Charity registration number: 1158558
Sunflower House
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
Sunflower House
Contents (continued)
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 to 17 |
Sunflower House
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees Mr JCW O'Connor Mr A H Ward Ms K Page Mr J D F Cheriton Charity Registration Number 1158558 Principal Office 45 Foord Road Folkestone Kent CT19 5AE Independent Examiner Beresfords Chartered Certified Accountants 1-2 Rhodium Point Spindle Close Hawkinge Folkestone Kent CT18 7TQ
Page 1
Sunflower House
Trustees' Report
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The charity's objectives are:
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To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Folkestone without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions, by association together the said inhabitants 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 other leisure time occupations with the objects of improving the conditions of life of the said inhabitants.
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To establish or secure the establishment of a community centre and to maintain and manage the same (whether alone or in co-operation with any local authority or person or body) in furtherance of these objects.
Introduction
During another challenging year, the Trustees have continued to focus on meeting the needs of our community and further developing our partnership working approach.
Trustees have taken positive steps to enhance and refine the charity’s operations and are confident that as Sunflower House moves into our second decade, the charity is an effective and efficient not-for-profit organisation.
We are indebted to the many generous supporters and partners we have, who make our work possible: not least we want to thank our local community for their support, and especially those who give their time as volunteers with Sunflower House.
The charity’s trustees have continued to deliver on our mission statement:
‘Community Building, Building Community’, through our three core strands of activity:
• Community support: addressing poverty, deprivation and vulnerability
• Community opportunity: empowering and engaging people in new activity
- Community wellbeing: offering advice and guidance to improve quality of life
Our mission statement drives both the use of our facilities and the development of our work as a community focused charity.
Page 2
Sunflower House
Trustees' Report (continued)
Objectives, strategies and activities
Our History
A former mission house built in the 1800s for railway workers, Sunflower House is our landmark building, refurbished in 2014 and reborn as a community venue. This wonderful building is owned by the Harbour Church, who have kindly continued lease the property to our charity on favourable terms, to enable us to provide community opportunity.
Sunflower House expresses physically our optimism and determination. Passers-by on Foord Road smile as they pass the building and Philippa Goddard’s striking Sunflower mural – set alongside William Cubit’s ambitious railway viaduct overhead.
Our charity’s history owes a great deal to this extraordinary place and to the vision of David Taylor, who set up the charity together with his wife Railli and others. We also recognise and celebrate the work of former trustees for their guardianship of the charity in recent years.
Community Building
In total, Sunflower House hosts and supports over 40 community projects, some involving complex partnerships and some which we deliver with our own volunteers and the very special warmth and energy the charity brings to our local community.
We recognise on a daily basis the continuing cost of living crisis and the pressure on our community which affects some of the most vulnerable people. We are working with and for our community to face those challenges in a positive way.
We prioritise work designed explicitly to address disadvantage and poverty, reflected in unacceptable health inequalities and limited opportunity across generations.
For residents faced with the choice of ‘heat or eat’, feeding themselves or their children, we do what we can to offer basic support. Volunteers from our partners at Action on Homelessness continue to regularly provide over 120 free hot, freshly prepared meals twice a week. Sunflower House provides them with a working kitchen, storage space, additional food and resources and funding support.
Our partnership with FareShare Kent which delivers the Folkestone Pantry collection point at Sunflower House has grown from a handful of members to 100 people now benefiting from good quality and exceptional value shopping every week.
Our partnership with Bags of Taste has supported 50 families and individuals with online cookery classes and exciting recipes at home. In late 2024, we were commissioned by Folkestone and Hythe District Council to deliver elements of the UKSPF programme (UK Social Prosperity Fund) which allows us to provide emergency food, shopping and energy vouchers for those in need.
The charity took on the lease for a second purpose-built venue last year, allowing us to extend our work. The Community Room is just 2-3 minutes from the town centre and has proved a great success, being seen as welcoming and practical by users.
Our weekly Loose Ends sessions attract many visitors who find a warm welcome and helpful advice when they may be struggling; the core group of volunteers have developed a superb ability to listen, engage and support: it is a sign of the times.
Page 3
Sunflower House
Trustees' Report (continued)
Our two sites are in operation seven days a week, with as many as 30 activities taking place weekly: we host many meetings, events and groups, such as resident groups, the Folkestone Pride, Open Art Festival and Black History Month organisers, who contribute to costs where this is possible and share responsibility for looking after our buildings. The collaborative and cooperative approach is what makes it all work.
Building Community
The Ukrainian community school continues to support children and their parents as well as teach Ukrainian language and culture alongside English. The music of the Ukrainian choir swells to the rafters with the joy and passion of the human spirit at their rehearsals.
Forward Trust continues to deliver support to those with drug, alcohol, gambling and other addictions; sometimes these are the same people who need a warm meal.
On Fridays, students from the Beacon School, who are working towards living independently, help us to run our Warm Welcome café, which also includes an advice shop/internet café.
Folkestone’s local heroes the Town Sprucers, based at Sunflower House since it opened, have gone from strength to strength. Around 20 volunteers have found employment through the project. We bought our own vehicle last year to support Town Sprucer Peter Phillips, who brings motivation and energy to the team.
The monthly Repair Café invites people to bring household goods and much-loved possessions to be repaired by volunteers with a range of high-level skills.
We support many other community groups, such as New Folkestone Society, AFRA (the Association of Folkestone Residents Associations), by providing accommodation and facilities for them to support their members and our wider community.
The Trustees have continued to support the local campaign to save Grace Hill Library, which is at risk of closure - one of our oldest community buildings that has provided resources for the most disadvantaged areas of Folkestone since 1888.
Providing new opportunity
Sunflower House is proud to host the Folkestone Performing Arts Company which runs acting workshops and the Write For Performance workshops alongside their professional company of actors.
Community Art Kent (Folke Art) have delivered inspiring workshops for people who may have experienced social isolation and the results have been truly inspiring, generating publications, exhibitions and above all a wonderful sense of friendship
Creative Community Craft is a group set up by Sunflower House volunteers, offering craft sessions at weekends; our longstanding partners BKK Karate School continue to thrive and encourages healthy, spirited and well-disciplined martial arts.
New this year, we have launched exciting programmes, such as our Digital Seeds (new technology) workshops and Internet Café provision, to enhance our community connections. The work of Barnardos, Homestart and TakeOff is simply extraordinary; addressing issues arising from depression, domestic violence and social isolation; Sunflower House is proud to empower our community and all those working with local people.
Page 4
Sunflower House
Trustees' Report (continued)
Our partners and supporters
We are immensely grateful to our major sponsors and partners for supporting the extraordinary activity which comes together under the umbrella of Sunflower House. These generous organisations include:
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The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust;
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L&B Restaurants; Folkestone Rotary Club;
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Folkestone Hythe and District Lions;
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Folkestone Hythe and District Hospitality and Catering Association;
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The Woodshed Gallery;
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SEK (Social Enterprise Kent);
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Folkestone and Hythe District Council
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Kent Safer Streets Partnership;
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Nominet;
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EK360;
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The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation
With the support of these and many other generous groups and individuals, the Trustees believe we are realising the original purpose of Sunflower House and strengthening the vision and reach of the charity.
Sunflower House ends the year in a healthy financial position.
We have begun to work on a long term vision of a district wide community building network, along with an extensive programme of community consultation.
This all help us to continue to deliver our core purpose of community building.
Finally, I want to thank my fellow trustees, all our volunteers and above all the remarkable Folkestone community for making Sunflower House a centre of hope and opportunity.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
The governing document of the charity is a constitution adopted on 30th June 2014 as amended on 9th September 2014.
Organisational structure
The appointed officers of the charity include a chairman, treasurer and other trustees.
Page 5
Sunflower House
Trustees' Report (continued)
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities 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 of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
05/03/20
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Cm:[vane’] Mr JCW O'Connor Trustee
Page 6
Sunflower House
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Sunflower House
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Sunflower House for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of Sunflower House you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Sunflower House's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of Sunflower House as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
...................................... Mr Daniel Payne FCCA Beresfords Chartered Certified Accountants 1-2 Rhodium Point Spindle Close Hawkinge Folkestone Kent CT18 7TQ
05/03/2025 Date:.............................
Page 7
Sunflower House
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Other income 3 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Net income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 14 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Other income 3 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Net income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 14 |
Unrestricted funds £ 5,349 15,896 21,245 (8,521) (8,521) 12,724 12,724 12,437 25,161 Unrestricted funds £ 4,957 16,694 21,651 (14,352) (14,352) 7,299 7,299 5,139 12,438 |
Restricted funds £ 67,558 - 67,558 (58,862) (58,862) 8,696 8,696 46,574 55,270 Restricted funds £ 44,070 - 44,070 (41,350) (41,350) 2,720 2,720 43,854 46,574 |
Total 2024 £ 72,907 15,896 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88,803 | |||
| (67,383) | |||
| (67,383) | |||
| 21,420 | |||
| 21,420 59,011 |
|||
| 80,431 | |||
| Total 2023 £ 49,027 16,694 |
|||
| 65,721 | |||
| (55,702) | |||
| (55,702) | |||
| 10,019 | |||
| 10,019 48,993 |
|||
| 59,012 |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 14.
The notes on pages 10 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8
Sunflower House
(Registration number: 1158558) Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 11 | 16,042 | 3,025 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 12 | 2,040 | 45 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 65,949 | 56,937 | |
| 67,989 | 56,982 | ||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | 13 | (3,600) | (995) |
| Net current assets | 64,389 | 55,987 | |
| Net assets | 80,431 | 59,012 | |
| Funds of the charity: | |||
| Restricted income funds | |||
| Restricted funds | 55,270 | 46,574 | |
| Unrestricted income funds | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 25,161 | 12,438 | |
| Total funds | 14 | 80,431 | 59,012 |
The financial statements on pages 8 to 17 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 05/03/202 .................... and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Cin siconner Mr JCW O'Connor Trustee
The notes on pages 10 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9
Sunflower House
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
1 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
Sunflower House meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The charity has changed it's reporting for this financial year to the accruals basis from the receipts and payments basis and the comparative period figures have been restated based on this change.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income and endowments
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Page 10
Sunflower House
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Government grants
Government grants are recognised based on the accrual model and are measured at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are classified as relating either to revenue or to assets. Grants relating to revenue are recognised in income over the period in which the related costs are recognised. Grants relating to assets are recognised over the expected useful life of the asset. Where part of a grant relating to an asset is deferred, it is recognised as deferred income.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £100.00 or more are initially recorded at cost.
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class Depreciation method and rate Equipment 25% on reducing balance
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Page 11
Sunflower House
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies; Donations received Grants, including capital grants; Government grants Grants from other charities |
Unrestricted funds General £ 5,349 - - 5,349 |
Restricted funds £ 6,563 19,220 41,775 67,558 |
Total 2024 £ 11,912 19,220 41,775 72,907 |
Total 2023 £ 12,187 - 36,840 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49,027 |
3 Other income
| Unrestricted | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | Total | Total | |
| General | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Venue hire and other income | 15,896 | 15,896 | 16,694 |
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Sunflower House
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
4 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Note Staff costs Governance costs 5 Depreciation, amortisation and other similar costs Small equipment Travel and subsistence Sundry expenses Direct expenses Consultancy and project management fees Rent and rates Insurance Security costs Light and heat Cleaning Advertising and website Telephone and internet Bank charges Refreshments Training Repairs and maintenance Bookkeeping and payroll fees Printing, postage and stationery Computer software and maintenance costs Licensing fees Legal and professional fees |
Unrestricted funds General £ - 600 932 - - 281 - - 717 1,080 626 - 1,507 - 242 90 - - 452 720 - 1,174 - 100 8,521 |
Restricted funds £ 27,222 - 1,852 246 2,480 - 531 11,329 5,443 - - 3,106 - - 651 123 2,289 - 2,802 - 788 - - - 58,862 |
Total 2024 £ 27,222 600 2,784 246 2,480 281 531 11,329 6,160 1,080 626 3,106 1,507 - 893 213 2,289 - 3,254 720 788 1,174 - 100 67,383 |
Total 2023 £ 27,820 600 628 381 1,881 527 309 3,182 790 950 288 3,984 2,198 760 442 229 1,344 761 6,926 432 70 1,024 176 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55,702 |
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Sunflower House
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
5 Analysis of governance and support costs
Governance costs
| Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements |
Unrestricted funds General £ 600 600 |
Total 2024 £ 600 600 |
Total 2023 £ 600 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 |
6 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net incoming resources for the year include:
| Depreciation of fixed assets | 2024 £ 2,784 |
2023 £ 628 |
|---|---|---|
7 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
8 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries |
2024 £ 27,222 |
2023 £ 27,820 |
|---|---|---|
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year
9 Independent examiner's remuneration
| 9 Independent examiner's remuneration |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Examination of the financial statements | 600 | 600 |
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Sunflower House
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
10 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
11 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 October 2023 Additions At 30 September 2024 Depreciation At 1 October 2023 Charge for the year At 30 September 2024 Net book value At 30 September 2024 At 30 September 2023 12 Debtors Trade debtors |
Furniture and equipment £ - 1,999 1,999 - 98 98 1,901 - |
Motor vehicles £ - 12,694 12,694 - 1,851 1,851 10,843 - |
Equipment £ 6,050 1,107 |
Total £ 6,050 15,800 21,850 3,025 2,783 5,808 16,042 3,025 2023 £ 45 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12,694 | 7,157 | ||||
| - 1,851 |
3,025 834 |
||||
| 1,851 | 3,859 | ||||
| 10,843 | 3,298 | ||||
| - | 3,025 | ||||
| 2024 £ 2,040 |
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Sunflower House
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Other loans Other taxation and social security Accruals 14 Funds Unrestricted funds General Restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds General Restricted funds Total funds |
Balance at 1 October 2023 £ 12,437 46,574 59,011 Balance at 1 October 2022 £ 5,139 43,854 48,993 |
Incoming resources £ 21,245 67,558 88,803 Incoming resources £ 21,651 44,070 65,721 |
2024 £ 3,000 - 600 3,600 Resources expended £ (8,521) (58,862) (67,383) Resources expended £ (14,352) (41,350) (55,702) |
2023 £ - 397 598 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 995 | ||||
| Balance at 30 September 2024 £ 25,161 55,270 |
||||
| 80,431 | ||||
| Balance at 30 September 2023 £ 12,438 46,574 |
||||
| 59,012 |
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Sunflower House
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
15 Analysis of net assets between funds
| 15 Analysis of net assets between funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets |
Unrestricted funds General £ 5,199 23,562 (3,600) 25,161 Unrestricted funds General £ 3,025 10,408 (995) 12,438 |
Restricted funds £ 10,843 44,427 - 55,270 Restricted funds £ - 46,574 - 46,574 |
Total funds at 30 September 2024 £ 16,042 67,989 (3,600) |
| 80,431 | |||
| Total funds at 30 September 2023 £ 3,025 56,982 (995) |
|||
| 59,012 |
16 Related party transactions
During the year the charity made the following related party transactions:
Mr J O'Connor
(Mr J O'Connor is a trustee of Sunflower House)
Mr J O'Connor provided an interest free loan of £6,000 to Sunflower House on 4th March 2024 to help them buy a van for the town sprucer. The loan is to be repaid in full by 31st March 2025.. At the balance sheet date the amount due to Mr J O'Connor was £3,000 (2023 - £Nil).
Page 17