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2024-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1133300

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

for Chester and District Federation of the Blind

Johnstone Howell & Co 104 Whitby Road Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 0AB

Chester and District Federation of the Blind

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16 to 17

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The organisation exists to promote social inclusion amongst blind and partially sighted people who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of being blind or partially sighted by:

A. Raising public awareness of the issues affecting blind and partially sighted people, both generally and in relation to their social exclusion.

B. Providing advocacy and support to blind and partially sighted people.

C. Enabling and encouraging blind and partially sighted people to seek to influence local bodies, such as councils, health and education authorities, to take into account the requirements of blind and partially sighted people.

D. Providing recreational facilities and other opportunities for blind and partially sighted people through service provision and other mechanisms.

E. Providing education and information to support and enable blind and partially sighted people to maximise their educational opportunities.

Public benefit

The trustees have full regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The Charity's aims and activities fulfil the public benefit requirement of the Charities Act, 2011. Its charitable purposes are concerned with the advancement of citizenship, community development, and health the charity advances this by providing opportunities for social inclusion (clubs, outings, holidays etc). The charity's beneficiaries are within the Cheshire and adjacent areas. Opportunities to benefit are promoted by providing subsidised transport and activities.

Page 1

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities

Treasurer's report to the AGM for the year ended 31 December 2024.

As Treasurer of CDFB I have a responsibility to keep an eye on the overall financial position of the Charity. To that end this brief summary is based on the annual Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 for Chester and District Federation of the Blind (CDFB), and its subsidiary CDFB Trading Community Interest Company. Both statements have been prepared by chartered accountants Johnstone Howell & Co. and shall be approved by the Charity's Board of Trustees prior to the AGM.

The year was a very good one financially for the Charity, with income levels being increased across the board. The primary income sources were trading surpluses, donations and fund raising. Grants received also increased in 2024. Thanks primarily to the support of the Leverhulme Trust who provided £20,000 towards the purchase of a new car for Charity use. Further augmented by a £6,600 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Overall, Charity income for 2024 was a very healthy £265,728. Receipts from fund raising events increased to £36,341 compared with the 2023 figure of £24,195. As in previous years, the largest income source was from donations totalling £202,760 the vast majority of which came from the profits of CDFB Trading. And, by making a donation of all profits to the Charity, within the legal time frame, Trading can avoid having to pay any UK corporation tax for the year.

On the expenditure side, routine costs for repairs stabilized and were much reduced when compared with 2023, when significant refurbishment of the Donation Station and Depot had taken place. Running costs also stabilized in 2024, with the exception of water and general rates which saw a threefold increase. The increases were due to a reassessment of charges levied on neighbors and subsequently re-balanced to cover the two CDFB Trading properties. The overall wages bill including pensions contributions continued to increase in 2024, these cost increases in the region of £21,000 across both organisations, were compensated by the additional income generated over the same period.

At the year-end, total funds held by the Charity were £912,323 (including £1,193 of restricted funds) representing a 17% increase of £132,985 on the equivalent figure for 2023. Hence the rate of growth in funds has also increased in comparison with the previous year, due (as explained above) to reduced repairs and refurbishment costs, whilst income was maintained and improved. Repairs needed to the roof at the Rossmore Unit, were covered through a successful warranty claim. The remaining repairs needed are now considered to be of a decorative nature, which should not entail significant costs.

Therefore, with current assets at the year-end exceeding £660,000 the Charity has continued to build up a very solid financial position, exceeding the operating philosophy requirement of the organization (ie to hold a reserve of £100,000). This level of reserves provides a high level of security and ensures that the Charity's core business of providing services and activities can be maintained and upgraded where needed. Hence, in 2025 for example, the provision of fitness sessions for members is expected to be expanded.

As this point I should like to thank the remarkable team of volunteers, managers and dedicated staff within both CDFB the Charity and CDFB Trading. The volunteers have given approximately 740 hours of work each week, a truly huge contribution to both organizations. Without the combined efforts of all workers the Charity would not have been able to generate income, deliver services and continue to be valued provider within the local community.

Philip J Bellerby CDFB Volunteer and Treasurer

Page 2

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

At present the charity has two major sources of income, profits from trading and income from fundraising. There is a third source of income, grants but the charity does not rely on grant funding for core costs, grant funding tends to be used to run specific projects and buy specified equipment.

Though the charity creates its own income we cannot be certain that there will never be a down turn in trading or a loss of fundraising opportunities. Therefore, our income cannot be guaranteed. For this reason the charity should hold money in reserve to cover a lean period and/or to cover the cost of redundancies and other obligations in the case of the charity being forced to close.

To avoid closure if funding difficulties were to happen the Chester and District Federation of the Blind board of trustees has agreed to keep a certain level of financial reserves to ensure that main operations can continue for a period of six months in the event of loss of income.

The main concerns of the board are to ensure:

That staff can continue working, primarily to secure new funding and That members/service users are supported to move on to other services.

The level of reserves is calculated and monitored every 12 months as the amount of reserves required will alter according to the number of staff we employ and other commitments the charity may undertake.

The board has decided that a sum of £100,000 should be held in reserve to cover six months outgoings.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number

1133300

Principal address

Unit 37 Rosscliffe Road Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 3AS

Trustees

Mrs L C Butt Dr M Bhakoo Mrs J Jones Ms J Whitmore Ms S Towell Ms G L Salmon J Bhargava

Independent Examiner

A M Bagnall Johnstone Howell & Co 104 Whitby Road Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 0AB

Page 3

Chester and District Federation of the Blind

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

GOVERNANCE

The board has reviewed and revised existing policies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 17 April 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Dr M Bhakoo - Trustee

Page 4

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Chester and District Federation of the Blind

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Chester and District Federation of the Blind

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Chester and District Federation of the Blind (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can 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 material 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 Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

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

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

A M Bagnall

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Johnstone Howell & Co 104 Whitby Road Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 0AB

17 April 2025

Page 5

Chester and District Federation of the Blind

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
funds
Notes
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
202,760
-
Charitable activities
5
General expenditure
26,607
-
Other trading activities
3
36,341
-
Investment income
4
20
-
Total
265,728
-
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
6
14,158
-
Charitable activities
7
General expenditure
104,060
-
Travelling
4,087
-
Other
9,043
1,395
Total
131,348
1,395
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
134,380
(1,395)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
776,750
2,588
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
911,130
1,193		 2024
Total
funds
£
202,760
26,607
36,341
20
265,728
14,158
104,060
4,087
10,438
132,743
132,985
779,338
912,323		 2023
Total
funds
£
160,781
5,886
24,195
31
190,893
14,533
95,673
5,912
6,223
122,341
68,552
710,786
779,338

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Balance Sheet 31 December 2024

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets
12
-
Tangible assets
13
248,805
Investments
14
1
248,806
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
15
247,836
Cash at bank and in hand
430,663
678,499
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
16
(16,175)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
662,324
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
911,130
NET ASSETS
911,130
FUNDS
17
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
1
1,192
-
1,193
-
-
-
-
-
1,193
1,193		 2024
Total
funds
£
1
249,997
1
249,999
247,836
430,663
678,499
(16,175)
662,324
912,323
912,323
911,130
1,193
912,323		 2023
Total
funds
£
1
228,816
1
228,818
215,771
337,627
553,398
(2,878)
550,520
779,338
779,338
776,750
2,588
779,338

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 17 April 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

M Bhakoo - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets represents the cost of nine user licences for Cyber Eyes. The expenditure is to be amortised over its estimated useful life of three years.

Tangible fixed assets

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

Freehold property - 2% on cost Improvements to property - 2% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 15% on cost Motor vehicles - 20% on cost Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

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.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

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

continued...

Page 8

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

2.
DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Donations
Subscriptions
3.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Fundraising events
4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Deposit account interest
5.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Activity
Grants
General expenditure
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
The National Lottery Community Fund
The Morgan Foundation
The Leverhulme Trust
6.
RAISING FUNDS
Other trading activities
Fundraising expenses		 2024
£
202,430
330
202,760
2024
£
36,341
2024
£
20
2024
£
26,607
2024
£
6,607
-
20,000
26,607
2024
£
14,158		 2023
£
159,985
796		 2023
£
159,985
796		 2023
£
159,985
796
160,781
2023
£
24,195
2023
£
31
2023
£
5,886
2023
£
-
5,886
-
5,886
2023
£
14,533

continued...

Page 9

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

7. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

General expenditure
Travelling
8.
SUPPORT COSTS
General expenditure		 Support
Direct
costs (see
Costs
note 8)
£
£
101,740
2,320
4,087
-
105,827
2,320
Governance
Finance
costs
£
£
390
1,930		 Totals
£
104,060
4,087
108,147
Totals
£
2,320

9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Trustees' expenses

No expenses were paid to the trustees during the year ended 31 December 2023 (2022 - nil).

10. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2024
Administration
3
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
11.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
funds
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
160,781
-
Charitable activities
General expenditure
5,886
-
Other trading activities
24,195
-
Investment income
31
-
Total
190,893
-
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
14,533
-
Charitable activities
General expenditure
95,673
-		 2023
3
Total
funds
£
160,781
5,886
24,195
31
190,893
14,533
95,673

continued...

Page 10

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund funds funds
£ £ £
Travelling 5,912 - 5,912
Other 4,828 1,395 6,223
Total 120,946 1,395 122,341
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 69,947 (1,395) 68,552
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 706,803 3,983 710,786
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 776,750 2,588 779,338
12. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Computer
software
£
COST
At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 5,526
AMORTISATION
At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 5,525
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024 1
At 31 December 2023 1

continued...

Page 11

Chester and District Federation of the Blind

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1 January 2024
Additions
At 31 December 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
Charge for year
At 31 December 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
COST
At 1 January 2024
Additions
At 31 December 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
Charge for year
At 31 December 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Freehold
Improvements
property
to property
£
£
134,738
110,815
-
-
134,738
110,815
9,846
13,681
1,094
2,216
10,940
15,897
123,798
94,918
124,892
97,134
Motor
Computer
vehicles
equipment
£
£
16,067
470
31,619
-
47,686
470
16,064
468
4,215
-
20,279
468
27,407
2
3
2		 Fixtures
and
fittings
£
19,438
-
19,438
12,653
2,913
15,566
3,872
6,785
Totals
£
281,528
31,619
313,147
52,712
10,438
63,150
249,997
228,816

Included in cost or valuation of land and buildings is freehold land of £80,000 (2023 - £80,000) which is not depreciated.

continued...

Page 12

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

14. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Shares in
group
undertakings
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 1
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024 1
At 31 December 2023 1

There were no investment assets outside the UK.

In order to comply with best practice the trustees have established a private limited company to carry on the charity's trading activities. CDFB Trading Community Interest Company previously known as CDFB Trading Limited (registered in England and Wales, company number 07466434) was incorporated on 10 December 2010. The charity owns the entire issued share capital of CDFB Trading Community Interest Company.

15. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024
£
Amounts owed from
subsidiary company
247,836
16.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024
£
Taxation and social security
1,493
Other creditors
14,682
16,175
17.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement
At 1.1.24
in funds
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
776,750
134,380
Restricted funds
Cyber Eyes
1
-
Big Lottery Fund
1
-
The National Lottery Community Fund
2,586
(1,395)
2,588
(1,395)
TOTAL FUNDS
779,338
132,985		 2023
£
215,771		 2023
£
215,771
2023
£
1,492
1,386
2,878
At
31.12.24
£
911,130
1
1
1,191		 2023
£
1,492
1,386
2,878
1,193
912,323

continued...

Page 13

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund
265,728		 (131,348) 134,380
Restricted funds
The National Lottery Community Fund
-		 (1,395) (1,395)
TOTAL FUNDS
265,728		 (132,743) 132,985
Comparatives for movement in funds
Net
movement At
At 1.1.23 in funds 31.12.23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund
706,803		 69,947 776,750
Restricted funds
Cyber Eyes
1		 - 1
Big Lottery Fund
1		 - 1
The National Lottery Community Fund
3,981		 (1,395) 2,586
3,983 (1,395) 2,588
TOTAL FUNDS
710,786		 68,552 779,338
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund
190,893		 (120,946) 69,947
Restricted funds
The National Lottery Community Fund
-		 (1,395) (1,395)
TOTAL FUNDS
190,893		 (122,341) 68,552

continued...

Page 14

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net
movement
At 1.1.23
in funds
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
706,803
204,327
Restricted funds
Cyber Eyes
1
-
Big Lottery Fund
1
-
The National Lottery Community Fund
3,981
(2,790)
3,983
(2,790)
TOTAL FUNDS
710,786
201,537		 At
31.12.24
£
911,130
1
1
1,191
1,193
912,323

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 456,621 (252,294) 204,327
Restricted funds
The National Lottery Community Fund - (2,790) (2,790)
TOTAL FUNDS 456,621 (255,084) 201,537

18. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Subsidiary company, CDFB Trading Community Interest Company is due to donate profits for taxation purposes for the period under review, amounting to £202,065 (2023 - £157,736), to the charity. The amount owed to the charity by CDFB Trading Community Interest Company at 31 December 2024 amounts to £247,836 (2023 - £215,771 ) as included in debtors per note 15 to the financial statements.

Page 15

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations
Subscriptions
Other trading activities
Fundraising events
Investment income
Deposit account interest
Charitable activities
Grants
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Other trading activities
Fundraising expenses
Charitable activities
Wages
Pensions
Sub contractors
Insurance
Telephone
Postage and stationery
Sundries
Repairs and renewals
Travelling
Cleaning
Motor expenses
Other
Freehold property
Improvements to property
Fixtures and fittings
Motor vehicles
Support costs		 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024		 2024
£
202,430
330
202,760
36,341
20
26,607
265,728
14,158
88,812
2,011
6,623
-
50
-
1,391
449
4,087
2,160
244
105,827
1,094
2,216
2,913
4,215
10,438		 2023
£
159,985
796
160,781
24,195
31
5,886
190,893
14,533
81,597
1,793
3,513
2,359
282
27
1,094
1,368
5,912
825
1,158
99,928
1,094
2,216
2,913
-
6,223

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16

Chester and District Federation of the

Blind

Support costs
Finance
Bank charges
Governance costs
Accountancy fees
Total resources expended
Net income		 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024		 2024
£
390
1,930
132,743
132,985		 2023
£
412
1,245
122,341
68,552

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 17