OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 1179734

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Trustees' report and financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Contents

Page
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 8
Independent examiner's report 9 - 10
Statement of financial activities 11
Balance sheet 12
Statement of cash flows 13
Notes to the financial statements 14 - 25
Appendix I - Unrestricted and Designated funds 26
Appendix II - Restricted funds - breakdown by project 27 - 28

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers for the year ended 31 March 2025

Trustees

Mr S Ithell, Chair (appointed to Chair 05 February 2025)1 Mr P Murray, Vice Chair2 Mr R Gill, Vice Chair2 Mr J Duncan1 Mrs L Jobson1 Ms L Newton (appointed 25 February 2025)2 Mrs P Prescott1 Mr B Pringle2 Mr K Pugh (appointed 1 September 2024)2 Cllr S Clarke3 Cllr P Stephen3 Cllr S Stephen3

Charity registered number

1179734

Principal office

Central House, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4NU

Chief executive officer

Christine White

Accountants

Kreston Reeves LLP, Maritime Place, Quayside, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4QZ

Bankers

Barclays Bank Plc, 81 High Street, Sittingbourne, Kent

Independent Examiner

Samantha Rouse FCCA DChA, Kreston Reeves LLP, Chartered Accountants, Maritime Place, Quayside, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4QZ

Page 1

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of Swale Community & Voluntary Services, for the year from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

The Charity also trades under the names Swale District Volunteer Bureau, Swale Volunteering and Community Development Centre, Swale Volunteer Bureau, Swale Volunteering Centre, SCVS and Swale CVS.

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

The Charity's objects are to promote any charitable purposes for the public benefit of the community in the district of Swale and its neighbourhood and, in particular, the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness.

Also to promote and organise co operation in the achievement of the aforementioned purposes and to that end bring together in council representatives of the voluntary organisations and statutory authorities within the area of benefit; provided that in carrying out these charitable purposes, the Centre will seek to challenge all forms of oppression and inequality and to give priority to working with people whose full participation in society is limited by economic, political and social disadvantage. To achieve that purpose it is to promote and organise co-operation by bringing together representatives of voluntary organisations and statutory authorities.

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.

b. Statement of public benefit

Given the policies and objectives of the Charity, as stated above, the Trustees report on the aspects of its activities which encapsulates 'public benefit'.

Education - In its volunteer placement activities the Charity is able to offer volunteers the opportunity to work within ''educational' areas on a voluntary basis.

Health - The Charity works closely with the local NHS in taking forward a number of initiatives based around research and development of various projects aimed at searching out areas of health and well- being which require greater emphasis within the community. During the year our Director Christine White has joined virtual meetings working towards a establishing an NHS Integrated Care system across Medway and Swale representing the Swale VCS. During the year we started a Community Catalyst Project in collaboration with Medway Voluntary Action (MVA) funded by the Medway & Swale Health & Care Partnership. The project will target geographic areas experiencing the greatest health inequalities and engaging with marginalised communities to listen to their concerns.

Poverty, Distress and Sickness - The Charity, through its Befriending Scheme offers vulnerable and isolated residents aged 55 plus one to one support through home visiting, telephone befriending and access to a whole variety of befriending clubs and activities. The service is offered only on the basis of need and at no charge and is open to all.

The Social Car Scheme - has undertaken many thousands of journeys for those who do not have access to, or cannot use, public or private transport to fulfil medical appointments, attendance at day centres, to visit relatives or simply get to shops. There is a £30 registration fee and then a mileage - based charge payable to the volunteer driver who uses their own vehicle. The driver usually waits for the client until their appointment is complete and then returns them to their home. An ongoing annual membership fee of £25 is charged on the anniversary of the client joining the scheme.

Page 2

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance

a. Key performance indicators

The Trustees monitor the financial performance of the Charity throughout the year. There is a Finance committee that meets on a quarterly basis and comprises the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, one/two other Trustees, with the Director and the Deputy Director in attendance. The Finance committee takes on the formal scrutiny role and then reports back to the full Trustee Board. Targets are put in place for income generation to ensure the Charity is able to fulfil its core programme of services and activities.

Swale CVS offers a volunteer brokerage service to the Swale VCS as volunteering is a significant and key area of the charity’s service to the community. We promote, support and develop volunteering and active citizenship. We encourage individuals wishing to volunteer and also offer support to organisations seeking to recruit volunteers. As a Volunteer Centre we encourage volunteering within the charity and we have over 150 volunteers that support us in addition to our volunteer trustees. Our volunteers are hugely significant to our success and help in many different areas of the charity including: reception duties; administration, volunteer telephone befrienders, befriending clubs and activities volunteers, one to one befriending, drivers and digital trainers.

Trustees – following an interview with the Chair of the Trustee Board all new volunteers interested in joining the Swale CVS board have an induction which includes a DBS check and going through in detail the Swale CVS Trustee Handbook with the CEO of the charity. Swale CVS has a whole raft of policies and these are brought to the board on a cyclical timetable for updating and approval by the trustees.

b. Review of activities

The results for the year are set out on page 11.

The Statement of Financial Activities shows a surplus on unrestricted funds for the year (before transfers between funds) of £18,837 (2024: surplus of £15,269), with a £62,405 deficit on restricted funds (2024: surplus of £33,687), resulting in an overall deficit for the year of £43,568 (2024: surplus of £48,956).

Income decreased in the year to £513,173 (2024: £613,725) and expenditure decreased to £556,741 (2024: £564,769).

At 31 March 2025, the Charity's general funds amounted to £76,541 (2024: £57,704), designated funds were £360,000 (2024: £360,000) and the restricted funds were £141,979 (2024: £204,384), totalling £578,520 (2024: £622,088).

Financial review

a. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

b. Reserves policy

The Charity's income and funds are divided between restricted, unrestricted, and designated funds.

Restricted Funds

The restricted funds of the charity represent specific donations and grants received upon the condition they may only be used in relation to a particular project.

Page 3

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

1) Social Car Scheme Project

This long-running scheme continues to provide an essential transport service to residents of Swale who are unable to use public transport. Volunteers using their own vehicles provide transport for appointments such as doctors, hospitals, dentists and other healthcare facilities along with social trips. Funding is received from the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Users are charged a one-off registration fee of £30.00 and an annual renewal membership fee of £30.00 per person for use of the service.

2) New Connections Befriending Scheme

This scheme, which started in 1993, promotes the involvement of volunteers in befriending isolated, vulnerable those suffering loneliness older people and those with physical disabilities living in the Swale area. The Scheme is funded through grants and donations. During the year funding was received from Sittingbourne Rotary towards the games club for befriending clients, and from Kent Community Foundation for befriending activities. Clubs including the lunch club, cinema club and days out are also provided for clients. An annual fee of £40 per person is charged for membership of the Scheme.

3) Big Local

Eastern Sheppey, (Leysdown, Warden and Eastchurch) is a Big Local area; this is an exciting opportunity for residents to use £1,000,000 awarded over a 10-year period to make a real and lasting difference to their communities. It aims to bring together local talent, ambition, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make their area even better in which to live and work. Swale Community & Voluntary Services (CIO) were appointed as the Local Trusted Organisation (LTO) by the Eastern Sheppey Big Local Partnership acting as the accountable body and also continued to support the resident led partnership during the year and employing the Big Local Manager on their behalf. In 2021 the former Leysdown police office was purchased and has now been restored into a community hub ensuring a lasting legacy from the Big Local funding. The Community Hub has now been transferred over to the newly set up Big Local Eastern Sheppey Hub CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) from Swale CVS. The ten years of the programme has now ended with funding ceasing on 31st March 2025. This column has now been closed

4) Swale CVS Energy Saving Scheme

Swale Community & Voluntary Services (Swale CVS) received funding from SGN and the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to provide free help and support to existing Swale CVS older clients. Two part time workers share best practices and advise on saving money on energy bills. Free and impartial advice is given to help keep clients warm and safe in their own homes along with a reduction in energy consumption.

5) Swale Film Festival Project

This small project was set up to hold the funds of the Swale Film Festival in 2009. It has since been continued for the purpose of running subsequent Festivals and film shows which are held regularly at the Avenue Theatre. The Project has had a very quiet year with little funds being spent during the 2023/24 financial year. The project has now decided to look after their own finances and all remaining monies has been transferred over to them leaving a zero balance and therefore the column has been closed.

Page 4

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

6) UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

The borough of Swale through Swale Borough Council was granted government funding from the UKSPF with £130,000 of it allocated to strengthen the Swale voluntary and community sector (VCS). Swale CVS joined with a group of 8 other Swale VCS to form an alliance called Swale Voluntary Alliance (SVA).

The SVA consortium submitted the winning tender to Swale Borough Council with Swale CVS as the Swale VCS umbrella organisation being asked to lead the tender and act in the accountable body role. Swale CVS undertake all accountable body tasks including recruitment and employment of the Project Manager, use of a hot desk, accounts and budgets for the project. The SVA Consortium meet on a monthly basis to oversee the UKSPF project with Swale CVS part of these meetings providing all accounting, budgeting, reporting and purchasing of goods to support the UKSPF project in all aspects of the needs of the project. The Director of Swale CVS, Christine White is the designated consortium member attending the meetings

7) Community Health Catalyst (CHC) Programme

The Community Health Catalyst programme has been running since September 2022, funded by the Medway and Swale Health & Care Partnership Health Inequalities grant. The programme aims to:

The Programme was extremely successful and reported on an amazing wealth of health inequalities, however due to the loss of funding the Swale part of the programme ceased at the end of February 2025

Unrestricted funds

SCVS’s unrestricted funds represent the accumulated income of the charity, which may be used at the discretion of the Trustees.

Unrestricted funds are made up of donations from volunteers, clients and members of the public, and revenue earned directly by SCVS from other charitable and private sector organisations such as income from:

Designated funds

The designated funds represent amounts allocated by the Trustees out of accumulated unrestricted funds for specific purposes.

Designated funds are made up as follows:

1) Capital Reserve

The Capital Reserve was set up voluntarily by the Trustees to provide for planned or unplanned repair, upgrade or replacement of expensive and/or business critical

The level of reserve is reviewed annually by the Trustees and it has been decided that the Capital Reserve should remain at £10,000.

2) Redundancy Reserve

The Redundancy Reserve was set up voluntarily by the Trustees to cover potential redundancy payments in the event of the termination of the employment of the charity’s employees.

Page 5

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

It is anticipated that should the need arise to incur substantial redundancy costs the charity would be unlikely to be able to fund these costs readily from within its operating accounts and therefore a suitable dedicated reserve should be set up to safeguard the charity’s financial position and employees’ financial well-being if necessary. The level of reserve is reviewed annually by the Trustees and it has been decided that the Redundancy Reserve should remain at £40,000.

3) Staff Sickness Reserve

The Staff Sickness Reserve was set up voluntarily by the Trustees to cover the potential increase in staff costs to the charity in the event of the extended absence due to ill-health of one or more of its employees.

It is anticipated that should the need arise to incur significant additional staff costs as a result of the planned or unplanned long-term absence of employee(s) due to ill-health, depending upon the operating position of the charity at the time it may not be possible to fund any such costs readily from within the operating accounts. Therefore, a suitable dedicated reserve should be set up to safeguard the charity’s financial position and employees’ well-being if necessary.

The level of reserve is reviewed annually by the Trustees and it has been decided that the Staff Sickness Reserve should remain at £10,000.

4) General Reserve

In previous years the charity’s surplus funds were simply been added to the balance of the accumulated funds. However, against the background of greater financial stringency within the voluntary sector as a whole, the Trustees voluntarily set up a General Reserve to safeguard against future shortfalls of income over expenditure. The General Reserve currently stands at £300,000.

The adequacy of the reserve is reviewed annually by the Trustees and the calculation of a prudent level of free reserves is an integral part of the charity’s budget and forecast cycle as well as the periodic review of cashflow and operating accounts.

In particular this considers:

The Trustees consider that the level of free reserves should represent a minimum of at least six months revenue expenditure. Aside from redundancy costs (provided for in the separate Redundancy Reserve) in a worst-case scenario this would be sufficient to cover all aspects of winding up the charity and paying off any commitments or debts that may be outstanding, as well as providing an important ongoing financial buffer against the commercial and general economic challenges outlined above. As a result of these considerations by the Trustees it has been decided that the General Reserve should remain not less than £300,000.

Page 6

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

The Charity was began and then registered as a Charity in June 1973 and then transferred into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 30 August 2018. We were delighted to celebrate our 50th Anniversary in June 2023 at our annual networking event. We continue to run these large events each June to celebrate our own anniversary as well as UK Volunteers Week.

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Charity Commission Scheme.

The Board of Trustees comprises ex-officio the Honorary Officers of the Centre, together with the Chair of the Finance Committee and of any special and/or other Standing Committee, and not less than six and no more than fifteen elected members of the Centre. The number of individual members must not exceed 25% of the elected members of the Board. Election to the Board of Trustees shall be for three years. One third of the elected members of the Board of Trustees shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re election.

The Honorary Officers of the Centre shall be elected from the members of the Centre at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office from the end of that meeting.

The Board of Trustees has the power to co-opt persons whether or not being members of the Centre to serve on the Board, provided that the number of such co-opted members shall not exceed one fourth of the total number of elected members serving on the Board at any one time.

c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies

The Board of Trustees shall meet not less than four times a year, with the Finance Committee meeting between all board meetings. An Annual General Meeting is held on an annual basis.

d. Pay policy for key management personnel

The pay of the senior staff is reviewed annually and normally increased in line with average earnings. The remuneration is also bench marked with other charities of a similar size and activity to ensure the remuneration set is fair and not out of line with that paid for similar roles in local charities.

e. Financial risk management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and put in place a risk management strategy which comprises:

This work has identified that the principal risks faced by the Charity in the future lie in the financial risks ineffective fundraising and ineffectual marketing of services leading to financial instability. To mitigate and minimise these risks Trustees and senior staff are working on a plan to diversify some of the services offered by the Charity building on the excellent reputation and standing we have in the local area and using our central premises for additional training, room hire and support services. Senior staff are currently building partnerships with colleagues across Kent to be ready for tendering and bidding for funds in the forthcoming years.

Page 7

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Plans for future periods

The organisation will continue to operate its core processes and projects and continue to offer its resources and expertise to the Swale Voluntary Sector as a whole. Part of our work is to undertake community development locally and across the county of Kent. This work will bring in opportunities for new projects and possible further employment of community workers. SCVS also wants to maximise income potential from hiring out of our many meeting and counselling rooms which has become extremely popular over the past couple of years. Each year we set targets for increasing the percentage of occupancy of our many rooms. Barclays Bank closed their High Street Bank in Sittingbourne and are now using one of our rooms and a waiting area three days per week as a Pop Up Community Bank, this fits well with our ethos and helps with room hire income.

We are confident in our previous record of good service and our tendering and bidding expertise and will do our best to win tenders to allow us to carry on our core work in the Swale area. We will actively seek out partners to work in a collaborative way and put funding bids together to fund projects that will benefit residents in Swale.

The current financial position of Swale Community and Voluntary Services (CIO) is extremely strong and our accumulated funds and good reserves will help in ensuring a viable and long- term future for the organisation.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its income and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Charity Commission Scheme. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Mr Sam Ithell Chair Date:

Page 8

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Independent examiner's report

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Swale Community and Voluntary Services ('the Charity')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity'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 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the Charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do 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 no concerns and 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.

Page 9

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Independent examiner's report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed: S M Rouse Dated: 15 September 2025

Samantha Rouse FCCA DChA

Kreston Reeves LLP

Chartered Accountants Maritime Place Quayside Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME4 4QZ

Page 10

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
4
Charitable activities
5
Other trading activities
6
Investments
7
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
9
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
78,758
25,455
23,728
50,609
178,550
159,713
159,713
18,837
417,704
18,837
436,541		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
286,284
2,900
45,439
-
334,623
397,028
397,028
(62,405)
204,384
(62,405)
141,979		 Total
funds
2025
£
365,042
28,355
69,167
50,609
513,173
556,741
556,741
(43,568)
622,088
(43,568)
578,520		 Total
funds
2024
£
395,665
37,035
126,020
55,005
613,725
564,769
564,769
48,956
573,132
48,956
622,088

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 14 to 25 form part of these financial statements.

Page 11

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025

Note
Current assets
Stocks
12
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
14
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
15
Unrestricted funds
15
Total funds		 -
16,710
571,987
588,697
(10,177)		 2025
£
578,520
141,979
436,541
578,520		 244,529
10,111
618,318
872,958
(250,870)		 2024
£
622,088
204,384
417,704
622,088

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Mr Sam Ithell Chair Date:

The notes on pages 14 to 25 form part of these financial statements.

Page 12

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities (note 17)
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year (see note 18)
The notes on pages 14 to 25 form part of these financial statements		 2025
£
(46,331)
-
(46,331)
618,318
571,987		 2024
£
50,285
-
50,285
568,033
618,318

Page 13

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. General information

Swale Community and Voluntary Services is a charitable incorporated organisation and an exempt charity incorporated in England and Wales, with charity number 1179734. The registered office is Central House, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4NU. The principal activities of the Charity are to promote any charitable purposes for the public benefit of the community in the district of Swale and its neighbourhood and, in particular, the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness. For more details please see page 2 of the Trustees Report.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Swale Community and Voluntary Services meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

The financial statements are presented in UK Sterling, which is the Charity's functional currency, and rounded to the nearest pound.

2.2 Going concern

The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

Page 14

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.6 Taxation

The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

2.7 Stocks

The Charity has acquired the Leysdown Police station on behalf of Big Local. This is being held in stock, at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slowmoving stocks until the transfer is down. There is an equivalent amount in creditors.

2.8 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

2.9 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Page 15

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.10 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

2.11 Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2.12 Pensions

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.

2.13 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

2.14 Capital expenditure

Capital expenditure is charged to the Statement of financial activities.

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Charity does not currently have any significant accounting estimates or areas of judgement.

Page 16

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

4. Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Donations
3,079
Grants
75,679
78,758
Total 2024
72,454		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
3,217
283,067
286,284
323,211		 Total
funds
2025
£
6,296
358,746
365,042
395,665		 Total
funds
2024
£
4,722
390,943
395,665

5. Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Printing and stationery
3,555
Reimbursements of expenditure
11,038
Sundry income
10,862
25,455
Total 2024
33,851		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
-
-
2,900
2,900
3,184		 Total
funds
2025
£
3,555
11,038
13,762
28,355
37,035		 Total
funds
2024
£
1,670
13,960
21,405
37,035

Page 17

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

6. Income from other trading activities

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Fees charged
23,728
Transport receipts
-
23,728
Total 2024
81,905		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
14,000
31,439
45,439
44,115		 Total
funds
2025
£
37,728
31,439
69,167
126,020		 Total
funds
2024
£
94,344
31,676
126,020

7. Investment income

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Room hire
46,553
Deposit interest received
4,056
50,609
Total 2024
55,005		 Total
funds
2025
£
46,553
4,056
50,609
55,005		 Total
funds
2024
£
55,005
-
55,005

8. Analysis of grants

Grants payable
Total 2024		 Grants to
Institutions
2025
£
24,085
17,990		 Total
funds
2025
£
24,085
17,990		 Total
funds
2024
£
17,990

Page 18

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Charitable activities
Total 2024		 Direct
costs
2025
£
527,581
539,937		 Grant
funding of
activities
2025
£
24,085
17,990		 Support
costs
2025
£
5,075
6,842		 Total
funds
2025
£
556,741
564,769		 Total
funds
2024
£
564,769

Please see appendices I and II for a detailed breakdown of the Charity's expenditure.

10. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2025
£
281,466
19,570
4,739
305,775		 2024
£
247,007
20,716
5,777
273,500

The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:

2025 2024
No. No.
Average number of employees 11 10

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

The remuneration and benefits received by the Charity's key management personnel in the financial year, including employer's national insurance contributions, amounted to £104,898 (2024: £97,456).

11. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL).

During the year ended 31 March 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL).

Page 19

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

12. Stocks

2025 2024
£ £
Leysdown Police Station - 244,529

In 2021 the former Leysdown police office was purchased and has now been restored into a community hub ensuring a lasting legacy from the Big Local funding. The Community Hub was transferred over to the newly set up Big Local Eastern Sheppey Hub CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) from Swale CVS on 13 September 2024.

13. Debtors

2025 2024
£ £
Due within one year
Other debtors 16,710 10,111

14. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
5,503
-
4,674
10,177		 2024
£
1,931
244,529
4,410
250,870

Page 20

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

15. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Redundancy reserve
Staff sickness reserve
General reserve
Capital reserve
General funds
Accumulated fund
Total Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Big Local
Social Car Scheme Project
New Connections Project
Swale Film
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
SGN
CHC
Total of funds		 Balance at 1
April 2024
£
40,000
10,000
300,000
10,000
360,000
57,704
417,704
53,092
71,669
19,461
1,219
17,618
8,546
32,779
204,384
622,088		 Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
178,550
178,550
76,071
75,038
52,119
-
74,660
40,972
15,763
334,623
513,173		 Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
-
(159,713)
(159,713)
(129,163)
(50,919)
(36,750)
(1,219)
(92,278)
(38,157)
(48,542)
(397,028)
(556,741)		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
40,000
10,000
300,000
10,000
360,000
76,541
436,541
-
95,788
34,830
-
-
11,361
-
141,979
578,520

The nature and purpose of both designated and restricted funds can be found in the Trustees report.

Page 21

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

15. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Redundancy reserve
Staff sickness reserve
General reserve
Capital reserve
General funds
Accumulated fund
Total Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Big Local
Social Car Scheme Project
New Connections Project
Swale Film
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
SGN
BBO
CHC
Total of funds		 Balance at
1 April 2023
£
40,000
10,000
300,000
10,000
360,000
42,435
402,435
56,891
60,762
25,455
849
-
-
1,660
25,080
170,697
573,132		 Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
243,215
243,215
133,401
74,491
21,984
750
61,600
39,370
-
38,914
370,510
613,725		 Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
-
(227,946)
(227,946)
(137,200)
(63,584)
(27,978)
(380)
(43,982)
(30,824)
(1,660)
(31,215)
(336,823)
(564,769)		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
40,000
10,000
300,000
10,000
360,000
57,704
417,704
53,092
71,669
19,461
1,219
17,618
8,546
-
32,779
204,384
622,088

Page 22

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

16. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Summary of funds - prior year
Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds		 Balance at 1
April 2024
£
360,000
57,704
204,384
622,088
Balance at
1 April 2023
£
360,000
42,435
170,697
573,132		 Income
£
-
178,550
334,623
513,173
Income
£
-
243,215
370,510
613,725		 Expenditure
£
-
(159,713)
(397,028)
(556,741)
Expenditure
£
-
(227,946)
(336,823)
(564,769)		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
360,000
76,541
141,979
578,520
Balance at
31 March
2024
£
360,000
57,704
204,384
622,088

17. Analysis of net assets between funds Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Current assets
446,718
Creditors due within one year
(10,177)
Total
436,541		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
141,979
-
141,979		 Total
funds
2025
£
588,697
(10,177)
578,520

Page 23

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Unrestricted
funds
2024
Restricted
funds
2024
£
£
Current assets
424,045
448,913
Creditors due within one year
(6,341)
(244,529)
Total
417,704
204,384
18.
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
2025
£
Net income/expenditure for the year (as per Statement of Financial
Activities)
(43,568)
Adjustments for:
Decrease/(increase) in stocks
244,529
Increase in debtors
(240,693)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
(6,599)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
(46,331)
19.
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2025
£
Cash in hand
571,987
Total cash and cash equivalents
571,987		 Total
funds
2024
£
872,958
(250,870)
622,088
2024
£
48,956
(68,316)
(766)
70,411
50,285
2024
£
618,318
618,318

Page 24

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

20. Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand At 1 April
2024
£
618,318
618,318		 Cash flows
£
(46,331)
(46,331)		 At 31 March
2025
£
571,987
571,987

21. Pension commitments

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Charity to the fund and amounted to £4,739 (2024: £5,784). No contributions were payable to the fund at the Balance sheet date (2024: £Nil).

22. Related party transactions

P Murray and K Pugh, Trustees, are also Trustees of Sheppey Matters. Meanwhile, C White, the Charity's Chief Executive Officer, is also a Trustee of Sheppey Matters. During the year, Swale CVS received £33,020 (2024: £70,445) from Sheppey Matters and paid them £690 (2024: £31,401). All transactions were undertaken at arm's length. At the Balance sheet date the Charity was owed £Nil by Sheppey Matters (2024: £Nil).

P Murray and S Ithell, Trustees, are also Trustees of Swale Community Leisure. During the year, Swale CVS received £Nil (2024: £Nil) from Swale Community Leisure and paid them £10,640 (2024: £9,850). All transactions were undertaken at arm's length. At the Balance sheet date the Charity was owed £Nil by Swale Community Leisure (2024: £Nil).

C White, the Charity's Chief Executive Officer, is a Trustee of Homestart Sittingbourne and Sheppey. During the year Swale CVS received £3,743 (2024: £6,481) from Homestart Sittingbourne and Sheppey and paid them £Nil (2024: £Nil). All transactions were undertaken at arm's length. At the Balance sheet date the Charity was owed £Nil by Homestart Sittingbourne and Sheppey (2024: £Nil).

J Duncan, Trustee, is also a Children & Families Ltd. Meanwhile, C White, the Charity's Chief Executive Officer, is also a Trustee of Children & Families Ltd. During the year Swale CVS received £Nil (2024: £1,000) from Children & Families. All transactions were undertaken at arm's length. At the Balance sheet date there were no amounts outstanding (2024: £Nil).

C White, the Charity's Chief Executive Officer attends Eastern Sheppey Community Hub CIO in an advisory capacity. During the year Swale CVS received £99,075 (2024: £140,071) from Big Local CIO and £1,360 was paid to Eastern Sheppey Community Hub CIO (2024: £Nil). All transactions were undertaken at arm's length. At the Balance sheet date there were no amounts outstanding (2024: £Nil).

P Prescott, Trustee, is also a Trustee of Swale Youth Development. During the year, Swale CVS received £Nil (2024: £50) from Swale Youth Development. All transactions were undertaken at arm's length. At the Balance sheet date there were no amounts outstanding (2024: £Nil).

There were no other related party transactions in the current or prior year.

Page 25

Swale CVS

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

Appendix I - Unrestricted and Designated funds

Income from
Fees charged
Donations
Grants
Room Hire
Transport receipts
Sundry income
Printing and stationery
Interest received
Total income
Expenditure on
Direct costs
Rent and services
Office expenses
Telephone
Sundries
Staff training
Insurance
Travel expenses
Project running costs
Printing and stationery
Computer costs
Grants paid
Staff costs
Subtotal
Support costs
Independent examiner's fees
Legal and professional
Total expenditure
Transfers
Balance b/f 01/04/24
Balance c/f 31/03/25
Net movement in funds		 Total 2025
£
23,727
3,079
75,679
46,553
-
21,900
3,555
4,057
178,550
-
3,459
10
11,447
6,267
1,865
448
3,846
499
4,077
-
122,720
154,638
4,674
401
159,713
18,837
-
417,704
436,541		 Total 2024
£
81,843
2,468
69,986
55,005
62
32,181
1,670
-
243,215
1,063
7,871
10
30,056
11,925
687
984
1,540
1,050
9,205
-
159,553
223,944
2,258
1,744
227,946
15,269
-
402,435
417,704

Page 26

Swale CVS

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

Appendix II - Restricted funds - breakdown by project

Big Local
Income from
Fees charged
-
Donations
-
Grants
76,072
Transport receipts
-
Sundry income
-
76,072
Expenditure on
Charitable activities
129,164
(see analysis below)
129,164
Net movement in funds
(53,092)
Transfers
-
Balance b/f 01/04/24
53,092
-
Balance c/f 31/03/25		 Big Local
-
-
76,072
-
-		 Car Scheme
-
874
32,280
31,439
10,445		 CHC
-
-
15,763
-
-		 New
Connections
-
2,344
43,321
-
6,455		 Swale Film
Festival
-
-
-
-
-		 Swale CVS
Energy Saving
Scheme
-
-
40,972
-
-		 UK Shared
Prosperity Fund
-
-
74,660
-
-
74,660
92,278
92,278
(17,618)
-
17,618
-		 Total 2025
-
3,218
283,068
31,439
16,900		 Total 2024
-
2,254
320,957
31,614
15,685
76,072 75,038 15,763 52,120 - 40,972 334,625 370,510
129,164 50,920 48,542 36,750 1,219 38,157 397,030 336,823
129,164 50,920 48,542 36,750 1,219 38,157 397,030 336,823
24,118
-
71,669		 (32,779)
-
32,779		 15,370
-
19,461		 (1,219)
-
1,219		 2,815
-
8,546		 (62,405)
-
204,384		 33,687
-
170,697
- 95,787 - 34,831 - 11,361 141,979 204,384

Page 27

Swale CVS

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Appendix II - Restricted funds - breakdown by project (continued)

Expenditure on
Direct costs
Rent and services
Office expenses
Telephone
Sundries
Staff training
Insurance
Travel expenses
Community events
Transport & management charges
Management fee
Project running costs
Printing and stationery
Health and Wellbeing
Infastructure
Employment and economy
Environment
Computer costs
Staff costs
Advertising and promotion
Leysdown Police Station
Grants paid
Support costs
Independent examiner's fees
Legal and professional		 Big Local
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,990
-
-
-
-
-
59,385
855
10,000
-
27,646
-
25,288
-		 Car Scheme
1,495
246
110
325
-
400
1,406
-
9,574
-
-
1,102
-
-
-
-
3,032
33,230
-
-
-		 CHC
2,463
2,003
-
1,952
-
300
167
-
-
-
100
-
-
-
-
-
301
37,481
-
-
3,775		 New
Connections
6,420
469
-
-
-
250
2,614
-
1,151
-
1,461
252
-
-
-
-
2,178
21,955
-
-
-		 Swale Film
Festival
-
64
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,155
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Swale CVS
Energy Saving
Scheme
-
1,015
-
-
-
300
1,721
-
-
-
1,297
299
-
-
-
-
-
33,525
-
-		 UK Shared
Prosperity
Fund
-
14,764
931
9,181
3,125
-
640
-
-
-
13,912
182
-
-
-
-
16
29,217
-
-
20,310		 Total 2025
10,378
18,561
1,041
11,458
3,125
1,250
6,548
5,990
10,725
-
17,925
1,835
-
59,385
855
10,000
5,527
183,054
-
25,288
24,085		 Total 2024
8,787
7,808
994
9,888
-
1,000
5,015
12,728
13,884
-
8,658
681
2,000
40,096
6,560
10,000
5,672
113,946
-
68,316
17,990
129,164 50,920 48,542 36,750 1,219 38,157 92,278 397,030 334,023
-
-		 -
-		 -
-		 -
-		 -
-		 -
-		 -
-		 -
-		 2,800
-
- - - - - - - - 2,800

Page 28