Charity number 1165798 READING ADVICE NETWORK (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Report and Accounts 31 March 2024 READING ADVICE NETWORK IA Charitable Incorporated Organisationl Report and Accounts Contents Page Charity informaton Trustees annual report Independent examiner's report Statement of Financial Activities Balance sheet Notes to the accounts Reading Advice Network (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Report of the Trustees for the period ended 31 March 2024 Members of thè Trustee Board at 31 March 2024 Chair Vice-chair Treasurer Individual member Individual member Richard Harrison Hazel Wright Peter Kayes Andrea West Francesca Yates Independent Examiner Julian Ansell FCCA 19 Brooklyn Drive Emmer Green Reading RG4 8SR Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Registered Office 13 Albert Road Caversham Reading Berkshire RG4 7AN Registered Charity Number 1165798 Report of the Trustees The Trustee Board presents its report for the period ended 31 March 2024 Structure, Governance and Management The Reading Advice Network (RAN) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and was registered by the Charity Commission on 29 February 2016. It has a Trustee Board which was elected at its first Annual General Meeting on 11 October 2016 and is ultimately ac- countable for the conduct of the organisation. Member organisations must give information or advi￿ to people in Reading. They pay an annual membership fee of £30, and make two commitments - to achieve the RAN Quality Standard. and the 'Safe and Sound, Governance Mark produced by Reading Voluntary Action. At 31 March 2024 RAN had twenty-￿0 member organisations - ABC to read, Acre, Age UK Reading, Age UK Berkshire, Autism Berkshire, Berkshire Vision, BWA, Citizens Advice Reading, Communicare, Dingley's Promise, Graft, Launchpad, No5, PACT, Parent- ing Special Children, Reading Welfare Rights, Reading Mencap, Reading Students Union Advice Service, Reading Voluntary Action, Refugee Support Group (Reading), The Mus- tard Tree and YMCA Reading. Aims and Objectives The Network has two aims, with supporting objectives: Aim 1.. To improve the quality of information and advice that is available to people in Reading by.. setting, maintaining and publicising a quality standard for RAN members supporting members to achieve this standard 1.3 helping members to share knowledge and expertise to make each other more effective Aim 2: To be a focal point for information and advi￿ services in Reading by.. providing services which enable RAN members can discuss key issues and support each other sharing useful informalion with RAN members 2.3 publicising RAN to non-members acting as the collective Vol￿ of RAN members to shape service provision Our Business Plan for the three years 2024-2027 has four strategic priorities.. remaining financially secure continuing to build our membership developing and delivering appropriate services for our members further slrengthening our reputation Activities and achievements During the year RAN". Lost two member organisations - one which moved the base for its services out of Reading. and a second which merged with another charity Welcomed four new member organisations - Berkshire Vision (the newly merged charity), ABC to read, Acre and No5 Held three Advice Forums on.. Current Challenges Labour's policy on the Voluntary Sector Networking Held three meetings for member CEOS to discuss current challenges Set up an HR Group, for staff with lead responsibilrty for HR in member organisa- tions, and held three meetings of the Group Updated its 'Booklet for Councillors,, detailing the services offered by RAN member organisations, to help them refer constituents with particular problems to the organ- isation most able to help them Also updated its booklet for GPS and Social Prescribers, to help them appropriately refer patients with non-medical problems Held a major consultation programme with member organisations about RAN'S fu- ture development, which led to us.. Introducing a calendar of events for the year ahead Deciding to hold at least one networking Advice Forum each year Asking members to create and share 'crib sheets, on their areas of particular expertise Asking members to open training sessions, where appropriate and practica- ble, to staff and volunteers from other member organisations Creating a RAN-wide support group of staff and volunteers from membei or- ganisations Continued our programme of Quality Standard assessments, with two members achieving the award, and other members having their awards confirmed for a further four years. Fourteen member organisations, 630/0 of the membership, now hold the award. Saved its member CEOS a significant amount of time which, when costed, offset many times over their £30 annual membership fee by, on their behalf, attending and reporting on a number of meetings with staff at Reading Borough Council and other VCS Leaders meetings. Held its eighth Annual General Meeting. Public benefit RAN trustees have regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on reporting how RAN provides 'public benefit,, and in particular to the requirements of the Charities Act & Charity Reporting Regulations. This report from RAN'S trustees is a summary of the main activities undertaken by the charity in carrying out its charitable purposes for the benefit of the public in and around Reading. These activities are principally providing advice-giving charities and similar public bodies with the support and information needed for those organisations to help people dis- advantaged by poverty, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, and similar issues. Financial Review The financial accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024 are set out on pages 6 - 10. The Statement of Financial Activities shows a surplus for the year of £83.19. The total reserve at the year end stands at £8,272.35.. The Charity employs no staff, being operated by volunteers, holds no significant fixed as- sets, property or leases, so has no ongoing financial liabilities. The Board therefore con- siders that there is no requirement for a reserve fund. Projected income is £660 a year based on the present membership. The budget for the coming year envisages expenditure of around £480, which will enable the present cash balance to sustain the charity for the foreseeable future. Statement of Trustees, responsibilities The Tfuslees are required by law to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity as at the end of the fi- nancial year and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are reqLJired to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP., state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., and prepare the financial statements on the going corscern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue its work. The trustees are also responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the Charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 1 Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the charity's constitution 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. This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on June 13. 2024. Richard Harrison Chair READING ADVICE NETWORK IA Charitable Incorporated Organlsationl Independent Examiner's Report I report on the accounts of the Reading Advice Netr￿rk for the 12 months ended 31 March 2024, which are sel out on pages 6 10 10 Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity Iruslees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'lhe Act'i. I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confim that no material mallers have come lo my attention in connection with the examinalioTr giving me cause lo believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord with those records,. or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts sel out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which Is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attenlion should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be leached. J M Ansell FCCA Chartered Certified Accountant 19 Brooklyn Drive Emmer Green READING RG4 8SR 241uly 2024 READING ADVICE NETWORK IA Charitable Incorporated O16anisationl Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2024 Unrestricted Fund5 Restricted Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Note Income and endowments from: Donations- Merrbers, Contrtbutions Interest Income Readirig Voluntary Action for assessments 630 16 4,825 630 16 4,825 600 li 3,462 Totèl 5,471 5,471 4,073 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5,388 5.388 4.174 Total 5,388 5,388 4,174 Net Income / (Expenditure) for the year 83 83 iioii Fund balance brought forward at l April 2023 2.192 5.997 8,189 8,290 Transfer between funds Balance carried f()rward at 31 March 2024 2,275 5,997 8,272 8,189 All ol the above results are derived from continuing acrivities. The notes on pages 8 tolo form part of these financial statements READING ADVICE NETWORK IA Charitable Incorporated Organisationl Balance Sheet at 31st March 2024 Note 2024 2023 Current Assets Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank Total current assets 247 8,025 8,272 210 7,979 8.189 Creditors amount5 falling due within one year Accrua15 and deferred income Net assets 8,272 8,189 Fund5 of the Charity Restricted Unrestricted 5,997 2,275 5,997 2,192 Total Funds 8,272 8,189 The Trijstees consider that the charity is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under 5ertion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that members have not required the charily to obtain an audit The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of Section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts These accounts were approved by the Trustees and signed ors their behalf. Richard Harrison - Chair 24 July 2024 READING ADVICE NETWORK IA tharltable Incorporated Or8atTrlsationl Notes tothe Finan¢l•l Statements Yearto 31 March 20Z4 AccouoiinÉ poll¢les The folbwing a¢countin8 poli¢ip5 have beÉn used in dealing with Items which are tonsidered material al Companylirnited by8u¥¥antee The Or8anisaiion Is a registered Charity number 1165798 the ￿mb￿r5 olwhich have no personal liabilty in the e¥ent of thecharity windin8 UP. bl Basls of accountlni Theaccounts have been prÈpare(l in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charilies. Statement of RecommÈnded Praciice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance ¥viih the Fillallchil Reporting Standard applicable in the and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Companie5 Act The accounts have been prepared logivea true and fair. View and have departed from the Charities IAccounts and RÈportsl Regulation$ 2008 only lo the extent required to provide a'true and fair. wew. This dÈp3rture ha5 involved following Accouniing and Reporting bycharities preparing thèir a¢¢ount5 In atcordan¢e with ihe Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable in the UK and Republi¢ of Irelafjd IFRS 10211s5ued Isjuly 2014 rather than theAcwuntin£ Reporting by Chèrities 5tatèmeni of Recommended Pranice ettettivefrom l April 21K15 which has since beèn withdrawn. The Charity has early adopted the provislons ol bulletin l as perfflitted. Readiag Advite Meiwork meeis the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and Iiabilitiesare init1311y re¢o8oised at historical cost or transaction value unle$5 Qthefwise staled in the relevant actountin8 polity note. Aftef makin£ enquifie5. the Trustees have a reasonable expertatlon Ihatthe Charily has adequate resourtÈs t continue its activities forthe fore5eeablefuture. A¢£ordinglythey Conilnue to èdopt the going concern basis in p￿parIng the financlal 5tstÈments a5 Qutllned in the Sialement of Tlusiees Respvnsibiliiie5 on page 3. Re¢oncll4atlott previouslvGenernltyAccepted Acwurfine Pr4rti¢e In preparin8 rhe account5, the Trusrees have considered whether In Op￿Vingthe accounting polities required by FRS 102 and the Charilies SORP FRS 102 the restatement of cofflparati￿ terms was re4uired. The Trustees are of the Dpin￿n that no such restatement is rt?uired. I Clitkal accountln81udiments and keysourc•s of estl#*t*on uncertalnty In the application of the Charity's actOuntin8 policie5, which are describèd in note l. Trusiees are requifed to rnake iud8ments. estimate5and 355umptions about the carrying Yalues of 655et5 and liabilities that are noi read1lyapp3￿rnt frorn other so￿rCeS. Thetstirnation and underlyingassumptlQn5 are based on hiStorit31 experience and otherfactorsthat a￿ c¢n5idered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimares and underlwTrgas5umptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis Revj5lOn5 to accounting estimates are recogThised in the period in which thè estimite is revised If rhe revision affeits onlythat period, or in the period of rÈvision and future periods if thecurrent and future wriods if the rewsion affects the current and Sn the vlewof the Tfu5tee5, no issurfwion5concerningthe I￿ure0[￿5tima¢ion uncertainty 3ffe¢tifj8 the assets Flnanclal Instruments asi¢ financial insiiument5 are Iniiially retQ6nised at iransa¢tion value and subsequÈntly mea5uied atthar Settlement value. READING ADVICE NETWORK IA Charitable Incorporated Organisationl Notes to the Financial Statements Year to 31 March 2024 l Accounting policies Icontinuedl Income Recognition of Incoming Resources These are included in the statement of financial activities when.. the charily becomes entitled to the resources,. the irustees are virtually certain that they will receive the resources,. and the monetary value can be measured with reasonable accuracy. Grant5 and donations Grants are only included in the statement of financial activities when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources standards. Gifts in kind Gifts In kind are accounted for when receivable, at a reasonable estimate of their value to the Charitv. Investment income Bank and building society interest is included in the statement of financial activitie5 when the interest falls dile. gl Expendtture and liabilities Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation ccimmitting the charity to Pav OLJt reSoUr￿s. In previous years G(>vernance costs (costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity, the Independent Examiner fees and costs in respect of the strategic management of the Charityl were shown separately in the Statement of Financial Activities. To comply with Charities SORP FRS 102 Governance cost5 have been included within charitable artivities as an element of other support costs. h) Fimed assets Assets over £2000 are capitali5ed and depreciated over their estimated lives. Assets costing less than £2,0(￿ are written off in the year of acquisltion. Depretlation Depreciation is prov*ded at the followtn8 rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful live5. 11 Equipment and furniture 3 years straight line Fund accountin8 Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restritted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity and as defined by the donor. READING ADVICE NETWORK (Atharhabk Incorporared Organ￿*￿TrI Notes to the Financial Statements Year to 31 Mar¢h 2024 Expenditure on charitable artivities Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Total Total 2023 2024 Busines5 Development Communications and office Marketing and website Insurance Assessments- Reading Voluntary Action Governance- independent examination Training 401 401 548 161 4,826 161 4,826 164 3,462 5,388 5,388 4.174 Credltors and accruals Amount5 falling due within one year Accruals and deferred income - subscription received twicè Movemerlt in Funds Asat Incoming Outgoing l April 2023 Resources Resources Transfers A5at 31 March 2024 Restricted Funds 5,997 5,997 5,997 5,997 Unrestricted Fulld5 2,192 5.471 IS,3881 2.275 2,192 5,471 15.3881 2,275 Trustees RemuneratTron and Expenses None of the Trustees, nor any persons or parties connected with them, received any remuneration12023 £Nill nor were reirnbur5ed any expenses12023 £Nill dyring the year. io