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2024-10-31-accounts

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Company number : 06719987 Charity number : 1131738

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the year ended 31st October 2024

Wenn Townsend

Chartered Accountants

Oxford

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Contents

Page
Legal and Administration Information 1
Report of the Trustees 2 - 5
Independent Examiner’s Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Cash Flow 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 - 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Legal and Administration Information for the year ended 31st October 2024

Charity Registration Number: 1131738
Company Registration Number: 06719987
Trustees Mr D Parkes – Chair
Ms S Brand (appointed 18/03/24)
Mr H Fletcher
Mr R Hopestone (resigned 27/11/23)
Mr R Law (appointed 20/11/23)
Mr M Lebus
Mr N Moore (appointed 04/03/24)
Ms T Serle (appointed 20/11/23)
Mr P Taylor (resigned 31/12/23)
Ms R Thompson
Mrs E Tinker (resigned 29/02/24)
Company Secretary Ms T Serle (appointed 20/11/23)
Registered Office & Principal Office Unit 12 Curtis Industrial Estate
North Hinksey Lane
Botley
Oxford
OX2 0LX
Bankers HSBC
65 Cornmarket Street
Oxford
OX1 3HY
Independent Examiner Wenn Townsend
Chartered Accountants
30 St Giles
Oxford
OX1 3LE

- 1 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31st October 2024

The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st October 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102).

Our aims and objectives

Our charity’s objects as set out in the Memorandum of Association and registered with the Charity Commission are (1) the relief of sick – poor living in the county of Oxfordshire and surrounding area either generally or individually through the provision of grants, goods or services, (2) the advancement of education and training for the public in nutritional, food hygiene practice, environmental issues and in the need of poor and marginalized people, and (3) the protection and preservation of the environment for the public benefit by the promotion of waste reduction, use of recycled products and the use of surplus

Since incorporation in 2008, Oxford Food Hub has been at the centre of surplus food redistribution in Oxfordshire, providing food to thousands of people via an extensive network of charities and community organisations.

Our mission is to:

How our activities deliver public benefit

Reducing food waste and reducing the carbon impact of the food system is central to what Oxford Food Hub does. Once collected, we sort and store the food, ensuring 96% of what we receive is shared across Oxfordshire for human consumption. With the cost-of-living crisis deepening, the demand for free food has increased significantly, as more people are unable to buy food. Most of our surplus is fresh food, so sharing this helps ensure that people are able to access fruit and vegetables.

We receive much positive feedback from the groups we supply about the impact cooking or food-based activities provides to people in their community. With energy and other costs increasing, front line charities say free food from Oxford Food Hub enables them to afford to keep running in difficult times.

Our activity during the year

Oxford Food Hub strives to be the charity partner of choice for Oxfordshire food producers, retailers and community groups. We reduce food waste going to landfill and provide tasty fresh produce to those in need in Oxfordshire. We do not charge charities or suppliers for our work and are supported entirely by our donors and grant providers.

Our dedicated group of some 100 volunteers collect surplus food from wholesalers, supermarkets and other organisations and distribute this food to charities and community organisations from our two warehouses in Botley, near Oxford.

Early in the financial year we celebrated 15 years since Oxford Food Hub was incorporated with an event to thank our donors and supporters and to reflect on how our charity has grown and adapted over the years, in response to community needs and increasing demand for our services.

Throughout the year, Oxford Food Hub collected 518 tonnes of surplus fresh food from wholesalers, distributors, and supermarkets. The food was put to good use by over 200 charities and community groups, including homeless support services, food banks, community fridges, refugee groups, community centres, youth groups, children centres, lunch groups for the elderly and mental health projects.

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The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Trustees’ Report (continued)

for the year ended 31st October 2024

By keeping food out of landfill, we saved the equivalent of nearly six million car miles this financial year. The very small amount of food (less than 4%) that cannot be delivered in time is supplied free-of-charge to a local anaerobic digestion plant and converted into energy.

With increasing pressures on public and voluntary sectors’ budgets and increasing demand for food, we have been expanding our networks and sharing ideas about how to save even more surplus, as well as working with partners to get food to where it can benefit the community most.

We are part of the Good Food Oxfordshire Steering Group and are active participants in the development of Food Action Plans for each district in Oxfordshire. These are cross-sector plans setting out how we will increase sustainability and access to healthy food, as well as support people with cooking and other foodbased skills.

There is more information about the impact we are having across Oxford in our 2024 - https://oxfordfoodhub.org/about/our-impact.

Financial review

During the year, the funds of the charity increased by £48,383 (2023: £17,965) to £570,961 (2023: £522,578) at the year end. The charity received the majority of its funds from private donors. An increase in donations, together with grants made by charitable trusts, meant that our overall income increased by £101,469 (2023: increased by £176,346) to £546,554 (2023: £445,085).

The expenditure of the charity also increased by £71,051 (2023: increased by £201,040) to £498,171 (2023: £427,120). Funds were at an historically high level at the end of October 2024, reflecting increased efforts to attract grants and other funding.

Expenditure includes general office expenses, staff costs, rent and maintenance of our two warehouses, running and maintenance of our cold and freezer rooms, as well as insurance, servicing costs and fuel for our vans (now including one hybrid and two fully electric vehicles) in use six days a week.

Oxford Food Hub receives no central government funding, so relies on charitable donations and charitable or local council grants for all projects and core costs. We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of the generous individuals, local companies and other organisations that give to us each year.

Investment policy

Although the charity currently has cash in the bank, the Trustees have decided not to invest this other than as bank deposits.

Reserves policy

All charities are required to develop a policy on reserves which establishes a level that is right for the charity and clearly explains why holding these reserves is necessary. Oxford Food Hub holds financial reserves to support the organisation through unforeseen events which may adversely affect income or expenditure within a financial year. Such funds will provide adequate working capital, cover unexpected shortfalls in income and better enable the charity to cope with negative unforeseen circumstances.

The Trustees have set a reserves policy which requires reserves to be maintained at a level equivalent to at last nine months’ running costs. A proportion of those reserves are to be maintained in a readily realisable form. In this period we have been able to meet our reserves target.

The calculation of the required level of reserves is an integral part of the organisation’s planning, budget and forecast cycle. It takes into account the risks associated with each stream of income and expenditure, planned activity level and future commitments.

- 3 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Trustees’ Report (continued)

for the year ended 31st October 2024

Plans for 2024/25

With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to result in high demand for free food and increased public awareness of the climate emergency, the work of Oxford Food Hub remains crucial. Key priorities for 2024/25 are:

Structure, governance and management

Oxford Food Hub is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 9th October 2008 and registered as a charity on 22nd September 2009. 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 £10.

For the first few years the charity was run entirely by volunteers, but we now employ five staff, including a CEO, Operations Manager and Outreach and Administrative Coordinator, to manage our services and volunteers.

The board of Trustees meets every month to scrutinise and help guide the work of the CEO and staff team and there are subcommittees led by Trustees focusing in key areas of our work – including fundraising, property and HR.

Contribution from volunteers

One of Oxford Food Hub’s strongest assets is our team of loyal and committed volunteers. Volunteer drivers and base volunteers carry out at least one-half day shift a week; many do more. Some of our volunteers have been with us from the very start and there is a great ‘feel-good’ factor associated with the work and the communal endeavour, fostering a strong team spirit. We have some volunteers who act as advisors on Board’s sub-committees, volunteers who help with administrative and communication tasks and volunteers who attend events and festivals to represent Oxford Food Hub around the community.

Recruitment and appointment of Directors and Trustees

The Directors of the company are also charity Trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Articles. The process for the election of Trustees is laid down in the Articles of Association.

The Trustees are appointed by the membership at our Annual General Meeting. One third of the Trustees must resign before the AGM (based on the length of service since first appointed) and offer themselves for reelection. Any member of the charity may also offer themselves for election as a Trustee. Following the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Trustees will appoint a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer as well as the directors of the company.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity except for the reimbursement of expenses.

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The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st October 2024

Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of the income and expenditure for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees should follow best practice and:

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

In accordance with company law, as the company directors and trustees, we certify that:

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102) and in accordance with the Special Provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the Trustees on 19th February 2025 and signed on its behalf by

D Parkes Chair of Trustees

- 5-

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st October 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 14.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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.

Andrew Rodzynski, FCA Wenn Townsend 30 St Giles Oxford OX1 3LE

20 May

…………………………….. 2025

- 6 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account)

2024 2024 2024 2023
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations 337,483 196,430 533,913 439,342
Investments 2 12,641 - 12,641 5,743
───── ───── ───── ─────
Total income 350,124 196,430 546,554 445,085
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 6,510 - 6,510 6,291
Charitable activities 3 288,828 202,833 491,661 420,829
───── ───── ───── ─────
Total expenditure 295,338 202,833 498,171 427,120
───── ───── ───── ─────
Net income / (expenditure) 54,786 (6,403) 48,383 17,965
Transfer between funds - - - -
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 513,578 9,000 522,578 504,613
───── ───── ───── ─────
Total funds carried forward 568,364 2,597 570,961 522,578
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

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

The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these financial statements

- 7 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Balance Sheet 31st October 2024

Notes 2024 2023
£ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 7 76,605 116,160
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand 502,840 444,426
Prepayments 5,802 -
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year 8 (14,286) (38,008)
───── ─────
Net current assets 494,356 406,418
───── ─────
Net assets 570,961 522,578
═════ ═════
Funds
Unrestricted funds 568,364 513,578
Restricted funds 2,597 9,000
───── ─────
Total funds 570,961 522,578
═════ ═════

For the year ending 31st October 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Trustees’ responsibilities:

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The financial statements were approved by the Board on 19th February 2025 and signed on its behalf by

D Parkes Trustee

Company Number: 06719987

The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these financial statement

- 8 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Cash Flow 31st October 2024

2024 2023
£ £
Net cash used in operating activities
Movement in funds in reporting period 48,383 17,965
Adjustsments for:
Depreciation charges 40,022 30,581
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (5,802) -
Increase/(decrease) in creditors (23,722) 33,984
Loss/(profit) on the sale of fixed assets - 651
───── ─────
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 58,881 83,181
───── ─────
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (467) (39,947)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment - 1,200
───── ─────
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (467) (38,747)
───── ─────
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period 58,414 44,434
───── ─────
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
444,426 399,992
───── ─────
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 502,840 444,426
═════ ═════

- 9 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31st October 2024

1. Accounting policies

(a) General information and basis of information

Oxford Food Hub is a charitable company limited by guarantee in England. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are included in the trustees’ report.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

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, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. In considering the going concern status of the charity, the Trustees are confident that the charity can continue for 12 months from the date of signature of these accounts. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

(b) Income recognition

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income, the amount can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the income will be received.

(c) Donated goods and volunteers

The charity receives surplus food donations and supplies this to its beneficiaries in accordance with its charitable objective and free of charge. Measuring the value of the donations at fair value would not be practical and therefore no income or expenditure is recognised in these financial statements.

The charity is also supported by the efforts of volunteers however reliably estimating the monetary value of their contribution would be impractical in the opinion of the trustees.

Further detail of the positive impact is given in the Trustees’ Report.

(d) Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at The Hub.

- 10 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31st October 2024 (continued)

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:

Plant and machinery - 25% reducing balance Motor vehicles - 25% reducing balance

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

(g) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

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

(h) Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

(i) Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

(j) Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company’s pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

2. Income from investments

Income from investments
2024 2023
£ £
Bank deposit interest 12,641 5,743
═════ ═════

- 11 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31st October 2024 (continued)

3a. Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Support costs
Staff costs 130,650 62,566 193,216 151,866
Rent 18,947 4,428 23,375 29,242
Food purchases 3,836 104,750 108,586 97,310
Insurance 5,068 - 5,068 3,300
Light and heat 2,232 26,706 28,938 21,765
Telephone 1,582 - 1,582 1,417
Postage and stationery 3,034 - 3,034 2,720
Sundries 3,113 - 3,113 1,394
Motor expenses 24,265 - 24,265 25,889
Repairs and renewals 4,332 - 4,332 6,129
Bank charges 79 - 79 51
Donations - 3,094 3,094 30,000
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 38,733 1,289 40,022 30,581
Contractor costs 18,000 - 18,000 -
Recruitment costs 3,900 - 3,900 -
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
-
- - 651
Governance costs (see note 3b) 29,920 - 29,920 17,932
───── ───── ───── ─────
287,691 202,833 490,524 420,247
Other 1,137 - 1,137 582
───── ───── ───── ─────
288,828 202,833 491,661 420,829
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
3b. Governance costs
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Subscriptions 6,153 - 6,153 5,427
Independent examiner’s fees 3,888 - 3,888 2,406
Legal and surveyors fees 3,255 - 3,255 3,004
Consultancy 16,624 - 16,624 7,095
───── ───── ───── ─────
29,920 - 29,920 17,932
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
4. Net income for the year
Net income is stated after charging:
2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 40,022 30,581
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets - 651
Operating leases - rent 23,375 29,242
═════ ═════

- 12 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31st October 2024 (continued)

5. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

There was no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st October 2024 nor for the year ended 31st October 2024.

There were no trustees’ expenses reimbursed for the years ended 31st October 2024 and 31st October 2023.

6. Staff costs

Staff costs
2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 176,671 138,699
Social security 11,210 9,258
Defined contribution pension costs 5,334 3,909
───── ─────
193,215 151,866
═════ ═════
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
2024 2023
6 5
═════ ═════

No employees received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000 in either of the financial years disclosed.

7. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Motor Plant and
Vehicles Machinery Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1st November 2023 204,117 67,547 271,664
Additions - 467 467
Disposals - - -
───── ───── ─────
At 31st October 2024 204,117 68,014 272,131
───── ───── ─────
Depreciation
At 1st November 2023 116,180 39,324 155,504
Charge for year 36,641 3,381 40,022
Eliminated on disposal - - -
───── ───── ─────
At 31st October 2024 152,821 42,705 195,526
───── ───── ─────
Net book value
At 31st October 2024 51,296 25,309 76,605
═════ ═════ ═════
At 31st October 2023 87,937 28,223 116,160
═════ ═════ ═════

- 13 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31st October 2024 (continued)

8. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Trade creditors 7,477 3,925
Accruals 4,789 1,590
Other tax and social security - 4,888
Deferred income (see note 12)
-
27,605
Other creditors 2,000 -
───── ─────
14,286 38,008
═════ ═════

9. Operating leases

Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Not later than one year 29,070 20,927
Later than one and not later than five years 48,686 23,479
───── ─────
77,756 44,406
═════ ═════

10. Analysis of funds

Income and expenditure from restricted funds in the year relates to restricted grant income and related expenditure.

11. Analysis of assets by funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets 71,989 4,617 76,606 116,160
Current assets 508,641 - 508,641 444,426
Creditors (12,266) (2,020) (14,286) (38,008)
───── ───── ───── ─────
568,364 2,597 570,961 522,578
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

- 14 -

The Oxford Food Hub Ltd

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31st October 2024

12. Restricted donations

OCC Food Support 2022/23
OCC Food Support 2023/24
OCC Energy Support 2023/24
Other restricted donations
OCC Food Support 2024/25
OCC Energy Support 2024/25
Brought
Carried
forward
Income
Expenditure
forward
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
17,200
-
(17,200)
-
1,500
-
(1,500)
-
8,905
148,165
(157,070)
-
-
22,200
(22,200)
-
-
1,500
(1,500)
-
27,605
171,865
(175,770)
-

13. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year (2023: £nil).

- 16 -