Company Registration No. 08621335 (Wales)
POBL TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
POBL TRUST
COMPANY INFORMATION
Board
Chair
Lucie Thomas
Trustees
Tom Cadwallader Ashleigh Handley Christopher Davies Victoria Hiscocks Victoria Eynon Dafydd Hellard Emily Saunders Gareth Williams Alison Haberstraw Lynne Whistance Natalie Dupre
Resigned 31 December 2024
Company Secretary
Paula Williams
Pobl Group Executive Team
Scott Sanders Group Chief Executive (appointed 1 April 2024) Neil Barber Executive Director Property & Investment Andrea Gale Executive Director Technology, Data & Programmes (appointed 1 April 2024) Gaynor Morris Executive Director People & Organisational Development Leanne Penny-Thomas Executive Director Finance & Governance (appointed 1 April 2024) Andrew Vye Executive Director Customer & Communities
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POBL TRUST
COMPANY INFORMATION
| Registered Office | Exchange House, |
|---|---|
| High Street | |
| Newport | |
| NP20 1AA | |
| Auditor | KPMG LLP |
| 3 Assembly Square | |
| Britannia Quay | |
| Cardiff | |
| CF10 4AX | |
| Principal Banker | Lloyds Bank Plc |
| 42 Commercial Street | |
| Newport | |
| NP20 1WX | |
| Principal Solicitor | Hugh James |
| 2 Central Square | |
| Cardiff | |
| CF10 1FS | |
| Welsh Government Registration | J114 |
| Registered Charity Number | 1161479 |
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POBL TRUST
CONTENTS
| Company information | 1 |
|---|---|
| Directors’ report | 4 |
| Independent auditor’s report | 9 |
| Statement of comprehensive income | 13 |
| Statement of financial position | 14 |
| Statement of changes in equity | 15 |
| Statement of cash flows | 16 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 17 |
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POBL TRUST
DIRECTORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. This report also serves as the Strategic report.
Legal and administrative details
Pobl Trust (“the Trust” or “the Company”) is registered as a Housing Association (No. J114) and with the Charity Commission as a registered Charity (No.1161479) and is incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 (08621335).
Details of the Trustees (who are also directors of the Company) currently holding office, the Secretary, registered office, auditor and principal bankers are shown on pages 1 and 2. The Directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Registered Social Housing Providers (Housing SORP 2018) the financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) requirements.
Structure, governance and management
Governance
The Trust is managed by the Trustees for the purposes of meeting the aims and objectives of the Charity which are set out below. The Trust has eleven (2024 - twelve) Trustees who meet at regular intervals throughout the year. The trustees are current employees of Pobl Group Limited, appointed via a nomination process. The Trustees are noted on page 1.
Appointment and Training
The statutory power of appointing new Trustees is vested in Pobl Group Limited (“the Group” or “the Parent”). In accordance with the Articles of Association, there is no maximum number of Trustees who can be appointed at any one time. Each Trustee is appointed for a maximum of three years with potential for re-election for a further three years. The Trustees who held office during the financial year are as shown on page 1. Trustee training is made available to all new members on appointment and at regular intervals.
Organisation
The Trust is controlled by its Board of Trustees. The Trust is a member of Pobl Group of companies.
Related parties
Pobl Group provides company secretarial and accounting services to the Trust. The Parent does not make a surplus on these transactions with the Trust. There are no transactions, balances or relationships that require disclosure.
Risk Management
A key element in the care and diligence expected of the Pobl Trust, and therefore one of the main responsibilities of the Trustees, is to assess the risks affecting the Trust as carefully and comprehensively as possible. This obligation includes careful consideration and assessment of risks affecting the Trust’s assets, its financial position, and its results. The Trustees have in place a risk management system to identify significant risks in order to ensure that they are taken into account in the context of all relevant decisions affecting the Trust’s activities.
Risk
The principal risks of the Group, which include risks concerning price, liquidity, credit and cash flow are considered when assessing the key risks of the Company.
Auditor
KPMG LLP are the appointed auditor to the company for financial year 2024-25.
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POBL TRUST
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Investments
Funds are invested within the Group in accordance with the Group Treasury Management Policy and Strategy.
Reserves
Reserves held are expended for charitable purposes; the Trust welcomes applications from worthwhile causes which can also benefit from the funding which is available. As at the year end the unrestricted reserves within the Trust amounted to £260,107 (2024: £253,199). The reserves policy is reviewed annually, and any restricted reserves balances are reported at the quarterly Trustee meetings to discuss how the funds can be utilised. The policy sets a target level of reserves to be maintained equal to the expenditure in the most recent financial year.
Objectives and activities for the public benefit
Pobl Trust is the Pobl Group’s registered charity. It raises funds and allocates grants to individuals, community groups and organisations to improve the quality of life and create opportunities for people and communities.
Achievements and performance
The Board of Trustees confirms that substantial progress has been made in terms of supporting the charitable objectives of the Trust through awarding grants to organisations across communities in South Wales.
There are funding rounds each year where grants are awarded up to the value of £1,000. Each funding round involves applications being invited from individuals, community groups and organisations which are in line with the Pobl ambitions and address the Trusts annual funding themes, which in 2024-25 are:
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Connecting communities
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Physical and mental heath
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Environmental protection and human wellness
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Efficient living
All applications are reviewed by the Pobl Trust Trustees and those deemed eligible are awarded.
Details of each funding round during the year are:
| Funding Round |
Date | Total grant awarded | Number of grants awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April to June 2024 | 19,900 | 31 |
| 2 | September to November 2024 | 25,052 | 31 |
| 3 | January to March 2025 | 32,573 | 38 |
| TOTAL | 77,525 | 100 |
The focus of the Trust's 2024-25 fundraising and profile raising was during the Christmas 2024 period.
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A quiz night took place at Cardiff University Student's Union for Pobl Colleagues, their friends and families, suppliers and partners. All of the £1,700 raised on the night will fund future projects that make a difference in our communities.
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During the same period, the Trust embarked on its "Luxury Raffle". Colleagues were given the chance to purchase raffle tickets online for a selection of high-quality gifts and experiences. This was a huge success both in terms of funding and raising the profile of the Trust with the amount raised being £3,064.
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POBL TRUST
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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The Trust worked with The Toybox Project (Cardiff), SOS Shelters Wales (Swansea) and Pobl colleagues to make it possible for children in need to have the joy of opening a present at Christmas. The Trust donated almost 200 presents to children who may not have received gifts at Christmas.
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Working closely with colleagues in the Pobl Advice, Support and Wellbeing team, the Trust identified older people in our communities who might be struggling over the Christmas period with financial challenges, bereavement, loneliness and isolation and gifted them Tesco vouchers. In total, the Trust donated £4,400 worth of vouchers.
In line with the Trusts funding theme of physical and mental health, for the summer campaign the Trust arranged for Swansea based Circus Eruption, a young-person-centred charity with diversity, inclusion, equality and fun at its heart, to visit local schools delivering circus skill workshops. These workshops are a vehicle to challenge self-perceived and imposed limits, enabling children to realise and believe in their own potential and the potential of others. The workshops cost £9,922 which was funded by the Trust. This included providing bespoke packs of circus equipment for each school to keep on site to continue with these newfound skills.
The Spring Into Harvest campaign aimed to get communities outside learning about gardening and sustainability whilst increasing greenery in their local spaces. With the assistance of Morris’ of Usk, a Welsh family run garden centre, 50 packs which included all the essentials to kickstart a small gardening project were distributed at a cost to the Trust of £3,600.
During the year the Trust made a donation of £70,000 to Faith in Families, which works to enhance the lives and wellbeing of children, young people and their families. It runs various projects across Brecon and Swansea including Wales’ first multi-bank, Cwtch Mawr. Pobl Trust has donated £140,000 to Cwtch Mawr over the last two years. The first donation enabled the multi-bank to distribute nearly half a million essential items over ten months, from baby care products and toiletries to air fryers and school supplies. The second donation, made in January 2025 will help the multi-bank expand its operation and support even more people in the local community.
The Trust raises funds through activities such as the Pobl staff lottery, which donates 50% of its proceeds to Pobl Trust equating to £35,680 in 2024-25. Suppliers and contractors of Pobl Group are also encouraged to contribute to Pobl Trust through our procurement levy, which during 2024-25 raised £40,603 in donations.
Going concern
The Trust has generated a surplus of £6,908 (2024: £79,631 deficit) during the year mainly due to increased income following a successful funding bid to the Community Foundation Wales and the planned decision to pay a small number of higher valued donations in support of the reserve policy. At the balance sheet date Pobl Trust has total net assets of £260,107 (2024: £253,199), including cash of £45,108 (2024: £29,300) and investments of £227,141 (2024: £226,479). The Trustees also note that the Trust has no external borrowings, and all expenditure is discretionary. Therefore, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Statement on Internal Control
The Welsh Government requires Registered Social Landlords to report on internal controls in accordance with the Housing Association Circular 02/10- 'Internal Controls and Reporting'.
The Board acknowledges its responsibility for the system of internal control, and has taken measures which will provide reasonable, but not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. The Board employs experienced and suitably qualified staff to administer the systems and controls and take responsibility for important business functions.
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DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
POBL TRUST
The Board operates to clearly defined Financial Regulations and Standing Orders. It ensures that formal policies, procedures and levels of delegated authority are in place, and requires financial plans and management accounts to be laid before it for regular review. An explanation for any departure from these plans is required together with a proposal for appropriate corrective action.
The Board considers risk in the development of policies; it has also assessed risk in relation to its reserves policy and formulation of internal audit plans. The risk management framework extends into non-financial areas.
Internal audit reports are received directly by the Audit & Risk Committee and contain recommendations from internal auditors on the operation of internal control. Both internal and external audit reports are considered by the Audit & Risk Committee with progress reports supplied to the Committee until all corrective action has been completed.
The Group has in place an internal audit framework and rolling three-year audit plan that is regularly reviewed and risk based linked to the strategic risk map. It is supported by continuous audit testing and is reflective of the current operating circumstances across the Group.
Through the above mechanisms, the Board has reviewed the effectiveness of internal control within the accounting year and to the date of the signing of the financial statements.
Cyber attack
In November 2023 the Group was subject to a cyber-attack leading to a period where access to certain systems was limited. In accordance with its obligations under UK GDPR, the company reported the cyber-attack to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours. We were in regular contact with the ICO in response to requests for further information and updates on progress. The ICO confirmed on 19 April 2024 that it did not intend to take any formal regulatory action against the Group in relation to the cyber-attack. The company also reported the cyber- attack to the FCA as well as the police and Welsh Government, for their information.
Technical experts in the fields of data and system recovery were quickly engaged to support us with the reinstatement of our systems and processes whilst regularly keeping our Board, auditors and colleagues updated on progress. By January 2024, we had reinstated the majority of our systems and had taken the opportunity to ‘recover forward’ where possible. We received the advice and support of solicitors with expertise in this area of law to ensure that we continued to meet our legal and regulatory obligations.
We worked alongside our expert partners to confirm the precise combinations of data exfiltrated from our systems in the attack to identify any combinations of data relating to an individual which could present a high risk. Following that exercise and subject to the advice of our solicitors, in January 2025 the Group notified any individuals deemed to be at “high risk” in line with our obligations under the UK GDPR. To date, the Group has not received any claim from any individual who was so notified.
The Directors Report was approved by the Board on 7 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Lucie Thomas (Chair)
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POBL TRUST
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities in respect of the Directors’ Report and the financial statements
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law they have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland .
Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Association and of the surplus or deficit for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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assess the Association’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and
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use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Association or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Association’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Association and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1996 and the Accounting Requirements for Registered Social Landlords General Determination (Wales) 2015. They are responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Association and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Association’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Pobl Trust
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Pobl Trust (“the Association”) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Cash Flows and related notes, including the accounting policies in note 1.
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Association as at 31 March 2025 and of its surplus for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland ; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1996 and the Accounting Requirements for Registered Social Landlords General Determination (Wales) 2015.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities are described below. We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and are independent of the Association in accordance with, UK ethical requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion.
Going concern
The trustees have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Association or to cease its operations, and as they have concluded that the Association’s financial position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no material uncertainties that could have cast significant doubt over its ability to continue as a going concern for at least a year from the date of approval of the financial statements (“the going concern period”).
In our evaluation of the trustees’ conclusions, we considered the inherent risks to the Association’s business model and analysed how those risks might affect the Association’s financial resources or ability to continue operations over the going concern period.
Our conclusions based on this work:
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we consider that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate; and
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we have not identified, and concur with the trustees’ assessment that there is not, a material uncertainty related to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Association's ability to continue as a going concern for the going concern period.
However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the above conclusions are not a guarantee that the Association will continue in operation.
Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations – ability to detect
Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to fraud
To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included:
- Enquiring of trustees, the audit and risk committee, internal audit and inspection of policy documentation as to the Associations’ high-level policies and procedures to prevent and detect
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
fraud, including the internal audit function, and the Association’s channel for “whistleblowing”, as well as whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud.
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Reading Board and audit and risk committee minutes.
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Using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships.
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Obtaining a copy of the Association’s risk register
We communicated identified fraud risks throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications of fraud throughout the audit.
As required by auditing standards, we perform procedures to address the risk of management override of controls, in particular the risk that management may be in a position to make inappropriate accounting entries. On this audit we do not believe there is a fraud risk related to revenue recognition because of the simple nature of revenue streams generated within the Association.
We did not identify any additional fraud risks.
In determining the audit procedures we took into account the results of our evaluation of some of the Association-wide fraud risk management controls.
We performed procedures including:
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Identifying journal entries and other adjustments to test based on risk criteria and comparing the identified entries to supporting documentation. These included those posted to unusual accounts including unusual account combinations for journals posted that are posted to both revenue and cash.
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Assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias .
Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement related to compliance with laws and regulations
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience and through discussion with the trustees and other management (as required by auditing standards), and from inspection of the Associations’ regulatory and legal correspondence and discussed with the directors and other management the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations.
We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit.
The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.
Firstly, the Association is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation (including related companies legislation, taxation legislation, pensions legislation, the requirements imposed by the Welsh Government and the Companies Act, and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
Secondly, the Associations is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: health and safety, data protection laws, anti-bribery and employment law recognising the nature of the Associations’ activities. Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Therefore if a breach of operational regulations is not disclosed to us or evident from relevant correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud or breaches of law or regulation
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed noncompliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it.
In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
Other information
The Trustees are responsible for the other information, which comprises the strategic report, the directors’ report and the Statement on Internal Controls. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements audit work, the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work:
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we have not identified material misstatements in the other information;
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in our opinion the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and
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in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
In our opinion the Statement on Internal Controls on page 6:
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provides the disclosures required by the Housing Association Circular 02/10 Internal Controls and Reporting ; and
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is not materially inconsistent with the information which we have been made aware of from our audit work on the financial statements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Association, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the Association financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
We have nothing to report in these respects.
Trustees’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 8, the trustees are responsible for: the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Association’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 they either intend to liquidate the Association or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities
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 our opinion in an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not 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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.
A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.
The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities
This report is made solely to the Association’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1996. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Association’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 Association and the Association’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Jonathan Brown (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
3 Assembly Square Britannia Quay Cardiff CF10 4AX
19 September 2025
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POBL TRUST
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Turnover | 3 | 185,618 | 100,286 | |
| Operating costs | 3 | (190,649) | (191,165) | |
| Operating deficit | (5,031) | (90,879) | ||
| Interest receivable and similar income | 6 | 11,939 | 11,248 | |
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year | 6,908 | (79,631) |
There were no recognised gains or losses in the current or prior years except those reported in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
The Income Statement has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
The notes on pages 17 to 21 form part of these financial statements.
Lucie Thomas Chair and Trustee
Tom Cadwallader Trustee
Alison Haberstraw Trustee
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POBL TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Current assets | ||||
| Investments | 8 | 227,141 | 226,479 | |
| Debtors: amounts falling due within one year | 9 | 500 | - | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 45,108 | 29,300 | ||
| 272,749 | 255,779 | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 10 | (12,642) | (2,580) | |
| Net current assets | 260,107 | 253,199 | ||
| Net assets | 260,107 | 253,199 | ||
| Capital and reserves | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 260,107 | 253,199 |
Registered Number: 08621335
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds, comprising general funds and designated funds, are those which are expendable at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the Trust. This represents cumulative surpluses and deficits of the company.
The notes on pages 17 to 21 form part of these financial statements.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors on 7 August 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Lucie Thomas Chair and Trustee
Tom Cadwallader Trustee
Alison Haberstraw Trustee
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POBL TRUST
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Unrestricted | |
|---|---|
| income funds | |
| £ | |
| At 1 April 2023 | 332,830 |
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | (79,631) |
| At 31 March 2024 | 253,199 |
| Total comprehensive income for the year | 6,908 |
| At 31 March 2025 | 260,107 |
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POBL TRUST
STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Surplus/(deficit)for the year | 6,908 | (79,631) | ||
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | 9 | (500) | 7,418 | |
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 10 | 10,062 | (1,019) | |
| Interest received | 6 | (11,939) | (11,248) | |
| Net cash flow from operating activities | 4,531 | (84,480) | ||
| Investing activities | ||||
| Interest received | 6 | 11,939 | 11,248 | |
| (Increase)/decrease in investments | 8 | (662) | 26,050 | |
| Net cash flow from investing activities | 11,277 | 37,298 | ||
| Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
15,808 | (47,182) | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning | 29,300 | 76,482 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the | 45,108 | 29,300 |
FREE CASH DISCLOSURE
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Cash flow from operating activities | ||||
| Operating cash flow | 4,531 | (84,480) | ||
| Interest received | 6 | 11,939 | 11,248 | |
| Free cash generated/(consumed) after loan repayments |
16,470 | (73,232) |
Free cash shows the level of cash generated, or consumed, by the existing portfolio of properties - it is the cash left over after meeting all expenditure required to run operations on a daily basis, including loan interest, and before loan repayments, investment in new homes and related grant receipts.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
POBL TRUST
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies of the Trust are set out in the following paragraphs:
1.1. Introduction and accounting basis
These financial statements are prepared in accordance with FRS102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (‘FRS102’). The financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice for social housing providers effective from 1 January 2019 (the “Housing SORP 2018”) and The Accounting Requirements for Registered Social Landlords General Determination (Wales) 2015. In addition to being registered as a Housing Association, the Trust is also a registered charity. The accounting policies have been consistently applied.
The Trust meets the definition of a Public Benefit Entity under FRS102 and applies the relevant paragraphs prefixed ‘PBE’ in FRS 102. Pobl Trust was formed and is registered in the UK. Assets and Liabilities are originally recognised at historical cost or transactional value unless otherwise stated.
FRS 102 allows a qualifying entity certain disclosure exemptions subject to certain conditions which have been complied with, including notification of and no objection to the use of exemptions by the Company’s trustees. The Company is included in the consolidated financial statements of its parent undertaking, Pobl Group Limited. Note 13 provides details of where those consolidated financial statements may be obtained.
In preparing the financial statements the Company has taken advantage of the following exemption:
- from disclosing key management personnel compensation, as required by paragraph 7 of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures
On the basis that equivalent disclosures are given in the consolidated accounts of the parent company; the Company has also taken advantage of the exemption not to provide certain disclosures as required by Section 11 Basic Financial Instruments and Section 12 Other Financial Instrument Issues.
1.2. Going concern
The Trust has generated a surplus of £6,908 (2024: £79,631 deficit) during the year mainly due to increased income following a successful funding bid to the Community Foundation Wales and the planned decision to pay a small number of higher valued donations in support of the reserve policy. At the balance sheet date Pobl Trust has total net assets of £260,107 (2024: £253,199), including cash of £45,108 (2024: £29,300) and investments of £227,141 (2024: £226,479). The Trustees also note that the Trust has no external borrowings, and all expenditure is discretionary. Therefore, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
1.3. Turnover
The Trust raises funds through the Pobl staff lottery. The income is recognised after each draw and represents 50% of the total receipts from players which are split between Pobl Trust and the draw winners.
Other sources of turnover include donations collected at fund raising events and received via the procurement levy.
1.4. Operating costs
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Operating costs comprise of:
Costs of Generating fund raising income - These include costs incurred as part of fundraising activities.
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POBL TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Charitable Activities - Costs of charitable activities flow from the Trust’s vision and purpose. These costs include donations and expenditure in line with grant funding.
Governance costs - Governance costs comprise of all costs incurred in the governance of the Trust, including costs relating to professional fees payable.
1.5. Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds comprising general funds and designated funds are those which are expendable at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the Trust.
1.6. Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Trust becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets carried at amortised cost
Financial assets carried at amortised cost comprise trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents. Financial assets are initially recognized at transaction value plus directly attributable transaction costs. After initial recognition, they are measured at amortised costs using the effective interest method. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.
If there is objective evidence that there is an impairment loss, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced accordingly.
A financial asset is derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows expire, or when the financial asset and all substantial risks and rewards are transferred.
If the arrangement constitutes a financial transaction, the financial asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Financial liabilities carried at amortised cost
These financial liabilities include trade and other payables. A financial liability is derecognised only when the contractual obligation is extinguished, that is, when the obligation is discharged, cancelled or expires.
2. Critical accounting judgements and estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for income and expenditure during the year.
The Company based its estimates and assumptions on parameters available at the time the financial statements were prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments may change due to market circumstances, legislation or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions and estimates when they occur.
The following judgements and estimates have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.
Provisions
The estimate of the amount of the provision corresponds to the expenditure likely to be incurred by the Company to settle its obligation. If a reliable estimate cannot be made of the amount of the obligation, no provision is recorded and the obligation is deemed to be a contingent liability.
Provision is made for bad debt based on the debt type and the age of arrear. Management base the assumption on available data and make reasonable estimates on exposure to bad debt risk.
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POBL TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
3. Particulars of turnover, operating costs and operating deficit
3.1 Particulars of turnover, operating costs and operating deficit
| Year End 31 March 2025 | Year End 31 March 2025 | Year End 31 March 2025 | Year End 31 March 2025 | Year End 31 March 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | Operating costs |
Operating deficit |
|||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Fund-raising Donations and gifts Other |
40,444 131,796 13,378 185,618 |
(5,268) (181,885) (3,496) (190,649) |
35,176 (50,089) 9,882 |
||
| (5,031) |
| Year End 31 March 2024 | Year End 31 March 2024 | Year End 31 March 2024 | Year End 31 March 2024 | Year End 31 March 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | Operating costs |
Operating deficit |
|||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Fund-raising Donations and gifts Other |
29,705 59,473 11,108 100,286 |
(8,255) (180,800) (2,110) (191,165) |
21,450 (121,327) 8,998 |
||
| (90,879) |
3.2 Operating costs
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Operating costs Donations Cost of fund-raising activities Governance Other Total operating costs Governance costs comprise: Legal and professional costs |
181,885 5,268 39 3,457 190,649 39 |
180,800 8,256 29 2,080 |
| 191,165 | ||
| 29 |
The parent company incurs the audit fee to allow Pobl Trust to contribute more to community initiatives with the additional funds. The audit fee for 2025 was £5,315 (2024: £5,662).
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POBL TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
4. Employee information
There were no employees of the Trust during the year.
5. Trustees’ remuneration
The Trustees are employees of Pobl Group Limited and have not received any remuneration for their role as Trustees during the year. Directors for the Group are also employed by Pobl Group Limited.
The emoluments of the Directors have been disclosed within the Pobl Group Limited's financial statements. Of those costs, an amount of £772 (2024: £399) may be considered a reasonable apportionment in respect of time allocated to the Trust.
6. Interest receivable and similar income
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Interest receivable on investments or cash held by fellow group | ||
| undertaking | 11,939 | 11,248 |
7. Taxation
Pobl Trust is registered with charitable status with HMRC and benefits from Corporation Tax exemptions available to charitable bodies. On the basis that its activities fall within its charitable purposes and its funds are applied only for these purposes, no provision for Corporation Tax is made.
8. Investments
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Investments | 227,141 | 141 226,479 |
The investment represents monies held on deposit following transfer to Pobl Homes and Communities. Interest receivable on this balance is credited to Pobl Trust via inter-group transfer.
9. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Other debtors & prepayments | 500 | 2,743 | ||
| Provision for bad & doubtful debts | - | (2,743) | ||
| 500 | - |
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POBL TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
10. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade creditors | - | 470 | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 12,642 | 2,110 | |
| 12,642 | 2,580 |
11. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Total | |
|---|---|
| unrestricted | |
| income funds | |
| £ | |
| Current assets | 272,749 |
| Current liabilities | (12,642) |
| 260,107 |
12. Related party transactions
The Trustees who acted during the financial year are shown on page 1.
As Pobl Trust is a member of Pobl Group, which prepares consolidated financial statements, the Trust has taken advantage of the exemption in Section 33 of FRS 102 not to disclose transactions with entities which are wholly owned within the Group.
There are no other related party transactions to report.
13. Group information
The Board considers that the immediate and ultimate parent undertaking and controlling party is Pobl Group Limited, a housing association and a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 with registration number 29682R and registered with the Regulator pursuant to sections 111 and 112 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Registration No. J139). Details of the companies that form the Pobl group are contained in the accounts of Pobl Group Limited.
Copies of Group accounts can be obtained from the registered office at Exchange House, High Street, Newport, NP20 1AA.
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