CHARITY NO. 1155780
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES COVERING THE PERIOD 1 April 2024 TO 31 March 2025
Background
Sussex 4x4 Response was entered on the Register of Charities as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 13 February 2014 under charity number 1155780. It acquired the assets and liabilities of the previous unincorporated charity of the same name. This is the fifth report of the Trustees of the CIO covering the fourth year of operation since incorporation, 1 st April 2024 up to the end of the organisation’s financial year on 31 March 2025.
The objects of the organisation are set out in Clause 3 of its Constitution which reads as follows “The objects of the CIO are to preserve and protect human life and property by supplementing and supporting emergency services, statutory bodies and other organisations as deemed appropriate by the Trustees in Sussex in particular, but not exclusively, by providing 4x4 vehicles and drivers.”
Sussex 4x4 Response is a member of the national body, 4x4 Response UK, but is an autonomous organisation acting under the provisions of its Constitution and the control of the Charity Commission.
Activities during the period under review
In the past, and it is expected in the future, the organisation and its predecessor has provided transport services to health service organisations and emergency services during periods of adverse weather conditions and / or when vehicle access is required to locations inaccessible to non 4x4 vehicles. The primary activities that took place in this period continued on from the last with supporting the efforts of the county to ensure continuity of services in adverse weather conditions such as snow and also increasingly to help local water companies deliver supplies during large scale outages.
Membership
Sussex 4x4 Response operates as a membership based organisation with an annual membership subscription fee. The total number of members has maintained its average over the previous period and is running at around 50-60 active members.
Memoranda of Understanding with outside bodies
Arrangements between Sussex 4x4 Response and each of its major users are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed which has now been updated, as was suggested to be ongoing in the last report, to be held centrally with the SRF to aid clarity and also increase the amount of bodies that have access to a formal agreement with us. There is also continued provision for Emergency MOUs with relevant Organisations at the Trustees discretion so that the charity can assist other bodies with which it does not have a permanent MOU in place and where it is desirable to agree operating arrangements on a formal basis. Sussex 4x4 Response also assists other community and charity organisations on an ad-hoc basis where no formal MOU exists. Each request for assistance is considered by the Trustees on its merits.
Sussex 4X4 Response is regarded as a Category 3 Volunteer Response organisation and is an integral part of the Sussex Resilience Forum & Sussex Community Resilience Partnership. The meetings and events of these organisations are attended regularly.
In addition, there is close co-operation between Sussex 4x4 Response and other 4x4 response groups covering Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. The charity is also a member of the national co-ordinating body, 4x4 Response UK.
Command and Control Vehicle
The Command and Control Vehicle, donated by Sussex Police, continues to be a great asset. The vehicle provides a command & control platform for deployments and a highly visible focal point at events to promote the organisation and attract future members. Work is under way to secure an additional/replacement vehicle through our valued partnership with Sussex Police.
Finance
We continue to ring-fence £5000 of our funds to enable us to reimburse vehicle running costs to our members whilst ourselves waiting for reimbursement from users. Overall our balance sheet continues to be healthy and sufficient to support the ongoing activities of the charity.
Management
The organisation has been operating under the direction of the Management Team and The Trustees would like to express their thanks for the commitment and energy the members of the management apply to undertaken their duties on behalf of the organisation. The Trustees remain responsible and thus maintain an oversight of the whole operation.
Summary
The organisation is ready and able to respond to users needs all year round, membership remains strong and stable. Responders capability and training remains high and well exercised through training and events supporting many other charitable organisations. Financially the charity is strong and the assets of the group remain available for use when required.
Alexander Barrett
On behalf of The Trustees Sussex 4x4 Response
Balance Sheet
Sussex 4x4 Response As at 31 March 2025
| Balance Sheet Sussex 4x4 Response As at 31 March 2025 |
Balance Sheet Sussex 4x4 Response As at 31 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| 31 MAR 2025 | |
| Current Assets | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | |
| Barclays Savings 0.06 |
|
| Coop Current 7,050.77 |
|
| GBP PayPal 2,185.89 |
|
| Total Cash at bank and in hand 9,236.72 |
|
| Stock held for resale 6,443.00 |
|
| Total Current Assets 15,679.72 Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year |
|
| Other creditors 140.52 |
|
| PPE Deposit 1,240.00 |
|
| Suspense 28.91 |
|
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 1,409.43 |
|
| Net Current Assets (Liabilities) 14,270.29 |
|
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities 14,270.29 |
|
| Net Assets 14,270.29 Capital and Reserves |
|
| Current Year Earnings 1,640.13 |
|
| Retained Earnings 12,630.16 |
|
| Total Capital and Reserves 14,270.29 |
30 Jan 2026 Page 1 of 1
Balance Sheet Sussex 4x4 Response