OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2022-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1153760

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

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 Sanger House
Gloucester Business Park
Gloucester
GL3 4FE
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 - 14

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022.

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. This is 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

Healthy Communities Together (HCT)

In November 2021, Gloucestershire was one of six systems nationally to be awarded funding through the Kings Fund’s Healthy Communities Together Programme. The funding is to support learning and systems change which aims to reduce health inequalities within Gloucestershire. The VCS Alliance is a proud member of the Stewardship Group for this programme and responsible for engaging with the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and establishing opportunities that will build capacity, develop the relationships between the VCSE and wider system and look to introduce innovative practice into the county. Progress has already been made with the programme outline and communications plan and an Open Space Event is planned in for 2022. This will inform the outputs of the programme and support the VCSE to feed into the deliverables. We look forward to the project being fully operational in the Summer of 2022.

Integrated Care System (ICS)

Since August 2021, the VCS Alliance has been working with the VCSE to develop the future working relationship between the sector and health and care. This work started with a series of workshops looking at the shared vision and values and has quickly developed into a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the sector the ICS. Within this document we highlight the need to establish leadership boards, formal governance, and the importance of accountable representation for the VCSE within the health and care system. This has been adopted by the ICS and the VCS Alliance is currently working to establish these structures.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

The VCS Alliance has for many years been leading the way for the sector to engage more effectively with health and care, the development of the ICS is a fantastic opportunity to continue this work and create parity between the VCSE and Public Sector. The ambition for the project is vast, but ultimately the goal is to ensure the VCSE is an established strategic partner with health and care structures and is represented at all levels of the ICS.

Go Volunteer Glos

In November 2021, the VCS Alliance was appointed host of the new countywide volunteering portal, Go Volunteer Gloucestershire. We are working closely with designers, web builders and system partners to launch the site in early June 2022. This project directly addresses one of the major concerns raised by the VCS as a key barrier to their long-term sustainability, namely that recruiting volunteers is increasingly difficult. It also builds on the incredible community action that we saw during the COVID pandemic and provides key infrastructure to ensure this work can continue. One of the site’s key functionalities will be to broker volunteer opportunities in a way that suits younger people and people of working age. Our research shows us that many people prefer to volunteer their time on an ad hoc rather than regular basis, as dipping in and out better suits their lifestyle. The Go Volunteer Glos platform presents volunteering in a more flexible way that we hope will engage more people and become a key part of the volunteering landscape.

Information provision

A key part of our delivery is information that we provide to the VCSE and system partners. At the start of 2022 we made our Communications Officer a full-time member of staff and started producing our newsletter weekly. We have also continued to produce and distribute the county’s funding bulletin. This has resulted so far in attracting over £200k of grant income into Gloucestershire.

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

The VCS Alliance has been supporting the CMHTF as the lead VCSE partner. This project is redesigning mental health services for people with serious mental illness throughout Gloucestershire. Our role within this project is to ensure the sector is fully integrated with other mental health provision, supporting individuals to access a holistic, well rounded mental health service.

Financial review

During the year £122,488 was received in grant funding relating to our ongoing service level agreements with Gloucestershire County Council, the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and Barnwood Trust. An additional £33,600 was obtained for the VCSE Funded Training programme through Barnwood Trust and the Healthy Communities Together Programme.

Additional projects were undertaken for NAVCA, Active Gloucestershire and the Healthy Communities Together Programme.

Our programme of work for the next two years has now been established and includes recruitment of a Head of Sector Innovation, a Research and Development Officer and a Mental Health Co-ordinator. These fixed-term posts will be recruited for in early 22/23 with the funding having been received in late 21/22, and this is reflected in the increased creditor balance in these accounts.

Funding was also received in 2021/22 for a series of events to support the wellbeing of the sector coming out of the pandemic. The first of these events will take place in October 2022.

The staff team has increased significantly over the year, going from 2.62 FTE in April 2021 to 4.31 in March 2022. The team continues to grow and is expected to reach 7.31 FTE in October 2022.

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 ~~t~~ hroughout the year.

The trustees have 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.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Plans for future periods

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

Research and development

In May 2022 we will be recruiting a Research and Development Officer to support us to facilitate more targeted support for different cohorts of the sector. The VCS Alliance is establishing itself as a forward thinking, proactive, data driven infrastructure organisation that can support its stakeholders with key information about the VCS sector, thereby enabling informed decisions about services provision. This role will be pivotal in bringing in capacity and skills that will make this happen effectively. A key part of this role will also be to create and 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.

Innovations Lead

The VCS Alliance has received funding to employ an Innovations Lead. The role will essentially have 3 functions:

Initially this will be a 2-year project where we can test and learn from this approach. This funding provides us with capacity to horizon scan for good practice elsewhere and develop our own initiatives that will support the sector to thrive. We are very excited about the possibilities this brings.

Strategic partnership

The development and appointment of our Strategic Partnership is a key area of work for the VCS Alliance during 2022-23. Our Memorandum of Understanding details the relationship that we want with system partners, but the key piece of infrastructure is the creation of this leadership board. Their role will be to hold the relationship together, be the key touchpoint between the ICS and VCS, and support the model of accountable representation to develop and represent the wider VCS to the highest possible standard. Delivering this will be essential if we, the VCS, are going to be an influential partner within health and care and so is a crucial part of our delivery next year.

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed its constitution.

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

C Ray MBE
T Clark (Resigned 9 August 2021)
J Hopkins
E Griffiths
A McGuckin
S Dent
A. Mulla (Appointed 9 August 2021)
Norman Gardner (Resigned 12 April 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.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

.............................. C Ray MBE Trustee Date: .............................................

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 2022.

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 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: .........................

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2022
2022
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
196,164
10,842
Investments
4
67
-
Total income
196,231
10,842
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
142,495
10,295
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
53,736
547
Fund balances at 1 April 2021
81,091
1,291
Fund balances at 31 March
2022
134,827
1,838		 Total Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2022
2021
2021
£
£
£
207,006
134,840
-
67
44
-
207,073
134,884
-
152,790
102,308
-
54,283
32,576
-
82,382
48,515
1,291
136,665
81,091
1,291		 Total
2021
£
134,840
44
134,884
102,308
32,576
49,806
82,382

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 2022

2022
Notes
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Current assets
Debtors
9
98,648
Cash at bank and in hand
429,160
527,808
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
10
(391,144)
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
12
Unrestricted funds		 £
1
136,664
136,665
1,838
134,827
136,665		 2021
£
-
84,181
84,181
(1,800)		 £
1
82,381
82,382
1,291
81,091
82,382

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................

.............................. C Ray MBE Trustee

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

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 amounts 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 2022

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 the statement of financial activities.

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.

1.9 Financial instruments

The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

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 payments 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.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Derecognition of financial liabilities

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

1.10 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.

1.11 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 Restricted Total Unrestricted
funds funds funds
2022 2022 2022 2021
£ £ £ £
Grants receivable 196,164 10,842 207,006 134,840

4 Investments

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2022 2021
£ £
Interest receivable 67 44

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

5 Charitable activities

Charitable
Charitable
Expenditure Expenditure
2022 2021
£ £
Staff costs 92,852 57,607
Depreciation and impairment - 74
Insurance 157 588
Recruitment and training 33,953 66
Bank charges 72 17
IT and website 14,875 4,883
Subscriptions 522 600
Accountancy 1,603 1,800
Printing 1,598 2,010
Legal and professional fees 1,000 28,592
Sundry 158 71
CARMA 6,000 6,000
152,790 102,308
152,790 102,308
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 142,495 102,308
Restricted funds 10,295 -
152,790 102,308
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Unrestricted funds 102,308

The independent examiners received £1,200 (2021: £1,800) for the independent examination of the financial statements, and £403 (2021: £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.

7 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2022 2021
Number Number
Charitable activities 4 3

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

7
Employees
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Other pension costs
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.		 (Continued)
2022
2021
£
£
89,796
54,711
3,056
2,896
92,852
57,607		 (Continued)
2022
2021
£
£
89,796
54,711
3,056
2,896
92,852
57,607
57,607

8 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2021
At 31 March 2022
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2021
At 31 March 2022
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2022
At 31 March 2021
9
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
10
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes
Deferred income
11
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Computers
£
300
300
299
299
1
1
2022
2021
£
£
97,016
-
1,632
-
98,648
-
2022
2021
£
£
389,742
-
202
-
1,200
1,800
391,144
1,800		 Computers
£
300
300
299
299
1
1
2022
2021
£
£
97,016
-
1,632
-
98,648
-
2022
2021
£
£
389,742
-
202
-
1,200
1,800
391,144
1,800
300
299
299
1
1
2021
£
-
-
-
2021
£
-
-
1,800
1,800

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

11 Deferred income

Arising from grant funding received in advance
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
Movements in the year:
Deferred income at 1 April 2021
Resources deferred in the year
Deferred income at 31 March 2022		 2022
£
389,742
2022
£
389,742
-
389,742
389,742		 2021
£
-
2021
£
-
-
-
-

12 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 Movement in funds
in funds
Balance at Incoming Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at
1 April 2020 resources
1 April 2021		 resources expended 31 March
£ £ £ £ £ 2022
£
Community Engagement 1,291 - 1,291 - - 1,291
Go Voluntering - - - 10,842 (10,295) 547
1,291 - 1,291 10,842 (10,295) 1,838
13 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2022 2022 2022 2021 2021 2021
£ £ £ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31
March 2022 are
represented by:
Tangible assets 1 - 1 1 - 1
Current assets/(liabilities) 136,664 - 136,664 81,090 1,291 82,381
136,665 - 136,665 81,091 1,291 82,382

GLOUCESTERSHIRE VCS ALLIANCE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

14 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2021 - none).