OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-03-31-accounts

Registration Number 8961426

Birch Hall Adventures

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Financial Statements

For the Period to Year End 31[st] March 2021

1

Contents

Report of the Trustees ............................................................................................................................ 3 Objects of the Charity ............................................................................................................................. 4 Achievements and Performance ............................................................................................................. 4 Structure, Governance and Management Report of The Trustees ........................................................ 6 Independent Examiner’s report to the charity trustees of Birch Hall Adventures ................................. 8 Statement of Financial Activities ............................................................................................................ 9 Balance Sheet ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Notes to financial statements ............................................................................................................... 11

2

Report of the Trustees

The trustees, who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practices (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’.

Company Details Birch Hall Adventures (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Registration Number 8961426 Charity Registration Number 1160251 For the Period to Year End 31st March 2021 Trustees Miss Sara Haines (resigned Nov 2020) Revd Mark Holdaway (Chairman) Dr Alasdair MacKenzie Mr Guy Main Mr Richard Myers Mr Nicholas Singleton Revd Andrew Winter Company Secretary Mr Jordan Alex Phillips Address (Registered Office) Birch Hall Adventures Birch Hall Kirby-le-soken Frinton-on-sea Essex CO13 0EL UK Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Independent Examiner Ms Emma Baker ACA The Cottage Ickleton Road Elmdon Essex CB11 4LT

3

Objects of the Charity

  1. to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs appearing in the schedule hereto in the United Kingdom or elsewhere as the trustees may from time to time think fit.

  2. to advance education, including in the areas of outdoor pursuits, environmental studies, sport, music, arts and crafts, by such means as the trustees may consider appropriate in the United Kingdom or elsewhere as the trustees may from time to time think fit.

  3. to provide facilities for recreation, sport or other leisure time occupation in the interest of social welfare for persons who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances with the object of improving the conditions of life for such persons in the United Kingdom or elsewhere as the trustees may from time-to-time think fit.

Ensuring our work delivers it aims

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. The review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. This on-going process reviews our key strategies for the charity, the benefits it has brought to the groups, individuals, local community and people we work with. The review also helps to ensure our aims, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purpose.

Achievements and Performance

Context

Birch Hall Adventures occupies the site of a former dairy at Birch Hall Farm. The farm covers 400 acres comprising arable land, wooded areas and coastal saltmarshes. The centre benefits from the generosity of the farmer in being able to access the farm and sea for activities in and around the centre.

Visitors come from school groups both local to the centre and further afield; one group travels from Surrey for a residential trip. Many local groups, such as scouts, guides, church youth groups and other organisation also make use of the centre. Most groups visit for the day, but some stay longer either in their own tents or hiring those belonging to the centre. The emphasis of the centre is to encourage young people to grow through enjoyment of the outdoors as well as learning about themselves and abilities through teamwork and challenge. The Christian message underpins the work of the centre with Christian staff supporting visitors and participants and where appropriate getting visitors to consider life’s deeper questions.

Overview of the year

The ongoing effect of the coronavirus pandemic continued to affect the working of the centre. We were unaware at the start of the financial year how things would develop and how the centre would be able to respond. As the year started, we agreed that, in line with schools, we would close to business, but with some hope that we might be able to open again before the end of the summer. How little we knew at that point how things would turn out: one school group in the year (in October) and several families camping during the summer, but without the normal activity provision. No schools or summer camps between April and October. As Christmas approached, we were able to offer a family adventure trail, outdoors of course and in family bubbles of six, which proved really successful and led to a repeat in 2021.

4

Not all was disappointing, however. We had in the early spring of 2020 decided to start work on the bunkhouse and now had our opportunity to work on it full time. With students being sent home from university and employees furloughed both Toby and Jacob Phillips, Jacob’s friend Pura, were all available an eager to get to work on the bunkhouse. We received financial support from Tendring District Council as a hospitality business, initially to the tune of £25,000, but later more support came in. We applied successfully and received grants from Essex Community Foundation, Sport England and All Churches Trust and a received a gift from a private individual which enabled us to buy materials and carry on the work as a family ‘bubble’ of labourers, saving thousands of pounds on outside labour and with time to continue the work during the summer months.

Staff Team

The Centre is managed by the Centre Director, Alex Phillips, who is supported by a part-time administrator, Naomi Lower. During this year we benefitted from volunteer labour from several Phillips’ children and in the autumn when universities and schools for a short period returned to teaching, we were joined by Sophie Hawes. Later in the winter, Chris Smith and Abby Phillips (on her ‘Lockdown’ gap year) joined our little work party.

Booking Analysis

The covid effect clearly limited the numbers of groups and visitors during the year. Schools were advised by local authorities not to make visits and this advice was only withdrawn in September 2020.

2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16
Number Groups 15 94 147 143 105 65
Number Participants 495 4430 4364 3141 2386 999
Number Adults 361 585 658 647 466 153
Total Visits 856 5015 5022 3788 2852 1152

Income

In a reversal of previous years, only 21% of income was received from centre operations and 79% from donations and fundraising activities; 50% of total income came from Tendring District Council as Covid business grants. The centre is particularly thankful to those donors that make regular contributions and those who have supported the events run throughout the year.

Financial planning

The trustees recognise the need for careful stewardship of limited funds but also the need to invest in a growing business. The financial health of the charity is reviewed on a regular basis and spending plans reflect the income available.

Plans for the Future Period

Public Benefit

5

The Centre is open to all people of all ages and benefits individuals, groups, staff volunteers and the local community in a wide range of ways. These include:

Structure, Governance and Management Report of The Trustees

Governing Document

The Company was formed on 26 March 2014. The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law and under the company’s Articles are known as members. All members of the trustee board give their time voluntarily and receive no benefit from the charity. There have been no changes to the trustee board this year. Every effort is made to ensure that we have a broad range of skills on the board, with training and support where appropriate. Members of the board volunteer and support the centre throughout the year in various forms.

Risk Management

A structured matrix of potential risks (Governance, Financial, External and Compliance) is in place, and regular review is maintained. In 2016 the trustees, took the services of PHAROS, providers of risk management services to assist with disaster planning. The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that necessary steps can be taken to reduce those risks as necessary.

Organisation

The Directors/Trustees determine the general policy of the charity. The day-to-day management of the Centre is delegated to the staff team members led by the Centre Director. The Centre has a team of experienced instructors who deliver the various activity and residential programmes.

Financial Results

The results for the year to 31 March 2021 are set out on pages 9 to10.

Resources

As stated, the funds are split between those held for restricted purposes and those available for the day-to-day requirements of the Centre.

Restricted Funds

Funds raised for specific purposes are disclosed in the notes and show balances held towards future expenditure. The Centre’s assets are sufficient to meet its current obligations. However, the COVID19 crisis presents ongoing challenges to the viability of the centre and trustees are aware of the demand that this places on the staff team. Additional, fund raising efforts are being made to support the core costs of the centre as well as towards the completion of the bunkhouse.

6

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

Company law requires the directors/trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing those accounts the trustees are required to:

  1. Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

  2. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

  3. Prepare the Accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue in business.

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

This report and the accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the board on 19/10/2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Revd Mark Holdaway

Chairman

7

Independent Examiner’s report to the charity trustees of Birch Hall Adventures

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31[st] March 2021, which are set out on pages 9 to 10

Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner

As the charity trustees (and also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Name: Emma Baker

Relevant professional qualification if any: ACA

Address: The Cottage, Ickleton Road, Elmdon, Essex, CB11 4LT Date: 31/1/2022

8

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ending 31st March 2021

Accounts April 2020- March 2021

Expenditure 20/21 19/20
Activity Costs -£2,912 -£11,328
Centre Costs -£3,070 -£6,945
Equipment -£2,739 -£5,820
Instruction -£277 -£8,534
Marketing -£151 -£815
Office Costs -£2,731 -£5,942
Salaries -£30,559 -£26,224
Staff Costs -£108 -£950
Training -£776 -£480
Loss on disposal of assets 0 -1275
Total Expenditure -£43,324 -£68313
Income
Group Income £17,928 £60,398
Hire Income £0 £1,440
Restricted Donation £21,349 £3,600
Unrestricted Donation £44,357 £3,000
Total Income £83,634 £68,438
Net change £40,310 £125
Opening Balance £20,695 £20,571
Closing balance £61,005 £20,695

9

Balance Sheet

As at 31st March 2021

Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Pre-payment and accrued income
Creditors: amounts falling within one
Net current Assets (liabilities)
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after
Provisions for liabilities
Accruals and deferred income
Total net assets
Funds
Unrestricted
Restricted
Reserves*		 2021
2020
50028
15633
10978
5062
0
0
year
0
0
10978
5062
61005
20695
more than one year
61005
20695
59685
17695
1320
3000
61005
20695

In approving these financial statements as directors of the company, we hereby confirm:

10

Notes to financial statements

Accounting Policies

a. Basis of Accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Companies Act 2005 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities issued in March 2005.

b. Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

c. Incoming resources

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the conditions for receipt are met and there is a reasonable assurance of receipt. It comprises donations, fees and charges excluding VAT. The following accounting policies are applied to income:

Fees and similar income

Fees receivable are accounted for in the period in which they are received.

d. Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on a payments and receipts basis. Expenditure is allocated to expense headings either directly or apportioned according to time spent.

Charitable Activities comprises all expenditure directly related to the objects of the centre.

The Centre is not registered for Value Added Tax.

Fixed Assets

Capital 2021 2020
As at 1st April 2020 15633 12646
Additions
bunkhouse,
boat engines,
climbing wall,
crash mats		 34395 Bunkhouse development,
optimists, rescue boat,
bunks		 5687
Losses Theft of boat & engines less
insurance claim		 -2700
As at 31st March 2021 50028 15633

11

Movement in Restricted funds

Restricted
Funds		 2021 2020
As at 1st April 2020 3000 0
Received Bunkhouse
DofE
Deo Gloria		 16624
3725
1000		 Donation to bunkhouse
project		 3000
Bunkhouse 19624
Spent DofE 2405 0
Deo Gloria 1000
As at 31st March 2021 1320 3000

Restricted donations and grants were received during the year and used as follows:

12