2024-03-31-accounts

iW s P ts Bright Light rojec “Uniting Communities” ,

“Advancing the community’s hopes for everyone to become healthy, conscientious and productive future members of modern, democratic Britain.”

Annual report and financial statements For year ended 31 March 2024

Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

“Uniting Communities”

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CONTENTS
	Page
Reference and Administrative Details	3
Trustees' Report	4
Independent examiner’s report on the Financial Statement	8
Statement of Financial Activities	9
Balance Sheet	10
Notes to the Financial Statements	11

2 Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

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“Uniting Communities”

Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name:	The Bright Lights Projects
Charity Registered Number:	1153637
Registered Office and	Raven Street Centre
Operational Address:	Raven Street
	HX1 4NB
	United Kingdom
Board of Trustees:	Mrs Shazia Mohsin
	Mr Shafaq Ahmed
	Mr Abdul Nasir Taj
Chairman:	Mr Shafaq Ahmed
Bankers:	HSBC BANK PLC
	2 Cloth Hall Street
	Huddersfield
	HD1 2ES
	NATWEST BANK
	Birmingham City Centre
	1 St Philips Place
	Birmingham
	B3 2PT

3 Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

“Uniting Communities”

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Trustees’ Annual Report

The trustees present their annual report together for financial statements of the charitable company (CIO) for the 12 months’ period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Constitution

The Bright Lights Projects Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“the CIO”) was registered with the Charity Commission on 3 September 2013. The constitution is the primary governing document of the charity.

Details of trustees who served throughout the year are included in the Reference and Administrative Details on page 3.

Trustee’s liability

If the CIO is wound up, the members of the CIO have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.

Organisational Structure

The trustees along with managing committee are responsible for setting general policy, approving and adapting an annual plan and budget and making major decisions about the direction of the charity.

All meetings are called by the Chairman at least once every 4 months. All expenditure and activities above a certain threshold must be agreed with the Chairman or Project manager and, if required, approved within the meetings which mostly relate to the hiring of halls/rooms for activities, food & drink at major events and renovations for development of our new premises.

Property Development

Since purchasing the derelict Park Works site in 2015, property renovations have been done in stages due to limited funds. In the early phases, the old engineering plant and car park were developed into several independent storage units, which have since been let out – all income is currently being used to develop the 4 storey office block for use by the charity to forward its charitable objectives. The charity has relied a lot upon volunteers to give their time and skills in developing and renovating the premises. We had hoped that the first phase of the renovations of the office block would be completed by the end of 2024. Due to contractor and Covid-19 pandemic delays, this has not been achieved and is on-going for 2024/2025.

4 Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

s P ts Bright Light rojec “Uniting Communities”

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Objects and Aims

The objects of the charity, as set out in its constitution are:

a) To advance the education of the public, in particular but not exclusively by the provision of numeracy and literacy classes and healthy cooking clubs.

b) To provide or assist in the provision of facilities that support social welfare through recreation or other leisure time activities to serve individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.

c) To advance the Islamic Faith for the benefit of the public through the holding of prayer meetings, lectures, celebrations of religious festivals and producing and/or distributing literature to inform others about the Islamic Faith.

d) To promote religious harmony for the benefit of the public by for example:

(i) Educating the public in different religious beliefs, including an awareness of their distinctive features and their common ground to promote good relations between persons of different faiths.

(ii) Promoting knowledge and mutual understanding of the beliefs and practices of different religious faiths.

Principal Activities

The Bright Lights Projects is a non-profit organisation in the north of England working towards self-betterment among people in our communities. Our group consists of professionals and business-people principally based in the borough of Calderdale. The group has a broadly even number of men and women. In recognition of the educational, social and health problems within our community, we supplement the efforts of other likeminded individuals and organisations to bring about change. Hence, the Bright Light’s principal focus is to encourage achievement in three domains: Academic, Social and Health.

The Bright Lights considers that an important part of a complete education is the fostering of a strong sense of social belonging and a desire to contribute to the community. Furthermore, we believe that improving literacy and numeracy skills not only forms a firm foundation for academic and employment success, but also provides a means for greater integration into society and an empowerment of individuals to express themselves as productive members of the community.

5 Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

“Uniting Communities”

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Our organisation is committed to addressing the root causes of anti-social behaviour and providing individuals with the moral direction that is needed for each of them to take their place as a conscientious member of British society. By emphasising the importance of sound personal ethics and the need to contribute to the community, we intend to address the factors that have led to civil disorder and resulted in enormous cost to home-owners, businesses and local councils.

Our goal is to produce well-rounded individuals who not only excel academically, but who are healthy and are anchored by strong moral values and a desire to support their local communities.

As parents, professionals and educators, the membership of the Bright Lights are deeply conscious of the many factors that restrict people’s opportunity to fulfil their potential. As a result, we have developed an approach that addresses several of the key problems faced by our communities and provides our beneficiaries with the support they need to overcome them.

The trustees confirm they have given due consideration to the Charity Commission’s published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011.

Each year our trustees review our activities to ensure they continue to reflect our objectives. In carrying out this review the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular its supplementary public guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit.

The Bright Lights offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that our community find beneficial. Advancing the community’s hopes for everyone to become healthy, conscientious and productive future members of modern, democratic Britain.

Activities included:

• Weekly Boys & Girls Youth Club

• Annual Youth Camp

• Language courses

• Cultural celebrations

• Community engagement

• Literacy & numeracy support

• Gym and fitness sessions

• Cooking classes

• Sewing Classes

6 Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

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Future Developments

Looking to the future, the Bright Lights aims to benefit the wider public by fulfilling the following:

• a) Improving in literacy and numeracy levels for children improving life chances.

• b) Improving health standards amongst children and adults resulting in general wellbeing and reduced health burden on society.

• c) Reducing anti-social behaviour.

• d) Reducing vandalism, theft and other crimes.

• e) Improving social and community cohesion.

Financial Review

We are running several community programmes within West Yorkshire. Ongoing renovation works on our main site, still limits to some extent what other projects we could be involved in and get grants for. We are hoping to work with other local community, education and sports related organisations in the near future.

The charity continues to rent some office space and a sports hall to deliver our activities and programmes. Other than day-to-day running expenditure, a lot of the outgoings are used for renovation works (materials and labour) to get the premises fully ready. Income generated is from donations and rental income of the storage units. Due to the renovation works, the Parks Works site has been revalued on the basis of the sale price of similar neighbouring properties and thus realising large gains on asset revaluation.

Any reserves held are for the day-to-day operations of the charity as well as the revaluation reserve due to the redevelopment of a derelict asset.

7 Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

“Uniting Communities”

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Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts of Bright Lights Projects

Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner.

The charity trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (The Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

• Examine the accounts (under section 43(3)(a) of the Act);

• Follow the procedures laid in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 43)7)(b) of the Act; and

• State whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiners statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention;

• 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements; • to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act. and

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. have not been met; or

• 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Date: 29/01/2025

Name: Mr Mudassar Mahmood

Chartered Certified Accountant

Address: 10 Percy Street, HD2 2RX, Huddersfield.

8 Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

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“Uniting Communities”

Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2024

Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2024	Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2024
	31 Mar 2024	31 Mar 2023
	£	£
Incoming Resources
Donations	220,414	170,462
Rental income	147,045	139,888
Gift Aid	8,868	7,007
Fundrasiers	-	79,961
Education Programmes	26,888	23,955
Furlough Grant	-	-
Interest Received	143	47
Total Incoming Resources	403,358	421,319
Resources Expended
Rent	15,000	9,000
Admin & Legal	831	2,783
Utilities	23,918	32,509
Wages & Salaries	64,664	66,448
Refreshments	220	431
Stationary	10	1,409
Travel	8,119	96
Consultancy	8,102
IT and Office equipment	4,429
Consumables	1,306	4,335
Telephone & Broadband	683	893
Insurance	574	-
Equipment General	5,070	4,795
Interest & similar charges	19,296	12,327
Maintenance & Repairs	125,316	130,597
Sundry	460	4,008
Depreciation	57,335	54,528
Total Resources Expended	335,333	324,158
Surplus	68,024	97,162
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward	2,304,758	2,207,597
Total funds carried forward	2,372,783	2,304,758

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.

9 Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

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“Uniting Communities”

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

		31 Mar 2024	31 Mar 2023
	q p	£	£
Tangible assets	ent
Land & Building		2,785,803	2,648,266
Fixture & Fittings		964	1,446
		2,786,767	2,649,712
Current Assets
Cash		1,490	1,145
Bank		137,551	199,007
Debtors		5,000	5,000
		144,041	205,152
Total Assets		2,930,808	2,854,864
Creditors - Amounts falling due after more than one year
Loans		284,600	266,400
Mortgage		273,425	283,706
		558,025	550,106
Total Net Assets		2,372,783	2,304,758
The funds of the charity:
Accumulated Funds:
Total Funds Brought Forward		2,304,758	2,207,597
Current Year Retained Earnings		68,024	97,162
Total charity funds		2,372,783	2,304,758

Signed: Name: Shafaq Ahmed

Signed: Name: Nasir Taj

These accounts were approved by the trustee board on 27 January 2025.

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Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

` s P ts eo 1 Bright Light rojec “Uniting Communities”

Notes to the Financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

2. Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided for using rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

• Freehold property – 2% straight-line method

• Fixtures & Fittings – 20% straight-line method

• Equipment – 20% straight-line method

3. Cash at Bank & In Hand

Cash and bank balance is £139k which are all unrestricted funds.

4. Private Loans

Private loans are from individuals to support the start-up of the charity and purchase of the property, which are due to be paid back within 10 years.

5. Trustees Payments

There were no payments for goods or services made to trustees.

6. Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

7. Staff costs and the costs of key management personnel

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

	2024	2023
All Staff	9	9

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000

Raven Street Centre, Raven Street, Halifax, HX1 4NB | Phone: [phone] | Reg. Charity no.:1153637

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