## Batley Food Bank
Charity number 1157520
## Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 30 September 2025
## Batley Food Bank
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2025
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|2 to 4|
|Examiner's report|5|
|Receipts and payments account|6|
|Statement of assets and liabilities|7|
|Notes to the accounts|8 to 10|
**Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
1
## Batley Food Bank
## Trustees' report for the year ended 30 September 2025
## **Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors**
The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: **Name Position Dates**
**Position Dates** Catherine Pinder Chair Leah Phillips Treasurer Graeme Simpson Secretary Appointed 19 February 2025 Carol Lightbody Safeguarding Lead Resigned 1 April 2026 Helen Wilde Aafaq Butt Resigned 3 October 2024 Clare Black Resigned 4 December 2024 Sally Wallace Jones Resigned 24 October 2024
**Charity number** 1157520
Registered in England and Wales
**Registered and principal address Bankers** Admiral House Lloyds Bank plc Co-operative Bank Blakeridge Lane 75 Commercial Street 47 Low Lane Batley Batley Batley WF17 8PD WF17 5EQ WF17 9EY
## **Independent examiner**
Chalitha Herath FCCA **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO** Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
## **Structure, governance and management**
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) foundation formed on 18 June 2014 and governed by a constitution.
## **Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees**
The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM.
2
## Batley Food Bank
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2025
## **Objectives and activities**
## **The charity's objects**
To alleviate the effects of food poverty and specifically to create and operate a food bank for the people of Batley and its environs.
## **The charity's main activities**
Operating a food bank providing emergency food aid to people resident in an area of the North Kirklees local authority area covering Batley, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton, Liversedge, Birstall and Birkenshaw, along with parts of Dewsbury including Mirfield.
## **Public benefit statement**
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular alleviating the effects of food poverty in our local area.
## **Achievements and performance**
Batley Food Bank has continued to fulfil its mission of supporting individuals and families in crisis within North Kirklees throughout the reporting year. Our commitment to providing a free, referral-based food bank service has ensured that vulnerable members of the community have access to essential food support, even amidst ongoing financial pressures and increased operational costs.
During the period from 1[st] October 2024 to 30[th] September 2025, we received 2,543 referrals and supported 5,402 people, supplying a total of 113,442 meals. Notably, we continue to welcome new beneficiaries each week, many of whom are accessing a food bank for the first time. This steady demand reflects both the effectiveness of our referral policy and the persistent need within the local community.
Our service has remained consistent and high-quality, despite facing increased monthly costs and financial constraints. We have maintained our weekday opening hours from 11:30 to 15:30, ensuring accessibility for both collection and home delivery, the latter being reserved for our most vulnerable clients.
In addition to distributing food parcels, our drivers collect approximately 100kg of surplus food from local supermarkets each week, preventing waste and reducing landfill. Partnerships with organisations such as Fareshare and Neighbourly have been instrumental in securing these surplus items, which help alleviate some of our food expenditure while promoting environmental responsibility.
Batley Food Bank operates exclusively as a free food bank, accessed via referrals. We work closely with local partners to signpost beneficiaries to debt management, budgeting and employment advice services. This holistic approach aims to build resilience and reduce dependency on food bank support.
We are deeply grateful for the dedication of our staff, volunteers and Trustees; whose efforts have been vital in maintaining our service during challenging times. Their involvement in fundraising, awareness events and supermarket food collections has increased our public profile and contributed to the sustainability of our operations.
We extend sincere thanks to all donors, including individuals, organisations, small local businesses and supermarkets as well as businesses that have enabled their staff to volunteer during working hours. The continued support from the community is essential to our success and ability to meet the needs of those facing hardship.
During the year, the charity received donated food and toiletries with an estimated value of £20,000, all of which was distributed to beneficiaries through the charity's food and toiletries parcel service.
Batley Food Bank is proud of its achievements over the past year and remains committed to providing compassionate, effective support to those in need. We look forward to building on these foundations in the coming year, working collaboratively with partners and supporters to address food insecurity in North Kirklees.
3
## Batley Food Bank
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2025
## **Financial review**
The net receipts for the year were £11,860, including net receipts of £83 on unrestricted funds and net receipts of £11,777 on restricted funds after transfers.
## **Reserves policy**
The charity's free reserves, at the year end were £20,727.
The aim is to have enough money in reserve to meet the expenses of the food bank for 2-3 months. This includes rent, wages and all other essential expenses. This would allow the staff to be given notice and enable an orderly winding up should the charity need to close.
In September 2024, reserve levels were significantly lower than expected, and the trustees submitted a series of measures to address this. As of September 2025, the reserves are within the target range of 2–3 months, and this is monitored at each Trustees' meeting.
The drive to increase food donations and collect surplus food from local supermarkets has dramatically decreased the yearly spend on food and other consumables.
The rise in other general costs is unavoidable in the current financial climate. The wage bill has also increased. This again is inevitable to keep in line with the current employment laws.
Trustees will continue to monitor the expenditure as well as maximising any possible income over the next financial year.
Approved by the board of trustees on 02/07/2026
Graeme Simpson (Trustee)
4
## Batley Food Bank
## Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Batley Food Bank
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 30 September 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts as 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 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 2 the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Chalitha Herath FCCA
06/07/2026
## **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
5
## Batley Food Bank
## Receipts and payments account
## for the year ended 30 September 2025
|Notes
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
**Receipts**
Grants and donations
(2)
30,096
Fundraising
2,482
**Total receipts**
32,578
**Payments**
Salaries NI and pensions
20,539
Food and consumables stock
970
Telephone
345
Insurance
576
Stationery
903
Subscriptions
194
IT services
381
Other costs - service users
48
Volunteer expenses
353
Professional fees
1,747
Rent and rates
3,746
Other expenses
998
Fundraising costs
435
Accountancy and independent examination
1,260
**Total payments**
32,495
**Net receipts / (payments)**
83
**Fund balances brought forward**
20,644
**Fund balances carried forward**
(3)
20,727|2025
Restricted
funds
£
93,378
-
93,378
22,761
50,078
771
-
291
-
-
-
-
-
7,700
-
-
-
81,601
11,777
4,933
16,710|2025
Total
funds
£
123,474
2,482
125,956
43,300
51,048
1,116
576
1,194
194
381
48
353
1,747
11,446
998
435
1,260
114,096
11,860
25,577
37,437|2024
Total
funds
£
128,411
1,115
129,526
44,152
81,214
885
550
1,013
-
560
41
880
1,814
11,925
1,254
510
1,200
145,998
(16,472)
42,049
25,577|
|---|---|---|---|
6
## Batley Food Bank
## Statement of assets and liabilities
|as at 30 September 2025
2025
Unrestricted
£
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank
20,657
Cash in hand
70
**Total cash funds**
20,727
**Debtors and prepayments**
Debtors
Prepayments
**Assets retained for the charity's own use**
Catering fridge and two upright fridges
Three chest freezers and one upright freezer
Computer tower, keyboard and monitor
Two printers
Shelving units
Two office desks
Henry vacuum cleaner
Shredder
**Liabilities**
Accruals
Taxation and social security
Other creditors|2025
Restricted
£
16,710
-
16,710|2025
Total
£
37,367
70
37,437
2025
£
510
96
606
2025
£
1,260
244
70
1,574|2024
Total
£
25,497
80
25,577|
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 02/07/2026
Graeme Simpson (Trustee)
7
## Batley Food Bank
## Notes to the accounts
## for the year ended 30 September 2025
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of accounting**
The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.
No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
## **Taxation**
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
8
## Batley Food Bank
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 30 September 2025
|**2 Grants and donations**
Arnold Clark Community Fund
ASDA Foundation
Batley & Birstall Community Fund
Groundwork - Tesco
Kirklees Council
Neighbourly fund
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
Birstall Rotary Club (Luddites)
National Lottery Community Fund
One Community - Mayors Fund
One Community Foundation
Sir George Martin Trust
The Brelms Trust
The Foyle Foundation
The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
West Yorkshire Hardship Fund
Yorkshire Building Society
Other donations
**3 Restricted funds**
Balance b/f
£
Kirklees Local Welfare Provision
-
West Yorkshire Hardship Fund
233
Yorkshire Building Society
1,500
The Foyle Foundation
3,200
Asda Cost of Living
-
Household Support Fund 6
-
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
-
Groundwork Tesco
-
Kirklees Local Welfare Provision
-
Household Support Fund 7
-
Neighbourly Sainsbury's
-
Batley and Birstall Comm. Fund
-
Arnold Clark Community Fund
-
4,933|2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30,096
30,096
Incoming
£
5,040
-
-
-
1,000
16,707
25,000
1,500
10,080
26,551
500
5,000
2,000
93,378|2025
Restricted
funds
£
2,000
1,000
5,000
1,500
58,378
500
25,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
93,378
Outgoing
£
5,040
233
1,500
3,200
1,000
16,707
25,000
1,500
10,080
13,518
500
3,118
205
81,601|2025
Total
funds
£
2,000
1,000
5,000
1,500
58,378
500
25,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30,096
123,474
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2024
Total
funds
£
2,500
800
5,000
-
34,064
500
-
500
16,040
8,000
1,500
2,500
4,968
5,000
6,768
4,219
1,500
34,552
128,411
Balance c/f
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,033
-
1,882
1,795
16,710|
|---|---|---|---|---|
For fund descriptions see next page.
9
## Batley Food Bank
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 30 September 2025
## **3 Restricted funds (continued)**
## **Fund name**
## **Purpose of restriction**
Kirklees Local Welfare Provision Towards food and toiletries West Yorkshire Hardship Fund Towards fresh food Yorkshire Building Society Towards food and toiletries The Foyle Foundation Towards rent Asda Cost of Living Towards food and toiletries Household Support Fund 6 Towards food and toiletries Postcode Neighbourhood Trust To continue to provide food Groundwork Tesco To purchase fresh fruit, veg and dairy Kirklees Local Welfare Provision Towards food and toiletries Household Support Fund 7 Towards food and toiletries Neighbourly Sainsbury's To purchase fresh and summer foods Batley and Birstall Comm. Fund Towards rent, mileage, telephone and internet Arnold Clark Community Fund Towards telephone and internet costs
## **4 Related party transactions**
## **Trustee expenses**
No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.
## **Trustee remuneration and benefits**
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
## **Other transactions with trustees or related parties**
|**Other transactions with trustees or related parties**
A Wilde
General assistance as an
employee
Husband of trustee
**Name of trustee**
**or related party**
**Relationship to**
**charity**
**Description of transaction**|2025
£
2,917
2,917|2024
£
3,093
3,093|
|---|---|---|
10