Communities Together Durham Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charity number 1157214 Company number 08860961
Communities Together Durham Report and Financial Statements for the yearended 31 December 2024 Contents Pages Directors, and Trustees, Report Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 10-14
Communities Together Durham Directors and Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Reference and administration details Charity name-. Communities Together Durham Registered charity number 1157214 Company number 08860961 Registered office address Cuthbert House Stonebridge Durham DHI 3RY The trustees under charity law, who were also the directors under company law, who Served during the period and up to the date of this report were: The Revd Canon Shella Jane Bamber (from 24.01.14; reappointed 11.03.251 Kathy Bevan (from 05.03,24, reslgned 15.07.251 The Rt Revd Sarah Ellzabeth Clark {DBF nomlnee, from 01.08.191 Elaine Kilgannon Ifrom 05.03.24) Andrew Tlnkler (from 05,03.241 Katherlne Margaret Welch OBE, DL Ifrom 26.03.14,' reappolnted from 11.03.251 The Revd Dr David Edwin George Whiting {from 26.03.14; reappolnted from 11.03.251 Independent Examiner Mrj l Henderson FCA I Silverdale Way Whickham Newcastle upon Tyne NE16 SSL Structurei governance and rnana8ement During the early part of 2024 we reviewed the management structure and successfully appointed Alexander Jones as our first Chief Executive Officer. This is a half time appointment, and Alexander is seconded from the Diocese of Durham, under a cafUllY drawn secondment agreement. Alexander's early objectives include reviewing the management structure to build capacity within both the staff team and the Board. In March 2025 we successfully recruited a part time Administrator to support the CEO, governance and project teams. We continue to seek new trustees, in particular seeking experience in financial management and succession planning for the role of Chair of Trustees. We also expett to review our accounting systems during 2025.
Objectives and activities The objects of Communities Together Durham are, for the benefit of the public:_ 1.1 to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of Christian based charities in the furtherance of their objetts or any one of them, mainly but not exclusivelyi by the provision of information, advice, 5UPPOrt and infrastructure provision; and 1.2 the relief of f inancial hardship, either generally or individuallyi through the provision of grants. goods or services. The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Achlevernents and performance 2024 was a year of significant change for CTD. We welcomed three new trustees, secured funding for a second major project, recruited our first Chief Executive Officer, experienced a significant turnover ol development staff and doubled the staffing in our refugee and asylum seeker project. We recruited 6 new people into our team. Our long-standing Lead Development Worker, Val Barron, appointed at the inception of the charlty in 2014, left us to take up a new opportunity as a Community Organiser with Citizens UK, and two Df our development workers also rnoved on to new challenges in church ministry. In consultation with the dI0Se, we took the opportunlty to revlew and strengthen our partnership arrangements and revlew role descriptions before moving to recrultment. Our new CEO and two new project Development Workerstook up their roles in Augustlseptember 2024. Building on our success in establishing a 'New Arrivals Pathway, In County Durham, we were successful in securing funding for a three-year project to deliver welcorne and Integration services for refugees and asylum seekers. We finally received confirmation of the grant from Durham County Council in May. This enabled us to significantly increase the staff ing within the project, and recruitment of two new members of the project team was completed in November. Durin8 the year we directly supported 14 hollday clubs with activities, based around food provlsion. In all, 339 different individuals participated in these club5, Wlth 86 volunteers serving across the clubs. A celebration event in September shared good practice and stories in preparation for wider engagement In 2025. Twelve church schools completed audits from Children North East's'Poverty Proofing Schools, pro8ramme. One teacher observed.. "We have stopped asking children question5 related to where they have been after a holiday. We are not visiting shop5 when out on a school trip so that children do not need to bring money into school. We are also attively encouraging parents to use our uniform bank." The next Steps include sharing the impact of the programme with other schools and considering how the model might be extended to church activities. Churches across Durharn Diocese continue to engage with warm spaces and Places of Welcome. Christ Church Felling has operated as a Place of Welcome for over 5 years. In 2024 they launched a pilot project for a council scheme for adult social care. They are a trusted organisation in the comm unity and are seen as a safe place for people to go for support. Churches operated a range of other schemes for engaging with isolation in their community. The Durham Dales Parish Nursing is now established, and the nurse had 5U5tained contatt with more than 30 individuals over the year. Two parishes used the Know Your Church Know Your Neighbourhood tool from the Churth Urban Fund to Consider how best to serve the needs of their community. In addition, we facilitated a networking and
training day for church-ba5ed community workers in November 2024. The event included an external speaker and opportunities*or focused conversation. As a result of the feedback, twice yearly meetings are being planned. Churches in all seven local authorities from the Tyne to the Tees have been involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers located in their local area. We continue to work to build links between these different drop ins alon8side other agencies. Our drop-ins for refugees and asylurn seekers in County Durham continue to grow". the largest of these, in Durham City, has an average weekly attendance of around 70. We continue to work closely with Durham County Council to welcome and coordinate support for refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the authority, developing our own staff and engaging with other agencies with specialist skills. The pilot project operated from 2022-24, and received 360 referrals from Mears (the housing provider), welcoming a total of 527 individuals. We will be building on that work over the next three years, in particular by developing a programme of integration activities alongside the core service. We are preparing to register with the Immigration Advice Authority, which includes specialist training and supervision for our advice worker and a complete audit of policies and record keepingi and we hope to complete this in 2025. Activity to raise awareness of the situation refugees and asylum seekers find themselves included presentations to a number of Synod5, Chapters and other groups, and we continue to see prartical and thoughtful engagement with the i55ue5 faced by asylum seekers and refugees. At the end of 2024 we introduced a new system of data capture which will enable rnore rlgorous reportlng of both the outcomes and impact of our activities. Plans for 2025 Include a refreshed training offer, further development of the'cutting the c05t of the school day, work, a 'food summit, looking more broadly at responses to food insecurityi and development of integration activities for refugees and asylum seekers. We will also continue to broaden and deepen contatts with local churches and community groups to promote sustainable responses to the continuing challenge of poverty in the region. None of this would be Possible without continuin8 SUPPOrt and partnership with the Diocese of Durham, Lord Crewe's Charityi Durham County Council and our other funders, and we are immensely grateful for their support. Flnanclal performance The year saw an increase in turnover 5UPPOrted by two major grants, from Durham Dlocese (Lord Crewe's Charltyl and Durham County Council. Although some smaller projects came to an end, income from management fees increased as a result of a new grant for the delivery of the refugee and asylum seeker project, awarded for three years (so ending In March 2027). Delays in recruiting a CEO and part time adrninistrator also contributed to an increase of unrestricted reserves, which stand at £97,368. We expect that in 2025 the costs of the CEO and administrator will draw on these reserves and we continue to designate £20.000 for this. Careful financial planning of core c05t5 will be necessary and existing major grants will be reviewed during 2026. The Board reviewed the financial procedures in March 2025, and a new accounting system will be iTnplemented during the year. Our8eneral reserves are supporting cash flow as income flows quarterly in arrears, and as our core cost5 increase we expect to hold unrestricted reserves equivalent to one year's core costs of £60k. The pressures on the voluntary and charitable sector continue, and while we do not wish to increase our reserves, we believe the present level to be appropriate.
Trustees, responsiblllties in respect of the financlal statsments Company Law requires the trustees, who are the directors under company law, to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company at the year end and of the net incomingloutgoing resources of the company for the year then ending. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the flnancial statements; prepare financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue on that basi5. The trustee5 are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any tlme the financi31 position of the charitable company and to enable it to ensure that the financlal statements comply with the Companie5 Art 2006. They are also responsible for safeguardlng the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detectlon of fraud and other irregularities. Independent examlner The trustees have taken advantage of the provisions of the Companles Art 2006 in respett of the audit requirements for small companies and opted to have an independent examlnatlon in accordance with the Charities Art. Small company special provisions: The above report has been prepared in accoréance with the provisions appllcable to companies subject to the small companies, regime as set out in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. Thls report was approved by the trustees on Ib Z¢dS' and signed on their behalf by Sheila Bamber Direttor and Trustee
Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts Report to the Trustees of Communities Together Durham on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 8 to 14 Respectlve responsibllltles of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the prepa ration of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an a udit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that a n independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to-. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedu res laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 14515llbl of the Charities Act), a nd to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Direction5 given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accou nts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosu res in the accounts, and seeking expla nations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be req uired in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 11 I which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements.. To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. and To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or 12) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Date Ib Zo45- Name MrJ l Henderson FCA Address I Silverdale Way Whickham NE16 SSL 7 | Pcige
Communities Together Durham Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 December 2024 Note Unrestrlcted Restricted Total Fund5 Total Funds Funds 2024 Funds 2024 2024 2023 Incoming resources Generated funds Voluntary income Activities for generating f unds Investment income Charitable activities Other incoming resource5 Total incoming re50urces 34,880 34,880 30,506 6,305 23,810 30,506 49 291,506 326 386 291,555 217,971 Resources expended Generation of voluntary income Charitable Activities Governance costs other resources expended Totol resources expended 13,951 2,165 252,451 3,394 266,402 5,559 235,372 Net incornellexpendlturel for the year Reconclllation of funds Total funds brought forward Net rnovement In funds throughout year Transfer between funds 79,889 14,439 34,228 70,541 114,117 84,980 101,403 12,714 Totolfvnds corrledforword All the charltable company's operations are classed as continulng and recognised gains and1055es and movement on reserves are shown above. The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these accounts.
Communities Together Durham Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024 Note Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Current Assets Debtor5 Cash at bank and in hand Stock Ivouchersl Total current assets 95,275 106.205 41,280 74,572 Iso 116,032 209.195 Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets 199,097 114 117 Tott71 assets less current liabllities 199,097 114.117 Net assets 199 097 114 117 The funds of the charfty Restricted income fund5 Unrestricted income fund5 li 101,729 97,368 79,889 34,228 Totol Chorityfunds For the financial year ended 31 December 2024 the company wa5 entitled to exemptlon from audit under section 477 ofthe Companies Act 2006; and no notice has been deposited under sectlon 476. Di rertors, responslbllities: The members have not required the company to obtaln an audlt of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 The directors acknowledge their responsibilitie5 for complylng with the requirement of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These account5 have been prepared in accordance wlth the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime as set out in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. Slgned on behalf of the Trustees Sheila Bamber Director and Trustee Date
Communities Together Durham Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Nots I: Basis of preparation Basis of accounting These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost lexcept that investments are shown at market value) in accordance with the Flnancial Reporting Standard 102 {FR51021 as applicable to Charities (effective January 20161 comprising the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reportlftg by Charlties {"SORP 2015.1. Charige in basis of accounting There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) slnce last year. Changes to previous accounts No changes have been made to accounts for previous years. Note 2: Accounting policies Incomlng resources 2.1.1 Recognition of incoming resources These are included in the Statement of Financial Attivities {SoFAI when.. The charity becomes entitled to the resource The trustees are virtually certain they will recelve the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. 2.1.2 Incoming resources With related expenditure Where incoming resources have related expenditure las with fundraising or contrart Income) the Incomlng resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. 2.1.3 Grants and donations Grants and donations are only included In the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. 2.1.4 Tax reclaims on donations and glfts Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included In the SOFA atthe same time as the gift to which they relate. 2.1.5 Contractual income and performance related grants This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 2.1.6 Gifts in kind Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the 3mount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when receivable. 2.1.7 Donated services and facilitie5 These are only included in incoming resource5 (with an equivalent amount in resources expendedl where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measureable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received. 2.1.8 Volunteer help The value of any voluntary help recelved is not included in the accounts but is described in the tru5tees' annual report. 2.1.9 Investment income This is included in the accounts when receivable. Expendlture and Ilabilities 2.2.1 Liability recognition Liabilities are recognised as soon as there 15 a legal or constructive obllgation committing the charity to pay out resources. 2.2,2 Governance costs Include costs of the preparation and examinatlon of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and costs of any le831 advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. 2.2.3 Support costs Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categorles on a basis conslstent with the use of resources. Assets 2.3.1 Tangible fixed assets for use by charity These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £SOO. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt.
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Note 3 Analysls of incoming resources Unrestritted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Voluntary income .Donations IFIC#} Donations IRAS#} Transfer DDBF held funds IFIC#I 120 34,760 120 34,760 120 6,185 Activitles for generating funds Durham Diocese Durharn County Council Pathways/Flexible Integration Training Delivery Lindisfarne College of Theology 18,408 18,408 23,336 11,950 11,950 148 148 474 Other incoming resource Grant- Durham Diocese HMRC Employment Allowance Falth In Community IFIC#I Durham C C Pathways {RAS#I Middlesbrough BC IRAS#I Mears Foundation IRAS#} Reloc8 UK IRAS#) Other 153,162 5,000 153,162 5,000 177,571 5,000 107,557 107,557 30,400 5,000 5,000 1,000 19,787 5,000 1,000 19,836 49 Total Incomlng resources
a full breakdown of the restricted funds Is Included in Note 10.
Note 4 Analysls of resources expended Unrestricted Restrirted Total 2024 Total 2023 Charltable activities Staff costs Travel and subsistence Administration Programme costs Misc # 9,169 128 2,264 1,761 629 160,966 4,016 8.642 50,500 28,327 170,135 4,144 10,906 52,261 28,956 174.139 4,738 9,901 31,508 11,131 Governance costs 2,165 3,394 5,559 3,955 Total resources expended 16116 255845 LI 48L72
In 2024 this includes a lump sum payment of grant of £20,000 to Durham D31es Parish Nursing. In 2023 a
one-off fee of £10,169 for management consultancy related to organisational development was made.
Note 5 Detsi15 of certain items of expenditure Trustee expense5 No TrLJStees claimed expenses during 2024 or 2023. Fee5 for the examination of the accounts 2024 2023 Independent examinerfs fees for reporting on the accounts Note 6 Pald employees At the end of the year the organisation employed eight member5 of staff. Two members of staff were seconded from Durham dlocesan Board of Flnance. One person was remunerated at £48,486 per anftum IFTE, including pension contributions). Note 7 Debtors and prepayments Analysls of debtors Arnounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Grant payments outstanding Prepayments Invoice outstanding 74,785 703 19,787 40,856 424 Total Note 8 Creditors and accruals Analysls of credltors Amounts fallin8 due within one year 2024 2023 Accruals 10,098 1,915 Totol Q9A Note g Transactions and related parties There were no transactions with related parties during the year.
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Note 10 Movements on funds Fund balance b/fwd Incoming resources Outgoing re50ur¢e5 Transfer Fund balance between c/fwd funds Unrestricted funds General fund Restrirted Fund Lord Crewe's Charity IDDBFI Bridge Project Free Help with Debt Dales Parish Nursing 52,643 46,762 20,000 52,643 45,576 20,000 1,186 Restricted Fund Falth In Communlty URC Lord Crewe's Charlty IDDBF) Donation5 Other Itransfer from DDBF restricted fund) 6,851 8,355 170 1,872 3,743 4.979 4,612 290 120 2,618 2,618 Restrlrted Fund RefugeÈlAsylum Project Lord Crewe's Charity (DDBFI Durharn CC Middlesbrough BC Donations Icashl Donations (ln klndl Mears Foundation Reloc8 UK 56,752 109,349 50,804 54,107 5,948 63,196 5,000 185 7,715 5,000 1,000 10,994 5,000 60 180 13,040) 210 34,550 5,000 1,000 85 27,015 Total Restrlcted Funds 326 386 101729 Totolfunds Note 11 Net assets by fund Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Fixed assets Net current assets 97,368 101,829 199,097 114,117 Total assets 199 O_9 Note 12 Llabllity of Members The liability of members is limited by guarantee. In the event of the charity being wound up during the period of membership, members would be required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.