SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
Charity Number 1136611 Company Number 07076038
SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
| CONTENTS | Pages |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ report | 3 – 12 |
| Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees | 13 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
| Balance Sheet | 15 |
| Notes forming part of the financial statements | 16 - 21 |
SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 October 2024.
Objectives and activities
The object of the Charity under its Memorandum is:
To further the benefit of the residents of Kingsweston ward, Bristol and the neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.
The main focus of SMCI to date has been the operation of a community café which opened 6th December 2011. The development of a Community Garden has emerged as a significant parallel project under the leadership of the project co-ordinator appointed at the end of 2016. At the beginning of 2022 SMCI also commenced a third project to take on a short lease for Sea Mills Methodist Church to ensure that a community space remains available in the area to facilitate community groups and events following the closure of the local community centre.
The original vision for the community café project is reflected in the following principles :
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an opportunity for the three main churches in Sea Mills (St Edyth’s CofE, Highgrove Church and Sea Mills Methodist) to work together for the benefit of the local community.
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a focal centre for all sections of the community – young and old.
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a project to engender a real sense of civic pride in Sea Mills; and
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a project run by the community for the benefit of the community, making a difference to all those that live in Sea Mills.
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the advice contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future
Achievements and performance
Due to significant changes over the previous financial year to the board, we’ve continued to focus on strengthening our trustee team by ensuring it is equipped with a diverse range of skills and experience.
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TRUSTEES REPORT
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Café on the Square
The community café – named 'Café on the Square’ - first opened for business on 6 December 2011. The small team of 2-3 paid staff are ably supported by volunteers from the local community. Over this year between 30-35 individuals have generously given of their time to help support the café in a myriad of ways including washing laundry, baking, shopping and serving in the café itself. This reflects a high level of ongoing local commitment and support for the project. The volunteers have an important influence on the ethos of the café and the friendly atmosphere which people so enjoy, and during the year volutnteers have enjoyed 3 socials. Some of the volunteers have been serving year on year since the opening of the café and yet many more continue to join the team. We have had seasonal volunteers and work experience students who connect to us from local schools.
From a financial point of view the contribution of volunteers is crucial to the commercial viability of the café. We continue to take opportunities to build the practical skills and confidence of our volunteers by offering training in food safety, barista skills and taking orders. We are able to offer volunteering experiences to those who are unemployed, have additional needs or disabilities and/or might be struggling with poor mental or physical health as well as those who are retired or might just want to gain some new skills.
In August, we were delighted to promote one of our café assistants to the role of Café Manager. This transition allowed our Operations Manager to step back from day-to-day café management duties and focus on broader responsibilities within the charity. As the organisation has grown, and with increasing demands on both our catering operations and the charity sector as a whole, this change was a necessary and timely development. The financial cost of this however means that additional grant support might be needed to support what work the charity does in the future.
There has been continued positive feedback from those visiting the café, and it is clear that it has become an essential and established part of community life in Sea Mills. Demographically we have a high proportion of visitors who are above retirement age. During the year 2023-24 we noticed many regular visitors, as well as those visiting the café for the first time. An e- referral scheme has been set up with café staff for the North Bristol food bank to provide support where required.
We have seen increasingly strong relationships develop with a local community policing team. They attended some of the events run across the year to meet the community and also ran several beat surgeries at the café to give local people opportunities to connect and gain support. This has been a wonderful development to encourage from the café.
Additionally, we were pleased to host the Tea and Tech service, which successfully secured funding to run a biweekly drop-in session from the café. These sessions offer support and guidance in using technology, including help with laptops and mobile phones.
The café is used for additional events and activities and one such event is the annual Autumnal fair named Apple Day. Sea Mills is an area with sizeable gardens and many apple trees and this provides an opportunity for members of the community to bring surplus apples to crush and enjoy as juice. Despite some rainfall 2024 Apple day welcomed around 250300 visitors to the café and the green surrounding it. There was live music, crafts, stalls, and the community (including the children) were invited to be part of the process of turning apples into juice via a traditional press. Ahead of this event a volunteer committee was formed to allow for smooth running of the day and an expansion of the offering by hosting more stalls, running a tombola, and having the live music amplified so everyone could hear and enjoy it.
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TRUSTEES REPORT
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At the 2024 event we were fortunate enough to have local bee experts come and share their work and produce with us.
Another tradition that has become expected in Sea Mills is for SMCI to work with local churches to host a free carolling event at Christmas. This year SMCI took the lead on a different type of event and hosted the first Christmas Crib Weekend Festival in collaboration with the two local churches. The Methodist Hall was beautifully decorated for the season, and local residents were invited to bring their crib sets to display, creating a warm and festive atmosphere throughout the weekend. The event was a true community effort, supported by many local volunteers and contributions from various groups. Carol singing took place on Friday evening and again at Saturday lunchtime, while the rest of the weekend offered a relaxed, free opportunity for visitors to explore the diverse crib displays at their leisure. There were also dedicated play areas and a dress-up station for children, adding to the familyfriendly atmosphere. Local groups such as the Climate Action Group, Brownies, and local playgroups contributed their own homemade crib scenes, further enriching the experience. Free entry and free refreshments, provided by the local churches, made this an inclusive and joyful, cross-community celebration that brought people together at the very start of the festive season.
Due to staffing capacity and financial restrictions some remedial works to the building have had to be put on hold. We were thrilled this year to have a team from the Bristol Noise Project come and do a day with us focusing on deep cleaning, tidying and sorting and improving areas in the café.
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
Methodist Church Hall
The use of the Methodist Hall by community groups continued to be of benefit to users in 23-24. Income to support the space running was gathered through one-off bookings/parties and other business groups like Adventure Babies who started a new baby class in Sea Mills. One boost to our income this year was the hire of the space for a film crew to use the hall as a catering base. We were able to accommodate this booking which was a significant financial gain for the charity.
Following a local tragedy in which the lives of three young children were lost, the Methodist Church was opened as a safe and supportive space for mourners. It also served as a hub where community police and council representatives could meet with and support local residents affected by the devastating news. Having a community space available in Sea Mills proved vital, and for a week, the church became a central place for people to gather, grieve, and seek comfort.
As the tragedy deeply affected members of the Islamic and North African communities, it became clear that more local support was needed—particularly for women who may experience barriers related to language or cultural differences. This highlighted the importance of creating more inclusive and accessible support services within the community. This led to the development of a Friendship café running a free weekly space to chat and connect for women from all backgrounds. Free nutritious soup is provided from B&A Church and the council started ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) and conversation classes. Sessions targeted at young families were able to run through the holiday times.
Over the year we have been able to develop relationships with the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) who carried out an audit on the Methodist Hall. After we carried out the actions suggested to make the space more accessible, they awarded us a bronze level for being Dementia Aware. Towards the end of the year, they set up a regular dementia memory café in the hall. The BDAA also supported us in acquiring the abandoned planters from the closed community centre. These planters now create a lovely feature outside the Methodist Hall for our users to tend, symbolising the welcoming and community-focused spirit of the space.
Climate Action Group's Repair Café (a group of volunteers offering their practical skills to fix and mend and save items from landfill) continued to be a popular monthly event in the area.
SMCI has been able to make the most of the space and host community events and regular groups as well. Local ward meetings were held in the building connecting Sea Mills to the wider ward. A significant event made possible by the Methodist church hall being available was the annual Sea Mills flower show. This was run by a team of local enthusiastic volunteers who bought together the community and visitors from afar to admire and enjoy floral displays and prized homegrown fruits and vegetables.
The Community coffee morning, born from a warm space, continued to thrive this year, becoming an important part of the week for many of its regular attendees. Some sessions welcomed nearly twenty visitors, with a consistent weekly turnout of around 12 to 15 people. We have been thrilled this year to have a core team of volunteers manage the running of this group which has meant it’s become a much more sustainable offering and has remained open through school holidays. Visitors themselves enjoy playing their part in the clearing up at the end meaning no one is left feeling put upon. The club offers free tea, coffee, cake,
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TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
and biscuits, creating a warm and welcoming environment where laughter is shared—and, at times, tears—as people feel safe to open up about personal challenges.
One woman, who was encouraged to attend after mentioning her situation during a hairdressing appointment, shared how much the group has meant to her while navigating her husband's sudden illness. Her story is just one example of how meaningful connections and support have grown through this simple yet powerful space.
As organisers of these weekly sessions, we have been both encouraged and supported this year by the Warm Welcome Campaign, a project of the Good Faith Partnership. This growing partnership has enabled us to access valuable support for ourselves, while also providing opportunities to share experiences and stories with other warm spaces across the city.
Community Garden
The Community Garden had a busy year in 23-24. The regular groups continued to engage different parts of the community—from those who are retired, to those with additional needs, and a wide range of ages among the children.
The popular group Muddy Mondays, our outdoor toddler time in the garden, continues to be at full capacity and is thoroughly enjoyed by those who visit weekly. The community payback team, who had been tending a patch in the garden, unfortunately came to the end of their program this year. However, the Muddy Mondays group have keenly taken over tending the patch, as well as developing a woodland campfire/forest school area.
Despite having limited staff hours, the community garden team were still able to run busy Easter and summer events for local families, including a special campfire night. We saw great engagement from the local primary school, with children given opportunities to learn and explore throughout the year. The programmes now offered to schools and groups visiting have been more formalised and organised so that we have been able to reach out and connect with other schools. Relationships have begun to form with a brand new education facility in close proximity, which we hope will soon begin visiting and enjoy being part of the garden.
Our other regular volunteer sessions twice weekly continue to boost the spirits of those involved, and progress has been made on the nature pond area started in recent years. The badgers in the garden continue to mark their territory, and work is fairly regularly done to move pathways so as not to disturb their tracks.
Toward the end of the year, we were thrilled to host the annual Harvest Supper at Highgrove Church. This fundraising event welcomed both visitors and volunteers of the garden, who gathered to enjoy soup made from ingredients grown throughout the season.
We were delighted to welcome local councillor Don Alexander—a keen gardener himself— as well as Darren Jones MP, who gave a warm and supportive speech before joining us for a bowl of soup. During the afternoon, we celebrated our wonderful volunteers and garden visitors by presenting awards to people of all ages, from the very young right up. It was a joyful celebration of both the community that sustains the garden and the produce lovingly grown within it.
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TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
Sea Mills 100
Sea Mills Community Initiative (SMCI) has primarily focused on operating a community café, which opened on 6th December 2011 and has since served as a central hub for local residents. In addition to this, the development of a Community Garden has become a significant parallel project, guided by a project coordinator appointed at the end of 2016. In early 2022, SMCI expanded its efforts by taking on a short lease of the Sea Mills Methodist Church. This move was aimed at preserving a vital community space for local groups and events following the closure of the area’s former community centre. Another unique asset managed by SMCI is the Telephone Box Community Museum, which is operated through the SeaMills100 project. This vibrant and evolving display celebrates the history and heritage of Sea Mills, offering a space for community storytelling.
The museum contained displays throughout the year, chiefly highlighting the oral histories that had been recorded by volunteers in the area. The resealing of the windows which happened the previous year was successful and there have been no significant leaks. Knitted poppies were added in November for Remembrance Day.
We are extremely grateful to Judy McIntosh who continues to unlock and lock the museum everyday with other volunteers stepping in if she is away. Dave Mallard repainted the exterior this year and we have also had a couple of Duke of Edinburgh volunteers cleaning the museum over the period.
Financially we are still in reasonable shape. We found a more reasonable insurer for the project via Towergate. The Sea Mills 100 book has now completely sold out, so we will look in the future at making that material available in an online format.
Sea Mills 100 had a garland made by volunteers at the SMCI Christmas event and the museum was lit during December with flashing lights. We also started a research project over the autumn 2024 investigating the very first residents of Sea Mills who were recorded on the 1921 census.
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
Plans for future periods
Future plans are centred on the following priorities:
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We have identified a need to be better connected with other organisations locally. Plans are in progress to host an event for the Bristol Community Festival in March 2025 that might encourage this.
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Further to this we would like to find ways to communicate to local people about the work we are doing and what we are about. A newsletter or social media platform has been suggested
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Continued fundraising or grants are needed for the removal of the Leylandii tree at the community garden and for better accessibility in the garden through new paths.
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The lease for the Methodist church has been extended to end in July 2025. Options are needed to be explored in discussion with the Methodist circuit. This building has become an important part of the community and how to maintain that going forward will be a key consideration for SMCI in the year ahead.
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In light of the tragic event during this year we would like to think about provision for young people in the area. Discussions have been started with various organisations who provide support or activities for young people to see if programmes could be started in Sea Mills.
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Continuing to engage with individuals and groups who have a wish to provide volunteer support to the charity in assisting with operation of the café and associated community activities.
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Progressing other potential projects, in consultation with the local community and other key stakeholders (such as Bristol City Council).
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
Financial review and reserves policy
The charity's income in the year to 31 October 2023 was £107,810 made up principally of income from the charitable activity of running Café on the Square of £87,942 (2023: £80,481) and grants and donations from charitable trusts and supporting individuals and churches of £7,610 (2023: £8,165).
Expenditure was £95,698 (2023: £93,491) and related primarily with the running costs of Café on the Square, with £468 (2022: £1,900) relating to Community Garden expenditure and Sea Mills 100 project costs of £328 (2023: £380) expended largely from restricted funds.
The Trustees have a target level for free reserves of between 3 to 6 months of annual expenditure (excluding the cost of café ingredients that vary with income, significant repairs, depreciation, improvements and project costs typically covered by grant income). This translates to a target of between £12,500 and £25,000. Such reserves are necessary to ensure the smooth running of the café and Community Garden in the event of exceptional events or fluctuations in income. At the year end, free reserves stood at £48,237, which is above this target range – but with the high likelihood of being required to register for VAT in the next year reserves may be required while significant changes to the operating model are made to ensure the charity remains viable.
The Trustees gratefully acknowledge the support of our private donors and volunteers who made the operation of the café and garden possible.
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
Reference and administrative details
Charity number: 1136611 Company number: 07076038 Registered office: The Clock Tower, 5 Farleigh Court, Old Weston Road, Flax Bourton, Bristol, BS48 1UR
Independent Examiner: Paul Brown FCIE DChA, 2 Ger y Mynydd, Hirwaun, Aberdare, CF44 9RD
Bankers: Bank of Scotland, 2nd Floor, Pentland House, 8 Lochside Avenue, South Gyle, Edinburgh, EH12 9DJ
Directors and Trustees:
The Trustees serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
B C Hewer S Hearsey (appointed May 2023 Chair from Dec 22) S F Hazelden (appointed September 2023) C Lambourne (appointed September 2023) N White (appointed September 2023 Treasurer from Nov 22))
A Management Group oversees the activities of the Charity and consists of the Trustees and one other individual: Diane Cogan.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Charity's governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Charity was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 13th November 2009 as Sea Mills Community Café Limited. The company changed its name to Sea Mills Community Initiatives on 23rd December 2009 and became registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on 28th June 2010.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
New Trustees are recruited on the basis of the knowledge of the existing Trustees of suitable candidates. In selecting persons to be appointed, the Trustees take into account the benefits of appointing a person who is able by virtue of his or her professional qualifications or experience to make a contribution to the pursuit of the objects or the management of Sea Mills Community Initiatives.
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
New Trustees receive an Induction Pack appropriate to their level of existing knowledge of and involvement with Sea Mills Community Initiatives. As a minimum, new Trustees receive a copy of the Charity Commission publication CC3 – The Essential Trustee: what you need to know, together with the charity’s governing document and latest annual report and accounts.
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees (who are also directors of Sea Mills Community Initiatives for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report (incorporating the directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Small Company Provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under the Companies Act 2006.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
S Hearsey Chair of Trustees 28.07.25
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 October 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s 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 charity’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
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirement 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
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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.
Paul Brown FCIE DChA 2 Ger y Mynydd Hirwaun Aberdare CF44 9RD 28[th] July 2025
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
| **Unrestricted ** | **Restricted ** | **Endowment ** | **Total Funds ** | Total Funds | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | ||||||
| Grants and other donations | 2 | 6,110 | 1,500 | - | 7,610 | 8,165 |
| Charitable Activities | 3 | 98,994 | - | - | 98,994 | 88,738 |
| Investments | 1,206 | - | - | 1,206 | 890 | |
| Other | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total income | 106,310 | 1,500 | - | 107,810 | 97,793 | |
| Expenditure on: | ||||||
| Charitable activities | 4 | 95,024 | 674 | - | 95,698 | 93,491 |
| Total expenditure | 95,024 | 674 | - | 95,698 | 93,491 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) | 6 | 11,286 | 826 | - | 12,112 | 4,302 |
| Transfers between funds | 10 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | 11,286 | 826 | - | 12,112 | 4,302 | |
| Total funds at start of year | 45,560 | 2,150 | 133,359 | 181,069 | 176,767 | |
| Total funds at end of year | 10 | 56,846 | 2,976 | 133,359 | 193,181 | 181,069 |
All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.
Prior year fund comparatives are detailed in note 12.
The notes on pages 16 to 21 form part of these financial statements
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
BALANCE SHEET
AT 31 OCTOBER 2024
Company registration number: 07076038
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 7 Current assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 9 Net current assets Net assets FUNDS Unrestricted funds Free reserves 11 Fixed asset funds 11 Sea Mills 100 (designated) 11 Community Garden funds (designated) 11 Restricted funds 11 Capital (expendable endowment) funds Property 11 |
2024 £ 137,553 2,080 54,520 56,600 (972) 55,628 193,181 48,237 7,658 951 - 56,846 2,976 133,359 193,181 |
2023 £ 141,017 2,035 38,690 |
|---|---|---|
| 40,725 (673) |
||
| 40,052 | ||
| 181,069 | ||
| 33,159 11,122 1,279 - |
||
| 45,560 2,150 133,359 |
||
| 181,069 |
For the year ending 31 October 2024, 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 directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 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.
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 28th July 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:
S Hearsey
Chairman of Trustees
The notes on pages 16 to 21 form part of these financial statements
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
1 Accounting policies
- a) The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities
The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined under FRS102.
Along with other similar charities and organisations, the COVID-19 pandemic after the year end has brought many uncertainties to the global economy. The impact of this on the charity is highlighted in further detail within the Trustees' annual report. Notwithstanding these uncertainties, the Trustees have chosen to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis given the free reserves held by the charity, the careful planning of the Trustees and use of government grant schemes since the year end.
- b) Income from donations is recognised when receivable, except as follows:
i) When donors specify that donations given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods.
ii) When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to us such income, the income is deferred until the pre-condition have been met.
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c) Expenditure is recognised in the period in which it is incurred.
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d) Most expenditure is directly attributable to charitable activities and has been included in that cost category. Support costs have been included entirely under the heading Charitable Activities.
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e) Fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised in the balance sheet and carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Fixtures and Fittings are depreciated on a straight line basis on their estimated useful life of 5 years. The property is not depreciated on grounds on immateriality as the estimated residual value (based on prices at the time of construction) is not materially different from the carrying amount of the asset.
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f) Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable object at the discretion of the trustees.
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g) Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity, as indicated by the donor.
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h) Grant funding for tangible fixed assets for the charity's own continuing use is accounted for as expendable endowment, converted to income annually as inter-fund transfers in line with the rate at which the related asset's depreciation is recognised as expenditure in the Statement of Financial
2 Grants and other donations
| Grants receivable from Churches, Trusts and Local Authorities Gifts from Individuals |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 500 1,000 - 1,500 2,614 5,610 500 - 6,110 5,551 |
|---|---|
| 6,110 1,500 - 7,610 8,165 |
In the prior year, all grants and other donations were unrestricted other than £1913 grant from Quartet for warm spaces, £792 received for café development and £199 received for Laynandii removal fund were was restricted.
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
3 Income from Charitable Activities
| Income from Charitable Activities | Income from Charitable Activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Unrestricted ** | **Restricted ** | **Endowment ** | **Total Funds ** | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Café sales | 87,942 | - | - | 87,942 | 80,481 |
| Book sales | - | - | - | - | 84 |
| Community Garden subscriptions and re | 11,052 | - | - | 11,052 | 8,173 |
| 98,994 | - | - | 98,994 | 88,738 |
In the prior year, all income from charitable activities was unrestricted.
4 Expenditure on Charitable Activities
| Café staff costs Café purchases Insurance IT and website costs Rates and utilities Licenses Cleaning and waste disposal Rent of kitchen facilities Kitchen equipment Café repairs and maintenance Community Garden expenditure Sea Mills 100 Project costs Sea Mills Methodist expenses Climate action group Security Card fees Depreciation Legal fees Accountancy fees Governance costs Sundry costs |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 47,366 - - 47,366 42,322 24,118 - - 24,118 23,746 626 - - 626 1,144 965 - - 965 831 6,236 - - 6,236 5,083 414 - - 414 981 1,425 - - 1,425 2,616 - - - - - 1,047 - - 1,047 323 992 - - 992 366 468 - - 468 1,900 328 - - 328 380 5,415 674 - 6,089 8,119 - - - - - - - - - 127 1,264 - - 1,264 1,104 3,464 - - 3,464 3,464 - - - - - 250 - - 250 113 - - - - - 646 - - 646 872 |
|---|---|
| 95,024 674 - 95,698 93,491 |
In the prior year, £474 of the Café staff costs, £205 of the cafes purchases, £292 of the IT and Website costs, £168 of the cleaning costs, £690 of the community Garden, £1,439 of the Sea Mills Methodist expenses, £127 of the security and £22 suundry costs were expended from restricted funds.
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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
5 Staff costs and numbers
| Wages and salaries Pension costs |
2024 2023 £ £ 46,588 40,979 778 714 |
|---|---|
| 47,366 41,693 |
The charity had an average of 5 employees during the year (2 full time equivalents; 2023: 5 employees and 2 full time equivalents).
6 Net income/(expenditure)
| Is stated after charging: Independent examiner's fee |
2024 2023 £ £ 100 100 |
|---|---|
No Trustees received any remuneration in the current or prior year. No Trustees were reimbursed travel expenses of £nil in the current year (2023: £nil).
7 Tangible assets
| Cost At 1 November 2023 Additions At 31 October 2024 Depreciation At 1 November 2023 Charge for the year At 31 October 2024 Net book value At 31 October 2024 At 31 October 2023 Debtors Prepayments Other debtors Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Other creditors and accruals |
Property £ 133,359 - |
Fixtures and Fittings Total £ £ 34,449 167,808 - - |
|---|---|---|
| 133,359 | 34,449 167,808 |
|
| - - |
26,791 26,791 3,464 3,464 |
|
| - | 30,255 30,255 |
|
| 133,359 133,359 |
4,194 137,553 7,658 141,017 |
|
| 2024 2023 £ £ 646 776 1,434 1,259 |
||
| 2,080 2,035 |
||
| 2024 2023 £ £ 972 673 |
||
| 972 673 |
8 Debtors
9 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
18
SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
| **10 ** | Movement in funds | At | At | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov | 31 Oct | |||||
| Current year | 2023 | **Income ** | Expenditure | Transfers | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Capital (expendable endowment) funds | ||||||
| Property | 133,359 | - | - | - | 133,359 | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||||
| Free reserves | 33,159 | 106,310 | (91,232) | - | 48,237 | |
| Fixed asset funds (designated) | 11,122 | - | (3,464) | - | 7,658 | |
| Sea Mills 100 (designated) | 1,279 | - | (328) | - | 951 | |
| 45,560 | 106,310 | (95,024) | - | 56,846 | ||
| Restricted funds | ||||||
| Quartet - Friendship Café | - | 1,500 | (674) | 826 | ||
| Leynandii removal fund | 199 | - | - | - | 199 | |
| Heritage Lottery Fund | 316 | - | - | - | 316 | |
| Woodland Trust | 500 | - | - | - | 500 | |
| LinkAge (West) | 1,135 | - | - | - | 1,135 | |
| 2,150 | 1,500 | (674) | - | 2,976 | ||
| Total funds | 181,069 | 107,810 | (95,698) | - | 193,181 | |
| At | At | |||||
| 1 Nov | 31 Oct | |||||
| Prior year | 2022 | **Income ** | Expenditure | Transfers | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Capital (expendable endowment) funds | ||||||
| Property | 133,359 | - | - | - | 133,359 | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||||
| Free reserves | 28,757 | 94,250 | (88,967) | (881) | 33,159 | |
| Fixed asset funds (designated) | 11,122 | - | - | - | 11,122 | |
| Sea Mills 100 (designated) | 2,174 | 212 | (1,107) | - | 1,279 | |
| Community Garden funds (designated) | (1,308) | 427 | - | 881 | - | |
| 40,745 | 94,889 | (90,074) | - | 45,560 | ||
| Restricted funds | ||||||
| Café development | - | 792 | (792) | - | - | |
| Leynandii removal fund | - | 199 | - | - | 199 | |
| Warm spaces | - | 1,913 | (1,913) | - | - | |
| Co-op Local Community Fund | 712 | - | (712) | - | - | |
| Heritage Lottery Fund | 316 | - | - | - | 316 | |
| Woodland Trust | 500 | - | - | - | 500 | |
| LinkAge (West) | 1,135 | - | - | - | 1,135 | |
| 2,663 | 2,904 | (3,417) | - | 2,150 | ||
| Total funds | 176,767 | 97,793 | (93,491) | - | 181,069 |
19
SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
10 Movement in funds (continued)
Property
This fund represents the net book value of the property purchased and developed with grants given for that purpose.
Free reserves
These funds represent the free reserves of the charity.
Fixed asset funds (designated)
These funds represent the net book value of the Fixtures and Equipment on the charity's balance sheet.
Sea Mills 100 (designated)
These funds represent monies generated by the Sea Mills 100 project that have been allocated to that project but are not restricted gifts.
Café development
This fund represents donations given towards development of Café on the Square, including for a new awning and developing infrastructure. Transfers to Fixed assets NBV represent the derestriction of restricted funds used to purchase capitalised Fixed Assets.
Leynandii removal fund - This fund is made up of small fundraising items contributing to the specific purpose of Leylandii removal in the allotment area. This was not used and has been carried over into the next financial period.
Warm spaces - This grant was provided by Quartet from Bristol City Council - social action small grants and was fully allocated within the year to opening up the Methodist Hall as a warm space.
Heritage Lottery Fund, Woodland Trust, Bristol City Council and LinkAge (West) grants
These grants are restricted for the Sea Mills 100 Heritage project. Monies unspent are being carried forward to be spent in future periods in line with the grant agreements and, where necessary, with the permission of the grantor.
11 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible | Other | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current year | fixed assets | net assets | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Capital (expendable endowment) funds | |||
| Property | 133,359 | - | 133,359 |
| Restricted funds | - | 2,976 | 2,976 |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| Free reserves | - | 48,237 | 48,237 |
| Designated funds | 4,194 | 4,415 | 8,609 |
| 137,553 | 55,628 | 193,181 | |
| Prior year | |||
| Capital (expendable endowment) funds | |||
| Property | 133,359 | - | 133,359 |
| Restricted funds | - | 2,150 | 2,150 |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| Free reserves | - | 33,159 | 33,159 |
| Designated funds | 11,122 | 1,279 | 12,401 |
| 144,481 | 36,588 | 181,069 |
20
SEA MILLS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
12 Prior year fund comparatives for the Statement of Financial Activities
| Income from: Grants and other donations Charitable Activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers betweeen funds Net movement in funds Total funds at start of year Total funds at end of year |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ 5,261 2,904 - 8,165 88,738 - - 88,738 890 - - 890 |
|---|---|
| 94,889 2,904 - 97,793 |
|
| 90,074 3,417 - 93,491 |
|
| 90,074 3,417 - 93,491 |
|
| 4,815 (513) - 4,302 - - |
|
| 4,815 (513) - 4,302 40,745 2,663 133,359 176,767 |
|
| 45,560 2,150 133,359 181,069 |
13 Company limited by guarantee
The company is limited by guarantee and as such has no issued share capital. In the event of the company being wound up the liability of the members is limited to £1 each.
21