COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 02438534 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1140150
The Road Operators' Safety Council Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited Financial Statements 31 December 2021
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial Statements
Year ended 31 December 2021
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report) | 1 |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure | |
| account) | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 |
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 December 2021
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name The Road Operators' Safety Council Charity registration number 1140150 Company registration number 02438534 Principal office and registered 6 Corunna Court office Corunna Road Warwick CV34 5HQ
The trustees
J E H Miller - Chairman Independant J Mackie - Treasurer CPT UK Scotland C S Heaps Independent M A Robson ALBUM Association of Local Bus Managers M G Oliver Independent - Trans Law Company secretary A M Edmondson, Director of Transport Partners Ltd Independent examiner Mr K C Varney - ACMA of Varney Barfield & Co. 6 Corunna Court Corunna Road Warwick CV34 5HQ
- 1 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2021
Structure, governance and management
The Road Operators' Safety Council is managed by a Board of Directors, five of whom are also the Trustees under Charity Law. The make-up of the Board is as follows, with not less than three but no more than ten:
-
Four members appointed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK
-
Three members appointed by the Trade Union Unite
-
One member appointed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (Cymru)
-
One member appointed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (Scotland)
-
One member appointed by the Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM)
Each Director holds their appointment for three years.
Additionally, the Board may appoint independent members of the Board, up to a maximum of ten. At 31 December 2021, there were five members in total, five of whom are also appointed as trustees. There were three independent members who hold their appointment for one year.
At the end of 2021 there was still no representation from Unite the Union, the expected candidate having sadly passed away. Despite communication with Unite there was still no formal representative of the Union on the Board.
The Company Secretary is Allan Edmondson, who is a Director of Transport Partners Ltd.
Transport Partners Ltd is the contracted organisation to provide administration and management services to the charity and also provides the services of the Executive Officer, Gillian Edmondson. The charity is situated at permanent offices at Cara House, Fagra Road, Dundrennan, Dumfries and Galloway. The registered office of the company is 6 Corunna Court, Corunna Road, Warwick, CV34 5HQ.
The Charity is governed and managed as follows:
There are two main Board meetings each year: one in the early spring and the other early autumn. The autumn meeting also forms the Annual General Meeting at which the statutory accounts and Trustees Report can be formally approved. In addition there is a meeting of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer, with a representative from the external accountants in the spring to review the accounts from the previous year.
Due to the continuing restrictions and challenges of the Covid pandemic, meetings were convened by using virtual meeting software in accordance with the Articles of Association. This ensured that there was continuity in the governance and decision-making process. Meetings taking place online has ensured attendance by all members of the board across the year. By the end of 2021 restrictions were gradually being eased and it is expected that in-person meetings can resume in 2022.
The work of the charity is delegated to working groups who consider individual projects and issues and who report to the main Board.
A Treasurer and Chairman of the Trustees were appointed in March 2013 who assist with the financial management of the charity supporting the existing management team and provide an assurance role to the Board in addition to liaising with the external accountants.
The preparation of the statutory accounts of the charity and their Independent Examination is undertaken by Varney Barfield & Co.
- 2 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2021
Objectives and activities
Charitable objects
The objectives of the charity are as follows:
(a) Advance public health and safety in particular by promoting and advancing safety on public and private roads within the United Kingdom;
(b) Advance public education and training of persons who are or who may seek engagement in the road transport and any associated industry and the public in all aspects of road safety including safe driving of all forms of motor vehicles on public or private roads; and
(c) Conduct or carry on research into road safety and to disseminate the useful results of that research.
The principal methods used are:
-
education / training
-
the advancement of health and saving of lives
The principal services are provided to the general public by:
-
providing human resources
-
providing service
-
providing sponsorships or grants to undertake research
Activities
The activities for the reporting year against these objectives are:
-
Continuation of the 'safe driver' scheme for professional drivers employed in the bus and coach industry. The scheme provides recognition and rewards for safe driving on an annual basis. The definition of safe driving being that the driver concerned has not been involved in a blameworthy accident, nor been prosecuted for any traffic offence in the preceding twelve month period.
-
The Covid 19 pandemic continued to have a significant effect on the charity's activities. However, unlike 2020, the Board felt confident in the stability of the industry to reintroduce entry fees for the safe driver award scheme. With the previous year's decision to provide one free entry per company the number of driver entrants in the scheme has been largely maintained despite continuing business challenges for operators. The Board notes that continuing pressures on the industry, both structurally and financially, alongside workforce reductions, represent risk for the charity in the forthcoming year. With a return to income from entry fees it is expected that losses can be minimised.
-
The production of posters depicting potentially hazardous driving situations which can be used by members of the public, user groups such as schools and by operators with the purpose of educating drivers. These posters are distributed free of charge and in 2021 were also added to the Charity's website with the ability to download and print off as required.
-
Sponsoring of industry events to promote the safe driving awards was again suspended for 2021 as these events were unable to take place. The Board plan to reactivate this activity in 2022 as these events take place following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
Public benefit
All these activities are designed to encourage safe driving for the public benefit of reducing accidents, injuries and deaths on the roads. In addition, safe driving produces health benefits for the general public by means of reducing fuel usage and emissions.
- 3 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2021
Strategic report
The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity.
Achievements and performance
The charity had to continue to review its activities during 2021 as it became evident that the Covid pandemic would still impact the business activities of the operator members. However, there were clear signs of activity returning to normality and the steady numbers of drivers entering the scheme reflects that.
The charity has continued to manage its activity within a revised budget and its financial capability, and the Trustees have no cause for concern as to the continuing viability of the Charity.
Financial review
In the year ended 2021, the charity has made a significant improvement on financial performance compared to the year ended 2020. This was largely due to operating companies entering drivers on a similar scale to previous years, and the return to making a charge to enter the scheme, which had been suspended for a year.
Having made prudent decisions on the budget for 2021 including the significant reduction of costs, the charity has been able to operate with only a minimal deficit below the income that is accrued from the safe driver award scheme.
Statutory accounts have been prepared and show satisfactory performance notwithstanding the above points.
Assets of the charity, namely the safe driving badges and medals have been stocked and recorded and are kept in a safe place in accordance with requirements.
Plans for future periods
The charity will continue to provide the core services of the safe driver scheme and will endeavour to expand into other areas:
-
Extend the scheme to other professional drivers wherever possible
-
Engage with the relevant organisations involved with the health and safety in the workplace
-
Enhance and improve driver awareness programmes
-
Provide grants for awards that recognise the benefits of safe driving to the public, such as the Bus Driver of the Year and the UK Bus Awards
-
Work closely with other stakeholders and safety organisations such as the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
The trustees' annual report and the strategic report were approved on 30 May 2022 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
J E H Miller - Chairman Independant Trustee
- 4 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Road Operators' Safety Council
Year ended 31 December 2021
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Road Operators' Safety Council ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements 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 the 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the financial statements 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.
Mr K C Varney - ACMA of Varney Barfield & Co. Independent Examiner
6 Corunna Court Corunna Road Warwick CV34 5HQ
30 May 2022
- 5 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account)
Year ended 31 December 2021
| 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | ||||
| funds | Total funds | Total funds | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||||
| Charitable activities | 5 | 51,066 | 51,066 | 17,272 |
| Investment income | 6 | 36 | 36 | 158 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total income | 51,102 | 51,102 | 17,430 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 7 | 61,334 | 61,334 | 68,177 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total expenditure | 61,334 | 61,334 | 68,177 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Net expenditure and net movement in funds | (10,232) | (10,232) | (50,747) | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 115,245 | 115,245 | 165,992 | |
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 105,013 | 105,013 | 115,245 | |
| ================================ | ================================ | ================================ |
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 8 to 12 form part of these financial statements.
- 6 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Balance Sheet
| 31 December | 31 December | 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Stocks | 12,781 | 15,160 | ||||
| Debtors | 12 | 14,041 | 12,781 | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 81,591 | 90,704 | ||||
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | |||||
| 108,413 | 118,645 | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within | ||||||
| one year | 13 | 3,400 | 3,400 | |||
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | |||||
| Net current assets | 105,013 | 115,245 | ||||
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | |||||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 105,013 | 115,245 | ||||
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | |||||
| Net assets | 105,013 | 115,245 | ||||
| ================================ | ================================ | |||||
| Funds of the charity | ||||||
| Unrestricted funds | 105,013 | 115,245 | ||||
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | |||||
| Total charity funds | 14 | 105,013 | 115,245 | |||
| ================================ | ================================ |
For the year ending 31 December 2021 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
-
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
-
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
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 30 May 2022, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
J E H Miller - Chairman Independant Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these financial statements.
- 7 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 31 December 2021
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 6 Corunna Court, Corunna Road, Warwick, CV34 5HQ.
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)) and the Companies Act 2006.
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Disclosure exemptions
Under the criteria in FRS 102 this charity is a small entity. As such no statement of cashflows has been presented.
The charity is a public benefit entity
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future projects or commitments.
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:
- income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
- 8 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2021
3. Accounting policies (continued)
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:
- expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by the charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories or individual charitable activities 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.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. No tangible assets are carried at revalued amounts.
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:
Office equipment - 25% straight line
Stocks
Stocks are measured at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the stock to its present location and condition.
4. Limited by guarantee
The Road Operators' Safety Council is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have any share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.
5. Income from charitable activities
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2021 | Funds | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Safe driver awards entry fees | 51,066 | 51,066 | 17,272 | 17,272 |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ |
- 9 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2021
6. Investment income
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2021 | Funds | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Bank interest | 36 | 36 | 158 | 158 |
| ============== | ============== | ============== | ============== | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type | ||||
| Activities | ||||
| undertaken | Total funds | Total fund | ||
| directly | Support costs | 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Safe driver awards | 10,081 | – | 10,081 | 16,703 |
| Promotion of road safety | 1,200 | – | 1,200 | 765 |
| Governance costs | – | 50,053 | 50,053 | 50,709 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 11,281 | 50,053 | 61,334 | 68,177 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | |
| Analysis of support costs | ||||
| Analysis of | ||||
| support costs | Total 2021 | Total 2020 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Accountancy fees | 3,400 | 3,400 | 3,400 | |
| Insurance | 1,152 | 1,152 | 875 | |
| Administration costs | 45,500 | 45,500 | 45,500 | |
| Board meetings | – | – | 934 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| 50,052 | 50,052 | 50,709 | ||
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| Independent examination fees | ||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Fees payable to the independent examiner for: | ||||
| Independent examination of the financial statements | 3,400 | 3,400 | ||
| ======================= | ======================= |
7. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
8. Analysis of support costs
9. Independent examination fees
10. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No salaries or wages have been paid to employees, including members of the board, during the year. 5 directors served during the year (2020: 6)
During the year 0 (2020: 2) Directors were reimbursed expenses totalling £0 (2020: £490) in relation to travel and subsistence costs incurred whilst carrying out duties on behalf of the charity.
- 10 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2021
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Office | ||
|---|---|---|
| equipment | Total | |
| £ | £ | |
| Cost | ||
| At 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 | 3,888 | 3,888 |
| ======================= | ======================= | |
| Depreciation | ||
| At 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 | 3,888 | 3,888 |
| ======================= | ======================= | |
| Carrying amount | ||
| At 31 December 2021 | – | – |
| ======================= | ======================= | |
| At 31 December 2020 | – | – |
| ======================= | ======================= | |
| Debtors | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Trade debtors | 9,957 | 5,355 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 356 | 251 |
| Other debtors | 3,728 | 7,175 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 14,041 | 12,781 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 3,400 | 3,400 |
| ======================= | ======================= |
12. Debtors
13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
14. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At | ||||
| 31 December | ||||
| At 1 Jan 2021 | Income | Expenditure | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 82,745 | 51,102 | (61,334) | 72,513 |
| Award fund | 32,500 | – | – | 32,500 |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------- | |
| 115,245 | 51,102 | (61,334) | 105,013 | |
| ================================ | ============================ | ============================ | ================================ | |
| At | ||||
| 31 December | ||||
| At 1 Jan 2020 | Income | Expenditure | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 133,492 | 17,430 | (68,177) | 82,745 |
| Award fund | 32,500 | – | – | 32,500 |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------- | |
| 165,992 | 17,430 | (68,177) | 115,245 | |
| ================================ | ============================ | ============================ | ================================ |
- 11 -
The Road Operators' Safety Council
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2021
15. Fund description
The Award fund relates to reserves retained by the charity so as to cover the cost of long service awards issued under the safe driver scheme. This fund will only be required if the charity ceases to exist because long service awards are issued in the year after the driver becomes entitled to the award. As such the cost of these awards is usually covered by income in that following year. If the charity were to cease there would be no following year and no income, so the Award fund would be utilised.
16. Related parties
During the year, Transport Partners Ltd invoiced the charity £48,883 (2020: £51,456) in respect of administration support work and other expenses incurred on behalf of the charity. Mr A Edmondson, secretary of the charity, is the sole director of Transport Partners Ltd. At the end of the year £0 (2020: £0) was owed to Transport Partners Ltd.
As part of the relationship, Transport Partners Ltd also holds a cash float amounting to £500. This is used for expenses incurred on behalf of the charity which are then recharged as part of the invoicing process, thus returning the float balance to £500. This amount is included within other debtors.
- 12 -