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← Community Interest Luton

2025-06-30-accounts

COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON

DIRECTOR'S AND TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ended 30 June 2025

Charity Number: 1173433

COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON DIRECTOR'S AND TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

Contents

Page
Officers and Financial Advisors 3
Directors' and Trustees' Report 4 - 8
Independent Examiners Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Notes to the accounts 12-14

2

COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON

Management Comnitte

Management Committee Mostaque Koyes (Chair)
Aimee Clarke (Treasurer)
Donna Dwyer (Member)
Ian Douglass (Member)(Resigned 05/01/2026)
Shanique Samuels (Member)
Mehvish Bismal (Member)
Charity No. 1173433
Registered Office 12 Alexandra Avenue
Luton
LU3 1HG
Accountants MMK
Chartered Certified Accountants
960 Capability Green
Luton LU1 3PE
Bankers Barclays
170 Dunstable Road
Luton
LU1 !EY

3

COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON DIRECTORS' AND TRUSTEES REPORT For the year ended 30 June 2025

~~The trustees are pleased to present available report together with the financial statements of the char~~ ity for the period ending. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s Constitution, applicable law and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, " Accounting and Reporting by Charities".

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Documents

The organisation was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in England and Wales on 15 June 2017. The charity is governed by its constitution. The governance of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees.

Appointment of Trustees

Community Interest Luton has a robust strategy in place to find the best trustees for the charity; those with experience and knowledge who could help the charity grow.

When recruiting new Trustees, the charity will look at the specific skills, experience and knowledge needed and ensure they are reflected in the job description and personal specification. The position is then advertised locally for people to apply.

We then shortlisted suitable candidates and carry out our vetting process to ensure that they can take up the position of Trustee and have no criminal convictions or been disqualified from other Boards. Once vetting is finalised, the selected candidates are invited in writing to attend a short interview with the Chair and the Treasurer or another Board Member. The interview proceedings are shared with the other Trustees, and a decision is made by the entire Board.

The chosen candidate(s) is then invited to a board meeting with existing trustees and are welcomed as a full Board member.

Trustee Induction or Training

The charity provides new trustees with an induction pack and peer-to-peer support from an existing trustee. All trustees are DBS checked before starting their role at Community Interest Luton. The trustees maintain a working knowledge of Community Interest Luton charity and are kept up to date with the operations of the charity through regular board meetings. (Minimum quarterly)

Trustees

The following officers of the charity have held office for the whole of the year: Mostaque Koyes (Chair) Aimee Clarke ((Treasurer) Donna Dwyer (Member) Ian Douglass (Member) (Resigned 05/01/2026) Shanique Samuels (Member) Mehvish Bismal (Member)

Risk Management

The Trustees have identified the major risks to which the charity is exposed and believe that the systems in place are adequate to mitigate those risks. There are many risks which the charity could face such as financial, operational, external or governance risks. This could include not having enough reserves or cash flow, trustee body lacking the relevant skills or commitment,

changes to the local community or the beneficiary group and changes with government policies. The Chair and Board of Trustees have a strategy which helps to mitigate and manage risks which may occur at any time.

All risks are recorded on the Community Interest Luton Risk Register.

The Board revisits the risk management plan and Risk Register every three months at board meetings to ensure they have the most up-to-date strategy to manage risks and potential risks. If something arises that may pose a significant threat to the charity in the interim, the Board arrange a separate meeting to discuss the associated risks i.e. the cost of living crisis

4

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Related Party Transactions

Community Interest Luton started operating in 2009 as a community working group. In 2013, as the projects grew and the number of people benefiting from the projects increased, it became a Community Interest Company (CIC). Following ongoing growth and success in all the projects it was managing, Community Interest Luton was registered as a charity in 2017.

However not all the projects run by Community Interest Luton fall under the charity, some are still managed through the CIC.

The projects which are run and managed through the charity include: LETS Hub Curry Kitchen Luton in Bloom Peace Garden

The projects which are run and managed through the CIC include: Luton and Bedfordshire Community Awards Luton Health Fest

Public Benefit Statement

The Trustees consider that they have complied with Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 with regard to the guidance on public benefit as published by Charity Commission.

Community Interest Luton Charity in 2024-25

Our Vision:

To bring the public, private and voluntary sectors together to make a positive contribution to the Luton population.

Our Objectives:

Community Interest Luton strives to provide support to individuals and families across the town who are most in need through its four main charity projects as listed on page 4, with the overall goal to decrease poverty in the town.

Project Overview

1. LETS Hub

The LETS Hub offers bespoke support, training and guidance to anyone who is unemployed (or economically inactive) and trying to get back into work.

This is achieved by enrolling individuals onto a 12-week programme where they receive one-to-one support to develop their skills such as interview techniques, CV writing and coaching to improve their confidence as well as workshops to gain a better understanding of literacy, maths, basic business and goal setting. We also provide Mental Health First Aid training to the community.

5

“Employment is more than a paycheck, it is power, purpose, and possibility.”

Round up of activity in the LETS Hub during 2024 - 2025

2. Curry Kitchen

The Curry Kitchen is a pioneering partnership project with Venue Central, Discover Islam and local businesses. Our aim is to provide hot meals to the neediest in Luton. We run a weekly Curry Kitchen service as well as services to local shelters. The project is sponsored by local businesses and community. Furthermore, volunteers from various local businesses are on the front line working to provide hot meals to the homeless and most vulnerable. We have seen the demand grow since the cost-of-living crisis, where people in the town are struggling between choosing heating or eating.

Round up of activity in the Curry Kitchen during 2024-2025

3.Luton in Bloom

Luton in Bloom seeks to transform communities through connecting people and plants. Luton in Bloom is about engaging people living in Luton, especially those from the most deprived wards through a competition in order to support their physical and mental well- being and create a sense of pride in communities, neighborhoods and the town.

Luton in Bloom hosted a number of workshops including Seed sharing event, A-Z of Gardening, Young Growers Workshop and Into the Wild with Wildlife Trust.

Luton in Bloom hosted its 3rd ‘Small Farmers Market’ where local people sold their home grown fruit and vegetables. The gardening competition winners were also announced, these were judged by some incredible individuals in the community.

6

Round up of activity in the Luton in Bloom during 2024-25

4. Peace Garden Initiative

The Peace Garden Initiative is about supporting everyone through the bereavement process by planting a tree in memory of a loved one so their legacy is not forgotten. It is also about supporting families cope with the trauma caused by Covid-19 through people coming together with others that have lost loved ones and positively giving back to the local environment. To date 612 tree’s have been planted in memory of loved ones

Thank you to our volunteers

The Trustees would like to thank all the amazing volunteers than enable the CIL projects to run successfully and benefit those in need.

Thanks to their wealth of experience and local knowledge, the team of 600 volunteers play a vital part in the day to day running of all four projects. Roles include liaising, supporting, and signposting participants, raising awareness about projects to people that could potentially benefit from them in the future and administrative support.

Thank you to our supporters

The Trustees would like to publicly thank and acknowledge the generosity of the local community. All Community Interest Luton’s charity projects are run thanks to grants awarded by Grant Giving Trusts and voluntary donations received from individuals, businesses, and community groups including faith groups, schools, and colleges.

Review of Transactions and Financial Position:

The statement of financial activities showed a net profit for the year of £37,727 (£34,748 -2024) and total reserves stand at £143,756 (£106,208 - 2024).

Principle Funding Sources

The principal funding sources of the charity are charitable grants.

7

Reserves policy

The Management Committee has examined the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. The present level of reserves available to the charity of £143,756

Although the strategy is to continue to build reserves through planned operating surpluses, the Management Committee has also considered the extent to which existing activities and expenditure could be curtailed, in the unlikely event that reserves become inadequate to meet the necessary commitments.

Charitable and Political Donations

The charity made no political or charitable donations in the reporting year. All political or charitable donations will only be made following careful consideration by the Trustees to further the public benefit of the charity.

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities:

Charity law requires the chairman and trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the management committee should follow best practice and:

• Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report was approved by the current Trustees on.

Signed on behalf of board of trustees

..............................Mostaque Koyes (Chair)

8

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON

For the year ended 30 June 2025

I report on the accounts of the company for the period ended 30 June 2025, which are set out on pages 10 to 14.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Company’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and

to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Misbahul Karim FCCA MMK Chartered Certified Accountants 960 Capability Green Luton, LU1 3PE

9

COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 30 June 2025

==> picture [530 x 297] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted
Notes 2025 2024
Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Incoming Resources
Grants & Donations 2 51,769 141,999 193,768 165,737
Total Incoming Resources 51,769 141,999 193,768 165,737
Resources Expended
Charitable activities 3 19,109 135,490 154,599 124,115
Governance cost 4 - - - 900
Total Resources Expended 19,109 135,490 154,599 125,015
Net incoming/(outgoing resources) 32,660 6,509 39,169 34,747
Reconciliation of Funds:
Total funds, brought forward 3,198 102,830 106,028 71,281
Total funds, carried forward 35,858 109,339 145,197 106,028
----- End of picture text -----

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

None of the Charity's activities were acquired or discontinued during the above two financial periods.

TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

The Charity has no recognised gains or losses for the above two financial periods.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts.

10

COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON

Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2025

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
Current Assets
Debtors & prepayment
5
Cash in hand and at Bank		 £
19,062
127,018		 2025
£
-		 25,996
81,816		 2024
£
-
Creditors
Amounts falling within one year
6		 146,080
2,324		 107,812
1,784
Net Current Liability 143,756 106,028
143,756 106,028
The Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 -
143,756		 3,198
102,830
143,756 106,028

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and that members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

These accounts were approved by the Board of Directors and Trustees on 30 June 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

………………………………………………………………………………Chair of the Directors Mostaque Koyes (Chair)

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11

COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 30 June 2025

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year.

1.1 Basis of Accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the applicable Accounting Standards , the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” published in March 2005 and the Companies Act 2006. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation

of the financial statements are set out below.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No. 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is small company.

1.2 Incoming Resources

Income from activities ,voluntary income and donations are included in incoming resources when they are receivable, except when the donors specify that they must be used in future accounting periods or donors’ conditions have not been fulfilled, then the income is deferred. The income from fundraising ventures is shown gross, with the associated costs included in fundraising costs.

1.3 Resources Expended

Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT that cannot be recovered.

Expenditure that is directly attributable to specific activities has been included in these cost categories. Where costs are attributable to more than one activity, they have been apportioned across the cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of those resources.

1.4 Going Concern Basis

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, as in the opinion of the director and trustees, there are no issues arising which would suggest any other basis as being more appropriate.

1.5 Depreciation

Depreciation is provided using the following rates and bases to reduce by annual instalments the cost, less estimated residual value, of tangible assets over the estimated useful lives:

Furniture, Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment - 25% on cost.

Improvements - 20% on cost .

,

12

COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 30 June 2025

2. Grants and Donations

The Amateurs Trust
National Lottery
Just Giving
ESC Lottary Fund
Connolly Foundation
Donations
Lloyds Bank
Garfield watson
Steel Charitable
People Health Trust
Other Grants		 Unrestricted
£
-
25,000
-
-
-
-
25,000
-
-
-
1,769
51,769		 Restricted
£
-
-
50,258
10,000
29,795
31,946
-
20,000
-
-
-
141,999		 2025
£
-
25,000
50,258
10,000
29,795
31,946
25,000
20,000
-
-
1,769
193,768		 2024
17,750
69,000
52,855
-
-
15,900
2,429
7,803
165,737
Staff costs
Events and Activities
Premises costs (Rent,rate,Light & Heat)
Advertising and PR
School resources
Insurance
Cleaning
Donations
Equipment hire
Bank charges
Other legal and professional
Repairs and maintenance
Software
Telephone and fax
Training and Development
General overhead
Advertising and PR
Depreciation		 Unrestricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,550
500
-
1,551
-
-
3,508
-
19,109		 Restricted
£
83,941
19,331
13,923
-
-
1,715
-
16,400
-
180
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
135,490		 2025
£
83,941
19,331
13,923
-
-
1,715
-
16,400
-
180
13,550
500
-
1,551
-
-
3,508
-
154,599		 2024
£
22,458
83,932
17,437
288
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
124,115

4. Governance Cost

Accountancy

Governance
£
1,440
1,440		 2025
£
1,440
1,440		 2024
£
900
900

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COMMUNITY INTEREST LUTON Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 30 June 2025

5. Debtors & Prepayment
Other debtors
6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
Taxation & Social Security
Other Creditors		 2025
£
19,062
19,062
2025
£
1,740
584
-
2,324		 2024
£
25,996
25,996
2024
£
1,200
584
-
1,784

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