## **Trustees Annual Report for the period 1 April 2023 — 31 March 2024** ## **Charity Name: Marlow Opportunity Playgroup Registered Charity number: 1177581** ## **Charity's principal address :** Scout HQ Watery Lane Woburn Green HP10 ONE ## **Names of the charity Trustees who manage the charity:** - Paul Finch, Chair - John Prout, Vice-Chair - Sherida Atherton, Treasurer - Catherine Austin, Governance - Susan Smith, Secretary - Jane Gibbons ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The year ended March 2024, was our third full financial year as a CIO. Marlow Opportunity playgroup operated for many years as an unincorporated charity with all assets moved to the CIO effective January 1st 2021. The CIO operates under a Foundation Model Constitution and currently holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating. ## **Objectives and Activities** Our objectives and activities remain to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment where children, primarily with special needs can learn through play. To operate under charitable status managed by a voluntary committee and run by qualified staff. The main activities undertaken for the public benefit are: 1. To advance the education of children, in particular but not exclusively, those with special needs through the provision of nursery and pre-school care. 1 2. To advance the education and training of persons in the provision of such pre-school care. ## **Achievements and Performance** The year ended March 2024 was successful and rewarding for Marlow Opportunity Playgroup (MOP), delivering a full and varied programme to our current cohort of special children. The children on MOP’s register have a wide range of complex physical, learning and medical needs that require a high staff to child ratio (often 1:1) and lots of therapeutic input. This is very expensive and only the generous donations we receive make this possible. MOP is very fortunate to receive fantastic financial support from the local community as well as from national grants. Demand for places at MOP is high. We currently have 28 children on our register, with six children on the waiting list, to whom we are currently unable to offer a place. We always look for ways to enhance the playgroup offering with rich and diverse experiences that help to develop each child’s potential. Donations and grants help MOP to offer a full programme of music therapy as well as all the essential opportunities for these special children to learn through play, outings, and even duck-egg hatching. In March 2024, MOP received a grant from the Speech Language and Hearing Foundation which is providing a wonderful opportunity for the children currently at MOP. The Foundation’s grant enables MOP to access the expertise of The Pace Centre – a charity specialising in infant neurodisability – to assess the needs of our children and to provide training and advice to our staff. These early alternative communication interventions can be transformative to a child’s development. ## **Future Outlook** Since the end of the financial year, we received the news that Bucks County Council is unable to continue to provide the High Needs Block Funding (HNBF), which has been an essential component of our sustainability over the past few years. HNBF provided additional financial support to MOP for children who do not have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and as such, are not provided with additional funding. MOP works with the families and therapists involved to develop EHCPs, but these are often in place only in time for the child to move onto their next setting. The High Needs Block Funding was effectively ‘topping up’ the Early Years Funding in recognition that MOP provides a vastly different level of support to mainstream settings. In the year to March 2024, the HNBF received by MOP was £20,473. The Trustees recognise that replacing this funding is an immediate and pressing objective. ## **Financial Performance** MOP received income over the financial year of £292k, of which 62% comes from grants and donations. Expenses for the year were £314k resulting in an operating deficit of £22.3k. The deficit was met by our reserves. ## **Reserves** It is the intention of the Trustees to build a reserve equal to nine months’ operating costs. Based on the year ended March ’24, the intended reserve equates to £236k. Our ambition is to ensure 2 that if one of our main funding sources is discontinued, we could remain open until alternative provision is found for the children on the register. At year-end reserves stand at £154k, which is £82k short of our target. ## **Declaration** The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustee's report above. Signed on behalf on the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Paul Finch Position CHAIRMAN TRUSTEE 3 ## MARLOW OPPORTUNITY PLAYGROUP Registered Charity number 1177581 Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 4 ## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
3[a]
Activities for generating funds
3[b]
Investment income
3[c]
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
RESOURCES USED
Charitable activities
4
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
NET INCOMING RESOURCES /
[EXPENDITURE]
TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT
1 APRIL
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT
31 MARCH|Unrestricted
funds
247,722
14,085
2,071
**263,878**
286,208
**286,208**
(22,330)
-
(22,330)|Restricted
funds
28,272
**28,272**
28,272
**28,272**
-
-
-|**Total funds**
**2024**
Total funds 2023
**275,994**
272,228
**14,085**
7,879
**2,071**
690
**292,150**
**280,798**
**314,480**
267,259
**314,480**
**267,259**
**(22,330)**
13,538
**-**
-
**(22,330)**
13,538
**176,169**
162,631
**153,839**
176,169|**Total funds**
**2024**
Total funds 2023
**275,994**
272,228
**14,085**
7,879
**2,071**
690
**292,150**
**280,798**
**314,480**
267,259
**314,480**
**267,259**
**(22,330)**
13,538
**-**
-
**(22,330)**
13,538
**176,169**
162,631
**153,839**
176,169|**Total funds**
**2024**
Total funds 2023
**275,994**
272,228
**14,085**
7,879
**2,071**
690
**292,150**
**280,798**
**314,480**
267,259
**314,480**
**267,259**
**(22,330)**
13,538
**-**
-
**(22,330)**
13,538
**176,169**
162,631
**153,839**
176,169| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||13,538
-
13,538
162,631|13,538| ||||||-
13,538| |||||176,169|| 5 ## BALANCE SHEET ## AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Notes 2023-24 2022-23
FIXED ASSETS - -
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash in bank and in hand 9,824 13,413
Short term deposits 130,504 163,433
Debtor - BCC Spring Term payments 5 16,595
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 156,923 176,846
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Sundry creditors and accruals 6 3,083 676
Deferred income 7
NET CURRENT ASSETS 153,840 176,170
TOTAL NET ASSETS 153,840 176,170
**----- End of picture text -----**
For the year ending 31 March 2024, the organisation was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP. Signed: ............................................ Paul Finch 6 ## **Notes to the accounts** ## **Note 1 Basis of preparation** ## **1.1 Basis of accounting** These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost (except that investments are shown at market value) in accordance with: - Accounting and Reporting by Charities – Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005); • and with*  Accounting Standards; or Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Enterprises (FRSSE); - and with the Charities Act. ## **1.2 Change in basis of accounting** There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) since last year ## **1.3 Changes to previous accounts** No changes have been made to accounts for previous years 7 **Notes to the Accounts (continued)** ## **3. INCOMING RESOURCES** ## **Restricted Funds** Unrestricted funds represent the funds of Marlow Opportunity Playgroup that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use, and are available for application on the general purpose of the paygroup. Restricted funds represent donations and grants received for a specific objective, and may only be expended on the specific objective for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. Restricted funds recognised in these accounts relate to: [1] The Big Lottery fund. We received £28,272 between April '23 - March '24 to fund the role of Playgroup Supervisor. |**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Big Lottery
3[a] Voluntary income
Funding
51,966
Support Assistance
86,089
Grants
50,982
28,272
Fees
11,151
Donations
44,129
Coronavirus Job Retension Sc
-
Other
3,406
**247,722**
**28,272**
3[b] Activities for generating funds
Fundraising
**14,085**
**-**
3[c] Investment Income
Bank deposit interest
**2,071**
**-**
3[d] Incoming Resources
**4. RESOURCES USED**
Unrestricted
Restricted Big
Lottery
Charitable activities
Staff Costs
240,691
28,272
Transport
Rent
7,695
Services
9,089
Training
725
Equipment & materials
18,233
Expenses
679
Other
9,095
**286,208**
**28,272**
**5. DEBTORS**
Current Debtors - Spring Term receipt from BCC
**6. CURRENT LIABILITIES (Creditors and Accruals)**
[a] Sundry creditors and accruals
PH Cleaning
HMRC - PAYE||**2024**
**2023**
51,966
37,716
86,089
74,191
79,254
58,561
11,151
4,690
44,129
90,798
-
-
3,406
6,271
**275,994**
**272,228**
**14,085**
**7,879**
**2,071**
**690**
**292,150**
**280,798**
**2024**
**2023**
268,963
223,433
-
-
7,695
5,796
9,089
9,516
725
1,944
18,233
18,478
679
2,400
9,095
5,692
**314,480**
**267,259**
**2024**
**2023**
**16,595.09**
**-**
**2024**
**2023**
-
676
3083
**3,083**
**676**
**Total Funds**
**Total Funds**| |---|---|---| ## **7. RESERVES** It is the intention of Marlow Opportunity Playgroup to operate with a reserve equal to nine month's operating costs in order to build financial resilience. Our income varies depending on a number of factors and we need to be able to cover costs and sustain playgroup places for children in the event of a funding shortfall for at least nine months. 8 ## **Notes to the accounts (cont)** ## **Note 8 Details of certain items of expenditure** ## **8.1 Trustee expenses** Number of trustees who were paid expenses Nature of the expenses Total amount paid **----- Start of picture text -----**
This year Last year
None None
£0 £0
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **8.2 Fees for examination or audit of the accounts** Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts Other fees (for example: advice, consultancy, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor ||**This year £**
None|**Last year £**
None| |---|---|---| ||None|None| ## **Note 9 Paid employees** ## **9.1 Staff Costs** |Gross Wages, Salaries and Benefits in Kind
Employer's National Insurance costs
Pension costs|**This year £**
**Last year £**
218,567
183,410
38,284
30,767
12,112
11,210| |---|---| ||268,963
225,387| ## **9.2 Average numberof full-time equivalent employees in the year** All paid employees at Marlow Opportunity Playgroup work in the playgroup setting. |Fundraising
Charitable activities
Governance
Other|**This year**
**Last year**
0
0
10
10
0
0
0
0| |---|---| ||10
10| ## **9.3 Defined contribution pension scheme** A defined contribution scheme is operated (using Nest Pensions), in accordance with employment law.If an employees earns £10,000 per year they are automatically enrolled, but all employees have the option to join. Playgroup contributes 3%, employee pays 5%. |The costs of the scheme to the charity in the year
The amount of any contributions outstanding at the end of the year
The amount of any contributions prepaid at the end of the year|**This year**
**Last Year**
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A| |---|---| 9 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Cn3rily Name IkiA ILOW On accounts for the year onded 31 MftILkl lo Charity no lif any) IillC¥I Set out on pages Ir8m&mber lo Include Ihe page numbprs ol additional sheelsl I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust") for the year ended 3 11 ts'31 Lc+ L* As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act.). Responslbllltles and basis of report I r8POrt in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions giv8n by th8 Charity Commission und8r section 145151{b} of the Act. Independent tTh8 charity's gross income exc8ed8d £250.000 and l am qualified to examinorf8 Statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of, Li4Aif¢LEts I￿.[ir￿r[£ lik MhtJA&EMoc*ir rtcLouMTitfJrs I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material m8tt8rs have come to my attention in connection with the examination lolher than that disclosed below "I which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept In a¢¢ordance with section 130 of the Charities Acl., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply wilh the applicable requirements concerning the forrn and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Ac¢ounls and Reports) Regulalions 2008 olher than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a matter consiéered 8S Part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attgntior) should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 2024 Name: Rolevant professlonal quallficatlonls) or body 0 4AQ'.feof g IER (if any): Address: IS Fn Lf f - Op4- 7H£- SOLE (Tris qoF Section B Disclosure Only complete if Ihe examiner needs to highlight material rnatters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan￿ for examiners). Give horè brièf dètalls of any Items that the examiner wishes to dlsclose. IER