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2021-03-31-accounts

RETAS Leeds

Charity number 1121330

A company limited by guarantee number 06365085

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2021

RETAS Leeds

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021

Contents Page
Trustees' report 2 to 6
Examiner's report 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the accounts 10 to 14

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service

1

RETAS Leeds

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2021

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates Robert Gosling Chair John Callaghan Resigned 17 August 2020 Matthew Thornfield Pippa Brook Elizabeth Campbell Michael Baynham Tesfalem Habte Yemane Yasir Mohammed Resigned 2 April 2021 Mary Campbell Appointed 8 June 2020 Rawand Ahmed Appointed 14 January 2021 Katherine Wyatt Appointed 2 November 2020 Gillian Newman Appointed 14 January 2021 Company secretary Roger Nyantou Charity number 1121330 Registered in England and Wales Company number 06365085 Registered in England and Wales Registered and principal address Bankers 233-237 Roundhay Road HSBC Epworth Investments Leeds PO Box 105 9 Bonhill Street West Yorkshire 33 Park Row London LS8 4HS Leeds. LS1 1LD EC2A 4PE

Independent examiner

Simon Bostrom FCIE West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 10 Sep 2007. It is governed by a memorandum and articles of association amended on 8 Oct 2007. The company registered as a charity 22 Oct 2007. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £10.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law and are appointed upon recommendation by another RETAS board of trustee member or staff member and are voted onto the board of trustees by other board members at board meetings.

2

RETAS Leeds

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

The relief of refugees and asylum seekers in Yorkshire and Humberside who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress by the provision of education assisting in the relief of their unemployment and assisting their integration into society.

The charity's main activities

We believe that every refugee and asylum seeker can reach their potential here in the UK. We work closely with refugees and asylum seekers as well as the wider community in West Yorkshire to make this a reality.

We work to integrate refugees and asylum seekers by assisting with access to education, requalification, training and employment and strive to build confidence and hope in our clients.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Achievements and performance

During the period April 2020 – March 2021 RETAS has continued to develop the service it offers and has enhanced further its reputation in the sector as an organisation that delivers high quality support to its clients.

Charitable Activities:

Syrian Resettlement Programme (SRP) – UKRS

This programme is funded by the Home Office through Leeds City Council and RETAS has been commissioned since 2015 to support those Syrian refugees and others coming to the UK under UKRS via refugee camps.

The 28 Day Transition Project

This programme is designed to help newly recognised refugees in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield negotiate the key steps to independence and integration. The programme is the first of its kind in the country and addresses a longstanding need for support for newly recognised refugees’ migrant during this most difficult of times.

The New Roots Project

This programme is run in partnership with the Refugee Council and PATH Yorkshire and is funded by Asylum Migration Integration Fund. It offers crisis support and advice and guidance on welfare, finance, housing, health, and wellbeing, as well as employment and training advice, IELTS course and Security Industry Authority (SIA) support.

Adult Community Learning

This programme is funded by the Skills Funding Agency through Leeds City Council. The programme aims to equip refugees and asylum seekers with a range of skills essential for integration, including English language and literacy skills, numeracy, and IT.

The Welcome to Leeds Project

This programme is funded by Public Health Leeds. Its aim is to create a culture of welcome in the city, reduce isolation and anxiety, and provide initial support for asylum seekers and refugees on their journey towards independence.

English @ Home Wakefield

This programme is funded by Wakefield Council and supports clients with health issues who are not able to attend English classes

“Selim Project”

This year has been very challenging with the Covid Pandemic. In addition to the above activities, we have also focussed on supporting these communities who have been severely impacted by Covid-19 through our “Selim Project”. Additional funding was obtained from the National Community Lottery Fund which has been very valuable and has enabled us to empower community groups.

3

RETAS Leeds

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Achievements and performance continued

Activities that have resulted from the above projects are as follows: Education and employment IAG (Information Advice and Guidance) sessions across West Yorkshire (1250 new clients registered and received IAG contributing towards a total of approximately 1500 active registered clients)

ESOL (face to face, online learning and support packages delivered during lockdown) IELTS (International English Language Testing System) preparation courses (delivered 2 days per week throughout the year) SIA application support Job placements/volunteering (over 25 placements secured internally) Grants Weekly Housing Group Weekly drop-in Signposting and referral to specialist services Social activities including picnic “Developing You” Programme Awareness raising around Covid-19 Benefits support Housing support including furniture applications Financial support including opening bank accounts, managing bills GP registration Crisis and destitution support Health and wellbeing support Relocation support Driving licence application Support with job and character references Advocacy support including family reunion, liaising with different agencies

Over 100 refugees gained employment throughout the year as a result of accessing the above services. Jobs included positions in support work, administration, care work, security, warehouse operatives, cleaning, catering, and retail assistants.

The above projects, activities and outcomes have been delivered in line with the charities objectives of supporting refugees and asylum seekers in their education, training, and employment needs.

Financial review

The net income for the year was £37,334, including net income of £74,598 on unrestricted funds and net expenditure of £37,264 on restricted funds, after transfers.

The impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic has not had a significant financial impact on RETAS. During the year we were able to make use of Government funding (such as the Job Retention Scheme) and negotiated revised timescales and deliverables with our project funders. The additional cost associated with the pandemic (such as requiring lower class numbers to allow for social distancing) has been considered as part of our forecasts.

The trustees have reassessed the charity’s ability to continue for at least 12 months from the date that the accounts are approved and conclude that no material uncertainties exist that cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

4

RETAS Leeds

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Reserves policy

The board of Trustees have considered the appropriate reserve policy in the light of the organisations objectives and risks and have agreed that it is appropriate to maintain a level of reserves between 3 and 6 months of ongoing operational expenses. Based on budgeted expenditure of approximately £510,000, this would equate to a lower limit of £127,500 and an upper limit of £255,000.

The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £355,860.

In the year ahead, grant funding from two of the current sources (Barrow Cadbury Trust) is expected to end, with no guarantee that replacement funding will be secured. The surplus free reserves of £100k will be used over the coming year to allow the work that these sources were funding to continue while replacement funding sources are found. In the event that future funding for these projects cannot be secured, this surplus will also allow for an orderly ending of those projects without impacting the core reserves level of the charity.

Funds held as agent on behalf of others

The charity is a participant in the Act 435 scheme whereby the charity acts as an advocate and posts requests for help on the Acts 435 website on behalf of its beneficiaries who are in need. Donors visiting the Acts 435 website can give through the website with the aim of the individual people receiving all of the money donated. The charity advocate then contacts the individual and passes the donation on to them.

In this way the charity is acting as agent. The actual donations are made to the registered charity Acts 435, who is eligible to claim gift aid on the donations. This is how that charity funds its operational costs. Consequently the advocate charity (RETAS Leeds) is not able to claim gift aid on the donations.

During the year, RETAS Leeds enabled 154 people to benefit from the scheme, Income of £26,019 was received from people who gave via the Acts 435 website along with a balance brought forward of £370 and £24,844 was passed on to individuals leaving a balance being held by the charity at the year end of £1,545.

This sum has been excluded from the cash balance at the year end and the donations received and passed on have also been excluded from the accounts in accordance with the Charities SORP FRS102.

5

RETAS Leeds

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees report and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which 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 the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. 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 UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.

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 accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Charities SORP (FRS102)), and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Signed on behalf of the board of trustees on …………..……...…….

Signed: ………………..…………. (Trustee)

Name: ……………..…..………….

6

RETAS Leeds

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of RETAS Leeds

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2021, which are set out on pages 8 to 14.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the charitable 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 charitable 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 ('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 charitable 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 ACIE which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: …………………………………… Name: Simon Bostrom FCIE

Date: …………………….

West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

7

RETAS Leeds

Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
2021
Unrestricted
funds
£
Income from:
Grants and service level agreements
(2)
100,194
Donations
8,154
Fees and other income
200
Bank interest
206
Total income
108,754
Expenditure on:
Salaries and NI
(3)
11,654
Freelance staff
1,493
Events and trips
-
Insurance
162
Printing, stationery, publications and telephone
2,282
Repairs and maintenance
20
Rent and rates
4,880
Catering
31
Travel expenses
132
Training costs
410
Equipment
-
Subscriptions
96
Legal fees
-
Website development and IT support
35
Foreign exchange loss
-
Sundry expenses
350
Independent examination
334
Bank charges
118
Marketing and publicity
-
Crèche workers
-
Depreciation
963
Total expenditure
22,960
Net income / (expenditure)
85,794
Transfers between funds
(11,196)
Net movement in funds
74,598
Fund balances brought forward
283,309
Fund balances carried forward
(4)
357,907		 2021
Restricted
funds
£
376,938
-
-
-
376,938
375,637
6,208
-
700
2,308
709
19,280
101
593
18,540
-
26
-
-
-
630
666
-
-
-
-
425,398
(48,460)
11,196
(37,264)
95,170
57,906		 2021
Total
funds
£
477,132
8,154
200
206
485,692
387,291
7,701
-
862
4,590
729
24,160
132
725
18,950
-
122
-
35
-
980
1,000
118
-
-
963
448,358
37,334
-
37,334
378,479
415,813		 2020
Total
funds
£
491,909
6,961
93
90
499,053
370,886
26,121
4,711
891
4,140
2,520
25,737
1,827
2,764
9,746
1,715
156
1,800
135
248
75
1,000
86
1,177
2,063
281
458,079
40,974
-
40,974
337,505
378,479

8

RETAS Leeds

Balance sheet

as at 31 March 2021
2021
Unrestricted
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
(5)
2,047
Total fixed assets
2,047
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
(6)
58,826
Cash at bank and in hand
(7)
298,331
Total current assets
357,157
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
(8)
1,297
Total current liabilities
1,297
Net current assets / (liabilities)
355,860
Net assets
357,907
Funds
Unrestricted funds
357,907
Restricted funds
-
Total funds
357,907		 2021
Restricted
£
-
-
138,353
(80,447)
57,906
-
-
57,906
57,906
-
57,906
57,906		 2021
Total
£
2,047
2,047
197,179
217,884
415,063
1,297
1,297
413,766
415,813
357,907
57,906
415,813		 2020
Total
£
280
280
285,713
96,710
382,423
4,224
4,224
378,199
378,479
283,309
95,170
378,479

For the year ending 31 March 2021 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who also the directors for the purposes of company law) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019).

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on …………..……...…….

Signed: ……………...………….…. (Trustee)

Name: ……………..…..………….

9

RETAS Leeds

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.

No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on receipt. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows: Computer equipment: over 4 years

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable.

10

RETAS Leeds

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2021

1 Accounting policies continued

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

Leases

Rents under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty.

2 Grants and service level agreements
2021
Unrestricted
funds
£
Contracts and service level agreements
LCC Adult education
82,138
Wakefield Council
7,930
Grants
Leeds City Council (LCC)
10,000
Big Lottery Fund
-
British Refugee Council
-
Women and Democracy Association (KADEM)
-
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
-
Barrow Cadbury Trust
-
Refugee Action
-
Fundraising events
126
100,194
3 Staff costs and numbers
Gross salaries
Social security costs
Pensions
Payroll administration costs		 2021
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
67,643
70,593
121,343
73,584
33,775
10,000
-
376,938		 2021
Total
funds
£
82,138
7,930
77,643
70,593
121,343
-
73,584
33,775
10,000
126
477,132
2021
£
353,572
22,614
8,139
2,967
387,291		 2020
Total
funds
£
87,456
13,780
185,632
87,128
101,167
13,230
3,516
-
-
-
491,909
2020
£
337,966
22,065
8,003
2,852
370,886

The average number employees during the year was 14.3, being an average of 15.2 full time equivalent (2020: 18.7, 13.4 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.

Defined contribution pension scheme 2021 2020
£ £
Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year 8,139 8,003

11

RETAS Leeds

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2021

4 Restricted funds
Syrian Refugee Programme
Big Lottery Fund
Welcome to Leeds
LCC Women's group
British Refugee Council
Barrow Cadbury
Refugee Action Programme
Public Health
HMRC CJRS		 Balance b/f
£
58,527
32,400
740
1,692
1,811
-
-
-
-
95,170		 Incoming
£
62,353
70,593
-
290
121,343
33,775
10,000
5,000
73,584
376,938		 Outgoing
£
114,026
85,903
-
1,982
137,080
12,823
-
-
73,584
425,398		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
13,926
(2,730)
-
-
-
11,196		 Balance c/f
£
6,854
17,090
740
-
-
18,222
10,000
5,000
-
57,906

Fund name

Purpose of restriction

Syrian Refugee Programme Big Lottery Fund

Welcome to Leeds LCC Women's group British Refugee Council

Barrow Cadbury

Full package of support for Syrian refugees arriving in the UK. 28 day transition project: 3 year project delivering a tailored programme of practical support to refugees with newly acquired status.

For the Befriendee activity project.

For the Together we Thrive project.

Funding for the Asylum, Migration and Integration project. The transfer represents the charity's own contribution to the project.

To safely reopen its drop-in and ESOL services and increase service delivery via remote services adaptations.

A transfer of £2,730 was made from this fund in respect of 5 laptops, purchased for general use in the charity.

Refugee Action Programme

Public Health

HMRC CJRS

To increase the ability to respond and to adapt the services relating to crisis situations.

To support the physical and mental wellbeing of asylum seekers whilst accommodated in Leeds hotels as part of the public health response to Covid-19.

To fund salary costs of furloughed staff.

Tangible assets
Cost
At 1 April 2019
Additions
At 31 March 2020
Depreciation
At 1 April 2019
Charge for year
At 31 March 2020
Net book value
At 31 March 2020
At 31 March 2019		 £
1,123
2,730
3,853
843
963
1,806
2,047
280
Office
equipment		 Total
£
1,123
2,730
3,853
843
963
1,806
2,047
280

5 Tangible assets

12

RETAS Leeds

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2021

6 Debtors and prepayments
Debtors
Prepayments
7 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank
Cash in hand
8 Creditors and accruals
Creditors
Accruals		 2021
£
196,499
680
197,179
2021
£
217,847
37
217,884
2021
£
-
1,297
1,297		 2020
£
285,078
635
285,713
2020
£
96,560
150
96,710
2020
£
2,303
1,921
4,224

9 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.

Related party transactions Key management personnel

The key management personnel of the charity include the trustees and Chief Officer. The total employee benefits received by the Chief Officer were £44,121 (previous year: £43,746).

10 Operating leases

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
Over five years from the balance sheet date
11 Transactions where the charity has acted as an agent
Funds received through the Acts 435 scheme
Funds passed on to individual beneficiaries in accordance with the scheme
Net movement in the year
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward (excluded from charity balance sheet)
Expected future minimum lease payments over the remaining life of the
lease, analysed into the period in which the commitment expires:		 2021
£
13,065
913
-
13,978
2021
£
26,019
24,844
1,175
370
1,545		 2020
£
465
1,378
-
1,843
2020
£
11,075
10,805
270
100
370

13

RETAS Leeds

Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2021

2021
2020
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
Income
Grants and service level agreements
100,194
101,236
Donations
8,154
5,842
Fees and other income
200
93
Bank interest
206
90
Total income
108,754
107,261
Expenditure
Salaries and NI
11,654
41,057
Freelance staff
1,493
4,823
Events and trips
-
136
Insurance
162
339
Printing, stationery, pub and phone
2,282
837
Repairs and maintenance
20
2,520
Rent and rates
4,880
10,809
Catering
31
342
Travel expenses
132
71
Training costs
410
896
Equipment
-
66
Subscriptions
96
156
Legal fees
-
1,800
Website development / IT support
35
-
Foreign exchange loss
-
-
Sundry expenses
350
75
Independent examination
334
120
Bank charges
118
86
Marketing and publicity
-
443
Crèche workers
-
-
Depreciation
963
281
Total expenditure
22,960
64,857
Net income / (expenditure)
85,794
42,404
Transfers between funds
(11,196)
540
Net movement in funds
74,598
42,944
Fund balances brought forward
283,309
240,365
Fund balances carried forward
357,907
283,309		 2021
Restricted
funds
£
376,938
-
-
-
376,938
375,637
6,208
-
700
2,308
709
19,280
101
593
18,540
-
26
-
-
-
630
666
-
-
-
-
425,398
(48,460)
11,196
(37,264)
95,170
57,906		 2020
Restricted
funds
£
390,673
1,119
-
-
391,792
329,829
21,298
4,575
552
3,303
-
14,928
1,485
2,693
8,850
1,649
-
-
135
248
-
880
-
734
2,063
-
393,222
(1,430)
(540)
(1,970)
97,140
95,170		 2021
Total
funds
£
477,132
8,154
200
206
485,692
387,291
7,701
-
862
4,590
729
24,160
132
725
18,950
-
122
-
35
-
980
1,000
118
-
-
963
448,358
37,334
-
37,334
378,479
415,813		 2020
Total
funds
£
491,909
6,961
93
90
499,053
370,886
26,121
4,711
891
4,140
2,520
25,737
1,827
2,764
9,746
1,715
156
1,800
135
248
75
1,000
86
1,177
2,063
281
458,079
40,974
-
40,974
337,505
378,479

14