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Dudley Voices For Choice - YE 31-03-2024 Filename: Accounts.PDF Client of: Lewis Smith & Co.
Signature Details
Name: Sarah Offley Email: dudleyvoicesforchoice@gmail.com Date & Time: 02/01/2025 09:39:08 AM (GMT) IP Address: 82.34.166.251 Signing Statement: The trusees approve the financial statements.
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REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE000698 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1155463
Report of the Trustees and
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
for
Dudley Voices for Choice
Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW
Dudley Voices for Choice
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 | ||
| Report of the Trustees | 2 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 7 | to | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 | to | 15 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 16 | to | 17 |
Dudley Voices for Choice
Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
TRUSTEES Mrs A Parkes Ms S A Richardson Ms K Pritchard (appointed 1.9.23) Mr S Hardy (appointed 6.7.23) Mr S Terry (appointed 1.4.23) Ms E Durnall (appointed 1.4.23) REGISTERED OFFICE DY1 Building Stafford Street Dudley West Midlands DY1 1RT REGISTERED COMPANY CE000698 (England and Wales) NUMBER
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1155463
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW BANKERS The Co-Operative Bank P/O. Box 250 Skelmersdale Wigan Greater Manchester WN8 6WT
Page 1
Dudley Voices for Choice
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Report of the Trustees
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objects of the charity are to promote social inclusion among individuals with disabilities and learning disabilities living in England in particular but not exclusively within Dudley Metropolitan Borough who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society by:
-
Providing a local network group that encourages and enables participation more effectively in the wider community.
-
Increasing, or co-ordinating, opportunities for people to engage with service providers; to enable those providers to adapt services to better meet their needs.
-
Raising public awareness of the issues affecting the needs of people with disabilities and learning disabilities.
-
Providing workshops, forums, advocacy and general support.
Nothing in the constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the charitable incorporated organisation for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
Public benefit
In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit
The objects of the charity are to promote social inclusion among individuals with disabilities and learning disabilities.
Page 2
Dudley Voices for Choice
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Report of the Trustees
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
Another successful year for the charity, firstly we would like to thank all the people who we have had the pleasure of working with year. It has been a year of campaigning to make a difference in the lives of the people we work alongside with learning disabilities and/or autism. We have made lots of changes to the way we are working and are now working Black Country Wide making sure the voices of Dudley citizens are heard wherever decision-makers sit.
We maintain the chair positions in Dudley Autism and Learning Disability partnership boards, supporting experts with lived experience to make real change in their communities across the borough. Alongside this, DVC supports the Black Country Learning Disability and Autism Board co-chair to be an active part of decision-making across a wider footprint.
Our projects are continuing and going from strength to strength:
ShoutOut Academy continues delivering the Oliver McGowan training at both Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels to health and social care professionals.
The Community Team has continued to connect with established groups to share and gather information for the boards and decision-makers, building networks of support and friendships.
Our work in the secure units continues to create safe spaces for people to share their thoughts and concerns by finding ways together to find a resolution that works for everyone. Alongside gaining their opinions and views to share with other projects we are working on. Making sure their voices are still heard and valued.
West Midlands Self Advocacy Network lottery funding came to an end and work is now happening to continue and maintain the network and the great work it does.
We have held our third national conference at Aston University. Positive Voices saw 146 self-advocates from across the country come together to share their work and look at how we can work together to amplify the voices of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
Sadly, we said goodbye to our founder member Kate Ochel who was our north star at DVC.
Like every business and charity across the country, we are very aware of the economy and how this will impact the people we work with and our charity so reflecting to make sure we are doing everything we can in the most cost-effective way without impacting the quality of the work we are doing.
Thank you to our board of trustees who continue to guide us throughout the year and of course to the staff team who continue to drive the charity forward with their hard work and dedication.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024 shows income for the year of £347,427 (2023 - £429,767) and expenditure for the year of £345,996 (2023 - £275,772). This gave a net surplus of income over expenditure for the year of £1,431 (2023 - £153,995).
The charity's total funds at the end of the year were £549,677 (2023 - £548,246). This included unrestricted funds of £473,867 (2023 - £397,087) and restricted funds of £75,810 (2023 - £151,159).
Reserves policy
The reserves policy is to retain sufficient funds to meet the ongoing liabilities of the charity together with funds for the development of the charities objectives.
Page 3
Dudley Voices for Choice
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Report of the Trustees
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (last amended 24 January 2014).
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
As set out in the charity's constitution, new trustees are appointed by the board of trustees.
Organisational structure
The charity is run by a board of trustees who are responsible for the overall strategic management of the organisation. The body of trustees consists of a minimum of three trustees.
Trustees Information
The names of the trustees are listed on page one within Reference and Administrative Details.
Induction and training of new trustees
New trustees receive a full copy of the constitution, a copy of the latest trustees report and accounts and any other information necessary for them to undertake their role within the charity.
Key management
The charity is mainly run by its Chief Officer Mrs S Offley., who is not a trustee of the charity.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
..........................................................................
Mrs A Parkes - Trustee
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Dudley Voices for Choice
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Dudley Voices for Choice ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr C A Beale
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW
Date: .............................................
Page 5
Dudley Voices for Choice
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 59 Charitable activities 4 Grants receivable 328,209 Other trading activities 3 19,159 Total 347,427 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Direct costs 279,652 Support costs 28,348 Grants receivable 2,160 Total 310,160 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 37,267 Transfers between funds 12 39,513 Net movement in funds 76,780 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 397,087 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 473,867 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - 33,626 2,210 - 35,836 (35,836) (39,513) (75,349) 151,159 75,810 |
31.3.24 Total funds £ 59 328,209 19,159 347,427 313,278 30,558 2,160 345,996 1,431 - 1,431 548,246 549,677 |
31.3.23 Total funds £ 7,921 409,757 12,089 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 429,767 | |||
| 247,752 28,020 - |
|||
| 275,772 | |||
| 153,995 - |
|||
| 153,995 394,251 |
|||
| 548,246 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Dudley Voices for Choice
Balance Sheet
31 March 2024
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 9 5,039 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 10 1,619 Cash at bank and in hand 481,779 483,398 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 11 (14,570) NET CURRENT ASSETS 468,828 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 473,867 NET ASSETS 473,867 FUNDS 12 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted funds £ - - 75,810 75,810 - 75,810 75,810 75,810 |
31.3.24 Total funds £ 5,039 1,619 557,589 559,208 (14,570) 544,638 549,677 549,677 473,867 75,810 549,677 |
31.3.23 Total funds £ 3,655 3,490 545,518 549,008 (4,417) 544,591 548,246 548,246 397,087 151,159 548,246 |
|---|---|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
-
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The notes form part of these financial statements
continued...
Page 7
Dudley Voices for Choice
Balance Sheet - continued 31 March 2024
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. Mrs A Parkes - Trustee
............................................. Ms S A Richardson - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
Dudley Voices for Choice
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, 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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Government grants are recognised at the point that they are receivable and there is reasonable assurance that the company will comply with the conditions attached to them. They are valued at the consideration received or to be received.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Office equipment - 33% on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
continued...
Page 9
Dudley Voices for Choice
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| 2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Donations 3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Other income 4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Grants Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: Dudley MBC National Lottery Community Fund NHS Other 5. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): Depreciation - owned assets Deficit on disposal of fixed assets |
31.3.24 £ 59 31.3.24 £ 19,159 31.3.24 Grants receivable £ 328,209 31.3.24 £ 38,081 - 272,646 17,482 328,209 31.3.24 £ 3,317 - |
31.3.23 £ 7,921 31.3.23 £ 12,089 31.3.23 Total activities £ 409,757 |
|---|---|---|
| 31.3.23 £ 47,900 48,983 301,874 11,000 |
||
| 409,757 | ||
| 31.3.23 £ 1,904 298 |
continued...
Page 10
Dudley Voices for Choice
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
7. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: Number of employees No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. 8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 7,921 Charitable activities Grants receivable 360,774 Other trading activities 12,089 Total 380,784 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Direct costs 160,096 Support costs 26,276 Total 186,372 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 194,412 |
31.3.24 £ 215,600 9,236 2,775 227,611 31.3.24 16 Restricted funds £ - 48,983 - 48,983 87,656 1,744 89,400 (40,417) |
31.3.23 £ 142,295 5,774 1,462 149,531 31.3.23 14 Total funds £ 7,921 409,757 12,089 429,767 247,752 28,020 275,772 153,995 |
31.3.23 £ 142,295 5,774 1,462 149,531 31.3.23 14 Total funds £ 7,921 409,757 12,089 429,767 247,752 28,020 275,772 153,995 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 429,767 | |||
| 247,752 28,020 |
|||
| 275,772 | |||
| 153,995 |
continued...
Page 11
Dudley Voices for Choice
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| 8. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - | continued | continued | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |||
| fund | funds | funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 202,675 | 191,576 | 394,251 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 397,087 | 151,159 | 548,246 | ||
| 9. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | ||||
| Office | |||||
| equipment | |||||
| £ | |||||
| COST | |||||
| At 1 April 2023 | 8,296 | ||||
| Additions | 4,701 | ||||
| At 31 March 2024 | 12,997 | ||||
| DEPRECIATION | |||||
| At 1 April 2023 | 4,641 | ||||
| Charge for year | 3,317 | ||||
| At 31 March 2024 | 7,958 | ||||
| NET BOOK VALUE | |||||
| At 31 March 2024 | 5,039 | ||||
| At 31 March 2023 | 3,655 | ||||
| 10. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||||
| 31.3.24 | 31.3.23 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Prepayments | 1,619 | 3,490 |
continued...
Page 12
Dudley Voices for Choice
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| 11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Social security and other taxes Net wages creditor Pension creditor Accruals and deferred income 12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1.4.23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 397,087 Restricted funds National Lottery Community Fund 151,159 TOTAL FUNDS 548,246 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds National Lottery Community Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Net movement in funds £ 37,267 (35,836) 1,431 Incoming resources £ 347,427 - 347,427 |
31.3.24 31.3.23 £ £ 4,921 1,436 - 217 5,328 604 4,321 2,160 14,570 4,417 Transfers between At funds 31.3.24 £ £ 39,513 473,867 (39,513) 75,810 - 549,677 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (310,160) 37,267 (35,836) (35,836) (345,996) 1,431 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 13
Dudley Voices for Choice
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 1.4.22 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 202,675 Restricted funds National Lottery Community Fund 191,576 TOTAL FUNDS 394,251 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 380,784 Restricted funds National Lottery Community Fund 48,983 TOTAL FUNDS 429,767 Purpose of Funds |
Net movement At in funds 31.3.23 £ £ 194,412 397,087 (40,417) 151,159 153,995 548,246 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (186,372) 194,412 (89,400) (40,417) (275,772) 153,995 |
|---|---|
Unrestricted General Fund
This fund represents the free funds of the charity that are not designated for particular purposes.
Restricted Funds
National Lottery Community Fund
This money is to be used for West Midlands regional self advocacy work. The grant is to be paid half yearly until July 2022.
continued...
Page 14
Dudley Voices for Choice
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2024.
14. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY
The charity is controlled by the trustees as listed in the Report of the Trustees.
Page 15
Dudley Voices for Choice
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 | ||
| 31.3.24 | 31.3.23 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations | 59 | 7,921 |
| Other trading activities | ||
| Other income | 19,159 | 12,089 |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Grants | 328,209 | 409,757 |
| Total incoming resources | 347,427 | 429,767 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Wages | 215,600 | 142,295 |
| Social security | 9,236 | 5,774 |
| Pensions | 2,775 | 1,462 |
| Rent | 9,270 | 10,250 |
| Autism Cafe | 15,400 | 17,600 |
| Training | 35,455 | 55,286 |
| Room hire | 1,966 | 625 |
| App | 2,347 | 2,251 |
| Event costs and services | 18,901 | 12,660 |
| 310,950 | 248,203 | |
| Support costs | ||
| Other | ||
| Insurance | 372 | 385 |
| Telephone | 2,372 | 1,846 |
| Printing, postage, stationery and advertising | 978 | 2,309 |
| Sundry expenses | 195 | 248 |
| Resources, repairs & renewals | 3,877 | 3,654 |
| Travelling | 9,939 | 7,193 |
| Internet and IT costs | 1,082 | 190 |
| Meeting refreshments | 3,735 | 1,062 |
| Subscriptions | 6,408 | 4,183 |
| DBS checks | 148 | 76 |
| Accountancy | 2,160 | 2,610 |
| Gifts, cards and flowers | 463 | 1,610 |
| Depreciation of office equipment | 3,317 | 1,905 |
| Carried forward | 35,046 | 27,271 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 16
Dudley Voices for Choice
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 31.3.24 | 31.3.23 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Other | ||
| Brought forward | 35,046 | 27,271 |
| Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets | - | 298 |
| 35,046 | 27,569 | |
| Total resources expended | 345,996 | 275,772 |
| Net income | 1,431 | 153,995 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 17