2023-03-31-accounts

Company registration number: 8951503 Charity registration number: 1159092

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE (A company limited by guarantee and not having any share capital)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES, STRATEGIC REPORT AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Azets Audit Services

Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Ty Derw Lime Tree Court Cardiff Gate Business Park Cardiff CF23 8AB

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE

Contents

Report of the Trustees incorporating the Strategic Report	1 - 40
Report of the Independent Auditors	41 - 44
Statement of Financial Activities	45 - 46
Balance Sheet	47 - 48
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement	49
Notes to Financial Statements	50 - 79

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Foreword from the Chair of the Board of Trustees

It is a great pleasure to introduce this ninth annual review of Aneurin Leisure. Our mission is to “Improve Community Life” and I am pleased to say that we continue to deliver on this commitment through the services and programmes we provide to the residents of Blaenau Gwent.

We continue to make a positive impact on creating healthier lifestyles working closely with partners such as Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Sport Wales and many others.

During a tough and challenging financial climate due to the unprecedented rise in energy costs, Aneurin Leisure (Trust) has delivered service improvements and achieved targets agreed in partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC) which has been achieved through utilising Trust reserves to maintain all services.

Key investments have been limited through this challenging period and only achieved through exploring funding opportunities where possible to continue to develop the products on offer or to make the services more environmentally and financially sustainable. These include:

• 1- Solar panels on the roofs of:

• a. Abertillery Sports Centre

• b. Tredegar Sports Centre

• c. Brynmawr Adult education centre

• d. Ebbw Vale Adult education centre

• 2- New Grounds maintenance fleet of vehicles

The plan to relocate Abertillery Library to Trinity Chapel in the town centre has finally achieved success with all the funding now secured and the work started. The work is due to be completed in September 2024 with the building being transformed into a modern, vibrant Library and Adult Community Learning centre.

Catering & Hospitality has flourished in this reporting period with Parc Bryn Bach achieving record café sales through the year. Bedwellty House & Park continues to receive positive feedback and maintained a 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor and 5 rating on Facebook for quality of food. Throughout 2022/23, function restrictions were fully lifted which saw an influx of customers booking weddings in Bedwellty House and park.

Since the inception of Aneurin Leisure, partnerships have been important to our success and this period has been no different with our Sports Development team working with a range of partners including Tai Calon to introduce Community Kit Rooms, which have allowed children to be provided with clothing and equipment to take part in new sporting activities. This programme continues to grow and the Trust are now looking to expand from Abertillery Sports Centre into other centres within the Trust portfolio.

The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) is an established partner on the Neighbourhood Care Network (NCN). The cluster design promotes joint working across practices and the integration of primary care services with key partners such as the Local Health Board, BGCBC and Third Sector. Clusters also have a key role in supporting local health needs assessments, allocating appropriate resources and forecasting the potential future demand on primary care. There have been multiple collaborative projects that have been established in these meetings including Fibromyalgia and Dementia working groups, with the NERS team delivering bespoke classes to contribute to the respective needs.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The successes achieved across the Trust are in no small part due to the commitment of our employees. Once again, the staff have been our greatest resource, working extremely hard to deliver high quality services to our customers in our facilities and the communities of Blaenau Gwent. I would like to thank the entire team and all our partners for their contribution to the delivery of improved services across the area.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the continued success of Aneurin Leisure during the year: our Trustees, staff, volunteers, funders and partners and in particular, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Above all, I would like to thank the local community whose interests we serve, for their support and engagement over the past year.

Lyn Evans Chair Board of Trustees

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual directors’ report which incorporates the strategic report, together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2023, which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objects of the charity, as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, are:

• to provide or assist in the provision of both indoor and outdoor facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life;

• to promote community participation in healthy recreational activities;

• to provide or assist in the provision of community facilities to be available to all sections of the community without distinction, including use for meetings, lectures and classes and/or other forms of recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for all those who use the facilities;

• to advance the education of the public in the arts through the provision of a theatre/arts development;

• to advance education in the arts by the establishment and maintenance of an art gallery and/or museum;

• to advance the education of the public through the provision of a library;

• to provide, maintain and equip parks with the object of advancing public education, with particular regard to horticulture, arboriculture, wild plants and wildlife;

• to preserve buildings of historic or architectural importance;

• to develop the capacity and skills of members of the socially and economically disadvantaged community in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and participate more fully in society; and,

• to pursue such other charitable purposes analogous to any of the above as the Trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine (together the “Objects”).

To carry out any other charitable activity subject to the prior written consent of the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The Trust considers how planned activities support its vision of improving community life through Leisure, Learning and Culture which benefits the local population served by the charity. The Trust aims to deliver social outcomes that improve health and wellbeing whilst encouraging staff to strive to improve the quality of service delivery in a commercially sustainable way.

Some of the key activities undertaken in relation to the objects of the charity and to further the charities’ purpose for the public benefit are outlined on pages 6 – 21.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

STRATEGIC REPORT

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

• These accounts represent trading for Aneurin Leisure for the period 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023.

• Aneurin Leisure has maintained a strong relationship with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

• The Library Service continued to achieve all 12 of the core entitlements of the Welsh Public Library Standards for 2022/23.

• The Community hub provision across all libraries is now firmly embedded into library service delivery, with 6,132 residents being supported over 2022/23.

• The Library Service had the highest increase in usage of BorrowBox (e-books and e-audio) compared to all Welsh authorities at 33% increase. Over 2022/23 we increased our BorrowBox borrowers by one third and the number of new users we attracted each month was 33% higher than it was the previous year, showing a very positive upwards trend. Adult book issues increased by 32% and children’s book issues increased by 115%, with performance increasing month on month. There was a total of 139,638 visits to all libraries across 2022/23.

• Our ‘Warm Spaces’ campaign was launched across all Libraries in October 2022. This campaign linked directly with supporting residents with the cost-of-living crisis. 1,629 free events and activities were delivered over the year.

• Funding has been secured to recruit two new library Development Officers from the Skills Priority Funding stream (SPF). The recruitment process is planned for the summer of 2023. The post holders will have targets to achieve linked to performance in the WPLS, particularly on active membership and footfall.

• Adult Community Learning has attracted £1.8 million in Shared Prosperity Grant Funding to deliver two new projects, commencing in April 2023. Bridges+ will deliver employability and essential skills support to long term unemployed. Multiply will deliver numeracy courses to parents whose children are of school age and expand numeracy provision into the hardest to reach areas of Blaenau Gwent.

Who used and benefited from our services?

The Charitable Trust provides leisure, learning and cultural activities to the residents of Blaenau Gwent. Whilst some sections of the community are affluent, many are not and some 21 per cent of areas fall in the 10% most deprived areas in Wales and overall, the majority of its areas are more deprived than the Wales average.

The Charitable Trust is responsible for the operation, management and development of the following:

• Three Sports Centres (including Sports Development and NERS Facilitators)

• Four Learning Action Centres

• Six Libraries and two home delivery vans

• Bedwellty House & Park

• Parc Bryn Bach

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Getting Young People and Communities Active

Sports Development

• Aneurin Leisure’s Sports Development team deliver a wide range of sport, physical activity, community engagement and swimming opportunities across Blaenau Gwent, which all contribute to the ‘Vision for Sport in Wales’. The vision is for everyone to have lifelong enjoyment of sport.

• The Sports Development team continue to deliver inspirational, engaging, high quality sport and physical activity programmes, projects and interventions, particularly for children, young people and their families which are insight led and aligned to Sport Wales’ six levels of strategic intent:

• TO BE PERSON CENTRED

• TO GIVE EVERY YOUNG PERSON A GREAT START

• TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ACTIVE THROUGH SPORT

• TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR THE LONG-TERM

• TO SHOWCASE THE BENEFITS OF SPORT

• TO BE A HIGHLY VALUED ORGANISATION

• After being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the School Sport Survey (SSS) returned in 2022. A total of 3,622 pupils (primary and secondary age) from Blaenau Gwent shared their recent experiences of sport. The Sports Development team bridged the gap for those schools who did not qualify for an individual school report, due to a lack of survey responses. An in-house ‘Active Schools Survey’ was created for those select schools, to ensure that data and insight was still captured and presented in a report similar to that of a SSS report. The Sports Development team uses the SSS results to evaluate the performance of school sport within Blaenau Gwent and to identify latent demand. Headline measures for Blaenau Gwent, from the 2022 School Sport Survey include:

• 35% of pupils participated in organised sport outside of the curriculum at least 3 times per week.

• 52% of pupils believe PE and sport contribute towards a healthy lifestyle.

• 57% of pupils enjoy PE ‘a lot’.

• 95% of pupils want to do more sport.

The Sports Development team have extensively evaluated the 2022 SSS results and have used the data to help shape the landscape of sport in Blaenau Gwent. There has been a focus on sport-specific opportunities, based on the ‘latent demand’ insight gathered, and provision has been strategically placed within schools to create a wide range of positive experiences for pupils. Equally, bespoke teacher training offers have been sourced to help bridge the gap in knowledge and skill-deficiency among teachers at a primary level, within specific sports.

• Mass participation primary school sports festivals have been re-introduced following the COVID-19 pandemic and an overwhelming number of pupils from across Blaenau Gwent schools have positively experienced an array of sporting opportunities throughout the academic year, with the focus being on fun and engagement.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

• The Sports Development team continues to strive towards building capacity and capability of its workforce. Leadership has become embedded in schools, with the foundations being set from as early as Year 5, with the delivery of the Playmaker Award. Young Leader Awards and the Youth Sport Trust Young Ambassador scheme also remain at the forefront of the leadership pathway within secondary schools. Blaenau Gwent’s team, among other neighbouring authorities, NGB’s, and partners, have formed a national steering group, led by Sport Wales, to understand local learning and to review the current Young Ambassador program in its entirety. The outcome of the review will help shape the future of the program, and the team have played an integral part in that.

• Recent years have seen a shrinking gap in sports participation between individuals with a disability or impairment, and those without. According to the 2022 Blaenau Gwent SSS results, 33% of pupils with a disability or impairment participated in organised sport, outside of the curriculum, three or more times per week, compared to 35% of pupils without.

• A positive relationship has been re-established with Pen Y Cwm Special School (PYC) and regular dialogue between Sports Development and PYC has resumed. This relationship has been personal driven by the school’s new headteacher and other key staff members. The Sports Development team continues to promote equality throughout all provision and programs. The main objective is to offer sport and physical activity that is accessible to all. There is a particular focus on aquatic opportunities for children with disabilities, spanning across all three sports centres, during varying times of the year. A fully inclusive and extremely therapeutic activities for the children.

• Historically, there has been a gap in sports participation across Wales, with girls consistently reporting less participation in sport than their male counterparts. In Blaenau Gwent’s 2022 SSS report, 38% of boys reported to have participated in organised sport outside of the curriculum three or more times a week, compared to 32% of girls.

• In the autumn of 2022, a female only well-being ‘Us Girls’ group was established to support young females who have experienced adversity in their lives and are at risk of being removed from their families and/or of being permanently excluded from school. The project was delivered in partnership with Blaenau Gwent’s Supporting Change Team, ABUHB Child & Family Community Psychology Team, and wider departments within Aneurin Leisure Trust (Us Girls mentors and Parc Bryn Bach). The project was based around the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) recovery toolkit and incorporated additional therapeutic activities and outdoor exercises to help the females recognise and develop their skills, strengths, and resilience. The project was based at Parc Bryn Bach and involved outdoor activities, which included paddle boarding, caving, high ropes, climbing, abseiling, driving range, team building and bush craft. The project has had an incredible impact on the young females. For the first time, the females are seeing themselves in a positive light, and are sharing their hopes and goals for the future. They have developed aspects of resilience, self-confidence, and self-worth. They are beginning to trust and accept support from others, and they feel they can openly express themselves without the fear of being judged.

• Cross-sector working continues to remain at the forefront of all aspects of Sports Development’s programs. This approach has created a gateway to local ‘hard to engage’ communities and has provided a platform for young people living in those areas. The Sports Development team has forged invaluable links with youth services, community groups, and other local agencies to encourage local children and young people to become more physically active in safe and fun environments. This approach has been extended to Blaenau Gwent’s Ukranian residents, where a considerable amount of work between Sports Development and Blaenau Gwent’s Ukranian Resettlement team has taken place to ensure families are gaining access to the same opportunities as their local counterparts.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

• Equally, the importance of fuelling children and young people to allow them to be more physically active comes into fruition particularly during the school holiday periods. For too many young people, school holidays can be a time of hardship, hunger and isolation, as families in underserved communities struggle to fund the added food and childcare costs that the holidays bring. ‘Fit and Fed’ in Blaenau Gwent exists to plug that gap by providing young people and their families access to local sporting provision and food items via food parcels and cooking workshops. Additionally, in December of 2022, the Sports Development team and the Trust’s Community Engagement Officer coordinated a mass Christmas food bank appeal in collaboration with six local sports clubs. Players, committee members, supporters, members of the public and local businesses donated an overwhelming amount of food and hygiene products to the appeal. The items were distributed to local food banks and community groups and supported local families during the festive period.

• Sports Development’s 2021 Sports Library project has successfully been maintained and continues to operate in all four of the Trust’s full-time libraries. Additional funding and National Governing Body (NGB) donations have increased the range of sporting equipment available to library customers. All items continue to be loaned using the Library Management System, which requires customers to join the library in the first instance, but then gives access to all available items for a 3-week period.

• Following the success of the Sports Libraries project, and the concept of making sports equipment readily available to families, the Sports Development team have gone on to launch the Community Kit Room (CKR), a free initiative that provides sports clothing and footwear for people aged 3-adults. Situated in Abertillery Sports Centre, members of the public can enquire about available sportswear, with the potential to view and select items. Furthermore, to make the initiative more accessible and convenient, the team have expanded their reach by establishing ‘CKR Hubs’, which offer drop off and collection points within local communities. The local sports clubs, operating as ‘CKR Hubs’ have been incredibly receptive and supportive of the initiative. Additionally, the team are also working in partnership with local schools, neighbouring organisations and community groups to ensure that all members of the community are being supported. Abertillery Learning Community 3-16 (ALC) in particular have made incredible inroads ensuring all their pupils are given access to appropriate sportswear by referring families onto the scheme.

Aquatics

• In the period 2022/23, we have observed the participation of 2,425 children from Years 3 to 6 in school swimming activities. However, the pass rate stands at 44%, which is a significant decrease compared to the 2018/19 figures. It is important to note that the decline can be attributed to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions. Several schools have been unable to resume swimming lessons until the restrictions are lifted, resulting in lower numbers of participating students. It is anticipated that as the Covid-19 situation improves and restrictions are lifted, the participation and pass rates will recover to previous levels.

• Total number of Primary School Pupils Swimming: 2,425

• Number of Girls Swimming: 1,182

• Numbers of Boys Swimming: 1,233

• Total number of Year 6 Pupils Achieving KS 2: 265, 44%

• Total number of Year 6 Swimming: 601

• Number of Year 6 Girls Swimming: 295

• Number of Year 6 Boys Swimming: 306

• Number of Year 6 Girls Achieving KS 2: 129, 44%

• Number of Year 6 Boys Achieving KS 2: 136, 44%

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

• Number of Year 6 Achieving KS 2, Abertillery: 70, 28%

• Number of Year 6 Achieving KS 2, Ebbw Vale: 151, 50%

• Number of Year 6 Achieving KS 2, Tredegar: 102, 59%

• Swim school provisions are currently 1,830 out of a possible 2,190 (maximum occupancy) children taking part in these lessons. Increase of 20% of swimmers from this time last year.

• Ebbw Vale Sports Centre – 643/790 – Occupancy 81%

• Abertillery Sports Centre – 601/680 – Occupancy 88%

• Tredegar Sports Centre – 586/720 – Occupancy 81%

• Overall Occupancy – 83%

• Non-swimmers in Key Stage 2 (KS2) are now being supported through the Sports Development AYP swimming programme. Those who do not meet the swimming criteria at KS2 are offered swimming classes in Year 7. Currently, 72 non-swimmers are invited to participate and 42 of them choose to undertake the lessons, resulting in a 58% uptake rate.

• The achievement of every child becoming a swimmer by the end of KS2 (Year 6) will now be assessed based on the Nofio Ysgol framework, which aligns with the Swim Wales learn to swim model. This updated measurement framework ensures consistency and follows the recognized standards set by Swim Wales for swimming proficiency.

• Aneurin Leisure is working closely with swimming clubs to enhance the transition from swimming lessons to focused swimming training, specifically emphasising swimming lengths according to FINA rules and regulations (Federation of Swimming). Swimmers from waves 5 to 8 are invited to trial sessions at swimming clubs in Blaenau Gwent, aiming to encourage their continued participation in aquatic activities.

• The swim data collection process has been expanded to include the following:

• Swimming Clubs: The average number of people per lane (6) multiplied by the number of lanes and hours.

• Other aquatic clubs (water polo, canoeing, synchro, octopush, parties): An average of 20 people per hour multiplied by the number of hours.

• School participation: The number of children attending multiplied by the number of sessions will be recorded to track their involvement in swimming activities.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Adult and Community Learning

• Adult Community Learning benefitted from a £68,000 Welsh Government Learner Engagement grant which was utilised to re-brand the Learning Action Centres giving the Service a distinctive logo and signage. The grant was also utilised to deliver Summer School of Health and Wellbeing learning workshops to encourage local people to re-engage. The benefit of the grant was that the 2022/23 academic year saw a 17% increase in learner enrolments compared to previous years.

• Bridges into Work 2 was successfully completed in December 2022; the project attracted £2.3 million of European Social Funding over 7 years. Through the lifetime of the project 610 participants were engaged, out of which 29% gained sustainable employment, which is the highest rate of all ESF projects in SouthEast Wales. The project also enabled 28% of participants to engage with volunteering opportunities enabling them to improve their employability skills enabling them to move closer to the labour market.

• Nurture, Equip and Thrive (NET) was successfully completed in December 2022; the project attracted £688,000 of European Social Funding over 5 years. Through the lifetime of the project 343 employed participants were engaged and participated in a range of non-accredited learning activities designed to improve their wellbeing, confidence and transferable skills.

• The final European Social Funded project, Working Skills for Adults2 completed in December 2022, attracting £1.5 million of ESF grant over its lifetime. The project engaged with 707 employed local people, of which 75% received a qualification and a further 25% were given support to improve their employment prospectus.

Case Study 1 (Bridges into Work 2)

Jonathan enrolled with Bridges into Work 2 in July. He joined the project after he was made redundant from his retail position with Sainsbury’s. He had a good work history but had lost some confidence after being with the same company for many years.

He needed to gain new skills, qualifications and experience to change his career to work in a different sector. Jonathan completed level 2 ECDL spreadsheets, which helped his confidence. He began voluntary work with Hospice of the Valleys helping at events and assisting with setting up a new Hospice shop in Merthyr where he gained many new skills. He attended Job Club where he developed his CV and had support to apply for a variety of jobs.

In November, with help from his Development Officer, he applied for a position as an Employment Advisor with Elite Clothing. From his application he gained an interview. He met with his Development Officer and discussed potential interview questions and examples to give relating to the job description. His interview went very well and he was offered the position starting at the end of January 2020. Jonathan has now been in the role for over two years and regularly notifies us of opportunities at Elite Clothing for either paid or voluntary work.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Case Study 2 (NET project)

NET has supported a gentleman (K) who is on the sick from work with anxiety and depression. He is a very talented gentleman who can turn his hand to make various items from wood or metal, he would love to help young people and teach them all his skills and knowledge. NET has arranged for K to run Christmas workshops making copper Christmas trees with young people for Brynmawr Rotary Club. K was so grateful for this opportunity as it really helped him with his anxiety and gave him a focus. NET also supported K to find a new job where his skills can be utilised, assisting in job search activities, interview techniques and building his confidence.

K secured a job working with young people teaching them multi-skills, such as woodwork and bricklaying. He is managing his anxiety better now he has changed his career and utilising his skills to help young people build a more secure future for themselves by learning these skills.

Case Study 3 (Working Skills for Adults 2)

Kayleigh enrolled onto the Working Skills for Adults 2 project after hearing about it from a friend. Kayleigh had a bad learning experience at school and never sat her GCSE’s as she became pregnant at 14. Kayleigh had worked in several different retail jobs and never felt that this was her career long-term. She decided that she would like to work with children, so she joined the ‘Introduction to Teaching Assistant’ course. The course had been developed as a taster for people who wished to work in childcare. Kayleigh enjoyed the 10-week course and progressed to complete her level 2 ‘Supporting Teaching and Learning’ with Adult Community Learning. Again, she excelled at this and completed the Level 3 course. After this Kayleigh quickly secured employment as a Teaching Assistant with the support of Working Skills for Adults.

This spurred Kayleigh on to decide to attend University and study the foundation degree ‘Childhood Studies. After completing this Kayleigh decided she would do her full degree in ‘Childhood Studies’. Kayleigh has now completed her full degree and she has secured a job with Blaenau Gwent Social Services, and is currently doing her Masters Degree alongside working.

Kayleigh said ‘ The project gave me the tools I needed to be able to achieve so much; that one course by the Working Skills team led me into gaining many qualifications and gave me the foundation for learning that I needed. The team were lovely, friendly and so supportive. I would like to thank them for all they did to help the start of my new career!’

Parks & Hospitality

• The tennis courts offering three courts of free tennis provision was broadly utilised throughout the Summer 2022 period. The courts were utilised by a range of ages as well as the local primary schools making great use of them as part of their PE and outdoor learning. One of the local Primary Schools Hosted ‘Brynbledon’ which was the start of an annual tournament.

• Mini Movers has remained a regular in the Bedwellty weekly calendar, continuing to attract young parents and their babies to the music and movement session. New parents and carers meet and share their experiences of their babies in a welcoming environment.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

• Louby Lou and her school holiday adventures continued right throughout the 2022/23 school holiday calendar, taking young people and their families on a range of exciting journeys throughout the Park and Grounds. The stories unveiled great imaginations of the participants where the Park became home to Pirates, Unicorns, Mermaids and Wizards - all went on exciting journeys around the grounds unravelling the story.

“The Louby Lou Story Trails at Bedwellty are the favourite part of the school holidays, the children don’t need play areas or toys just a story and their imaginations, they are engrossed. They played for hours after the story trail had finished in the Bandstand, which was of course their ‘Mermaid Clamshell’ Deb Nicklin - Thank you Bedwellty for putting these on .

• The caving container was launched in Spring 2022 offering an additional on-site adventure for young people and families visiting Parc Bryn Bach. It has proved popular as a sole activity and a favoured part of the school round robin days as an activity on their carousel.

• Spring/Summer 2022 brought the launch of the on-site activity pass at Parc Bryn Bach. The availability of activities during this 6-month period, due to developing a greater staffing infrastructure in the activities team, has proven the greatest asset with activities being provided every day during the peak school holidays and every weekend. This has enabled visitors, for the first time ever, to explore and enjoy the great range of activities available, including climbing wall, water sports and caving. This initiative proved popular with visitors and residents staying on-site for their families to have plenty of activities to engage in without having to pre-book. Parc Bryn Bach has traditionally focussed on developing activity ‘away’ from the site in terms of Gorge Walking, Paragliding and Hill Walking - the shift to on-site activities has been hugely welcomed by the local community and wider visitors to the park.

• With Stand-Up Paddle Boarding being a hot topic activity Parc Bryn Bach took the initiative to launch group paddle boarding on the new Tikki Boards, as well as a Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Membership for local paddle boarders to attend at their leisure within desired timeframes. Some used this opportunity to further advance their paddle boarding skills, try out their own equipment and enjoy the ability to undertake the activity in their locality. All members had to undertake the necessary Safety to Sup training, and they were all set to go. The water activity certainly made the Lake the highlight of the season.

Katie - Local Sup Enthusiast stated:

“It’s amazing the developments at Parc Bryn Bach, I love exploring new areas to take my board, but nothing beats coming home from work and being able to SUP locally and escape the day for an hour, it makes a great difference to me both physically and mentally. Can’t thank Parc Bryn Bach enough for this membership”.

• The Adventure Activity Team at Parc Bryn Bach attended an Education Show in September 2022 where they had the opportunity to showcase to prospective schools and colleges the opportunities Parc Bryn Bach could offer in terms of curriculum outdoor learning, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, residentials and school activity day trips. The show was a great success with the team securing the first Residential for the bunkhouse with an arrival date of June 2023. The team also secured a regular booking from a secondary school in a neighbouring authority where they delivered weekly team building activities as part of a GCSE outdoor learning course.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

• The Driving Range during this period has seen a significant increase in usage due to the introduction of a contactless payment system and ball release machine. Users no longer have to call to the visitor centre to purchase driving range tokens, they can pay and access the baskets for balls at the range. This has proven a great improvement to the customer experience and use of the area.

Support for National Health Initiatives Aimed at Improving Overall Wellbeing

• The NERS (National Exercise Referral Scheme) has resumed normal operation procedures following the pandemic, with face-to-face consultations and classes operating at full capacity. We have also adopted a blended model using Zoom and Teams, which has proven beneficial for clients with limited mobility or those unable to visit our sports centres.

• The NERS team continues to provide digital content through platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Advagym (digital applications for members). This includes a variety of classes, workouts, and informational resources for referral clients to engage in exercise at home, outdoors, or within our facilities. Currently, there are 10 classes and 34 progressive workouts available to our clients.

• Partnership established with the physiotherapist at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan (YAB) to deliver the Escape programme from Ebbw Vale Sports Centre. The Escape programme is a 6-week initiative where clients attend twice a week, aimed at breaking down barriers for clients accessing the sports centre and expediting the referral process from the physiotherapist to the NERS Scheme.

• During the period April 2022 to March 2023, a total of 764 referrals were received, marking a significant increase of 197 compared to the previous year's figure of 567 referrals. This demonstrates the growing demand and recognition for the NERS Scheme within the community.

• There has been a notable increase in the submission of referrals by General Practitioners (GPs) and Health Professionals through electronic means. This transition to electronic referrals has significantly reduced the time required for contact to be established with clients. Previously, staff members had to collect referrals every two weeks, causing potential delays in reaching out to individuals seeking our services.

• The NERS fitness classes have successfully returned to full capacity, with an average attendance of 20-30 clients participating in various classes such as Gentle Exercise and Functional Exercise. This signifies the high demand and popularity of these classes among our target audience.

• In the 2022/23 period, the NERS team secured continued funding through Sport Wales for the 60+ programme. As part of this initiative, we have allocated two months of free membership to 200 participants in the over 60s demographic. This aims to eliminate economic barriers to physical activity and enhance social, physical, and mental wellbeing. The uptake has been remarkable, with 102% of the target reached, as 150 participants have availed themselves of the funding. Additionally, in collaboration with UDOIT Dance, we have introduced a dance class specifically tailored for the older population. This class has been well attended, with a weekly average of 10-15 participants.

• Our commitment to promoting active lifestyles among the over 60s extends to providing free swimming opportunities across all our facilities. Free swimming sessions are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and during all public swim sessions. Based on data from April to March, we have observed an average daily usage of 38 individuals.

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• To further support individuals receiving benefits, the NERS Team has partnered with the Department of Working Pensions (DWP) to offer 32 free sessions to clients who are claiming benefits. This collaboration involves referrals from both the DWP officer and the clients' GP. After completing the 32 sessions, clients can continue to access the NERS scheme at the discounted rate of £2.50.

GP Referral Case Study

‘Since starting the programme, I have achieved significant improvements in my physical health and overall wellbeing. Here are some of the accomplishments I have made:

Weight loss: I have successfully lost over 2 stone, reducing my weight from 154kg to 140kg. This has had a positive impact on my mobility and has helped alleviate the pain in my knees.

BMI reduction: My BMI has decreased from 50 to 46, which is a notable improvement. This reduction indicates progress towards a healthier body composition.

Body fat mass reduction: I have effectively reduced my body fat mass from 73kg to 60kg. This demonstrates a positive change in my body composition and overall health.

Increased activity level: I am now actively engaging in physical activity 4-5 times a week. This includes activities such as walking for 40 minutes, going to the gym and swimming. The improvement in my stamina and energy levels allows me to participate in these activities with greater ease and enjoyment.

Lifestyle changes: Alongside my increased physical activity, I have also made positive changes to my diet. I have shifted away from junk food and sugary snacks that were once prominent in my diet. Instead, I have embraced more nutritious foods that keep me fuller for longer. I have also noticed that by making these dietary changes, I no longer experience the constant hunger and cravings that I used to after consuming sugary foods’.

Library Service Case Study

Regular Attendees from Warm Spaces

Our ‘Warm Spaces’ campaign was launched in October 2022, with all six libraries offering the scheme. We delivered it during the full opening hours of all the libraries and in addition to this, we held specific activities to encourage people to attend.

‘ The library has saved me so much money over the winter. I visit everyday. I live alone, so I cannot afford to put the heating on in the day. Even boiling the kettle, I have to think twice about, so having a free hot drink has been very much appreciated. The library is warm, comfortable and just makes me happier, knowing I can socialise, just like being in a café, but without paying. It really lifts my mood. It provides me with company, stimulation and makes me feel part of whatever is going on. I’ve participated in craft sessions, Knit and Natter and Reminiscence sessions. Due to the cost-of-living crisis, I have had to end my Broadband contract, so having free Wi-fi and computers has been invaluable for me. The council hub has helped me claim the correct benefits and helped me with fuel vouchers. The Citizens Advice service in the library has also helped me with form filling. Last week I also had a warm pack given to me, which has been a great help . – Barbara

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David started attending the Cuppa and Company sessions after losing his wife. He enjoys reading the newspaper, doing the crossword and having a friendly chat.

‘I have been suffering with depression since my wife passed away, earlier this year. I lost my purpose and routine in life; after caring for her for many years, I felt lost. A neighbour suggested joining the coffee morning at the library. It has really helped, I pop in most mornings, have a coffee, do the crossword and a chat, and it sets me up for the day. It gets me out of the house, I’ve made some new friends and has given me back some routine in my life - and I haven’t got to spend a penny! Which is really important, being a pensioner living alone. I have also started reading again, which helps me relax in the evenings’ – David

‘I lost my job in December and as a result I couldn’t afford the rent on my flat. For a couple of weeks, I was sofa surfing with friends. The library was a sanctuary to me, a safe haven; I could use the wi-fi, have a free coffee, and had lots of support from agencies like Pobl, Llamau and Citizens Advice Bureau. I could stay as long as I liked, without the need to spend money. I also had help with CV and advice on training and education. Within a few weeks, my life changed completely. I found a new job and affordable flat. Without the library, I think I would have ended up on the streets !’ - Jamie

Supporting Essential Skills

• The core purpose of Adult Community Learning is to enable adults to develop to play a full part in life and work by providing support primarily through a curriculum focussed on improving essential skills. The target group for Adult Community Learning are those individuals who are not in full-time education, training or employment. In the 2022/23 academic year over 850 individuals participated in a range of essential skills courses.

• The curriculum offered by Adult Community Learning is benchmarked against targets which are agreed across the Coleg Gwent partnership. Aneurin Leisure achieved an attainment rate of 90% against a benchmark 90% for the academic year 2022/23. The GCSE English Language and Maths results for 2022/23 were extremely pleasing with 100% of learners achieving a grade A-D, 91.6% achieving a grade A – C.

• During the Summer, Adult Community Learning were approached to support the Ukraine Refugees who were located in the Welcome Centre in Ebbw Vale. Through the Bridges into Work 2 project and Adult Community Learning a range of structured English for the Speakers of Other Languages Courses and Chatter groups were delivered at Ebbw Vale Learning Action Centre. Over 30 Ukraine refugees attended the courses and groups during the following months, receiving support to improve their English skills and assistance to find employment.

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Case Study

Ukrainian refugee Liliia came to Wales in the summer with her teenage son and they were placed in temporary accommodation at the Welcome Centre in Ebbw Vale. Liliia and her son attended the weekly Chatter Group at Ebbw Vale Learning Action Centre (LAC) to find out about the support they could receive and to improve their English skills. They also enrolled on the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course at the LAC. Liliia was very nervous as she did not speak any English and was extremely anxious about her husband and daughter who were still in Ukraine. Through the summer, Liliia was supported to improve her English, enrol onto ESOL courses at the centre and to compile a CV. Liliia is a trained seamstress making military uniforms in her job in Ukraine so, as Liliia’s confidence grew, we contacted Jonathan at Elite Clothing (see previous case study) and were able to arrange a work trial accompanied by her Development Officer. Elite were very impressed with her skills and offered her a full-time job, but Liliia was very nervous. Bridges into Work 2 were able to arrange lunch provision, transport and a translator to accompany Liliia for her induction. They were also able to support with HR paperwork including her contract and obtaining a Share Code to prove Liliia’s right to live and work in the UK.

Tackling Inequalities

• The monitoring of free-swimming initiatives continues to focus on qualitative assessments, supported by the Free Swim Initiative funding. Below are some key projects and initiatives:

• Fit and Fed Project: In collaboration with the Police Commissioner Fund and Bryn Farmhouse, the Sports Development team has developed a customised learn-to-swim pathway for youths, providing aquatics-based activities that also teach essential lifesaving skills.

• Collaborative Project with Social Services: A partnership between Aneurin Leisure and Families First (Social Services) offers 20 free swimming sessions to young carers during public swimming times. Out of the 56 cards distributed to young carers, 28% had never visited our facilities before.

• Disability Swimming Sessions: 10 individuals have been offered disability swimming sessions based on referrals from the Disability Sports Officer.

• Free Unstructured Swimming: Two hours per week per centre are dedicated to free unstructured swimming.

• Allotted Free Swimming during Holidays: An allocated amount of free swimming is provided during holiday periods and the summer.

• Updates to Over 60's Free Swim Initiative:

• Free Over 60's Swim Sessions: Each centre now offers one day per week where swimming is free of charge for individuals over 60 during public/adult swimming sessions.

• Free Aqua Aerobics for Over 60's: Tredegar Sports Centre hosts a free aqua aerobics session specifically for individuals over 60.

• Muscular Skeletal Pathway: A pool-based program targeting older adults with mobility issues is available through the NERS (National Exercise Referral Scheme) scheme in partnership with local GPs and the physiotherapy department.

• This new approach aims to address the inequalities that are high on the local authority's agenda, reflecting the commitment to tackle such issues in the broader community.

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• To celebrate World Book Day in March 2023, the service worked in partnership with Families First, to provide children with free costumes. The costumes were loaned from local libraries, which worked well, with families joining the library at the same time and borrowing related stock. This scheme was particularly well received by families in need, many parents commenting how it helped them deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

• A new Citizens Advice Service was launched in September 2022 with weekly drop-in sessions being delivered in all libraries. This, together with the council community hubs provides a ‘one stop shop’ approach to support local residents with a wide range of enquiries.

• The Library service has launched a new sim card project working with The Good Things Foundation and the National Data Bank to help bridge the digital divide. This project supports our cost-of-living help for the community, offering data to those people in need. It links with another digital inclusion project we deliver, the loaning of free tablets. This enables us to provide a solution to those people who have no access to data. This offer has been a major development in the service, over the year, enabling us to prevent data poverty within the community.

• The theme of free activities was a common thread across all our events, schemes and projects. The ‘Summer of Fun, Project Gadgeteers’ campaign was delivered alongside the Summer Reading Challenge with a wide range of children’s sessions held in all libraries. The service received Welsh Government funding to deliver a wide range of activities, including:

• Diffusion Art

• Slime Workshops

• Weekly STEM Craft sessions

• Balloon Rocket Workshops

• When Science meets art sessions

• Owl visits

• Potion Party

• Louby-Lou Inter-active storytelling

• Huw Davies Author Visit

• Malachy Doyle Author Visit

• Clay Modelling

• Recycling Art Sessions

 The service supported the Welsh Libraries ‘Living Well in Wales’ campaign by delivering sessions to bring people together, focusing on connecting and giving people a sense of belonging. Grant funding from Welsh Government enable the service to deliver a series of events to support well-being in the Autumn of 2022.

Examples of sessions held:

• Reminiscence sessions

• Coffee mornings

• Coffee Art Sessions

• Family History sessions

• Book launches

• Creative writing sessions

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• A new member of staff from Abertillery Library has represented our service by being a member on the Anti-Racism steering group, commissioned by CILIP Cymru Wales. As a result of this, training will follow for all our library staff and have started reviewing our collections and stock policies. It will demonstrate our commitment to equality and will support our evolving communities. This work will align with the objectives of the WPLS and the Anti Racist Wales Action Plan.

• A new project was launched in December 2022, with the service hosting live music events with the aim of engaging with new audiences to library services. We worked with employability projects and local artists to inspire and motivate young people to embark on a career in the music industry. Library staff enrolled participants to the library and promoting relevant stock to them, including raising awareness of e-resources, e.g., music magazines.

• The service continues to be the main distribution hub for food recycling bags in the borough. The Keep Wales Tidy litter picking scheme, which was launched in 2022, links closely with raising awareness of environmental issues and encourages residents to be responsible for keeping areas free from litter.

• Bedwellty House & Park and Parc Bryn Bach were supported with an £18,000 grant as part of the Welsh Government Summer of Fun fund. This allowed a range of free activities to be delivered across the sites between April –September 2023. Over 1,000 young people attended the activities, some families were in awe of what was available to them and we welcomed some to participate in activities they may not have been able to fund without the grant. It was an incredible opportunity and well spent grant funding. Activities included Queens teas, cinema evenings, open water group paddle boarding, fairground days, silent discos, magic shows, Animal Encounters, Princess visits, Story Trails, caving, kayaking and climbing days. Such an amazing experience seeing so many people benefit and visit the parks through the Summer season.

• National Play Day was a large-scale free event at Bedwellty House & Park with a variety of partners and free play opportunities for children and their families to engage in, and to educate that play doesn’t always mean toys, screens or play equipment, it can mean cardboard boxes, mud, wool, water as some options. Families were amazed at the fun they had engaging in basic play. A range of providers attended site offering workshops, fun activities and giveaways. It was a great partnership, fully inclusive event which tackled inequality and was drenched in community engagement. The 2022 event was attended by 800 children aged 2-10 and 400 children aged 11-14.

• Go Wild Event at Parc Bryn Bach was another WOW partnership event which was well attended with more than 3,000 visitors to the park. The event included partners offering workshops on animal care, wildlife habitats, seed boxes, bug boxes and hotels as well as fun and games on the water and participating in partner led activities. A free event which spanned a wealth of visitors from across Blaenau Gwent and neighbouring authorities. Due to a great marketing campaign visitors travelled from Tonypandy-Rhondda, Pontyclun and Chepstow to attend the event. Many had not attended the park before and assured it would be the first of many visits, being blown away by the facilities Parc Bryn Bach offers.

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• Bevan Festival was hosted at Parc Bryn Bach funded by the Trade Unions which offered local families a free activity day to explore the range of activities at Parc Bryn Bach. Yhe day included nature trails, orienteering, go-karting, mini golf, climbing, caving and paddle boarding. There were 800 young people aged 8+ who participated in the day.

• Bedwellty House & Park hosted a ‘Silent Fireworks evening’ for those young people and families who find the loud noises of fireworks frightening. Barnardo’s co-ordinated the event while Bedwellty were the host venue. One of the families in attendance said it was the ‘Best night of their lives’ as they have one child who loves fireworks and one child who gets so distressed by the noise - this event covered both bases.

• The play area at Parc Bryn Bach offered a daily quiet hour for families with young people who have additional needs so they could access the equipment in a calm and quiet time. This was complimented by families as a positive offer.

• MOY project – in collaboration with Gwent Police Motivating Our Youth, 120 children engaged in the project, which operated every Monday and Tuesday, over 4 weeks during the Summer of 2022. The project focussed on outdoor adventure activities which alongside develops team building, self-discipline and communication skills.

Case Study – Louis :

One of the young lads who was engaged with the MOY project with Gwent Police to undertake the 4 weeks adventure activity programme, which also encouraged team building, self-discipline & communication, had previously been a young person engaging in instances of anti-social behaviour at Parc Bryn Bach and had difficulty with following instructions from team members. Following completion of his MOY programme he engaged in Police Cadets and is now much more respectful in the park and to the Team Members, the programme has had a positive impact on his behaviour in the community.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

• In partnership with Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Aneurin Leisure played an active part in the Participatory Budgeting pilot “Your Community, Your Voice”. This initiative distributed over £150,000 to local groups and charities within Blaenau Gwent to help with local wellbeing projects.

• In March 2023, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Nick Smith MP, Ebbw Vale LAC hosted the Borough’s first “Cost of Living Event”, inviting a range of utility providers and budgeting experts to give information and advice to members of the public. Over 150 individuals attended the event, which based on the positive feedback, is due to be repeated in April 2023.

• The Library Service has further developed links with Llanhilleth Miners Institute. We have supported literacy campaigns, loaned large amounts of stock and established clear referrals for library memberships.

• A new weekly adult craft group has been established at Cwm Library, this has grown in popularity over the year and is now running at maximum capacity.

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• Funding from the local health board has enabled the Library Service to deliver a range of wellbeing activities at Brynmawr and Tredegar Libraries, via the Integrated Well-being Network. Activities included Coffee Art, Christmas Craft, Family History Sessions and Reminiscence sessions.

• A new weekly group for adults with learning disabilities has been established at Brynmawr Library, linking with Social Services.

• Pobl are delivering new housing and tenancy related supports in all libraries. These sessions were launched in November 2022 and are held weekly.

• Over the year the Library Service linked with the Blaenau Gwent Food Partnership to deliver the ‘Little Veg Library’. Each veg library includes ‘pick and mix’ pots filled with different seeds as well as envelopes that families can fill with seeds of their choice to take home. The idea is for people to have a go at growing some veg at home in response to the recent food shortages and spiralling food prices.

• Tai Calon has partnered with Sport and Fitness to support the community by promoting physical activity and providing essential life skills. This collaboration has been made possible through funding that covers the cost of swimming lessons for families. In the 2022/23 period, 75 children were able to benefit from this funding opportunity and receive swimming lessons.

• Communities For Work, as part of their Wellbeing budget, have organised two career festivals at Ebbw Vale Sports Centre. These festivals aim to provide employment-related opportunities and support to the community. Additionally, they have allocated funds to enable 100 of their clients to access a free membership at the Sports Centre for a three-month period. This initiative allows individuals who may not be able to afford a membership due to their employment status to participate in various activities offered at the Sports Centre.

• The community have been fully engaged in the live, free music at Bedwellty during the Summer of 2022. The courtyard canopy was developed in 2021 as a covered outdoor space for the community to meet when there were still some restrictions in place. During the Summer of 2022 this area became a weekly hive of free music. Sunday music was delivered for 10 weeks from the end of June through to the first weekend in September, for the community to meet with family and friends, listen to great local musicians, engage in garden games all for free, with a fully served bar and kitchen available to them. This area proved to be extremely popular with a regular 80 people attending on a weekly basis - whatever the weather.

• The partnership with Tredegar Town Council brought 10 weeks of Brass Bands to the bandstand during the summer period. This brought the community across the generations together on a Sunday, enjoying the free live music and relaxing in the well-maintained grounds. An average of 100 people per week attended the Brass Band concerts.

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• Bedwellty House has engaged in and hosted a number of events to celebrate national occasions such as Armed Forces Day, the Queens Jubilee, Armistice Day, National Eisteddfod to name a few. Each occasion is marked with an appropriate celebration and community engagement event. They are also supported with local school partnerships to develop artwork to display along the gallery corridor for the wider community to admire. All schools within the Tredegar cluster have taken part in displaying artwork throughout the Year.

• The kitchen garden grounds team and volunteers had a very successful season with some bumper crops. Volunteers in the garden and from Blaenau Gwent Youth Services tended to the kitchen garden tirelessly throughout the year. Crops were used as part of the menus in the Orchid House Tea Room. Vegetables were also available to the local community for a small donation should they want them. The Youth Service also donated some of the produce they grew and items they made such as bat boxes to the local shelters and food banks.

• The Orchid House Tea Room continued to thrive offering a varied menu of homecooked meals during the week, the famous Sunday Roast as well as BBQ’s and beer garden snacks menu. The Tea room extended it’s seating to include additional tables outside. The Orchid House Tea Room achieved a 5* Food Hygiene rating during Summer 2022.

• Tredegar Heritage Forum continued to deliver monthly Historical talks at Bedwellty House. This is a free monthly talk, where a variety of guest speakers are invited in to speak about local history and heritage of our locality. They are well attended by the community and also prove to be a social afternoon out for some of the hardest to reach members of the community.

• Tredegar Friendship Group continued to visit Bedwellty House on the first Tuesday of every month throughout the year for a two-course meal and social afternoon. The groups started with 18 members who would dine in the Miners Room; the group has grown in strength and numbers with now on average 40 attending monthly. The group of OAPs meet, eat and socialise, which is for some the only occasion they go out each month. Costs are kept low so it doesn’t become a barrier to attending.

• Bedwellty House hosted a Christmas Market in December 2022, which was back to full capacity with no restrictions as in the previous season. People browsed and purchased crafts and gifts made by local smaller businesses. It was a great opportunity as some of these small businesses had to provide their products in person. It was well received by all.

• The Team at Parc Bryn Bach engaged in supporting a fundraising outdoor pursuits campaign in leading them through, as well as participating in the Three Peaks Challenge in 2022. The campaign was a great success, where the community followed the progress of the participants raising funds for a worthy cause.

• Park Run saw its members significantly increase throughout 2022. The Park Run celebrated its 100[th] run during the 2022 season. The volume of Park Run tourists attending Parc Bryn Bach also increased during 2022 with runners attending from other Park Run venues including Porthcawl and Newport. The Competitive race season was in full programme during 2022/23, as well as two successful Couch to 5K programmes being delivered by the Park Run volunteers who supported over 300 participants to completing their first 5K run.

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• The opening hours of Parc Bryn Bach were extended for the Summer period. Street Food Thursdays continued throughout the season as well as the evening running and triathlon events returning to the evenings for 2022. Parc Bryn Bach became a hive of activity from 8am-8pm during the peak summer season with visitors enjoying the activities, using the dog friendly café, utilising the outdoor kiosk and also making use of the more relaxed terraced area overlooking the lake.

• Parc Bryn Bach Lake View Café & Kiosk exceeded all anticipated and projected income targets throughout the six-month period, serving in excess of 30,000 ice creams during this time. The Lake View Café also offered seasonal employment to 8 young people during the summer season. The Lake View Catering achieved a 5* Food Hygiene rating following inspection.

Case Study

Ukrainian Refugees

Over the year, the service has supported a number of Ukrainian refugees by providing a safe place to chat, meet others and link with local services, partners and community groups. Additional stock has been purchased to support them, including ESOL materials. We have also provided a free tablet loan scheme, which many Ukrainians benefitted from. Many were unable to speak any English, so library staff helped the refugees download an app, to enable translation.

‘ Thank you so much for the kindness shown to us. Being able to borrow a tablet, which was set up for us in Ukrainian, helped us so much. I have used the free wi-fi in the library to contact family in Ukraine, access my emails and to source other information.’- Yulia

‘Thank you for helping me in my hour of need. Having books in our native language has provided much comfort for me. Also, the wide selection of Ukranian e-books given to me helped me deal with stress, helped me un-wind. I have been able to access lots of help in the library, from support with benefits and studying. I have also borrowed lots of books to help improve my English. We have been made to feel welcome at the coffee mornings, it has really helped us settle into our new life in Ebbw Vale. My children have enjoyed the activities and made new friends. Everything is free, we have even had access to period products. My teenage children have also borrowed free sports equipment, they have been able to enjoy the parks and play games’ – Khrystyna.

‘ We have been made to feel very welcome at the library. Having somewhere to just drop in and have a free coffee, relax and have lots of help all in one place has been a lifeline to use, when we have been in crisis’ - Anna

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Case Study

Single Parent/Young family

In March, the service worked in partnership with Families First to loan free costumes for World Book Day. All participants were required to join the library and encouraged to borrow themed books. This scheme was offered across all our Libraries in Blaenau Gwent.

Tammy, 23, has 3 young children all under the age of 6. The family joined the library early last year and has since accessed a number of activities.

‘ We use the library a lot. It has really helped having free activities for the children. We have attended lots of events, including interactive storytimes, clay-modelling workshops and meet the owls event. We borrowed costumes for World Book Day at the Library, which was very helpful. This meant all my 3 children had costumes, which I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise, it took a lot of worry from me. This was such a good idea. My children were thrilled! The library has given my children a love of books, there is so much going on, it makes reading fun for them. Since coming to the library, I have noticed they are much more settled in school. It has helped with so many things. It has also helped me meet other parents, as a single parent, that has been really nice. Free coffee, as well, where else could you go without having to spend money and the children always learning. I noticed I saved money on the heating; coming to the library every day after school meant I could delay putting the heating on’.

Cultural Enrichment

• There are various groups that use the free library space for cultural sessions. For example, the Blaina Aberystruth History and Archaeological Society holds weekly sessions in Blaina Library. The service has strong partnership links with Gwent Family Society. Volunteers from this organisation deliver regular help desks in all libraries, promoting FindMyPast and Ancestry.com. The Blaenau Gwent Heritage Forum holds monthly meetings at Tredegar Library and utilises the local studies resources based there. Blaina Heritage Centre is based in the same building as Blaina Library, which provides an ideal link to work jointly on shared Welsh cultural activities. Likewise, a community Museum is based in Tredegar Library, which attracts many visitors researching the birthplace of Aneurin Bevan, plus other historical information. Library staff and volunteers from the museum work together to provide a range of information and resources to promote Welsh culture.

• A new Welsh club has been established at Abertillery Library to encourage Welsh learners to practice conversational Welsh. A range of new Welsh language learning resources have been purchased over the year, including Welsh board games.

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Social Responsibility

• As Blaenau Gwent is already one of the most deprived areas of Wales, the emphasis on free library services has become more important than ever. Being ‘fines free’ continues to remove barriers to accessing the library. With the closure of the main council offices (Civic Centre) and the transition to all face-to-face council enquiries now being delivered at libraries through the provision of community hubs, this has encompassed library buildings as being the ‘go-to’ venue for anyone in need. Residents access libraries for food bank referrals, fuel vouchers and general cost of living advice. The local health board has provided the service with a range of free items to support people in need, for example period products and warm packs. All libraries have a ‘free’ area, for the community to take, without asking.

• The social impact of library services upon residents has been further highlighted over the year. The service conducted formal user surveys over February and March 2023. Results of the survey concluded that:

• 96% of adults thinks that the library has made a difference to their lives.

• 100% of adults experience the library as an enjoyable, safe and inclusive place.

• 99% of adults think that the standard of customer care is very good or good.

• 94% of children think that the library helps them learn and find things out.

Many users left feedback and comments, demonstrating the way in which the library has affected their lives. Examples:

• Kept me sane.

• Would be lost without this library.

• Where else can you go without spending a penny, free coffee, free activities, everything free - our library is such an asset in the community, so much help available.

• I have used the library to study, order books and received help with my CV and applying for jobs - in which I was successful.

• It’s the best thing in Ebbw Vale. A little escape haven to read and learn.

• The library has been a warm and welcoming refuge for me this winter (I’ve been very ill and quite depressed) and I’ve been able to borrow excellent uplifting books and have met friends or rummikub games.

• It’s helped me make friends.

• I come for the friendships that I have made over the many years I’ve been coming. I’ve had help with the computer and printer. The staff are like friends now.

• Library staff taught me computer skills for use in my studies. Enabled me to make friends at knit and natter.

• Very friendly, I feel so much better, I look forward to every Wednesday and Friday.

• I have used this library since a very young age. It is part of my heritage. Who can live without a library? They are the oxygen – something we all need.

• It has given me joy in my retirement, enabled me to meet friends to read and discuss books, and to help the community through knit and natter activities, etc.

• The library has significantly reduced my energy bill. I use the public computers instead of my own computer.

• It saves me money as I constantly use the internet.

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• During the 2022/23 period, Tredegar Sports Centre has introduced retreat days as part of our corporate social responsibility efforts. These retreats aim to engage with the local community and promote health and wellbeing. The retreat days have been designed to offer a holistic experience, combining fitness classes, educational seminars on nutrition and mindfulness sessions.

• These retreats provide an opportunity for individuals to focus on their physical and mental wellbeing in a serene and supportive environment. The fitness classes offered during the retreats cater to different fitness levels and interests, ensuring that participants can find activities that suit their needs. These classes are led by qualified instructors who provide guidance and motivation to help individuals achieve their fitness goals.

• In addition to physical activities, our retreats include educational seminars on nutrition. These sessions aim to raise awareness about healthy eating habits, proper nutrition, and the importance of maintaining a balanced diet. Participants can learn about making nutritious food choices, understanding portion sizes and creating healthy meal plans to support their overall well-being.

• Mindfulness sessions are also an integral part of our retreat days. These sessions focus on relaxation, stress reduction and enhancing mental well-being. Participants are guided through mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques and meditation practices to promote a sense of calm and inner peace. The aim is to provide individuals with tools they can use in their daily lives to manage stress, improve focus and cultivate a positive mindset.

• Through these retreat days, we have made a positive impact on the community by promoting physical health, nutritional knowledge and mental well-being. We believe that investing in these holistic experiences contributes to the overall well-being of individuals and fosters a healthier and happier community.

• Weddings were finally back to the full capacity during the 2022/23 period. Bedwellty House successfully delivered in partnership with Blaenau Gwent Registry Office, 29 Weddings and Ceremonies. With a conversion rate of 70% of those attending a first meeting and visit to Bedwellty during this period to making a booking.

Weddings – Beth and Rhys George-Lewis - “I just want to say a massive thank you for all your efforts. It was an amazing day, and everyone has spoken highly of the team. Bedwellty House and Park is lucky to have such a talented team.”

Damion and Luke Shepard-Richards - “We first booked our wedding at Bedwellty House and Park in August 2018 and were looking forward to our special day in August 2020 but due to the coronavirus pandemic we had to push back to 2022. The team at Bedwellty was absolutely wonderful in supporting us with the delay and when we finally got married the whole day was just amazing as were the team; helpful and nothing was too much trouble. The venue is just magical and steeped in local Welsh history. We couldn’t have wished for a more beautiful venue and have made a few recommendations to our friends to get married there."

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• Sunday lunches re-established themselves during this period with the reputation of good service, good food and overall experience preceding the venue. There are a number of diners who attend on their own due to loss of loved ones but keep visiting as feel so welcome and comfortable at Bedwellty.

• During quarter 4 of the 2022/23 period, partnerships strengthened with Blaenau Gwent Registry Office where a change of office space was agreed on the first floor at Bedwellty House resulting in the Registrar team expanding by an additional officer creating more appointments for those in need of visiting the registry office. The move will, in time, support them in becoming a full-time service.

• Both parks maintained the grounds to exceptional standards throughout the 2022/23 period with both sites again working closely with the Ecology Officer ensuring each site again achieved the Green Flag Award status.

• The friends of groups are an asset to the parks in supporting projects and raising funds. A number of the volunteers within these groups have stated how being part of the group and seeing areas develop in the parks within their weekly gardening sessions gives them a purpose and makes them feel like they are giving something back to the community they live in and love.

Case Study - Volunteering in the parks gave me a sense of purpose :

Olga, a young Ukranian refugee living in Tredegar was introduced to the Friends of Bedwellty. She has a keen interest in gardening and likes to pot plants to sell. Her input to the group has been invaluable. Olga said she feels ‘part’ of a community and feels her new life has a sense of purpose where she is helping upkeep the local gardens.

• Christmas Party Nights returned with full capacity for the 2022 Christmas season. Seven Christmas Party nights were sold out and delivered with visitors supporting from local businesses and some travelling in based on the reviews and reputation Bedwellty has built in previous seasons. Over 700 visitors dined, danced and engaged in the festive spirit.

• A partnership has been established with the BGCBC Education Service who are, for an interim period, housing the first intake of the new Welsh School to open in Tredegar in the near future into Bedwellty House and Park. The school development is behind schedule which meant there was nowhere for the September 2023 intake to attend. Bedwellty House has worked with the necessary personnel to redevelop part of the first floor of the house into a nursery classroom. The young people registered to the new school will now have an interim school space to attend while their new school is being built.

• The partnership with Tredegar Town Council has continued while working together on a number of great events during the 2022/23 season, including the Brass Bands, Armed Forces Day, Bevan Festival, Christmas Lights Switch on. Events such as these are the heart of the community and bring generations together.

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• Parc Bryn Bach was successful in obtaining a grant from the WCVA Landfills Tax Disposal Communities Scheme. The project has brought the park and local community together to develop all that are interested in and value nature. All ages from school groups to the retired generation participated throughout the whole project and without them we wouldn’t have achieved as much as planned. It has allowed school children to learn about nature and its importance, and adults the opportunity to give a hands-on approach to develop personal skills, meet new people with similar interests and have a positive impact to local nature at our park. Throughout the course of the project there have been several volunteer days where the teams have learned about and undertook Willow coppicing, tree planting, creating a beetle/butterfly bank, creating a wildflower meadow as well as creating and enhancing the water and green spaces, supporting the wider green infrastructure throughout the park. A series of wooden carvings on native wildlife feature around the lake with animated QR codes to educate visitors on the native wildlife.

Feedback from some of the schools participating in the project:

“What a lovely experience for our pupils, they all had a lovely day and learned so much about our environment and what we should be doing to sustain and improve our area for both our wildlife, and indeed us”. The children said, “ This has been so much fun I want to do it again next week”. “Can we do this again miss and bring the rest of our class because they will love it”. Please thank everyone who was involved in organising what was a well-planned event. We would certainly like to attend any future events that you arrange. Kind regards Helen Blaenycwm ”

The students and staff that attended the trip really enjoyed the day. Mrs Rogers said, 'the event was well organised and was very interesting.' Students said the following, ' They really enjoyed the birdwatching and the day' . Another student said ' I enjoyed the Bug hunt because I want to be an entomologist when I am older .' Thanks Rachel Ebbw Fawr Learning Community (Secondary LRB)

Fantastic day yesterday, we really enjoyed it and learnt lots! Thank you to you all. Anna Georgetown Primary School.

Absolutely loved yesterday, thank you! I haven't seen Charlie smile like that for a long time.....and today he decided to go for work practice 😊 a massive win . Chris PenYCwm School

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Local Business Partnerships

• Aneurin Leisure continues to offer local, regional and national organisations discounted membership as part of our Life Card membership scheme and our drive to improve health and wellbeing in the workplace. Corporate members are currently enjoying the corporate discounts in the area that Aneurin Leisure operates. This product combines reduced rates for i) gym memberships within our sport centres, ii) corporate hospitality and conferencing at Bedwellty House and Park and iii) Team Building at Parc Bryn Bach.

• The service has continued to support prosperity across the borough over 2022/23. We have continued to develop our partnership work with the regeneration department to increase footfall into town centres, through supporting family events in the high street. Events were delivered in libraries linked to the themes of the events.

• Support for jobseekers has continued to be a core aspect of Library Service provision. Our close working links with our colleagues in Adult Community Learning (ACL) has enabled us to provide a wide range of learning opportunities delivered in their local library. This ranged for tailored one-to-one support, informal learning and classes. Clear referral routes are in place to signpost learners to more formal learning. Libraries continue to be the ‘first port of call’ for informal learning, particularly for digital needs. Staff are trained to encourage customers to progress with their learning and work with partners to facilitate this.

• Bedwellty House and Parc Bryn Bach partner with a variety of local business in purchasing produce; milk, ice cream, fruit & vegetables, brewery, honey, coffee all purchased from local suppliers.

• The Tredegar Arms Hotel are key partners when booking rooms for wedding couples and actors when dining events with special guests are organised.

Marketing and Communications

• The key objectives for the Trust for marketing and communications during 2023/23 were to optimise the opportunities provided by the full relaxation of restrictions following the pandemic.

These included:

• Working closely with partners to deliver on ‘improving community life’.

• Drive revenue at Parc Bryn Bach and Bedwellty House and Park through activities and events.

• Assist libraries and adult community learning to achieve their targets for the Welsh Government Library Standards and Coleg Gwent respectively.

• Exceed sports centre membership revenue compared to 2019 (pre pandemic).

• The USP (Unique Selling Point) for the Trust was:

‘Aneurin Leisure Trust – working to improve community life by investing in local amenities and improving the appeal and facilities of Blaenau Gwent’.

Targeting – all residents in Blaenau Gwent and communities close to Blaenau Gwent, and tourists visiting the area.

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• Media used was restricted based on ability to prove ROI through a meaningful budget and therefore, we maximised and prioritised the following channels:

• Websites

• Social media

• ALT app

• Signage

• SEO

• Key messaging for each of the sites was as follows:

Parc Bryn Bach (PBB) – the hidden gem of Blaenau Gwent. The perfect location to experience nature at its best, have fun with the family and explore the wonders of Wales.

Bedwellty House & Park (BHAP) – a vibrant venue for all occasions. Amazing heritage and beautiful grounds to explore or make your dreams come true.

Sports Centre’s - the team at BG Life is committed to helping you achieve your goals and be the best version of yourself in terms of your health and mental wellbeing. With state-of-the-art gyms, full digital integration, swimming pools and 100s of classes each week, our flexible memberships provide you with the tools to achieve your goals.

Adult Community Learning (ACL) – helping you to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Libraries – the heart of the community. A wealth of support and advice to enrich lives and expand horizons.

Corporate – Aneurin Leisure Trust – working in partnership to improve community life.

To highlight some of the key activities that were undertaken to support each of the business units, to achieve these objectives:

Working in partnership:

• This was the first year that we have been able to host a partner conference. Held at Bedwellty House and Park on 2[nd] August 2022, it was attended by over 20 organisations and included presentations from the Integrated Wellbeing Network, Blaenau Gwent’s Biodiversity Officer and Sparkle, along with presentations from different departments within the Trust.

• The Community Engagement Officer has been integral in developing and enhancing relationships with many organisations in the public, private and third sector, sitting on many committees, including: the Integrated Wellbeing Network, BG Food Partnership, PSB Sub-Group, Local Nature Partnership, Dewis, Youth Partnership Hub and VRP Guardians. Through the Family Engagement Programme, we have supported the Sports Development team to help the most under privileged families, including Family Retreat Days and securing funding through the Food Insecurity Fund, to enable the Sports Development team to run more playschemes. In addition, working with Social Services, a Trust-wide proposition has been developed to support young carers across the borough, offering discounts to our many services.

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• Many events have been attended enabling us to present the different opportunities available through the Trust to help with raising awareness and participation. During the year, the cost-of-living crisis resulted in promoting the diverse opportunities available across the Trust and through partner organisations to support the community. In addition, we supported the Sports Development team to raise awareness and contributions to the food banks in Blaenau Gwent and their distribution.

 Sports Centres:

• Communicated with several organisations to participate in Corporate Memberships for the Sports Centres. Secured Candour Talent and maintained Tai Calon. We continue to pursue Thales, Sharp Clinical, GTS Flexible Materials, General Dynamics, Dwr Cymru and Coleg Gwent. We have revised the terms and conditions to ensure that we have greater control over the ‘membership’ with a minimum of 10 members per organisation which are billed each month, to the organisation and not the individual.

• Additional content secured for the BG Life website and ongoing social media support to highlight key messaging.

• Supported the Sports Development team to promote their regular Playschemes.

• Summer and Autumn push for new memberships focusing on the overall benefits of membership, from as little as 63p per day.

• Developed a customer journey form to assist sports centre staff with on-boarding new members.

• Maximised national promotions such as National Fitness Day and Black Friday, and tactical promotions such as the 12 days of Christmas and retreat days held at Tredegar sports centre.

• Worked with the Sports Development team to promote their partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, ensuring it is presented on the BG Life website.

• Supported the NERS (National Exercise Referral) team, particularly with their pregnancy pathway.

• Improved signage across all three centres, including the installation of selfie mirrors at Abertillery Sports Centre.

• Ongoing customer updates relating to the refurbishment of Tredegar Sports Centre’s pool and subsequent reopening.

• Supported the launch of sports development’s Community Kit Room initiative.

• Website analytics indicated that the number of monthly visits to the website is around 7,300 noting that this figure does fluctuate particularly around school holidays. The most popular pages, in the main, are membership, swimming, timetables, the three sport centres’ pages, gyms and contact us.

 Parc Bryn Bach (PBB):

• Continued to support the ever-expanding activities held at the park while ensuring the website was kept up-to-date, social media posts went out, directing people to book online, and signage was updated to reflect the new activities, such as Open Access SUP, the Cave, Paddlesport Hire and OWS rules.

• Accommodation for the caravan park was promoted through improved SEO, updating free listing sites and new content for website updates.

• Ongoing support for the different events taking place at PBB, including Go Wild and improving the sustainability perception of the park through the installation Nature Isn’t Neat, reusable cups and ongoing support and liaison with the biodiversity officer and her team at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

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• Attended the National Education Show in Cardiff to promote the bunkhouse and activities to support schools. The engagement was excellent and resulted in many schools booking day activities and logging interest in the accommodation when the bunkhouse opens.

• Website analytics indicated that the number of monthly visits to the website has grown to c5,700 noting fluctuations around holiday times and the most popular pages (top 10), are activities on-site, events (particularly during school holidays), staycations/stay with us, family fun and the café.

 Bedwellty House & Park (BHAP):

• The key focus for communication for BHAP was to finalise the new website. With personnel changes at the park, this resulted in delays, however, we were able to develop a new logo (the previous ‘logo’ being a line drawing), which reflected the heritage and classic nature of the house and park, and the iconography of the grounds.

• Securing the URL for bedwelltyhouseandpark.co.uk was explored at length but due to the way the site was originally set up, we have had to change the URL for the new website to .com.

• BHAP continued to run many events including maximising the funding from the Summer of Fun, the Yarn Trail, the Queen’s Jubilee and many others including free and paid-for events.

• During the year we undertook photography and content for the new website, including the wedding fayre.

• Worked with the Friends of Bedwellty Park to help them with a recruitment drive (still in progress).

• • Started to develop the communication for the history trail which will be interactive through QR codes/videos.

 Library Services:

• Continued to expand the sports libraries offer providing the community with a wider range of equipment to loan out, expanding this to care homes to help residents stay fit and healthy.

• Developed a new logo for the library’s services in BG that complemented the Trust’s logo; the previous logo being outdated and complex. This provided us with an opportunity to bring libraries graphically under the Trust’s umbrella as the services provided by the libraries are integral to the wider Trust’s offer and prove popular at events, appealing to all age groups.

• New signage was installed at each of the libraries, updating old, worn signage with the new logo.

• Social media was heavily used by the libraries to promote events and services, including the BorrowBox and Libby apps.

• The libraries became the focus for digital inclusion during 2022/23, receiving funding through the IWN for tablets and SIM cards.

 Adult Community Learning (ACL):

• Once again, we focused on supporting the team to meet targets with enrolment, undertaking photography for their annual brochure.

• We developed a logo for ACL to provide them with an identity that was complementary but separate from the Trust.

• New signage was installed at each of the learning action centres.

• We supported their activities, particularly the ILS and other events.

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• Continued to work in partnership to support partners and promote the developments and facilities across the Trust. In addition to those mentioned above, examples of these are:

• BGCBC – working with the Biodiversity Officer and Groundwork Wales to promote volunteering at PBB and engaging with the Gwent Wildlife Trust to support activities.

• The Destination Management Group (DMG), continued with support provided to the tourism officer to help promote the parks. Exploration of advertising opportunities were also supported.

• Ongoing dialogue with the Sustainable Food Co-ordinator to help promote initiatives for greater awareness of healthy eating, supporting through attendance to meetings and investigating the use of the polytunnels at PBB for use by Young Carers or other local volunteer groups.

• Welsh Government – in addition to the involvement with the DMG and the South Wales Tourism Group, we secured key activities at PBB on the Visit Wales website. We will continue to work closely to gain accreditation for the new bunkhouse to help drive tourism to the park.

• Valley Regional Partnership (VRP) – the launch of the new Wellbeing Workhub and Wellbeing Meeting hub was successfully achieved in March 2023. Thus far use and feedback has been very positive. Greater insight is being pursued when visitors log on to the Wi-Fi in the hubs so this feedback can be ratified.

• ABUHB – continued support of Dewis, acting as editors and ensuring the Trust’s facilities are updated.

• Customer feedback – continued to report monthly on customer feedback through Facebook, Google Reviews and TripAdvisor. We have moved ongoing feedback for the sites from Fitronics (solely for sports centres) to Microsoft Forms where visitors/members can feedback to us through all websites (except BHAP due to concern regarding the stability of the current site), on-site through a QR code, and through the Trust’s app (sports centres only).

• App development dialogue has been ongoing during the year so that the Trust’s app can better reflect all the sites rather than being for sports centres predominantly. This dialogue continues and it will be a key objective in the next FY.

• The IT team developed the new intranet site for the Trust which enable each site to be responsible for promoting its own news and celebrating success, in real time. This replaces the newsletter.

• The annual staff survey provided the following feedback:

• Response rate was 25%, with two thirds of respondents being full-time employees.

• NPS for recommending working for the Trust was 47 (great).

• NPS for believing there are good job prospects, benefits, friendly colleagues and an overall good employer was 35 (great).

• 14% of respondents wanted to see better communication. The introduction of the new intranet should address greater cross-site awareness.

• 13% of respondents wanted greater cross-site integration. The introduction of annual staff parties has been introduced to help break down the silo-mentality of each site.

• 9% of respondents wanted better progression and training. Each manager has been tasked to ensure that this is covered in regular 1-2-1s.

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• Following the pandemic and closure/working from home, greater visibility of the SMT was also highlighted and this has been implemented.

Greater engagement is key for the next annual survey and the SMT will work with the HR team to maximise the new Planday system.

Workforce and Workplace Development

• Aneurin Leisure recognises and fully appreciates that our employees are the key to the success of the Trust. The Trust employs c. 226 contracted employees (Full Time Equivalent 137.54) and in addition, utilises casual relief posts (i.e., 53 individuals at the end of March 2023) and is committed to the development, health and wellbeing of all.

• The Trust continues working towards a planned, systematic approach to improving our organisational effectiveness, one that aligns strategy, people and processes to achieve our commitment to continuously improve our customers’ experience which is essential to achieving this. The Trust links training and the performance appraisals to our values and strategic priorities.

• The Trust continues to meet with the Trade Unions on a regular basis and has an excellent working relationship.

• The Trust has continued to work in partnership with TSW (Training Services Wales) and a number of frontline supervisors and managers are currently completing training at Level’s 3 to 5.

• Delivery of in-house training for Performance Management, Difficulty Conversations and Conducting Investigations.

• New staff and workers receive the Trust’s company Induction, day 1 covers the corporate induction whilst over the following 12 weeks they cover their Business Unit and their facility induction.

• Strategic Business Unit Managers are undertaking their performance management cycle process and identifying training needs which forms part of the Trust’s annual.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

The group has returned a surplus of £801,262 before FRS 102 pension adjustments for the 12-month period to 31 March 2023, of which £467,752 is from restricted funds. The trading subsidiary, LLT limited has contributed £7,924 to the group surplus.

----- Start of picture text -----
£
Group surplus pre-FRS 102 pension adjustments 801,262
Less excess of FRS 102 DB pension cost recognised
in P&L over employer contributions (1,708,000)
Net outgoing resources per SOFA (1,682,707)
Add actuarial gain on pension fund 16,112,000
Net movement in funds per SOFA 14,429,293
----- End of picture text -----

On 1 October 2014, the Trust was admitted to the Greater Gwent Local Government Superannuation scheme (LGPS), a defined benefit scheme. The funding deficit accruing to 30 September 2014 in respect of employees relocating to Aneurin Leisure was retained by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC). The Trust is, therefore, only responsible for any increase in liabilities occurring after the transfer date, with the Authority acting as a guarantor for the previously accrued net deficit. The pension deficit on an FRS 17 basis on the 1 October 2014 is £4.432m and this deficit remains the obligation of BGCBC; an asset of £4.432m is included in these accounts to reflect this. The pension liability on an FRS 102 basis as at 31 March 2023 has improved to £5,263m from a deficit of £9,141m in 2022, thereby generating a cumulative actuarial pension increase of £9,695m since 1 October 2014.

Principal funding sources

Within the period the Trust received £2,879,785 as a management fee from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Grant income for the period amounted to £1,992,389 and the majority of the remaining income was received from our customers.

The income is used to fund the operating costs of the facilities from which we deliver our charitable objectives.

Financial management

The Trust utilises key performance indicators (KPI) to assist in the financial management of the business. Some of the KPI measures include:

• Staff costs as a % of income: 2022/23: 81% (2022: 77%)

• Staff costs as a % of total resources expended: 2022/23 65% (2022: 68%)

It should be noted that the FRS 102 pension adjustment makes a significant impact. If the 2022/23 figures are adjusted to remove the FRS 102 increase in the pension service cost the staff costs as a % of income reduces to 49% and the staff costs as % of expenditure reduces to 44%.

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Reserves policy

It is the Trust’s policy to build up over time sufficient reserves to meet its charitable objectives on a sustainable basis and cover the risks that the Trust faces.

The Trust aims to build up reserves to fund working capital. All annual surpluses not allocated to fund working capital are available to fund investment in property and equipment to improve service quality. The Trust aims to maintain a minimum unrestricted reserve balance of £850,000, excluding any actuarial gains or losses and recognises the need to increase its current level of reserves.

At 31 March 2023 the restricted reserves amounted to a surplus of £1,077,256. The unrestricted income reserves excluding the DB pension reserve amount to a surplus of £1,596,830 (2022: £1,263,321). The pension reserve amounted to a surplus of £8,919,000.

As at 1 October 2014 the pension deficit of £4,432,000 (FRS17 basis) is the responsibility of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

Key risks

The Trust has a 20-year contract which commenced on 1 October 2014 with BGCBC with a review process built in during years 3 and 4 to review overall performance in advance of agreement to continue with the Trust for the following 5 years.

As part of the contract, BGCBC service management fee is agreed at the start of each 5-year period and reviewed annually on progress. The key challenge facing the Trust is to grow the income and control expenditure to support the contracted management fee.

If unsuccessful with attracting funding through various means including the Council, as well as providing investment into key assets, this will limit the Trust’s ability to reduce its dependence on the management fee.

The Trust received £1,992,389 (2022: £2.151m) of grant income in the year, equating to 23% of total incoming resources. The decrease in grants this year mainly relates to the reduction of Covid funding. In the event grant income is reduced in future years, associated expenditure currently funded by the grants would also need to be reduced.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The Trust faces a challenging period over the coming years mainly driven by the cost-of-living crisis which has elevated utility costs to unprecedented levels and this has resulted in the Trust exploring every opportunity to accelerate business plan projects, reduce operational costs where possible and review prices, which we hope will ensure that services remain fully available to Blaenau Gwent residents.

Key investments will include solar panel projects at 2 of the 3 sports centres which will enable the running costs to be more sustainable and help to secure the leisure provision for the future.

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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governance

Life Leisure Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act (2006). The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which establishes the objects and powers of the charitable company.

The Trustees

The Trustees are also the Directors in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The Board is made up of up to 11 Trustees consisting of one employee Trustee, up to two local authority Trustees and up to eight community Trustees.

Employee Trustees are appointed by the senior management team of the Trust for a period of three years.

The community Trustees are appointed for a 3-year period, with recruitment process as follows:

• Advert placed in local newspapers, on social media (LinkedIn & Twitter) within the Trust facilities, on the Trust website and other advertising resources as appropriate inviting applications. An information pack is provided outlining the duties and roles of a Trustee and the application process, together with information on the Trust.

• Applications will be shortlisted based on criteria specified within the personal specification and job description and assessment of the applicants’ particular skills and expertise to cover both community interest and commercial/business knowledge (such as Finance, Human Resources, Sales and Marketing).

• The Interview/Appointment Panel will comprise of three members and wherever possible panels will have a gender/race balance. Panel members should include two Trustees (Chair and/or Vice Chair, or other Trustee), a Trust Senior Officer (Director of Resources or Director of Operations) with support from the Human Resource Service, where appropriate. In circumstances where there is a need to involve more than three members on an interview panel, then this should be discussed in advance and agreed with the Human Resource Service (it may be necessary on occasions for additional Members to sit in on a panel to observe the process for developmental purposes).

• The appointment of Trustees will be made by the Board of Trustees following recommendations from the Interview/Appointment Panel and be based on not only the assessment of whether individuals are suitable to be Trustees, but also achieve a balance of skills on the Board. For example, it is important to have a balance of business skills and also geographical locations as well as interests (leisure, arts, community education, libraries, overall wellbeing, etc.)

• The Interview/Appointment Panel will recommend to the Board of Trustees of their preferred option to appoint a Trustee and following agreement to proceed, will confirm the offer to the selected candidate(s).

• The offer of appointment to be a member of the Board of Trustees will be subject to satisfactory references being obtained.

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• All Trustees are provided with the following documentation on induction:

• Declaration of Interests form

• Rehabilitation of Offenders form

• Equality & Diversity Monitoring form

• Trustee Code of Conduct Policy

• Trustee Confidentiality Policy

• Health & Safety Policy

• Equal Opportunities Policy

• Memorandum and Articles of Association

• Schedule of Matters

All Trustees are also members of the Charitable Trust which is limited by guarantee.

All Trustees receive induction training with regard to the organisation including its powers and objects and the Charitable Trust itself.

Trustees will be offered further training opportunities during their tenure.

Structure of the Charity

The Board of Trustees meets quarterly. The Charitable Trust operates a Finance sub-group to advise and report to the Board of Trustees.

A Corporate Director Team manages the day-to-day operations of the Charitable Trust, supported by a Senior Management Team.

Organisational Structure and Decision-Making Process

The Board retains overall accountability for the management of the Charitable Trust.

The day-to-day operations of the Charitable Trust are managed by the Trust’s Corporate Directors and Senior Management Team. The Senior Management Team is given strategic direction by the Board of Trustees (the Board) regarding the provision and operation of the services.

The Charitable Trust operates a business planning process whereby strategic priorities and targets directed by the Board and shared with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council flow from the business plan into quarterly reports and an annual delivery plan. This is fully embedded and central to our planning and budgeting cycles and drives operational performance.

Remuneration of Key Management Personnel

Remuneration of Key Management Personnel is reviewed annually alongside the other employees of the company by the main Board as part of the annual budget setting process.

Related Parties

The Charitable Trust has a relationship with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, who provides funding in the form of a management fee to enable the Charitable Trust to carry out its charitable objectives.

The Charitable Trust owns 100% of the ordinary share capital of LLT limited. LLT limited rents camping and caravanning pitches at Parc Bryn Bach.

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Co-operation with other organisations

As a community-based organisation operating throughout Blaenau Gwent, Aneurin Leisure structures large elements of its strategic planning and operational service delivery having due regard to partner aims and objectives, particularly Blaenau Gwent County Borough council. Work plans specifically identify how Aneurin Leisure will contribute to delivering on broader social agendas working with the health, education and voluntary sectors.

Risk Management

The Charitable Trust has developed a risk management plan to identify risks and risk mitigation measures at corporate level. The risk register is reviewed on a regular basis. The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY AND ITS TRUSTEES

Charity name: Life Leisure Trust Trading name: Aneurin Leisure Company registration number: 8951503 Charity registration number: 1159092 Registered office: Bedwellty House Morgan Street Tredegar NP22 3XN

Date of Appt.

Trustees:

Mr Lyn Evans – Chair	12/05/14
Mrs Donna Hardman	12/05/14
Councillor Wayne Hodgins	03/03/17	Resigned 10/12/18
		Re-appointed
		13/12/18
		Resigned 21/09/22
Councillor Lee Parsons	25/05/17	Resigned 21/09/22
Professor Jennifer Ames	24/08/17
Mr Richard Dando	26/03/19
Mr Stephen Priestnall	27/01/20
Ms Andrea Smart	27/01/20	Resigned 03/05/22
Mr Stephen Dwyer	16/03/20	Resigned 21/09/22
Mrs Sharon Howell	12/05/14	Resigned 29/03/19
Mrs Susan Lewis	12/05/14	Resigned 08/06/17
Mrs Sian Hughes	13/05/14	Resigned 30/09/17
Mr Philip Hodgson	01/07/14	Resigned 05/05/17
Mr Barry Esterhuizen	03/02/16	Resigned 27/04/17
Mr Steven Lewis	14/10/16	Resigned 31/05/17
Councillor Keren Bender	03/03/17	Resigned 19/05/17
Ms Tania Frowen	24/08/17	Resigned 26/06/18
Mr Mark Langshaw	01/12/17	Resigned 18/06/18
Mr Meirion Morgan	24/08/17	Resigned 03/12/18
Ms Claire Beynon	01/12/17	Resigned 15/03/19
Mr Andrew Rogers	25/03/19	Resigned 18/10/19
Mr Ross Watts	25/03/19	Resigned 14/12/20
Mr Steven Hughes	14/08/23

Key Management Personnel:

Mrs Nichola Morden-Tew Director of Resources Mr Phillip Sykes Director of Operations

38

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Bankers:	Barclays Business Banking
	South Wales Team
	3rd Floor Windsor Court
	3 Windsor Place
	Cardiff
	CF10 3ZL
Solicitors
(Employment Law):	Capital Law LLP
	Capital Building
	Tyndall Street
	Cardiff
	CF10 4AZ
Auditors:	Azets Audit Services Limited
	Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
	Ty Derw
	Lime Tree Court
	Cardiff Gate Business Park
	Cardiff
	CF23 8AB

39

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also directors of Life Leisure Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report (incorporating the strategic report and directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with 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).

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 charitable company and the group and of the income and expenditure, of the charitable company and group for that period. 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 judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company 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 charitable company and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

• there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and

• the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees

Mr Lyn Evans Trustee

Date ………………………………………..

40

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Life Leisure Trust T/A Aneurin Leisure (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31[st] March 2023 which comprise the consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the consolidated and parent Balance Sheet, the consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including 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 group’s and parent charitable company’s affairs as at 31[st] March 2023, and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, 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 group and parent charitable company 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

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s or parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Report of the Trustees , other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report[6] . Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.

41

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the information given in the trustees' report (incorporating the strategic report and the directors’ report) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements .

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent charitable company’s financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

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

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the parent charitable company for the purposes of company law) are 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 are responsible for assessing the groups and parent charitable company’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 group or parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with this Act. 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.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Audit/Audit-and-assurance/Standards-and-guidance/Standards-andguidance-for-auditors/Auditors-responsibilities-for-audit/Description-of-auditors-responsibilities-foraudit.aspx. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

42

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

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.

We obtain and update our understanding of the entity, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed procedures which included:

• Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud;

• Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;

• Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the entity through enquiry and inspection;

• Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

• Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for indicators of potential bias.

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 of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

43

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 . Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Craig Yearsley

Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Azets Audit Services

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Ty Derw Lime Tree Court Cardiff Gate Business Park Cardiff CF23 8AB Date ......................................

Azets Audit Services is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

44

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the income and expenditure account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other trading activities 5 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/ income 7 Transfers between funds 15,16 Other recognised gains/(losses): Actuarial (losses)/ gains on defined benefit pension schemes 20 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward 15,16 Total funds carried forward 16,17	Unrestricted funds £ 1,316 7,146,241 7,924 7,155,481 9,280,081 9,280,081 (2,124,600) (25,890) 16,112,000 13,961,510 (3,445,679) 10,515,831	Restricted funds £ - 1,427,727 - 1,427,727 985,866 985,866 441,861 25,890 - 467,751 609,505 1,077,256	Total funds 2023 £ 1,316 8,573,968 7,924 8,583,208 10,265,947 10,265,947 (1,682,739) - 16,112,000 14,429,261 (2,836,174) 11,593,087	Total funds 2022 £ 9,449 7,678,209 9,576
				7,697,234
				8,743,334
				8,743,334
				(1,046,100) - 4,677,000
				3,630,900 (6,467,074) (2,836,174)

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.

The notes on pages 50 - 79 form part of the financial statements

45

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - CHARITY ONLY

(Incorporating the income and expenditure account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/ income 7 Transfers between funds 15,16 Other recognised gains/(losses): Actuarial (losses)/ gains on defined benefit pension schemes 20 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward 15,16 Total funds carried forward 16,17	Unrestricted funds £ 7,355 7,146,241 7,153,596	Restricted funds £ - 1,427,727 1,427,727	Total funds 2023 £ 7,355 8,573,968 8,581,323	Total funds 2022 £ 9,449 7,678,209
				7,687,658
	9,278,164 9,278,164 (2,124,568) (25,890) 16,112,000 13,961,542 (3,445,684) 10,515,858	985,866 985,866 441,861 25,890 - 467,751 609,505 1,077,256	10,264,030 10,264,030 (1,682,707) - 16,112,000 14,429,293 (2,836,179) 11,593,114	8,733,770
				8,733,770
				(1,046,112) - 4,677,000
				3,630,888 (6,467,067) (2,836,179)

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.

The notes on pages 50 - 79 form part of the financial statements

46

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

Note Fixed assets: Tangible assets 9 Current assets: Stocks 11 Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities: Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 13 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 14 Net assets excluding pension liability Defined benefit pension scheme liability 20 Net (liabilities)/ assets The funds of the charity: Restricted income funds 15 Unrestricted income funds 16 Pension reserve 16 Total charity funds 17	2023 £ £ 497,188 24,788 5,529,139 1,388,982 6,942,909 (779,413) 6,163,496 6,660,684 (330,597) 6,330,087 5,263,000 11,593,087 1,077,256 1,596,831 8,919,000 10,515,831 11,593,087	2022 £ £ 558,137 23,677 5,061,742 1,882,967 6,968,386 (827,098) 6,141,288 6,699,425 (394,599) 6,304,826 (9,141,000) (2,836,174) 609,505 1,263,321 (4,709,000) (3,445,679) (2,836,174)	2022 £ £ 558,137 23,677 5,061,742 1,882,967 6,968,386 (827,098) 6,141,288 6,699,425 (394,599) 6,304,826 (9,141,000) (2,836,174) 609,505 1,263,321 (4,709,000) (3,445,679) (2,836,174)
			6,699,425 (394,599)
			6,304,826 (9,141,000)
			(2,836,174)
			609,505 (3,445,679) (2,836,174)

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees on .........................

......................................... Mr Lyn Evans Trustee

The notes on pages 50 - 79 form part of the financial statements

47

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE CHARITY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

Note Fixed assets: Tangible assets 9 Investments 10 Current assets: Stocks 11 Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities: Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 13 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 14 Net assets excluding pension liability Defined benefit pension scheme liability 20 Net (liabilities)/ assets The funds of the charity: Restricted income funds 15 Unrestricted income funds 16 Pension reserve 16 Total charity funds 17	2023 £ £ 497,188 1 497,189 24,788 5,532,533 1,387,097 6,944,418 (780,896) 6,163,522 6,660,711 (330,597) 6,330,114 5,263,000 11,593,114 1,077,256 1,596,858 8,919,000 10,515,858 11,593,114	2022 558,137 1 558,138 23,677 5,065,135 1,881,051 6,969,863 (828,581) 6,141,282 6,699,420 (394,599) 6,304,821 (9,141,000) (2,836,179) 609,505 1,263,316 (4,709,000) (3,445,684) (2,836,179)	2022 558,137 1 558,138 23,677 5,065,135 1,881,051 6,969,863 (828,581) 6,141,282 6,699,420 (394,599) 6,304,821 (9,141,000) (2,836,179) 609,505 1,263,316 (4,709,000) (3,445,684) (2,836,179)
			558,138 6,141,282
			6,699,420 (394,599)
			6,304,821 (9,141,000)
			(2,836,179)
			609,505 (3,445,684) (2,836,179)

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees on .........................

......................................... Mr Lyn Evans Trustee

The notes on pages 50 - 79 form part of the financial statements

48

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

Note Net cash provided by operating activities 21 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property plant and equipment 9 Net cash provided used in investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 21 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 21	2023 £ (447,356) (46,629) (46,629) (493,985) 1,882,967 1,388,982	2022 £ 1,186,749
		(551,864)
		(551,864)
		634,885 1,248,082 1,882,967

The notes on pages 50 - 79 form part of the financial statements

49

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Legal form and address

Life Leisure Trust T/A Aneurin Leisure is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Bedwellty House, Morgan Street, Tredegar, NP22 3XN.

Basis of preparation

The accounts 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)” (effective 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 amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

No separate cash flow statement has been presented for the charity itself as the charity has taken advantage of the exemptions in paragraph 1.12 of FRS 102.

Group financial statements

These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Life Leisure Trust Limited (the charitable company) and LLT Limited its wholly owned trading subsidiary, made up to 31 March 2023.

These financial statements consolidate the results of the charity and its wholly owned subsidiary on a line-by-line basis.

The trading results of the subsidiary are disclosed in note 10 to these financial statements.

Going concern

The group made a deficit (before defined benefit pension adjustments) of £1,626,947 for the year ended 31st March 2023 of which £441,862 related to unrestricted funds. The trust is predicted to make a deficit for the financial year ending 31st March 2024 and a breakeven position for the financial year ending 31[st] March 2045. The deficit is largely due to the follow-on impact of covid-19, with customer numbers not returning to pre-covid levels as well as cost of living increases.

The trust’s have prepared forecasts for a period of more than 12 months from the date of signing the financial statements, these forecasts demonstrate that the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the trust has adequate cash reserves and resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. They have been prepared on a worst case scenario and with the Trust being significantly ahead of the 2023/24 forecast. Cash reserves at the date of signing the financial statements are strong.

50

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Fund accounting

The charity has various types of funds for which it is responsible, and which require further disclosure. These are as follows:

Restricted funds are earmarked by the donor for specific purposes. Grant income received to fund capital expenditure is held in restricted reserves. The balance is transferred to unrestricted reserves in future years at the same rates as to match the depreciation charges of the related assets.

Revenue funds restricted by the donor are matched against expenditure as appropriate.

Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. In addition to expenditure on the principal activities of the charity these funds can be held in order to fund capital expenditure.

Income recognition

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.

Certain income is received in advance of the provision of the relevant service and as such is deferred until the service commences.

The management fee is an unrestricted fund which is available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charitable company. The income is invoiced and recognised in the period to which it relates.

Income from grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Income from grants is deferred only when the terms and conditions of the grant permit the income to be deferred to future periods.

51

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Turnover is the amount derived from ordinary activities, and stated after trade discounts, other sales taxes and net of VAT.

Income from grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs relating to the furtherance of the charity’s objectives as stated in the trustees’ report and their associated support costs.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

An analysis has been provided for the charitable activities on a departmental basis. The departments are defined as follows:

The departments are defined as follows:

• Training and Libraries

• Culture, Parks and Events

• Sports and Fitness

• Central Support Services

Costs where possible are attributed directly to the activity in which they relate. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities based on income received in the year.

Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Netting off of income against expenditure

It is not the policy of the charitable company to show incoming resources net of expenditure.

Taxation

As a registered charity Life Leisure Trust T/A Aneurin Leisure is entitled to the exemption from taxation in respect of income and capital gains received with sections 478-489 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 and section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects purposes only.

52

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses or in cases where fixed assets have been donated to the charity, at valuation at time of acquisition.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 20% straight line Plant and machinery - 20% straight line Motor vehicles - 20% straight line Computers equipment - 33% straight line Assets are capitalised at cost.

Impairment of Tangible Fixed Assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

Investments

Investments relate to 100% of the share capital of the charity's wholly owned trading subsidiary and is recognised at cost.

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is based on the estimated selling price after taking into account all further costs and excess stocks that are slow moving.

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.

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.

53

LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the charity transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

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 payments 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.

Employee Benefits

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

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Service Concession Agreements

The charity has service contracts with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council for the maintenance and operation of the various libraries, community centres, leisure centres and parks owned by the Local Authority to which it has lease and management service contracts.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Property, plant and equipment

The buildings and equipment at the various locations are to be leased to the charity as part of the overall contractual relationships with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC) but BGCBC maintain ultimate control of these assets. Accordingly the access to which the charity has in the use of these assets is to enable it to operate the various venues so that the charity can provide the public service it is contracted to provide, not to effectively own these public service assets. These assets are therefore not recognised on the charity's Balance Sheet.

Any new assets purchased by the Trust remain the property of the Trust.

Receipts

The charity receives agreed management fee income from BGCBC each year which is decreased on an annual basis as per the terms of the Funding and Management Agreement.

Pensions

The charitable company operates a pension scheme providing benefits based on final pensionable pay.

Full details of the Trust's retirement benefit arrangements are set out in note 19 being the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

This is a funded pension scheme meaning that the employer and employee pay contributions which are invested in a separate fund.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC) remain liable for the past service deficit that existed at the Trust’s inception. The Trust is responsible for the LGPS movements after the commencement date; however the liability is indemnified by BGCBC.

The cost of providing benefits under defined benefit plans is determined separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method, and is based on actuarial advice.

The change in the net defined benefit liability arising from employee service during the year is recognised as an employee cost. The cost of plan introductions, benefit changes, settlements and curtailments are recognised as incurred.

The net interest element is determined by multiplying the net defined benefit liability by the discount rate, taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments. The net interest is recognised in income/(expenditure) for the year.

Remeasurement changes comprise actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling and the return on the net defined benefit liability excluding amounts included in net interest. These are recognised immediately in other recognised gains and losses in the period in which they occur and are not reclassified to income/(expenditure) in subsequent periods.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

The net defined benefit pension asset or liability in the balance sheet comprises the total for each plan of the present value of the defined benefit obligation (using a discount rate based on high quality corporate bonds), less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled directly. Fair value is based on market price information, and in the case of quoted securities is the published bid price. The value of a net pension benefit asset is limited to the amount that may be recovered either through reduced contributions or agreed refunds from the scheme.

Operating leases

The charity classifies the lease of gym equipment and motor vehicles as operating leases. Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. The following critical accounting estimates and judgements have been made:

Useful economic lives of tangible assets

The annual depreciation charge for tangible assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimate, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See note 9 for the carrying amount of the plant and equipment and above for the useful economic lives for each class of assets.

Defined benefit pension scheme

The present value of the Local Government Pension Scheme defined benefit liability depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a variety of assumptions. The assumptions used in determining the net cost (income) for pensions include the discount rate. Any changes in these assumptions, which are disclosed in note 19, will impact the carrying amount of the pension liability.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

3. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

NCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Group Unrestricted funds £ Donations 1,316 LLT Limited Covenant - 1,316 Charity Donations 1,316 LLT Limited Covenant 6,039 7,355	Restricted funds £ - - - - - -	Total 2023 £ 1,316 - 1,316 1,316 6,039 7,355	Total 2022 £ 1,002 8,447
			9,449
			1,002 8,447 9,449

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted funds Group and charity £ Catering income 1,193,081 Class income 57,873 Educational income 34,124 Grants 564,662 Leisure centre income 1,787,536 Management fee 2,879,785 Park outdoor activities 263,975 Room hire and rental 174,531 Sale of goods 43,936 Service Level Agreement 76,471 Shows and events 13,339 Sundry income 56,928 7,146,241	Restricted funds £ - - - 1,427,727 - - - - - - - - 1,427,727	Total 2023 £ 1,193,081 57,873 34,124 1,992,389 1,787,536 2,879,785 263,975 174,531 43,936 76,471 13,339 56,928 8,573,968	Total 2022 £ 872,172 34,694 21,051 2,150,537 1,310,916 2,798,092 236,664 109,687 30,438 75,304 9,086 29,568 7,678,209

Grant income was received from the following sources:

Group and charity Unrestricted funds £ Aneurin Bevan University Health Board - Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council - Cardiff Council - Coleg Gwent 261,793 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Denbighshire County Council - Disability Sports Wales - European Social Fund - GAVO - Good Things Foundation - Learning & Work Institute - National Heritage - Public Health Wales - Sports Council Wales 41,476 Street Games - WCVA - Welsh Government 261,393 564,662	Restricted funds £ 8,000 45,278 - - 3,500 19,963 460,795 12,000 - - 1,013 101,772 486,112 28,992 5,892 254,410 1,427,727	Total 2023 £ 8,000 45,278 - 261,793 - 3,500 19,963 460,795 12,000 - - 1,013 101,772 527,588 28,992 5,892 515,803 1,992,389	Total 2022 £ 15,609 61,734 4,005 274,079 82,049 - 19,945 477,085 - 2,352 750 7,911 103,000 284,916 26,000 27,520 763,582 2,150,537

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (continued)

Income by activity:

Training and libraries Culture, parks and events Sports and fitness Central support services	Group £ 1,415,611 1,188,736 3,062,416 2,916,445 8,583,208*	Charity £ 1,415,611 1,186,851 3,062,416 2,916,445 8,581,323**

• Group income includes donations and subsidiary trading income.

**Charity income includes donations and excludes subsidiary trading income

5. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

Group Unrestricted funds £ Subsidiary trading operations 7,924 7,924	Restricted funds £ - -	Total 2023 £ 7,924 7,924	Total 2022 £ 9,576 9,576

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Group Agency and subcontractors Business support Catering costs Defined benefit FRS102 recognised pension costs (note 19) Depreciation Events and show costs Irrecoverable VAT Other costs Premises Reorganisation costs Social security Wages and salaries Charity Agency and subcontractors Business support Catering costs Defined benefit FRS102 recognised pension costs (note 19) Depreciation Events and show costs Irrecoverable VAT Other costs Premises Reorganisation costs Social security Wages and salaries	Direct £ 245,239 577,288 605,889 2,413,922 107,578 26,185 63,359 432,568 1,095,054 9,560 333,796 3,673,563 9,584,001 245,239 577,245 605,889 2,413,922 107,578 26,185 62,243 431,810 1,095,054 9,560 333,796 3,673,563 9,582,084	Support £ - 47,683 - - - - 10,092 - - - - 598,182 655,957 - 47,683 - - - - 10,092 - - - - 598,182 655,957	Grants Governance £ £ - - - 14,096 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11,893 - 11,893 14,096 - - - 14,096 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11,893 - 11,893 14,096	Total 2023 £ 245,239 639,067 605,889 2,413,922 107,578 26,185 73,451 432,568 1,095,054 9,560 333,796 4,283,638 10,265,947 245,239 639,024 605,889 2,413,922 107,578 26,185 72,335 431,810 1,095,054 9,560 333,796 4,283,638 10,264,030	Total 2022 £ 214,076 641,912 385,375 2,169,252 51,778 42,755 32,177 462,076 842,194 75,219 283,130 3,543,390 8,743,334 214,076 641,912 385,375 2,169,252 51,778 42,755 31,061 453,628 842,194 75,219 283,130 3,543,390 8,733,770

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (continued)

Expenditure can be attributed to:

Group Training and libraries Culture, parks and events Sports and fitness Central support services Charity Training and libraries Culture, parks and events Sports and fitness Central support services	Direct £ 1,650,673 1,758,198 3,126,140 3,048,990 9,584,001 1,650,673 1,756,281 3,126,140 3,048,990 9,582,084	Support £ 163,919 137,430 354,608 - 655,957 163,919 137,430 354,608 - 655,957	Grants Governance £ - - 11,893 - - - - 14,096 11,893 14,096 - - 11,893 - - - - 14,096 11,893 14,096	Total 2023 £ 1,814,592 1,907,521 3,480,748 3,063,086 10,265,947 1,814,592 1,905,604 3,480,748 3,063,086 10,264,030	Total 2022 £ 1,534,014 1,634,056 2,928,065 2,647,199
					8,743,334
					1,534,014 1,624,492 2,928,065 2,647,199 8,733,770

*Costs related to FRS 102 valuation of the pension scheme have been charged to the support category within Central support services and are not allocated across the business.

Support costs have been allocated to the activities based on income received in the year.

7. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net incoming resources are stated after charging:

	Total	Total
	2023	2022
Group and charity	£	£
Depreciation	107,578	51,778
Operating leases	7,995	96,773
Auditors Remuneration:
Audit fees	9,000	9,000
Accountancy services	1,500	1,500

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

8. STAFF COSTS

Group and charity Wages and salaries Social security costs FRS 102 Pension service costs (see note 19)	Total 2023 £ 4,283,638 333,796 2,413,922 7,031,356	Total 2022 £ 3,543,390 283,130 2,169,252 5,995,772

Pension costs also include the impact of the FRS102 actuarial valuation of the service cost of running the DB scheme.

Redundancy costs totalling £nil are included in the above costs (2022: £75,219). There were no amounts outstanding at the year end (2022: £nil).

The total number of persons utilised throughout the year comprised a mixture of both contracted staff and relief workers. A number of individuals have only worked minimal shifts to support events. At 31 March 2022 and 2022 the Trust had 69 people in relief posts.

Staff numbers excluding relief workers:

Headcount 2023 Group and charity Training and libraries 75 Culture, parks and events 75 Sports and fitness 129 Central support services 10 289	Headcount 2022 83 69 123 12 287	FTE 2023 36.12 36.12 62.13 4.82 139.19	FTE 2022 37.91 31.52 56.19 5.48 131.1

Key management personnel

The key management personnel of the charity received benefits totalling £182,009 (2022: £170,597).

These costs consist of gross pay, employers’ national insurance contributions and employers pension contributions.

The number of employees whose emoluments amounted to over £60,000 for the period and to whom retirement benefits are accruing under a defined benefit scheme was:

	Total	Total
	2023	2022
	£	£
£60,000- £70,000	2	2

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

8. STAFF COSTS (continued)

The amount of employers pension contributions paid in respect of the above employees for the period was as follows:

eriod was as follows:
	Total	Total
	2023	2022
	£	£
Total contributions	24,732	23,190

Transactions with Trustees

During the period Donna Hardman, as the staff Trustee, received remuneration from her employment with the charity but not for her services as a Trustee.

The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the charity (paragraph 19.1) provides the charity with the legal authority to make such payments.

The employee is a staff representative on the Trustee board.

No Trustees were reimbursed for expenses during the current or prior period.

Related Party transactions

During the period the charity recharged its wholly owned trading subsidiary LLT Limited £5,582 (2022: £8,373) for admin, staff time and maintenance costs.

LLT Limited gift aided £457 (2022: £2,865) to the charity during the period.

As at 31 March 2023 the LLT owed the charity £1,910 (2022: the charity owed LLT £1,910).

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Plant and machinery Computer equipment Fixtures and fittings Group and charity £ £ £ Cost At 1 April 2022 665,984 8,674 59,162 Additions 41,683 - 4,946 At 31 March 2023 707,667 8,674 64,108 Depreciation At 1 April 2022 120,235 8,674 46,774 Charge for the year 101,691 - 5,887 At 31 March 2023 221,926 8,674 52,661 Net Book Value At 31 March 2023 485,741 - 11,447 At 31 March 2022 545,749 - 12,388	Motor vehicle £ 28,125 - 28,125 28,125 - 28,125 - -	Total £ 761,945 46,629
		808,574
		203,808 107,578
		311,386
		497,188
		558,137

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

10. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - CHARITY

								Investments
								in Group
								undertakings
								£
Cost as at	31	March	2022	and	31	March	2023	1

Life Leisure Trust owns 100% of the ordinary share capital of LLT Limited, a company registered in England and Wales, company number 09236541. The registered office of the company is the same as the charity. LLT Limited rents camping and caravanning pitches at Parc Bryn Bach.

The results of the company for the year ended 31 March 2023 can be found below:

Profit and Loss Account Turnover Admin expenses Operating profit Statement of changes in Equity Balance brought forward Profit and total comprehensive income for the period Distributions to parent charity under gift aid Balance carried forward Balance Sheet Current assets: Cash at bank and in hand Amount owed by parent Current liabilities: Amounts owed to group undertakings Net current assets/(liabilities) Capital and reserves: Called up share capital Profit and loss reserves	Total 2023 £ 7,924 (7,955) (31) 1 31 (31) 1 1,880 1,483 3,363 3,362 3,362 1 1 - 1	Total 2022 £ 9,576 (6,711)
		2,865
		1 2,865 (2,865)
		1
		1,911 1,484
		3,395
		3,394
		3,394
		1
		1 - 1

The results above are included in the consolidated accounts.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11. STOCK

Group and charity Shop items Food and bar 12. DEBTORS Group Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors Amounts falling due after one year: Underwritten pension balance Charity Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors Amounts falling due after one year: Underwritten pension balance

The underwritten pension balances relates to the deficit on the LGPS scheme prior to the Trust’s inception (see note 19).

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

13. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Group Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Social security and other taxes Hire purchase Charity Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Social security and other taxes Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings Hire purchase	2023 £ 44,290 415,484 255,637 64,002 779,413 44,290 415,484 255,637 1,483 64,002 780,896	2022 £ 30,195 580,727 154,121 62,055
		827,098
		30,195 580,727 154,121 1,483 62,055 828,581

Contained in the accruals and deferred balance above is deferred income in relation to weddings, activities, ticket sale income and management fee income which will relates to the 2023/24 financial year.

Contained in the balance is also grant income received in advance of the period to which it relates.

Group and Charity Balance brought forward Income received in the year Released to income Balance carried forward	2023 £ 205,857 2,738,830 (2,879,785) 64,902	2022 £ 53,234 2,965,147 (2,814,546) 203,835

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER ONE YEAR

Group and Charity Hire purchase	2023 £ 330,597 330,597	2022 £ 394,599 394,599

Hire purchase contracts

The net book value of fixed assets held under hire purchase contracts during the year totalled £388,065s (2022: £455,554).

Group and Charity Future minimum lease payments due under finance leases: Within one year In two to five years In over five years	2023 £ 64,002 275,477 55,120 394,599	2022 £ 62,055 297,217 97,382 456,654

s

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

15. RESTRICTED FUNDS

Group and charity Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Arts Council of Wales Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Denbighshire County Council Disability Sports Wales European Social Fund GAVO Good Things Foundation Heritage Lottery Learning & Work Institute National Heritage Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Public Health Wales Sports Council Wales Street Games WCVA Welsh Government Wrexham County Borough Council Total funds	At 1 April 2022 £ 10,000 (12,446) 11,000 - (162) 434,238 - 4,234 11,592 3,761 - 4,114 6,793 56,845 50,728 22,104 5,000 1,704 609,505	Income £ 8,000 - 45,278 3,500 19,963 460,795 12,000 - - - 1,013 - 101,772 486,112 28,992 5,892 254,410 - 1,427,727	Expenditure £ (18,000) 809 (40,936) (3,078) (22,400) (428,048) (2,882) (4,234) - - - - (131,920) (163,852) (50,483) (27,996) (92,846) - (985,866)	Transfers £ - 11,637 - - 2,599 (109) - - (11,592) - - - 23,355 - - - - - 25,890	At 31 March 2023 £ - - 15,342 422 - 466,876 9,118 - - 3,761 1,013 4,114 - 379,105 29,237 - 166,564 1,704 1,077,256

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board was received for the MALD Museums and Libraries Division (formally CyMAL) project to assist with the delivery of Every Child a Member Scheme.

Arts Council of Wales funding was received for delivery of community arts projects within the four Local Authority areas of Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil and Caerphilly.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council was to provide Adult Community Learning.

Denbighshire County Council was received for the MALD Museums and Libraries Division (formally CyMAL) funding to assist with the delivery of Every Child a Member Scheme.

Disability Sports Wales funding was received for the provision of quality sporting and physical activity opportunities for disabled people at grass roots level.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

15. RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)

European Social Fund grant was received to achieve two main objectives:

1. engage, support and prepare the economically inactive in deprived areas, by teaching them the relevant skills to gain sustainable employment.

2. increase the relevant skills of those individuals currently employed with limited skills.

Heritage Lottery funding was received to achieve four main objectives:

• i. enhancing educational activities within the local heritage attractions.

• ii. delivering the ‘Blaenau Gwent in the 1st World War’ project, which includes working with volunteers and the community. This project has successfully concluded.

• iii. providing exposure to the arts via the History and Mystery project.

• iv. to deliver a series of workshops to young people in the community on local history via the Voice and Identity project

GAVO funding received to establish a community wellbeing hub that supports community members to reintegrate back into community life post COVID.

Good Things Foundation funding received for the public to complete their census digitally.

Learning & Work Institute funding was received to deliver promotional activities during the Adult Learners’ week.

National Heritage funding was received for sensory garden project at Parc Bryn Bach.

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

MALD Museums and Libraries Division (formally CyMAL) funding to assist with the delivery of Every Child a Member Scheme

Public Health Wales funding was received to facilitate the implementation and maintenance of exercise schemes, with the view of improving the health and wellbeing for patients aged 16 and over at risk of chronic disease.

Sports Council Wales funding was received to achieve six objectives:

• i. to set up a buggy walker group for new parents/carers to meet weekly and enjoy an exercise class with their child via the Sports Lottery Community Chest Grant.

• ii. increase regular participation in sport, improve opportunities for all and develop talented athletes via the LAPA project.

• iii. provide free swimming to eligible participants via the Free Swim Grant.

• iv. to support the delivery of the 'Coaches for the Future' programme.

• v. to develop sports clubs via the 'Thriving Clubs' project.

• vi. to improve the health, happiness and confidence of children by increasing their participation in physical activity via the Physical Literacy project.

Street Games funding was received to deliver the 'Door-step Sport' and 'Us Girls Initiative' as well as the 'Sports Leaders Awards'.

WCVA funding to improve biodiversity, waste minimisation and environmental enhancement.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

15. RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)

Welsh Government funding was received to restructure the ground floor of Abertillery library to accommodate Adult Community learning activities.

Wrexham County Borough Council funding was received to achieve three main objectives:

• delivery of 'Every Child a Member' scheme with the libraries.

• delivery of the 'Summer Reading Challenge'.

• delivery of the 'Rugby Stories' project. This project has successfully concluded.

Previous period

Group and charity Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Arts Council of Wales Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Cardiff Council Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Disability Sports Wales European Social Fund Good Things Foundation Heritage Lottery Learning & Work Institute National Heritage Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Public Health Wales Sports Council Wales Street Games WCVA Welsh Government Wrexham County Borough Council Total funds	At 1 April 2021 £ - 74,227 - - - 2,446 353,948 1,960 11,592 3,141 (7,911) 4,114 - 26,453 45,453 - 5,000 1,704 522,127	Income £ 14,887 - 49,129 4,005 82,049 19,945 477,085 2,352 - 750 7,911 - 103,000 243,210 26,000 27,520 - - 1,057,843	Expenditure £ (4,887) (86,673) (38,129) (4,005) (82,049) (21,308) (396,795) (78) - (130) - - (96,207) (212,818) (20,725) (5,416) - - (969,220)	Transfers £ - - - - - (1,245) - - - - - - - - - - - - (1,245)	At 31 March 2022 £ 10,000 (12,446) 11,000 - - (162) 434,238 4,234 11,592 3,761 - 4,114 6,793 56,845 50,728 22,104 5,000 1,704 609,505

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

16. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Group General fund Defined benefit pension scheme Charity General fund Defined benefit pension scheme Previous period Group General fund Defined benefit pension scheme Charity General fund Defined benefit pension scheme	As at 1 April 2022 £ 1,263,321 (4,709,000) (3,445,679) 1,263,316 (4,709,000) (3,445,684) As at 1 April 2021 £ 845,799 (7,835,000) (6,989,201) 845,806 (7,835,000) (6,989,194)	Income £ 7,155,481 - 7,155,481 7,153,596 - 7,153,596 Income £ 6,639,391 - 6,639,391 6,629,815 - 6,629,815	Expenditure Transfers Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension scheme £ £ £ (6,796,081) (25,890) - (2,484,000) - 16,112,000 (9,280,081) (25,890) 16,112,000 (6,794,164) (25,890) - (2,484,000) - 16,112,000 (9,278,164) (25,890) 16,112,000 Expenditure Transfers Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension scheme £ £ £ (6,223,114) 1,245 - (1,551,000) - 4,677,000 (7,774,114) 1,245 4,677,000 (6,213,550) 1,245 - (1,551,000) - 4,677,000 (7,764,550) 1,245 4,677,000	As at 31 March 2023 £ 1,596,831 8,919,000
				10,515,831
				1,596,858 8,919,000 10,515,858 As at 31 March 2022 £ 1,263,321 (4,709,000)
				(3,445,679)
				1,263,316 (4,709,000) (3,445,684)

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

17. ANALSYS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds Group £ Fixed assets 497,188 Current assets 1,433,653 Pension debtor 4,432,000 Current liabilities (779,713) Long term liabilities (330,597) Pension deficit 5,263,000 Total funds 10,515,831 Charity Fixed assets 497,188 Investments 1 Current assets 1,435,162 Pension debtor 4,432,000 Current liabilities (780,896) Long term liabilities (330,597) Pension deficit 5,263,000 Total funds 10,515,858 Previous year Unrestricted funds Group £ Fixed assets 558,137 Current assets 1,926,881 Pension debtor 4,432,000 Current liabilities (827,098) Long term liabilities (394,599) Pension deficit (9,141,000) Total funds (3,445,679) Charity Fixed assets 558,137 Investments 1 Current assets 1,928,358 Pension debtor 4,432,000 Current liabilities (828,581) Long term liabilities (394,599) Pension deficit (9,141,000) Total funds (3,445,684)	Restricted funds £ - 1,077,256 - - - - 1,077,256 - - 1,077,256 - - - - 1,077,256 Restricted funds £ - 609,505 - - - - 609,505 - - 609,505 - - - - 609,505	2023 £ 497,188 2,510,909 4,432,000 (779,713) (330,597) 5,263,000
		11,593,087
		497,188 1 2,512,418 4,432,000 (780,896) (330,597) 5,263,000 11,593,114 2022 £ 558,137 2,536,386 4,432,000 (827,098) (394,599) (9,141,000)
		(2,836,174)
		558,137 1 2,537,863 4,432,000 (828,581) (394,599) (9,141,000) (2,836,179)

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

18. OPERATING LEASES

The group had the following operating leases in place as at 31 March 2023:

Group and Charity Due less than 1 year Due 2-5 years Due >5 years	Total 2023 £ 22,468 - - 22,468	Total 2022 £ 22,468 - - 22,468

19. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

The ultimate controlling party is the Board of Trustees and management team who are responsible for the strategic and operational decisions of the charity.

20. PENSIONS

The company operates a pension scheme providing benefits based on pensionable pay.

The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity. The contributions are determined by a qualified actuary based on triennial valuations using the projected unit method. The most recent valuation was as at 31 March 2022 which has been updated to reflect conditions at the balance sheet date. The assumptions that have the most significant effect on the results of the valuation are those relating to the rate of return on investments and the rate of increase in salaries and pensions.

There were no amounts outstanding in relation to pension contributions during the current or prior period. Regular employer contributions during the period totalled £705,922 (2022: £618,252).

Local Government Superannuation Scheme (LGPS)

The company participates in the 'Torfaen County Borough Council (Greater Gwent)’ pension scheme which is a defined benefit scheme based on final pensionable salary. Certain employees of the company participated in the scheme prior to the company's inception and, as such, assets or liabilities attributable to these individuals were identified at the transfer date i.e. 1st October 2014. As part of the agreement, liability for the proportion of the debt attributable to these employees that relates to the pre-transfer period rests with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC). Gains and losses relating solely to the period since transfer are recognised in the income statement and statement of other comprehensive income. However, the deficit is underwritten by BGCBC. Pension funding is based on funding advice from the scheme actuary based on a different set of assumptions. The FRS 102 valuation does not impact on the level of contribution that the company and hence ultimately BGCBC has to make.

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

20. PENSIONS (continued)

Changes in the Fair Value of Plan Assets, Defined Benefit Obligation and Net Liability for year end 31 March 2023

Amounts recognised in the Balance Sheet and the Statement of Financial Activities are as follows:

Period ended 31 March 2023 Fair value of plan assets Present value of funded liabilities Opening Position as at 31 March 2022 Service cost Current service cost Past service cost (including curtailments) Total Service Cost Net interest Interest income on plan assets Interest cost on defined benefit obligation Total net interest Total defined benefit cost recognised in Profit or (Loss) Cash flows Plan participants’ contributions Employer contributions Estimated Benefits paid Expected closing position Remeasurements Changes in financial assumptions Changes in demographic assumptions Other experience Return on assets excluding amounts included in net interest Total remeasurements recognised in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) Fair value of plan assets Present value of funded liabilities Closing Position as at 31 March 2023	Assets £(000) 27,133 - 27,133 - - - 756 - 756 756 250 776 (252) 28,663 - - (1,367) (861) (2,228) 26,435 - 26,435	Obligations £(000) Net (liability)/ asset £(000) - 27,133 36,274 (36,274) 36,274 (9,141) 1,904 (1,904) 309 (309) 2,213 (2,213) - 756 1,027 (1,027) 1,027 (271) 3,240 (2,484) 250 - - 776 (252) - 39,512 (10,849) (15,386) 15,386 (2,277) 2,277 (677) (690) - (861) (18,340) 16,112 - 26,435 21,172 (21,172) 21,172 5,263	Obligations £(000) Net (liability)/ asset £(000) - 27,133 36,274 (36,274) 36,274 (9,141) 1,904 (1,904) 309 (309) 2,213 (2,213) - 756 1,027 (1,027) 1,027 (271) 3,240 (2,484) 250 - - 776 (252) - 39,512 (10,849) (15,386) 15,386 (2,277) 2,277 (677) (690) - (861) (18,340) 16,112 - 26,435 21,172 (21,172) 21,172 5,263
			(9,141)
			(1,904) (309)
			(2,213)
			756 (1,027)
			(271)
			(2,484)
			- 776 -
			(10,849)
			15,386 2,277 (690) (861)
			16,112
			26,435 (21,172) 5,263

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

20. PENSIONS (continued)

The major categories of plan assets as a percentage of total plan assets are as follows:

Using the most recent asset split and allowing for index returns, where required, on each asset category, the estimated split of assets as at 31 March 2023 is as shown below:

Period Ended	31 March 2023	31 March 2022
	%	%
Equities	79	81
Bonds	17	16
Property	3	3
Cash	1	0

The financial assumptions, as described in the accompanying report, are summarised below:

Period Ended	31 Mar 2023	31 March 2022
	% p.a.	% p.a.
Pension Increase Rate	2.95	3.15
Salary Increase Rate	3.45	3.45
Discount Rate	4.75	2.75

Life expectancy is based on the Funds’ VitaCurves with improvements in line with CMI 2018 with a peaked long term rate of 1.25% p.a.

The average future life expectances at age 65 are summarised below:

	Males	Females
Current Pensioners	19.5 years	23.4 years
Future Pensioners*	20.6 years	24.5 years

*Figures assume members aged 45 as at the last formal valuation date.

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are set out below:

Change in assumptions at 31 March 2023	Approximate % increase to	Approximate monetary
	Defined Benefit Obligation	amount £(000)
0.5% decrease in Real Discount Rate	14%	522
1 year increase in member life expectancy	4%	847
0.1% increase in the Salary Increase Rate	0%	68
0.1% increase in the Pension Increase Rate	2%	461

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

21. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2023 £ Net (expenditure)/ income for the reporting period 14,429,261 Adjustments for: Depreciation charges 107,578 (Gain)/Loss on disposal - (Increase)/decrease in stocks (1,111) (Increase)/decrease in debtors (467,397) Increase in creditors (14,515,687) Net cash provided by operating activities (447,356) Analysis of Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash in hand 1,388,982 Total Cash and Cash Equivalents 1,388,982	2022 £ 3,575,170 51,778 607 (9,678) 404,417 (2,835,547)
	1,186,747
	1,882,967 1,882,967

Analysis of changes in net funds

Cash at bank and in hand Obligations under finance lease	At 1 April 2022 £ 1,882,967 (456,654) 1,426,313	Cash flows Other non- cash changes At 31 March 2023 £ £ £ (493,994) 1,388,982 74,304 (12,249) (394,599) (493,994) (12,249) 994,383	Cash flows Other non- cash changes At 31 March 2023 £ £ £ (493,994) 1,388,982 74,304 (12,249) (394,599) (493,994) (12,249) 994,383
			(394,599) 994,383

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

22. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIY

Group Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/ income Transfers between funds Other recognised gains/(losses): Actuarial (losses)/ gains on defined benefit pension schemes Net movement in funds Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds £ 9,449 6,620,366 9,576 6,639,391 7,774,114 7,774,114 (1,134,723) 1,245 4,677,000 3,543,522 (6,989,201) (3,445,679)	Restricted funds £ - 1,057,843 - 1,057,843 969,220 969,220 88,623 (1,245) - 87,378 522,127 609,505	Total funds 2022 £ 9,449 7,678,209 9,576
			7,697,234
			8,743,334
			8,743,334
			(1,046,100) - 4,677,000
			3,630,900 (6,467,074) (2,836,174)

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LIFE LEISURE TRUST T/A ANEURIN LEISURE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

22. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITY (continued)

Charity Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/ income Transfers between funds Other recognised gains/(losses): Actuarial (losses)/ gains on defined benefit pension schemes Net movement in funds Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds £ 9,449 6,620,366 6,629,815 7,764,550 7,764,550 (1,134,735) 1,245 4,677,000 3,543,510 (6,989,194) (3,445,684)	Restricted funds £ - 1,057,843 1,057,843 969,220 969,220 88,623 (1,245) - 87,378 522,127 609,505	Total funds 2022 £ 9,449 7,678,209
			7,687,658
			8,733,770
			8,733,770
			(1,046,112) - 4,677,000
			3,630,888 (6,467,067) (2,836,179)

79