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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration Number: 1168614

Lifeline Community Action Financial Statements

For the Year Ending 31 March 2024

JANE ASCROFT ACCOUNTANCY LIMITED

Chartered accountants Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XP

Lifeline Community Action

Financial Statements

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Page
Trustees' Annual Report 1
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Statement of Financial Position 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8
The Following Pages Do Not Form Part of the Financial Statements
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 18

Lifeline Community Action

Trustees' Annual Report

Year Ended 31 March 2024

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Objectives and Activities

Purposes and Aims

Lifeline Community Action is a charity that operates from the heart of Newton Aycliffe but provides a service across County Durham & Darlington. We primarily have supported the poorest and most disadvantaged individuals and families at a time when their need is greatest.

We seek to understand the difficulties that our communities face, such as losing a job, depression and anxiety, domestic violence, long term unemployment, unmanageable debt, losing a family home, breakdown of relationships, social isolation and more recently the number of 'working poor' due to the current economic crisis.

We provide support to strengthen families through personal development and training to develop skills which will help them achieve their goals.

We operate with a Christian Ethos but we provide a service to anyone regardless of their faith or if they have no faith at all. Our services are offered impartially, confidentially and free and we do not discriminate

Ensuring our work delivers our aims

We seek the views and opinion of our service users to establish whether we are meeting their needs and our aims. We use this data to make changes to our provision whilst not losing sight of our aims and principles.

The focus of our work

We aim to ensure that every individual or family has the basic essentials needed to stay warm, have a clean comfortable bed, the ability to cook and serve a meal, keep themselves and their homes clean. The charity therefore provides bedding, towels, crockery, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, washing powder and cleaning materials and small electrical appliances including small heaters.

We provide hygiene packs to food banks and other charities and teenage toiletry packs to schools.

We also provide baby clothing, nappies, milk, bottles and sterilisers, changing mats, cribs and cots, bedding, pushchairs, sanitary protection and night ware and safety equipment such as stair gates, socket covers etc.

1

Lifeline Community Action

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

These have included a knit and natter session, craft class, social dance, armchair exercise class and a boot camp exercise class. All have been well used and feedback demonstrates the positive difference made to those who were feeling socially isolated or wanted to improve their mental and physical health & wellbeing.

In 2021 we opened our Community Hub from where we run our School Uniform Recycling Scheme, Seasonal Giveaways and Giveaway Corner, where goods donated to us that cant be used in our packs are made available to the public free of charge to encourage recycling and prevent goods going

How our activities deliver public benefit

We work with over 65 referral partners across County Durham including Council Schools, Care Homes, Social Workers, Domestic Abuse Charities,

Housing Workers, Midwifes, Police, Food Banks and other charities and organisations supporting the disadvantaged. Both partner organisations and the public themselves can refer for help. Large

Achievements and Performance

Financial Review

During the year ending 31st March 2024 the charity received income totalling £279,273 (2023 -

£75,040 (2023 - £48,513) of which £33,400 was on unrestricted funds.

Principal Funding Sources

Funding received in this financial year was from The National Lottery Community Fund, Award For All, Karbon Homes, Believe Housing, Livin, Great Aycliffe & Middridge AAP, 4 Together AAP, Spennymooor AAP, County Durham Community Foundation (Small Grant, Volunteer Support Fund,

Great Aycliffe Fund, EDF Wind-farm Community Benefit Fund, Poverty Hurts & Warm Spaces), Woodham Christian Centre and Garfield Weston).

Investment Policy

Any funds not required for day to day running of the charity are placed in a higher interest deposit account

Reserves Policy

The Trustees intend to estimate 6 months running costs and have already ring-fenced £50,000 as designated unrestricted reserves. The reserves are needed to meet the working operational requirements of the charity and wind it down if it was necessary. At 31st March 2024 reserves totaled

Plans for Future Periods

2

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Lifeline Community Action

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

The organisation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation established under a Constitution which established the objects and powers of the organisation.

Recruitment and Appointment of Management Committee

The Trustees of the CIO are charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's constitution are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the constitution the members of the Management Committee are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting.

All members of the Trustee Board give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity.

The Trustee Board seeks to ensure that the needs of our service users are considered and the Board is

would like to enhance the skills and experience of the board and so are searching for people who would be willing to become Trustees and use their own experience to assist the charity.

Trustee Induction and Training

Trustee Induction is covered fully in the office manual. Trustees are expected to read all the recommended information suggested in the induction materials and provided by the Charity Commission (links given in induction material).

Risk Management

The Trustee Board has set up a system to review the major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk register will be established which will be updated at least annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures will be established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. The outcome of this assessment will be included in our Business Plan.

Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, service users and visitors. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity.

Organisational Structure

In the last 12 months the charity was overseen by the Service & Human Resources Manager who reported to the 6 Trustees. The charity also employ a Business Coordinator who manages all of the funding applications, reporting & funder statistical monitoring. The Coordinator also drafts and reviews all governance documents, policies and procedures and submits them to the Trustees. The

3

Lifeline Community Action

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Reference and Administrative Details

Registered charity name Lifeline Community Action Charity registration number 1168614 Principal office St Clare's Church St Cuthbert's Way Newton Aycliffe County Durham DL5 5NT The Trustees Mrs A White (Chair) Mr P Hawkins Mrs J Donald (Treasurer) Ms M Ridley Ms S Scotchbrook Ms A M Smith (Appointed 8 January 2024) Independent Examiner Jane Ascroft FCA MA (Cantab) Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XP

The trustees' annual report was approved on 8th June 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mrs A White (Chair) Trustee

4

Lifeline Community Action

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Lifeline Community Action

Year Ended 31 March 2024

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Lifeline Community Action ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements 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 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

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 charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements 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.

Jane Ascroft FCA MA (Cantab) Independent Examiner

Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XP

5

Lifeline Community Action

Statement of Financial Activities

Year Ended 31 March 2024

2024 2023
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 4 25,058 254,215 279,273 170,511
──────── ───────── ───────── ─────────
Total income 25,058 254,215 279,273 170,511
════════ ═════════ ═════════ ═════════
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 5,6 7,719 196,514 204,233 121,998
──────── ───────── ───────── ─────────
Total expenditure 7,719 196,514 204,233 121,998
════════ ═════════ ═════════ ═════════
──────── ───────── ───────── ─────────
Net income 17,339 57,701 75,040 48,513
════════ ═════════ ═════════ ═════════
Transfers between funds 16,061 (16,061)
──────── ───────── ───────── ─────────
Net movement in funds 33,400 41,640 75,040 48,513
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 67,910 78,305 146,215 97,702
───────── ───────── ───────── ─────────
Total funds carried forward 101,310 119,945 221,255 146,215
═════════ ═════════ ═════════ ═════════

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 8 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

6

Lifeline Community Action

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £
Current Assets
Debtors 11 9,682
Cash at bank and in hand 215,751 147,026
───────── ─────────
225,433 147,026
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 4,178 811
───────── ─────────
Net Current Assets 221,255 146,215
───────── ─────────
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 221,255 146,215
───────── ─────────
Net Assets 221,255 146,215
═════════ ═════════
Funds of the Charity
Restricted funds 119,945 78,305
Unrestricted funds 101,310 67,910
───────── ─────────
Total charity funds 14 221,255 146,215
═════════ ═════════

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 8th June 2024 and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Mrs J Donald (Treasurer) Trustee

The notes on pages 8 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

7

Lifeline Community Action

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. General Information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is The Acorn Unit, St Clare's Church, St Cuthbert's Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 5NT.

2. Statement of Compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.

3. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going Concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The trustees consider that there are no significant estimates or judgements affecting these financial statements.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or committment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Income

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

8

Lifeline Community Action

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

3. Accounting Policies (continued)

Income (continued)

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apprortioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Financial Instruments

The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Defined Contribution Plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.

When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.

9

Lifeline Community Action

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Trade Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Accrued income and tax recoverable is included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date.

Cash at Bank and in Hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Trade Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Taxation

The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

4. Donations and Legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Donations
Donations 13,058 13,058
Woodham Church 12,000 12,000

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Lifeline Community Action

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

4. Donations and Legacies (continued)

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Grants
County Durham Community Foundation 21,000 21,000
Livin Housing Ltd 57,160 57,160
National Lottery 98,919 98,919
GAMP 19,180 19,180
Awards For All 18,700 18,700
Karbon Housing
Garfield Weston 20,000 20,000
4 Together 7,520 7,520
Believe housing 3,540 3,540
Durham County Council 8,196 8,196
──────── ───────── ─────────
25,058 254,215 279,273
════════ ═════════ ═════════
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Donations
Donations 23,118 23,118
Grants
County Durham Community Foundation 23,790 23,790
Livin Housing Ltd 10,000 10,000
National Lottery 37,796 37,796
Community Fund 28,163 28,163
GAMP 25,644 25,644
Karbon Housing 3,000 3,000
Garfield Weston 15,000 15,000
Believe housing 4,000 4,000
──────── ───────── ─────────
23,118 147,393 170,511
════════ ═════════ ═════════

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Lifeline Community Action

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

5. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Fund Type
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Expenditure on charitable activities (see page 17) 7,719 196,514 204,233
═══════ ═════════ ═════════
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Expenditure on charitable activities (see page 17) 7,390 114,608 121,998
═══════ ═════════ ═════════
6. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Activity Type
Activities
undertaken Total funds Total fund
directly 2024 2023
£ £ £
Expenditure on charitable activities (see page 17) 204,233 204,233 121,998
═════════ ═════════ ═════════
7. Independent Examination Fees
2024 2023
£ £
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements 500 600
════ ════
8. Staff Costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 119,468 50,194
Social security costs 2,488
Employer contributions to pension plans 6,431 834
───────── ────────
128,387 51,028
═════════ ════════
The average head count of employees during the year was 7 (2023: 4). The average number of
full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
2024 2023
No. No.
Number of staff 7 4
════ ════

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2023: Nil).

9. Trustee Remuneration and Expenses

Trustees have received neither remuneration nor expenses in the current or previous year.

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Lifeline Community Action

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

10. Transfers Between Funds

During the year £16,061 was transferred from restricted to unrestricted funds which represented contributions to core costs from projects.

11. Debtors

2024 2023
£ £
Accrued income 9,682
═══════ ════
12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 989 600
Social security and other taxes 2,698 211
Pension creditor 491
─────── ────
4,178 811
═══════ ════

13. Pensions and Other Post Retirement Benefits

Defined contribution plans

The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £6,431 (2023: £834).

14. Analysis of Charitable Funds

Unrestricted funds

At At 31 March
1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 67,910 25,058 (7,719) 16,061 101,310
════════ ════════ ═══════ ════════
═════════
At At 31 March
1 April 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 46,332 23,118 (7,390) 5,850 67,910
════════ ════════ ═══════ ═══════
════════

13

Lifeline Community Action

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

14. Analysis of Charitable Funds (continued)

Restricted funds

Restricted funds
At At 31 March
1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
CDCF Winter Support 4,000 (4,000)
Awards For All 18,700 (884) (1,900) 15,916
4 Together 7,520 (5,840) (1,000) 680
CDCF Volunteer
Support 780 (762) (18)
Believe Housing 2,055 1,540 (2,754) (841)
CDCF - Aycliffe Fund 364 (364)
CDCF - Community
Support 1,995 (2,085) 90
CDCF - EDF 2,371 (3,056) 685
GAMP - Community Hub 11,215 (8,719) (2,496)
CDCF - Poverty Hurts
Large Grant 9,524 (6,833) (2,691)
GAMP 5 7,998 (8,079) 81
Garfield Weston 2022 5,727 (1,000) 4,727
National Lottery -
Reaching Communities 36,276 98,919 (86,097) (4,727) 44,371
CDCF - Banks Group 2,500 (2,492) (8)
CDCD - General Grant 5,000 5,000
CDCF - Household
Support 9,500 (7,520) (1,980)
GAMP - Community Hub
2 9,900 (2,644) 7,256
GAMP - Older Persons 9,280 (2,264) 7,016
Garfield Weston 2023 20,000 (7,751) 12,249
Livin - Have A Go Fund 1,900 (1,443) (57) 400
Livin - Lifeline
Community Hub 5,000 5,000
Livin - Development
Worker 40,260 (30,933) 9,327
Livin 5 10,000 (9,801) (199)
DCC Spennymoor AAP 8,196 (440) (1,000) 6,756
Believe Housing 2 2,000 (753) 1,247
──────── ───────── ───────── ────────
─────────
78,305 254,215 (196,514) (16,061) 119,945
════════ ═════════ ═════════ ════════
═════════

14

Lifeline Community Action

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year Ended 31 March 2024

14. Analysis of Charitable Funds (continued)

At At 31 March
1 April 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Community Fund 26,383 28,163 (51,682) (2,864)
CDCF Covid 1,694 (1,684) (10)
CDCF Job Club 620 (620)
CDCF Winter Support
Awards For All 7,836 (6,958) (878)
GAMP Covid Recovery 2,961 (2,961)
Livin 3 711 (696) (15)
4 Together 2,488 (2,468) (20)
CDCF Volunteer
Support 1,100 (320) 780
GAMP 4 7,577 (7,496) (81)
Believe Housing 4,000 (1,945) 2,055
CDCF - Aycliffe Fund 2,000 (1,636) 364
CDCF - Community
Support 5,333 (3,338) 1,995
CDCF - EDF 3,500 (1,129) 2,371
CDCF - Warm Hub 1,000 (785) (215)
CDCF - Poverty Hurts 2,000 (2,053) 53
Karbon 3 3,000 (1,995) (1,005)
Livin 4 10,000 (9,805) (195)
GAMP - Community Hub 14,942 (3,727) 11,215
CDCF - Poverty Hurts
Large Grant 9,957 (433) 9,524
GAMP 5 10,702 (2,704) 7,998
Garfield Weston 2022 15,000 (9,273) 5,727
National Lottery -
Reaching Communities 37,796 (1,520) 36,276
──────── ───────── ───────── ─────── ────────
51,370 147,393 (114,608) (5,850) 78,305
════════ ═════════ ═════════ ═══════ ════════

15. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Current assets 105,488 119,945 225,433
Creditors less than 1 year (4,178) (4,178)
───────── ───────── ─────────
Net assets 101,310 119,945 221,255
═════════ ═════════ ═════════
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Current assets 68,721 78,305 147,026
Creditors less than 1 year (811) (811)
──────── ──────── ─────────
Net assets 67,910 78,305 146,215
════════ ════════ ═════════

15

Lifeline Community Action

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Management Information

The Following Pages Do Not Form Part of the Financial Statements.

16

Lifeline Community Action

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

Year Ended 31 March 2024

2024 2023
£ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies
Donations 13,058 23,118
Woodham Church 12,000
County Durham Community Foundation 21,000 23,790
Livin Housing Ltd 57,160 10,000
National Lottery 98,919 37,796
Community Fund 28,163
GAMP 19,180 25,644
Awards For All 18,700
Karbon Housing 3,000
Garfield Weston 20,000 15,000
4 Together 7,520
Believe housing 3,540 4,000
Durham County Council 8,196
───────── ─────────
279,273 170,511
───────── ─────────
───────── ─────────
Total income 279,273 170,511
═════════ ═════════
Expenditure
Wages 119,468 50,194
Employer's NIC 2,488
Pension costs 6,431 834
Room hire 13,507 9,348
Insurance 1,035 1,018
Travel costs 928 773
Legal & professional fees 5,126 16,562
Telephone 997 1,367
Office costs 6,058 5,469
Beneficiary costs 44,010 35,255
Other costs 4,185 1,178
───────── ─────────
Total expenditure 204,233 121,998
═════════ ═════════
───────── ─────────
Net income 75,040 48,513
═════════ ═════════

17