntary organisation, is exempt from the Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme (AALS) inspection. However, we have undertaken several quality marks to demonstrate that we comply with current industry good practice. These are Adventuremark® - which is a parallel system of accreditation to AALS and accredits safety management practices for activities, and the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality badge which is nationally recognised indicator of good quality educational provision.

Woodlands Adventure is a British Canoeing Approved Centre. Our High Ropes Course has been certified by a National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) registered contractor. We are also an organisational member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning, and a member of the Birmingham Association of Youth Clubs.

During this financial year we would like to report the following significant events:

  1. We transferred our banking from HSBC to CAF Bank, which is proving much better suited to our needs;

  2. Heaters were installed in our sports hall (using grant funding) which has improved its usefulness;

2

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

  1. New electric cookers were installed in our main building (using grant funding) which are a real improvement upon the previous bottled gas cookers;

  2. Our artificial caving system was commissioned and installed (using grant funding and legacy money) and is proving very popular with visitors. We are delighted to offer this exciting additional activity for our visitors. We are intending to enhance this further by adding information boards about the history of mining in the Black Country;

  3. We are introducing a second new activity, target shooting with pellets (using legacy funding), which we believe will prove popular with visitors;

  4. Our CCTV was up-graded (using grant funding);

  5. A flood occurred in our bungalow over the winter, causing significant damage to the residential areas, but fortunately not to the office area. The flood occurred through reasons beyond our control, and so was covered, in the main, by insurance. The restoration has been disruptive and time-consuming, but we have taken the opportunity to make some improvements to the bungalow, including relaying the drains in the near future (using legacy money), and installing a new fire alarm system (using grant funding);

  6. We are offering professional First Aid courses to both young people and adults, and we hope to develop this offering as a potential useful source of additional income for the future.

Our website is www.woodlandsadventure.co.uk which is constantly reviewed and updated with news. Internet marketing is used as a promotional tool and is supplemented by Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts enabling regular contact with visitors and supporters of Woodlands Adventure.

During the year ending 31 March 2024, the number of visitors to Woodlands Adventure amounted to 5,713 (2023: 6,366)

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The main theme of our Report for the previous financial year to 31.March 2023 was to welcome the return to normal running of Woodlands Adventure after the years affected by Covid-19.

The main theme of this year’s report is difficulties due to the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis.

Our core customers are schools with disadvantaged children in Birmingham and surrounding areas. Many of these schools have been booking with us for many years, and they are continuing to do so. In the busy summer season we are fully booked. However, in the last year the bookings have been for smaller group sizes than previous years, and the numbers of visitors provisionally booked have become further reduced when the final payment has become due. This is happening simply because the parents are unable to afford the cost, and the schools do not have their own resources to help the parents. .

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The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

To the cost of a visit to Woodlands Adventure must be added coach hire, which is a similar figure per head to our own charges. We are willing to help local schools to arrange a fleet of parents’ cars to drop off visitors, but the narrow roadway at Bourne Vale limits this to one group a day, and most visitor groups come from further away and have no option than to come by coach.

Our visitor numbers have decreased by 11.5% compared with last year; our overheads have continued to increase with the global economic and inflationary pressures on all costs. Our main overhead is of course staff salaries. These have increased in line with Government policy to increase the National Living Wage.

Inevitably we have had to increase our charges, which we believe remain competitive and represent good value for money. However, such thoughts are of no help or comfort to parents who are simply no longer able to stretch their budgets that far. Feedback from visitor group leaders is that they entirely understand why we have to increase our prices, and that this increase is not a significant factor in the size of visitor groups becoming smaller.

We cannot compromise on safety. There needs to be a certain number of qualified instructors in order for adventurous activities to operate safely. It costs us much the same to look after a group of 30 as a group of 60. The number of groups is similar to last year, but they have been smaller groups, so our income has reduced.

We have given, and continue to give, considerable thought to what can be done to address this situation.

Our booking policy is “first come first served” regardless of group size (subject to a minimum of 12 visitors). We still think that this is the correct policy in the interests of fair dealing with our customers. We are not willing to consider cancelling one group’s booking in order to book in a larger group instead.

Our pricing policy is based upon what we need in order to cover overheads and enable us to continue operating, whilst taking into account affordability, so enabling our facilities to be enjoyed by the widest possible range of children and young people.

Also, we are not willing to pressurise our staff to work excessive consecutive days in the busy summer season. Part of being a charity is to deal fairly with our staff as well as our customers. Most of our staff are on a permanent year-round contract, and only a few are seasonal. In this way we minimise the use of freelancers, and we maintain good team spirit, and retain valuable staff skills. We take great care to be fair in the allocation of weekend working rosters during the summer season, and that inevitably means that staff take some weekdays off work.

4

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

Another limiting factor adding to cost is the essential requirements for safeguarding. Different visitor groups cannot share shower and toilet blocks. We have two shower and toilet blocks, so we can have only two visitor groups on site at any one time. We have given careful thought to the possibility of creating a third shower and toilet block, as mentioned in previous years’ reports, but ultimately we have concluded that the potential revenue benefits do not outweigh the large capital expenditure that would be needed, and that we are wiser to keep our capital investments as a reserve. This factor also of course ties in with the previous factor about numbers of staff on duty.

Working within these constraints, we have been focusing on flexible rostering, balancing group activities in such a way as to give the best experience to the visitors while making best use of the number of instructors available, and this approach has been working well.

We are encouraging groups to visit Woodlands Adventure outside the busy summer months, offering discounted rates, and again this approach has had some success. The weather after the Autumn half term holiday, and also before the Easter holiday, can still be perfectly suitable for an outdoor activity day.

We are building up links and encouraging more Scout and Guide groups. They visit at weekends, and are less prone to reducing their group sizes.

We are also taking some bookings from corporate groups, in order to fill dates which have not been taken by school groups or Scouts and Guides. This provides valuable income to help support our core charitable activities.

We see no advantage in encouraging more groups from private schools, because they have financial problems of their own at the moment in deciding whether to absorb or charge for VAT being added to their school fees announced early in 2024 and due to take effect in their new financial and school year.

We are able to assist senior schools with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, but we find that in practice most schools organise this in-house.

We are intending to recruit some apprentices for 2025. It is always rewarding to give a young person training in transferrable skills. The apprentices would not replace seasonal staff, but would help with flexible rostering, covering staff absences. The cost is significantly supported by a number of training bodies.

Altogether, we consider that we have taken all reasonable and practicable steps in order to maximise visitor numbers and minimise costs, without compromising on quality and safety. In the financial year covered by this report we experienced a net deficit in operations of £6,135, even after taking into account the gain upon our investments. Realistically, it is unlikely that the impacts and effects of the

5

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

Cost of Living Crisis will go away soon and we anticipate further difficulties in realizing surpluses in operations in the coming financial year.

The performance of the investments is beyond our control and cannot be relied upon but is a necessary and welcome support in such difficult economical conditions for our core income generating activities. We are fortunate that over many years we have been able to build strong reserves. These can be applied to off-set operational deficits in the short-term. We hope, as no doubt everyone does, that the Cost of Living Crisis will pass sooner rather than later. It would not be sustainable for our reserves to be indefinitely eroded in support of day-to-day operational needs.

We applaud and thank the various grant-giving charities which support us with valuable grants, both unrestricted core costs, and restricted grants for specific purposes and projects. We could not survive without your support, and we are very grateful.

We are also very grateful for the unexpected legacy which we have received this year, ear-marked for our animal sanctuary. We are working on plans to improve and extend our raptor enclosures, and will report further about that next year.

RESERVES POLICY

It is the policy of the Charity to maintain separate reserve funds for specific purposes. Tangible fixed assets, which include the Woodlands Adventure freehold property, amount to £643,728 (2023: £641,554) and are not regarded as part of the reserves available for distribution. Investments are held with a view to generating income to provide a contribution to the overheads of the Charity. The general reserve is maintained to match financial commitments and overheads to cover fluctuations in income during the year, which provides a buffer for uninterrupted services.

As at 31 March 2024 free reserves, being un-restricted funds less fixed assets, amounted to £383,864 (2023: £396,736) which includes the investment portfolio. In the light of experience learned during the Covid pandemic, and in particular the potential obligation to return all customer deposits paid at the time of booking, the Trustees have amended their reserves policy, which is now to maintain free reserves equivalent to between 9 and 12 months core running costs of the Centre, which amount to around a minimum of £350,000.

GOING CONCERN

The Trustees have satisfied themselves that the Charity is a going concern for the next 12 months due to the availability of funds from the Charity’s cash and investment reserves. We have sufficient reserves set aside to continue to operate for the foreseeable period at the current rate of expenditure.

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The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT POLICY

During the year ended 31 March 2024 the value of investments increased by £34,930 following a partial return of at least some confidence in global stock markets, in spite of the problems in Ukraine and the Cost of Living Crisis. Rising interest rates have also played a part in this increase. The Trustees are conscious of the risk of future volatility on world markets, and keep the investment under review on a regular basis.

Income from investments is fully utilised to finance the running costs of the Centre not met by the fees charged to users. The management of the investment portfolio is with the COIF Charities Investment Fund in the fund’s Income Units. The fund gives a wide ranging spread of ethical investments which provides the Charity with vital income on a quarterly basis. The Trustees have set investment principles with the objectives of maintaining a balance between income and capital growth.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Trustees have examined the major strategic and operational risks which the charitable company faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to the Centre Manager who has monitoring systems in place for all the equipment used at the Centre and all activities carried out. An external examiner carries out an inspection each year and reports to the Centre Manager, who in turn reports to the Trustees.

CHILD PROTECTION CODE OF PRACTICE

It is the policy of the Charity to provide a safe and secure environment in which children can thrive and develop and where all aspects of their welfare will be protected. A Child Protection Code of Practice has been adopted and is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. All instructors have up to date safeguarding certificates and there are two safeguarding leads present on site at all times.

FUTURE PLANS

Our focus at the moment is very much on surviving the Cost of Living Crisis. Every day we take small steps to maximise income and minimise costs.

Using grant funding, we are about to commission some replacement elements for our assault course. Depending upon expert advice, we may need to try and raise further funds for further elements.

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The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

We are currently fund-raising for two new wooden gazebos with metal roofs, which would replace our existing stretch tents, which are approaching the end of their life, having suffered from inclement weather conditions. The gazebos would shelter visitors from rain and sun when they are taking a break from activities, when eating meals, and when listening to instruction from our staff or their own group leaders. Compared with replacement stretch tents, gazebos will be in place all year round, and will last much longer.

Otherwise we will continue to work on the best ways to maximise the use of our facilities, treat our staff fairly, and give the best experience to our visitors. We appreciate and are encouraged by the favourable comments that leaders of visitor groups write onto their feedback forms, and we also appreciate and follow up all constructive suggestions

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

The Charitable Company is a company limited by guarantee and therefore does not have share capital. The liability of its members is limited and details of their guarantee are detailed in the notes to the accounts. It is also a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The Charity was previously known as Woodlands Camp. To reflect more accurately the nature of the activities undertaken by the children and young people, the Trustees adopted the new name Woodlands Adventure & Outdoor Learning (Woodlands Adventure) in 2021.

Appointment of trustees, induction & training

New Trustees are appointed by the Trustees. The Trustees, together with the Centre Manager and Office Manager in a non-voting capacity, meet a minimum of nine times a year.

Separate sub-committees have been established to review investment performance, risk management and salary awards. The Trustees keep their skill requirements under review.

New Trustees receive a history of The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union, a copy of the financial statements, a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and a copy of the Charity Commission’s guidance “The Essential Trustee: What You Need to Know”.

The Company secretary is charged with keeping Trustees up to date with the requirements needed to fulfil their responsibilities.

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The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees/Directors:

J R Cox (Chair) N B Rogers (Treasurer) M S Lenton Mrs D Lilburne (Secretary) G H Jones Q H Butler Mrs H Ellis Mr G W Deffley Mr P. Whitehead (appointed 1 April 2024)

Centre Manager:

C Wright

Office Manager: Mrs L Levesley

Charity Number: 1120499

Company Number: 06311234

Registered Office:

Kingsnorth House Blenheim Way Birmingham B44 8LS

Operational address of Charity:

Woodlands Adventure & Outdoor Learning Bourne Vale, Aldridge Walsall, WS9 0SH

Independent Examiner:

Karen Hanlan Independent Examiner Limited 1 Saracen Close, Ettington Warwickshire, CV37 7SZ

Bankers:

CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling ME19 4JQ

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The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Report of the Trustees (continued)

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company and of the surplus or deficit incurred by the charitable company for that year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charitable company has an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

J R Cox

Date: 9 October 2024

Chair of Trustees

10

Independent Examiner’s Report

to the Trustees of the Birmingham Boys and Girls Union (‘the Company’)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 12 to 30.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity 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

Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

I have no concerns and have come across no 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.

Karen Hanlan, Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales Karen Hanlan Independent Examiner Ltd 1 Saracen Close Ettington CV37 7SZ

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The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Statement of Financial Activities (including an income & expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2024

Income from:
Note
Donations and legacies
1
Charitable activities
2
Trading activities
3
Investments
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
5
Charitable activities
5
Other expenditure
5
Total expenditure
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Net (expenditure)/ income
Transfers between funds
Other recognized (losses)/gains
17
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
12
Total funds carried forward
12		 Un-
restricted
funds
2024
Restricted
funds
2024
Total
funds
2024
Total
funds
2023
£
£
£
£
34,061
26,145
60,206
109,589
321,417
-
321,417
360,001
912
-
912
2,081
13,533
-
13,533
11,283
369,923
26,145
396,068
482,954
601
-
601
1,357
435,234
1,074
436,308
450,250
222
-
222
172
436,057
1,074
437,131
451,779
34,930
-
34,930
(15,177)
(31,204)
25,071
(6,133)
15,998
20,508
(20,508)
-
-
(2)
-
(2)
155
(10,698)
4,563
(6,135)
16,153
1,038,290
47,934
1,086,224
1,070,071
1,027,592
52,497
1,080,089
1,086,224

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

12

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union (Registered number: 06311234)

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2024

Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
7
Investments
-
Fixed asset investments
8
Current Assets
Stock
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
10
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
11
Net assets
Funds of the Charity:
Restricted Funds
12
Unrestricted Funds
-
General reserve
-
Designated pension reserve
Total un-restricted funds
Total charity funds		 2024
£
2023
£
643,728
641,554
420,817
385,887
1,064,545
1,027,441
2,365
3,151
62,417
80,388
138,594
208,196
203,376
291,735
(187,832)
(230,468)
15,544
61,267
1,080,089
1,088,708
-
(2,484)
1,080,089
1,086,224
52,497
47,934
1,030,300
1,044,087
(2,708)
(5,797)
1,027,592
1,038,290
1,080,089
1,086,224

The accompanying accounting policies and notes on pages 14 to 30 form part of these financial statements.

For the year ended 31 March 2024 the Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Responsibilities of Directors/trustees:

(a) The members have not required the Charitable Company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 - however, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 the financial statements have been examined by an Independent Examiner whose report appears on page 11.

(b) The Directors/Trustees acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

J R Cox, Chair of Trustees

Date: 9 October 2024

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The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Principal Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2024

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Status of the company

The Charitable Company is limited by guarantee and does not have share capital. The liability of members is limited to £10 per member. Any surplus on winding up is to be donated to a charity whose objects are of a similar nature. The Charitable Company has taken advantage of section 60 of the Companies Act 2006 and deleted the word ‘Limited’ from its name.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (updated 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic or Ireland (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Company will continue to operate. The validity of this assumption is dependent upon both visitor numbers to the Centre continuing near to full capacity and on donations and grants towards the costs of running the Centre and its upkeep. The Company’s current business plan shows that it will be able to operate in the foreseeable future. Based on this understanding, the Directors believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. The financial statements do not include any adjustments, which would result from the basis of preparation being inappropriate.

Funds

General accumulated funds are unrestricted funds available for general purposes and include funds designated for a particular purpose; the use of such funds remains at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds are funds subject to conditions imposed by the donor or by specific terms of the appeal under which the funds are raised. The restrictive conditions are binding upon the Charitable Company. Funds raised for the purchase of capital items are transferred to unrestricted funds once the items have been purchased, provided the donor has not placed further restrictions over the use of the assets concerned.

14

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Principal Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2024

(continued)

Income recognition policies

Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of:

Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the Charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the Charity, or the Charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received in advance of a visit or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

Donated services and facilities

Donated services or facilities are recognised as income when the Charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the Charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. On receipt, donated services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

No amounts are included in the Statement of Financial Activities for services donated by volunteers.

Interest and investment income receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit and dividends on investments are included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity, this is normally upon notification by the bank or investment manager.

15

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided on all assets, except for land, at a rate calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over a period of less than the estimated useful life of the assets as follows:

Activity Centre & buildings - 20-50 years
Furniture, fixtures, fittings and equipment - 5 years
Motor vehicles - 4 years

Fixed assets are capitalised when their cost exceeds £400.

Investments

Investments have been professionally valued at 31 March 2024 and are included in the accounts at their market value on that date. Realised and unrealised gains or losses on investment assets are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Stock

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash 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.

16

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions 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 and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Taxation

The Company is an exempt Charity within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

Pensions

The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and new employees are able to join the scheme operated by the Pensions Trust for Charities and Voluntary Organisations or arrange personal pensions. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the Company in independently administered funds. The pensions cost charge represents contributions payable by the Charitable Company.

The Charitable Company also participates in The Pension Trust’s defined benefit scheme for certain employees and has been notified of the estimated employer debt on withdrawal from the Plan based on the financial position of the Plan as at 31 March 2024. See note 17 for further information.

17

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Donations and legacies

1. Donations and legacies
Unrestricted donations, legacies and grants:
Donations from Individuals
Grants from Charitable Foundations
Restricted donations and grants:
Grants from Charitable Foundations
Legacies receivable
2. Charitable activities
Income from residential and day visits to the Centre
Rental income for use of facilities
3. Trading activities
Income from sale of goods
4. Investments
Dividends from listed investments
Bank interest		 2024
2023
£
£
810
10,985
33,251
20,800
34,061
31,785
26,145
48,804
-
29,000
26,145
77,804
60,206
109,589
2024
2023
£
£
317,596
355,507
3,821
4,494
321,417
360,001
2024
2023
£
£
912
2,081
2024
2023
£
£
11,094
10,628
2,439
655
13,533
11,283

18

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

5. Expenditure

Raising funds:
Shop purchases
Charitable activities:
Staff costs
Pension scheme management charge
Training costs
Depreciation
Motor & travel expenses
Equipment, Repairs and Maintenance
Heating and lighting
Water rates & service charges
Insurance
Telephone
Animal upkeep
Office and sundry expenses
Accountancy fees
Legal and professional fees
Independent Examiner’s fee (including £260 for
accounting services)
Trustee Indemnity Insurance
Other expenditure:
Interest charge on pension liability		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024
Total
£
£
£
601
-
601
601
-
601
289,208
-
289,208
3,814
-
3,814
4,478
-
4,478
64,237
-
64,237
2,631
-
2,631
19,012
1,074
20,086
15,407
-
15,407
5,575
-
5,575
13,605
-
13,605
1,702
-
1,702
1,596
-
1,596
8,277
-
8,277
1,440
-
1,440
1,497
-
1,497
1,580
-
1,580
1,175
-
1,175
435,234
1,074
436,308
222
-
222

19

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

5. Expenditure (continued)

Raising funds:
Shop purchases
Charitable activities:
Staff costs
Pension scheme management charge
Training costs
Depreciation
Motor & travel expenses
Equipment, Repairs and Maintenance
Heating and lighting
Water rates & service charges
Insurance
Telephone
Animal upkeep
Office and sundry expenses
Accountancy fees
Legal and professional fees
Independent Examiner’s fee (including £260 for
accounting services)
Trustee Indemnity Insurance
Other expenditure:
Interest charge on pension liability
6. Analysis of staff costs		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2023
Total
£
£
£
1,357
-
1,357
1,357
-
1,357
292,039
-
292,039
3,724
-
3,724
2,331
-
2,331
57,703
-
57,703
847
-
847
32,234
3,864
36,098
15,663
-
15,663
5,454
-
5,454
14,347
-
14,347
1,203
-
1,203
357
-
357
16,256
-
16,256
1,680
-
1,680
1,248
-
1,248
1,300
-
1,300
-
-
-
446,386
3,864
450,250
172
-
172
Wages and salaries
National Insurance
Pension costs		 2024
2023
£
£
270,038
273,357
14,057
14,243
5,113
4,439
289,208
292,039

No employee received remuneration in excess of £60,000 per annum.

20

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

6. Analysis of staff cost (continued)

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and Craig Wright and Lynne Levesley. Trustees receive no remuneration or other benefits from the Charity. The remuneration of key management personnel for the year, including pension contributions, was £58,620 (2023: £63,567). No Trustee received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses in relation to their role as Trustee to the organisation.

The average number of persons employed by the Charitable Company during the year was:

Centre Manager and assistants
Administration		 2024
2023
13
14
2
2
15
16

As well as the full-time staff, voluntary assistance is provided by various individuals and groups on a regular basis.

7. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At beginning of year
Additions
Disposals
At end of year
Depreciation
At beginning of year
Disposals
Charge for the year
At end of year
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Woodlands
Centre (Freehold
land & buildings)
£
Furniture,
fittings,
equipment &
motor vehicles
£
Total
£
999,370
218,914
1,218,284
9,264
57,147
66,411
-
-
-
1,008,634
276,061
1,284,695
430,252
146,478
576,730
-
-
-
31,278
32,959
64,237
461,530
179,437
640,967
547,104
96,624
643,728
569,118
72,436
641,554

21

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

8. Fixed asset Investments

Listed Investments
Market value at beginning of year
Net gains/(losses) in year
Market value at end of year
Historic cost at end of year
Investments representing over 5% of the portfolio were:
CCLA – COIF Charities Investment Fund
9. Debtors
Trade debtors
Legacy due
Other debtors and prepayments		 2024
£
2023
£
385,887
401,064
34,930
(15,177)
420,817
385,887
277,034
277,034
£
£
420,817
385,887
2024
2023
£
£
30,493
45,375
19,000
29,000
12,924
6,013
62,417
80,388

22

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Accruals
Other creditors
Liability for pension deficit contributions (note 17)
Deposits and income received in advance
Deferred income:
Balance brought forward
Transferred to statement of financial activities
Deferred in year
Balance at end of year		 2024
2023
£
£
6,073
38,004
4,470
-
5,728
4,111
4,301
1,293
2,708
3,313
164,552
183,747
187,832
230,468
2024
2023
£
£
183,747
260,073
(183,747)
(260,073)
164,552
183,747
164,552
183,747

Deferred income relates to deposits and fees for activity days received in advance of the period to which they relate.

11. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

2024 2023
£ £
Liability for pension deficit contributions (note 17) - 2,484

23

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

12. Movement in funds

2024
Restricted funds:
Equipment replacement
Assault Course renovation
Ropes for High Ropes
New ovens
Ratcliffe Foundation - Visitor
Building project (agreed change of
use for heating)
Rowlands Trust – CCTV equipment
Lord Austin Charitable Trust -
harnesses
Caving System
P Williams Legacy – Animal
Sanctuary
Total restricted funds
2023
Restricted funds:
Equipment replacement
Ratcliffe Foundation - Visitor
Building project (agreed change of
use for heating)
Rowlands Trust – CCTV equipment
29thMay 1962 Charitable Trust-
mower
Lord Austin Charitable Trust -
harnesses
GJW Turner Trust – Kayaks
Caving System
P Williams Legacy – Animal
Sanctuary
Total restricted funds		 Balance
at
beginning
of year
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance
at end of
year
£
£
£
£
£
4,945
6,789
(819)
(4,012)
6,903
-
11,200
(255)
-
10,945
-
4,000
-
(1,351)
2,649
1,000
3,156
-
(4,156)
-
2,000
-
-
(2,000)
-
1,000
-
-
(1,000)
-
3,000
-
-
-
3,000
6,989
1,000
-
(7,989)
-
29,000
-
-
-
29,000
47,934
26,145
(1,074)
(20,508)
52,497
Balance
At
beginning
of year
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance
At end of
year
£
£
£
£
£
7,455
9,354
(3,864)
(7,000)
5,945
2,000
-
-
-
2,000
1,000
-
-
-
1,000
5,000
-
-
(5,000)
-
3,000
-
-
-
3,000
5,000
-
-
(5,000)
-
-
39,450
-
(32,461)
6,989
-
29,000
-
-
29,000
23,455
77,804
(3,864)
(49,461)
47,934

Transfers relate to capital expenditure funded by restricted donations.

24

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

12. Movement in funds

The majority of restricted income is provided towards the cost of equipment and capital items for the activity Centre, a major appeal to purchase a Caving activity system was completed during 2023 – see below. Remaining restricted funds are for expenditure on items of equipment which will be purchased in the following financial year.

Caving System

The Caving system which was commissioned during April/May 2023 was finally delivered and installed at the Centre during September 2023. After initial training of our personnel, the system was opened to visitors during the Autumn.

13. Analysis of net assets between funds

2024
Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total funds		 Restricted
funds
Un-
restricted
funds
Total
£
£
£
-
643,728
643,728
-
420,817
420,817
52,497
150,879
203,376
-
(187,832)
(187,832)
52,497
1,027,592
1,080,089
2023
Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities
Total funds		 Restricted
funds
Un-
restricted
funds
Total
£
£
£
-
641,554
641,554
-
385,887
385,887
47,934
243,801
291,735
-
(230,468)
(230,468)
-
(2,484)
(2,484)
47,934
1,038,290
1,086,224

25

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

14. Operating lease commitments

The following annual operating lease payments are committed to be
paid: 2024 2023
Expiring: £ £
Within one year - -
Between two and five years 507 507

15. Controlling Interests

The Charity is controlled by the Trustees.

16. Related Party Transactions

During the year professional services were provided by Malcolm Piper and Company Limited in connection with administration, financial and accounting matters provided. Mr N B Rogers, who is a Consultant with that firm, is also a Trustee of the Birmingham Boys and Girls Union. Fees amounting to £1,440 (2023: £1,440), plus VAT, were charged during the year.

Woodlands Adventure Trading Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Charity. The company was dormant for the whole of the year ended 31 March 2024.

17. Pension schemes

The Pension Trust Retirement Solutions (‘the scheme’)

The company participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 638 non-associated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the Company to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore, it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme.

The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK.

26

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

17. Pension schemes (continued)

The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore, the Company is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme.

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2020. This valuation showed assets of £800.3m, liabilities of £831.9m and a deficit of £31.6m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions

From 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2025: £3,312,000 per annum (payable monthly)

Unless a concession has been agreed with the Trustee the term to 31 January 2025 applies.

Note that the scheme’s previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2017. This valuation showed assets of £794.9m, liabilities of £926.4m and a deficit of £131.5m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee had asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions

From 1 April 2019 to 30 September 2025: £11,243,000 per annum (payable monthly and increasing by 3% each on 1st April)

The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the Series 1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities.

Where the scheme is in deficit and where the company has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.

27

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

17. Pension schemes (continued)

PRESENT VALUES OF PROVISION

31 March 2024 31 March 2023 31 March 2022
£ £ £
Present value of provision 2,708 5,797 9,093

RECONCILIATION OF OPENING AND CLOSING PROVISIONS

Year Ending Year Ending
31 March 2024 31 March 2023
£ £
Provision at start of period 5,797 9,093
Unwinding of the discount factor (interest expense) 222 172
Deficit contribution paid (3,313) (3,313)
Remeasurements - impact of any change in
assumptions		 2 (155)
Provision at end of period 2,708 5,797

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE IMPACT

Year Ending Year Ending
31 March 2024 31 March 2023
£ £
Interest expense 222 172
Remeasurements – impact of any change in
assumptions		 2 (155)

28

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

17. Pension schemes (continued)

ASSUMPTIONS

31 March 2024 31 March 2023 31 March 2022
%per annum %per annum %per annum
Rate of discount 5.31 5.52 2.35

The discount rates shown above are the equivalent single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contributions.

The following schedule details the deficit contributions agreed between the Company and the scheme at each year end period:

DEFICIT CONTRIBUTIONS SCHEDULE

31 March 2024 31 March 2023 31 March 2022
£ £ £
Year 1 2,708 3,313 3,313
Year 2 - 2,761 3,313
Year 3 - - 2,761

The Company has recognised a liability, measured as the present value of the contributions payable that arise from the deficit recovery agreement and the resulting expense has been recognised in the statement of financial activities.

These contributions have been used to derive the Charity’s balance sheet liability.

29

The Birmingham Boys and Girls Union

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

18. Comparative statement of financial activities for 2023

Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Trading activities
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Other expenditure
Total expenditure
Net losses on investments
Net (expenditure)/ income
Transfers between funds
Other recognized gains
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Un-restricted
funds
2023
Restricted
funds
2023
Total funds
2023
£
£
£
31,785
77,804
109,589
360,001
-
360,001
2,081
-
2,081
11,283
-
11,283
405,150
77,804
482,954
1,357
-
1,357
446,386
3,864
450,250
172
-
172
447,915
3,864
451,779
(15,177)
-
(15,177)
(57,942)
73,940
15,998
49,461
(49,461)
-
155
-
155
(8,326)
24,479
16,153
1,046,616
23,455
1,070,071
1,038,290
47,934
1,086,224

30