Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Charity name: Lincoln Community Larder
Charity registration number: 1175176
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The relief of poverty in Lincoln and the surrounding area by the provision of basic nutritious food and other basic amenities. |
| 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 |
LCL provides food parcels for people who need short-term help to make ends meet. Frontline professionals, who are best placed to identify people in need, refer them to LCL via an online system, so food parcels can be collected at one of LCL’s distribution centres: YMCA Annexe, Lincoln St John the Baptist Parish Church Hall, Lincoln St Giles Methodist Church, Lincoln St Mary's Church, Welton Martin Village Hall, Martin All Saints Church, Wragby The size of parcels is increased for families based on the number of individuals in need. In some special cases LCL goes beyond the basic food parcel, supporting people with other essential items (e.g., toiletries and fuel vouchers for cooking). LCL also caters for those suffering from illness or special needs and provides individual food parcels to meet such referral requests. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In setting our objectives and planning our activities the LCL trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and all its activities are undertaken to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit. |
Additional information
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | When finances allow, LCL financially supports projects, in Lincoln and surrounding areas, designed to relieve food poverty. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The volunteer team, which includes the Trustees, has continued to grow and in some cases take on additional responsibilities. Without their dedication, LCL could not function as it does. The Trustees are very grateful to all the volunteers, in the warehouse and the distribution centres, for their enormous contribution helping to relieve food poverty in Lincoln and the surrounding area. |
| Other | LCL is a member of the Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership which is a partnership of organisations across Greater Lincolnshire working together for greener, fairer and healthier food for all, through sustainable local action. Under the Partnership, LCL has been an active member of an Emergency Response Group, made up of the main foodbanks in Lincoln. Together, they operate a joint on- line referral system which enables people in need to collect food parcels from their nearest distribution centre. |
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 | The main achievements during this period of operation were as follows: Operating a warehouse facility for storage of donated food and for packing food parcels; Preparing to secure, equip and move to a new warehouse facility as the financial year ended (now completed); Managing over 50 volunteers who serve each week in LCL's activities; Attracting financial support from individuals and organisations who make cash donations and grants to supplement the food donations; Maintaining contact with approved agencies in the Lincoln area with whom the LCL partners to support those in |
financial crisis; Collecting donated items of food from individuals, schools and commercial organisations. Distributing food parcels to individuals and family groups in crisis situations. LCL received 4064 referrals, representing 7930 people fed, from April 2023 – March 2024, of which 6126 were for adults and 1804 for children. In addition to food parcels, LCL distributed fruit and vegetable vouchers, energy vouchers to enable food to be cooked, and self-heating meals for the Homeless or those without cooking facilities.
Additional information
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The LCL long term Strategic Plan, supported by a more detailed annual business plan sets out Trustees’ objectives which are reviewed every year. These are to: ensure thelong-term sustainabilityof our service to the community maintain our individual identity so as not to be seen as part of another service maintain a city centre presence for our main distribution site ensure warehousing is always available provide more distribution centres in areas of need increase relationships with other organisations working to challenge food poverty help solve clients’ long-term issues - by referral to other organisations promote the idea of healthy eating financially support other organisations in providing food for children These high-level objectives are underpinned by strategies and goals designed to assist in measuring achievements against objectives. Trustees are very satisfied that these objectives continue to be met. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | One of LCL’s objectives was “to ensure the long-term sustainabilityof our service to the community” and for the year 2024-2025 the goals included applying for financial grant aid whenever available throughout the year so that a balanced budget is maintained and hard won reserves are not depleted. LCL was successful in attracting a £33,600 grant and later in the year a £22,000 grant from different cycles of the Government’s Household Support Fund. We boosted these funds through online fundraising services, such as Just Giving, Local Giving and receiving Gift Aid as well as small local donations. These are discussed in our detailed financial return to the Charities Commission. |
| Other | The LCL website was redesigned and brought in-house during the year to provide greater flexibility in updating content. Its development continues and a full refresh is planned in the year ahead. |
Financial Review
This data is largely taken from form CC16A – our financial return to the Charities Commission
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Income £115,902 Expenditure £87,306 Addition to cash reserves, in year £28,596 It is important to note this includes monies granted to cover the period beyond the end of this financial year. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The LCL Trustees seek to maintain adequate reserves so as to ensure all reasonable day to day running costs can be met as and when they fall due, recognising the basic financial principle that the Trustees are responsible for ensuring that solvency is maintained. “Adequate reserves” are deemed to be sufficient funding for 12 months of normal operational expenditure plus annual warehouse rental. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | This has been set at a minimum target of £30,000. We seek to hold substantially more than that if possible. Long term reserves plus current account balances were £686,478 at 31/3/25 |
Additional information
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | As discussed above, in the period April 2024 - March 2025, financial donations totalled £115,902. In addition, food and other non-monetary items were gifted to LCL from numerous sources, with an estimated value in excess of £11500. |
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The principal risk facing LCL is the continuation of the increase in demand for its services coupled with a decrease in both food and non-state financial donations due to rises in the cost of living. As the charity is run entirely by volunteers the increase in demand will need to be met by a corresponding increase in volunteers. We are currently building a formal risk register to capture and manage the current |
risk position in a more structured way. Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Foundation) |
| 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 | Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of four years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. |
| Additional information | ||
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment receives: (a) a copy of the current version of LCL’s constitution (b) a copy of the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts (c) a copy of the Charity Commission’s Guidance, “The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do.” Trustees also receive briefings, updates and guidance issued by the Charity Commission (e.g., the 5-minute guides for charity trustees). |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is an independent organisation managed by a voluntary board of trustees. Day to day operations are managed by the LCL Co-ordinator and undertaken by a team of volunteers. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | LCL is a member of the Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership, as described above under the heading, “Objectives and Activities” (Other). |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Lincoln Community Larder |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | n/a |
| Registered charity number | 1175176 |
| Charity’s principal address | YMCA Annexe Rosemary Lane Lincoln LN2 5AR |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 |
Trustee name Mr Neil Rhodes Mr Alan Wilson Mrs Karen Mayor (Deceased) Mrs Viv Bennett Mrs Dawn Nightingale Mr Dave Pemberton Mrs Jennifer Pemberton Mrs Wendy Mason Mrs Joan Bennett Mr Harry Campbell Mrs Cay Sherlock Mr Tony Tomlinson Ms Nicola Owen Ms Wendy Hope |
Office | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chair | ||||
| Vice-Chair | ||||
| Treasurer | 1/4/24 – 5/1/25 | |||
| Secretary | ||||
| Co-Ordinator | ||||
| 1/4/24 – 12/8/24 | ||||
| Treasurer | 5/1/25 | |||
| 10/2/25 | ||||
| 10/2/25 |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members
Mrs Dawn Nightingale – Larder Co-ordinator
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)
Neil Rhodes
Tony Tomlinson
Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)
Chair Treasurer
Date 6 October 2025
| Charity Name | Charity Name | Charity Name | No (if any) | No (if any) | No (if any) | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
01/04/2024 Period start date |
To | 31/03/2025 Period end date |
||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 18,637 152 1,528 6,471 9,948 2,563 - - 39,299 - - - 39,299 10,703 - - - - - - - - 10,703 - - - 10,703 28,596 - - 28,596 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 76,603 - - - - - - - 76,603 - - - 76,603 54,037 1,384 259 2,696 4,586 13,546 95 - - 76,603 - - - 76,603 - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 95,240 152 1,528 6,471 9,948 2,563 - - 115,902 - - - 115,902 64,740 1,384 259 2,696 4,586 13,546 95 - - 87,306 - - - 87,306 28,596 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||
| Grants and donations | 18,637 | 54,269 | |||||
| Refunds | 152 | 260 | |||||
| HMRC Gift Aid | 1,528 | 937 | |||||
| Just Giving | 6,471 | 6,071 | |||||
| Localgiving | 9,948 | 11,708 | |||||
| Other Income | 2,563 | 2,742 | |||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
39,299 | 75,987 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||
| 75,987 | |||||||
Food Purchases |
10,703 | 75,230 | |||||
| Volunteeer Expenses | - | 636 | |||||
| Insurance | - | 251 | |||||
| Administration | - | 2,389 | |||||
| Sundry/ Miscellaneouspayments | - | 826 | |||||
| Rent | - | 6,045 | |||||
| EnergyVouchers | - | 2,980 | |||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | 10,703 | 88,357 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases (see table) |
|||||||
| , | - | ||||||
| - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | |||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||
| 88,357 | |||||||
| 28,596 | - | - | 28,596 |
- 12,370 | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 28,596 | - | - | 28,596 | - 12,370 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
31/08/2025
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Details Details Current Account 180 day notice account Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) 32 day notice account Fixed Term Investment Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 18,556 - - - - - 18,556 - Agreement Error OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 267,622 - 300,000 - 100,000 - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name AntonyTomlinson Neil Rhodes |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| AntonyTomlinson | |||
| Neil Rhodes |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
31/08/2025
2
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees LINCOLN COMMUNITY LARDER On accounts for the year ended 31ST MARCH 2025 Charity no (if any) 1175176 Set out on pages bpr% Dt I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {'the Trusf) for the year ended 3110312025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Act.). I report in respect of my examinalion of the Trust's accounts carried OLrt under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. Independent tThe charity's gross income exeded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable listed body]l. Delete [ l if not applicable. I have completed my examination. l ¢onfimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material resped.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord wilh the accounting records-, or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is nol a matter Considered as part of an independent examination. I have no COnrnS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in orderto enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: lo zs Name: TERENCE COATSWORTH Relevant professional qualifiGation(sl or body IER Oct 2018
(if any): Address." 126, VIESTERN AVENUE LINCOLN LN6 7SZ Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity a¢counts'. directions and guidance for examiners). Givo here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018