CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER: 1170393
EASTBOURNE NETWORX
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
S J PICKUP & CO. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS LONG ACRE MILTON STREET POLEGATE BN26 5RW
EASTBOURNE NETWORX
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Registered Charity Number: 1170393 Chief Executive Officer: A Reid Treasurer: B Bird Trustees: A Reid B Bird J Mottram A Mottram P Bowley L. Craggs (resigned 25 March 2022) Accountants: S J Pickup & Co. Chartered Accountants Long Acre Milton Street Polegate BN26 5RW
EASTBOURNE NETWORX
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity - Examiners report | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2-4 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 5 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 6 |
| Notes | 7 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF EASTBOURNE NETWORX FOR THE YEAR KNDED 31 MAY 2022 I report on the accounts whi¢h are set out on pages 5 to 7 Rcspertiv¢ responsibilities of the TTU$tees ¥nd examiner The trustees are responsible for th¢ preparation of the accounts. The trnstees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (th¢ 201 l Act} aftd that an indepcndent ¢xatnination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.. follow the predureS laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145{5Mb) of th¢ 2011 Act),. and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent exarniner's report My examination was carried out in a¢¢ordan¢e with the Gerteral Directions given by the Charity Commi5si0n. An examination includes a review Of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. li also includes considcration of any unusual items or disclosures in ihe aecounts. and seeking explanations from you as trnstees conceming any such matteTS. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "twe and fair view" and the report is limited to ihose matters set out in the staternent below. Independent examlner's stAtement have completed my exaTnination. I cortfLrnI that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any rnaierial respect.. l. accountirtg records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section J86 of the 2006 A¢t- or 2. the aOunt$ do not accord with thos¢ records: or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of th¢ 2006 Act other than any requirement that th¢ cOunt5 give a 'true and fair view, which is not a Matter considered as part of an independent examination. or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reponing Standard applicable in the UK and kepublic of Ireland IFRSI 021. I hav¢ no con¢¢rns and hav¢ come a¢r055 no other matters Én connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandin¥ of the accounts to be reached Dated.. 10 March 2023 Louise Hu S J Pickup & Co. Chartered Accountants Long Aer¢ Milion Street Polegate BN26 5RW Page
EASTBOURNE NETWORX
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
The Trustees present their annual report for the year ended 31 May 2022 under the Charities Act 2011, together with the financial statements for the year, and confirm that the latter comply with the requirements of the Act, the Trust Deed and the Charities SORP 2005.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
The charity is governed by its Trust deed dated 28 August 2016, and registered as a CIO on 25 November 2016 with the Charity Commission.
Organisation
A board of trustees of up to 6 members, who meet regularly to administer the charity.
Objectives and activities
A charity that welcomes and supports refugees. We are a voice for those in need, supporting them in housing, education and into employment.
Achievements and performance
It is useful to report on our work during 2022 with a reminder of the backdrop to what is happening and has happened across the world. The situation in Eastbourne is a microcosm of the current global situation, and the result of recent events.
Our lives have changed dramatically in the last few years. Covid in 2020. The fall of Kabul in August 21. The spread of the Russian invasion of Ukraine from February 2022, the impact of Brexit, social media hatred, climate change, the cost of living crisis, the cost of energy, drought and floods and massive earthquakes and more have brought about so much uncertainty, fear and brokenness into the world. Amongst other things the number of people on the move across the world has dramatically increased. It’s led to very opinionated leaders, media and people, whose ideas are regularly based on untruths designed to add value to their agenda. The media is now so adept at feeding us with the things we want to hear that it’s really hard for us all ‘to know the truth’.
If we consider, just the reporting of the small boats crossing the channel – the word illegal is constantly put before ‘migrants’. Migration from fear and torture is not illegal. It never can be. We must always have the freedom to find safety, and Britain was a founding signatory of the Refugee Convention of 1951. What is illegal is the trafficking of people from their homes in sub–Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Mediterranean Europe, right up to the French coast. These traffickers make huge promises and force young men and some women, with no money into indebtedness, which leads to many threatening problems for them in their journeys when they are repeatedly abused, and for the families they have left behind who often face threatening visitors demanding payment on pain of death.
Against this background, we have received, welcomed, and settled and supported, three Afghan families into our town. A remarkable group of people. Six parents with a total of 12 children. Determined learners. We thank two families and a Trust for providing the three homes for them and making this possible. The Kingdom Way Trust, a gentleman training to be a Vicar, wanting his home to be put to good use whilst he is cared for by the Church, and a Victoria Baptist Church family. Additionally, we have been pleased to support a single Ukrainian lady to open a beautiful coffee house in the town. A great space for English lessons! We have also supported a misplaced Afghan family, housed in an asylum seekers’ hotel and in great need to connect with the Home office. Thanks to people with contacts in high places, we have helped them to take the first steps, supported by compassionate lawyers towards a resolution of their situation.
Two hundred Ukrainians have settled into our town. A strong, happy community despite all their fears for their nation and those they have left behind. Together they have achieved so
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much. They are well supported by the local Council, the national programme and employed staff to make the resettlement work. A large grant passed to us by the County Council during 2022 has enabled us to provide lessons, school uniform and family support. This is a programme we would like to see extended to all nationalities.
We lost quite a number of our befrienders following lockdown but we are grateful that we have had the volunteers we needed as and when they were needed. When we needed teachers to teach basic English to asylum seekers 18 volunteered. That was very encouraging.
The Devonshire Ward has been very proactive in providing activities for the community which includes our families. It’s a wonderful way to ensure they are integrated into the community. The children love their art classes after school….
and the adults cook meals for those in need thanks to the amazing work of Clare Hackney- Ring.
We were delighted to be able to help Bourne school gain School of Sanctuary
award. The first school in Sussex. Great Achievement. Well done to them.
School of Sanctuary Building a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK
Our settled refugees have been busy looking for work and People Matter has been a great charity to work with. They have helped with the writing of CVs and supported the search for work. We valued the opportunity to be part of EQUATION meetings as we worked together to create a Jobs Fair. It was good to see unexpected people take that first step over the threshold and learn how to apply for work.
We have been blessed with financial support from a number of Trusts to help us with the provision of food vouchers, fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis.
The John Jackson Charitable Trust, GEM and 3VA between them gave us £8,500. On average we were spending £1,000 per month on Tesco vouchers of £50 each.
This, in addition to Food Share support, enabled us to keep more than 20 families out of debt and reasonably well fed.
The Souter Trust helped us with the resettlement of three Afghan families and their need for extras which helped them to feel ‘at home’, like bikes, shoe racks, rice cookers and tv licenses.
Later in 2022 we received further grants from GEM, Eastbourne Borough Council and Eastbourne Food Partnership to help us with the provision of food vouchers, fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis, and Convoy of Hope, an American charity, provided the funds we needed to buy winter clothes for asylum seekers arriving in Eastbourne dressed in T shirts, shorts and flip flops in extremely cold weather.
The total financial support received during the 2022 calendar year from grants has been £63,000.
The number of people we support has grown dramatically. Our purpose is always to ensure that whilst our foreign friends are in Eastbourne they will have a happy and supportive stay, and that they know how to find the help they need whenever, and whatever that might be.
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Financial review
We continue to receive financial support from partners in the form of grants for specific purposes and donations for general use.
From the grants totalling £16,135 received in the year we applied £11,075 in line with the terms and conditions of each grant leaving a balance of £5,060 at year end which will be applied in the 2022/23 financial year.
Donations received from our regular and one-off supporters have enabled us to continue to support families in ways that grants do not allow. For example, the costs and loan for making citizenship applications and the costs of setting up and moving homes.
Our financial resources at the end of the year continue to be healthy and remain sufficient to enable us to deal with future demands placed upon Networx.
We are very grateful for the continuing support of donors and grant making bodies.
Plans for future periods
The trustees are confident to continue their support of vulnerable families.
Accounting and reporting responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provision of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees on 10 March 2023 signed on its behalf by:
..................................................... A Reid Trustee
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EASTBOURNE NETWORX
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AT 31 MAY 2022
| Note 2022 £ Current assets Loans 2 6,730 Bank Accounts 21,808 –––––– 28,538 –––––– Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Movement in Funds General Fund Roman Catholic Church Fund 3VA Souter Charitable Trust Good News Evangelical Mission Fund John Jackson Charitable Trust Sussex Community Fund |
2021 £ £ 3,333 25,746 –––––– 29,079 –––––– 28,538 –––––– 28,538 –––––– 28,538 –––––– 23,478 - 538 1,422 3,100 - - –––––– 28,538 –––––– |
£ 29,079 –––––– 29,079 –––––– 29,079 –––––– 24,023 1,278 - - - 928 2,850 –––––– 29,079 –––––– |
|---|---|---|
Approved by the trustees on 10 March 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
................................................... A Reid
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EASTBOURNE NETWORX
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT: GENERAL FUND
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| INCOME | ||||
| Donations and legacies | ||||
| Gifts and Donations | 8,711 | 12,329 | ||
| Gift Aid | - | 2,364 | ||
| Grants | 16,135 | 26,686 | ||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| 24,846 | 41,379 | |||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| FUNDS FOR ENGLISH LESSONS | ||||
| Grants from Councils | 28,602 | 22,777 | ||
| English Lessons | (29,433) | (22,777) | ||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| (831) | - | |||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| Total Receipts | 24,015 | 41,379 | ||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Administration Costs | 1,584 | 852 | ||
| Family Support | 4,499 | 9,319 | ||
| Housing Costs | 1,485 | 1,779 | ||
| Citizenship Application | 1,311 | - | ||
| Winter Project | 5,900 | - | ||
| Afghan Project | 578 | - | ||
| Homes for Ukraine | 49 | - | ||
| English Lessons (in advance of reimbursement) | - | 1,037 | ||
| Back to Work Costs | 969 | 5,172 | ||
| Covid Support | 5,200 | 5,615 | ||
| PC’s and Software | 529 | 3.665 | ||
| Winterisation Kits | 1,890 | 1,532 | ||
| Sanctuary Cafe | 562 | 2,670 | ||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| Total expenditure | 24,556 | 31,641 | ||
| –––––– | –––––– | |||
| (Deficit)/Surplus for the Year | (541) | 9,738 | ||
| –––––– | –––––– |
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EASTBOURNE NETWORX
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
1. English Lessons
English Lessons are provided by a business selected solely by Eastbourne Borough Council to deliver tuition to refugees accepted under HM Government’s Vulnerable Persons resettlement Scheme (initially known as the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Programme) In an arrangement With Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Networx pays for the English language tuition services delivered against a list of refugees determined by the Council, and then claims reimbursement in full from the Council This arrangement has existed since 2017.
In 2020 Lewes District Council joined this arrangement, with Eastbourne Borough Council continuing to act as the lead authority.
The English lessons are delivered by a family member of A Reid who has played no part in the selection process nor any decision regarding this project or arising from it.
2. Loan Movement
| Loan Movement | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Opening Balance | 3,333 | 5,210 |
| Loans Granted | 5,280 | 3,983 |
| Loans Repaid | (1,883) | (3,190) |
| Loans Cancelled | - | (2,670) |
| –––––– | –––––– | |
| Closing Balance | ||
| 6,730 | 3,333 | |
| –––––– | –––––– |
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