**Charity Registration No. 1158356** 

**Company Registration No. 08360699 (England and Wales)** 

## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

## **Trustees** 

Mrs C Crossley Ms L Brookes Mrs A Cherry (Appointed 6 August 2020) Mr L Payne (Appointed 6 August 2020) Mr P Findlay (Appointed 6 August 2020) Mr N Jones (Appointed 11 May 2021) Dr S Carey (Appointed 13 July 2021) Mr P Ruddy (Appointed 9 November 2021) Mrs S Verkuyten (Appointed 9 November 2021) 

**Charity number** 1158356 **Company number** 08360699 **Principal address** 49 High Street Earls Colne Colchester Essex CO6 2PB **Registered office** 49 High Street Earls Colne Colchester Essex CO6 2PB **Auditor** Whittle & Partners LLP The Old Exchange 64 West Stockwell Street Colchester Essex CO1 1HE **Bankers** Barclays Bank Plc 9 High Street Colchester Essex CO1 1DD 




## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **CONTENTS** 

||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 12|
|Statement of trustees' responsibilities|13|
|Independent auditor's report|14 - 17|
|Statement of financial activities|18|
|Balance sheet|19 - 20|
|Statement of cash flows|21|
|Notes to the financial statements|22 - 33|






## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021. 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019) 

## **Objectives and activities** 

‘Healthwatch’ organisations throughout England were created as result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Using the powers vested under this legislation, they each have a responsibility to: 

1. promote and support the involvement of people in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of local care services. 

2. obtain the views of people about their needs for, and their experiences of, local care services. 

3. make reports and recommendations about how local care services could, or ought to be, improved to people responsible for commissioning, providing, managing or scrutinising local care services; and 

4. provide advice and information about access to local care services and about choices that may be made with respect to aspects of those services. 

Healthwatch Essex covers the whole county with the exception of Southend and Thurrock and is part of a network of local Healthwatch organisations in England. The network is overseen and supported by the national umbrella body, Healthwatch England, which provides a formal link to the Department of Health and Secretary of State for Health. 

In response to its statutory responsibilities, the company's objects, as set out in its Memorandum of Association, are for “the advancement of health and the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill- health, disability or financial hardship by: 

1. providing information and advice to the general public about local health and social care services. 

2. making the views and experiences of members of the general public known to health and social care providers. 

3. enabling local people to have a voice in the development, delivery and equality of access to local health and care services and facilities; and 

4. providing training and the development of skills for volunteers and the wider community in understanding, scrutinizing, reviewing and monitoring local health and care services and facilities.” 

The company organises its work under four activity headings: Research, Engagement, Information and Guidance and Communications. In all its activities, the organisation seeks to capture people’s first-hand experience of health and social care services, set against the backdrop of their own lives and personal circumstances. This ‘lived experience’ is then reported, or otherwise presented, to the relevant health and social care provider(s) - including the county’s five NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, one mental health trust, five acute hospitals and Essex County Council, responsible for social care - to enable them to better empathise and understand the impact their service is having on real lives, allowing them to adapt accordingly. 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **Achievements and performance** 

This section of the report summarises the achievements and performance of Healthwatch Essex in the year to 31 March 2021, under the headline priorities of Research, Engagement, Information and Guidance and Communication. Within these priorities, the directors have paid due regard to guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the company should undertake, and the impact of the following achievements, based on Healthwatch Essex’s objects, evidences that public benefit. 

## **Our work during the Covid Pandemic** 

None of our staff were furloughed during the year and we received additional income in the form of covid grants of £10,000 via the local district council. At an early stage of the pandemic we invested in additional technology to ensure that our staff team was able to continue with their work while having to work at home, this has been extremely successful. We have ensured that we stayed in regular contact with each other, had regular staff and team meetings via zoom and continued to work collaboratively. During this time our Managers have monitored the physical and mental health and wellbeing of their staff and provided additional support as necessary. The team has missed being in the office and is looking forward to be able to return to the office gradually as restrictions are lifted. Despite the challenges the pandemic posed were able to deliver all our projects on time and to a high standard. 

## **S ensory Impairment during COVID-19** 

Through our work with the Collaborate Essex forum, the challenges facing people living with sensory impairment during COVID-19 have been strongly highlighted. This led to a project taking this lived experience to produce a short campaign targeted at public transport and local business and those using their services, to help them understand these challenges more clearly. The campaign will focus on two short films which show the reality and impact of sensory impairment when you have to wear a mask, interact with someone wearing a mask and social distance. It is hoped that it will improve understanding of these issues within the wider public in Essex, including those working in environments likely to come into contact with people with sensory impairments, the public engagement in this was fantastic with the social media posts sharing the campaign materials receiving over 40,000 views . 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## Research and Engagement 

T his year the funding of £40,000 from National Lottery continued to facilitate the work of the **Essex Neurology Network** , a group hosted by Healthwatch Essex and  comprised of national and local organisations working to support people affected by neurological conditions.  The funding will allow the Network to continue raising awareness and promoting understanding of neurological conditions through the county. The funding allowed us to develop an innovative e-learning package for health and social care professionals called ‘ Understanding Neurology’, which was launched on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The course has been developed as a direct result of the findings from a range of engagement activities undertaken with neurological patients and professionals over the last few years. The content has been created by both patients and experts and provides real insight into what it’s like to live with a neurological condition and how these individuals can be best supported to live independently for longer, and with a better quality of life. 

The **Healthwatch Essex Ambassador Programme** was developed to ensure that lived experience is used effectively to influence and shape service design and delivery. The model involves recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers with direct experience of specific health and care services, and facilitating their input into the decisionmaking process. As part of this commitment, we have been recruiting, supporting, and facilitating engagement opportunities for women and their families through our Maternity Patient Partner programme; and, since July 2019, we have been actively recruiting Young Mental Health Ambassadors to represent the voice of young people who have accessed mental health services in Essex. Each of these programmes has supported efforts to make tangible improvements in the services across the county. 

To **support co-production within Essex County Council** as they embark on a collaborative model of working, Healthwatch Essex has created a Disability Forum to represent adults with an experience of disability. Representation is sought from all disability groups, including those that care for someone with a disability. The forum work closely with Essex County Council commissioners to help shape and inform policies, procedures, strategies and services through coproduction. The forum presents a fantastic opportunity for these voices to be heard at a senior level within the Council, ultimately helping to shape and improve local services in Essex. Over the course of three years, they will be part of discussions regarding the Council’s long-term agendas and the planning of future co-production activities. 

We continue to **build strong relationships with the universities in our region** . In February, we announced details of a new partnership project with the University of Essex: **The Courage Network.** The new partnership’s project is one of 53 innovative projects across the UK, to be funded by the government as part of UK Research and Innovation’s new vision for public engagement. It focused on supporting those people affected by, and living with neurological conditions and throughout 2020 it developed a co-designed research strategy to address directly these people’s needs through actively engaging them in research design and delivery. This was completed at the start of this financial year.  A number of projects completed their phase of engagement during this financial year and are planned for release next year. You can read more in our section about ‘plans for future section’ below. 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **Community Asset Mapping** 

Healthwatch Essex is working alongside Community 360 and CVS Tendring to put together a community asset programme to build on existing work initiated in 2019. It will undertake a forensic analysis of the needs of the district and identify clear gaps in services by utilising the Community Asset’s for Tendring and Colchester and considering Essex-wide organisations which reach into North East Essex and Essex-wide research which is being undertaken by Healthwatch Essex to gives a clear picture of need. The findings were published for use by all partners in early 2021 to provide support when planning, developing and commissioning future initiatives, adopting a more joined up and collaborative approach to address health inequalities and deliver earlier interventions. 

## **Ambassador Programmes** 

Promoting and facilitating co-production remains high on our agenda and we will continue to recruit, support and train volunteers for specific projects where they can have real impact; using their own lived experience to help shape strategies, services and care pathways. This coming year, we will focus on supporting volunteers who have direct experience of mental health services in Essex and continue supporting our Collaborate Essex Forum Members and Young Mental Health Ambassadors. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we spent time collecting stories of people’s lived experiences of the pandemic, both through a series of films ‘Zooming in the Pandemic’ and a survey, created in collaboration with the Integrated Care System in North East Essex. This learning is now being shared across the system such as digital literacy work. 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## Information and Guidance – 

April 2020 saw us all in a brand new situation, with the country deeply feeling the effects of the Covid19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions put in place to attempt to slow down the spread of the virus. For the Healthwatch Essex team, the priority was to maintain the best possible service for the people of Essex at a time when health and wellbeing was firmly at the top of the agenda. 

Our Information & Guidance team quickly adjusted to working from home, adapting to be able to provide our helpline service without disruption to in excess of 1000 people who chose to contact us for support. Some of the most popular topics we have supported with are difficulties in registering with GP surgeries, family support, complaints about hospitals, support with mental health and wellbeing and accessing a dentist. We have increased our accessibility by not only providing the service via the telephone, email and text but also by introducing WhatsApp and live webchat. Our Feedback Centre has also seen over 50 people submit reviews on our local services. 

Although the team have not been able to engage in physical outreach events, we have ensured our presence at the virtual alternatives that have evolved. We have regularly attended the Essex County Council People & Families Scrutiny Committee and Health Overview Policy & Scrutiny Committee, as well as the SNEE ICS Suicide Prevention Group, LeDeR Steering Group, Castlepoint & Rochford Dementia Action Group, Essex Traveller Health & Wellbeing Group, One Colchester Delivery Board, Essex Compact Forum, MSE and SNEE Quality Surveillance Groups, VCS Covid19 Tendring Services Group, Care Nav+ Partners Network, Tendring Homeless Group, SNEE ICS VCSE Strategy Group, St Francis Hospice Individual Experience Management Group, Colchester Dementia Action Alliance, Essex Care Homes Hub Oversight Board, Care Sector Strategic Group, Braintree District Dementia Action Alliance, Health Inequalities Committee, West Essex Time To Change Steering Group, NEE Winter Resilience Steering Group, Basildon Dementia Action Alliance, Mid Essex Mental Health Forum, SNEE Vaccinations Equalities Group, SNEE Health & Wellbeing Alliance End of Life Programme Board, East of England NHSEI & Healthwatch Board, NEE Health Forum Committee, Palliative End of Life Care Delivery Group and the Pan Essex Dementia Action Alliance. Our presence at these meetings ensures that we are able to share the voices of the people of Essex through their lived experiences at the heart of where services are being formed and shaped. 

Working collaboratively with Healthwatch Suffolk to collect lived experiences relating to topics including cancer, flu vaccines, diabetes, patient transport, dentistry, strokes and the impact on mental health and wellbeing whilst working from home. They have also maintained a positive working relationship with the CQC, assisting their monitoring of services with information gathered by our service, and supported the roll out of surveys around people’s experiences of the Covid19 vaccine with MSE Care Partnership and elective orthopaedic travel with ESNEFT. 

In response to the Covid19 pandemic, we devised and distributed a series of Covid19 Information Guides specifically for individuals living with physical impairment and long term health conditions, mental health issues, sensory impairment, learning disabilities and autism, and carers. These were distributed to a wide range of services and individuals, as well as being published on our website. 

We have given presentations on the role and functions of Healthwatch to staff teams including Next Chapter domestic abuse service, the CQC and St Clare Hospice as well as the District Nursing student group at Anglia Ruskin University. IAG attended virtual launches of the Hutton View Care Home in Brentwood and the St Clare Hospice Namaste Dementia Care Service plus the Castlepoint Area Voluntary Services AGM. 

Our IAG manager has written informative blogs focussing on ovarian cancer, hate crimes, access to dentistry, suicide and choosing a care home as well as launching a short film focussing on Denise, one of our Ambassadors, and her lived experience of domestic abuse. These have all been published on the Healthwatch Essex website. The team have undertaken training in Working with Trauma, Safeguarding, Outcome Based Approaches, Living Positively With Dementia, Personality Disorders, Suicidality and Self Harm, Later Life Insights, Risk Assessments, Working with Psychosis, Dementia Friends. 

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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## Communications 

It is vital that we spend time actively communicating with the public to help recruit participants to projects, share our learning and help people find the information that they need, as well as highlighting opportunities for them to ensure that their voice is heard. This work has been vital throughout the pandemic where the communications team kept the public up to date with all the local and national COVID-19 information and guidance. 

In April 2019, Healthwatch Essex launched its new website, designed to be more accessible and easier to navigate. It was followed shortly afterwards by our newly-designed Feedback Centre, with a refreshed look and feel to match our new website. This online tool allows individuals to share their experiences of health and social care in Essex in the format of a review and star rating, giving insight into how people in the county experience health and care day to day. This has continued to grow and develop throughout 2020. 

In January we took on two digital media apprentices who have helped us greatly increase our social media presence and engagement with the public. The new communications team were able to lead the social media campaign for sensory impairment mentioned above, our most successful campaign to date. 

We continue to support a wide range of initiatives, to reach a broad range of audiences throughout the year. This year we used local data and information drawn from several of our reports to produce social media content ranging from films to blogs and audio for Dying Matters Week, Movember, Mental Health Week, World Obesity Day, which saw us reach new audiences and boost our followership online. Throughout the year, we received 101 pieces of written media coverage with a combined reach of 3 million people. 

## **Financial review** 

## Income & Expenditure 

Healthwatch Essex is primarily funded by the Department of Health and the Department for Communities & Local Government, via Essex County Council. During the year to 31 March 2021 the company received income from this source of £527K (2020: £583K) - see Note 3 to the Financial Statements. Expenditure for the year amounted to £561K (2020: £581K)  - the levels of expenditure attributable to each of the headline activities outlined in Section 1 of this report is presented in Note 5 to the Financial Statements. 

## B alance Sheet 

The company’s year-end Balance Sheet comprises: 

- restricted funds £ 592K (2020: £406K). 

- unrestricted funds £60 K (2020: £13K). 

An analysis of restricted funds by project is presented in Note 11 to the Financial Statements. 

## Reserves Policy 

The company’s restricted funds are required to be used for specific purposes laid down by the funder. It is the Board’s policy, therefore, to use the surpluses gifted to it by its subsidiary company, HWE Insights, to build up, over time, a level of unrestricted funds sufficient to enable the company to meet its statutory obligations in the event of it ceasing to operate. 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## Risk Management 

The Board of Directors reviews the company’s key strategic risks at each of its meetings. The biggest risk facing the company is its overreliance on funding from Essex County Council. In order to mitigate this overreliance, it is the company’s policy to develop complementary commercial work to diversify income streams. 

## Statement of Completeness 

Each of the directors has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditors are aware of such information. Full details of the company’s related party transactions are disclosed in Note 14 to the Financial Statements. 

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year. 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## Plans for the future 

The company’s annual grant from Essex County Council for 2020/21 has been confirmed at £420 K and we are in discussions to secure a 3 year contract at the end of the 2021/22 financial year. Utilising this funding we will continue to ensure that people are at the heart of care, and that their voice and lived experience are integral to decisionmaking. We will continue to diversify our Healthwatch Essex Ambassadors programme to help gather the voice and lived experience of the citizens of Essex. 

Promoting and facilitating co-production remains high on our agenda and we will continue to recruit, support and train volunteers for specific projects where they can have real impact; using their own lived experience to help shape strategies, services and care pathways. This coming year, we will focus on supporting volunteers who have direct experience of mental health services in Essex and continue supporting our Collaborate Essex Forum Members. 

**Young Mental Health Ambassadors -** Healthwatch Essex has recruited a number of Young Mental Health Ambassadors to help us understand their lived experience of mental health and accessing services in the county. The YMHAs are all under the age of 25 and have recently accessed mental health services in Essex. The project is run in partnership with the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (EWMHS), and offers a unique opportunity to young people in Essex with experience of mental health to influence how services are provided in the county, making a difference both now and for the generations that follow. 

**Veterans Project Report –** over the coming months we will launch and promote this report. Our research suggests that, during transition to civilian life, veterans find it hard to ask for help or advice or know where to go for this, and believe that the NHS struggles to understand their experiences and the impact these have had on them. Many also don’t see themselves as veterans. It is important that veterans have the chance to voice the ways in which services can make changes to improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing, access health and social care, opportunities for employment, improve relationships and insight with health and care professionals and other services they use each day. This report has looked into the support available to armed forces veterans and some of the barriers to seeking that support. 

**The Weight of Stigma -** Healthwatch Essex will launch our new research project in which we will be engaging with male participants from across Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire to identify and consider how and why men enter, drop-out of and navigate weight management and treatment services and, where possible, why some men do not engage with available services. We aim to understand men’s lived experience of obesity and to bring their voice to the forefront of research. 

**Prisons –** Following our report on the impact on the physical and mental health and wellbeing that work has on front line staff we have identified a need to engage with Prison Staff to understand the impact of their daily work with prisoners and their responsibilities as Prison Officers is having on their physical and mental health 

**Learning Disabilities and Employment -** While some existing literature identifies financial gain, increased independence, social inclusion and a sense of self-worth as benefits to employment, research also points out that jobs for adults with LD are often low-paying, with low levels of responsibilities, and that health and wellbeing outcomes associated with such roles are low. This body of evidence suggests that low paid, ‘low trust’ roles may even be detrimental to health and wellbeing, due to increased stress, poor opportunities for socialising, and little sense of independence and self-worth. Through studying the lived experience of adults with learning disabilities, this study aims to investigate: experiences of gaining paid and unpaid work roles, how paid and unpaid work roles impact the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities, the extent to which job type influences the health and wellbeing of adults with learning disabilities who are in employment, undertaking work experience, or volunteering their time, 


how leisure activities impact health and wellbeing for people with learning disabilities, in comparison to and in conjunction with employment. 

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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Risk** 

This research will seek to build on previous work we have done that has touched upon men's mental health and is likely to generate some potential impact around suicide prevention. It is hoped that, through sharing their experiences, we provide a platform for men to discuss their mental health, as well challenging cultural norms around the stigma of men talking about mental health issues. 

## **Addiction** 

This project will be about exploring addiction and will include three subtopics: gambling, drugs and alcohol. The aim will be to gather lived experiences from people who have recovered from their addiction or who are currently accessing support. This project will seek to find out barriers of accessing support, preventative measures, signposting of support organisations and what could be done to help people living with an addiction. It is hoped that having these conversations may encourage others to seek help and raise awareness that there are organisations out there to offer support to those living with addiction. Insight will also be provided to professionals of the lived experiences of people who have recovered from addiction or who are currently seeking support. 

## **Hidden Voices Podcast** 

This year, HWE will be launching a new podcast, designed to help tell stories of lived experience within health and social care via a new medium. ‘Hidden Voices’ will provide another channel through which we can share experiences and we will use the podcast platform to support the work of our engagement and research teams – focussing primarily on the topics that they are currently exploring. 

## **Understanding Inequalities** 

Commissioned directly by Mid and South Essex Foundation trust this work will look at the experiences of adults with Learning Disabilities in accessing health services. The research will include not only those individuals but also professionals involved in the care of adults with learning disabilities. It will comprise of a ‘trigger film’ and facilitated focus groups to understanding the challenges, barriers, difficulties and enablers in accessing health. 

## **J9 and Hate Crime reporting centre expansion** 

This year the information and guidance team undertook training to become a J9 (domestic abuse) reporting center and a hate crime reporting center. We will work closely with the IAG and communications team to promote this service and ensure it is supporting people across Essex. 

Finally, we will work closely with our local commissioners, providers and regulators of health and social care, alongside numerous public sector and voluntary sector organisations, all of whom we continue to be enormously grateful to, for supporting our work and often working alongside us to ensure its success. This has been and will continue to be the prime area of focus for us, building and nurturing key stakeholder relationships. 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

Healthwatch Essex is a private company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, registered company number 8360699. The registered office is 49 High Street, Earls Colne, CO6 2PB. The company is also a registered charity, charity registration number 1158356. The company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. 

The company’s governance structure comprises: 

1. A Board of Directors responsible for the day to day oversight of the company (including setting strategic direction and budgets) and meeting in public at least twice a year to make decisions that are required to be made in public. The Board is required to consist of: 

   - a. At least 5 directors, including the Chair and Vice Chair, appointed by the Board. The directors in place as of 1 April 2016 (the date upon which this governance structure came into effect) were deemed to have been appointed by advise from an Independent Appointment Panel. 

   - b. Up to 3 other directors co-opted by the Board to enhance the mix of skills and experience available to the Board. 

2. A right for anyone who lives in or uses health and social care services in Essex to make representations at public meetings of the Board. 

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year  and up to the date of signature of the financial statements  were: 

Mrs C Crossley Mr G Hyams (Retired 25 March 2021) Ms K Cole (Resigned 13 July 2021) Ms L Brookes Mrs A Cherry (Appointed 6 August 2020) Mr P Hutton (Appointed 6 August 2020 and resigned 13 July 2021) Mr L Payne (Appointed 6 August 2020) Mr P Findlay (Appointed 6 August 2020) Mr N Jones (Appointed 11 May 2021) Ms S Kerins (Appointed 8 March 2021 and resigned 16 March 2021) Ms G Munjoma (Appointed 8 March 2021 and resigned 16 March 2021) Dr S Carey (Appointed 13 July 2021) Mr P Ruddy (Appointed 9 November 2021) Mrs S Verkuyten (Appointed 9 November 2021) Ms S Glover (Resigned 17 July 2020) Ms A Woolf (Resigned 16 June 2020) 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

All new Directors receive a comprehensive Induction Pack outlining their individual responsibilities and the collective responsibilities of the Board of Directors. Mr G Hyams replaced Ms S Glover as Chairman on 17 July 2020 and resigned in March 2021. 

None of the directors has any beneficial interest in the company. 

## The Executive 

Ms S Glover was appointed Chief Executive Officer in August 2020 and confirmed in post in February 2021 following a successful probationary period. 

Including the Chief Executive Officer, the company presently has 15 members of staff. All members of staff are based at the company’s office. 

## HWE Insights Limited 

HWE Insights Limited is a company limited by shares and wholly owned by Healthwatch Essex. It is incorporated in England and Wales, registered company number 09989317. The company’s registered office is 49 High Street, Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2PB. 

HWE Insights’ strategy is to capitalise on the opportunities available to it to carry out commercial work which complements, enhances and extends the work of Healthwatch Essex. Any surpluses generated by the company are required either to be retained in the company for future use or else gifted to Healthwatch Essex. 

The combined income of Healthwatch Essex and HWE Insights did not exceed £1 million in the year to 31 March 2021 so, in accordance with the Charities Act, the Board of Healthwatch Essex has opted not to prepare consolidated financial statements. 

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Healthwatch Essex Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. 

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 


In September 2020 a paper was presented to the board to discuss the future on HWE Insights, in November 2020 it was agreed that at the end of the financical year HWE Insights would be made dormant and this status changed on Companies House. 

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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

**TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **Auditor** 

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Whittle & Partners LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting. 

The trustees'  r eport was approved by the Board of Trustees. 

AE Cherry AE Cherry (Dec 15, 2021 14:52 GMT) 

## **Mrs A Cherry** 

Trustee Dated: 15 December 2021 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Healthwatch Essex Limited for the purpose of company law,  are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. 

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;  and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements  comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 


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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT** 

## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Healthwatch Essex Limited (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102  The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland  (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

- In our opinion, the financial statements: 

- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2021 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

## **Basis for opinion** 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the  Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements  section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

## **Conclusions relating to going concern** 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where: 

- the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or 

- the Trustees has not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the charity’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements  are authorised for issue. 

## **Other information** 

The Trustees is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements  or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 


- 14 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees'  r eport; or 

- sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or 

- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or 

- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

## **Responsibilities of Trustees** 

As explained more fully in the  s tatement of trustees'  r esponsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law,  is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the  Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees is responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 


- 15 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below. 

The audit tests, including planning procedures, adopted for the audit of these financial statements are designed to assess and detect the risk of irregularities, including fraud. Our risk assessment of the likelihood of irregularities included the high degree of involvement of the experienced directors, which reduces the risk of irregularities. The audit team was competent to assess the risk and identify any potential irregularities. A thorough understanding of the processes, frameworks and authorisations in place was obtained from the directors and tested throughout the audit. 

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. 

The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report. 


- 16 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body,  for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

## Whittles 

Whittles (Dec 15, 2021 15:47 GMT) 

## **Whittle & Partners LLP Chartered Accountants** 

## **Statutory Auditor** 

The Old Exchange 64 West Stockwell Street Colchester Essex CO1 1HE 

15 December 2021 

Whittle & Partners LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 


- 17 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2021**<br>**2021**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Income from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**2**<br>47,100<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>**3**<br>-<br>747,144<br>Investments<br>**4**<br>386<br>-<br>**Total income**<br>47,486<br>747,144<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities<br>**5**<br>-<br>560,893<br>**Net income for the year/**<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>47,486<br>186,251<br>Fund balances at 1 April<br>2020<br>12,607<br>405,869<br>**Fund balances at 31**<br>**March 2021**<br>60,093<br>592,120|**Total**<br>Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>funds<br>**2021**<br>2020<br>2020<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>47,100<br>2,317<br>-<br>747,144<br>-<br>665,168<br>386<br>-<br>876<br>794,630<br>2,317<br>666,044<br>560,893<br>-<br>581,295<br>233,737<br>2,317<br>84,749<br>418,476<br>10,290<br>321,120<br>652,213<br>12,607<br>405,869|Total<br>2020<br>**£**<br>2,317<br>665,168<br>876|
|---|---|---|
|||668,361|
|||581,295|
|||87,066<br>331,410|
|||418,476|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. 

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. 


- 18 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **BALANCE SHEET** 

## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**Notes**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Investments<br>**8**<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>**9**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within**<br>**one year**<br>**10**<br>Net current assets<br>**Total assets less current liabilities**<br>**Income funds**<br>Restricted funds<br>**11**<br>Unrestricted funds|**2021**<br>**£**<br>196,368<br>470,224<br>666,592<br>(14,380)|**£**<br>1<br>652,212<br>652,213<br>592,120<br>60,093<br>652,213|**2020**<br>**£**<br>110,650<br>316,907<br>427,557<br>(9,082)|**£**<br>1<br>418,475<br>418,476<br>405,869<br>12,607<br>418,476|
|---|---|---|---|---|




- 19 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)** 

## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2021** 

|||**2021**|||**2020**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Notes**|**£**||**£**|**£**||**£**|



The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2021, although an audit has been carried out under section 144  of the Charities Act 2011. 

The  Trustees acknowledges her responsibilities for ensuring that the  charity  keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing  financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to  financial statements , so far as applicable to the company. 

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, for the year in question in accordance with section 476. 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. 

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 15 December 2021 

AE Cherry AE Cherry (Dec 15, 2021 14:52 GMT) 

Mrs A  Cherry 

**Trustee** 

## **Company Registration No. 08360699** 


- 20 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**Notes**<br>**Cash flows from operating activities**<br>Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations<br>**16**<br>**Investing activities**<br>Interest received<br>**Net cash generated from investing**<br>**activities**<br>**Net cash used in financing activities**<br>**Net increase in cash and cash equivalents**<br>Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**|**2021**<br>**£**<br>386|**£**<br>152,931<br>386<br>-<br>153,317<br>316,907<br>470,224|**2020**<br>**£**<br>876|**£**<br>(684)<br>876<br>-<br>192<br>316,715<br>316,907|
|---|---|---|---|---|




- 21 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **Charity information** 

Healthwatch Essex Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 49 High Street, Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2PB. 

## **1.1 Accounting convention** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document,  the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. 

The  financial statements are prepared in sterling , which is the functional currency of the  charity .  Monetary a mounts  in these financial statements are  rounded to the nearest £. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

The impact of the Covid pandemic on Healthwatch Essex has had minimal or no impact on the finances of the organisation. The charity quickly implemented new working practices to protect its staff, which included measures such as working from home and minimising face to face contact where possible through the use of video conferencing and collaboration tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Healthwatch Essex continues to combine working from home with regular team days in the office for those staff not at risk. As a result, work was carried out throughout the pandemic with little or no disruption, which will continue. 

Whilst the directors acknowledge that the impact of the coronavirus has had an impact on the economy throughout 2020/21, the directors do not believe this will have a significant impact on the charity as they continue to receive their fixed grant from the government through Essex County Council and there is no indication that this will not continue. Nevertheless, the directors have continued to diversify income by carrying out work for third parties, which has not been adversely impacted by the pandemic. 

The directors therefore anticipate that the charity will continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due. Based on this assessment these accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. 

## **1.3 Charitable funds** 

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes. 

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

## **1.4 Incoming resources** 

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. 

- 22 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **(Continued)** 

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. 

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset. 

## **1.5 Resources expended** 

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes VAT where applicable. All expenditure is allocated to a particular activity where it relates directly to that activity. Support functions (including communications, finance, human resources and governance) are apportioned across the activities that the functions support. Overhead costs (including office running costs and consumables, information technology and insurances) are similarly apportioned. Taken together, all these costs are referred to as ‘support costs’ in Note 6 to the Financial Statements. Support costs are apportioned to activities based on the number of staff employed within that activity. 

## **1.6 Fixed asset investments** 

Fixed asset investments  are  stated at cost. 

## **1.7 Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. 

## **1.8 Financial instruments** 

The  charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. 

Financial instruments are recognised in the  charity 's  balance sheet  when the  charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

## **Basic financial assets** 

The company’s financial assets are measured at the cash consideration expected to be received and are not discounted. 

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure), except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment. 


- 23 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **(Continued)** 

## **Basic financial liabilities** 

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future p aymen ts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations  from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## **Derecognition of financial liabilities** 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the  charity ’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. 

## **1.9 Employee benefits** 

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. 

## **1.10 Retirement benefits** 

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. 

## **1.11 Taxation** 

The company is a charity within the meaning of section 506(1) of the Taxes Act 1988. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within the categories covered by Section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that such income or gains are applied to exclusively charitable purposes. 

## **2 Donations and legacies** 

||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|funds|
||**2021**|2020|
||**£**|£|
|Donations and gifts|37,100|2,317|
|Covid-19 Local Authority Grant|10,000|-|
||47,100|2,317|




- 24 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **3 Charitable activities** 

|Essex County Council<br>NHS England<br>Collaborative Essex<br>National Lottery Community Funding<br>Voluntary Action Epping Forest<br>University Income<br>Community Asset Mapping|**2021**<br>**£**<br>526,837<br>8,617<br>131,777<br>29,825<br>2,450<br>18,473<br>29,165<br>747,144|2020<br>£<br>583,000<br>2,500<br>40,417<br>39,251<br>-<br>-<br>-|
|---|---|---|
|||665,168|



## **4 Investments** 

||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|funds|
||**2021**|2020|
||**£**|£|
|Interest receivable|386|876|




- 25 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **5 Charitable activities** 

|**Outreach &**<br>**Engagement**<br>**Commissioning**<br>**& Research**<br>**Signposting &**<br>**Information**<br>**2021**<br>**2021**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Staff costs<br>120,032<br>12,530<br>98,743<br>Direct costs<br>448<br>3,085<br>3,003<br>120,480<br>15,615<br>101,746<br>Share of support costs (see note 6)<br>169,836<br>17,877<br>110,245<br>Share of governance costs (see note 6)<br>14,304<br>1,505<br>9,285<br>304,620<br>34,997<br>221,276|**Total**<br>**2021**<br>**Outreach &**<br>**Engagement**<br>**Commissioning**<br>**& Research**<br>**Signposting &**<br>**Information**<br>**2020**<br>**2020**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>231,305<br>118,418<br>12,193<br>81,535<br>6,536<br>13,027<br>2,069<br>4,935<br>237,841<br>131,445<br>14,262<br>86,470<br>297,958<br>193,656<br>20,385<br>125,707<br>25,094<br>5,341<br>562<br>3,467<br>560,893<br>330,442<br>35,209<br>215,644|**Total**<br>**2020**<br>**£**<br>212,146<br>20,031|
|---|---|---|
|||232,177<br>339,748<br>9,370|
|||581,295|




- 26 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**6**<br>**Support costs**<br>**Support**<br>**costs**<br>**Governance**<br>**costs**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Staff costs<br>204,793<br>330<br>Media & Marketing costs<br>9,588<br>-<br>Premises costs<br>21,614<br>-<br>General office costs<br>46,780<br>175<br>Travelling and subsistence<br>costs<br>2,345<br>210<br>Audit fees<br>-<br>4,561<br>Legal and professional<br>12,838<br>19,032<br>Bank charges<br>-<br>658<br>Directors' expenses<br>-<br>128<br>297,958<br>25,094<br>Analysed between<br>Charitable activities<br>297,958<br>25,094|**2021**Support costs<br>Governance<br>costs<br>**£**<br>£<br>£<br>205,123<br>224,199<br>-<br>9,588<br>21,685<br>453<br>21,614<br>40,597<br>13<br>46,955<br>42,229<br>264<br>2,555<br>11,038<br>-<br>4,561<br>-<br>3,270<br>31,870<br>-<br>1,850<br>658<br>-<br>677<br>128<br>-<br>2,843<br>323,052<br>339,748<br>9,370<br>323,052<br>339,748<br>9,370|2020<br>£<br>224,199<br>22,138<br>40,610<br>42,493<br>11,038<br>3,270<br>1,850<br>677<br>2,843|
|---|---|---|
|||349,118|
|||349,118|



Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £ 4,561 (2020- £ 3,270 ) for audit fees. 


- 27 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **7 Employees** 

## **Number of employees** 

The average monthly number of employees during the year was: 

||**2021**|**2020**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
||14|14|
|**Employment costs**|**2021**|**2020**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages and salaries|386,454|370,457|
|Social security costs|28,997|37,713|
|Other pension costs|20,978|28,175|
||436,429|436,345|



The Chief Executive Officer who was in post during the year (see section 5 of the Directors' report) received employee benefits for the year, excluding employer's pension contributions, of  £32,667 (20 20 : 6 9 , 375 ). No employee s received employee benefits for the year, excluding employer's pension contributions, of more than £60,000 (20 20 :  1 ). 

## **8 Fixed asset investments** 

|||||**Other**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**investments**|
|**Cost or valuation**|||||
|At 1 April 2020 & 31 March 2021||||1|
|**Carrying amount**|||||
|At 31 March 2021||||1|
|At 31 March 2020||||1|
||||**2021**|**2020**|
|Other investments comprise:||**Notes**|**£**|**£**|
|Investments in subsidiaries||**15**|1|1|
||- 28 -||||





## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **8 Fixed asset investments** 

## **(Continued)** 

|**9**<br>**Debtors**<br>**Amounts falling due within one year:**<br>Trade debtors<br>Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings<br>Other debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>**10**<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**<br>Other taxation and social security<br>Trade creditors<br>Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income|**2021**<br>**£**<br>158,142<br>-<br>11,860<br>26,366<br>196,368<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>181<br>4,544<br>2,312<br>2,557<br>4,786<br>14,380|**2020**<br>**£**<br>-<br>61,513<br>7,877<br>41,260<br>110,650<br>**2020**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,108<br>-<br>3,974<br>-<br>9,082|
|---|---|---|




- 29 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **11 Restricted funds** 

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes: 

|||**Movement in funds**|**Movement in funds**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Balance at**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Balance at**|
||**1 April 2020**|**resources**|**expended**|**31 March 2021**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Essex County Council|366,769|520,504|(473,416)|413,857|
|Collaborative Essex|11,553|120,793|(34,736)|97,610|
|Essex Neurology Network|23,942|10,984|(7,680)|27,246|
|Active Essex|365|17,400|(44,520)|(26,755)|
|Extra Care Engagement Report|3,240|-|(541)|2,699|
|Community asset mapping|-|29,165|-|29,165|
|National Lottery community funding|-|29,825|-|29,825|
|University income|-|18,473|-|18,473|
||405,869|747,144|(560,893)|592,120|



The Essex County Council funding originates from the Department of Health and the Department for Communities & Local Government, and the primary restrictions on its use are laid down in the Health and Social Care Act 2012  and related statutory guidance. The company is also accountable to Essex County Council for the efficient and effective use of these resources, as specified in the annual grant funding agreement with the council. This restricted fund includes all the company’s investment income. 

The income received from NHS England was by way of a co-production event put on at the end of March. 

The Collaborative Essex project is to deliver a model for Essex County Council to collaborate with adults with an experience of disability in Essex. 

The National Lottery Community Fund is contributing towards the costs of running the Essex Neurology Network for 

three years. 

Income from Essex County Council is for secondments with Active Essex and an Extra Care Engagement Report engaging with people in Essex in supported housing and feeding back their experiences. 


- 30 - 



## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**12**<br>**Analysis of net assets between funds**<br>**Restricted Unrestricted**<br>**2021**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Fund balances at 31<br>March 2021 are<br>represented by:<br>Investments<br>-<br>1<br>Current assets/(liabilities)<br>592,120<br>60,092<br>592,120<br>60,093|**Total**<br>Restricted<br>Unrestricted<br>**2021**<br>2020<br>2020<br>**£**<br>£<br>£<br>1<br>-<br>1<br>652,212<br>405,869<br>12,606<br>652,213<br>405,869<br>12,607|Total<br>2020<br>£<br>1<br>418,475<br>418,476|
|---|---|---|



## **13 Operating lease commitments** 

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: 

|Within one year<br>Between two and five years|**2021**<br>**£**<br>15,000<br>37,500<br>52,500|**2020**<br>**£**<br>15,000<br>45,000<br>60,000|
|---|---|---|




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## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **14 Related party transactions** 

Healthwatch Essex is controlled by its Board of Directors. None of the directors (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or any other benefits during the year (20 20 : nil). 

1 director (20 20 :  7 )  was reimbursed a total o f £210  (2 020 :  £2,770 ) in expenses. There  is an amount of £ 2 10 relating to trustee expenses which were paid  during this  year which related to 31 March 2020  and these were not included within the  prior year  accounts. During the year a gift with the value of £30 was given to Mr G Hyams on his resignation as trustee. 

## HWE Insights Limited 

HWE Insights Limited is a company limited by shares and wholly owned by Healthwatch Essex (see Structure, Governance and management of the Trustees' Report and Note 16 to these Financial Statements). 

HWE Insights' Board of Directors comprises one director who is also a director of Healthwatch Essex and three independent directors. None of the directors of HWE Insights received any remuneration from HWE Insights during the year (20 20 : none) and none had any expenses reimbursed to them (20 20 : none). 

During the course of the year Healthwatch Essex seconded a number of its employees to HWE Insights and otherwise incurred expenditure on behalf of the company in accordance with the terms of an Intragroup Services Agreement signed by representatives of both parties. 

During the course of the year to 31 March 202 1 HWE Insights received commercial income of  £26 , 250 (20 20 : £94 , 619 ) and incurred expenditure of  £4 4,630 (20 20 :  £ 5 9,836 ) leaving an operating  loss  of  £ 18,380 (20 20 :  £34,783 profit ). At the year end the company had assets of  £ 23,804 (20 20 :  £109 , 362 ), including £2,400 owing from Healthwatch Essex Limited, and  liabilities of  £ 5,083 (20 20 : £ 72 , 261 ) . 

The Board of HWE Insights will resolve to donate to Healthwatch Essex the company’s profit for the year to 31st March 20 21 . This donation will be recognised as income in Healthwatch Essex’s financial statements in the subsequent year. It has been agreed that this company will become dormant from 31 March 2021 and will cease to take on any further community projects. 

## **15 Subsidiaries** 

Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 March 2021 are as follows: 

|**Name of undertaking**|**Registered**|**Nature of business**|**Nature of business**|**Class of**|**% Held**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**office**|||**shares held**|**Direct Indirect**|
|HWE Insights Limited|England|Research and consultancy||Ordinary|100.00|
|**Name of undertaking**|**Profit/(Loss)**||**Capital and**|||
||||**Reserves**|||
||**£**||**£**|||
|HWE Insights Limited|(18,380)||18,721|||
||||- 32 -|||





## **HEALTHWATCH ESSEX LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**16**<br>**Cash generated from operations**<br>Surplus for the year<br>Adjustments for:<br>Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities<br>Movements in working capital:<br>(Increase) in debtors<br>Increase/(decrease) in creditors<br>**Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations**|**2021**<br>**£**<br>233,737<br>(386)<br>(85,718)<br>5,298<br>152,931|**2020**<br>**£**<br>87,066<br>(876)<br>(76,667)<br>(10,207)<br>(684)|
|---|---|---|




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## Healthwatch Essex Limited - Finalised 2021 accounts 

## Final Audit Report 

## 2021-12-15 

Created: 2021-12-15 By: Gascoynes Accounts (Accounts@gascoynes.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAZnhuI0TJSvEglTry1II7siFruGcofHW1 

## "Healthwatch Essex Limited - Finalised 2021 accounts" History 

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