Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/04/23 Period start date To 31/12/2023 Period end date
Charity name: Seren in the Community CIO
Charity registration number: 1171417
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To advance education and provide facilities for recreation and leisure in the interests of social welfare and to benefit and improve the conditions of life of the inhabitants of STAR Communities (Splott, Tremorfa, Adamsdown and Roath). |
| 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 |
Provided children and young people (CYP) in the STAR area with free, open access play provision, during school term and school holiday times. Play provision has helped to address high levels of deprivation within the local community it serves, and children’s physical activity levels, healthy eating and educational attainment have improved through attending play sessions. Our playworkers listen to children and help them develop a positive and optimistic outlook to overcome the challenges in their lives. Play sessions (1 hour, 55mins long are delivered from various community venues, including outdoors in the local parks. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making
Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers 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 | Throughout 2023 Seren in the Community continued to run successful outdoor play sessions in local parks benefiting children and their families throughout the STAR area. We also worked with local schools to improve their play provision. Thanks to grant funding from Cardiff Council to improve holiday play provision, we have facilitated open access play sessions, outdoors in all weathers, for 1:55 minutes for children aged 5-14 years from the STAR area. Children and young people have been given the opportunity to express themselves creatively and socially through the medium of play. Children and young people have been provided with an environment in which they can improve their self-esteem, make better friendships and make healthier choices. We have continued to facilitate play sessions including loose parts play, sports activities, role play and den building. We continued to be involved in community food share projects and provide healthy meals for the children living in poverty in our local area. We have continued to develop strong relationships with other organisations in the community through the local play action group such as No Fit State, Splott Community Volunteers, Boomerang, Railway Gardens, Welsh Refugee Council, the STAR Hub, housing providers and schools. |
The charity continued to use sessional workers, on a self-employed basis, to deliver our play sessions.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other | ||
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | During this reporting period the charity’s principal source of funding has been grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and from Cardiff Council. The charity’s main expenditure is payment to sessional play workers, on a self-employed basis, for their service in delivering play sessions. The charity took forward a surplus of £10,866. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Seren will hold reserves to provide financial stability and the means for the development of our principal activity. We will maintain our reserves at a level which is at least equivalent to 6 months running costs. The Board regularly reviews the amount of reserves that are required and that they are adequate to fulfil our continuing obligations, the reserves policy will be formally reviewed annually. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | The charity took forward a surplus of £10,866 from this reporting period. |
| 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 | The most significant risk to the charity continuing as a going concern in the long run is reliance on grant funding and the uncertainties around this, particularly in light of local authority cuts. The charity will continue to explore alternative grant funding as well as options to diversify income. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted
Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
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 can be appointed by the members or by the charity trustees. Invitation to apply by existing trustees, confirmed by a meeting and validated at an AGM. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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 |
|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Seren in the Community CIO |
|---|---|
Other name the charity uses |
|
| Registered charity number | 1171417 |
Charity’s principal address |
℅ 31 Harold St Adamsdown CF24 1NZ |
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 Nam e of pers on (or bod y) entit led to app oint trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lydia Cook | Chair | Resigned November 2023 |
|
| Sian Regan | Acting Chair | June 2023 (appointed acting chair November 2023)- |
|
| Huw Thomas | Treasurer | 2017 - | |
| Germaine Ngoy Kyabu |
November 2023 - | ||
| Paula Harris | Secretary | June 2023 | |
– 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 narne Date5 acted rf not for whole ear
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)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
|||
| 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) Full name(s) Sian Regan Position (eg Secretary, Acting Chair Chair, etc) Date 31/10/24
COMPANY NUMBER: CE008981
CHARITY NUMBER: 1171417
SEREN IN THE COMMUNITY CIO
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
SEREN IN THE COMMUNITY CIO
| Independent Examiner's Report Income & Expenditure Account Balance Sheet |
CONTENTS Page 1 2 3 |
|---|---|
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SEREN IN THE COMMUNITY CIO
ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 set out on pages two and three.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act and to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion as to whether the financial statements present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did 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 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.
Deborah Mary Samothrakis BSc FCA
Tester Accountancy & Bookkeeping Ltd Chartered Accountants Date …………………….. 34, Fairoak Road, Cathays, Cardiff CF24 4PY
SEREN IN THE COMMUNITY CIO
INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| INCOME: Fundraising: Big Lottery Winter of Wellbeing/Play Sufficiency grants Winter of Wellbeing - Capital grant Other grant funding Training delivered EXPENDITURE: Labour Expenses Insurance Equipment and consumables Storage Services & training NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR YEAR |
2023 | 2022 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ £ 29,097.00 12,811.78 - -- 11,866.00 - -- 53,774.78 34,650.01 1,035.69 719.14 5,468.98 670.31 365.00 (42,909.13) |
£ £ 14,425.50 26,963.78 35,000.00 14,496.84 561.51 91,447.63 36,936.21 2,533.04 745.98 39,393.00 - -- 1,247.31 (80,855.54) |
£ 14,425.50 26,963.78 35,000.00 14,496.84 561.51 |
|
| £ 10,865.65 |
£ 10,592.09 |
SEREN IN THE COMMUNITY CIO
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Surpluses brought forward | 25,386.51 | 14,794.42 | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the year | 10,865.65 | 10,592.09 | ||
| Surpluses carried forward | £ | 36,252.16 | £ | 25,386.51 |
| Represented By: | ||||
| Balance at bank | £ | 36,252.16 | £ | 25,386.51 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SEREN IN THE COMMUNITY CIO
ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 set out on pages two and three.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act and to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion as to whether the financial statements present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did 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 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.
Deborah Mary Samothrakis BSc FCA Tester Accountancy & Bookkeeping Ltd Chartered Accountants Date …………………….. 34, Fairoak Road, Cathays, Cardiff CF24 4PY
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