Woodlands Speaks
Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] July 2024
Charity number: 1159638 Company limited by guarantee
[Call: 07926 450 250 ] Email: info@hslaccountancysolutions.co.uk www.hslaccountancysolutions.co.uk
Woodlands Speaks Contents of the financial statements year ended 31st July 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Administrative details | 1 |
| Trustees annual report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 9 - 11 |
Woodlands Speaks Administrative details year ended 31st July 2024
Charity registered number
1159638
Trustees (Directors)
Patricia Granby Mary Paton Stephen Gardner Jacqueline Mundy Paul Bishop - From 20 July 2023 Joy Lightfoot - From 03 April 2023
Registered address
Woodlands Community Library 1 Windmill Balk Lane Woodlands Doncaster DN6 7SB
Independent Examiner
Heera Singh FMAAT HSL Accountancy Solutions Ltd Enterprise House 61a Carr House Road Doncaster DN1 2BY
Page 1
Woodlands Speaks Trustees (Directors) Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] July 2024
The trustees present their annual report along with its annual accounts for the year ending 31 July 2022. The Annual Accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 and comply with the Charities Constitution. Woodlands Speaks is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under the registration number 1159658.
CHARITY OBJECTS, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity has the following objects for the public benefit of the inhabitants of the village of Woodlands: -
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(1) To advance education of the public by the running and management of a community library and associated facilities for learning and individual skills development;
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(2) To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions, by associating together the said inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupations with the objects of improving the conditions of life of the said inhabitants; and
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(3) To establish or secure the establishment of a community centre and to maintain and manage the same (whether alone or in co-operation with any local authority or person or body) in furtherance of these objects.
The charity Trustees managed the affairs of the CIO and for that purpose exercise all the powers of the CIO. Every charity trustee must be a natural person over the age of 16 years. Every charity trustee must live, or work in the Woodlands area and 51% must be residents of Woodlands. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, regard must be given to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Every trustee must sign and abide by the Woodlands Speaks Code of Conduct. Trustee’s meetings are held on a regular basis usually every three months. The Chair and Vice Chair hold regular meetings with the Community Manager and all trustees are updated.
The charity trustees may create associate or other classes of not-voting membership and may determine the rights and obligations of any such members. The charity also has a Library committee which can support the Big Local Partnership when necessary in the management of the Community Library and Hub. The Library Committee is chaired monthly by the Community Manager and is attended by the library volunteers who work in the library on a day to day basis. The Community Manager is responsible for reporting any relevant information from these meetings to the CIO where necessary.
The Trustee’s receive regular reports on the progress of projects and the financial position of the charity. To support the Trustees, progress projects and activity, the Trustee’s employ a full time Community Manager who manages projects and the Library and community hub on a day to day basis. The Community Manager is answerable to and required to provide reports to the Trustee’s. In addition, the charity employs a full-time Employment and Wellbeing Coach (due to loss of CRT funding this position was made redundant in June 2021) who is also answerable to the Trustees and a part time Administration Manager.
Budget allocations to individual projects are made and agreed by trustees and all financial procedures are undertaken in accordance with the charities financial procedures which requires signed approval by the Chair of Trustees and the vice chair of Trustees in line with the funding procedures of the Big Local. The approval process for expenditure in the Library is covered under the delegated authority arrangements.
OUR VISION
Woodlands Speaks has been established to deliver projects that will improve the lives of the residents of Woodlands village. It has an agreed 10-year vision to make Woodlands:
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a cleaner, more attractive and safer place to live;
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where people have the skills and confidence to achieve the things they want to;
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that has an active community motivated by pride in the village and its heritage;
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where young people are supported to improve themselves their lives and their community.
Our vision is based on the things that residents are most concerned about and the trustees who are residents themselves feel it is important that the charity takes on board the concerns of people who live here because they are the people who know what is needed and the people that support the success of the project.
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Woodlands Speaks Trustees (Directors) Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] July 2024
OUR PRIORITIES
Woodlands Speaks works with local partners and residents to develop projects that contribute to improving the lives of local residents in Woodlands. The trustees recognise that Woodlands has a number of significant deep seated issues that require a long-term community led approach that deals with immediate issues and also focuses on some of the causes of the issues themselves. As a result, its activities aim to deliver improvements against the following priorities:
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Improving the environment
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Providing activities and support for young people
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Supporting people into employment and training
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Supporting local groups
In setting our programme each year we have regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and prevention and relief of poverty for the public benefit. The trustees always make sure that the programmes we undertake are in line with our charitable objects and aims.
HOW WE WORK
The charity delivers its charitable aims by using funding it receives in grant from the Big Lottery (Local Trust) as part of the Big Local Programme. This Programme guarantees over £1m to be spent on community projects in Woodlands. The Woodlands Speaks charity is the local community led organisation that engages with residents, identifies priorities and goes on to develop and implement projects. To do this the charity developed a 5 year Action Plan to cover the period 2020-2025. This Plan reflects the charity’s vision, priorities which in turn reflect the key issues that have been identified by local residents.
Implicit in the charity’s approach to delivery are its guiding principles which are:
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Involvement: the involvement of residents in any project or activity is considered to be the most important factor for its success and every opportunity is taken to make sure this happens.
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Sustainability: the charity needs to bring ongoing benefits to the community by having realistic plans in place for how each project will continue after funding ends.
To deliver individual projects the charity focuses attention on developing partnerships that bring together key partner agencies and the local community. These ensure projects are shaped and implemented by the community and lead to sustainable improvements. Examples of this include:
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The running of a busy Community Library with a team of volunteers, developing services and support with an established Library Committee made up of volunteers until October 2022.
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Working closely with the neighbourhoods’ team within DMBC and the local Ward Councillors developing and delivering projects to support the local community.
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Working with Keepmoat Homes to provide grants to local community groups.
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Supporting the local voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver improved community outcomes and also contribute to meeting the charity's priorities.
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Running a community grants programme to support local projects
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED
The Charity agreed an Action Plan in 2013 which was approved by its main funder Big Local and started to be delivered in 2014. The charity's commitment to engaging with and involving the community in all of its projects has meant progress was originally slower than intended. A new 5 year Action Plan was agreed by the Big Local in 2020 which will continue to deliver positive outcomes for local residents building on the firm foundations for delivery established in the first 6 years of delivery. The Charity worked hard to establish itself within the village operating from the local library. The building is in a prominent location in the village and has a good footfall. The charity set itself an ambitious vision to develop the facility as a Community Library and Hub and although the library has now been taken back ‘in house’ by Doncaster Council the hard work by Woodlands Speaks has ensured that it is now a busy focal point for community activity and involvement in the village.
Further achievements in relation to the charity’s priorities include:
Improving the environment
Highfields Country Park – As a result of the work of Woodlands Speaks, the Local authority have spent over £50,000 of 106 money improving the Country Park and now undertake extensive grass cutting and litter picking to keep this a pleasant area to busy. There is now a ‘Friends of Highfields Park Group’ made up of local residents that litter pick and support the maintenance of the Park.
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Woodlands Speaks Trustees (Directors) Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] July 2024
__________________
The library garden was also redesigned and work completed which has received great feedback from the local community. The charity have supported a local man to set up his own gardening business which is highly successful and he maintained the library garden until it was taken on by the local authority. The charity has continued to provide flower boxes in the village which were planted by two of our Trustee’s and maintained by local businesses.
Providing new facilities for Young People
The charity gained £240,000 of funding to build a skatepark which opened in 2019. The Skate park has a 20 year guarantee from Freestyle and was built on the local Leisure Centre site. The Skate park is managed by DCLT (Local Leisure Centre Trust) and is now fenced. It has free membership cards for access and pre-booked times which has stopped initial elements of anti social behaviour. The facility is very popular and well utilised.
Supporting people into employment and training and wellbeing
The charity has been providing employment advice since April 2015 through a specialist employment advisor based in the Community Library. The charity lost the funding from CRT so could no longer fund a member of staff to offer employment support. Woodlands Speaks still offer support for training and qualifications necessary to find employment. We have always offered full training and support to our team of volunteers that run the library and to our other staff.
Providing a facility for community education, training and engagement
The charity has always provided a series of community education and training courses including English, maths, and computer courses at the Community Hub as well as art classes, ancestry, card making, walking groups and golden oldies fitness. (some of these classes were affected by covid issues) The facility is increasingly being used for community engagement events and as a place where residents can meet and find out about what's happening. In addition to education activities, regular advice sessions are also being provided including benefits advice, and financial inclusion. This activity has increased since the council have sited a team in the library to offer support in a wide variety of areas.
Supporting the development of community groups
Operating from the Community Library and Hub the charity has supported new community groups to become established by providing allocation and sourcing finance. The charity also offer a start-up grants to new businesses in the area and support to set up new businesses.
Providing volunteering opportunities
The library service has been delivered by the charity through a group of local volunteers many of whom have remained to support the library since it was returned to the local council. We currently have 10 volunteers who are happy to support on any events we organise. The involvement of local people in volunteering to deliver services in their village is an important outcome in an area where volunteering has traditionally been very low and restricted mainly to local sports. The Library is now open 5 days each week with in-situ council support in a number of areas.
Delivering a Community Grants Programme
Throughout the year the charity has operated a grant programme offering up to £1000 to support local community and voluntary organisations who operate in the village and providing services to local people. Causes supported include, 2 local foodbanks, a local parents and tots group, a local group that delivers after school sports to children. The charity have supported a local cricket 98club and 3 local football clubs one of which is for girls and women. The charity have provided equipment and clothing for a local bowls club. The charity have also supported a local dance group to attend a nationwide competition, The charity have supported the local Scout Group to purchase equipment. The charity have supported local community halls with grants for refurbishment. The charity have provided support to paint railings around the local church, replace lighting in another local church and provided clothing and equipment for a newly formed darts group with players aged between 16 and 84. The charity have also supported a second local junior school to build an outdoor classroom which allows a full class of 30 to study outside. The charity have also delivered a project to provide slow cookers and recipe books to families that access the food banks.
The charity also manage a community grants programme for Keepmoat Homes and these grants are continuing.
Our Community Manager also works with the local community to support them in accessing other grants and completing paperwork for grants available from DMBC.
Fund raising for local good causes
The charity has participated in and supported a range of local good causes including Firefly which is a local charity that takes cancer patients from our area to the specialist cancer hospital in Sheffield.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
During the year Woodlands Speaks received £98894.56 in the form of a grant as part of the Big Local Programme.
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Woodlands Speaks Trustees (Directors) Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] July 2024
RESERVES POLICY
The charity has a 5 year formal funding agreement with Big Local 2020-2025 that indicates the amount of grant it receives each year and this is released to Woodlands Speaks on a half yearly basis. The release of grant is dependent on progress in delivering projects therefore the trustees attach priority to monitoring delivery to ensure grants received are expended and future grants are released. The Charity recruited a full time Community Manager in April 2017 to ensure that finances are accurately monitored, and the projects are managed on a day to day basis. The charity ensures that it has reserves available to meet all its costs.
GRANT MAKING POLICY
The charity distributes grants to local organised voluntary and community organisations based in Woodlands and deliver activities have positive impacts on the lives of Woodlands residents. The charity also gives grants to organisations that while based outside the local area can demonstrate that their activities have significant impacts on Woodlands residents. Grant programmes are reviewed on an annual basis however all grant allocations are made for activities contributing to meeting the Woodlands Speaks priorities. (This process has been simplified to allow access to more local groups)
FUTURE PLANS
The charity reviews its plans on an annual basis and this enables trustees to reflect on the progress of individual projects in achieving set targets and their contribution to priorities. A review was completed in March 2020 and the outcomes of the original 3-year plan have remained to be a priority. In addition, recent data shows that employment, skills, crime, antisocial behaviour and young people remain important local issues impacting on the lives of the Woodlands residents. These issues have received further backing from residents and local consultations confirm this is evident at the local monthly PACT (Partnership and Communities Together) meetings that are hosted locally. A variety of weekly drop-in sessions are also held in the Community Library by DMBC Community Engagement Team and the local police to provide support to the local community. A 5 year funding plan was agreed by the Big Local from March 2020 to March 2025 with a Spend Report submitted every 6 months to allow for release of further funds. Woodlands Speaks regularly involves the community in its plans and projects and further engagement will take place with the community in Woodlands to ensure future activities continue to reflect the wishes of local people.
The charity have recently decided to use Facebook as our sole social media platform as local residents have not accessed Twitter, Instagram or our own website which incurred a hosting cost. Our Facebook page is accessed regularly by large numbers of the local community,
Statement of Directors and Trustees' responsibilities
preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charitable company and the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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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 keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the charity (Accounts Reports) Regulations 2008 and trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the Charity's trustees:
Signed:
Name and Position: Patricia Granby, Chair of Trustees
Date: 10[th] March 2025
Page 5
Woodlands Speaks Independent Examiners report to the Trustees (Directors) for the year ended 31st July 2024
I report on the accounts of Woodlands Speaks for the year ended 31 July 2024 as set out on pages 7 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act.
have not been met; or
- (2) In my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Heera Singh FMAAT Date: 27/03/2025 HSL Accountancy Solutions Ltd Enterprise House 61a Carr House Road Doncaster DN1 2BY
Page 6
Woodlands Speaks Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st July 2024
| Notes Income from: 2 Grants & donations Charitable activities Investment income Total Expenditure on: 3 Raising funds Charitable activities Total Net income/(expenditure) Balance brought forward at 1st August 2023 Balance carried forward at 31st July 2024 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2024 2024 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 0 75,869 75,869 97,186 3,790 0 3,790 5,510 3,556 0 3,556 1,396 |
|---|---|
| 7,347 75,869 83,215 104,091 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 131,399 131,399 88,566 |
|
| 0 131,399 131,399 88,566 |
|
| 7,347 -55,531 -48,184 15,525 148,819 91,904 240,723 225,198 |
|
| 156,166 36,373 192,539 240,723 |
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.
The accounting policies and notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
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Woodlands Speaks Balance sheet As at 31st July 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Fixed Assets | 5 | 2,312 | 4,624 |
| Current Assets | |||
| Debtors | 6 | 0 | 3,000 |
| Cash at bank & in hand | 190,727 | 233,599 | |
| 190,727 | 236,599 | ||
| Liabilities | |||
| Creditors - amounts due within one year | 6 | -500 | -500 |
| Net current assets | 190,227 | 236,099 | |
| Net assets | 192,539 | 240,723 | |
| Funds of the Charity | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 7 | 156,166 | 148,819 |
| Restricted funds | 7 | 36,373 | 91,904 |
| Total funds | 192,539 | 240,723 |
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees: Signed:
Name and Position: Patricia Granby, Chair of Trustees
Date: 10[th] March 2025
The accounting policies and notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8
Woodlands Speaks Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st July 2024
1. Accounting policies
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1.1.1. Basis of preparation
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These accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historic cost convention, with items recognised at cost or transaction value, unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s), in accordance with:
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The Charities Act 2011
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The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland: FRS102
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Accounting & Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP FRS102) (effective January 2015)
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1.1.2. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
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1.1.3. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
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1.1.4. All figures presented in the statements and supporting notes have been rounded to the nearest pound.
1.2. Incoming resources
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These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities. Incoming resources are recognised when:
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The charity becomes entitled to the resources
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The trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
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The monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fund-raising or contract income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Grants and donations are only included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Contractual income is only included in the Statement of Financial Activities once the related goods or performance related services have been delivered.
Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable.
1.3. Expenditure
Expenditure is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenditure is classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred in the delivery of the charity’s activities and services for its beneficiaries, including both direct and support costs. The expenditure has been analysed but usage.
Professional fees include those costs associated with meeting constitutional and statutory requirements, including Accountancy fees.
1.4. Fund accounting
Restricted funds are funds received from donors which are subject to restrictions on the purposes for which they may be used of which have been raised for a specific project. Unrestricted funds are those where there are no externally imposed restrictions. These include funds freely available to the charity for expenditure or appropriation to reserves for internally designated purposes.
1.5. Assets
Tangible assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. They are valued at cost, or, if gifted, at the value to the company on receipt.
1.6. Debtors
Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
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Woodlands Speaks Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st July 2024
1.7. Creditors
Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount, usually the invoice amount. Accrued charges are normally valued at their settlement amount.
1.8. Taxes
As a Charity the company is exempt from taxation on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or s256 of the Taxation of chargeable gains Act section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or s256 of the Taxation of chargeable gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
2. Income from):
| Grants Big Local - Local Trust Keepmoat - Community grants Donations General Charitable activities Fundraising Big Local - Local Trust Investment income Bank interest |
General Restricted Total Total Fund Fund 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 0 72,019 72,019 94,185 0 3,850 3,850 3,000 |
|---|---|
| 0 75,869 75,869 97,185 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 0 297 3,790 0 3,790 5,212 |
|
| 3,790 0 3,790 5,510 3,556 0 3,556 1,396 |
- Previous years income include Restricted funds of £94,186 Big Local - Local Trust, and £3000 Keepmoat - Community grants.
3. Expenditure on
EXPENDITURE
| Bank charges Community grants Depreciation Insurance Printing, postage and stationery Professional fees Project expenditure Sundry expenses Telephone and computer costs Travel expenses Volunteer expenses Wages and salaries TOTAL EXPENDITURE |
0 55 55 60 0 3,850 3,850 11,035 0 2,312 2,312 2,312 0 1,018 1,018 881 0 994 994 670 0 1,215 1,215 1,185 0 47,175 47,175 7,421 0 26 26 0 0 0 0 327 0 1,852 1,852 0 0 0 0 691 0 72,903 72,903 63,985 |
|---|---|
| 0 131,399 131,399 88,566 |
- Previous years expenditure includes Restricted funds of Big Local - Local Trust £83,254, Big Local - Local Trust Assets £2,312, Keepmoat - Community grants £3000.
Page 10
Woodlands Speaks Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st July 2024
4. Staff costs
5.
6.
7.
| Staff costs | Staff costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.in the year. The average number of staff during the year was 1. Fixed assets Cost At 1 August 2023 Additions At 31st July 2024 Depreciation At 1 August 2023 Charge for the year At 31st July 2024 At 31st July 2023 At 31st July 2023 Debtors and creditors Trade debtors Prepayments Creditors due in one year Movement of funds Opening Incoming Resources Balance Resources Expended Unrestricted funds £ £ £ General funds 148,819 7,347 0 Restricted funds Big Local - Local Trust 87,280 72,019 -125,237 Big Local - Local Trust Assets 4,624 0 -2,312 Keepmoat - Community grants 0 3,850 -3,850 Total funds 240,723 83,215 -131,399 |
2024 £ 72,903 |
2023 £ 63,985 |
||
| 2024 £ 0 0 3,000 -500 Transfers £ 0 0 0 |
2024 £ 0 0 |
£ 11,560 0 |
||
| 11,560 6,936 2,312 |
||||
| 9,248 | ||||
| 2,312 | ||||
| 4,624 | ||||
| 2023 £ 3,000 0 |
||||
| 3,000 -500 |
2,949 -500 |
|||
| Closing Balance £ 156,166 34,061 2,312 0 |
||||
| 240,723 83,215 -131,399 |
0 | 192,539 |
| Restricted funds | Project description |
|---|---|
| Big Local - Local Trust | Supporting the local community – Lottery Local Trust funding |
| Keepmoat - Community grants | Local community grants |
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