Charity number. Company number. 1142334 07522878 BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION (A company limited by guarantee) Financial Statements Year ended 31 March 2024 Restricted
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Contents Page Legal and Administrative Report of the Management Committee Independent Examiner's report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements 9-14
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Charity Name: Berkshire Family Mediation Charity registration number. Company registration number: Principal & Registered Office: . 1142334 07522878 The Reading Health Centre, 61 Castle Street Reading Berkshire, RG17SN Key management personnel: Management Committee: Sally Wood Alan Meechan Aideen Mattimore Catherine Gray Richard Palmer Sarah Bridget Benfield Secretary: Director Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee (appointed 23.02.2024) Raza Rehman Service Lead: Catherine Gray Office Administrator: Carmelina Imperato Bankers: Lloyds TSB PIC 1 Market Place Reading Berkshire Independent Examiner: Patrick Walsh
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Report of the Management Committee for the year ended 31 March 2024 The Management Committee present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. Governlng Document The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 9 February 2011, registered as a charity on 9 June 2011. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10. Objects The objects of the charity are to provide assistance through mediation for couples going through separation and divorce or couples who are separating and have unresolved matters to be settled. These matters can relate to propety and financial issues and to parenting issues such as where children will live and the time they spend with each parent. Organisation Berkshire Family Mediation (BFM) has a Management Committee made up ofthe Trustees and Directors of the company. Additional members, who will not necessarily be Directors, attend Management Committee meetings in an advisory capacity. It is proposed that the Management Committee will meet quarterly. The Chairperson will be responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are met. The Service Lead has responsibility for the day- to-day management of the charity. Activities and Achievements Following both the reworking of the charity's financial model and operational structure at the start of 2022 and our relocation to new premises on Castle Street at the end of 2022, the focus turned to staffing and resourcing priorities within the service. The organisation continues to attract high levels of demand, and these are met by a small team of dedicated mediators. Volumes of joint mediation meetings have remained high in relation to MIAMS, doubtless helped by the ongoing financial support provided by the Family Mediation Voucher scheme. The charity has begun to see a positive knock-on effect on its Legal Aid income with voucher funding aiding more sustained engagement in mediation. The recruitment and replacement of retiring Mediators continues to be a challenge for the Charity along with others within the Mediation sector. During the year, the organisation has developed templates and other resources for mediators and clients alike in order to streamline and unify work processes across the service. BFM successfully tendered for the renewal of the Legal Aid contract for 2024 and still enjoy a clean sheet from our Legal Aid Agency contract manager's annual review, due to the diligent reporting and record keeping methods that remain under constant review. The mediators and some trustees took part in the Reading Legal Walk in September 2023 and raised £1500 in sponsorship for Child-lnclusive Mediation. This h.as enabled the charity to carry on offering direct consultations with children at no additional cost to parents, which is very welcome whilst families are under considerable financial strain. Financial Review and Policies The main sources of income during the year were fees from mediators and, where eligibility came into play, via Legal Aid funding. The main items of expenditure were Office rental space, secure IT systems, telephone, PPC cost & Managers, fees, insurance, and Independent Examiner's Fee.
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee The business model adopted by BFM aims to reduce the overheads of personnel from BFM and for BFM to become a service provider to self-employed mediators, and the trustees and other members of the Management Committee continue to monitor the results and workings of this model. The new model has resulted in the contracted Mediators receiving a higher level of income from clients with the Charity only taking fees to cover items of expenditure to cover ongoing costs as well as maintaining a reserve to safeguard the future going concern of the charitable Company and meet some of its charitable aims. This change of incorrie for BFM Is reflected in the financial statements with a considerable reduction in income to the charity as expected and planned. The charity, BFM, will maintain a surplus of funds sufficient to meet its obligations as a not-for~profit organisation and continue to deliver a mediation service. The Management Committee is aware of the Charity Code of Governance and its principles, and how they affect the Charity Public Benefit In planning the activities of the charity, the trustees have given due consideration to Charity Commission published guidance on the operation of the Public Benefit requirement. The primary aim of family mediation is to help couples involved in the process of separation and divorce, to reach agreements or reduce the area of Intensity of conflict between them, especially in disputes concerning children and family propetylfinance matters. In the short term, the objective of mediation is to help parents/ex-partners to reach a workable settlement which takes account of the needs of the children and adults involved. The longer-term objective is to help both participants: / to maintain their relationship with their children O to achieve a cooperative plan for their children's welfare O to offer child-inclusive mediation so that the voice of the child is heard O to alleviate financial and relationship distress in families by offering an empathetic, solution-focused approach to problem-solving O to settle financial disputes in a way that allows needs to be named, fairness criteria to be shared, options reality-checked, and ultimately allows people to turn a page and move on with their lives. The service is able to offer appointments in Reading and Newbury to cover the communities of Reading, West Berkshire, Wokingham and Bracknell and has extended its reach into parts of Oxfordshire. In addition, the organisation will continue to offer remote appointments via Zoom thereby extending services to wider parts of the country. Referrals from Court can be dealt with quickly and efficiently. Clients can refer themselves for services. Referrals are also taken from solicitors. Clients outside of this area are welcome if they wish to meet in Reading or Newbury. The service offers a cheaper and quicker way of resolving disputes and is an alternative to protracted and costly legal proceedings. Since April 2012, when public funding for legal advice in private law cases ended, the provision of non-court dispute resolution services has been vital for families unable to afford legal advice. Legal aid is still available for mediation so, for clients on a low income who qualify for legal aid, the Charity through the legal aid contract it holds can offer mediation free of fees. Reserves Policy and Going Concern The trustees have examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested held by the charity should be between six and nine months, normal charity expenditure.
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee The trustees are committed to the new business model established in September 2022 and will ensure that sufficient funds will be maintained to cover net outgoings, at the current rate, for the foreseeable future, and in particular for a period of at least twelve months from the date the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 and are approved by the Directors. Management Committee Induction and Training The Management Committee has been chosen from people who have qualifications and experience that will be of assistance in managing and running the charity Additional training could be available should the Management Committee require it. Plans for Future Periods The Management Committee will continue to hold virtual Zoom meetings on a quarterly basis, in order to review monthly trading volumes versus expenditure. The organisation continues to keep its costs and the balance between income to the business and income to its mediators under close scrutiny. Responsibilities of the Management Committee The Management Committee is responsible for preparing the management committee's annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.) Company law requires the Management Committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure for that period. In preparing those financial statements the Management Committee is required to: select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. observe the method and principles in the Charities SORP make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. prepare the financial statements on a going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Management Committee is responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Charity operates an online accounting system through 'Xero' which provides Financial Accounting Software and Online Bookkeeping. This system allows accounting integrity with improved reporting functions and is accepted by the Charities Auditors. In so far as the Management Committee is aware: There is no relevant accounting information of which the charitable company's Accountant is unaware. and The Management Committee has taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant accounting information and to establish that the accountant is aware of that information. The Management Committee is responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislations in other jurisdictions.
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Tax Status The company is a registered charity. It has no liability to corporation tax on any of its sources of income or any chargeable gains realised to date, to the extent that it is applied to its charitable objectives. No tax charges have arisen. Risk Management The Management Committee has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed as part of the review of the business plan and business model undertaken in January 2022. Risks to which the charity may be exposed are routinely raised and discussed during committee meetings and plans to minimise these risks are recorded in the minutes of those meetings. A trading report is produced monthly for discussion at monthly team meetings and at quarterly management committee meetings, and a full review of finances is conducted six monthly which offers an opportunity to implement wider changes to increase revenue from mediators if a shortfall is identified. Independent Examiners This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Approved by the Management Committee on 19th December 2024 and signed on its behalf by: Sally ood Director on behalf of the Management Committee
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION I report to the charity's Trustees on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 14. Responsibilities and basis for report As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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 and 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 accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act, or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination, I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Patrick Walsh, FCA iuliilLo2LF Date.
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Notes Total Unrestricted Funds 2024 2023 Income Activities in furtherance of the charity's objectives Donations and Legacies Charitable Activities 1,706 64,868 57,223 Total income 66,574 57,223 Expenditure Charitable Expenditure Direct Costs 63,060 59,707 Total expenditure 63,060 59,707 Net Income 3,514 (2,381) Fund balances brought forward on 1 April 2023 25,027 27,408 Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2024 28,541 25,027 The statement of financial activities relates to continuing operations. The charitable company has no recognised gains or losses other than the net movement in funds for the year.
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Balance Sheet as of 31 March 2024 Notes Total Funds 2024 2023 Fixed assets 3,064 2,970 Current assets Debtors Cash at Bank Cash in Hand 31,652 14,146 183 21,760 6,665 183 Creditors amounts falling due within 1 year Net Current assets 45,981 28,608 4,910 6,705 41,071 21,903 Total net assets 44,135 24,872 Represented by- Unrestricted funds 44,135 24,872 The Management Committee are satisfied that the charitable company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act. The Management Committee acknowledge their responsibilities for: (i) ensuring that the charitable company keeps adequate accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act, and (li) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of the financial year and of its results for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. These financial statements were approved by the Management Committee on 191h December 2024. Director Secretary Wood Raza Reh The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part of these flnancial statements
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of these financial statements are as follows: a) General Information Berkshire Family Mediation is a registered charity, number 1142334, a charitable company limited by guarantee, number 07522878, incorporated in England and Wales. The address of the charity's registered office is The Reading Health Centre, 61 Castle Street, Reading, RG17SN. The financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound. b) Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006. Berkshire Family Mediation meet the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. A separate income and expenditure account has not been prepared as the information required by the Companies Act 2006 is given in the Statement of Financial Activities and in the notes of the financial statements. c) Going Concern The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which the Management Committee consider to be appropriate for the following reasons. The Management Committee has prepared cash flow forecasts which indicate that, taking into account reasonably possible downsides, the company will have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities as they fall due. Consequently, and after making enquiries, the Management Committee have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements as outlined in the Statement of Management Committees, Responsibilities. d) Income Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, there is little doubt the income will be received, and the amount can be reliably measured. Income received in advance or provision of other specified service, it is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Notes to the Financial Statement For the year ended 31 March 2024 Income from the Legal Services Commission is subject to retrospective audit and adjustments can be made subsequently. e) Fund Accounting Non restricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity. Designated funds are non-restricted funds of the Charity which the Trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the work of the Charity. fj Expenditure and VAT Expenditure is included on an accrual's basis. All costs are considered to be direct charitable costs except the Governance costs which relate to the running of the charity. g) Tangible Fixed Assets Expenditure on computer equipment and specialist software has been capitalised and shown on the Balance Sheet as a Fixed asset and is being depreciated over 36 months. The capitalisation policy is that only items above £1,000 are capitalised and that other tangible fixed assets are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which it is incurred. h) Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. i) Cash at Bank and in hand Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and any deposit or similar account. j) Creditors and Provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third paty and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. k) Financial Instruments The Charity has only financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. l) Pensions There are no current or contingent liabilities attached to the provision Pensions during this period. 10
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Notes to the Financial Statement For the year ended 31 March 2024 m) Judgements and Estimates In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. There were no judgement or material estimation uncertainties affecting the reported financial performance in the current or prior year. 2 GRANTS AND DONATIONS RECEIVED 2024 2023 Donated Services: Donations 1,706 1,706 3 INCOMES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2024 2023 Non-Restricted Income: Legal Services Commission Income from Mediation Activities Other Income 37,589 27,167 112 37,665 18,933 625 64,868 57,223 11
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024 4 EXPENDITURES 2024 2023 Rent Mediator's Allowances Telephone and Postage Office expenses Advertising Management and Supervision Bank charges Insurance and Affiliations Independent Examiner's Fee Administration and Sundry Costs Depreciation 13,430 22,403 1,162 5,396 189 16,099 84 1,000 600 2,697 11,966 21,795 1,172 5,667 551 13,994 84 1,210 650 2,361 319 63,060 59,707 5 FIXED ASSETS Computer Equipment Software Total (£) (£) (£) Cost At 1 April 2023 Additions 15,417 95 10,567 25,983 740 At 31 March 2024 15,511 10,567 25,983 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 Charge for Year 12,463 10,550 23,013 At 31 March 2024 12,464 10,550 23,013 Net Book Value At 1 April 2023 2,954 17 2,971 At 31 March 2024 3,047 17 3,064 6 DEBTORS 2024 2023 Receivables from third parties Due from Legal Services Commission Prepaid Expenses Short-term Investment Rent Deposit 900 6,249 2,057 22,359 88 31,652 1,225 7,739 208 12,500 88 21,760 12
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024 7 CREDITORS 2024 2023 Other taxes and social security Creditors and accruals 2,224 2,686 4,910 2,263 4,442 6,705 8 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS No members of the Management Committee were in receipt of a salary during the year ended 31 March 2023. Two members of the Management Committee are also qualified mediators and were paid for their services during the current year. 2024 2023 Aideen Mattimore Catherine Gray Fees Fees 12,986 14,608 11,159 12,424 A change in BFM'S operating model has removed the element of rent charged to the mediators. Instead, a one-off monthly membership fee is charged to all mediators together with a fee per private MIAM. The two member of the Management Committee were also charged the following: 2024 2023 Aideen Mattimore Catherine Gray Fees Fees 7,855 7,390 6,280 5,270 9 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities 3,064 45,981 (4,910) 3,064 45,981 (4,910) 44,135 44,135 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2023 Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities 2,971 28,608 (6,705) 2,971 28,608 (6,705) 24,874 24,874 13
BERKSHIRE FAMILY MEDIATION A company limited by guarantee Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024 10 OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS As of 31 March 2024, The Company has the following future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows: 2024 2023 Less than one year Between one and five years More than five years 12,000 11,500 14