OpenCharities

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

← Redbridge Equalities And Community Council

2024-03-31-accounts

Redbridge Equalities and Community

Council

– Annual Report 2023 2024

Registered Charity No: 1170313

ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24

TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………………………………………….1 TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………………………………………….1
MAYOR’S FOREWORD……………………………………………………………………………………..2
WHO WE ARE 3
CHAIRS STATEMENT 5
STAFF REPORT 7
GOVERNANCE 28
RESERVES 28
FINANCE 29
INDEPENDENT EXAMINED ACCOUNTS 30
Our thanks to RECC’s funders in 2023-24:

1

Mayor’s foreword

29[th] August 2024

The Redbridge Equalities and Community Council has been active in the London Borough of Redbridge for many years, providing vital services.

This organisation has been active in the London Borough of Redbridge for many years, providing vital services for our Redbridge Community, promoting human rights and equalities, challenging discrimination, helping all our communities, including the most vulnerable, isolated and margainalised communities in Redbridge to get help, support and access to services as well as building community cohesion to foster good relations within our Redbridge community.

The ideals of human rights and a fair and equal society are absolutely fundamental to our humanity, which I truly believe will help to improve and transform lives for our residents, our world and future generations to come. These values underpin the core aims and mission of RECC which I also share with my dedication and commitment in my charitable work, helping the most vulnerable in our community, including those who are challenged by sickness and disability within our society.

RECC are amongst our longest established Charities whom we are extremely fortunate to have in Redbridge. Their work is indeed, needed more than ever in these very challenging times.

I am pleased the organisation, through National Lottery and Trust for London funding, has been able to continue providing RECC community services, projects and activities and hope they will be able to secure further funding to continue their vital work. I sincerely thank all the staff, Trustees and volunteers for their tremendous dedication and commitment in helping our Redbridge residents and wider community.

Mayor of Redbridge 2024-25 Councillor Sheila Bain

2

Who we are

Redbridge Equalities and Community Council Room 203, Heraldic House 160-162 Cranbrook Road Ilford IG1 4PE Tel: 020 8551 8178 Email: office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk Website:www.redbridgeequalities.org

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Mailing Kent ME19 4JQ

Independent External Examiner 2024

Charles Osei (BSC Hons, MSc, ACIE, AFA, ATA, MCIPP) Address: Flat 3,11 Rochdale Way,Deptford London, SE8 4LY

STAFF TEAM 2023-24

Outreach Advice Advocacy and Hate Crime Project

Cecelia Rufus Equalities Coordinator Outreach and Advice (part- time fixed term) 3 combined part-time roles = full time fixed term equivalent. Razwana Wahid Equalities Coordinator Hate Crime and Cohesion (part- time fixed term to June 2023)

Marek Wesolowski Equalities Coordinator Hate Crime and Cohesion (part- time fixed term to June 2023)

Reaching Communities Project

Cecelia Rufus Reaching Communities Support (part time fixed term) Mai Anwar Reaching Communities Project Officer (full & part time fixed term) Ruthba Amin Reaching Communities Project Officer (part time fixed term)

Office Administration

Cecelia Rufus Administration/ Office Manager (part- time fixed term) Khadra Mohammed Finance Officer (part-time fixed term)

VOLUNTEERS 2023-24

Razwana Wahid Telephone and events
Marek Wesolowski Telephone
Lirie Haxhiu Events
Iqra Wahid Publication
Aneela Rajput Events
Roxanna Lenghel Roma Community Witness Team and support
Denista Fazacas Roma Community Witness Team and support
James Rufus Events
Suraya Sohail Street Homeless
Sharon Gore Street Homeless
Nellas David Mailing List
Chithra Events

3

Board of Trustee during the period 1st April 2023- 31st March 2024

Noor Jahan Begum resigned – 1 August 2023 Isabelle Ercan resigned – 1 August 2023 Diana Neslen - retired 27th September 2023 (ending several terms of committed service) Michelle Harewood Ross Hatfull Isha Isidore Bob Littlewood JoAnne McConnell Surinder Phal Barbara White Adrian Clinkett Co-opted 16th January 2024

Honourary Officers

Mohammed Khaled Noor Chair - resigned 1st August 2023 Michelle Harewood Vice - Chair Interim Chair from 1st August 2023 - 27th September 2023

Michelle Harewood - elected Co- Chair 27th September 2023, resigned 5th February 2024

Ross Hatfull -Treasurer

JoAnne McConnell - elected Co - Chair 27th September 2023

4

Chair of Trustees Statement

I am pleased to present the Trustees Annual Report covering the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024.

At the AGM held on the 27th September 2023, I was honoured alongside Michelle Harewood to become Co-Chair of Trustees. Michelle was previously Vice Chair and Acting Chair of Trustees.

This change to previous arrangements was an initiative to pilot a new approach to the leadership and governance of RECC at a pivotal time of governance instability and inertia. The primary aims of the pilot were:

👉 provide accountability, greater transparency and assurance to staff, volunteers, funders, beneficiaries and others in the wider local community.

The Mission

1. To promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different groups and circumstances, having regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity

2. To work towards the elimination of discrimination on those grounds

Reflecting on RECC and its Mission over the past year - 2023/24, my perspective is that the effectiveness and performance of the Board has been hampered in particular by attendance and engagement issues, due in part to illnesses.

These challenges and other identified risks have threatened the Charity's mission, strategic development, direction and survival.

Ongoing work to strengthen the capacity, diversity, skills and resilience of the Board has been actively pursued since November 2023, through initiatives, for example:

5

At the same time as the establishment of a new collaborative partnership with Enterprise Enfield and its Digital Experts programme, aimed at the development of people, operational systems, harnessing the benefits of information technology and digital tools to support project workplans, daily processes, optimise efficiency, flexibility, digital competence and impact.

Inevitably 2024/25 will present further challenges to RECC and uncertainty about the future, including its short to medium term financial health and sustainability.

The Future

The Charity has growth potential and opportunities to increase and generate income.

Going forward, the existence of RECC will largely depend on:

May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks to Co -Trustees, staff, volunteers, funders, partners, members and stakeholders for your valued contributions, time and commitment.

Your efforts and support during 2023-2024 helped RECC to deliver events,

workshops, advice, advocacy and other activities which are set out in the staff report on pages 7- 27.

JoAnne McConnell

Chair of Trustees for and on behalf of Redbridge Equalities and Community Council September 2024

6

Staff Report

RECC have despite the challenges with face within our communities and society at large which year on year with the strong commitment of staff have continued to provide support and assistance with our services and projects to all our community including the most vulnerable in our Redbridge community.

Reaching Communities Project – funded by The National Lottery Fund

The Reaching Communities Project (RCP) completed its 2nd year at the end of December 2023. We are extremely pleased that our combined events activities and community forums have already engaged over 800 people by the end of year two of the project. This has hugely exceeded our 5-year funded target of a minimum of 500 to 1000 people engagement by the end of the lifetime of the project. Events such as the Citizens Assembly on Islamophobia and Black History Cultural Day Celebrations further increased community engagement and participation with the largest attendance at our BHM event partnered with TARACC at Ilford Town Hall. The Citizens Assembly on Islamophobia was one of our largest collaborated and supported events with over seven collaborators in the themed community forum event such Islamophobia Awareness Month, Islamophobia Response Unit, Educate Against Islamophobia, Redbridge Faith Forum, Ilford Islamic Centre, One Place East, Choices Hackney (Disability organisation), Redbridge Trades Council.

In addition to hosting events, we also focus on building networks and helping to reach out and make connections to groups and organisations, providing a platform within safe welcoming space for people to voice their views, taking up issues that people are facing to help benefit the community.

The Reaching Communities Project (RCP) has undertaken a series of mini forums across various community organisations with the aim of fostering community cohesion and addressing pertinent issues faced by different demographic groups. These forums serve as

7

platforms for individuals to express their concerns freely, particularly those from specific backgrounds who may feel more comfortable sharing within their own community settings.

Reaching Communities Project Community Events Highlights 2023/24

Islamophobia Citizens’ Assembly Ilford Central Library- 10th June 2023

RECC hosted the Citizens’ Assembly in Redbridge in Ilford Library. We came together as a community to learn about and discuss the issues, experiences concerning Islamophobia and to reach conclusions how this can be tackled and find out what citizens think should happen. The Assembly was a free event bringing the community together in a range of event activities:

Exhibition- Information stalls -Workshops- Discussion with panel of speakers.

8

Islamophobia Conference with Mayor, Panel, attendees and conference workshop

The programme commenced with:

Welcome and Introduction – The Chair of RECC welcomed the attendees and spoke of the importance of the event and spoke of the proposed definition of Islamophobia to be fully adopted: "Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness,"

9

There was great participation with all the event activities, ice breaker activity myth or fact via using the interactive platform Menti.com, interactive workshops and educational exhibition exploring themes of Islamophobia in the workplace, media, in areas of everyday life and great participation in discussion were there were very moving testimonials by attendees sharing both their personal and other people experiences of Islamophobia,

There was great feedback from attendees of their enjoyment of having participated with comments highlighting the successful event… ‘ resourceful, interesting and very well organised and it was an excellent event!'

Prior the event, we have launched a survey with focus group that have been developed in which feedback has shown the community would benefit from a community event to build awareness of Islamophobia and how to tackle this form of racism, prejudice and discrimination. For that reason, we hosted the event with over fifty individuals enthusiastic participation in the event, coming together as a community to delve into issues and experiences related to Islamophobia and to collaboratively devise strategies to address this critical issue. The assembly featured three enlightening workshops delivered by the Islamophobia Response Unit, Educate Against Islamophobia, and Islamophobia Awareness Month, complemented by an engaging Islamophobia Awareness Month Exhibition. This event was held in Central Library new studios on the 1[st] Floor.

Black History Cultural Day Ilford Town Hall- 8[th] October 2023

10

We are pleased to have hosted one of our largest Reaching communities’ event in partnership with TARACC at the prestigious venue of Ilford Town Hall – Black History Cultural Day event on 8[th] October 2023, celebrating Black History month with guest speakers, RECC Black History Exhibition, Steel Pan with workshops , African drumming with IROKO, A vibrant interactive Carnival Parade with participation from the community, Group dancing and singing and uplifting and inspirational Gospel Choir. There was also market stalls of over 20 Black Independent Business owners and traders showcasing arts and crafts, books by Black authors, BHM History training programmes and a very popular stall with delicious homemade smoothie. We were absolutely delighted the event was a huge success. The event was publicised on Eventbrite with well over 300 people in attendance, which was the biggest turnout at any of our hosted community events. Attendees also

11

enjoyed a fantastic of delicious Caribbean and African food. The feedback from attendees was extremely positive with statements “This was an excellent event, well organised!

International Women’s Day Symposium Saturday 16[th] March 2024 Ilford Library

12

Women at the International Day Symposium sharing their ideas in a breakout session

ADANNA Women's Support Group in collaboration with Redbridge Equalities and Community Council (RECC) hosted an exciting seminar in celebration of International Women's Day on Saturday 16th March 2024 at Ilford Central Library themed Inspire Inclusion. The words EDI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are mentioned a lot these days but what does it really mean? Women were invited to delve into this topic and share experiences. It was a fantastic opportunity to network, connect with other amazing women, share stories, and empower each other. We had a great line up of powerful speakers who inspired and motivated us all.

It was an incredible annual event where women discussed what inclusion meant for them, danced and sang together to vibrant African drumming and uplifted by the inspirational

13

songs by a singer songstress, break out rooms and a range of activities empowering women at the International Women's Day event.

There were also stalls at the event to promote businesses and groups. Women were invited to keep sharing their thoughts on what inclusion means to them to empower other women via the event organisers social media account.

In addition to our community events, we hold mini forums – platforms which give our communities a voice where they can share their views and ideas.

Forum Highlights:

Redbridge Rainbow Community

One notable event occurred on December 5th, 2023, during a winter gathering at Redbridge Rainbow Community , dedicated to supporting the LGBT community. At this gathering, a project worker engaged with attendees, revealing challenges faced by many individuals in expressing their identities openly in public spaces. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the lack of understanding and awareness among general practitioners regarding the specific healthcare needs of queer women.

https://www.redbridgerainbowcommunity.org.uk/

14

Disabled Asian Women’s Network

Another significant forum was held at DAWN (Disabled Asian Women Network) on January 23rd and 24th, 2024. With a focus on addressing language barriers and disabilities, project workers facilitated discussions to ensure all participants could freely communicate their concerns. The utilisation of a traffic light system with cards and the implementation of group discussion formats proved to be effective strategies in encouraging open dialogue.

Survey Findings:

A survey conducted among 39 elder South Asian disabled women provided valuable insights into various aspects of community services and well-being. The survey consisted of the following questions:

  1. How do you feel about Redbridge Council services?

  2. Red (poor): 15 (38.5%)

  3. Yellow (okay): 7 (17.9%)

  4. Green (good): 17 (43.6%)

15

  1. Do you feel the Council is providing enough support for the elderly and disabled people?

  2. Red (poor): 25 (64.1%)

  3. Yellow (okay): 6 (15.4%)

  4. Green (good): 8 (20.5%)

  5. How do you feel about access to GP and other healthcare services?

  6. Red (poor): 25 (64.1%)

  7. Yellow (okay): 4 (10.3%)

  8. Green (good): 10 (25.6%)

  9. How safe do you feel in your local area?

  10. Red (poor): 26 (66.7%)

  11. Yellow (okay): -

  12. Green (good): 13 (33.3%)

  13. How have you been affected by the cost of living crisis? Has this had any effect on your health and well-being?

  14. Red (poor): 39 (100%)

  15. Yellow (okay): -

  16. Green (good): -

16

Main Findings from DAWN Mini Forum:

Support for Elderly and Disabled People:

Highlights – other RCP activities

Redbridge in Conversation:

Tuesday, 30th January 2024 at Uphall Primary School, Ilford

Attendance: RCP Officer, Residents of Loxford, Clementswood, Council Leader, Local Councillors, Council Officers (Enforcement, Planning, Housing, Revenue and Benefits)

Summary:

The Redbridge in Conversation meeting held on January 30th, 2024, provided an avenue for residents of Loxford, Clementswood, and Ilford Town Ward to voice their concerns and

17

engage with local authorities. The RCP Officer represented the interests of the community and raised several pertinent issues with the council leadership and relevant officers.

Local Issues Raised:

1. Transport:

2. Safety Concerns on Ilford Lane:

3. Road Crossing Safety:

4. New Property Development on Loxford Lane:

18

5. Increase in Vaping Among School Children:

6. Rise in Homelessness:

7. Conflict Between Business and Residential Needs:

The Redbridge in Conversation meeting served as a platform for meaningful dialogue between residents and local authorities, with actionable steps identified to address various community concerns. Continued engagement and collaboration are essential for ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the Redbridge community. These issues inform the work of our organisation and can help us formulate various possible campaigns to be launched this year.

19

Loxford Youth Centre

The Loxford Youth Centre, which had temporarily closed and was scheduled to reopen in September 2022, underwent a delayed reopening process. Following proactive engagement from the RCP Officer, who initiated correspondence with the council regarding the reopening timeline, the centre resumed operations in October 2023. The RCP Officer's persistent efforts included multiple calls and emails emphasising the significance of restoring this vital community service.

Subsequent to its reopening, the RCP Officer conducted several site visits to assess the centre’s activities and engagement with the community. Recognizing the previous success of boxing classes at the facility, the RCP Officer advocated for the reintroduction of these sessions. As a result, the Loxford Youth Centre has secured the services of an instructor from Box Up Gym to conduct weekly boxing classes for youth attendees. These sessions are scheduled every Thursday from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, contributing to the centre’s mission of providing constructive and engaging activities for its participants.

20

Conclusion:

The insights gathered from our events and activities underscore the importance of tailored community engagement initiatives in addressing the diverse needs and concerns of all our Redbridge communities including margainalised groups. The project’s mission and commitment is to bring our communities together and foster positive change within our communities. Our dedicated team will continue to develop this project, which is continually evolving, identifying our community needs and by collaborating with local stakeholders, the Reaching Communities Project aims to improve the well-being and quality of life for our communities within the Redbridge.

The project has grown its reach considerably with the numbers of people that have participated in our events and activities. It is now in its second year supported by Cecelia with Mai and with Ruthba who joined June 2023. Together they have been working tremendously hard as a team community engagement and participation through our events and activities building and strengthening community cohesion ‘bringing our Redbridge community together’.

Advice Advocacy Casework and Outreach Project - funded by Trust for London

----- Start of picture text -----
21
----- End of picture text -----

We are thankful to Trust for London for their commitment in funding our Advice, Advocacy and Outreach Service, which has been a lifeline of support to our residents and in neighbouring boroughs to get help and support they need to access a variety of services.

Many of our cases deal with multi-complex cases which are extremely challenging because of clients’ multiple problems areas that need resolution and also who have multi-complex needs, leading to many unsocial hours for Cecelia. We have been running the advice service for many years and year on year we have seen an increase in poverty and deprivation within our community. The Cost-of-living crisis has laid bare these inequalities for our most vulnerable, margainalised and isolated communities in Redbridge.

Our outreach services continue to provide easily accessible advice to the community. We provide general advice outreach surgeries in a wide range of areas such as housing, homelessness, eviction, street homelessness, welfare, debt, overpayments, asylum and refugee resettlement and in many other areas of advice, alongside referral and sign posting support. We hold general advice outreach surgeries in public spaces such as libraries and also do home visits to the chronically ill and disabled clients to enable them to access help and support and outreach advice work. As mentioned, many of the clients we see have complex cases and often require further ongoing casework to resolve their cases which may, depending on the nature of their case, take weeks, months or longer to resolve.

This telephone conferencing, consisting of a triangulation of calls with the client, agency and us, continues to be a huge success with our clients in providing vital access, immediate help and support to our clients where we advocate on their behalf with agencies and services with if required the assistance of additional interpretation support. In many cases, in just one phone call a client case that they have been troubled by for months or even years can be dealt with in just one conference call.

22

In all areas of our provision of advice and advocacy, we remain extremely proud of the work we do with our interventions acting as an intermediary, connecting our clients directly to the relevant agencies to access support and services combined with strong casework support and powerful written submissions in the resolution of cases made on our client’s behalf continue a key factor of our service.

The advice advocacy outreach and casework service consists of :

The combination of this work and time and effort invested has been extremely rewarding and challenging, in which we continue to work tirelessly in the front-line

23

delivery of the service - working many unsocial hours to ensure our clients get the best outcome possible.

We hope with further funding we can work towards building an advice team of more advisors to help deal with the increasing workload and help more people within our community.

Please see the following example of the type of cases in which we act as an intermediary. The majority of our casework is usually consisting of Housing cases followed by welfare benefit cases.

Casework example -Welfare Benefit case

UC overpayment in excess of £30,000 - Roma client

This involved a triangulation of calls between UC, our client, and ourselves last year in which our client had a huge overpayment of over £30,000 in Universal Credit Benefit. They had received letters of overpayment and were signposted by friends and family to our organisation for support. The wife was suffering from depression and the overpayment had caused her considerable distress and anxiety. We helped to provide advice and advocacy to resolve the overpayment by having numerous conference call to find out the reasons for the overpayment and discovered that this was due to the client not responding to a UC review requesting information by a specific date which had generated an automated system repayment of three tax years of UC payments. We explained to the UC Team our clients had not been asked in the letter what information that had to be sent to the UC Team and had not responded to the review and furthermore they were completely unaware that failure to respond would generate such a large overpayment.

We requested the information that was needed by the Universal Credit review and were informed by the UC Team these were 2 passport identification, and European status documentation.

24

We requested a mandatory reconsideration of the overpayment and resubmitted the documentation that they needed on behalf of our clients in order to clear the overpayment. The clients were extremely pleased to have our help and assistance after not knowing who they could turn to for help and support.

This case study showcases the hard challenges that RECC are working hard to change and bring about the best possible outcomes with our intermediary work. It shows the powerful difference we can make to improve people’s lives with our interventions, where we challenge and try to effect policy and practice change, providing much needed support and help to voice the needs of our community.

Discrimination Casework

Despite having no specific funding for discrimination caseworker. This work ultimately is a fundamental part of the advice, advocacy and casework project. The majority of our cases continue to be around disability discrimination in housing cases, where we influence ‘reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities’ to be made by local authority and social housing providers for rehoused clients to have suitable accommodation, rehousing improvements and specialist support provision to families

Hate Crime Project - previously funded by MOPAC

Despite having no major funding sources for our Hate Crime work we have continued to deliver the service. This work has been continued by Cecelia previously funded by LBR Safer Partnership funding through MOPAC Small grant enabling the work of the hate crime team staff members until June 2023. This has been continued through her many years of experience and direct front line work. The hate crime project has several key service areas which are : to provide advice advocacy support and casework for victims of hate crime/survivors and to build awareness in the community on how to address hate crime and harassment.

25

Through our work we aim to achieve the following outcomes successfully:

We support victims who have gone through considerable distress and trauma as victims of hate crime ranging from race, religious hate crimes to disability and homophobic hate crime. Much of this work has involved long unsocial hours, involving some cases where there have been threats of violence, vandalism and property destruction.

We are currently supporting seven hate crime and harassment victims working with multiagencies such as the Police, Anti-Social behaviour Team, Housing Providers and other agencies in order to resolve our client’s cases. Our interventions with agencies have led to increased patrols in to help clients and the wider community feel safer in their communities and in cases of no enforcement action being taken or cases being closed as no further action, being reviewed and reopened by agencies.

We hope to secure further hate crime funding for this vital work, especially during these very challenging times, providing essential support to our most vulnerable margainalised, ethnic and minority communities.

26

Staff Thanks

We have continued to have tremendous support from our donors. We are extremely grateful for their ongoing support for our organisation. We would like to extend our great appreciation to them all.

In addition, we would like to give special thanks to one of our longest doners, who has continued to provide donations for over 23 years. We would also like to thank our CAF Bank donors who have been continually committed in the giving of their regular donations to our organisation for many years.

Finally, we would like to take the opportunity to thank all project and finance staff, volunteers and trustee’s past and present for their tremendous hard work, fantastic support, dedication and commitment to our organisation.

Cecelia Rufus

Mai Anwar

Ruthba Amin Reporting period year ended 31[st] March 2024

27

Governance

Since our previous unincorporated charity (Registration number 1002357) was formally removed from the Register of Charities on 23 June 2020 with all assets fully transferred to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Registration number 1170313) which succeed it. RECC’s trustees are trustees of this Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

COVID-19 Resolution: RECC Governance has updated its provisions to include Online/Virtual meetings.

Reserves Policy

  1. It is RECC’s policy to maintain an appropriate level of financial reserves to ensure that it is able to meet its financial obligations and, as far as possible, to maintain continuity of service provision.

  2. RECC will maintain a Restricted Reserve , made up as follows:

  3. Three months’ rent and other office expenses

  4. Costs of expected redundancies

  5. Costs of staff’s entitlement to notice

  6. A reasonable sum to cover other contingencies

  7. Reserves exceeding the restricted reserve will form an Unrestricted Reserve .

  8. At the end of every financial year, and whenever else it is necessary to do so, the Treasurer will report to the Trustees on the level of the Restricted and Unrestricted Reserves and their compliance with this policy. The Trustees may decide to transfer funds to or from the Restricted Reserve to maintain consistency with paragraph 2 above.

28

Finance

Redbridge Equalities Community Council secured long-term funding from the National Lottery of £327,690, the largest funding secured in RECC history, to be used over five years. This enabled our organisation to have financial stability over the next five years up to 2026 for our work on Community Cohesion, supported by RECC other core activities and services. In 2022 we were successful in receiving £80k continuation funding for three years to 2025 from Trust for London for our Advice, Advocacy, Casework and Outreach service. However, these funding are due to come to an end within the next year to two years and further funding will be needed. We gratefully acknowledge that the work of our organisation would not be possible without our funders. We are extremely thankful to the National Lottery and Trust for London who have allowed us to continue our work within our Redbridge community during the last financial year.

However, the charity needs to raise additional medium to long term unrestricted funds to further secure the financial future of the organisation. While we have adequate restricted grant funding, this can only be used for specific purposes whilst securing unrestricted funds that can be used for any wider purpose that aligns with the organization's goals, will bring even greater benefits in our service to the Redbridge community.

We aim to rise to the challenge to achieve further unrestricted funding sources over the next financial year.

Ross Hatfull

Treasurer

New Auditors 2023-24

RECC has appointed Independent Examiner Charles Osei (BSC Hons, MSc, ACIE, AFA, ATA,MCIPP) for the year ending 31 March 2024.

Address: Flat 3, 11 Rochdale Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4LY

Commentary on the Financial Statements for 31 March 2024

The Independent Examiner has examined Redbridge Equality Community Council Financial Statements for 31 March 2024.

Commentary made on notes 1 and 2 of financial statement.

Recommendation To approve and adopt the Financial Statements for 31 March 2024

29

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Reglstered Charlty No. 1170313 NANCIAL STATEMENTS FO THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 NTENT Pago Administrative Detalls Independent Examinerfs report Statement of Assets and Liabilitie8 Statement of Recelpts and Payments Statemenl of Cash flow 7-12 Notes to the Accounts

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Reglstorad Charlty No. 1170313 ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 MARC REGISTERED OFFICE: Redbridge Equalities and Communlty Council Room 203, Heraldic House 160-162 Cranbrook Road Ilford London IG14PE ACCOUNTANTS: Charles Osel, Bsc (Hons), Msc, ACIE, AFA, ATA, MCIPP Flat 3, 11 Rochdale Way Deptfard London SE8 4LY Page 1

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Regl$tèred Charlty No. 1170313 NDE ENOENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE FINANCI RU TEE BR GEE L STATEMENT MU ECC I report on the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 8et out on page8 4- 12. This report is made solely to the Trustses of Redbridge Equalities and Community Council (RECC), as a body, In accordance with regulations made und8r s8Ction 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and Charity SORP Ifrsse). My work has been undertaken so that I might stste to the Trustees matter818m required to state to them in an Independent Examinerfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume resp¢Jnsibility to anyone other than th8 Charity and Charity's tru8tse8 for my independent examinatson work, for this reporL or for the 8tstement I have given below. Re8pectlve mpon•lbllltle8 ol TnMtee8 and Indepondont oxamlner As charlty Irustees, for the purposes of charity law, are responsible for th8 preparatlon of the financial statements, the Trustees consider that an audit is not required for thi8 year under section 144(2) of the Chath'es Act 2011 {the Act) and that an independent examinabon 18 needed. Having 88tisfied myself that the Charity 18 not subject to an audit under company law and Is 8llgib18 for independent examinth'on, it is my responsibility to.. al ex8mln8 th& accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act., b) follow the pr¢xedures lald down In the general Dlrection8 given by the Charfty Commlssioners under section 145151{b) of the 2011 Act,. and c} stste whether particular matters have come to my attention. Ba818 of Indepondent examlnorf8 Statsmont My examination was carried out in ac£ordanc8 with thé génèral Dlr8ction$ giv•n by the Charity Commi98ion. An examinthon includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity, and a ¢omp8rison ofthe accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerati(M of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking eXPlan￿.on8 from you as Trustses conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and ￿nseqUent[Y no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair and the reports limlted to those matters set out in the statement on the next page. Page 2

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Reglstered Charlty No. 1170313 NDEPEND TOTH TRU T EXAM NER'S RE RT TEES OF REDBRIDGE N THE FINANCIAL STATE NT AUTIES AND COMMUNITY COU CIL RE Independent •xomln•rf• statement In connection wth my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material resp8¢t the requirements al to keep accounting records in alx0rdan￿ with Section 130 of the Charities Art and b) to prepare accounts thi¢h ac¢ord wth the accounting records and comply wlth the accounting requi￿rnents of the Cha￿￿eS Act have not b88n mel: or 2) to which, in my oplnlon, 8tt8ntlon should be drawn in order to enable 8 proper understsndlng of the accounts to be reached. Charfes Osei, Bsc (Honsl, MSC, ACIE, AFA, ATA, ACIPP Flat 3, 11 Rochdal8 Way Deptford London SE8 4LY Page 3

| |

.

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL

Registered Charity No. 1170313

:

----- Start of picture text -----
STATEMENT
ASMARCHAT 31 OF ASSETS2024 & LIABILITIES
Notes 2023/24 2022/23
toa meea = eeeo
Fixed Assets 9 “4 =
Current Assets
Cash at Bank and in hand 10 75,908 60,388
Creditors
Amount due withinoOne Year
Other Creditors : =
Net Assets/Liabilitles 75,908 60,388
Reserves
General Funds 6,413 19,503
Restricted Funds: 69,495 40,885
— se
The Financial Statements were approved by the Trustees Oo... ccoetesssesesssensessessssnseccnseecesisees
and signed on their behalf by:
SIQGNSRUIC....Lgl eer DAB icc7]; [25 SIQNStUIE......ecerereceerereefour DAO...67-6/-28
Ross Hatfull Adrian Clinkett
Trustee - Treasurer Trustee
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Page 4 ,
----- End of picture text -----

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Rgglstered Charlty No. 1170313 TATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT OR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 2023124 2022123 Unrostrlcted Fund8 R•strlctsd Funds Not•8 Total Fund• Totsl Funds Resources Arl8lng Note 1 Notsq Income from Charitsble Activities 1&2 1,041 118,061 119,101 100.078 Total Income 1,041 118.061 119,101 100,078 Dlre¢t Charltsble Expandfturn 14,131 89,451 103,582 102,377 Total Expendlture 14,131 89.451 103,582 102,377 R880urco8 rotalned for further u•9 (13,090) 28,610 16,620 (2,299) Transfor btheen Funds Nat Movoment In Fund8 Re¢onclllatlon8 of Funds Brought fonyard 0110412023 19,503 40,885 60,388 62,687 Carrlad forward 3110312024 Page 5

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Reglstsred Charfty No. 1170313 STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2 2023124 2022123 Nots• Cash flows from operatlng actlvltles Cash generated from operations 14 15,520 (2,299) Net cash (used in)Iprovided by operatlng activites 15,520 (2,299) Chang8 In cash and cash oqulvalents In th• roportlng perfod 15,520 {2,299) Cash and cash •qulvalents at tha boglnnlng of the roportlng perlod 60.388 62,687 Cash and cash gqulvalonts at tho end of the reportlng porlod 75,908 60,388 Page 6

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Regl8tored Charlty No. 1107313 OTES TO THE ACC RTHE MARCH 2024 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PREPARATION These accounts hav8 been prepared on ￿ceIpts and payFnents basis and include income and expendrtur8 as cash received or paid. The recommendations of the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (frsse) 8nd Chanties Act 2011 have been followed. Please note. the prior year accounts were prepared on accrual basis, as opposed to recyipts and payments basis. INCOME All income is prepared in th8 Statemant of Flnancial Activib'es once the charity has feceived the funds, it is certain that the income is received. EXPENDITURE Li8bilities are paid a8 experienced as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligats'on commffting the chanty to that expenditure. Expenditure is accounted for on payments basis and has classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be direcuy attributed to pati¢ular heading8 they have been allocated to activities on a basi8 ¢on818tent with the use of resources. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Depreciation is provlded at the follovlng annual rates in order to write off each a8888t over its estimated useful life. Fixtures and fittings Comput8r equipment 20% straight line 20°A straight line TAXATION Th8 charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable actsvities. FUND ACCOUNTING The general funds consist of funds that the Trustees may use for RECC'S Charttable purpo888 at th8ir discretion. The resimctea rund$ are those where the donor has Imposeij restrlctlons on the use of the ftJn¢s, whlctt are legally binding. Restricted funds held in reserve at the end of the year represent income received from donors to be Spent within the following year. Detslls of these funds are set out on the separate schedule in Note. PENSION COSTS AND OTHER POSTthETIREMENT BENEFrrs The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the Charitsble Company's pensions sch8me are charged to the Statement of Finanrial Activities in the period to which they relate. VOLUNTARY INCOME All voluntary income and donth'ons are re￿gnISed and included in the accounts as they are feceived. GOVERNANCE COSTS Include those costs 8s50¢iated wth meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity. Page 7

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Rogl8tsrnd Ch•rfty No. 1170313 TH AR ENDE FOR Unrvtrf¢tod 2023124 Restrlctsd 2023124 2 INCOME FROAI CHARrrABLE ACTivmES 2023r24 Glfts atK1 Donations Grants Trusl for London Membership Fo98 Bank Inleresl Gr8nts- National Lottery Redbrklge Str8legtc P8rtnerBhlp {MOPAC Small Grant) 857 857 39,850 253 131 78,211 7.370 13.150 23 73 76,682 2,800 100,078 39,850 253 131 78,211 1,041 118.061 119.101 3 CHARITABLE ACTMTIES COSTS 2023124 2023124 Dlr•¢t Cojts support c￿ts 1••9 not• 81 (••• fftot• 61 2023124 Total Chorltoble ActMtia8 89,401 103,082 4 0IRECT18UPPORT C08TS OF CHARrrABLE ACTMTIE3 Unr••trfet•d 2023r Ro•trlct•d 2023124 Totsl 2023A4 Total 2022123 Advertl$lThJ and Publldty Hall Hlre Insur8nce Inlgrprellng and Tranolgllon LaptOP8 M18cellan•ou¥ Account F89 Equlpment Office Expen888 Onllne Qul¢k Book$ Payroll L18blllllè8 Rent and Ral88 Prlnt¢ng and ReprodudSon Profe8$lonal Ffygs Community O￿nIS & act1￿1￿8 stafl Penolons Stsff Salar495 SlalSonory & Prfnlln9 Te19phono & Bro8dband WetTremall ZOOM VC Moblle E>pen￿S Total 600 817 1.803 168 525 187 801 801 2.722 25 253 2,722 25 253 60 60 427 333 309 18.404 8.347 269 1,750 1,333 4,012 63,152 244 1.461 427 79 333 389 19,806 8,189 280 1,500 1,809 5,718 59,121 731 1,118 738 174 140 102.377 18,404 6.347 269 1,750 1.333 4.812 63.152 244 1,481 187 187 130 103,1582 130 89.461 14.131 Pago 8

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Rog1St•r￿ Charfty No. 1170313 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 6 SUPPORT COSTS Charltable Acuvilies Support costs. indutted above. as follovA'. 2023124 Charltable ivltles 2022123 Chorflable 8Ctlvill Premises c08t Ilnd. ulilltle8) Insurance Office nJnnlng cost Prlnllng, po818ge. stationery, telephone, em•ll aThJ ZOOM Profe88ional tse8 Ml$¢ell8neou8 Accourtsl fee Square8pace Totsl 6.347 2.722 6,189 444 2,390 1,500 167 2,810 1,750 60 29 12,588 14.131 8 NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITURE) 2023124 2022123 Dep8rclatlon- owied a888ts 7 TRUSTEEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no tr￿let'S remuneratlon or other bènofft8 for th8 year eThaed 31st March 2023 nor for the year ended 3181 March 2022. TRUSTEE8' BENEFIT8 There *ere no IrL18tee8' expen$e$ pald for the year ended 318t Mareh 2023 norfor the ￿ar ended 318t March 2022 8 STAFF COSTS 2023124 2022123 Wages and salar488 Soa81 Security costs Other pension co¥ts 83,152 18,404 4.612 86,169 59,121 19,808 5,718 84,645 The average monthty number ofemployees durfrvj the year was 88 follow4.. 2022123 Full-tlme Part-llme Page 9

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Rgglstsrnd Charlty No. 1170313 NOTES T THE CCOUN E YEAR ENDED 31 PIARCH 2 8 STAFF COSTS *ontinuod No employees received emoluments in excess of£60.000. 9 TANGIBLE FIXED ￿8￿r3 Flxturn• and Flttlng8 Computsr •qulpment Totsl• C08T Al 1 st April 2023 and 31st March 2024 37,579 12,271 49.850 DEPRECIATION At 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024 37,579 12,271 49,850 NET 800K VALUE Al 31 st March 2024 At 318t March 2023 10 C￿H AT BANK AND HAND Unra8trl¢t0d Ro•lrf¢tsd Fund8 Fund8 2023124 2023124 Total 2023124 Petty Cash RECC Internal Management Cost RedbrKlg8 Equalitie8 CAF Bank RedbridgeEqualities CAF Bank Daposit 2,500 2,500 56,405 17,000 56,405 17,000 Pag810

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Rogl8t•rad Charlty No. 1170313 NOTES TO THE AccouKrs FOR TrIE ENDED 11 ANALYSIS OF NET AS8Efs BETWEEN FUND8 2023124 Tot*1 fund• 202W23 Total nd• Unrn8trictsd fund Ro•trl¢tod fund Fixed 8860ts Curr8nt assets Curranl Liabilitsl 19.503 56,405 75,908 60,388 60 388 12 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Not m0￿M•nI In fund• At 31.3.24 At 1.&23 Unr8Strf¢ted fund8 General fund 19,503 113,090) 6,413 Rastricted funds Restricted fund 40.885 60 388 28.610 69.495 75.908 Net movement in funds. included in th8 above ar8 as follows.. Incomlng rn8ourco• Resourc •xpondod Movèmont In fund8 Unrestricted funds General fund 1,041 14,131 {13,0901 R8Stfi¢ted fund8 Restricted fund 118,061 89,451 28,610 TOTAL FUNDS 119101 103 582 Page 11

REDBRIDGE EQUALITIES AND COMMUNITIES COUNCIL Reglstornd Charity No. 1170313 NOTES TO THE ACCOUN FOR THE Y 1 MARCH 2 13 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES Thère We￿ no related party transactions frjr the year 31st March 2024. 14 RECONCILIATION OF NEf IEXPENDIYURE)IINCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTMT1&8 2023124 2022123 N•t(oX￿ndItUIO)I1n¢Ornfy for th• roportlng yrfod {a8 p•r tho ststamfrnt of flmnelal actlvltl88) Adjustment for. Dèpreciation charge8 {Increase)Id8u8ase in d8tors Increa881(decre8$81 in credrtors Not e••h Iu8&d Inyprovldod by op•rnllon• 15,520 {2,2991 18 ANALYSI8 OF CHANGE8 IN NET FUN08 At 1A.23 Cuh flow At 31.3.24 Net Cash Cash at Bank and in hand 15,520 15,520 75,908 75,908 76,908 60,388 60,388 Totsl Page 12