DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
Company registration number: 07977903 Charity number: 1146413
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2023
BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## CONTENTS
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers**|1|
|**Trustees' report**|2 - 5|
|**Independent auditors' report on the financial statements**|6 - 9|
|**Statement of financial activities**|10 - 11|
|**Income and expenditure account**|12|
|**Balance sheet**|13 - 14|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|15 - 33|
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
|**Trustees**|Jane Veys, Chair|
|---|---|
||David Few, (Partner in Blandy & Blandy LLP)|
||Peter Orr*|
||Don Reed*|
||Ian Fraser|
||Andrew Jones|
||Martin Gubb|
|**Company registered**
**number**
07977903
**Charity registered number**
1146413
**Registered office**
Midleton House
5 Erleigh Road
Reading
RG1 5LR
**Patrons President**
The Rt Hon the Lord Richard Benyon
Chris Tarrant OBE
The Hon Mrs Jessica White
**Chief executive officer**
**Head of finance and deputy**
**chief executive**
**Head of volunteering**
Laura Mitchell
Sara Gibbons
Gillian Comley
**Independent auditors**
Menzies LLP
Chartered Accountants
Centrum House
36 Station Road
Egham
Surrey
TW20 9LF
**Bankers**
National Westminster Bank plc
Reading
**Solicitors**
Blandy & Blandy LLP
1 Friar Street
Reading
**Investment Managers**
Rathbone Investment Mangement Ltd
8 Finsbury Circus
London
EC2M 7AZ||
*Denotes individuals who have sight-loss/sight condition
Page 1
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The financial statements have been prepared to meet the requirements for a Directors’ report and accounts for Companies House purposes. The financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, the Charity's Constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable in the UK and RoI (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). Berkshire County Blind Society is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under registration number 1146413. It is also registered at Companies House as a private charitable company limited by guarantee under company number 07977903.
The Berkshire County Blind Society, under its working name of Berkshire Vision, aims to provide visually impaired people in Berkshire with the information and support they need to live independently and safely. We do this through direct support, social and peer support, information and advice and the provision of opportunities that would not otherwise be available to visually impaired people. The area covered by the Charity is the Royal County of Berkshire.
## **The Charity’s Objectives**
## **Objectives**
1. To give visually impaired people independence through a safe and effective support service throughout Berkshire.
2. To enhance and enrich the lives of visually impaired people throughout Berkshire.
3. To promote eye health to prevent sight loss.
We provide practical support for visually impaired people through our sight loss support service, children & families service, adapted sports, social activities, tech buddies, employability, befriending, information and guidance, accessible transport, resource centre and peer-support groups.
We enhance and enrich lives by providing opportunities for people with sight loss to meet together in various ways enabling them to reach their potential and access opportunities.
We promote eye health to prevent sight loss by working closely with hospital eye clinics and local optical groups, engaging with sight loss condition-specific groups and by working in collaboration with national organisations such as RNIB, Guide Dogs, Macular Society and Visionary. We provide sight loss training to local organisations and the local community across Berkshire.
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
## **What we do : Achievements & Performance**
Our Strategic Plan was reviewed and updated in 2020 and outlines our key objectives for the years 2021 to 2026. These can be found on our website www.berkshirevision.org.uk/our-strategy
## Our Services
Berkshire Vision supports over 1,000 blind and partially sighted children and adults across the county, as well as the children's parents/carers and siblings. We do this through a wide range of services:-
**Sight Loss Support** is provided by our dedicated team of five officers who support people in their homes, assessing their practical needs and supporting them to access other activities and services offered by Berkshire Vision and other agencies. Referrals are commonly from hospital eye clinics, local Sensory Needs Teams, GPs, partners, support workers and also self-referral. Sight loss support is the major part of our contracted service with our local authorities.
Our **Social Activities** programme is designed to provide a range of peer support and leisure activities to build skills, confidence, increase wellbeing and counter the isolation that can be felt as a result of sight loss. This programme includes a calendar of remote activities accessible without the internet, as well as a wide range of face-to-face activities covering activities ranging from theatre trips with audio description and touch tours, to picnics, social clubs, adapted escape rooms, boat trips and art sessions.
Page 2
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
**Telephone Befriending** is a popular service set up to reduce social isolation and loneliness through regular calls from a trained volunteer.
**Realeyes** , a reenablement service, provides a trained volunteer to support and enable a visually impaired person to go back out into their community and enjoy the small pleasures in life such as coffee in a favourite café.
**Sport** is important for physical and mental wellbeing. We offer a range of sporting activities for all ages, for all levels of sporting and physical ability, and for all levels of sight loss. Sporting activities include such activities as walks, tennis, dragon boating, tandem cycling, golf, running, swimming and gentle exercise. We also provide accessible transport to the various sporting locations.
The **18-35 Group** supports young adults with their transition to adulthood and provides a range of social opportunities for them to meet up with others of a similar age for peer support whilst taking part in activities to build confidence and independence.
Our **Children, Young People and Families** programme supports blind and visually impaired children as well as their parents/carers and siblings. Our wide range of activities are designed to build confidence and challenge perceptions of what can be achieved.
We have a team of **Tech Buddies** , some of whom are visually impaired themselves, to help with any IT gadget or app for people with sight loss. An RNIB report (September 2021) found that ‘blind and partially sighted people lag behind the rest of the UK in take up’ of technology and therefore being able to offer this service has proved very successful and useful.
Our **Employability** project provides one-to-one support to enter training, work placements and employment. This has been a very one-to-one focused service and our full impact can be read on our website www.berkshirevision.org.uk/our-impact
Free information and guidance is available for anyone who is visually impaired in Berkshire, along with their families or anyone involved in supporting, caring or offering any service to a visually impaired person. We operate a **Resources Service** which provides access to a range of aids and adaptations to trial, purchase or loan. The service is aimed at promoting independence and mobility, both at home and out and about.
We own and run three vehicles as we believe offering accessible transport is key to many of our services.
In partnership with RNIB we run Living Well with Sight Loss courses which give practical advice and guidance.
Volunteers are the backbone of many charities and Berkshire Vision is no exception. In the year 22/23 4,530 hours were donated to the charity covering a wide range of roles from tandem pilot to telephone befriender. All volunteers are offered training and we support flexible volunteering with many volunteers fitting in time around busy lives. We are continually grateful.
We have also been supported this year by funding from several organisations which have allowed us to continue and develop our services.
## **Governance and Management**
## **Governing Document**
The Berkshire County Blind Society was established in 1910 under a constitution and was a registered charity number 202351. The constitution was amended and adopted on the 8th October 2002. The Society was incorporated on 6th March 2012 and the company took over all the assets and liabilities with effect from 1st April 2012. The new Charity registration number is 1146413 and the Company number is 07977903. On 1st April 2015 the Society adopted the working name of Berkshire Vision.
## **Appointment of Trustees**
The body of the trustees are appointed by the members of the Charity. New trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting. One third of the Trustee board is elected by members at the Annual General Meeting and can serve for three years before seeking re-election.
Page 3
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
New trustees are proactively sought by current trustees and the Chief Executive to provide the breadth of skills needed for the efficient running of the charity.
## **Trustee Induction and Training**
When new trustees are appointed, they are introduced to the work of the Charity and provided with the information they need to fulfil their roles, which includes information about the role of trustees and charity law.
## **Trustee Involvement**
The trustees meet at least four times a year. The trustees maintain an overview of the organisation, agree the strategic aims and monitor progress and performance accordingly. In order to enable effective support and monitoring of the key business areas the Board of Trustees have two committees, viz, Finance & Investment and Member Services. Each committee is chaired by a trustee and has both trustee and executive officer membership.
To facilitate effective operations, the Chief Executive has delegated authority under terms approved by the Trustees for operational matters including finance and employment. The Chief Executive reports on the management of the Charity and on outputs, impact and the health of the Charity.
## **Fundraising**
We do not engage the services of any third party organisations to help raise funds. We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator and follow its code of practice. We have not received any complaints about any aspect of our fundraising. The Charity has a strong ethos of respect for service users’ independence and dignity and would not countenance any conduct or activity that undermined this. We do not engage in large scale fundraising activities such as mass mailings, telephone fundraising or door to door campaigns.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees are responsible for the identification and management of risk. The charity is annually reviewing its risk profile and maintains a risk register of actual and potential risks with established policies, systems and procedures to mitigate these risks.
The Trustees take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of staff, Berkshire Vision members and the public. This involves following the most up to date Government Guidelines with regard to staff working practices and interaction with members and the public.
## **Financial Review -**
At 31 March 2023 the Charity’s net assets were £2.3 million (2022: £2.5 million) a decrease of £200,000 for the year.
Total income in the year was £499,000 (2022: £424,000) an increase of £75,000.
Total expenditure in the year was £655,000 (2022: £607,000) an increase of £48,000.
The charity recorded a loss £156,000 (2022: loss of £183,000), before a net loss on investments of £144,000 and a gain on revaluation of fixed assets of £93,000 (2022 : net gain on investments of £71,000).
## **Reserves Policy**
The balance sheet shows a total funds and reserves figure of £2,313,728 (2022 : £2,520,805). Excluding the Restricted reserves of £360,239 (2022: £362,646) and the Revaluation reserve of £573,597 (2022: £480,597) – which is not distributable – the Charity’s free reserves stand at £1,379,892 (2022:£1,677,562). However, if the market value of listed investments held in fixed assets is excluded from the sum, the remaining free reserves, and the corresponding unrestricted reserves, are nil (2022: nil). To mitigate this and to ensure day to day operational working capital can be met the Charity has the ability periodically to drawdown a small capital element of the fixed asset investment without reducing its value in real terms. As at 31st March 2023 the value of this working capital held on deposit was £100,000 (2022 : £100,000).
The restricted funds are held by the Charity for the purposes detailed in note 20 and are used as required on appropriate expenditure. Note 20 also explains in detail the Expendable Endowment.
## **Investment Policy**
The fund continues to be managed by Rathbones. The majority is held in the Core Investment Fund for Charities. The fund's objective is to achieve long term capital growth and a level of income employing a total return approach.
Page 4
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **Plans for the Future**
As we move in to the 2023/24 financial year we are working to expand the support we give to visually impaired people across Berkshire by increasing our reach across the county including into communities disproportionately affected by sight loss and by increasing our range of services available.
## **Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities**
The Trustees (who are also the directors of Berkshire County Blind Society for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business;
- state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the provisions of the charity’s constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Disclosure of information to Auditors**
In so far as the trustees are aware:
- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
- the trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to be aware of any information needed by the Company’s auditors in connection with preparing their report and to establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of that information.
## **Auditor**
Under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006, Menzies LLP will be deemed to have been reappointed as auditors 28 days after these financial statements were sent to members or 28 days after the latest date prescribed for filing the accounts with the registrar, whichever is earlier.
## **Small Companies Exemption**
In preparing this report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by Section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................ **Jane Veys, Chair**
Date: 18-Sep-2023
Page 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY
## (A company limited by guarantee)
## INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Berkshire County Blind Society (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Income and expenditure account, the Balance sheet, the 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 Financial Reporting Standard 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:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## **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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council'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 charitable company'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.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. 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. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.
Page 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (CONTINUED)
## **Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the Trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
- the Trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company 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 Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of Trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
- 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 Trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a Strategic report.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company 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 charitable company'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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Page 7
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (CONTINUED)
## **Auditors' 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 Auditors' 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:
- The charitable company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant including; FRS 102, Charities SORP, Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011 and Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
- We understood how the charitable company is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by, making inquiries to management, those responsible for legal and compliance procedures and the company secretary. We corroborated our inquiries through our review of board minutes.
- The engagement partner assessed whether the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognize non-compliance with laws and regulations. The assessment did not identify any issues in this area.
- We assessed the susceptibility of the Company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. We considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas; management override of controls to manipulate results, or to cause the Company to enter into transactions not in its best interests.
- Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
- Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;
- Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;
- Challenging assumptions and judgments made by management in its significant accounting estimates; and
- Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.
Page 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (CONTINUED)
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' 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 charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
## **Janice Matthews FCA (Senior statutory auditor)**
for and on behalf of
**Menzies LLP** Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Centrum House 36 Station Road Egham Surrey TW20 9LF 18-Sep-2023 Date:
Page 9
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
|**Note**
**Income and**
**endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
Other income
6
**Total income and**
**endowments**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
7
Charitable activities:
8
Sight loss support
Activities
Support costs
**Total expenditure**
**Net**
**income/(expenditure)**
Transfers between funds
20
**Net movement in funds**
**before other**
**recognised**
**gains/(losses)**
**Other recognised**
**gains/(losses):**
Gains on revaluation of
investments
Gains on revaluation of
fixed assets
**Net movement in funds**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**(153,980)**
**(153,980)**
**(143,690)**
**-**
**(297,670)**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**245,042**
**10,434**
**-**
**-**
**255,476**
**-**
**28,530**
**198,087**
**-**
**226,617**
**28,859**
**(31,266)**
**(2,407)**
**-**
**-**
**(2,407)**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**114,947**
**81,973**
**42,840**
**4,000**
**243,760**
**29,176**
**42,650**
**199,818**
**157,362**
**429,006**
**(185,246)**
**185,246**
**-**
**-**
**93,000**
**93,000**|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**359,989**
**92,407**
**42,840**
**4,000**
**499,236**
**29,176**
**71,180**
**397,905**
**157,362**
**655,623**
**(156,387)**
**-**
**(156,387)**
**(143,690)**
**93,000**
**(207,077)**|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_283,843_
_102,027_
_38,179_
_-_
_424,049_
_25,616_
_49,687_
_380,869_
_151,152_
_607,324_
_(183,275)_
_-_
_(183,275)_
_70,675_
_-_
_(112,600)_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 10
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
|**Note**
**Reconciliation of**
**funds:**
Total funds brought
forward
Net movement in funds
**Total funds carried**
**forward**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**1,677,562**
**(297,670)**
**1,379,892**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**362,646**
**(2,407)**
**360,239**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**480,597**
**93,000**
**573,597**|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**2,520,805**
**(207,077)**
**2,313,728**|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_2,633,405_
_(112,600)_
_2,520,805_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
Page 11
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## SUMMARY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
|**Note**
Income
Gains on revaluation
**Gross income in the reporting period**
Less: Total expenditure
**Net (expenditure) for the reporting period**|**Total funds**
**2023**
**£**
**499,236**
**93,000**
**592,236**
**(655,623)**
**(63,387)**|_Total funds_
_2022_
_£_
_424,049_
_-_
_424,049_
_(607,324)_
_(183,275)_|
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 15 to 33 form part of these financial statements.
Page 12
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 07977903
## BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
13
Investments
14
**Current assets**
Debtors
15
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
16
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
Provisions for liabilities
**Total net assets**
**Charity funds**
Expendable endowment funds
20
Restricted funds
20
Unrestricted funds
20
**Total funds**|**33,423**
**189,886**
**223,309**
**(42,397)**|**2023**
**£**
**679,934**
**1,551,272**
**2,231,206**
**180,912**
**2,412,118**
**(98,390)**
**2,313,728**
**1,379,892**
**360,239**
**573,597**
**2,313,728**|_60,839_
_155,433_
_216,272_
_(33,029)_|_2022_
_£_
_576,665_
_1,894,963_
_2,471,628_
_183,243_
_2,654,871_
_(134,066)_
_2,520,805_
_1,677,562_
_362,646_
_480,597_
_2,520,805_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
Page 13
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................ **Martin Gubb**
Date: 18-Sep-2023
The notes on pages 15 to 33 form part of these financial statements.
Page 14
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **1. Company information**
The principal activities of the charity are to provide visually impaired people with the information and support they need to live independently and safely. The incorporated charity (registered number 07977903 and charity number 1146413) is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of the registered office is Midleton House, 5 Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LR.
## **2. Accounting policies**
## **2.1 Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Berkshire County Blind Society meets 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.
## **2.2 Going concern**
These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis which assumes that the charitable company will continue in operation for the foreseeable future, considered to be at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements.
The charitable company has prepared cash flow forecasts and projections to 30th September 2024. In the opinion of the Trustees there will be sufficient resources to meet the charitable company’s needs over the forthcoming 12 months.
In their assessment of going concern the trustees have considered the impact on the charity of the COVID-19 virus. This has not had a significant impact on the charity’s operations as sufficient reserves are retained to enable the charity to operate in uncertain times.
Having regard to the above, the trustees believe it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements
Page 15
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.3 Income**
Voluntary income, including donations, gifts and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature, are recognised where there is entitlement, receipt is probable and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Investment income is recognised on an accruals basis in the year to which it relates.
Income from charitable activities includes income from unitary authority service agreements which are recognised on an accruals basis in the year to which the income relates.
Fundraising income is recognised when received. All fundraising is undertaken by employees of the charity and may include street and static box collections, organised events, donations and grants from Corporate Bodies and Charitable Trusts.
For legacies, the charity reviews entitlement, probability of receipt and the ability to accurately measure the value due. Entitlement to legacy income is recognised at the earliest of receipt of a legacy estate distribution or notification of date of death along with the existence of an uncontested will. Legacies are accrued on these conditions if the income due can be accurately estimated based on information received in the will and statement of assets or other notification by the executors of the will.
Government grants received in the year relate to receipts from the Kickstart scheme. These grants are accounted for under the performance model as permitted by the charity SORP. The amount received during the year amounted to £3,133.
## **2.4 Fund accounting**
Endowment funds represent assets which are held as an expendable endowment, principally held in investments.
Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
## **2.5 Expenditure**
Charitable activities expenditure comprises costs of providing support to the visually impaired, costs of activities in furtherance of the charity’s objects including the costs of providing resources, activities, outings and events for the visually impaired.
Support costs comprise administration costs for running the charity itself as an organisation.
## **2.6 Taxation**
Irrecoverable VAT is not separately analysed and is charged to the statement of financial activities when the expenditure to which it relates is incurred and is allocated as part of that expenditure.
Tax recovered from voluntary income received under gift aid is recognised when the related income is receivable and is allocated to the income category to which the income relates.
The charity is exempt from corporation tax.
Page 16
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets costing £250 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Freehold Buildings - 2% straight line Motor vehicles - 25% straight line Office equipment - 25% straight line Fixtures, fittings, plant and - 25% straight line equipment
The freehold property is held under the revaluation model.
## **2.8 Fixed Asset Investments**
Investments are included at closing mid-market value at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses on the sale of investments are recognised in the year they are sold. Any gains or losses on revaluation are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.
Investments in subsidiaries are valued at cost less provision for impairment.
## **2.9 Financial instruments**
The charitable company only has 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.
## **2.10 Pension costs**
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.
In addition, the Charity operated a defined benefit pension scheme. Following the retirement on 31st July 2015 of the sole remaining member of staff contributing to the pension scheme an actuarial valuation was undertaken by the Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund which established the Society's deficit at £185,000. This sum will be prepaid in annual instalment over a 15-year term which commenced in July 2015.
Page 17
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.11 Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty**
In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, which are described in note 2, Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying 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 on-going 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 the current and future periods.
The Trustees consider that there are no material judgements in applying accounting policies or key sources of estimation uncertainty.
## **3. Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations
Legacies
Grants
Government grants
_Total 2022_|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
31,664
-
210,245
3,133
245,042
_222,671_|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
50,090
31,000
33,857
-
114,947
_61,172_|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**81,754**
**31,000**
**244,102**
**3,133**
**359,989**
_283,843_|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_26,705_
_21,892_
_211,890_
_23,356_
_283,843_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
Government grants of £3,133 received during the year relate to receipts from the Kickstart scheme.
Page 18
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **4. Income from charitable activities**
|Unitary Authority Service Agreement
Contributions to activities
Transport contributions
Resource centre income
Club income
Other
_Total 2022_
**5.**
**Investment income**
Unit trust income
Interest on cash deposits
_Total 2022_
**6.**
**Other incoming resources**
Profit on sale of minibus|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
-
-
-
-
10,434
-
10,434
_16,092_|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
49,257
9,521
7,572
15,348
-
275
81,973
_85,935_
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
42,272
568
42,840
_38,179_
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
4,000|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**49,257**
**9,521**
**7,572**
**15,348**
**10,434**
**275**
**92,407**
_102,027_
**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**42,272**
**568**
**42,840**
_38,179_
**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**4,000**|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_65,173_
_9,293_
_6,346_
_4,173_
_16,092_
_950_
_102,027_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_38,165_
_14_
_38,179_|
|||||_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_-_|
Page 19
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **7. Expenditure on raising funds**
## **Fundraising trading expenses**
|Allocated centrally incurred fundraising costs
_Total 2022_|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
29,176
_25,616_|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**29,176**
_25,616_|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_25,616_|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
## **8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities**
## **Summary by fund type**
|Activities
Sight loss support
_Total 2022_|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
198,086
28,531
226,617
_203,396_|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
357,181
42,649
399,830
_378,312_|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
**555,267**
**71,180**
**626,447**
_581,708_|_Total_
_2022_
_£_
_532,021_
_49,687_
_581,708_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
Page 20
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities**
|Activities
Visiting costs
_Total 2022_|**Activities**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**2023**
**£**
397,905
71,180
469,085
_430,556_|**Support**
**costs**
**2023**
**£**
157,362
-
157,362
_151,152_|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**555,267**
**71,180**
**626,447**
_581,708_|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_532,021_
_49,687_
_581,708_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
## **Analysis of direct costs**
|Staff costs
Resource Centre costs
Publications
Transport costs
Minibus costs
Club expenditure
Outings events and activities
Sport activities costs
Sundry items
Motor and other expenses
Equipment
_Total 2022_|**Activities**
**2023**
**Visiting costs**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
289,522
60,976
455
-
12,445
-
-
-
23,179
-
22,224
-
20,057
-
6,658
-
23,365
-
-
4,521
-
5,683
397,905
71,180
_380,869_
_49,687_|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**350,498**
**455**
**12,445**
**-**
**23,179**
**22,224**
**20,057**
**6,658**
**23,365**
**4,521**
**5,683**
**469,085**
_430,556_|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_342,164_
_291_
_8,864_
_54_
_16,653_
_24,680_
_20,285_
_3,498_
_11,414_
_2,653_
_-_
_430,556_|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
Page 21
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of support costs**
|Staff costs and pension
Depreciation
Premises expenses
Marketing
Heat, light and cleaning
IT and telephone
Printing and stationery
Insurances
Legal and professional
Training
Incidental expenses
Other support costs
_Total 2022_|**Activities**
**2023**
**£**
55,498
22,791
13,728
1,889
7,649
23,283
3,910
2,185
20,632
739
2,386
2,672
157,362
_151,152_|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**55,498**
**22,791**
**13,728**
**1,889**
**7,649**
**23,283**
**3,910**
**2,185**
**20,632**
**739**
**2,386**
**2,672**
**157,362**
_151,152_|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_56,858_
_20,841_
_3,745_
_2,079_
_7,095_
_21,998_
_3,516_
_2,156_
_25,201_
_1,808_
_2,144_
_3,711_
_151,152_|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
## **10. Auditors' remuneration**
||**2023**|_2022_|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|_£_|
|Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual accounts|**11,190**|_7,800_|
|Fees payable to the Charity's auditor in respect of:|||
|All non-audit services not included above|**1,380**|_1,200_|
Page 22
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **11. Staff costs**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
Operating costs of defined benefit pension schemes|**2023**
**£**
**407,853**
**22,968**
**7,054**
**(3,455)**
**434,420**|_2022_
_£_
_386,423_
_27,553_
_7,116_
_2,881_|
|---|---|---|
|||_423,973_|
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
|Employees
The average headcount expressed as full-time equivalents was:
Employees|**2023**
**No.**
**24**
**2023**
**No.**
**15**|_2022_
_No._
_21_|
|---|---|---|
|||_2022_
_No._
_14_|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
During the year, £Nil of redundancy payments were made (2022: £2,094).
None of the trustees received any remuneration during the year (2022: None). There was no reimbursement of expenses during the year (2022: £Nil).
Key management consist of the Trustees and senior management team listed on page 1. The remuneration of key management (including employer's NI and employer's pension contributions) was £142,230 (2022: £139,214).
## **12. Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits _(2022 - £Nil)._
During the year ended 31 March 2023, no Trustee expenses have been incurred _(2022 - £Nil)_ .
Page 23
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **13. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 April 2022
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
At 31 March 2023
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2022
Charge for the year
On disposals
On revalued assets
At 31 March 2023
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2023
_At 31 March 2022_|**Freehold land**
**& property**
**£**
**560,000**
**-**
**-**
**65,000**
**625,000**
**22,400**
**5,600**
**-**
**(28,000)**
**-**
**625,000**
_537,600_|**Motor**
**vehicles**
**£**
**90,265**
**30,005**
**(27,605)**
**-**
**92,665**
**67,019**
**11,529**
**(27,605)**
**-**
**50,943**
**41,722**
_23,246_|**Fixtures,**
**fittings, plant**
**& equipment**
**£**
**71,167**
**3,055**
**-**
**-**
**74,222**
**55,348**
**5,662**
**-**
**-**
**61,010**
**13,212**
_15,819_|**Office**
**equipment**
**£**
**2,975**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,975**
**2,975**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,975**
**-**
_-_|**Total**
**£**
**724,407**
**33,060**
**(27,605)**
**65,000**
**794,862**
**147,742**
**22,791**
**(27,605)**
**(28,000)**
**114,928**
**679,934**
_576,665_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The freehold property was valued by a chartered surveyor from Haslams, property consultants, on 17 March 2023 on a market value basis. The historic cost of the property was £58,767.
Page 24
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **14. Fixed asset investments**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 April 2022
Movement in cash
Revaluations
At 31 March 2023
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2023
_At 31 March 2022_|**Investment in**
**subsidiary**
**company**
**£**
**1**
**-**
**-**
**1**
**1**
_1_|**Quoted**
**investments**
**£**
**1,894,962**
**(200,000)**
**(143,691)**
**1,551,271**
**1,551,271**
_1,894,962_|**Total**
**£**
**1,894,963**
**(200,000)**
**(143,691)**
**1,551,272**
**1,551,272**
_1,894,963_|
|---|---|---|---|
## **Principal subsidiaries**
The following was a subsidiary undertaking of the Charity:
**Name Company Registered office or principal Principal activity number place of business** Berkshire Vision Limited 09690472 Midleton House, 5 Erleigh Road, 100% owned dormant Reading, RG1 5LR company
Page 25
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **15. Debtors**
|**Due within one year**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income|**2023**
**£**
**5,613**
**8,843**
**18,967**
**33,423**|_2022_
_£_
_200_
_43,903_
_16,736_|
|---|---|---|
|||_60,839_|
## **16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2023**
**£**
**10,702**
**9,545**
**793**
**21,357**
**42,397**|_2022_
_£_
_11,492_
_6,736_
_1,358_
_13,443_|
|---|---|---|
|||_33,029_|
## **17. Provisions**
|Pension scheme deficit
Other provisions|**2023**
**£**
**98,390**
**-**
**98,390**|_2022_
_£_
_116,566_
_17,500_
_134,066_|
|---|---|---|
The pension scheme is administered as part of the Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund. The scheme ceased within the fund on 31 July 2015 on the retirement of the remaining staff contributor and an actuarial valuation undertaken by the Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund established a deficit of funds to meet future liabilities of £185,000.
This is repayable in annual instalments over a period of 15 years which commenced in July 2015. In accordance with FRS102, the provision is calculated as the net present value of the future contributions required over the next 8 years to clear the funding deficit of £98,390. In calculating this net present value, annual increases of 2.6% have been made and a discount rate is 2.25% representing the typical yield of high-quality corporate bonds has then been applied.
Page 26
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **18. Financial instruments**
Financial assets held at fair value are all investments.
||**2023**|_2022_|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|_£_|
|**Financial assets**|||
|Financial assets measured at fair value|**1,551,272**|_1,894,963_|
## **19. Provisions**
|At 1 April 2022
Amounts used|**Pension**
**deficit**
**provision**
**£**
**116,566**
**(18,176)**
**98,390**|**Other**
**provisions**
**£**
**17,500**
**(17,500)**
**-**|**Total**
**£**
**134,066**
**(35,676)**
**98,390**|
|---|---|---|---|
Page 27
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **20. Statement of funds**
## **Statement of funds - current year**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance at 1 Transfers Gains/ Balance at 31
April 2022 Income Expenditure in/out (Losses) March 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted
funds
General Funds -
all funds - 243,760 (429,006) 185,246 - -
Property
revaluation
reserve 480,597 - - - 93,000 573,597
480,597 243,760 (429,006) 185,246 93,000 573,597
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Endowment**
**funds**
Expendable
endowment
funds
**Restricted**
**funds**
Sports
Children's Funds
Maidenhead Club
Langley & Slough
Club
Socialeyes
Hungerford Club
Midleton House
Vehicles
Facing the future
Thatcham &
Theale Club
Berkshire
Community
Foundation
Realeyes
18-35 Club
Aktiveyes Club
Employability|**1,677,562**
**28,863**
**154,186**
**46,670**
**46,990**
**15,784**
**7,347**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**1,300**
**4,902**
**14,268**
**294**
**4,240**
**2,874**|**-**
**33,629**
**33,657**
**6,683**
**50**
**4,317**
**750**
**11,132**
**34,166**
**52,114**
**615**
**-**
**14,477**
**-**
**2,019**
**15,795**|**-**
**(39,628)**
**(33,972)**
**(10,473)**
**(3,620)**
**(2,553)**
**(1,513)**
**(10,223)**
**(3,500)**
**(27,348)**
**(1,854)**
**(879)**
**(22,679)**
**(294)**
**(2,211)**
**(14,873)**|**(153,980)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**(30,666)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**(143,690)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**1,379,892**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**22,864**
**153,871**
**42,880**
**43,420**
**17,548**
**6,584**
**909**
**-**
**24,766**
**61**
**4,023**
**6,066**
**-**
**4,048**
**3,796**|
Page 28
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **20. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Statement of funds - current year (continued)**
|Resources &
equipment
service
Sight Loss
Support Service
Kickstarter
scheme
**Total of funds**|**Balance at 1**
**April 2022**
**£**
**-**
**34,928**
**-**
**362,646**
**2,520,805**|**Income**
**£**
**40,633**
**2,307**
**3,132**
**255,476**
**499,236**|**Expenditure**
**£**
**(24,405)**
**(23,460)**
**(3,132)**
**(226,617)**
**(655,623)**|**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**-**
**(600)**
**-**
**(31,266)**
**-**|**Gains/**
**(Losses)**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**(50,690)**|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
**16,228**
**13,175**
**-**
**360,239**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**2,313,728**|
The endowment fund represents assets which are held as an expendable endowment, however there are no records available to show the value of the initial gifts. Income arising on the Endowment fund can be used in accordance with the objects of the Society and is included in unrestricted income. The Trustees may convert all or part of the Fund into an income fund which can also be spent in accordance with the objects of the Society as unrestricted income.
In this financial year £153,980 (2022: £173,471) was transferred from the Expendable Endowment to the Unrestricted - General Fund to bring it to nil and prevent it from become negative.
**Children's funds** - are funds to specifically benefit children.
**Sports Fund** - represents grants and donations to maintain and expand the sports programme.
**Individual clubs' balances** - represent funds held in their own accounts plus specific residual legacy monies in the case of Maidenhead & Slough/Langley clubs.
**18-35 Club** - represent funds specifically for 18-35 club activities.
**Berkshire Community Foundation** - represents grant money restricted to exercise and leisure activities for visually impaired adults in Berkshire.
**Midleton House** - represents grants restricted to the fabric of the building.
**Facing the future** - represents grant funding from the National Lottery.
**Employability** - represents grants restricted to our "Eyes on The Future" programme.
Page 29
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **20. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Statement of funds - prior year**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance at
Balance at Transfers Gains/ 31 March
1 April 2021 Income Expenditure in/out (Losses) 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted
funds
General Funds -
all funds - 185,286 (403,928) 218,642 - -
Property
revaluation
reserve 486,197 - - (5,600) - 480,597
-
486,197 185,286 (403,928) 213,042 480,597
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Endowment**
**funds**
Expendable
endowment
funds
**Restricted**
**funds**
Sports
Children's Funds
Maidenhead Club
Langley & Slough
Club
Socialeyes
Hungerford Club
Midleton House
Vehicles
Facing the future
Thatcham &
Theale Club
Berkshire
Community
Foundation
Minibus Fund
capital account
Realeyes
18-35 Club
Aktiveyes Club
Tech buddies|_1,780,358_
_48,062_
_153,686_
_51,041_
_48,495_
_6,041_
_7,056_
_1,572_
_8,102_
_2,369_
_1,325_
_6,652_
_12,516_
_1,733_
_845_
_4,917_
_2,000_|_-_
_55,574_
_24,793_
_12,158_
_1,546_
_63_
_-_
_70_
_189_
_350_
_666_
_-_
_14,500_
_47,290_
_-_
_1,050_
_-_|_-_
_(62,218)_
_(24,293)_
_(16,529)_
_(3,051)_
_(372)_
_(139)_
_(729)_
_(944)_
_(498)_
_(691)_
_(1,750)_
_-_
_(34,755)_
_(551)_
_(1,727)_
_(2,000)_|_(173,471)_
_(12,555)_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_(27,016)_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_|_70,675_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_|_1,677,562_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||_28,863_
_154,186_
_46,670_
_46,990_
_5,732_
_6,917_
_913_
_7,347_
_2,221_
_1,300_
_4,902_
_-_
_14,268_
_294_
_4,240_
_-_|
Page 30
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **20. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Statement of funds - prior year (continued)**
|Employability
Resources &
equipment
service
Sight Loss
Support Service
Kickstarter
scheme
**Total of funds**|_Balance at_
_1 April 2021_
_£_
_5,438_
_5,000_
_-_
_-_
_366,850_
_2,633,405_|_Income_
_£_
_13,125_
_-_
_44,033_
_23,356_
_238,763_
_424,049_|_Expenditure_
_£_
_(15,688)_
_(5,000)_
_(9,105)_
_(23,356)_
_(203,396)_
_(607,324)_|_Transfers_
_in/out_
_£_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_(39,571)_
_-_|_Gains/_
_(Losses)_
_£_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_70,675_|_Balance at_
_31 March_
_2022_
_£_
_2,875_
_-_
_34,928_
_-_
_362,646_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||_2,520,805_|
## **21. Summary of funds**
**Summary of funds - current year**
|General funds
Endowment
funds
Restricted funds|**Balance at 1**
**April 2022**
**£**
**480,597**
**1,677,562**
**362,646**
**2,520,805**|**Income**
**£**
**243,760**
**-**
**255,476**
**499,236**|**Expenditure**
**£**
**(429,006)**
**-**
**(226,617)**
**(655,623)**|**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**185,246**
**(153,980)**
**(31,266)**
**-**|**Gains/**
**(Losses)**
**£**
**93,000**
**(143,690)**
**-**
**(50,690)**|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
**573,597**
**1,379,892**
**360,239**
**2,313,728**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 31
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **21. Summary of funds (continued)**
## **Summary of funds - prior year**
|General funds
Endowment
funds
Restricted funds|_Balance at_
_1 April 2021_
_£_
_486,197_
_1,780,358_
_366,850_
_2,633,405_|_Income_
_£_
_185,286_
_-_
_238,763_
_424,049_|_Expenditure_
_£_
_(403,928)_
_-_
_(203,396)_
_(607,324)_|_Transfers_
_in/out_
_£_
_213,042_
_(173,471)_
_(39,571)_
_-_|_Gains/_
_(Losses)_
_£_
_-_
_70,675_
_-_
_70,675_|_Balance at_
_31 March_
_2022_
_£_
_480,597_
_1,677,562_
_362,646_
_2,520,805_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **22. Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - current year**
|Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Provisions for liabilities and charges
**Total**|**Expendable**
**endowment**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
-
1,379,892
-
-
-
1,379,892|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
-
-
360,239
-
-
360,239|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
679,934
171,380
(136,930)
(42,397)
(98,390)
573,597|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**679,934**
**1,551,272**
**223,309**
**(42,397)**
**(98,390)**
**2,313,728**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 32
DocuSign Envelope ID: F966B959-74FD-4AE8-8F83-B3E8255EB10CDocuSign Envelope ID: CA029F3B-61E5-44DE-9F57-204ED19C5763
## BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
## **22. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)**
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year**
|Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Provisions for liabilities and charges
**Total**|_Expendable_
_endowment_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_-_
_1,677,562_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_1,677,562_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_-_
_-_
_362,646_
_-_
_-_
_362,646_|_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_576,665_
_217,401_
_(146,374)_
_(33,029)_
_(134,066)_
_480,597_|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_576,665_
_1,894,963_
_216,272_
_(33,029)_
_(134,066)_
_2,520,805_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **23. Operating lease commitments**
At 31 March 2023 the Charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
|Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years|**2023**
**£**
**892**
**-**
**892**|_2022_
_£_
_1,189_
_892_|
|---|---|---|
|||_2,081_|
Lease payments recognised as an expense in the Statement of Financial Activities during the year are £1,141 (2022: £1,369).
## **24. Related party transactions**
David Few (Trustee) is a partner at the Charity's legal advisors. During the year they were paid £Nil (2022: £Nil) in relation to fees and expenses incurred. No amounts were outstanding at year end (2022:Nil). There were no other related party transactions during the year.
## **25. Post balance sheet events**
Subsequent to the year end the charity was approached by Reading Association for the Blind (RAB) regarding a potential merger to further enhance both charities objectives with regards to visually impaired individuals in Berkshire.
Page 33