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2024-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 08563341 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1155848

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FOR

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Collards Chartered Accountants 5-9 Eden Street Kingston-upon-Thames Surrey KT1 1BQ

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the Financial Statements 7 to 10
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 11

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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 December 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

It is a place where all people are made welcome and able to access the services offered and through their activities can support other members of the same community. The Sheriff Centre aims to:

The local community is defined largely as those living in the NW6 postcode, across both the London Borough of Camden and the London Borough of Brent, and to all families and residents who come to use our facilities. The area is one of considerable variation in terms of social and ethnic diversity and the charity seeks to be open to all people regardless of their gender, ethnicity, and sexuality, and economic circumstances, physical or mental ability.

Significant activities

Debt advice at The Sheriff Centre is committed to providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice, information and support to people who live, work or study in West Hampstead and its surrounding area and who are experiencing financial difficulty. The service offers advice on a wide range of debt issues including, utility debts, rent and council tax arrears, credit debts, overpayment of benefits and tax credits. The service also aims to assist clients facing emergency situations including:- Creditor about to take drastic action, e.g. eviction, repossession, disconnection, imprisonment - Deadline approaching, e.g. replying to court forms, court hearing date - Other crisis, e.g. no money for food.

The service is currently available two days per week and we directly employ a debt advice worker. Our debt advice service is available to all local residents and works with all relevant local agencies. We have added a second key activity to our charitable services as during the first lockdown of 2020 we received funding from the Edward Harvest Fund to set up a food sustainability project.

We have a second service that runs within our premises. This is called a Food Share Project. We have surplus food donated from local businesses, for example, bread and fruit and vegetables, this is freely available for anyone to take. The second part of this project is providing food parcels by referral to households who are experiencing food poverty.

We also run Additional Needs sessions for children and young people with a disability or special needs.

Public benefit

We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commissions general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in running and planning the services provided at the charity. The trustees are aware of the need to consider how our planned activities and services will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Page 1

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities

2024 has been a significant year for us as we as we celebrated 10 years of The Sherriff Centre, and held a wonderful community celebration .

Our debt advice service continues to see a high volume of clients with wide ranging needs and issues. We have seen 933 from service inception with a total indebtedness of £6,239,745. Our advisor has continues to work well with established partners and we have added new ones this year with referrals from West Hampstead Women's Centre and stronger links with Camden services.

Our advisor, Paul has devised, presented and secured a change in Brent Council's council tax collection policy. This will remit court costs, cancel enforcement agent fees, immediately stop bailiff enforcement of Magistrate Court Liability Orders, reduce balances owed, reduce stress and allow resident to regain control of their finances so that they can start to make monthly payments based on affordability and sustainability. This is a big deal. A real move toward ethical recovery action by a major London Local Authority. We will be advising Citizens Advice and the London Money Advice Group of our success and encouraging them to seek similar arrangements London wide.

Our food share project continues to meet local need and currently supports 15 households and provide surplus food to our community.

Our small allotment grows vegetables and fruit that we add to food parcels, this is a volunteer run project. Our additional needs sessions within our soft play for children and young people who have special needs, or a disability continue to be highly praised and provide essential support for both parents and children alike. We now run these sessions weekly.

We would like to thank our funders this year who have enabled us to carry on this vital work;

JH Rausing Trust London Borough of Camden NISA Camden Giving Brent Council Hubbub UK

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The statement of Financial Activities shows income for the year of £126,186 (2023 - £31,716) and total expenditure of £57,042 (2023 - £41,897).

Reserves policy

The present level of funding and reserves are considered adequate to support the running of the charity for the year ahead.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is therefore governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 10th June 2012 and registered with the Charity Commission.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are sought via relevant organisations, targeted publicity and with three members ex officio - the Incumbent of the United Benefice of St Mary with All Souls, Kilburn and St James, West Hampstead and the two wardens of the parish of St James, West Hampstead. When considering new trustees, the Board has regard to the requirement for the skill and expertise required for the role.

Potential new trustees attend three meetings as observers before they are appointed as trustees and inducted into their legal obligations under charity and company law- and decision-making processes, the development plan for the charity and the recent financial performance. During induction trustees are encouraged to get to know the Sheriff Centre and to meet key staff.

Organisational structure

The charity is organised so that the trustees meet regularly to manage its affairs. The charity employs a part time debt advisor. The Centre Director, who manages both the charity and associated trading company, works part time for the charity. The centre director, working with the Chair is jointly responsible with the trustees for strategy, and sustainability, adherence to all legal and financial requirements, business and partnership development.

Page 2

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

The charity has a risk management strategy which comprises:

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number

08563341 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number 1155848

Registered office Flat 1 St James House Sherriff Road London Greater London NW6 2AP Trustees Ms T Banerjee Mrs M S Brooks Reverend R G Thompson Ms N Banovic Ms H Wood Mr R T Rainbow Mr T A Nielsen

Both Mr R T Rainbow and Mr T A Nielsen have not been appointed as company directors with Companies House.

Company Secretary Ms T Banerjee Independent Examiner Collards Chartered Accountants 5-9 Eden Street Kingston-upon-Thames Surrey KT1 1BQ Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

.............................................................................. Reverend R G Thompson - Trustee

Page 3

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Sheriff Centre Limited ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 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

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:

  1. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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.

Jonathan Addison FCA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Collards Chartered Accountants 5-9 Eden Street Kingston-upon-Thames Surrey KT1 1BQ

Date: .............................................

Page 4

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
fund
funds
funds
Notes
£
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
96,180
29,936
126,116
Investment income
3
70
-
70
Total
96,250
29,936
126,186
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Debt advice & food support
22,106
34,936
57,042
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
74,144
(5,000)
69,144
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
(6,435)
5,000
(1,435)
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
67,709
-
67,709
2023
Total
funds
£
31,680
36
31,716
41,897
(10,181)
8,746
(1,435)

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
funds
Notes
£
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank
80,599
-
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
7
(12,890)
-
NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)
67,709
-
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
67,709
-
NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)
67,709
-
FUNDS
8
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Total
funds
£
80,599
(12,890)
67,709
67,709
67,709
67,709
-
67,709
2023
Total
funds
£
10,117
(11,552)
(1,435)
(1,435)
(1,435)
(6,435)
5,000
(1,435)

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

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:

............................................. Reverend R G Thompson - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 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.

Preparation of consolidated financial statements

The financial statements contain information about The Sheriff Centre Limited as an individual company and do not contain consolidated financial information as the parent of a group. The charity is exempt under Section 399(2A) of the Companies Act 2006 from the requirements to prepare consolidated financial statements.

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.

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.

Related party exemption

The charitable company has taken advantage of exemption, under the terms of Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', not to disclose related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries within the group.

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.

2.

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations
Gift aid
Grants
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Camden Giving
Brent Council
Nisa MADL
Hubbub UK
JH Rausing Trust
LB Camden
2024
£
80,835
345
44,936
126,116
2024
£
2,000
25,936
-
2,000
-
15,000
44,936
2023
£
4,566
186
26,928
31,680
2023
£
-
-
500
5,000
12,928
8,500
26,928

continued...

Page 7

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

INVESTMENT INCOME
2024 2023
£ £
Deposit account interest 70 36

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

5. STAFF COSTS

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

6.

Debt advisor
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
13,752
Investment income
36
Total
13,788
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Debt advice & food support
28,969
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(15,181)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
8,746
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
(6,435)
2024
1
Restricted
funds
£
17,928
-
17,928
12,928
5,000
-
5,000
2023
1
Total
funds
£
31,680
36
31,716
41,897
(10,181)
8,746
(1,435)
2023
1
Total
funds
£
31,680
36
31,716
41,897
(10,181)
8,746
(1,435)
31,716
41,897
(10,181)
8,746
(1,435)

continued...

Page 8

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Amounts owed to group undertakings
PCC of St James
Accrued expenses
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Debt advice & food support
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Debt advice & food support
TOTAL FUNDS
Comparatives for movement in funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Debt advice & food support
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
2023
£
£
10,769
5,922
-
1,000
2,121
4,630
12,890
11,552
Net
movement
At
At 1.1.24
in funds
31.12.24
£
£
£
(6,435)
74,144
67,709
5,000
(5,000)
-
(1,435)
69,144
67,709
Incoming
Resources
Movement
resources
expended
in funds
£
£
£
96,250
(22,106)
74,144
29,936
(34,936)
(5,000)
126,186
(57,042)
69,144
Net
movement
At
At 1.1.23
in funds
31.12.23
£
£
£
8,746
(15,181)
(6,435)
-
5,000
5,000
8,746
(10,181)
(1,435)
2023
£
5,922
1,000
4,630
11,552
(1,435)

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

continued...

Page 9

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 13,788 (28,969) (15,181)
Restricted funds
Debt advice & food support 17,928 (12,928) 5,000
TOTAL FUNDS 31,716 (41,897) (10,181)

9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Page 10

THE SHERIFF CENTRE LIMITED

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations
Gift aid
Grants
Investment income
Deposit account interest
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Payroll and consultancy
Training & membership fees
Food bank & voucher costs
Food share allotment costs
Shared tables equipment
Sensory equipment
Support costs
Management
Insurance
Sundries
Software and IT costs
Premises & management costs
Defibrillator cost
Finance
Bank charges
Governance costs
Independent Examiner fees
Total resources expended
Net income/(expenditure)
2024
£
80,835
345
44,936
126,116
70
126,186
23,402
1,243
3,192
-
2,605
-
30,442
861
58
967
23,574
-
25,460
60
1,080
57,042
69,144
2023
£
4,566
186
26,928
31,680
36
31,716
14,905
2,951
2,293
3,503
-
480
24,132
861
-
240
14,742
782
16,625
60
1,080
41,897
(10,181)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 11