Company registration number: 05817797 Charity registration number: 1120968
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
Wellway Accountants Limited Borough Hall Wellway Morpeth Northumberland NE61 1BN
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 10 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 11 to 21 |
| North | East Equality & Diversity Limited |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | |
| Trustees | R Styring |
| H Pottle | |
| P Hignett | |
| Secretary | J Robb |
| Senior Management / Leadership | J Robb |
| Team | |
| Registered Office | Old Fire Station |
| South Road | |
| Alnwick | |
| Northumberland | |
| NE66 2PA | |
| The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. | |
| Company Registration Number | 05817797 |
| Charity Registration Number | 1120968 |
| Solicitors: | Ward Hadaway |
| Sandgate House | |
| 102 Quayside | |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | |
| Tyne & Wear | |
| NE1 3DX | |
| Bankers | Lloyds TSB |
| Newcastle | |
| 102 Grey Street | |
| Newcastle Upon Tyne | |
| Tyne & Wear | |
| NE1 6AG | |
| Independent Examiner | Wellway Accountants Limited |
| Borough Hall | |
| Wellway | |
| Morpeth | |
| Northumberland | |
| NE61 1BN |
Page 1
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Trustees' Report
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The object of the charitable company is:
The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit in the North East of England and the Borders Region by;
a) advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity
b) promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds
c) providing comprehensive advice and support through giving advice, representation and advocacy
Fundraising disclosures
The charity does not use a professional fundraiser or commercial participator to raise funds. Any monies raised from the public follows all guidance set out by the Charities Commission and UK law in every respect. We respect the privacy and contact preferences of all public donors.
Page 2
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Trustees' Report
Public benefit
NEED Ltd provides a community transport service to the inhabitants of the United Kingdom who are in need of these services because of age, sickness or disability (mental and physical), or poverty, or because of a lack of availability of adequate and safe passenger public services. The organisation is widely recognised for providing excellent services to our users. This is undoubtedly due to the dedication of our Board of Directors (Trustees) and staff. Our Private Vehicle Operator Licences have given us the ability to provide transport in remote rural areas where roads are too narrow for larger buses, and in particular access to rural farmsteads.
Following on from last year, NEED Ltd is still slowly recovering from the after effects of the government restrictions introduced both nationally and locally to control the pandemic caused by Covid 19. We have continued to work closely with Northumberland County Council (NCC) to maintain essential transport services to schools and with those disadvantaged and vulnerable people living in isolated communities throughout the North East of England, especially Northumberland and Tyneside. We have continued to comply with all government health risk advice and control measures in order to provide essential transport services. We have also worked closely with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) to provide transport services to and from hospitals and other health care facilities. We have also continued to work closely with GP Practices and Dental Clinics to provide services enabling those people living in the most rurally isolated areas, or who are unable to afford private or public transport, the means to attend vital health appointments.
Although restrictions have continued to be relaxed during the period, we have continued to maintain our own very strict clean down routines of our vehicles on a regular basis. It is to the staff’s credit that they have continued to accept the challenge with dedicated professionalism.
The carrying of groups of passengers from care homes and other locations for day trips and ad hoc arrangements, which formed a significant part of our business pre-Covid, has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, although there has been a steady increase in individuals and groups using our transport facilities over the year. This slower than hoped for recovery has once again had a significant impact on NEED’s financial affairs. The lack of government support during the pandemic left the organisation with significant debt problems, although we are gradually able to pay back our bounce-back and private loans.
The Old Fire Station in Alnwick that we rent from Northumberland County Council (NCC), has been the subject of much discussion during the year. The charity still has an aspiration to purchase the property when the financial climate is more favourable. NEED Ltd has been in discussion with various other charitable sector organisations to use the building to its most mutually beneficial extent. It is once again indebted to NCC for its patience and tolerance in taking into account our financial plight throughout the period. The intention, when the purchase is complete, is still to renovate and refurbish the property to provide affordable office space and facilities for use by some of the other voluntary sector community organisations and social enterprises that we have been in contact with.
In normal times NEED Ltd is 100% fully sustainable and self-sufficient organisation. Even in these difficult trading times, we are looking forward to the new challenges ahead over the next 12 months. I would like to formally thank all NEED Ltd staff, drivers, passenger assistants, and board members for their continued commitment to the organisation.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Use of volunteers
NEED Ltd is fortunate to have a number of volunteers willing to give their time freely to provide governance for the Organisation. This contribution is greatly valued by staff, service users and myself as Chairman of NEED Ltd. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to record my appreciation to these dedicated people.
Page 3
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Trustees' Report
Going concern
The preparation of the 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024 Annual Accounts has been a difficult task. The lifting of restrictions imposed due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic across United Kingdom has helped to improve the financial performance and future planning of the charitable organisation. In particular there is increasing evidence of care homes and community groups starting to recover their confidence and willingness to travel, and in using NEED Ltd.’s services. There has been a noticeable lift in financial performance since these restrictions were eased in the early part of 2022 but regular trips for our historic groups are still not at pre-pandemic levels. NEED Ltd has operated at a minimum staffing level throughout the financial year and has also considerably reduced its vehicle maintenance expenditure by covering an appreciable amount of work in house.
The unforeseen increases in the cost of vehicle parts, their availability and also the availability of vehicle mechanics in garages has resulted in long downtimes of vehicles, necessitating the use of expensive short term lease vehicles. Thankfully, the organisation has still remained resilient, mainly due to the continuing NCC contracts requiring the organisation to provide transport for children to attend school. This has resulted in the financial stability of the organisation, albeit still at a reduced income level.
The added burden of rising fuel prices and volatile national and international economies, mainly due to the various world political situations, has added much financial disruption for the organisation. NEED Ltd is thankful for the uplift in financial support given by the government and NCC that significantly reduced the effects of the volatility of this fuel market.
NEED Ltd has successfully maintained its ISO 9001 certification, a requirement of NCC contracts. We have also maintained our preferred contractor status with NCC, once again achieving the highest score of 98% in their compliance audit. As forecast last year, NCC have recently retendered their school contracts and NEED Ltd was successful in securing 13 of them, each on a 5-year basis, reviewed at 12 monthly intervals. These new contracts have been running since April 2024 and are in addition to the existing 5 SEN contracts that were not out for tender at this time. The new contracts are on a much more flexible and beneficial basis to NEED Ltd when compared to the previous fixed price, fixed term 5-year non-reviewable contracts.
Our contract with North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) to provide patient transport to hospitals has continued throughout the period. There have been unforeseen minor interruptions but we have continued to provide a regular service and in fact have increased our activities, this has been particularly beneficial to those patients on dialysis.
We are confident that the level of travel for a number of groups and individuals will continue to increase in the next few months due to the economic difficulties experienced by larger bus operators, who find it difficult to service remote isolated areas using their larger buses. The number of route miles covered by NEED Ltd shows an increasing trend. We continue to witness an increasing number of enquiries from the community sector in particular. In time, this will undoubtedly increase the income of the organisation and provide growth.
NEED Ltd has therefore adopted a slightly less cautious financial approach to its operations, compared to the previous year. New NCC School 5-year contracts have been secured and we are confident that transport arrangements for care home and community work will continue to recover to near previous historic levels, this we feel bodes well for the future.
Page 4
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Trustees' Report
In order to sustain the financial viability of the organisation during the current and subsequent years the following measures have already been taken:-
-
We retrained two of our drivers to provide in-house training.
-
We have entered into an arrangement with an external organisation to provide further training that cannot
-
presently be delivered by our own staff.
• We’ve maintained a very much slimmer staffing structure. However, we realise that the present office staff structure of a single post with part time support carries a significant level of risk and vulnerability. Therefore we have introduced mechanisms that mitigate this risk by providing more additional support when required, this we feel provides built-in resilience. The Board of Trustees provides a strategic overview and also shares in some of the day-to-day decision making where necessary.
- Office staff have a wide range of skills that allows them to take on any of the current posts, giving significant flexibility.
• A review of all staff training has been conducted to ensure that all personnel meet the requirements of their posts and continue to develop and extend their skills.
-
We’ve conducted a thorough review of all of our contracts to ensure we fully cover costs and optimise income.
-
We've rationalised the types of vehicles within our fleet to be more ‘fit for purpose’.
-
NEAS continue to require us to operate using ‘Ambulance’ standard buses that are easier to clean down.
• We have made savings by investing in garage equipment which enables us to carry out some expensive routine servicing and testing of our vehicles in house.
- We're systematically engaged in marketing and networking to attract new business.
The Trustees believe that these measures will create a sustainable and resilient organisation capable of rising to the challenge of this most difficult recovery period and will maintain its viability, even in the event of worsening trading conditions.
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
North East Equality and Diversity Limited (NEED Ltd) is constituted as a registered charity and a company under guarantee in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 16 May 2006 and last amended 25 March 2010.
Induction and training of trustees
New trustees undergo an induction process to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making process, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events.
Organisational structure
Day to day management is vested in the Transport Manager of the charity, who meets with the Board of Trustees on the fourth Friday of every month. The Transport Manager meets regularly with the Chair (in addition to the formal meetings) and appraises him of any significant issues that arise between meetings.
Page 5
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Trustees' Report
Major risks and management of those risks
Risk Policy
The Trustees are responsible for assessing the major risks to which the charitable company is exposed and for establishing systems to mitigate those risks. They have considered risks which could have a negative effect on the charitable company’s ability to pursue its aims, both in terms of the likelihood of these occurring and the probable impact of such events.
The trustees continue to review and monitor these and any new risks and the adequacy of the control systems in place to reduce them.
Financial instruments
Objectives and policies
The charity’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks including credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the charity’s policies approved by the board of trustees which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives to manage those risks. The charity does not use financial instruments for speculative purposes.
Cash flow risk
The charity’s activities expose it to primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The charity uses foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures.
Interest bearing assets and liabilities are held at fixed rate to ensure certainty of cash flows.
Credit risk
The charity’s principle financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments. The charity’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows.
The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies.
The charity has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.
Liquidity risk
In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing operations and future developments, the charity uses a mixture of long-term and short-term debt finance.
Further details regarding liquidity risk can be found in the Statement of Accounting Policies in the financial statements.
Page 6
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Trustees' Report
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of North East Equality & Diversity Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 12 May 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... R Styring Trustee
Page 7
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 18 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 18 |
Unrestricted funds £ 26,886 831,674 1,041 859,601 (922,540) (922,540) (62,939) (62,939) (158,138) (221,077) Unrestricted funds £ 15,315 738,486 905 754,706 (788,467) (788,467) (33,761) (33,761) (124,377) (158,138) |
Total 2024 £ 26,886 831,674 1,041 |
|---|---|---|
| 859,601 | ||
| (922,540) | ||
| (922,540) | ||
| (62,939) | ||
| (62,939) (158,138) |
||
| (221,077) | ||
| Total 2023 £ 15,315 738,486 905 |
||
| 754,706 | ||
| (788,467) | ||
| (788,467) | ||
| (33,761) | ||
| (33,761) (124,377) |
||
| (158,138) |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 18.
The notes on pages 11 to 21 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
(Registration number: 05817797) Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 13 Current assets Debtors 14 Cash at bank and in hand 15 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 16 Net current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 17 Net liabilities Funds of the charity: Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 18 |
2024 £ 137,626 22,451 50 22,501 (317,150) (294,649) (157,023) (64,054) (221,077) (221,077) (221,077) |
2023 £ 134,620 17,781 50 |
|---|---|---|
| 17,831 (250,910) |
||
| (233,079) | ||
| (98,459) (59,679) |
||
| (158,138) | ||
| (158,138) | ||
| (158,138) |
For the financial year ending 31 August 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
-
The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
-
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The financial statements on pages 8 to 21 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 12 May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... R Styring Trustee
The notes on pages 11 to 21 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
| Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash expenditure Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items Depreciation Working capital adjustments (Increase)/decrease in debtors 14 Increase/(decrease) in creditors 16 Net cash flows from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets 13 Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of loans and borrowings 16 Repayment of capital element of finance leases and HP contracts Net cash flows from financing activities Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at 1 September Cash and cash equivalents at 31 August |
2024 £ (62,939) 46,919 (16,020) (4,670) 43,236 22,546 (49,925) 8,615 9,108 17,723 (9,656) (1,243) (10,899) |
2023 £ (33,761) 41,314 |
|---|---|---|
| 7,553 35,646 (15,011) |
||
| 28,188 | ||
| (53,959) 6,226 (7,114) |
||
| (888) | ||
| (26,659) 25,416 |
||
| (1,243) |
All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.
The notes on pages 11 to 21 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 10
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
1 Charity status
The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
The address of its registered office is: Old Fire Station South Road Alnwick Northumberland NE66 2PA
These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 12 May 2025.
2 Accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Statement of compliance
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 (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
North East Equality & Diversity Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.
Income and endowments
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.
Page 11
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Gift aid
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the Statement of Financial Activites at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
Charitable activities
Income from contracts for supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
Other income
Vehicles donated in kind are recognised as voluntary income when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. The vehicle is capitalised as a tangible fixed asset using the cost value (which is equivalent to the income recognised). Where there is a restriction of purpose or use ongoing, then the income and the asset are recognised within restricted funds.
Income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received, if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Page 12
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £250.00 or more are initially recorded at cost.
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class Depreciation method and rate Motor vehicles Over 7 years straight line Plant and machinery Over 5 years straight line Office equipment Over 5 years straight line
Impairment of fixed assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly.
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Page 13
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
Borrowings
Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.
Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Pensions and other post retirement obligations
A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals Regular giving and capital donations 4 Income from charitable activities |
Unrestricted funds General £ 500 26,386 26,886 Unrestricted funds General £ 831,674 |
Total 2024 £ 500 26,386 26,886 Total 2024 £ 831,674 |
Total 2023 £ 14,500 815 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15,315 | |||
| Total 2023 £ 738,486 |
Page 14
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
5 Other income
| Other trading income 6 Expenditure on charitable activities Note Community transport services Staff costs Allocated support costs Governance costs 7 |
Unrestricted funds General £ 1,041 Unrestricted General £ 397,252 478,940 38,744 7,604 922,540 |
Total 2024 £ 1,041 Total 2024 £ 397,252 478,940 38,744 7,604 922,540 |
Total 2023 £ 905 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total 2023 £ 358,969 398,203 25,493 5,802 |
|||
| 788,467 | |||
| Total expenditure £ |
In addition to the expenditure analysed above, there are also governance costs of £7,604 (2023 - £5,802) which relate directly to charitable activities. See note 7 for further details.
7 Analysis of governance costs
Governance costs
| Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements Legal fees |
Unrestricted funds General £ 3,450 4,154 7,604 |
Total 2024 £ 3,450 4,154 7,604 |
Total 2023 £ 2,015 3,787 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,802 |
Page 15
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
8 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net (incoming)/outgoing esources for the year include:
| Operating leases - plant and machinery Operating leases - other assets Depreciation of fixed assets |
2024 £ - 7,513 44,928 |
2023 £ 10,728 3,570 41,313 |
|---|---|---|
9 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
10 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs |
2024 £ 453,737 20,082 5,121 478,940 |
2023 £ 381,055 12,980 4,168 |
|---|---|---|
| 398,203 |
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
| Staff employed No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year. 11 Independent examiner's remuneration Examination of the financial statements |
2024 No 36 2024 £ 3,450 |
2023 No 35 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 2,015 |
Page 16
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
12 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
13 Tangible fixed assets
| 13 Tangible fixed assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost At 1 September 2023 Additions At 31 August 2024 Depreciation At 1 September 2023 Charge for the year At 31 August 2024 Net book value At 31 August 2024 At 31 August 2023 |
Furniture and equipment £ 7,886 - 7,886 4,898 1,192 6,090 1,796 2,988 |
Motor vehicles £ 470,673 49,925 520,598 339,041 45,727 384,768 135,830 131,632 |
Total £ 478,559 49,925 |
| 528,484 | |||
| 343,939 46,919 |
|||
| 390,858 | |||
| 137,626 | |||
| 134,620 |
Page 17
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
Assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts
The net carrying amount of tangible assets includes the following amounts in respect of assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts:
| Motor vehicles 14 Debtors Trade debtors Prepayments Other debtors |
2024 £ 57,197 2024 £ 11,292 1,035 10,124 22,451 |
2023 £ 79,128 2023 £ 7,234 425 10,122 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 17,781 |
15 Cash and cash equivalents
| 15 Cash and cash equivalents | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cash on hand Bank overdrafts Cash and cash equivalents in statement of cash flows 16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Bank overdrafts Bank loans Trade creditors Other loans Hire purchase and finance leases Other taxation and social security VAT repayable Other creditors Accruals |
2024 £ 50 (10,949) (10,899) 2024 £ 10,949 5,956 - 131,426 22,660 160,674 (23,198) 1 8,682 317,150 |
2023 £ 50 (1,293) |
| (1,243) | ||
| 2023 £ 1,293 5,882 6,460 112,206 28,606 148,100 (52,806) (1) 1,170 |
||
| 250,910 |
Bank borrowings
Bounce back loan is denominated in with a nominal interest rate of 2.8% (2023 - £3), and the final instalment is due on 30 June 2030. The carrying amount at year end is £34,314 (2023 - £40,196).
Other borrowings
Page 18
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
North Star loan with a carrying amount of £5,708 (2023 - £11,673) is denominated in with a nominal interest rate of 6% (2023 - 6%). The final instalment is due on 28 February 2025.
17 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
| 17 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year | |
|---|---|
| 2024 £ Bank loans 28,788 Other loans - Hire purchase and finance leases 35,266 64,054 Included in the creditors are the following amounts due after more than five years: 2024 £ After more than five years by instalments (4,902) |
2023 £ 34,314 5,153 20,212 |
| 59,679 | |
| 2023 £ (10,784) |
Bank loans and overdrafts after five years
Amounts due in more than five years relate to bank loans, which are due to be repaid by June 2030. The rate of interest on this bank loan is 2.79%.
18 Funds
| 18 Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds General Unrestricted funds General |
Balance at 1 September 2023 £ (158,138) Balance at 1 September 2022 £ (124,377) |
Incoming resources £ 859,601 Incoming resources £ 754,706 |
Resources expended £ (922,540) Resources expended £ (788,467) |
Balance at 31 August 2024 £ (221,077) |
| Balance at 31 August 2023 £ (158,138) |
19 Analysis of net assets between funds
Page 19
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Creditors over 1 year Total net assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Creditors over 1 year Total net assets |
Unrestricted funds General £ 137,626 22,501 (317,150) (64,054) (221,077) Unrestricted funds General £ 134,620 17,831 (250,910) (59,679) (158,138) |
Total funds at 31 August 2024 £ 137,626 22,501 (317,150) (64,054) |
|---|---|---|
| (221,077) | ||
| Total funds at 31 August 2023 £ 134,620 17,831 (250,910) (59,679) |
||
| (158,138) |
20 Analysis of net funds
| At 1 September 2023 £ Cash at bank and in hand 50 Bank overdraft (1,293) (1,243) Debt due within one year (118,089) Debt due after more than one year (39,467) Finance leases and hire purchase contracts (48,818) Net debt (207,617) Cash at bank and in hand Bank overdraft Debt due within one year Debt due after more than one year Finance leases and hire purchase contracts Net debt |
Financing cash flows £ - (9,656) (9,656) (4,338) 11,035 34,080 31,121 At 1 September 2022 £ 25,416 - 25,416 (101,054) (50,276) (55,932) (181,846) |
New HP contracts £ - - - - - (43,188) (43,188) Financing cash flows £ (25,366) (1,293) (26,659) (17,035) 10,809 7,114 (25,771) |
At 31 August 2024 £ 50 (10,949) (10,899) (122,427) (28,432) (57,926) (219,684) At 31 August 2023 £ 50 (1,293) (1,243) (118,089) (39,467) (48,818) (207,617) |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 20
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
21 Related party transactions
During the year the charity made the following related party transactions:
VETRA Limited
The charitable company is the only member of VETRA Limited, a company limited by guarantee. VETRA Limited remained dormant throughot the financial period. Payments on behalf of VETRA Limited were made of £nil in the period (2023 - £360).
At the balance sheet date the amount due from VETRA Limited was £360 (2023 - £360).
C Watson
During the financial period, the former Finance Officer has given the charitable company interest free loans of £nil (2023 - £nil) and been repaid loans of £nil (2023 - £nil).
The loans are interest free and repayable on demand.
At the balance sheet date the amount due to C Watson was £9,091 (2023 - £9,091).
J Robb
During the financial period, the employee has given the charitable company interest free loans of £150 (2023 - £650) and been repaid loans of £nil (2023 - £400).
The loans are interest free and repayable on demand
At the balance sheet date the amount due to J Robb was £400 (2023 - £250).
R Styring
During the financial period, the Chairman has given the charitable company interest free loans of £34,908 (2023 - £33,500) and been repaid loans of £15,000 (2023 - £17,000).
The loans are interest free and repayable on demand.
At the balance sheet date the amount due to R Styring was £116,254 (2023 - £96,346).
Page 21
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
| Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies (analysed below) Charitable activities (analysed below) Other income (analysed below) Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities (analysed below) Total expenditure Net expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Total 2024 £ 26,886 831,674 1,041 859,601 (922,540) (922,540) (62,939) (62,939) (158,138) (221,077) |
Total 2023 £ 15,315 738,486 905 |
|---|---|---|
| 754,706 | ||
| (788,467) | ||
| (788,467) | ||
| (33,761) | ||
| (33,761) (124,377) |
||
| (158,138) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 22
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
| Donations and legacies Appeals and donations Subscriptions Sponsorship Charitable activities NCC school contract Brokerage income NEAS contract Dial a Ride Need a Car Community Transport Other income Other income Charitable activities Depreciation of motor vehicles Wages and salaries Staff NIC (Employers) Staff pensions (Defined contribution) - pension scheme 1 Staff training Volunteer expenses Rent and rates Light, heat and power Insurance Repairs and maintenance Repairs and renewals Telephone and computer costs Office expenses Trade subscriptions Hire of other assets (Operating leases) Motor expenses Petrol or diesel Motor insurance Motor repairs and renewals Car hire and leasing expenses (Spot hire) |
Total 2024 £ 500 2,118 24,268 26,886 685,498 9,700 93,259 31,625 3,761 7,831 831,674 1,041 1,041 (45,727) (453,737) (20,082) (5,121) (645) (788) (4,675) (4,571) (2,145) (2,262) (192) (12,500) (1,622) (855) (7,513) (8,916) (91,951) (42,806) (120,307) (46,956) |
Total 2023 £ 14,500 815 - |
|---|---|---|
| 15,315 | ||
| 624,075 14,637 88,271 5,683 5,820 - |
||
| 738,486 | ||
| 905 | ||
| 905 | ||
| (40,121) (381,055) (12,980) (4,168) (195) (1,104) (5,955) - (1,815) (1,186) (493) (9,289) (2,477) (1,506) (3,570) (8,749) (89,417) (41,721) (118,471) (25,641) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 23
North East Equality & Diversity Limited
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2024
| Travel and subsistence Advertising Legal and professional fees Bad debts written off Bank interest payable Other interest payable Hire purchase interest Depreciation of plant and machinery Loan interest Independent examiner's fee Legal and professional fees |
Total 2024 £ (4,154) - (6,608) (6,740) (3,456) (10,421) (7,072) (1,192) (1,922) (3,450) (4,154) (922,540) |
Total 2023 £ (1,697) (250) (6,443) (3,426) (1,201) (6,354) (10,375) (1,192) (1,814) (2,015) (3,787) |
|---|---|---|
| (788,467) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 24