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2023-03-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period start date Period end date Period end date
Day Month Year Day Month Year
From 1 April 2022 To 31 March 2023

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name The Bus Shelter MK

Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1173705 Charity's principal address George House Crosslands, Stantonbury Milton Keynes Postcode MK14 6DB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Pamela Williams Chair
David Pickering Vice Chair/Secretary
James Albert Yoofi
Clarke		 Treasurer
Peter Smith
Michael Stephen
Thompson
Ellis Rust
Joanne Dunsford Resigned 9 May2022
Matthew Penning Resigned 17 July2022
ShirleyLyn Davies Appointed 19 Feb 2023
Cameron James
Wood		 Appointed 08 Sep 2022
Frances Eluned
Parry		 Appointed 18 Aug 2022
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year

TAR

March 2023

1

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document Constitution (eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation (eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods Elected or appointed as appropriate (eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

Section C Objectives and activities

TAR

March 2023

2

Summary of the objects of the
charity set out in its
governing document
Summary of the main
activities undertaken for the
public benefit in relation to
these objects (include within
this section the statutory
declaration that trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit)		 To relieve the needs of homeless persons, or those at risk of
homelessness, within the borough of Milton Keynes, by the provision of
temporary accommodation, shelter, warmth, food, advice, signposting
and support
The Bus Shelter MK provides a temporary home, food and detailed
person-centric support to people who would otherwise be sleeping on the
streets of Milton Keynes.
Service users (guests) are helped to regain their physical and mental
health, financial stability through work and/or entitled benefits, dealing
with debt and obtain official documents and a bank account if needed.
They are then be assisted to find safe, affordable accommodation where,
with on-going support, they can maintain tenancies and their wellbeing.
The Trustees are mindful of the Charity Commission guidelines on public
benefit and consider that these are being met through the charity’s
objectives and activities.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

TAR

March 2023

3

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

In line with the experiences of many other charities working in the homeless sector, we are finding it much more difficult to assist our guests into their own independent accommodation due to the rented housing crisis. This is particularly serious in Milton Keynes and as a result our service users are staying with us for many more months than we have previously experienced. We do not ask people to leave our service if they are engaging with us and doing all they can to resolve their situation, but this is creating something of a bottleneck as we have insufficient turnover in our existing bedroom capacity to take in everyone asking the charity for help.

The trustees are continuing to investigate a range of options to open up housing options which are currently closed to our guests. We also intend to increase the charity’s own supply of bedrooms through lease, purchase or development. Finally we are evaluating a development of our service with the intention of helping to prevent at least some street homelessness through more detailed advice and support than we can currently deliver.

The Bus Shelter MK is extremely grateful to the incredible volunteers who support our guests and the organisation. Key volunteer activities include guest support, cooking, managing our social media, gardening, administration, counselling, graphic design, fundraising and many other ad hoc tasks.

Section D Achievements and performance

TAR

March 2023

4

Section D Achievements and erformance p From 1 April 22 to 31 March 23, The Bus Shelter MK provided a Summary of the main temporary home and person centric support to 46 individuals who would achievements of the charity otherwise have no option but to sleep on the streets of Milton Keynes. during the year This is a small increase over 21/22. During this financial year, the charity expanded our total bedroom capacity to 21 across four locations (from 13 at the end of the last financial year). In order to achieve this, two more properties were leased from private landlords and TBSMK obtained approval from the local authority for their use as houses of multiple occupation. This additional capacity has coincided with an increase in the average length of stay per guest due to the very difficult rental market in Milton Keynes, so although we have been able to provide temporary accommodation for more people at any one time, the average stay per guest has increased. Guests who have moved into their own accommodation (usually private rentals) are assisted to set up their new homes with items such as furniture, bedding, flooring, kitchen equipment etc. They are then offered floating support to help them settle into their new home and maintain their tenancy. This ongoing support, which is not time limited but determined by need has ensured a large proportion of our guests have successfully maintained tenancies for 12 months or longer, rather than slip back into street or insecure homelessness, the well reported “revolving door of homelessness”. Former guests are always encouraged to contact our support team if they encounter challenges, irrespective of the time elapsed since they moved on or were last in touch with the charity. We also provided telephone or online advice to well over 150 additional people we were unable to accommodate. We provided signposting to other services or gave advice with the intention of helping callers to avoid or deal with homelessness. We are finding the number of calls increasing and cases becoming more complex, so this is an area where we are considering whether our services could/should be expanded. The charity is committed to continue to deliver real, long-lasting change for some of the most vulnerable members of our local community.

TAR

March 2023

5

Section E Financial review

The Charity’s reserves policy is to ensure that unrestricted funds not presently committed or invested should be maintained at the level equivalent to 9 months’ expenditure to enable the charity to continue pursuing its activities should there be a period of reduced income. As at 31 March 2023, unrestricted reserves carried forward is sufficient to meet operating expenditure for the next 7 months (2022: 19 months). The Trustees deem this as sufficient as it excludes designated funds for internal projects which can be redesignated for operational expenditure should the need arise. Unrestricted reserves carried forward including designated funds is sufficient to cover 15 months of operational expenditure.

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves expenditure. Details of any funds materially There are no funds that are materially in deficit in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

The charity receives exempt housing benefit which covers the basic cost of the accommodation provided. The housing benefit received does not however cover any of the vital support provided (support which is required in order for the exempt housing benefit to be received). All this assistance, including food, advice, practical help, advocacy with official bodies, finding and setting up long term housing etc. are paid for by money raised through a wide range of fundraising activity or provided by volunteers.

In line with the charity’s strategic goal of increasing its capacity of temporary accommodation and the provision of housing for independent, long term rent, The Bus Shelter MK is building a property fund which has been ring-fenced for this purpose.

Section F Other optional information

TAR

March 2023

6

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair, etc)
Date
Pamela Williams James Albert Yoofi Clarke

Chair of Trustees		 Treasurer
07 December 2023
07 December 2023

TAR

March 2023

7

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner's R eport The Bus Shelter MK members of Report to the trustees/ ,._ I ____ , Charity no 31st March 2023 1173705 On accounts for the year ended (if any) I charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31 / 03 / 2023 report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above 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"). under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Set out on pages �I _ 1 ___ 3 ____ i• _e __ �


basis of repor		 y , y
of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 ("the Act").
I repor 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
Signed:
Name:
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address:		 Ihave completed my examination.Iconfirm 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.**
 Please delete the wors in the brackets if they do not apply.
~~I e t�~~
Date:I 15/01/2024
I. R u th_Dorans FCCA________ **

Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant
I
.________
_
Sheroods Ltd, 1st Floor, 27 Shirell Crescent
Furzton Lake, Milton Keynes, MK4 1 GA

IER

October 2018

1

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). Glve here brlef detslls of any Items that the examiner wishes to disclose. No matters of concem. IER October 2018

Charity Name THE BUS SHELTER MK

1173705

CC16a

Receipts and payments accounts

For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01-Apr-22 31-Mar-23

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest £		 Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest £		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £		 Total funds
to the nearest £		 Total funds
to the nearest £		 Last year
to the nearest £
Company/GroupDonations 29,174






-





29,174





83,862
Grants 27,250 - 27,250 38,000
Guests Food contributions 820 - 820 1,373
HousingBenefit 113,985 - 113,985 64,892
Individual Donations 23,209 1,674 - 24,883 21,008
Interest 1,042 - 1,042 154
Other 675 - 675 100
Rent 23,967 - 23,967 1,590
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 220,122 1,674 - 221,796 210,979
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
Asset Sales
- -
Sub total - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
210,979

Admin Expenses		 1,034




















-


















1,034























2,392
Bank Charges 402 - 402 242
Cleaning/Waste 5,951 - 5,951 5,363
Food 1,328 - 1,328 917
Fundraising Expenses 3,500 - 3,500 5,674
Guest Support/Welfare - 1,561 5,312 - 3,751 2,301
Insurance 2,083 - 2,083 2,173
Legal/Professional 1,488 - 1,488 780
Light/Heat 11,190 - 11,190 6,574
Phone/Internet 1,811 - 1,811 829
Rent 36,225 - 36,225 2,500
Salaries 66,814 - 66,814 61,186
Site Set-up/Repairs 9,632 - 9,632 14,127
Staff Expenses 585 - 585 488
Volunteer Expenses 546 - 546 1,950
Training 827 - 827 566
Recruitment 1,887 - 1,887 495
Dues/Subscriptions 1,849 1,849 1,155
Furnishings 2,595 2,595 2,471
Tenant Deposit Scheme 3,820 - 3,820 560
Water/Sewage 522 - 522 -
Council Tax 7,597 - 7,597 -
Donation - - 250
Guest Resettlement - - 161
- - -
Sub total 160,124 5,312 - 165,436 113,152
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)

Fixed Assets		 - 6,013
-
Sub total - - 6,013
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
107,140
59,998 - 3,638 - 56,360 103,839
-
-
-
-
-
282,435 16,661 - 299,097 195,257
342,433 13,024 - 355,457 299,097
25/01/2024

CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 2510112024

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)		 Current Account - UTB
Deposit Account - UTB
Deposit Account - VM
Purchasing Card
Deposit Account - NW
Deposit Account - CAF Flagstone Sainsbury
Bank
PayPal Balance
Details
Petty Cash
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
Details		 Current Account - UTB
Deposit Account - UTB
Deposit Account - VM
Purchasing Card
Deposit Account - NW
Deposit Account - CAF Flagstone Sainsbury
Bank
PayPal Balance
Details
Petty Cash
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
Details		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
51,267
32,886
85,000
85,504
84,935
2,247
142
452
342,433
OK
Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Fund to which
asset belongs		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
51,267
32,886
85,000
85,504
84,935
2,247
142
452
342,433
OK
Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Fund to which
asset belongs		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £
13,024
13,024
OK
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Cost (optional)		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £
13,024
13,024
OK
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Cost (optional)		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
Leasehold improvements
Unrestricted		 92,615
Leasehold improvements Restricted 24,372
Building Units(Containers and Office) Unrestricted 3,081
Building Units(Containers and Office) Restricted 42,435
**Fixtures and Fittings ** Unrestricted 7,091
**Fixtures and Fittings ** Restricted 983
Computer Equipment Unrestricted 1,858
NEST Pension
Details
3		 Fund to which
liability relates
Unrestricted		 Amount due
(optional)
83		 When due
(optional)
01 April 2023
25/01/2024

CCXX R3 accounts (SS)

Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees		 Signature Print Name
JamesAlbertYoofiClarke		 Date of
approval
JamesAlbertYoofiClarke 28/11/2023

CCXX R4 accounts (SS)

25/01/2024

4