Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Period start date: 06 April 2023 Period end date: 5 April 2024
Charity name: Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank
Charity registration number: 1170366
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The prevention or relief of poverty or financial hardship of people living in West Oxfordshire District in particular (but without limitation) by providing food and other items to individuals and families in need which they would not otherwise afford through lack of means, and providing information, advice, education, and support in such ways as the trustees shall from time to time see fit. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank provides emergency food parcels of non-perishable food items and occasionally toiletries to people who are experiencing an unexpected crisis situation. Clients are referred by various professionals working in the community – including, but not limited to Citizens Advice, Job Centre, Doctor/GP and other health workers, primary and secondary education professionals – who assess each client’s situation to verify crisis and need. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees of Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank acknowledge they have read and understood the guidance on being a charity Trustee as provided by the Charity Commission |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The charity currently has no plans to make grants to other organisations. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The charity does not currently have a social investment policy, but we plan to develop one in the coming year. We do not have a financial investment policy and currently do not see this as a need based on the charity’s activities. |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank was until February 2021, when we engaged our first employee, a totally volunteer run charity. Between 60 and 70 volunteers staff the foodbank covering the 750+ hours we are open each year. As a result, we benefit from well over 2500 volunteer input hours to support our work. In addition, our Board consists of volunteer trustees, and we are supported by finance, HR and other skilled professionals. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank continues to be an active member of the Trussell Trust network. The direct benefit to society we had is measured in the number of 3 to 5 day parcels we have provided and the number of adults and children we have helped directly. During the period we provided 2,153 parcels, assisting 3,186 adults and 2,291 children. This is a decrease of 12% from the previous reporting period. We saw a spike in the number of parcels in previous years as a result of the pandemic and this year this has balanced out with a 12% decrease on previous year's numbers. We engaged directly with local groups, giving presentations and interactive talks to schools and associations to educate and highlight food poverty in the local community. We also have a Financial Inclusion Programme in place to assist clients with debt and financial advice. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Our objectives of continuing the Financial Inclusion Programme and continuing to run the food bank for local residents were met during the year. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Last year we set the objective of maintaining £6,000 in cash to provide a safety net to cover all financial obligations and to be able to purchase food if food donations ran low. Throughout the period the cash holding was well in excess of £6,000 and stock items were available to fulfil all essential items. Cash was used to buy £59,574 of stock items on the non-essential list. Items called non-essential are additional items over and above the bare minimum. They are not extravagant and are still very much needed. Cash held at the start of the period was a little under £229,513 and at the end of period was £323,307. This substantial increase in cash is due to a significant increase in public online donations, corporate donations and a local authority grant. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | We do not have an investment policy and currently do not see this as a need based on the charity’s activities. Therefore, we do not have investment objectives. |
| Other | The substantial increase in cash assets has allowed the charity to engage more employees. The employees are supervising the day to day running of the warehouse contributing to increased efficiency and process improvements to our operations. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | We held £323,307 in cash funds. In addition to the reserves held for unexpected events we hold funds to cover operations for two years which provides security to the users of our services regarding continuation of services. Stock at the period end was over,3,500kgat a notional value of £2.37 per kg =£8,295. Stock is not considered to be a financial asset as it consists of many 100’s of items below a value of £1.00 and date limited |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | A reserve of £40,000 is held to guarantee that all liabilities and administrative costs can be met. To ensure we can top up food to distribute essential items if food donations do not meet demand. During the period we employed two people in the Foodbank and with support of specific grant funding we were able to employ an additional person to help with our communications and volunteer rotas. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £40,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The two main sources of funding come from public cash and food donations. We have access to community grants and larger corporations such as supermarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The charity does not currently have an investment or social investment policy. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | If our landlords significantly change their operations we may lose the use of the warehouse and alternative accommodation would have to be found. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank is governed by a constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are appointed annually at the AGM by members. Each year one third of the trustees retire from office and need to be voted back in by the members. Trustees retire on a rotating basis and are selected from those that have served the longest. Additional trustees may be appointed during the year by vote of trustees as they see fit. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank provide training and policy reference using documents and advice provided by The Trussell Trust. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank is an autonomous charity managed by the trustees, under the advice and guidance of the national foodbank charity The Trussell Trust. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank are members of The Trussell Trust. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1170366 |
| Charity’s principal address | Cottsway House Heynes Place, Avenue Two Witney Oxon OX28 4YG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mick Morris | Chair | |||
| Lou Lou | Trustee | |||
| Kate Frost | Trustee | |||
| Stephanie Deslandes |
Trustee | |||
| Deborah Jessel | Trustee | |||
| Jo Ader | Trustee | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) | Signature(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name(s) | Full name(s)Michael | Morris |
| Position (e.g. Secretary, | Chair | |
| Chair, etc) | ||
| Date22 January 2025 | 22 January 2025 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIAND AND WALES NEY & WEST OXFORDSHIRE FOODBANK 1170366 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from [10412023 0511M12024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endovmient funds Total funds Last year to the nearn to the nearest to the nearvdt£ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Recei ts DONATIONS GFIANT 192,978 192.97¥ 118268 149,287 145,728 118,268 Sub total(Gross income for AR) 192,978 118.268 311.246 29S.015 A2 Asset and investment sales, see table . Sub total 192.978 118.268 311.248 295.015 A3 Payments FRANCHISE FEE EQUIPME STATIONERY POSTAGE SUPPUES INSURANCE ADMIN COSTS FOOD TOP UPS TRAINING AND MEEnNG DONATIONS 3,284 10 362 52,474 25,086 154 78,384 36 902 59,370 57.354 470 25 9.702 69.072 59,574 470 87,945 Sub total 118,157 217.999 159,754 A4 Asset and investment urchases, see table Sub total Total payments 118,157 99,842 217,999 159,754 Net of receipts/(payments) AS Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end 191,427 Cash funds this year end 266.248 74.821 18,426 93.247 135,261 47,920 239,347 332.594 104,086 239,347
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestrictsd fund5 Restricted funds Endowment funds Categories Details to n2arest £ tg nearest É to nearest £ B1 Cash funds Natsl 256.961 ¢ebtot5 IbeWI 17.414 credrtors Ibe1} 8,127 Total cash funds 266.248 lawee beth receyts ar pay7rents Unrestricted funds to nearesi £ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endovmient funds to rareSt £ Details Debius B2 Other monetary assets 17.414 Fund to whlch asset belon Detalls Cost loptlonall Current value lonal B3 Investment assets Fund to thl¢h asset belon Curren¢ value lonal Details Cost lopttonall B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to vthleh Ikqbll relates 8126.86 Amount due lonal When due lonal Details PAYE & Pen5*)ns B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two Iruslees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of approval Michael Morris 22-Jan-25
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ members of
Witney and West Oxfordshire Food Bank members of On accounts for the year 5 April 2024 Charity no 1170366 ended (if any)
Set out on pages
Statement of Income and Expenditure and Balance Sheet
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the 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 (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 2 January 2025 ~~[|~~ Name: Charles J Rush, BA MSc FCA ~~Ce~~ Relevant professional FCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Woodstock Accountancy 3A Market Place, Woodstock, Oxon OX20 1SY
October 2018
1
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
October 2018
2
IER