REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1157648
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 For Love's Farm Community Centre CIO
Love's Farm Community Centre CIO
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 2 - 6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10-15 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 16-17 |
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. 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 2015).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
To further or benefit the residents of Love's Farm housing development and the neighbourhood without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.
ln reference with these objects, the trustees shall have the power to establish and secure the establishment of a community centre and to maintain or manage or co-operate with any statutory authority in the maintenance and management of such a centre for activities promoted by the charity in furtherance of the above objects.
Significant activities
Making available a meeting room, hall, kitchen, foyer, and garden for (non-profit, commercial, or individual) hirers to organise activities or parties. Trustees to ensure that a wide range of activities is offered through their hirers, taking into account the charity objectives. Love’s Farm House trustees also organise activities themselves to benefit the community.
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Love’s Farm House has continued to struggle in the wake of the unprecedented national and global challenges over the last few years:
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Covid pandemic – the various lockdowns during the covid pandemic severely restricted our ability to generate income, while we still had to cover core costs. Although government grants alleviated this slightly, they ceased before the community felt able to return to its previous levels of activity. This led to a continued restriction in income with increased costs.
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UK Fuel crisis – in September 2021 a “perceived” lack of fuel as a result of a shortage in HGV drivers led to panic buying of petrol and real shortages, resulting in increased prices at the pump. This then had a knock on of increasing the cost of all products in the supply chain delivered by road.
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Russia-Ukraine war – this led to drastic increases in the global cost of energy prices, mainly as a result of Europe’s reliance on Russian supplies of gas. This resulted in electricity prices quadrupling in the space of two years. It also led to increased prices for other products.
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Cost of Living Crisis – as a result of the global impact of covid and the Russia-Ukraine war there was a steady rise in the rate of inflation globally from late 2021. In the UK and other parts of the world this resulted in higher costs in all areas. This was further exacerbated in the UK following a lack of market confidence in the mini-budget of Sep 2022. Increased pay demands fuelled inflation even further and an increase in the national minimum wage of 9.7% led to increased staffing costs.
These events have had a double negative impact on Love’s Farm House (as well as other organisations):
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➢ Members of our community have much less disposable income to attend classes and social events. This means that regular hirers have struggled and Love’s Farm House income has reduced substantially. Total annual revenue has only recently surpass the pre-Covid income of 2019.
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➢ Costs have increased dramatically, including repair and maintenance costs to maintain the building which have risen year-on-year, with over £19k spent in the year to March 2025. Although the Trustees have tried to mitigate these additional costs as much as possible, total expenditure is about 15 % higher than it was 6 years ago in 2019.
As a result of the above issues Love’s Farm House has had to draw heavily on its reserves in recent years. Loves Farm House managed to generate a small surplus in the year ended 31 March 2025, however given the ongoing constraints of raising revenue (due to local people having less money
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to spend) as well as continuing cost increases, we continue to face difficult decisions going forward and an uncertain future.
Performance
Although it has been another challenging year, Loves Farm House has made a small surplus for the first time since the Covid pandemic. The Trustees have been actively seeking additional funding opportunities, where available, and secured a grant to fully pay for an Air Source Heat Pump, which was installed just after the year end, in May 2025. Not only will this reduce our energy bills, it will also help the Farm House to run in a more sustainable way.
Challenges Ahead
The economic climate remains uncertain, so we expect the upcoming year to remaining challenging. The Board of Trustees are striving to minimise costs as much as possible and will be trying to explore additional funding opportunities, where available. As we approach the 10 year anniversary of the opening of Love’s Farm House in October 2025, we require a concerted effort from everyone and strong ongoing support from the whole community to ensure continued existence beyond this.
Emma Wootton Treasurer
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Financial Review
Summary of fund performance
Total unrestricted fund income for the year was £137,978 (2024: £121,448) and total unrestricted fund expenditure was £133,102 (2024: £125,930). This resulted in an excess of unrestricted income over expense of £4,875 (2024: excess expense of £4,482). The balance of unrestricted reserves at the year-end was £45,020 (2024: £40,133). Total restricted fund expenditure was £0 (2024: £250) and the balance of restricted reserves at the year-end was £13 (2024: £13).
Reserves Policy
The Reserves Policy of Love's Farm Community Centre CIO aims to maintain the long-term financial stability of the charity and to ensure that it is in a financial position to keep Love's Farm House (the "Building") in good and substantial repair, in order to achieve the Charity's purpose of managing the building for the benefit of the community.
The Trustees of Love’s Farm House reviewed and re-adopted the Reserves Policy on the 3[rd] January 2025.
Operating Reserve Fund
Operating reserves (3 months' average expenditure) - £22,000
Repairs and Maintenance Reserve Fund
The Repairs and Maintenance Reserve Fund shall contain the estimated amount necessary to cover the cost of ongoing maintenance, repairs and replacement of the flooring, decoration, furniture, kitchen equipment and Office IT equipment of the building over the life expectancy of these items. The specific figure shall be calculated and reviewed by the Operations Team of the Board of Trustees and approved by the Board of Trustees of the Charity annually.
Significant expenditure
Servicing , repairs and maintenance to the doors and security system amounted to £2,304 in the year, and £2,250 was spent on repairing and renewing the external fencing. Loves Farm House received a grant of £11,958 in the year which was spent on an Air Source Heat Pump.
Management of funds
The Trustees are kept informed of the Charity's finances at monthly trustee meetings, and the operations team pay particular attention to monthly income, expense, projected budgets, and financial risk. All trustees share the responsibility to ensure that the charity is solvent, which in combination with meeting their objectives is their utmost priority.
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).
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.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number 1157648
Principal address
17 Kester Way, Love's Farm, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 6SL
Trustees
Dr M Russo Mr A Hill (Resigned 8[th] Nov 2024) Mr M. Kipping Mr A. McKenzie (Resigned 8[th] Nov 2024) Ms S Hatt Ms L Davenport-Ray (Resigned 20[th] June 2025) Mrs R. Bundy (Resigned 8[th] Nov 2024) Mrs Z. Lancet (Resigned 8[th] Nov 2024) Mrs E. Mann (Resigned 8[th] Nov 2024) Mrs E. Wootton Ms S. Mal (Appointed 8[th] Nov 2024) Mr S. Booker (Appointed 8[th] Nov 2024)
Independent examiner
Annie Josselyn, (FMAAT AATQB) Maurice J. Bushell & Co Ltd, Office 12 Epsilon House, West Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, England, IP3 9FJ
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ………………………………………. and signed on its behalf by:
M G Kipping – Chair of Trustees
……………………………………………………………………
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Love’s Farm Community Centre CIO
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 set out on pages six to fourteen.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required 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 statements below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Annie Josselyn (FMAAT AATQB) Maurice J. Bushell & Co Ltd., Office 12 Epsilon House, West Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, England, IP3 9FJ
Date: ............................................
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestric | Restricted |
Total funds | Total funds | ||
| -ted funds | funds | ||||
| Notes | £ |
£ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 54,318 | - | 54,318 | 41,151 | |
| Charitable activities | 2 | 83,660 | - | 83,660 | 80,297 |
| Total | 137,978 | - | 137,978 | 121,448 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON: | |||||
| Raising funds | 3 | 50,987 | - | 50,987 | 80,304 |
| Charitable activities | 82,115 | 82,115 | 45,626 | ||
| Total | 133,102 | 133,102 | 125,930 | ||
| NET INCOME | 4,875 | 4,875 | (4,482) | ||
| Transfers between funds | 12 | - | - | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | 4,875 | 4,875 | (4,482) | ||
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 40,133 | 13 | 40,146 | 44,629 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 45,007 | 13 | 45,020 | 40,146 | |
| CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
All income and expenditure have arisen from continuing activities.
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Balance Sheet At 31 March 2025
| NET ASSETS 45,007 Unrestricted funds Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 7 3,028 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 8 2,500 Debtors 9 1,165 Prepayments and accrued income 10 947 Cash at bank 41,018 48,658 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 11 (3,651) NET CURRENT ASSETS 45,007 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES - FUNDS Unrestricted funds 12 Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
13 45,020 40,146 2025 2024 Restricted funds Total funds Total funds £ £ £ - 3,028 6,050 - 2,500 2,500 - 1,165 348 - 947 2,097 13 41,031 41,031 13 48,671 36,933 - (3,651) (2,838) 13 45,020 40,146 - - - 45,007 40,133 13 13 45,020 40,146 |
|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on ………………….. and were signed on its behalf by:
Mr M Kipping – Chair of Trustees
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, 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 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. 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.
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.
Fixtures and fittings - 20% on cost Computer equipment - 20% on cost Equipment - 10% on cost
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from 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.
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
2. Charitable activities
| Fundraising events Bar and cafe income Hiring income Other income |
2025 £ - 27,837 52,281 3,541 83,660 |
2024 £ - 29,207 48,350 2,738 80,297 |
|---|---|---|
3. RAISING FUNDS
Charitable activities
| Opening stock Purchases Closing stock Rent Cleaning Rates and water Repairs and maintenance Insurance Light and heat Depreciation |
2025 £ 2,500 11,504 (2,500) 40,180 8,213 196 19,242 1,149 6,884 3,620 90,988 |
2024 £ 2,500 11,987 (2,500) 40,000 6,778 1,174 6,948 1,514 7,063 4,839 80,304 |
|---|---|---|
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
5. STAFF COSTS
During the year, the amount of voluntary work was 20-25 hours per week on average relating to management and cafe.
6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total funds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| fund | funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||
| Donations and legacies | 54,318 | - | 54,318 |
| Charitable activities | 83,660 | - | 83,660 |
| 137,977 | - | 137,977 |
|
| Total | |||
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||
| Raising funds | 82,115 | - | 82,115 |
| Other | 50,737 | 250 | 50,987 |
| 132,852 | 250 |
133,102 |
|
| Total | - | ||
| NET INCOME | 5,125 | (250) 4,875 |
|
| Transfer between funds | - | - - |
|
| Net movement in funds | 5,125 |
(250) 4,875 |
|
| RECONCILATION OF FUNDS | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 39,883 |
263 | 40,146 |
| Total funds carried forward | 45,007 | 13 | 45,020 |
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Fixtures and fittings Equipment £ £ COST At 1 April 2024 47,036 30,171 Additions - 599 At 31 March 2025 47,036 30,770 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2024 47,036 24,122 Charge for year - 3,620 At 31 March 2025 47,036 27,742 NET BOOK VALUE 2025 £ Stocks 2,500 9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 £ £ Trade debtors 1,165 348 At 31 March 2025 0.00 3,028 At 31 March 2024 0.00 6,049 8. STOCKS |
Totals £ 77,207 599 77,806 71,158 3,620 74,778 2024 £ 2,500 3,028 6,049 |
|---|---|
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10. Prepayments and accrued income
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||||
| Prepayments | 947 | 2,097 | ||||
| 11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Other creditors | 3,651 | 2,838 | ||||
| 12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
||||||
| Net | Transfers |
|||||
| At 1.4.24 | movement |
between |
||||
| in | funds | funds |
At 31.3.25 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||||
| General fund | 40,132 | 4,875 | - | 45,007 | ||
| Restricted funds | ||||||
| Launch festival | 13 | - | - | 13 | ||
| Youth Club | - | - | - | - | ||
| Town Council Grant | - | - | - | |||
| Wren Restricted | - | - | - | - | ||
| 13 | - | - | 13 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 40,146 | 4,875 | - | 45,020 | ||
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||||
| General fund | 137,977 | 133,102 | 4,875 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 137,977 | 133,102 | 4,875 |
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13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
14. OPERATING LEASE
The building is owned by the Huntingdonshire District Council and the Charity has been granted thirty years rent-free lease. The value of the rent is considered to be £3,333 per month.
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Grants – CJRS Grants – rental income adjustment Grants – sundries Charitable activities EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Opening stock Purchases Rent Cleaning Rates and water Repairs and maintenance Insurance Light and heat Donations Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Closing stock Fundraising events Bar and cafe income Hiring income Other income Total incoming resources |
|
|---|---|
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Love's Farm Community Centre CIO Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Support costs Finance Bank charges Information technology Telephone and internet Computer costs Human resources Wages Employers’ national insurance Staff training Pensions costs Other Direct expenses Postage and stationery Sundries Donations Advertising Subscriptions Bad debts Entertainment Governance costs Accountancy and legal fees Total resources expended Net income |
448 1,029 723 30,535 - 55 81 32,871 5,424 283 187 (289) 872 125 - 0 6,790 2,374 133,102 2025 £ 4,875 |
585 682 870 37,534 - 145 474 40,294 1,567 526 486 (1) 403 120 - 18 3,119 2,213 125,930 2024 £ (4,482) |
|---|---|---|
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