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2023-03-31-accounts

Trustee’s Annual Report

Charity Name: People First Bridgend CIO Number: 1166485 Period Start/End: 1[st] April 2022 – 31[st] March 2023

1. Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document.

SORP Reference:

Para 1.17

People First Bridgend’s charity objectives are:

1. To relieve and support people who have a learning disability and/or with autism spectrum condition (hereafter known as "primary beneficiaries") in the County Borough of Bridgend and any other region with which the Borough works collaboratively (hereafter known as "the geographical area"), through services which can enable them to obtain their full rights and privileges as citizens.

2. from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those primary beneficiaries who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

3. workshops and other opportunities for learning.

4. To advance the education of the general public about the educational, physical, emotional and psychological needs of primary beneficiaries.

Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes SORP Reference: for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or Para 1.17, 1.19

Main Activities

People First Bridgend advocates for adults with learning disabilities and neurodiversity living in Bridgend County, Wales.

We support these people to:

Page 1 of 13

We do this through several core activities, including:

People First Bridgend does this work under two local authority contracts:

1) Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy:

Advocacy under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. This is independent advocacy for people entering or accessing social services provided by Bridgend County Borough Council. Clients typically need advocacy to have an equal voice or alleviate a conflict of interest when they are subject to social services functions.

2) Non-Statutory Advocacy (previously Peer-support and Skills for Independence)

Advocacy not constrained to those using statutory services. This includes several diOerent types of activities:

SORP Reference: to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public Para 1.18

Trustees ensure that all decisions regarding the use of funds and operations are in line solely with the objects of the charity and its operations benefit its primary beneficiaries.

Page 2 of 13

2. Achievements and Performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity, SORP Reference: identifying the diMerence the charity’s work has made to the Para 1.20 circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Independent Professional Advocacy (IPA)

We continued to provide advocacy under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and for non-statutory issues. This is independent advocacy for adults with learning disabilities or autism accessing health and social services provided by Bridgend County Borough Council, or who live in Bridgend County.

IPA makes sure people with care and support needs:

Advisory Team Self-Advocacy Group (A-Team)

Our A-Team is made up of adults with learning disabilities from around Bridgend County. They use their self-advocacy voices to speak up about important issues on behalf of Bridgend’s learning disability community. They do this for local, regional and national issues.

The A-Team consistently met bi-monthly in-person and online. We facilitated sessions around several topical issues for our members to give self-advocacy input, including:

Bridgend Spectrum Support Group (BSSG)

The BSSG is a peer-support group for adults higher-functioning autism. Practice-based sessions are run in partnership with the Assisted Recovery in the Community centre (ARC). They give members a safe space to be autistic and learn coping skills. A counterpart social session is arranged where members arrange to meet somewhere in the community to put their skills into practice. This year, the group formed greater links with the National Autistic

Page 3 of 13

Society (NAS) and managed to run art therapy sessions in conjunction with the practicebased sessions.

Accessible Information

We translate information into Easy Read. We received the following requests for translation:

Training

We ran learning disability awareness training for South Wales Police called Diversity Matters, Inclusion Wins. This training was co-delivered with our Advisory Team. We trained 100 employees of South Wales from various departments.

Other Advocacy Activities

Page 4 of 13

Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (Advocacy QPM)

People First Bridgend were assessed for the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM) during the financial year. This is where the charity and its services are externally assessed against the principles in the Advocacy Code of Practice.

QPM Assessment Process

QPM Assessor comments on good practice

Page 5 of 13

is tailored to meet the needs of individuals shows a skilled understanding of its importance for eOective advocacy support.

QPM Assessor comments on areas for improvement

Advocacy QPM Result

Page 6 of 13

3. Financial Review

SORP Reference: period. Para 1.21

statutory advocacy contracts funded by Bridgend County Borough Council:

+ Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy: £29,700

+ Non-Statutory Advocacy: £74,800

Following recommissioning, the contracts' values were increased by 17%.

People First Bridgend's expenditure on its advocacy contracts is as follows:

- Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy: £19,528

- Non-Statutory Advocacy: £51,268

The underspends in both contracts can be attributed to several staO vacancies, which coincided with the new contracts. A senior staO member planned to leave, which meant the vacancies under them could not be recruited for until their role had a replacement. A very challenging economic climate and job market meant that the charity had diOiculty recruiting. Vacancies remained open for over a year.

People First Bridgend have a good working relationship with Bridgend County Borough Council. The Council recognised that the recruitment challenges were sector wide, and that following the pandemic, there had been an exodus of staO in the health and social care and charity job market (advocacy can be considered a branch of both these areas). They therefore took no corrective action, and supported People First Bridgend to find alternative solutions whilst recruitment continued.

One of the available solutions was sub-contracting. In March 2023, the charity entered into an agreement with another advocacy provider to cover some of its services whilst it continued to recruit.

Recommissioning of services

People First Bridgend holds two contracts with Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to do advocacy services. These services were re-commissioned and put out for tender during 2022. This included a long-standing service level agreement to do non-statutory advocacy and a contract to do statutory independent professional advocacy. People First Bridgend put bids in for both.

People First Bridgend's bids were successful and as of October 2022, it holds the following contracts with BCBC:

1) Specialist Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy (aka SIPA) worth £32,400 per annum:

Page 7 of 13

Supporting people entering or receiving social services to have an equal voice, particularly in functions relating to the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014. This is exclusively Independent Professional Advocacy.

Supporting people outside of statutory issues to have an equal voice in their community and learn how to speak-up to protect their rights. This includes Independent Professional Advocacy and all other activities that the charity does.

These two contracts make up nearly all the charity's funding. They are the charity's core funding and fund the management and administration as well as its activities. The charity also receives a small amount of funds from chargeable training and donations.

Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating SORP Reference: why they are held. Para 1.22

People First Bridgend has a risk management policy which supports the Board to assess and manage the charity's exposure to risks, such as the loss core funding. It also has a reserves policy that supports the Board to calculate how much reserves are needed to maintain the charity, should it be exposed to these risks.

The charity's policies state that reserves are funds held which are not subject to commitments, planned expenditure or other restrictions. It aims to keep a minimum of 3- months operating costs in reserves to allow for the Board to deal with:

----- Start of picture text -----
• covering operating costs whilst awaiting receipt of committed funding.
The charity will match reserves to these requirements and no more.
Amount of reserves held. SORP Reference:
Para 1.22
£14,123
Reasons for holding zero reserves. SORP Reference:
Para 1.22
N/A
SORP Reference:
Details of fund materially in deficit.
Para 1.24
----- End of picture text -----

Page 8 of 13

N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity
continuing as a going concern.		 SORP Reference:
Para 1.23
People First Bridgend currently receives its funds solely from its local authority including core
funding. Therefore, any risks and subsequent changes to the budgets of the local authority
have the potential to aOect the charity's funding and its ability to operate.
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any
fundraising)		 SORP Reference:
Para 1.47
See above.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity. SORP Reference:
Para 1.46
See explanation of uncertainties.

Page 9 of 13

Structure, Governance and Management

Structure, Governance and Management
Type of governing document. SORP Reference:
Para 1.25
Constitution
How is the charity constituted? SORP Reference:
Para 1.25
Foundation model Charitable Incorporated Organisation (or CIO)
Trustee selection methods including details of any
constitutional provisions.		 SORP Reference:
Para 1.25
Trustees are appointed for a term of 3 years, after the initial trustees appointed to setup the
CIO, by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
Trustees are recruited in line with Section 9 and 10 of the constitution:
•
Are over 18 years old,
•
have appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to administrate the charity,
•
are invited to attend a meeting,
•
are approved by the trustees at a board meeting.
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and
training of trustees.		 SORP Reference:
Para 1.51
When being inducted on the Board, trustees receive:
•
a copy of the charity’s constitution,
•
a meeting with the Operational Manager to introduce the work of the charity,
•
a copy of the charity’s latest annual accounts,
•
copies of policies and procedures,
•
copies of the standards which the charity works to, including the Advocacy QPM Code
of Practice and the Charity Governance Code for small charities.
People First Bridgend has policies in place for inducting new trustees and ensuring that
trustee's knowledge and skills are ft for their roles. These include:
•
Trustee Code of Conduct
•
Values Statement
•
Confict of Interests Policy
•
Training and Development Policy

Page 10 of 13

The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network SORP Reference: with which the charity works. Para 1.51

As a foundation CIO, the Board are solely responsible for the charity. They ensure that decisions relating to its funding and activities are in line with its charitable objectives and support its primary beneficiaries.

In addition to the Board, People First Bridgend has an Advisory Team made up of 14 adults with learning disabilities. Whilst the Advisory Team have no say on the governance of the charity, they steer the direction of its activities through their bi-monthly self-advocacy group meetings.

staO member is the Operational Manager who provides the day-to-day leadership and management of the charity.

People First Bridgend is part of the wider People First self-advocacy movement, with which it maintains networking links. Particularly All Wales People First, who advocate for people with learning disabilities at a Welsh Government level. However, all People First groups are independent and are not aOiliated with a higher organisation.

----- Start of picture text -----
People First Bridgend Structure
Board of
Advisory Team
Trustees
Operational
Manager
Independent Independent
Self-Advocacy Advocacy
BSSG Facilitator Professional Professional
Facilitator Coordinator
Advocate Advocate
----- End of picture text -----

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Reference and Administrative details

Charity Name: People First Bridgend
Other name the charity uses: Bridgend People First (formerly)
Registered charity number: 1166485
Charity’s principal address: People First Bridgend
OOice 32
Apollo Business Village
Heol Persondy
Aberkenfg
Bridgend
CF32 9RF

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Trustee Name OMice (if any) Dates acted if not for
whole year		 Name of person (or
body) entitled to
appoint trustee (if any)
Jean Gregson Chair Board of Trustees
Heather Williams Trustee Board of Trustees
Alun Phillips Trustee Board of Trustees
Mike Harris Trustee Board of Trustees
Alys Byrne Trustee Resigned 21/09/2022 Board of Trustees
Judith Pickard Trustee Resigned 30/09/2022 Board of Trustees
Elaine Williams Trustee Resigned 17/04/2023 Board of Trustees
Name of CEO/most senior staM: Adam Kurowski Wakeford – Operational Manager

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Other information:

• No corporate trustees/directors. • No trustees hold title to property belonging to the charity. • No funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others. • No advisors. • No exemptions from disclosure.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signature:
Full names: Jean Gregson
Position: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Date: 31stJanuary 2024

Page 13 of 13

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1166485

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FOR

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 10
Independent Examiner's Report 11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13
Notes to the Financial Statements 14 to 19

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

  1. To relieve and support people who have a learning disability and/or with autism spectrum condition (hereafter known as "primary beneficiaries") in the County Borough of Bridgend and any other region with which the Borough works collaboratively (hereafter known as "the geographical area"), through services which can enable them to obtain their full rights and privileges as citizens.

  2. To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing primary beneficiaries from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those primary beneficiaries who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

  3. To advance and promote education of primary beneficiaries through training workshops and other opportunities for learning.

  4. To advance the education of the general public about the educational, physical, emotional and psychological needs of primary beneficiaries.

-1-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Activities

How People First Bridgend is run

People First Bridgend is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (or CIO) using a foundation model. It is governed by a CIO constitution document and managed by a Board of Trustees (aka the Board).

As a foundation CIO, the Board are solely responsible for the charity. They ensure that decisions relating to its funding and activities are in line with its charitable objectives and support its primary beneficiaries. The Board consists of 4 highly qualified volunteers who have nearly 100 years of professional experience in learning disability services between them.

The Board meets at least 4 times a year. Induction onto the Board includes:

In addition to the Board, People First Bridgend has an Advisory Team made up of 14 adults with learning disabilities. Whilst the Advisory Team have no say on the governance of the charity, they steer the direction of its activities through their bi-monthly self-advocacy group meetings.

The Board delegates the practical work of the charity to a staff team of five. The most senior staff member is the Operational Manager who provides the day-to-day leadership and management of the charity.

The work of People First Bridgend

People First Bridgend advocates for adults with learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

It supports these people to:

It does this through several core activities, including:

Public benefit

Trustees ensure that all decisions regarding the use of funds and operations are in line solely with the objects of the charity and its operations benefit its primary beneficiaries.

-2-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

People First Bridgend's Services

People First Bridgend does its work under two local authority contracts:

1) Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy

2) Non-Statutory Advocacy (previously Peer-support and Skills for Independence)

Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy

People First Bridgend continued to provide advocacy under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. This is independent advocacy for people entering or accessing social services provided by Bridgend County Borough Council. Clients typically need advocacy to have an equal voice or alleviate a conflict of interest when they are subject to social services functions.

Statistics:

Referrals came from:

Advocacy issues included:

Both of People First Bridgend's advocates left during the financial year. This resulted in protracted recruitment attempts and staff shortages. This affected how many people the service was able to support. A waiting list for referrals was used from quarter 2-4. Following quarter 4, a sub-contracting agreement allowed another advocacy organisation to take the services' referrals whilst recruitment continued.

Non-Statutory Advocacy (previously Peer-support and Skills for Independence)

This service is split into several activities:

Independent Advocacy

This is independent advocacy for people who are not in receipt of social services.

Statistics:

Advocacy issues included:

-3-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

As with Statutory advocacy, staff shortages affected the capacity of this service.

Advisory Team

This is a self-advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities. Topics are brought to the meetings for members to learn and have a say about. Meetings were run in-person and virtually.

Statistics:

Meeting topics included:

Bridgend Spectrum Support Group (BSSG)

The BSSG is a peer-support group for adults who are high-functioning on the autism spectrum. Practice-based sessions are run in partnership with the Assisted Recovery in the Community centre (ARC). They give members a safe space to be autistic and learn coping skills. A counterpart social session is arranged where members arrange to meet somewhere in the community to put their skills into practice.

Statistics:

Training

2 Diversity Matters, Inclusion Wins training sessions were delivered for South Wales Police. 100 attendances were recorded for these sessions.

Easy Read

-4-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Other Activities

Advocacy QPM

People First Bridgend were assessed for the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM) during the financial year. This is where the charity and its services are externally assessed against the principles in the Advocacy Code of Practice.

QPM Assessment Process

QPM Assessor comments on good practice

-5-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

QPM Assessor comments on areas for improvement

Advocacy QPM Result

People First Bridgend were successfully awarded Advocacy QPM. This certification lasts 4 years before the charity needs to be re-assessed.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Over the financial year, People First Bridgend secured the following income for its non-statutory advocacy contracts funded by Bridgend County Borough Council:

+ Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy: £29,700

+ Non-Statutory Advocacy: £74,800

Half the financial year, the charity worked under its old contract and service level agreement. Following recommissioning, the contracts' values were increased by 17%.

People First Bridgend's expenditure on its advocacy contracts is as follows:

- Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy: £19,528

- Non-Statutory Advocacy: £51,268

The underspends in both contracts can be attributed to several staff vacancies, which coincided with the new contracts. A senior staff member planned to leave, which meant the vacancies under them could not be recruited for until their role had a replacement. A very challenging economic climate and job market meant that the charity had difficulty recruiting. Vacancies remained open for over a year.

People First Bridgend have a good working relationship with Bridgend County Borough Council. The Council recognised that the recruitment challenges were sector wide, and that following the pandemic, there had been an exodus of staff in the health and social care and charity job market (advocacy can be considered a branch of both these areas). They therefore took no corrective action, and supported People First Bridgend to find alternative solutions whilst recruitment continued.

One of the available solutions was sub-contracting. In March 2023, the charity entered into an agreement with another advocacy provider to cover some of its services whilst it continued to recruit.

-6-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal funding sources

People First Bridgend holds two contracts with Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to do advocacy services. These services were re-commissioned and put out for tender during 2022. This included a long-standing service level agreement to do non-statutory advocacy and a contract to do statutory independent professional advocacy. People First Bridgend put bids in for both.

People First Bridgend's bids were successful and as of October 2022, it holds the following contracts with BCBC:

  1. Specialist Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy (aka SIPA) worth £32,400 per annum: Supporting people entering or receiving social services to have an equal voice, particularly in functions relating to the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014. This is exclusively Independent Professional Advocacy.

2. Specialist Non-Statutory Advocacy (aka NSA) worth £81,600 per annum:

Supporting people outside of statutory issues to have an equal voice in their community and learn how to speak-up to protect their rights. This includes Independent Professional Advocacy and all other activities that the charity does.

These two contracts make up nearly all the charity's funding. They are the charity's core funding and fund the management and administration as well as its activities. The charity also receives a small amount of funds from chargeable training and donations.

Reserves policy

People First Bridgend has a risk management policy which supports the Board to assess and manage the charity's exposure to risks, such as the loss core funding. It also has a reserves policy that supports the Board to calculate how much reserves are needed to maintain the charity, should it be exposed to these risks.

The charity's policies state that reserves are funds held which are not subject to commitments, planned expenditure or other restrictions. It aims to keep a minimum of 3-months operating costs in reserves to allow for the Board to deal with:

The charity will match reserves to these requirements and no more.

Going concern

People First Bridgend currently receives its funds solely from its local authority including core funding. Therefore, any risks and subsequent changes to the budgets of the local authority have the potential to affect the charity's funding and its ability to operate.

-7-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FUTURE PLANS

People First Bridgend will carry over the restricted funding relating to the underspend into the next financial year. Working with the Council, the charity plans to use it to improve its existing services and do additional work requested by the Council.

During the financial year, the charity was assessed for the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark. It measures how well the charity is working to the Advocacy Code of Practice. People First Bridgend was successfully awarded this in August 2022. Certification lasts 4 years.

People First Bridgend also asked its Advisory Team what they felt should be priorities for the next financial year. They said:

People First Bridgend expects topical issues relating to the UK's economic situation and austerity measures to affect its beneficiaries over the next year. It will look for ways people can have a voice in any plans to change their public services.

People First Bridgend will take on-board this information and plan accordingly.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a constitution, and constitutes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) as defined by the Charities Act 2011.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are appointed for a term of 3 years, after the initial trustees appointed to setup the CIO, by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.

Trustees are recruited in line with Section 9 and 10 of the constitution:

People First Bridgend has policies in place for inducting new trustees and ensuring that trustee's knowledge and skills are fit for their roles. These include:

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PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Organisational structure Board of Trustees

Staff Team

Advisory Team

People First Bridgend is part of the wider People First self-advocacy movement, with which it maintains networking links. Particularly All Wales People First, who advocate for people with learning disabilities at a Welsh Government level. However, all People First groups are independent and are not affiliated with a higher organisation.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity Number

1166485

Principal Address

Office 32 Apollo Business Village Heol Persondy Aberkenfig CF32 9RF

Operational Manager

Adam Kurowski Wakeford

Trustees

Judith Pickard (resigned 30/09/2022) Jean Gregson Heather Williams Alun Phillips Elaine Williams (resigned 17/04/2023) Michael John Harris Alys Elizabeth Byrne (resigned 21/09/2022)

Independent Examiner

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

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PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 26 January 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Jean Gregson - Trustee

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of People First Bridgend

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of People First Bridgend (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true 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 to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J Payne ACA

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

26 January 2024

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PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
1,850
Charitable activities
2
Supporting people with learning disability
-
Total
1,850
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
3
Supporting people with learning disability
-
NET INCOME
1,850
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
12,273
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
14,123		 Restricted
fund
£
-
76,000
76,000
69,127
6,873
15,441
22,314		 2023
Total
funds
£
1,850
76,000
77,850
69,127
8,723
27,714
36,437		 2022
Total
funds
£
1,000
105,055
106,055
99,829
6,226
21,488
27,714

The notes form part of these financial statements

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PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
Notes
£
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
8
-
3,547
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
9
-
303
Cash at bank
14,123
21,118
14,123
21,421
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
10
-
(2,654)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
14,123
18,767
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
14,123
22,314
NET ASSETS
14,123
22,314
FUNDS
11
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 2023
Total
funds
£
3,547
303
35,241
35,544
(2,654)
32,890
36,437
36,437
14,123
22,314
36,437		 2022
Total
funds
£
3,116
299
28,198
28,497
(3,899)
24,598
27,714
27,714
12,273
15,441
27,714

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 January 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:

Jean Gregson - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the 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.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Improvements to property - 25% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 25% on reducing balance

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

-14-

continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

2. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

The BCBC Peer-support and Skills for Independence SLA grant was used to provide preventative advocacy-related services to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition.

The BCBC Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy contract funds were used to provide crisis/intervention advocacy services to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition.

The Covid-19 Recovery Grant was used to support learning disability advocacy services.

The breakdown of grant income received during the year is as follows:

The breakdown of grant income received during the year is as follows:
£
BCBC SLA Grant 54,400
BCBC SIPA Contract 21,600
76,000
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Direct
Support
Costs
costs
£
£
Supporting people with learning
disability
61,967
7,160		 Totals
£
69,127

3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

5. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Other pension costs		 2023
£
46,519
891
47,410		 2022
£
66,948
2,879
69,827

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2023 2022
Direct Charitable Activities 3 5

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

The total amount paid to key management personnel in the financial year was £30,013.

-15-

continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
1,000
-
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
1,055
104,000
Total
2,055
104,000
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
6,359
93,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(4,304)
10,530
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
16,577
4,911
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
12,273
15,441
7.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS FEES
Included in charitable activities costs are fees payable for Independent Examination of £1,730.
8.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS		 6.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
1,000
-
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
1,055
104,000
Total
2,055
104,000
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
6,359
93,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(4,304)
10,530
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
16,577
4,911
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
12,273
15,441
7.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS FEES
Included in charitable activities costs are fees payable for Independent Examination of £1,730.
8.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS		 6.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
1,000
-
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
1,055
104,000
Total
2,055
104,000
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
6,359
93,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(4,304)
10,530
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
16,577
4,911
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
12,273
15,441
7.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS FEES
Included in charitable activities costs are fees payable for Independent Examination of £1,730.
8.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS		 Total
funds
£
1,000
105,055
106,055
99,829
6,226
21,488
27,714
Improvements
to
property
£
COST
At 1 April 2022
1,405
Additions
-
At 31 March 2023
1,405
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022
1,405
Charge for year
-
At 31 March 2023
1,405
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023
-
At 31 March 2022
-		 Fixtures
and
fittings
£
32,457
1,233
33,690
29,341
802
30,143
3,547
3,116		 Totals
£
33,862
1,233
35,095
30,746
802
31,548
3,547
3,116
Improvements Fixtures
to and
property fittings Totals
£ £ £
COST
At 1 April 2022 1,405 32,457 33,862
Additions - 1,233 1,233
At 31 March 2023 1,405 33,690 35,095
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022 1,405 29,341 30,746
Charge for year - 802 802
At 31 March 2023 1,405 30,143 31,548
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023 - 3,547 3,547
At 31 March 2022 - 3,116 3,116

-16-

continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 303 299
10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Trade creditors - 1,722
Other creditors 2,654 2,177
2,654 3,899
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1.4.22 in funds 31.3.23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 12,273 1,850 14,123
Restricted funds
Advocacy 15,441 6,873 22,314
TOTAL FUNDS 27,714 8,723 36,437
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 1,850 - 1,850
Restricted funds
Advocacy 76,000 (69,127) 6,873
TOTAL FUNDS 77,850 (69,127) 8,723

-17-

continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net
movement At
At 1.4.21 in funds 31.3.22
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 16,577 (4,304) 12,273
Restricted funds
Advocacy 4,911 10,530 15,441
TOTAL FUNDS 21,488 6,226 27,714
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 2,055 (6,359) (4,304)
Restricted funds
Advocacy 104,000 (93,470) 10,530
TOTAL FUNDS 106,055 (99,829) 6,226
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
Net
movement At
At 1.4.21 in funds 31.3.23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 16,577 (2,454) 14,123
Restricted funds
Advocacy 4,911 17,403 22,314
TOTAL FUNDS 21,488 14,949 36,437

-18-

continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 3,905 (6,359) (2,454)
Restricted funds
Advocacy 180,000 (162,597) 17,403
TOTAL FUNDS 183,905 (168,956) 14,949
Main Projects
Bridgend County Borough Council funding is to:

12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

In the financial year, £592 (2022: £4,662) was paid to former manager and trustee of People First Bridgend, Katrina Kurowski. The full amount was in relation to sessional fees.

An amount of £1,700 was donated to the charity by a trustee.

-19-

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1166485

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FOR

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 10
Independent Examiner's Report 11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13
Notes to the Financial Statements 14 to 19

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

  1. To relieve and support people who have a learning disability and/or with autism spectrum condition (hereafter known as "primary beneficiaries") in the County Borough of Bridgend and any other region with which the Borough works collaboratively (hereafter known as "the geographical area"), through services which can enable them to obtain their full rights and privileges as citizens.

  2. To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing primary beneficiaries from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those primary beneficiaries who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

  3. To advance and promote education of primary beneficiaries through training workshops and other opportunities for learning.

  4. To advance the education of the general public about the educational, physical, emotional and psychological needs of primary beneficiaries.

-1-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Activities

How People First Bridgend is run

People First Bridgend is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (or CIO) using a foundation model. It is governed by a CIO constitution document and managed by a Board of Trustees (aka the Board).

As a foundation CIO, the Board are solely responsible for the charity. They ensure that decisions relating to its funding and activities are in line with its charitable objectives and support its primary beneficiaries. The Board consists of 4 highly qualified volunteers who have nearly 100 years of professional experience in learning disability services between them.

The Board meets at least 4 times a year. Induction onto the Board includes:

In addition to the Board, People First Bridgend has an Advisory Team made up of 14 adults with learning disabilities. Whilst the Advisory Team have no say on the governance of the charity, they steer the direction of its activities through their bi-monthly self-advocacy group meetings.

The Board delegates the practical work of the charity to a staff team of five. The most senior staff member is the Operational Manager who provides the day-to-day leadership and management of the charity.

The work of People First Bridgend

People First Bridgend advocates for adults with learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

It supports these people to:

It does this through several core activities, including:

Public benefit

Trustees ensure that all decisions regarding the use of funds and operations are in line solely with the objects of the charity and its operations benefit its primary beneficiaries.

-2-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

People First Bridgend's Services

People First Bridgend does its work under two local authority contracts:

1) Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy

2) Non-Statutory Advocacy (previously Peer-support and Skills for Independence)

Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy

People First Bridgend continued to provide advocacy under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. This is independent advocacy for people entering or accessing social services provided by Bridgend County Borough Council. Clients typically need advocacy to have an equal voice or alleviate a conflict of interest when they are subject to social services functions.

Statistics:

Referrals came from:

Advocacy issues included:

Both of People First Bridgend's advocates left during the financial year. This resulted in protracted recruitment attempts and staff shortages. This affected how many people the service was able to support. A waiting list for referrals was used from quarter 2-4. Following quarter 4, a sub-contracting agreement allowed another advocacy organisation to take the services' referrals whilst recruitment continued.

Non-Statutory Advocacy (previously Peer-support and Skills for Independence)

This service is split into several activities:

Independent Advocacy

This is independent advocacy for people who are not in receipt of social services.

Statistics:

Advocacy issues included:

-3-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

As with Statutory advocacy, staff shortages affected the capacity of this service.

Advisory Team

This is a self-advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities. Topics are brought to the meetings for members to learn and have a say about. Meetings were run in-person and virtually.

Statistics:

Meeting topics included:

Bridgend Spectrum Support Group (BSSG)

The BSSG is a peer-support group for adults who are high-functioning on the autism spectrum. Practice-based sessions are run in partnership with the Assisted Recovery in the Community centre (ARC). They give members a safe space to be autistic and learn coping skills. A counterpart social session is arranged where members arrange to meet somewhere in the community to put their skills into practice.

Statistics:

Training

2 Diversity Matters, Inclusion Wins training sessions were delivered for South Wales Police. 100 attendances were recorded for these sessions.

Easy Read

-4-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Other Activities

Advocacy QPM

People First Bridgend were assessed for the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM) during the financial year. This is where the charity and its services are externally assessed against the principles in the Advocacy Code of Practice.

QPM Assessment Process

QPM Assessor comments on good practice

-5-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

QPM Assessor comments on areas for improvement

Advocacy QPM Result

People First Bridgend were successfully awarded Advocacy QPM. This certification lasts 4 years before the charity needs to be re-assessed.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Over the financial year, People First Bridgend secured the following income for its non-statutory advocacy contracts funded by Bridgend County Borough Council:

+ Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy: £29,700

+ Non-Statutory Advocacy: £74,800

Half the financial year, the charity worked under its old contract and service level agreement. Following recommissioning, the contracts' values were increased by 17%.

People First Bridgend's expenditure on its advocacy contracts is as follows:

- Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy: £19,528

- Non-Statutory Advocacy: £51,268

The underspends in both contracts can be attributed to several staff vacancies, which coincided with the new contracts. A senior staff member planned to leave, which meant the vacancies under them could not be recruited for until their role had a replacement. A very challenging economic climate and job market meant that the charity had difficulty recruiting. Vacancies remained open for over a year.

People First Bridgend have a good working relationship with Bridgend County Borough Council. The Council recognised that the recruitment challenges were sector wide, and that following the pandemic, there had been an exodus of staff in the health and social care and charity job market (advocacy can be considered a branch of both these areas). They therefore took no corrective action, and supported People First Bridgend to find alternative solutions whilst recruitment continued.

One of the available solutions was sub-contracting. In March 2023, the charity entered into an agreement with another advocacy provider to cover some of its services whilst it continued to recruit.

-6-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal funding sources

People First Bridgend holds two contracts with Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to do advocacy services. These services were re-commissioned and put out for tender during 2022. This included a long-standing service level agreement to do non-statutory advocacy and a contract to do statutory independent professional advocacy. People First Bridgend put bids in for both.

People First Bridgend's bids were successful and as of October 2022, it holds the following contracts with BCBC:

  1. Specialist Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy (aka SIPA) worth £32,400 per annum: Supporting people entering or receiving social services to have an equal voice, particularly in functions relating to the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014. This is exclusively Independent Professional Advocacy.

2. Specialist Non-Statutory Advocacy (aka NSA) worth £81,600 per annum:

Supporting people outside of statutory issues to have an equal voice in their community and learn how to speak-up to protect their rights. This includes Independent Professional Advocacy and all other activities that the charity does.

These two contracts make up nearly all the charity's funding. They are the charity's core funding and fund the management and administration as well as its activities. The charity also receives a small amount of funds from chargeable training and donations.

Reserves policy

People First Bridgend has a risk management policy which supports the Board to assess and manage the charity's exposure to risks, such as the loss core funding. It also has a reserves policy that supports the Board to calculate how much reserves are needed to maintain the charity, should it be exposed to these risks.

The charity's policies state that reserves are funds held which are not subject to commitments, planned expenditure or other restrictions. It aims to keep a minimum of 3-months operating costs in reserves to allow for the Board to deal with:

The charity will match reserves to these requirements and no more.

Going concern

People First Bridgend currently receives its funds solely from its local authority including core funding. Therefore, any risks and subsequent changes to the budgets of the local authority have the potential to affect the charity's funding and its ability to operate.

-7-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FUTURE PLANS

People First Bridgend will carry over the restricted funding relating to the underspend into the next financial year. Working with the Council, the charity plans to use it to improve its existing services and do additional work requested by the Council.

During the financial year, the charity was assessed for the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark. It measures how well the charity is working to the Advocacy Code of Practice. People First Bridgend was successfully awarded this in August 2022. Certification lasts 4 years.

People First Bridgend also asked its Advisory Team what they felt should be priorities for the next financial year. They said:

People First Bridgend expects topical issues relating to the UK's economic situation and austerity measures to affect its beneficiaries over the next year. It will look for ways people can have a voice in any plans to change their public services.

People First Bridgend will take on-board this information and plan accordingly.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a constitution, and constitutes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) as defined by the Charities Act 2011.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are appointed for a term of 3 years, after the initial trustees appointed to setup the CIO, by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.

Trustees are recruited in line with Section 9 and 10 of the constitution:

People First Bridgend has policies in place for inducting new trustees and ensuring that trustee's knowledge and skills are fit for their roles. These include:

-8-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Organisational structure Board of Trustees

Staff Team

Advisory Team

People First Bridgend is part of the wider People First self-advocacy movement, with which it maintains networking links. Particularly All Wales People First, who advocate for people with learning disabilities at a Welsh Government level. However, all People First groups are independent and are not affiliated with a higher organisation.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity Number

1166485

Principal Address

Office 32 Apollo Business Village Heol Persondy Aberkenfig CF32 9RF

Operational Manager

Adam Kurowski Wakeford

Trustees

Judith Pickard (resigned 30/09/2022) Jean Gregson Heather Williams Alun Phillips Elaine Williams (resigned 17/04/2023) Michael John Harris Alys Elizabeth Byrne (resigned 21/09/2022)

Independent Examiner

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

-9-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 26 January 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Jean Gregson - Trustee

-10-

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of People First Bridgend

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of People First Bridgend (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true 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 to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J Payne ACA

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

26 January 2024

-11-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
1,850
Charitable activities
2
Supporting people with learning disability
-
Total
1,850
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
3
Supporting people with learning disability
-
NET INCOME
1,850
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
12,273
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
14,123		 Restricted
fund
£
-
76,000
76,000
69,127
6,873
15,441
22,314		 2023
Total
funds
£
1,850
76,000
77,850
69,127
8,723
27,714
36,437		 2022
Total
funds
£
1,000
105,055
106,055
99,829
6,226
21,488
27,714

The notes form part of these financial statements

-12-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
Notes
£
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
8
-
3,547
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
9
-
303
Cash at bank
14,123
21,118
14,123
21,421
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
10
-
(2,654)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
14,123
18,767
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
14,123
22,314
NET ASSETS
14,123
22,314
FUNDS
11
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 2023
Total
funds
£
3,547
303
35,241
35,544
(2,654)
32,890
36,437
36,437
14,123
22,314
36,437		 2022
Total
funds
£
3,116
299
28,198
28,497
(3,899)
24,598
27,714
27,714
12,273
15,441
27,714

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 January 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:

Jean Gregson - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

-13-

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the 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.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Improvements to property - 25% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 25% on reducing balance

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

-14-

continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

2. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

The BCBC Peer-support and Skills for Independence SLA grant was used to provide preventative advocacy-related services to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition.

The BCBC Statutory Independent Professional Advocacy contract funds were used to provide crisis/intervention advocacy services to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition.

The Covid-19 Recovery Grant was used to support learning disability advocacy services.

The breakdown of grant income received during the year is as follows:

The breakdown of grant income received during the year is as follows:
£
BCBC SLA Grant 54,400
BCBC SIPA Contract 21,600
76,000
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Direct
Support
Costs
costs
£
£
Supporting people with learning
disability
61,967
7,160		 Totals
£
69,127

3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

5. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Other pension costs		 2023
£
46,519
891
47,410		 2022
£
66,948
2,879
69,827

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2023 2022
Direct Charitable Activities 3 5

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

The total amount paid to key management personnel in the financial year was £30,013.

-15-

continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
1,000
-
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
1,055
104,000
Total
2,055
104,000
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
6,359
93,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(4,304)
10,530
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
16,577
4,911
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
12,273
15,441
7.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS FEES
Included in charitable activities costs are fees payable for Independent Examination of £1,730.
8.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS		 6.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
1,000
-
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
1,055
104,000
Total
2,055
104,000
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
6,359
93,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(4,304)
10,530
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
16,577
4,911
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
12,273
15,441
7.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS FEES
Included in charitable activities costs are fees payable for Independent Examination of £1,730.
8.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS		 6.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
1,000
-
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
1,055
104,000
Total
2,055
104,000
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Supporting people with learning disability
6,359
93,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(4,304)
10,530
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
16,577
4,911
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
12,273
15,441
7.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS FEES
Included in charitable activities costs are fees payable for Independent Examination of £1,730.
8.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS		 Total
funds
£
1,000
105,055
106,055
99,829
6,226
21,488
27,714
Improvements
to
property
£
COST
At 1 April 2022
1,405
Additions
-
At 31 March 2023
1,405
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022
1,405
Charge for year
-
At 31 March 2023
1,405
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023
-
At 31 March 2022
-		 Fixtures
and
fittings
£
32,457
1,233
33,690
29,341
802
30,143
3,547
3,116		 Totals
£
33,862
1,233
35,095
30,746
802
31,548
3,547
3,116
Improvements Fixtures
to and
property fittings Totals
£ £ £
COST
At 1 April 2022 1,405 32,457 33,862
Additions - 1,233 1,233
At 31 March 2023 1,405 33,690 35,095
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022 1,405 29,341 30,746
Charge for year - 802 802
At 31 March 2023 1,405 30,143 31,548
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023 - 3,547 3,547
At 31 March 2022 - 3,116 3,116

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continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 303 299
10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Trade creditors - 1,722
Other creditors 2,654 2,177
2,654 3,899
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1.4.22 in funds 31.3.23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 12,273 1,850 14,123
Restricted funds
Advocacy 15,441 6,873 22,314
TOTAL FUNDS 27,714 8,723 36,437
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 1,850 - 1,850
Restricted funds
Advocacy 76,000 (69,127) 6,873
TOTAL FUNDS 77,850 (69,127) 8,723

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continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net
movement At
At 1.4.21 in funds 31.3.22
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 16,577 (4,304) 12,273
Restricted funds
Advocacy 4,911 10,530 15,441
TOTAL FUNDS 21,488 6,226 27,714
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 2,055 (6,359) (4,304)
Restricted funds
Advocacy 104,000 (93,470) 10,530
TOTAL FUNDS 106,055 (99,829) 6,226
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
Net
movement At
At 1.4.21 in funds 31.3.23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 16,577 (2,454) 14,123
Restricted funds
Advocacy 4,911 17,403 22,314
TOTAL FUNDS 21,488 14,949 36,437

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continued...

PEOPLE FIRST BRIDGEND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 3,905 (6,359) (2,454)
Restricted funds
Advocacy 180,000 (162,597) 17,403
TOTAL FUNDS 183,905 (168,956) 14,949
Main Projects
Bridgend County Borough Council funding is to:

12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

In the financial year, £592 (2022: £4,662) was paid to former manager and trustee of People First Bridgend, Katrina Kurowski. The full amount was in relation to sessional fees.

An amount of £1,700 was donated to the charity by a trustee.

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