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← Black Country Food Bank Limited

2024-03-31-accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 06986325 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1136676

Black Country Foodbank Limited Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial Statements

31 March 2024

Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Pages
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report) 1 to 8
Independent auditor's report to the trustees 9 to 12
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) 13
Statement of financial position 14
Statement of cash flows 15
Notes to the financial statements 16 to 27

Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)

Year ended 31 March 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name Black Country Foodbank Limited Charity registration number 1136676 Company registration number 06986325 Principal office and registered 3B Swallowfield Courtyard office Wolverhampton Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2JG The trustees Mr C Maltby (Resigned 1 March 2024) Mr S Badhan Ms J Corns (Resigned 19 September 2024) Mr J M Russell Ms P La Rue Mr L Massey Auditor BSN Associates Limited Chartered accountants & statutory auditor 3B Swallowfield Courtyard Wolverhampton Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2JG

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Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee (registered in England and Wales). The organisation was incorporated on 10[th] August 2009 and became a registered charity under the Chairmans Act on 30[th] June 2010. The charity commenced its activities from the 1[st] July 2010 and this is its thirteenth year of operations.

The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended by special resolution on the 22[nd] March 2010.

The Board of Trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purpose of the Companies Act, have overall responsibility for the direction, management and control of the charity.

The Board shall comprise of no fewer than two members and there is no maximum number of members. At the end of the reporting period there were a total of six members, all of whom are unpaid.

The Board have the power to appoint a member at any time to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing members. Members are appointed according to their relevant skills, competencies and experience which is assessed by the existing board of members. Every year one third of the members holding office must retire, these members will be the ones who have held office the longest. The Board may fill the vacated office by electing an individual to office and in default the retiring member shall if offering themselves for re-election, be deemed to have been re-elected unless the Board resolve not to fill the vacated office. A member can retire at any point by resigning his office in writing.

All new members receive a full induction into the charities operations by existing members.

The liabilities of members is limited to their guarantee. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

The Charity is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who reports to the board of Trustees on a regular basis. Trustees’ meetings are held on a quarterly basis.

Aims and purpose

Black Country Foodbank exists to help vulnerable individuals and families in crisis through the provision of emergency food supplies while a longer -term solution is developed. The services that we provide have an enormous impact on the people who use them, giving them breathing space at a time of great need.

Our three core values are:

To Love:- Responding to the needs of those in crisis, To Connect:- Engaging organisations throughout the Black Country in our vision, To Invest:- Working with volunteers and staff

Our areas of operations cover the Black Country region: with twenty eight (28) distribution centres (branches) across Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell boroughs. All distribution centres are supported from a central warehouse function based in Brierly Hill in the Dudley Borough.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Objectives and activities

Black Country Foodbank is committed to delivering a responsive service involving the distribution of food, toiletries and household items to those who, following a needs assessment, have been referred to us by a diverse range of frontline agencies (voucher holders) due to being in crisis.

While the voucher-holding agency puts interventions in place to help the families and individuals in the longer term, we will not only feed but also to look to ‘signpost’ the service user to other sources of care and support on a personal, case-by-case basis.

The organisations roots are in the Christian faith however we are entirely committed to helping anyone who needs our support, young, old, single people and families from all backgrounds, religious beliefs (if any) and ethnic origin, without prejudice. We aim to treat everyone fairly and with dignity. Our policies are robust in ensuring that there is no place for any form of discrimination, be that with those we help, the broad spectrum of those we accept donations from and those we recruit as staff and/ or volunteers.

The Trustees have confidence that the organisations operating model provides reassurance to donors, prospective donors, agencies and the wider community that no abuse of the system is possible. Voucher holding agencies adhere to a robust system of needs assessment to ensure only those in genuine need are supported and are engaged with regularly and supported as necessary.

Achievement, performance and volunteers

This financial year at Black Country Foodbank has continued to see demand grow around its core services and the organisation continues to be agile in its response to a challenging and changing macro environment. The cost-of-living crisis continues to challenge families locally and the political landscape remains uncertain and also little signs of abating.

As an organisation, Black Country Foodbank draws upon its strength and resilience that has been displayed over a number of years to remain front and centre and committed to be remain on the frontline providing a trusted service respected by local authorities and partners who value the dedication of our core staff and our volunteers who’s passion to make a difference is refreshing and humbling.

It is through this dedication and passion that Black Country Foodbank will continue to strive to meet the needs of our local communities through love, connection and investment which are our core values which underpin the organisation.

Through the Financial Year 2023-24, we have seen the following develop through not only our Impact Report but through the key measures used to help assess the current position,

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Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Key measures

==> picture [526 x 225] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
2023-24 2022-23 Var % YOY
Total People accessing provision
(DC’s & Central) 43,728 39,771 10%
Including Children 17,066 14,738 18%
Total Equivalent Meals Provided
(Partner Projects Only) 27.249 35,582 -23%
Total Food Distributed
(25 DC’s, Central & Partners) In Tonnes 283 277 2%
Total Donations
(DC’s & Central) In Tonnes (a) 339 267 (a) 13%
----- End of picture text -----

Note

a) This excludes purchased items however purchased items will now be included in all reporting and is included within the 2023-24 totals.

We continue to remain amazed by the generosity of local people, organisations, faith groups, schools who donate time, finance and food to Black Country Foodbank and our team have worked hard to make sure everything is shared across our network and partners, and we continue to create a firm foundation to allow us as an organisation to do more.

We continue to collaborate with other support agencies including Dudley CVS, local authorities, Citizens Advice, Welfare Rights, Homeless Services as well as other charities to continuously improve support to those in our local communities.

The cost-of-living challenges have been seen through this period and continue to be a real risk and challenge of which Black Country Foodbank continue to maintain its focus on the delivery of its core objective - To help vulnerable individuals and families in crisis through the provision of emergency food supplies while a longer -term solution is developed.

The “Impact Report” continues to highlight the key challenges faced and we continue to develop the format to highlight the demand and the pressures that are being experienced within our local communities.

The recipe card and provision initiative continue to grow as a complementary provision to food parcels and its simplicity is helping to support a positive change and continues to grow and we will develop this channel further in the coming years.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and performance

Public benefit

Under the Charities Act 2011, charities are required to demonstrate that their aims are for the public benefit. The two key principles which must be met in this context are, first, that there must be an identifiable benefit or benefits; and secondly, that the benefit must be to the public, or a section of the public. Charity trustees must ensure that they carry out their charity's aims for the public benefit, must have regard to the Charity Commission's guidance, and must report on public benefit in in their Annual Report.

The charities board of trustees regularly monitors and reviews the success of the organisation in meeting its key objectives of relieving financial hardship, sickness and needs of people. The Trustees confirm, in the light of the guidance, that these aims fully meet the public benefit test and that all the activities of the charity, described in the Report of the Trustees, are undertaken in pursuit of these aims.

Financial review

The charities total incoming resources for the year were £1,433,901 (2023: £1,426,938) which were generated primarily from donations received from the public and various organisations and grants. The total resources expended of the charity were £1,120,129 (2023: £1,094,829) and represent the costs incurred to enable the charity to carry out its operations. The charity made a surplus for the year of £313,772 (2023: £332,109).

Reserves and going concern

The trustees consider that 25% of the charities annual operating expenses (excluding donated goods) is a reasonable level of unrestricted funds to retain, to allow the charity to have sufficient funds going forward to meets it obligations.

2024 2023
£ £
Unrestricted Funds 1,072,652 836,548
Restricted Funds 280,175 202,507
---------------------- ----------------------
Total Funds 1,352,827 1,039,055
---------------------- ----------------------
% of unrestricted funds to annual operating expenditure 421 498

Black Country Foodbank directors are incredibly aware of the generosity of individuals, organisations over the pandemic who have boosted funds to support the ongoing aims of the charity as we face unprecedented times and challenges not only through this reporting period but also in the short to medium term.

Through this reporting period, we have also seen an increase in regular donations of which we are humble to receive, and we also received a Lottery Grant in February 2024 with a condition of spending before the end of March 2024 which has maintained the level of reserves which were forecast to be reduced over this reporting period.

Through the structural organisational changes made, the requirements to purchase additional food and toiletries to meet and maintain demand whilst physical donations reduced and also the acceleration of the Recipe programme as well as other project development, we forecast the level of reserves to reduce through the next reporting period.

The trustees are pleased to report that the charities reserves policy has been met and that the charity intends to use its reserves to further its objectives.

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Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Financial review (continued)

Risk management and internal control

The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the organisation operates an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise to provide reasonable assurance that:

They do this by reviewing the up to date financial information of the charity including a review of its financial procedures and identifying and managing risks that the charity is exposed to.

Plans for future periods

Black Country Foodbank remain committed to the objective of its core purpose of providing nutritionally balanced food provision in a time of crisis however agility and response to the ever-changing macro environments will be required in the short to medium term. Over the past few years we have demonstrated our resilience and response to those in need throughout the Black Country and our focus on partnership has helped to strengthen our position of trust within the local authorities, organisations and also the local communities we serve and this will continue further as we align our structure to support and grow.

We are aware daily of the efforts and diligence that our staff team and volunteers make to ensure donated food is processed and distributed as effectively as possible and without question we remain humble by the local communities who chose us to make food and financial donations to where we can make a difference despite challenging times.

We are acutely aware that cost of living pressures continues to grow and put pressure on the most vulnerable within our local communities and we are committed throughout 2024-25, to continue to deliver on our core purpose through our network of volunteers providing food for those in crisis throughout the Black Country.

However, this in turn will see an increase in spend for food and toiletries provision and we forecast that this will continue to grow over the short term and we will adapt our processes and policies to continue to meet the need but also the responsibilities and duties that come with this step change and will release suitable and sufficient reserves in-line with our processes to enable action and response.

This in turn will mean that our network will expand to include the opening of new distribution centres across the Black Country but also to increase our capacity centrally to maintain which means we will need to grow our capabilities whilst also continuously reviewing our network model to ensure the most effective methods of operations. We continuously review capacity through our central warehouse and operations to ensure that we continue to support and deliver on our vision and will look for a further satellite centre should the need arise and will release reserves appropriately to support demand in-line with our vision and processes.

By creating capacity and a firm foundation through new distribution centres, process and policy reviews, we will be able to develop and further expand “wrap-around” services to support the service user’s wider needs.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Key priorities for the coming period include,

Trustees' responsibilities statement

The trustees, who are also directors for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (Unted Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a trus and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accountancy records that are sufficient to show and explain the charities transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and the detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 13[th] December 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mr J M Russell Trustee

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Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Black Country Foodbank Limited

Year ended 31 March 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Black Country Foodbank Limited (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Black Country Foodbank Limited (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

· the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the directors' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Black Country Foodbank Limited (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult than irregularities that result from error, which gives risk to a risk of material misstatement. We are of the opinion that the planned audit approach, the documentation and interrogation of the entity's controls means that the audit procedures carried out were capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud. We have also reviewed financial statement disclosures and tested these to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We have audited the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, and evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business. We have also made enquiries of entity staff in tax and compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

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Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Black Country Foodbank Limited (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

· Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's members, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Hannah Justice FCA FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of BSN Associates Limited Chartered accountants & statutory auditor 3B Swallowfield Courtyard Wolverhampton Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2JG

13[th] December 2024

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account)

Year ended 31 March 2024

2024 2023
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Total funds
funds funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 5 344,547 1,053,689 1,398,236 1,414,002
Investment income 6 35,665 - 35,665 12,936
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total Income 380,212 1,053,689 1,433,901 1,426,938
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 7,8 159,524 960,605 1,120,129 1,094,829
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total expenditure 159,524 960,605 1,120,129 1,094,829
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net income 220,688 93,084 313,772 332,109
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Transfers between funds 15,416 (15,416) - -
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net movement in funds 236,104 77,668 313,772 332,109
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 836,548 202,507 1,039,055 706,946
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total funds carried forward 1,072,652 280,175 1,352,827 1,039,055
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

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

The notes on pages 16 to 27 form part of these financial statements.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 14 10,385 15,113
Current assets
Stocks 15 76,453 –
Debtors 16 7,772 8,845
Cash at bank and in hand 1,262,026 1,019,249
──────────── ────────────
1,346,251 1,028,094
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 3,809 4,152
──────────── ────────────
Net current assets 1,342,442 1,023,942
──────────── ────────────
Total assets less current liabilities 1,352,827 1,039,055
──────────── ────────────
Net assets 1,352,827 1,039,055
════════════ ════════════
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 280,175 202,507
Unrestricted funds 1,072,652 836,548
──────────── ────────────
Total charity funds 19 1,352,827 1,039,055
════════════ ════════════

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 13[th] December 2024, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

I[ason][Kussell]

Mr J M Russell Trustee

The notes on pages 16 to 27 form part of these financial statements.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Cash Flows

Year ended 31 March 2024

2024 2023
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income 313,772 332,109
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 10,426 13,870
Other interest receivable and similar income (35,665) (12,936)
Interest payable and similar charges 191 259
Accrued (income)/expenses (343) 246
Changes in:
Stocks (76,453) –
Trade and other debtors 1,073 (6,164)
───────── ─────────
Cash generated from operations 213,001 327,384
Interest paid (191) (259)
Interest received 35,665 12,936
───────── ─────────
Net cash from operating activities 248,475 340,061
═════════ ═════════
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible assets (5,698) (1,128)
Proceeds from sale of tangible assets – 1,476
───────── ─────────
Net cash (used in)/from investing activities (5,698) 348
═════════ ═════════
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 242,777 340,409
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,019,249 678,840
──────────── ────────────
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 1,262,026 1,019,249
════════════ ════════════

The notes on pages 16 to 27 form part of these financial statements.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 3B Swallowfield Courtyard, Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 2JG.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income and expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

The entity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined in FRS102.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Changes in accounting policies

The charity has changed how it recognises its donated goods in the year, previously it recognised such items when they were distributed to beneficiaries. However due to the charity now also purchasing goods for distribution such donations are now recognised on receipt in stock and income and expensed when distributed to beneficiaries.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

There are no significant estimates or judgements that have been used in the preparation of the accounts.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

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

Designated funds are funds designated by the trustees from the general funds of a charity for a specific purpose.

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Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Incoming resources

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Operating leases

Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.

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Doc ID: da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1

Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Leashold Property Improvements - 10% straight line
Fixtures and Fittings - 15% straight line
Motor Vehicles - 25% straight line
Equipment - 33% straight line

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

Stocks

Stocks represent donated food and other supplies that have been donated and purchased by the charity. They are valued at their fair value which is calculated as an average across both brands and supermarkets.

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Defined contribution plans (continued)

When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.

4. Limited by guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee and the liability of the members is limited to £1, in case of winding up.

5. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Donations
Donations received 283,053 2,766 285,819
Donations received of food, toiletries and household items
for those in crisis – 941,608 941,608
Grants
Grants receivable 61,494 109,315 170,809
───────── ──────────── ────────────
344,547 1,053,689 1,398,236
═════════ ════════════ ════════════
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Donations
Donations received 301,297 7,431 308,728
Donations received of food, toiletries and household items
for those in crisis – 926,923 926,923
Grants
Grants receivable 55,852 122,499 178,351
───────── ──────────── ────────────
357,149 1,056,853 1,414,002
═════════ ════════════ ════════════

This year the trustees have estimated the value of the amount of food, toiletries and household items received from donors which they have distributed to those in crisis to be £941,608 (2023: £926,923) the value is based on an average cost per kilogram of parcels distributed.

6. Investment income

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Bank interest receivable 35,665 35,665 12,936 12,936
════════ ════════ ════════ ════════

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Provision of food, toiletries and household items to those
in crisis 900 938,266 939,166
Support costs 158,624 22,339 180,963
───────── ───────── ────────────
159,524 960,605 1,120,129
═════════ ═════════ ════════════
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Provision of food, toiletries and household items to those
in crisis 30 942,185 942,215
Support costs 143,600 9,014 152,614
───────── ───────── ────────────
143,630 951,199 1,094,829
═════════ ═════════ ════════════

8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

Activities
undertaken Total funds Total fund
directly Support costs 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Provision of food, toiletries and household
items to those in crisis 939,166 170,479 1,109,645 1,078,795
Governance costs – 10,484 10,484 16,034
───────── ───────── ──────────── ────────────
939,166 180,963 1,120,129 1,094,829
═════════ ═════════ ════════════ ════════════
Analysis of support costs
Total 2024 Total 2023
£ £
Staff costs 99,675 76,747
Premises 8,200 8,200
Communications and IT 4,462 5,725
Heat and Light 2,904 2,670
Governance costs 10,484 16,034
Insurance 2,606 1,383
Repairs & maintenance 3,130 2,612
Motor & travel expenses 8,532 10,502
Other office costs 20,925 7,515
Contracted assistance 8,033 5,032
Fundraising costs 1,586 2,324
Depreciation 10,426 13,870
──────── ─────────
180,963 152,614
════════ ═════════

9. Analysis of support costs

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

10. Net income

Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):

Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):
2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 10,426 13,870
════════ ════════
Auditors remuneration
2024 2023
£ £
Fees payable for the audit of the financial statements 2,000 1,890
═══════ ═══════

11. Auditors remuneration

12. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 95,517 75,427
Social security costs 2,219 –
Employer contributions to pension plans 1,939 1,320
──────── ────────
99,675 76,747
════════ ════════

The average head count of employees during the year was 5 (2023: 5). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:

equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
2024 2023
No. No.
Number of staff 5 5
════ ════

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2023: Nil).

13. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees

No expenses have been reimbursed by the charity to its trustees in either the current or prior year.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

14. Tangible fixed assets

Land and Fixtures and
buildings fittings Motor vehicles Equipment Total
£ £ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2023 47,197 8,784 31,559 15,005 102,545
Additions – 4,041 – 1,657 5,698
Disposals – (189) – (1,323) (1,512)
──────── ──────── ──────── ──────── ─────────
At 31 March 2024 47,197 12,636 31,559 15,339 106,731
════════ ════════ ════════ ════════ ═════════
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023 43,092 5,290 25,601 13,449 87,432
Charge for the year 4,105 1,339 3,250 1,732 10,426
Disposals – (189) – (1,323) (1,512)
──────── ──────── ──────── ──────── ─────────
At 31 March 2024 47,197 6,440 28,851 13,858 96,346
════════ ════════ ════════ ════════ ═════════
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024 – 6,196 2,708 1,481 10,385
════════ ════════ ════════ ════════ ═════════
At 31 March 2023 4,105 3,494 5,958 1,556 15,113
════════ ════════ ════════ ════════ ═════════
15. Stocks
2024 2023
£ £
Goods for distribution to beneficiaries 76,453 –
════════ ════
16. Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 7,772 8,845
═══════ ═══════
17. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 3,809 4,152
═══════ ═══════

18. Pensions and other post retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £1,939 (2023: £1,320).

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

19. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds
At 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers At 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 836,548 379,212 (159,152) 15,416 1,072,024
Designated Funds – 1,000 (372) – 628
─────────────────────────── ────────────────────
836,548 380,212 (159,524) 15,416 1,072,652
═══════════════════════════ ════════════════════
At 1 April 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers At 31 March 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 610,154 370,085 (143,630) (61) 836,548
Designated Funds – – – – –
─────────────────────────── ──── ─────────
610,154 370,085 (143,630) (61) 836,548
═══════════════════════════ ════ ═════════
Restricted funds
At 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers At 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted Funds 202,507 1,053,689 (960,605) (15,416) 280,175
═══════════════════════════ ════════ ═════════
At 1 April 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers At 31 March 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted Funds 96,792 1,056,853 (951,199) 61 202,507
══════════════════════════ ════ ═════════

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

19. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

Restricted funds can be analysed by fund as follows.

Bought Grants and Grants and Depreciation Transfer Carried
Forward donations donations on fixed of funds Forward
received spent assets
Equipment 1,995 - - 929 - 1,066
Food 186,929 944,874 889,267 - 72 242,608
Baby Items 5,220 - 2,810 - - 2,410
Frederick Pearson 2,500 2,000 4,504 - 4 -
Carrier Bags 599 - 444 - (1) 154
Walsall MBC 2,062 - - 1,125 - 937
Sandwell Council 2,319 - 2,304 - (15) -
Computer 202 - - 202 - -
Halo Phones 671 - 671 - - -
Van Costs 10 - - - (10) -
Belvedere - 5,000 - - - 5,000
Groundwork - Tesco - 750 750 - - -
Dudley MBC - 3,220 653 - (2,567) -
Headley Trust - 5,000 - - - 5,000
Lottery COL - 54,145 43,091 - (11,054) -
Nisa - 200 200 - - -
Richardson Brothers - 3,000 - - - 3,000
Sandwell MBC - 15,500 13,655 - (1,845) -
Sandwell MBC HSF - 20,000 - - - 20,000
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
202,507 1,053,689 958,349 2,256 (15,416) 280,175
============ =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========

Equipment

Relates to grants and funds received towards IT equipment which are being utilised over the life of the asset.

Food

Further donations of £944,874 were received in the year towards the provision for food for those in crisis. Appropriate costs have been allocated against the fund with the fund balance being carried forward to next year when it will continue to be used.

Baby items

Relates to funds received to specifically fund baby items the remaining balance is to be carried forward to next year where it will continue to be used.

Frederick Pearson

Grants of £4,500 have been received from the Charity of Frederick Pearson Fisher to spend on the cost of technology for the recipe bags project.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

19. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

Carrier bags

Income was received in the prior year of £2,000 with appropriate costs being allocated to the fund which will be carried forward to be spent in future periods.

Computer

Grants and donations received are to allow the charity to update and maintain its IT systems. Appropriate costs have been allocated to the fund which will be carried forward and utilised as appropriate in future years.

Walsall MBC

A grant was received in prior years from Walsall MBC to fund a new vehicle and its associated running costs. Appropriate costs have been allocated to the fund which will be carried forward to future periods.

Van Running Costs

Grants were received in the prior year totalling £4,020 from the Lottery and Heart of England. This money is to be spent on the running costs of the distribution vans. Appropriate costs have been allocated to the fund which will be carried forward to future periods.

Belvedere

Grants of £5,000 were received in the year towards the provision for food for those in crisis. The fund balance has been carried forward to next year when it will be used.

Groundwork - Tesco

Grants of £750 were received in the year towards the provision for food and toiletries for those in crisis. Appropriate costs have been allocated against the fund within the year.

Dudley MBC

Grants of £3,220 were received in the year towards the provision for recipe bags for those in crisis. Appropriate costs have been allocated against the fund within the year.

Headley Trust

Grants of £5,000 were received in the year towards the provision for food and toiletries for those in crisis. The fund balance has been carried forward to next year when it will be used.

Lottery Col

Grants of £54,145 were received in the year towards the expenditure on wage costs , food and toiletries , staff training , carrier bags, pallet trucks and food storage crates. Appropriate costs have been allocated against the fund within the year.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

19. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

Nisa

Donations of £200 were received in the year towards the provision for food and toiletries for those in crisis. Appropriate costs have been allocated against the fund within the year.

Richardson Brothers

Donations of £3,000 were received in the year towards the provision for food for those in crisis. The fund balance has been carried forward to next year when it will be used.

Sandwell MBC

Grants of £15,500 were received in the year towards the provision for food and toiletries for those in crisis. Appropriate costs have been allocated against the fund within the year.

Sandwell MBC - HSF

Grants of £20,000 were received in the year towards the provision for food and toiletries for those in crisis. The fund balance has been carried forward to next year when it will be used.

Designated funds can be analysed by fund as follows.

Bought Grants and Grants and Depreciation Transfer Carried
Forward donations donations on fixed of funds Forward
received spent assets
Pugh Bequest – PPE - 1,000 372 - - 628
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
- 1,000 372 - - 628
============ =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========

Pugh Bequest - PPE

Money was donated in memory of a volunteer. The funds are intended for but not limited to the expenditure on volunteers of Black Country Food Bank. Appropriate costs have been allocated to the fund which will be carried forward to future periods.

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Black Country Foodbank Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

20. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 7,914 2,471 10,385
Current assets 1,068,547 277,704 1,346,251
Creditors less than 1 year (3,809) – (3,809)
──────────── ───────── ────────────
Net assets 1,072,652 280,175 1,352,827
════════════ ═════════ ════════════
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 12,442 2,671 15,113
Current assets 828,258 199,836 1,028,094
Creditors less than 1 year (4,152) – (4,152)
───────── ───────── ────────────
Net assets 836,548 202,507 1,039,055
═════════ ═════════ ════════════
Analysis of changes in net debt
At
At 1 Apr 2023 Cash flows 31 Mar 2024
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 1,019,249 242,777 1,262,026

21. Analysis of changes in net debt

22. Operating lease commitments

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

2024 2023
£ £
Not later than 1 year 4,136 4,190
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 1,599 2,851
─────── ───────
5,735 7,041
═══════ ═══════

23. Related parties

During the year, Vale of Stour Methodist Circuit, a charity with a common trustee of Black Country Food Bank, donated goods to the value of £43,483 (2023:£Nil) and cash of £2,450.(2023:£Nil).

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The Directors
BSN Associates Limited
3B Swallowfield Courtyard
Wolverhampton Road
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 2JG
2024

13[th] December

Dear Trustees

This representation letter is provided in connection with your audit of the
financial statements of Black Country Food Bank Limited for the year ending
31[st] March 2024 for the purpose of expressing an opinion as to whether the
financial statements give a true and fair view of the results and financial
position of Black Country Food Bank Limited in accordance with The
Companies Act 2006 and The Charities Act 2011 and United Kingdom Accounting
Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Financial Statements

1. We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees as set out in the terms of your engagement dated 20[th] September 2021 under The Companies Act 2006 and The Charities Act 2011 for preparing financial statements in accordance with The Companies Act 2006 and The Charities Act 2011 and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) which you have drafted on our behalf, which give a true and fair view of the financial position of Black Country Food Bank Limited as of 31[st] March 2024 and of the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended and for making accurate representations to you.

2. The methods, significant assumptions and the data used by us in making accounting estimates and their related disclosures are appropriate to achieve recognition, measurement or disclosure that is reasonable in the context of the applicable financial reporting framework.

3. We have no plans or intentions that may materially alter the carrying value and where relevant the fair value measurements or classification of assets and liabilities reflected in the financial statements.

4. We have disclosed all known actual or possible litigation and claims whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements and these have been disclosed in accordance with the requirements of accounting standards.

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5. Related party relationships and transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the requirements of accounting standards.

6. All events since the balance sheet date which require disclosure or which would materially affect the amounts in the financial statements have been adjusted or disclosed in the financial statements.

7. We confirm the financial statements are free of material misstatements, including omissions. We believe that those uncorrected misstatements identified during the audit are immaterial both individually and in aggregate to the financial statements as a whole. A list of these items is attached to this letter of representation, together with our reasons for not correcting them.

8. We confirm that, having considered our expectations and intentions for the next twelve months, and the availability of working capital, the charity is a going concern. We confirm that the disclosures in the accounting policies are an accurate reflection of the reasons for our consideration that the financial statements should be drawn up on a going concern basis. We confirm that we have disclosed to you details of our plans for future actions relating to our going concern assessment including the feasibility of these plans. 

Information provided

9. All accounting records and relevant information have been made available to you for the purpose of your audit. We have provided to you all other information requested and given unrestricted access to persons within the entity from whom you have deemed it necessary to obtain audit evidence. All other records and related information including minutes of all management and trustee meetings have been made available to you.

10. All transactions undertaken by the charity have been properly reflected in the accounting records and are reflected in the financial statements.

11. We acknowledge our responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of controls to prevent and detect fraud. We have disclosed to you the results of our assessment of the risk that the financial statements may be materially misstated as a result of fraud.

12. We have disclosed to you all information in relation to fraud or suspected fraud that we are aware of and that affects the entity and involves, management, employees who have significant roles in the internal control, or others, where fraud could have a material effect on the financial statements.

13. We have disclosed to you all information in relation to allegations of fraud, or suspected fraud affecting the entity’s financial statements communicated by employees, former employees, analysts, regulators or others.

14. We confirm that we are not aware of any possible or actual instance of non-compliance with those laws and regulations which provide a legal framework within which the charity conducts its business and which could

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affect the financial statements. The charity has complied with all aspects of contractual agreements that could have a material effect on the financial statements in the event of non-compliance.

15. We confirm that we have disclosed to you the identity of the entity’s related parties and all related party relationships and transactions relevant to the charity that we are aware of.

16. The charity has satisfactory title to all assets, and there are no liens or encumbrances on the assets except for those disclosed in the financial statements.

17. There are no liabilities, contingent liabilities or guarantees to third parties other than those disclosed in the financial statements

18. The charity has at no time during the year entered into any arrangement, transaction or agreement to provide credit facilities (including loans, quasi loans or credit transactions) for trustees, nor to guarantee or provide security for such matters, except as disclosed in the financial statements.

19. We confirm that the information included in the “Audit Costing 2023/24” excel summary is accurate based on the source information.

We confirm to the best of our knowledge and belief that the above representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience and, where appropriate, of inspection of supporting documentation sufficient to satisfy ourselves that we can properly make each of the above representations to you.

We acknowledge our legal responsibilities regarding disclosure of information to you as auditors and confirm that so far as we are aware, there is no relevant audit information needed by you in connection with preparing your audit report of which you are unaware. Each trustees has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that you are aware of that information.

Yours faithfully

Signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

I[ason][Russell]

……………………………………………………………. (Signature)

Jason Russell (Trustee)

Date 13[th] December 2024

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13 December 2024

BSN Associates Limited

To the Board of Trustees of Black Country Foodbank Limited 3B Swallowfield Courtyard Wolverhampton Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 2JG

3B Swallowfield Courtyard, Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 2JG

T | 0121 552 5260 E | mail@bsnassociates.co.uk www.bsnassociates.com

Dear Trustees,

Thank you for engaging us as your advisers. This letter and the attached schedule of service together with our terms of business dated 13 March 2024 set out the basis on which we are to provide services as advisers and your and our respective responsibilities.

We are bound by ICAEW’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation and accept instructions to act for you on the basis that we will act in accordance with these ethical guidelines.

Hannah Justice will be the principal responsible for this engagement.

Rhys Turner will be the manager responsible for the ongoing work.

1. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Schedule 1 Preparation of statutory financial statements in compliance with the Charities Act 2011. Schedule 2 Payroll

BSN Chartered Accountants is a trading name of BSN Associates Limited Registered in England and Wales A list of principles is maintained at the above address. Registered to carry on audit work in the UK and regulated for a range of investment business activities by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Details about our audit registration can be viewed at www.auditregister.org.uk Company Number: 10469285 under reference C004879934. The Audit Regulations and Guidance that we are required to adhere to can be found at www.icaew.com/auditnews. Registered Address: 3B Swallowfield Courtyard, There are also the International Standards on Auditing (UK) at www.frc.org.uk. We are subject to the Institute’s Code of Ethics which can be found Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury at www.icaew.com/regulations and the APB Ethical Standards at www.frc.org.uk. West Midlands. B69 2JG

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1.3. The fees below are estimated based on the agreed provision of information and scope of work. Should these requirements not be met we reserve the right to notify you of a revised figure or range and seek your agreement to the change.

Service Billing Year end Net £ VAT £ Gross £
frequency covered
Preparation of Annual 31/03/2024 2,350 470 2,820
accounts and
audit
Payroll Monthly 150 30 180
services
Net £ VAT £ Gross £ VAT £ Gross £
Disbursements Confirmation statement fee & submission Disbursements Confirmation statement fee & submission 84 84
10		 94

2. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

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Yours sincerely

Hannah Justice

BSN Associates Limited

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APPOINTMENT ACCEPTANCE

I acknowledge receipt of your engagement letter, a copy of which is attached, and I agree to the letter and the attached schedule of services which, together with the terms of business, fully record the agreement between us concerning your appointment to carry out the work described in the schedule.

Name: Jason Russell

Signed .................................................................................. I[ason][Kussell] Date ...................... 13 / 12 / 2024 Trustee

For and on behalf of Black Country Foodbank Limited

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SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

This schedule should be read in conjunction with the engagement letter and the terms of business.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE OF WORK FOR CHARITABLE COMPANY AUDIT

  1. Your responsibilities as directors/trustees

  2. 1.1 Our audit will be conducted on the basis that you acknowledge and understand that you have responsibility:

  3. to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charitable company for that period. As directors/trustees you must not approve the financial statements unless you are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and surplus or deficit of the charitable company;

  4. in preparing those financial statements, to:

    • i. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

    • ii. make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

    • iii. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, considering in particular the charitable company’s ability to continue in operation for at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are expected to be approved, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation;

  5. for keeping adequate 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 relevant Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (the SORP), the Companies Act 2006 (ChA 2006) and applicable accounting standards. You are also responsible for such internal control as you determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement whether due to fraud or error; and

  6. for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps to ensure the charitable company’s activities are conducted honestly and for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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Scope of the audit

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In respect of the following matters specified in the CA 2006 we will also report to you on whether or not in our opinion:

In arriving at that opinion those standards require us to comply with ethical requirements.

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Scope of audit

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We will evaluate whether the information presented in the financial statements is relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable as well as providing adequate disclosures and appropriate terminology. This includes an assessment of:

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Trustees’ Annual Report and, if relevant, the Strategic Report, and state whether in our opinion the information given in the strategic report (if any) and the annual report is consistent with the financial statements; whether the report(s) have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements and whether, in the light our knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have identified any material misstatements in the report(s). If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

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Communication

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4 CONSULTANCY SERVICES

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SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

This schedule should be read in conjunction with the engagement letter and the terms of business.

1. RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE FOR PAYROLL SERVICES

1.1. Recurring compliance work

1.2 Ancillary payroll services

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1.4 Changes in the law, in practice or in public policy

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Failure to do any of the above may lead to penalties and/or interest.

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TERMS OF BUSINESS EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2024

The following terms of business apply to all engagements accepted by BSN Associates Limited. All work is carried out under these terms except where changes are expressly agreed in writing.

1. Applicable law

Client identification

Confidentiality

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Conflicts of interest

Data Protection

‘client personal data’ means any personal data provided to us by you, or on your behalf, for the purpose of providing our services to you, pursuant to our engagement letter with you;

‘data protection legislation’ means all applicable privacy and data protection legislation and regulations including PECR, the GDPR and any applicable national laws, regulations and secondary legislation in the UK relating to the processing of personal data and the privacy of electronic communications, as amended, replaced or updated from time to time;

‘controller’, ‘data subject’, ‘personal data’, ‘personal data breach’, ‘processor’, ‘process’ and ‘supervisory authority’ shall have the meanings given to them in the data protection legislation;

‘GDPR’ means the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679); and

‘PECR’ means the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (SI 2426/2003).

We both acknowledge that for the purposes of the data protection legislation, you are the data controller and we are the data processor. The various schedules set out the scope, nature and purpose of processing by us, the duration of the processing and the types of personal data and categories of data subject.

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unlawful processing of any client personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, such client personal data.

Should you require any further details regarding our treatment of personal data, please contact our data protection officer Pippa Miller-Hawkes at Pippa.Miller-Hawkes@bsnassociates.co.uk.

Disengagement

Electronic and other communication

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Fees and payment terms

Help us to give you the best service

Intellectual property rights and use of our name

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Interpretation

Internal disputes within a client

Investment advice (including insurance mediation services)

Lien

Limitation of third party rights

Period of engagement and termination

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Professional rules and statutory obligations

Quality control

Reliance on advice

Retention of papers

Individuals, trustees and partnerships:

  1. with trading or rental income: five years and 10 months after the end of the tax year 2. otherwise: 22 months after the end of the tax year.

Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, and other corporate entities:

  1. six years from the end of the accounting period.

  2. 1.52. Although certain documents may legally belong to you, we may destroy correspondence and other papers that we store electronically or otherwise that are more than seven years old, except documents we think may be of continuing significance. You must tell us if you wish us to keep any document for any longer period.

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IT Security Requirements

1.53. Your responsibilities

Client portal

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Privacy Notice

The Kind of information we hold about you

How we may collect your personal data

We may also obtain your personal data indirectly:

How we use personal data we hold about you

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Situations in which we will use your personal data

Data retention

Change of purpose

Data Sharing

Data Security

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Rights of access, correction, erasure and restriction

Your duty to inform us of changes

Your rights in connection with personal data

Right to withdraw consent

Changes to this notice

Contact us

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Information Commissioner's Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF

Telephone - 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745

Website - https://ico.org.uk/concerns

The Provision of Services Regulations 2009

Timing of our services

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Audit trail Audit trail

9 Dropbox Sign Sign

Black Country Foodbank Accounts for Signature Title Title File name File name BCFB_Accounts_Ran_13.12.24.pdf and 2 others Document ID Document ID da3dbf75aa6fc505086f44e100ad4718a188abf1 Audit trail date format Audit trail date format DD / MM / YYYY Status Status e Pending signature

13 / 12 / 2024 Sent for signature to Jason Russell 11:49:11 UTC (jasonmarkrussell@btinternet.com) and Hannah Justice (hannah.justice@bsnassociates.co.uk) from rhys.turner@bsnassociates.co.uk IP: 217.169.58.169 13 / 12 / 2024 Viewed by Jason Russell (jasonmarkrussell@btinternet.com) 13:22:56 UTC IP: 31.94.62.106 13 / 12 / 2024 Signed by Jason Russell (jasonmarkrussell@btinternet.com) 13:30:20 UTC IP: 31.94.62.106 13 / 12 / 2024 This document has not been fully executed by all signers. 13:30:20 UTC

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