Company number 6340396
MESH Community Cohesion Services
Registered charity (1121249)
Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
MESH Community Cohesion Services
Contents Page
| Legal and administrative information | pp.2 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | pp.3-7 |
| Independent examiners report | pp.8 |
| Statement of financial activities | pp.9 |
| Balance sheet | pp.10 |
| Notes to the accounts | pp.11-13 |
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
Legal and administrative information
Trustees Carol Borrill Jessica Ryan-Smith Ben McGarry Jo Buchanan Elinor Harman Luke Tilley Katherine Holland [resigned March 2022] Company secretary Ben McGarry Registered charity number 1121249 Principal address Scotia Works Leadmill Road Sheffield S1 4SE Bank Royal Bank of Scotland plc 5 Church Street Sheffield S1 1HF Independent examiner LSRN Consultancy Ltd Sheffield S6 6GL Matthew Ellis (FCCA)
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
Trustees report
The board of trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2023. These have been prepared to meet the requirements for a director report and accounts for purposes of the Companies Act and comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006 and the recommended practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the financial reporting standards for smaller entities.
Structure, governance and management Governing document
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 10 October 2007 and registered as a charity on 17 October 2007. The company was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's articles are known as members of the board of trustees (board). Under the requirements of the memorandum and articles of association the board are elected to serve until the next annual general meeting (AGM), at which they must retire and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. All members of the board give their time voluntarily and have received no benefits in this or prior financial years.
The board seeks to ensure that the charity's objectives can be met by the diversity of the trustee body. To enhance the potential pool of trustees, the charity has recruited through organisations that support development in the sector, and through contacts in relevant fields, and from members present at the AGM. A periodic skills audit of trustees and staff is carried out, so that in the event of particular skills being lost due to retirements, recruitment may be specifically targeted.
Trustee induction and training
Prospective trustees are given links to the commissions guidelines for trustees, and the charity's website, to familiarise themselves with our range of activities. An interview follows, an application form is completed and two references are sought, all of this is reviewed by the board, which may then decide to invite the applicant to observe at board meetings. If the board is satisfied that they are suitable, they are then invited to join.
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
Organisational structure
The charity has a board that meets monthly and is responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. The trustees who served during the year are listed on page two of the report. The charity has two employed staff, one of who attends board meetings but has no voting rights. Each member of the board has their own area of special interest, and works with members of staff to manage that area.
Risk management
The board considers the financial risks to which the charity is exposed at each meeting, and where possible puts in place actions to mitigate these risks. These include diversification of funding and activities, reductions in costs, evaluating competition from other providers and working with related parties. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, and clients. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity.
Related parties
The charity maintains links within the community and with organisations with similar purposes in the region, identifying relevant policy developments and prospective funding.
Objectives
Our charity's purposes as set out in the objects contained in the company's memorandum of association are to:
To promote for the public benefit in the county of South Yorkshire and its adjacent counties ("the area of benefit") and with a view to the preservation of public order, the provision of services directed towards mediation and conciliation between people, organisations and groups who are involved in disputes or interpersonal conflicts where that dispute or conflict results from or may lead to acts of nuisance, vandalism, personal abuse or breach of the peace.
To advance the education of the public in the area of benefit in methods of such mediation and conciliation and in particular the nature and causes of such disputes and the means of managing it.
The aims of our charity are to enable those involved in disputes to reach outcomes of lasting benefit to themselves and other members of the public, and to bring the education of the public to a state where it is able to reach these outcomes independently. Our aims fully reflect the purposes that the charity was set up to further.
Ensuring our work delivers our objectives
We review our aims, objectives and activities at least once each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. The review looks at key
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help. The review also helps us ensure our aims, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purposes. The trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
Activities
Our main activities for the year were:
Neighbour Mediation Family Mediation Community Mediation including the RUBIC Project Training
Neighbour mediation
MESH undertakes cases referred to us by local authority housing services in Sheffield and neighbouring towns. We have a service contract with Sheffield City Council. These cases are mediated by freelance staff and trained to standards required for accreditation. We work in coordination with council housing officers, and feedback on outcomes is given to the contractors at quarterly review meetings. All our services are provided free to Sheffield City Council clients. We monitor feedback from clients and access to our services by gender, disability and sexual orientation.
Between 01 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, 42 referrals were received from Sheffield City Council and we provided the following neighbour mediation services: 21 support phone calls, 17 initial meetings, 1 series of conflict coaching sessions and 4 joint mediations.
Family mediation
During 2022/23 MESH provided 15 MIAM sessions where both parties attended, 8 MIAM sessions where only one party attended and 8 joint mediation meetings between couples.
Community cohesion
MESH has moved away from contributing to Community Cohesion projects as a core activity, however, we have continued the work as a partner in the cohesion project, RUBIC (Respect and Understanding; Building Inclusive Communities) and MESH signed a service delivery agreement to be a partner for RUBIC2 from April 2021 to April 2024.
The work will include attending partnership meetings and contributing to overall strategy and planning.
An eight-week Community Conflict Awareness course was designed by MESH and delivered to residence in a Sheffield community where the RUBIC work is focussed.
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
Training
MESH ran a training session for law students at Hallam University which provided them with an overview of the basic principles and approaches in mediation.
In addition, conflict coaching training was provided for new associates as part of their induction programme.
Principal funding sources
The principal funding sources for the charity are currently by way of grant and contract income from the sources listed in the above paragraph.
Investment policy
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in the bank account most of the charity's funds are to be spent in the short term so there are no funds for long term investment.
Reserves Policy
The Board of Trustees has examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 3 and 6 months of the expenditure, so long as that is more than sufficient to cover our liabilities in the case of staff redundancy. The present level of reserves available to the charity of £38,000 conforms to these requirements. The Board has also considered the extent to which existing activities and expenditure could be curtailed, should such circumstances arise.
Financial review
In the financial year 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 MESH income fell from £79,401 in 2021/22 to £40,602 in 2022/23. Expenditure reduced from £55,737 in 2021/22 to £52,245. The increase in 2021/22 was due to £29,000 from the COVID recovery fund awarded by Sheffield City Council and £3,000 from other grants. In addition, £5,000 was received in 2021/22 from South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner to fund activities provided by Cohesion Sheffield. The deficit for MESH’s activities for the financial year 2022/23 was £11,643.
The Board is aware that MESH’s finances need to return to a break-even position. The budget for 2023/24 is working towards break even. A new contract has been negotiated with Sheffield City Council with a significant uplift from £11,780 to £14,500. MESH’s manager left in June 2023 and has not yet been replaced. The remaining member of staff has taken on a Case Manager role and is supported by an associate. This has produced some savings on the staff budget. The board recognises that MESH cannot in the current financial position support a new manager. In the past this role has been funded following successful grant applications. Grant
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
applications will shortly be submitted for this post. The Board is aware that reserves need to be maintained to fulfil the requirements of the Sheffield City Council Contract and /or 3-6 months of expenditure. This is under regular review.
Trustees’ responsibilities for the financial statements
Company and charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which show the state of affairs of the charity and of net income or expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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state whether applicable accounting standards of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable the Trustees to prepare financial statements.
The Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 19 October 2022 and is signed on their behalf by:
Carol Borrill Chair of the Board of Trustees
Ben McGarry Company Secretary
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
Independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31 March 2023
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 9 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act;
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and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
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MESH Cominunity Coliesion Se¥vices W11¢y Independent examiner's report for the year ended 31 March 2023 - continued 2. to which. in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed On Behalf of LSRN Consultancy Ltd Sheff leld 56 6GL
MESH Community Cohesion Services
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total 2023 |
Total 2022 |
||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Professional fees | 31,742 | - | 31,742 | 41,705 | |
| Grants | 4 | 8,860 | - | 8,860 | 37,163 |
| Other income | - | - | - | 553 | |
| 40,602 | - | 40,602 | 79,401 | ||
| Wages NI and payroll | 27,951 | - | 27,951 | 21,316 | |
| Consultancy (inc. freelance) | 11,927 | - | 11,927 | 21,563 | |
| Staff travel and expenses | 314 | - | 314 | 35 | |
| Training | 109 | - | 109 | 1,909 | |
| Insurance | 1,736 | - | 1,736 | 1,583 | |
| Rent | 5,436 | - | 5,436 | 4,933 | |
| Room hire | 100 | - | 100 | - | |
| Publicity | 470 | - | 470 | 977 | |
| Print, stationary and publications | 93 | - | 93 | 451 | |
| ICT | 1,286 | - | 1,286 | 1,278 | |
| Other expenditure | 1,233 | - | 1,233 | 753 | |
| Bank charges | 50 | - | 50 | 62 | |
| Accountancy | 1,540 | - | 1,540 | 877 | |
| 52,245 | - | 52,245 | 55,737 | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) | (11,643) | - | (11,643) | 23,664 | |
| Total funds brought forward | 50,464 | - | 50,464 | 26,800 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 38,821 | - | 38,821 | 50,464 |
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
Balance sheet at 31st March 2023
| Balance sheet at 31st March 2023 | Balance sheet at 31st March 2023 | Balance sheet at 31st March 2023 | Balance sheet at 31st March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 2 | 1,100 | 2,910 |
| Balance at bank | 38,975 | 48,261 | |
| 40,075 | 51,171 | ||
| Current liabilities | |||
| Creditors | 3 | (1,254) | (707) |
| (1,254) | (707) | ||
| Net current assets | 38,821 | 50,464 | |
| Net assets | 38,821 | 50,464 | |
| Funds | |||
| Restricted | 38,821 | 50,464 | |
| Unrestricted | 38,821 | 50,464 | |
| Total funds | 38,821 | 50,464 |
Approved by the Trustees on 19 October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Carol Borrill
Chair of the Board of Trustees
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023
1 Accounting policies
(a) Basis of preparation
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102 (effective from January 2015 and updated with effect from January 2016) - (the Charities SORP (FRS102)), as modified for smaller charities.
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as defined under FRS102.
(b) Income
Grant donations and Income from charitable trading activities are recognised in full in the statement of financial activities in the year in which they relate. Any income received in advance is accounted for on an accrual basis.
(c) Resources expended
Governance costs of the charity relate to the costs of running the charity such as the costs of meetings, professional costs and statutory compliance, and includes any costs which cannot be specifically identified to another expenditure classification. In the opinion of the trustees all support costs relate to charitable expenditure.
(d) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its useful life.
(e) Fund accounting
Remaining funds held by the charity are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. Restrictions of funds arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. These funds are allocated within the P&L and utilised in the year they are raised
(f)Other income None receivable. (2022/23 £nil)
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 - continued
| Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 - continued | Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 - continued | Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 - continued | Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 - continued | Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 - continued | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Debtors | 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
||
| Trade debtors | 1,100 | 2,910 | |||
| 1,100 | 2,910 | ||||
| 3 | Accruals | ||||
| These are expenses that have been incurred but have not been paid or invoiced for during the accounting period. |
2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|||
| Trade creditors | 590 | 292 | |||
| Accruals | 664 | 415 | |||
| 1,254 | 707 | ||||
| 4 | Grants | Total | |||
| Unrestricted £ |
Restricted £ |
2023 £ |
2022 £ |
||
| CHILYPEP (Partnership Work) | 6,360 | - | 6,360 | - | |
| Sheffield City Council - Community Fund | 2,500 | - | 2,500 | - | |
| Church Burgesses | - | - | - | 1,500 | |
| Freshgate Trust | - | - | - | 1,500 | |
| Sheffield City Council - Covid recovery | - | - | - | 29,193 | |
| South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commission | - | - | - | 5,000 | |
| 8,860 | - | 8,860 | 37,163 | ||
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MESH Community Cohesion Services
| 5 | Staff Costs and Trustees’ Remuneration | 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
| Salaries | 27,192 | 20720 | |
| Pensions | 563 | 596 | |
| Payroll services | 196 | 177 | |
| 27,951 | 21,493 | ||
| Average number of employees during the year: 2 | |||
| No trustees received reimbursed expenses during the year (2022: £nil) No Trustees received remuneration during the year. |
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