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2021-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1153760

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees C Ray MBE
J Hopkins
E Griffiths
A McGuckin
S Dent
A. Mulla (Appointed 9 August 2021)
Charity number 1153760
Principal address Tewkesbury Borough Council
Gloucester Road
Tewkesbury
GL20 5TT
Independent examiner Nicholas J Bishop FCCA ACA
Unit 3 Ambrose House
Meteor Court
Barnett Way
Barnwood
Gloucester
GL4 3GG
Bankers Triodos Bank
Deanery Road
Bristol
BS1 5AS

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 4
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Balance sheet 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 - 13

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)

Objectives and activities

The VCS Alliance’s object is the promotion of the voluntary sector in Gloucestershire by the provision of information, advice and services with the aim of extending the activities of the voluntary sector and increasing its efficiency, effectiveness and quality.

By the voluntary sector, we mean charities and voluntary organisations. Charities are organisations which are established for exclusively charitable purposes in accordance with the law of England and Wales. Voluntary organisations are independent organisations which are established for purposes that add value to the community as a whole, or a section of the community, and which are not permitted by their constitution to make a profit for private distribution. Voluntary organisations do not include local government or other statutory authorities.

The VCS Alliance aims to facilitate communication between Gloucestershire’s voluntary and community sector (VCS) and policy makers and commissioning bodies in Gloucestershire. It aims to ensure effective consultation with the county's voluntary and community sector by the public sector, to create effective mechanisms for partnership working through thematic forums, as well as to produce the county's funding and information bulletins.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.

Public Benefit

In planning the charity’s activities for the year the trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

The focus of the charity’s activities during the year, which explains the delivery by the charity of public benefit, is set out above under ‘objectives and activities’ and below under ‘achievements and performance’.

Achievements and performance

Kings Fund – Healthy Communities Together Work NHS England Leadership Project

In December 2019 the VCS Alliance successfully bid to deliver the NHS England (NHSE) Leadership contract for Gloucestershire, with delivery of this project running from January 2020 to May 2021. The aims of the programme were to:

encourage and enable the VCSE to work in a co-ordinated way;

provide the Sustainable Transformation Partnership (STP)/Integrated Care System (ICS) with a single route of contact and engagement with the VCSE and links to communities;

better position the VCSE sector in the STP/ICS and enable it to contribute to the design and delivery of integrated care and have a positive impact on health priorities, support population groups, and/or reduce health inequalities.

We used the capacity brought in through this funding to work with the VCSE and public sector to inform our work and set our priorities within a service level agreement (SLA). The project outputs were case studies, interviews with stakeholders, and research from other systems. This was used to inform our future working strategy and formed the basis of our new service level agreement. The project was successfully delivered on time and under budget.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

New Service Level Agreement

In January 2020 the VCS Alliance agreed its new service level agreement with both the County Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group. The new agreement focuses on VCSE representation and creating a model of ‘accountable representation’ throughout county systems. The grant agreement is from April 2021 March 2024 and will ensure we continue to focus on creating sustainable working relationships between the VCSE and public sector.

This service level agreement offers the sector a real opportunity to work better with the health and care system and to operate as a genuine strategic partner of Gloucestershire’s new Integrated Care System. We are delighted to continue this working relationship and to continue to build stronger relationships between the VCSE and the public sector. This agreement also demonstrates the value that the public sector has in the VCSE and the need for an infrastructure to support it.

Barnwood Trust

In January 2020 the VCS Alliance established a formal partnership with the Barnwood Trust. This is a 3-year grant agreement between the two organisations where the Barnwood Trust funds our core costs through an annual grant. This agreement has strengthened our relationship significantly and seen us working together on several projects, including the Community Mental Health Transformation Framework, Healthy Communities Together, and two research pieces with the sector.

The impact of this grant has been significant and means that we have a level of independence from the public sector, who have historically been our only source of funding. This has led to the VCS Alliance developing our research on VCSE delivery and presenting findings back to the public sector, challenging the narrative of mental health service provision and presenting the views of the sector without public sector scrutiny. The two reports we have written to date have been the Mental Health Research and Eating Disorder Research, both of which have been presented to the county’s Mental Health Programme Board.

Volunteering Strategy

From May 2020 to April 2021 the VCS Alliance has been working to develop a countywide strategy for volunteering. This work included a survey of 1200 volunteers, 70 interviews and 6 focus groups. This provided a comprehensive study of the motivations of volunteers, requirements of the VCSE and recommendations of the infrastructure required to support better, more inclusive volunteering in Gloucestershire. These recommendations have been supported by the Enabling Active Communities Board and we have been given the mandate to implement them. This will include creating a countywide ‘volunteering platform’, investing in local infrastructure and supporting a management collaborative to oversee the project.

The VCS Alliance has been asked to lead on the creation and management of the volunteering platform which

will take place from October 2021-2024.

Community Mental Health Transformation Framework (CMHTF) - VCSE Lead Partner

In October 2020 the VCS Alliance became the named VCSE partner in the Community Mental Health Transformation Framework. This project will redesign mental health services for people with serious mental illness throughout Gloucestershire. This project provides us with an opportunity to ensure the sector is fully integrated with other mental health provision and support individuals to access a holistic, well rounded mental health service.

As the VCSE lead, our role will be to:

Financial review

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Reserves Statement

It is the policy of the Trustees to hold an appropriate level of reserves to ensure that the Gloucestershire VCS Alliance is able to continue to operate in the event of an interruption to its income streams and to wind down its operations in a controlled manner should such an action be deemed necessary. Further, it is the policy of the Trustees to keep the level of reserves under review throughout the year.

The trustees has assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Future Developments

The year ahead looks an exciting one for the VCS Alliance as we continue to delivery on our business strategy and take on more projects.

In November 2021 we will be eagerly anticipating the feedback from our Health Communities Together bid that has been submitted to the Kings Fund. This will potentially provide the sector with significant capacity-building support through formal training, mentoring, and coaching. This, alongside the apprenticeship courses we will be running, has the potential to have a real impact and further professionalise the sector and support services delivery.

In early 2022 Gloucestershire is moving towards a formalised Integrated Care System which provides us with an opportunity to strategically embed the VCSE into the health and care strategy for the county. We are already working with county systems to ensure the VCSE is represented at all levels of the health and care system and that this is done in a way that is accountable and fair. By the time the ICS is formalised, we will be able to provide it with a readymade model for VCSE engagement and offer a model of best practice for other systems in the country. Although this poses a significant challenge, there is real appetite within the county for the VCSE to become a fully-fledged strategic partner in supporting the health and wellbeing of our population.

March 2022 will also see the launch of our new State of the Sector Report which will hold particular significance in the wake of COVID. We will be using this opportunity to review how the sector has performed during the pandemic and analyse its position compared to previous years. This report will be presented to commissioners and funders to support them in identifying key trends and changes that will inform their future decision making.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by their constitution.

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

C Ray MBE

D Owen (Resigned 13 October 2020) T Clark (Resigned 9 August 2021) J Hopkins E Griffiths A McGuckin N Gardner (Deceased 12 April 2021) S Dent A. Mulla (Appointed 9 August 2021)

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The trustees' r eport was approved by the Board of Trustees.

C Ray MBE

Trustee Dated: 18 October 2021

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Gloucestershire VCS Alliance (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act . In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Nicholas J Bishop FCCA ACA

Unit 3 Ambrose House Meteor Court Barnett Way Barnwood Gloucester GL4 3GG

Dated: 18 October 2021

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2021
2021
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
134,840
-
Investments
4
44
-
Total income
134,884
-
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
102,308
-
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
32,576
-
Fund balances at 1
April 2020
48,515
1,291
Fund balances at 31
March 2021
81,091
1,291		 TotalUnrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2021
2020
2020
£
£
£
134,840
123,000
4,500
44
18
-
134,884
123,018
4,500
102,308
104,742
4,500
32,576
18,276
-
49,806
30,239
1,291
82,382
48,515
1,291		 Total
2020
£
127,500
18
127,518
109,242
18,276
31,530
49,806

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2021

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
9
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
10
Unrestricted funds		 2021
£
84,181
(1,800)		 £
1
82,381
82,382
1,291
81,091
82,382		 2020
£
51,531
(1,800)		 £
75
49,731
49,806
1,291
48,515
49,806

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 18 October 2021

C Ray MBE Trustee

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Gloucestershire VCS Alliance is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "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 Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling , which is the functional currency of the Charity . Monetary a mounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the Charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

1.5 Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Computers

25% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the Charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any ) .

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future p aymen ts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity ’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.9 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.10 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount 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 where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Unrestricted
Restricted		 Total
funds funds
funds
2021 2020
2020		 2020
£ £
£		 £
Grants receivable 134,840 123,000
4,500		 127,500
Investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2021 2020
£ £
Interest receivable 44 18

4 Investments

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

5 Charitable activities

Charitable
Charitable
Expenditure
Expenditure
2021
2020
£
£
Staff costs 57,607
82,501
Depreciation and impairment 74
75
Insurance 588
754
Rent and room hire -
1,560
Recruitment and training 66
900
Bank charges 17
22
IT and website 4,883
515
Subscriptions 600
600
Accountancy 1,800
1,800
Printing 2,010
2,654
Legal and professional fees 28,592
13,369
Sundry 71
487
CARMA 6,000
36
SLA (Service Level Agreement) -
3,969
102,308
109,242
102,308
109,242
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 102,308
104,742
Restricted funds -
4,500
For the year ended 31 March 2020
Unrestricted funds 104,742
Restricted funds 4,500
109,242

The independent examiners received £1,800 (2020: £1,800) for the independent examination of the financial statements, and £806 (2020: £806) for the preparation of the payroll.

6 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

7 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2021 2020
Number Number
Charitable activities 3 4
Employment costs 2021 2020
£ £
Wages and salaries 54,711 77,501
Other pension costs 2,896 5,000
57,607 82,501

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

8 Tangible fixed assets

Computers
£
Cost
At 1 April 2020 300
At 31 March 2021 300
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2020 225
Depreciation charged in the year 74
At 31 March 2021 299
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2021 1
At 31 March 2020 75
9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2021 2020
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 1,800 1,800

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

10 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movement in funds Movement in funds Movement
in funds
Balance at
Incoming		 Resources Balance at Incoming
Balance at
1 April 2019
resources		 expended 1 April 2020 resources
31 March 2021
£
£		 £ £
£
£
Community Engagement
1,291
4,500		 (4,500) 1,291
-
1,291
11 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted TotalUnrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2021 2021 2021 2020 2020 2020
£ £ £ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31
March 2021 are
represented by:
Tangible assets 1 - 1 75 - 75
Current assets/
(liabilities) 81,090 1,291 82,381 48,440 1,291 49,731
81,091 1,291 82,382 48,515 1,291 49,806

12 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2020 - none) .