2024-03-31-accounts - Uttlesford Buffy Bus Association

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01 April 2023 To 31 March 2024 Charity name: Uttlesford Buffy Bus Association

Charity registration number: 1180905

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The Charity’s objects (“the objects”) are to advance the education of children below compulsory school age by providing or assisting in provision of facilities for group play and the provision of therapeutic, educational and stimulating toys and equipment. To provide recreational and other leisure time occupation for children mainly within the Uttlesford District in the interests of social welfare, that the conditions of life of such children may be improved. To support the education of children during their early years. To reduce isolation amongst young children and their families. To work in partnership with other organisations to ensure every child gets the very best start in life. To strive for equality of opportunity for all children, parents and carers. To increase the confidence and self-esteem of children, parents and carers. To provide information and knowledge of other services in the local area.
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	Uttlesford Buffy Bus Association (UBBA) is a local charity, community-based, non- profit making organisation established in 1994. Buffy Playbus is designed to bring to the under fives and their carers an opportunity to play and socialise in a playgroup environment. Buffy Playbus relies on grant aid, charitable donations and fund-raising efforts.


Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	The Charity does not make grants
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	The Charity's only investment is in bank deposit accounts.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	We welcome volunteers to be part of our executive committee and to be involved with our fund-raising activities. We have an active fundraising committee, All trustees and other committee members give their time voluntarily and received no remuneration or other benefits.
Other		We will celebrate 30 years of the Buffy Playbus service in 2024. Rosie Juhl retired in September 2023 but remains on our Fund-raising committee and by becoming a Trustee in January 2024, we have been able to retain her considerable knowledge. In her role as Project Manager for nearly 20 years Rosie raised over £1.5m and without her the bus would not be on the road today. She has moved the service on keeping up with the challenges and demands to provide a current and innovative service. Kerry Mattholie has taken over the role of Project Manager and has proved to be outstanding. She has a close rapport with the playleaders and is excellent in her communication to the Management Committee with regards the day to day running of the bus Buffy PlayBus is staffed by experienced and qualified early years employees. Our staffarehighlymotivated,loved and

valued by all our visitors. Our playleaders plan a weekly activity that supports goals within the Early Years Foundation Framework Stage. The team work hard to initiate conversations between families and engage with children in games to help them to make friends. Buffy PlayBus visits 15 different locations across Uttlesford each week. Our service is completely free to those who use it so that finance is not a barrier and as many children as possible are able to benefit from our offer.

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	We survey our visitors twice each year. Some of the comments we have received this year: 36% of our respondents reported that they sometimes felt lonely in their own community. 96% of respondents had met new friends on Buffy Playbus. 88% of our service users felt that the activities and support available on buffy had increased their child’s self- confidence. If we made a charge (rather than a donation) 12% would not be able to attend. “Thank you - we really appreciate the existence and hard work of the Buffy Bus team! All week my children ask when it is Buffy Bus time!” “I can’t afford nursery, so it really helps my two to socialise with other kids”. "The best thing about Buffy PlayBus is my son's development and interaction! He lost a lot of time doing things because of COVID”.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Achievements against objectives set
	Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	100% of respondents said they are made to feel welcome on the bus and would recommend our service to their friends.

Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance againstobjectives	Para1.41	N/A
Other
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	We succeeded in securing a further grant from the National Lottery Community Fund of £360,000 over a five-year period. Other grants and donations were lower than previously. The National Lottery Community Fund contribution was 68% of the total income of £79,255. Other grants made up 19%. Although we did not make any charge or suggest any specific donation, donations from bus users were slightly up on the previous year. The rest of our income is made up of other donations, Gift Aid and bank interest. The cost of running the service was £108,243 - mainly bus running costs and staff costs, including depreciation of £12,598. The cost of salaries was higher than usual because of an overlap with a change of project managers. This left us with a deficit of £28,988. We have total assets at the end of the year of £174,900 of which £74,665 were net current assets, so still a healthy balance.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statingwhythey areheld	Para 1.22	Our policy is to hold £20,000 in reserve to cover any unforeseen problems with BuffyPlayBus orclosing downcosts.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£20,000
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially indeficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The National Lottery Community Fund, Essex Community Foundation, Essex County Council (Education Services), Uttlesford District Council, The Little Butterfly Foundation, Essex Lottery, Give as you Live, Saffron Walden Round Table, the Great Dunmow Mayor’s Fund, Amazon Smile and other individuals.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	N/A
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Across the third sector, there is less income available through grant funding, which is our main source of income. The cost-of-living crisis continues to impact both our costs and the amount of income raised through donations. As an organisation that has been operating for 30 years, we are no stranger to difficult times and change so we are sure that we can navigatewhat may be atricky path.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Charity incorporated Organisation(CIO)
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 moretrustees	Para 1.25	Appointed by existing Trustees

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51

The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Playbus working with the Playleaders on a daily basis. The Project Manager formally reports to the trustees at regular meetings and works with trustees and other members of the executive committee on an ad hoc basis.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	We are pleased to have forged a strong bond with Home-Start Essex & Carver Barracks (where Buffy also resides overnight), Uttlesford Foodbank, Essex Children & Families Wellbeing Service and other statutory agencies.
Other

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Janet Menell	President
Catherine Fenn- Smith	Chairman
Margaret Shaw
Angela Porter
Lucy Russell
Christine Astell		until 3rd October 2023
Rosemary Juhl		from 1st January 2024

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name NONE

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year NONE Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in this capacity N/A Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects N/A Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets N/A	Dates acted if not for whole year

	N/A
	N/A
	N/A

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

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

Mrs Rosie Juhl,(until October 2023) Ms Kerry Mattholie (from September 2023)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Margaret Ann Shaw
Catherine Rose Fenn-Smith
Position (eg
Secretary, Chair, etc) Trustees
Date
15/10/2024 15/10/2024
----- End of picture text -----

UTTLESFORD BUFFY BUS ASSOCIATION

Registered Charity No. 1180905

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024

Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM DONATIONS Grants notes 2/7/8 Donations notes 3/8 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Grants note 2 OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Fund raising income note 4 INVESTMENTS Interest receivable OTHER INCOME TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds Fund raising expenses note 4 Consultancy fees Charitable activities Bus running costs including Insurances Bus Depreciation note 6 Salaries and Social Security costs note 5 Purchase of toys, books and consumables Telephone, stationery and postage Staff Welfare & Training Subscriptions & Ofsted Hygiene, welfare and sundries Publicity and advertising Sundry expenses Administration TOTAL EXPENDITURE Net Income(expenditure) TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD at 1st April 2023 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds This period All Funds 2022 -2023 £ £ £ £ 67,583 1,520 69,103 80,951 5,750 5,750 10,638 - - 573 573 2,027 - 3,829 3,829 1,150
	77,735 1,520 79,255 94,766
	111 111 96 16 16 18
	127 - 127 114
	18,083 18,083 18,483 12,598 12,598 12,601 70,792 1,020 71,812 64,365 337 350 687 1,256 552 552 671 970 970 713 213 213 205 567 567 642 504 504 349 1,306 1,306 1,223 825 825 656
	94,149 13,968 108,117 101,164
	94,275 13,968 108,243 101,278
	-16,540 -12,448 -28,988 -6,512 90,314 113,574 203,888 210,400
	73,774 101,126 174,900 203,888

page 1 of 4

Registered Charity No. 1180905

UTTLESFORD BUFFY BUS ASSOCIATION

BALANCE SHEET as at 31st March 2024

£ 305 68,408 1,433 107 396 6,682	£ 305 79,711 5,407 129 10,300	31st March 2023 £ 110,258 2,575 91,055
77,331	95,852
2,666	4,797
2,666	4,797

		203,888
		90,314 350 113,224

		203,888

page 2 of 4

UTTLESFORD BUFFY BUS ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31MARCH 2024

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES General Basis of Preparation of Accounts

The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charity Accounts FRS102 and with the Charities Act 2011. They include the results of the charity's operations which are described in the Trustees' report and all of which are continuing.

Income: Grants are apportioned over the period for which they were approved. All other income is recognised when receivable by the Association. Expenditure is recognised when incurred.

Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the charity and is included in the relevant costs in the accounts.

2 GRANTS

Grants received in the period ending 31 March 2024 subject to restrictions. Fowler Smith and Jones for refugee sessions Education services for refugee sessions Tesco for food Saffron Walden Round table for craft activities Gt Dunmow Mayor's fund for area stops Big Lottery for major bus repairs Grants received in the period ending 31 March 2024 not subject to restrictions Big Lottery funding Uttlesford District Council Little Butterflies Essex community foundation Co-op Total GRANT Income 3 DONATIONS Bus Users Gift Aid repayment from HMRC Other donors *	Grants received in the period ending 31 March 2024 subject to restrictions. Fowler Smith and Jones for refugee sessions Education services for refugee sessions Tesco for food Saffron Walden Round table for craft activities Gt Dunmow Mayor's fund for area stops Big Lottery for major bus repairs Grants received in the period ending 31 March 2024 not subject to restrictions Big Lottery funding Uttlesford District Council Little Butterflies Essex community foundation Co-op Total GRANT Income 3 DONATIONS Bus Users Gift Aid repayment from HMRC Other donors *	2023-2024 £ 500 1,020	2022-2023 £ 2,000 1,500 500 6,440
		1,520	10,440
		54,083 6,500 7,000	46,461 10,100 5,000 8,800 150
		67,583	70,511
		69,103	80,951
		£ 4,652 906 192	£ 3,586 1,630 5,422
		5,750	10,638

*Our grateful thanks go to all the individuals, organisations & Councils within Uttlesford who have supported us throughout the period:

UBBA staff, committee members & fundraising committee members & their families & friends;

Supporters of Essex Lottery , Amazon Smile and Give as you Live

page 3 of 4

4 FUND RAISING Quiz night Bus Special Hire (Costs included in staff/fuel expenditure) Sales (Costs included in previous years)	Proceeds Costs £ £ 105 450 18	2023-2024	2022-2023 Net £ 1,457 474
		Net £ 105 450 18 -
	573 -	573	1,931

5 STAFF COSTS

No trustee has received or is due to receive any remuneration for the year directly or indirectly from the Charity's funds. No Expenses were paid to Trustees.

2024 The average number of staff employed by the Charity during the period 7 Payroll Costs £ Wages & Salaries 68,368 Employers Social Security Costs Employers Pension Costs 3,444 71,812	2023 5 £ 61,018 3,347
	64,365

6 FIXED ASSETS

In 2020 the trustees agreed to depreciate the cost of the bus and conversion on a straight line basis over 15 years.

years.	years.
A sensory den was also fitted which it was agreed to depreciate on a straight line basis over 5		years.
Used by the charity	Bus PN09EKR	Sensory Den	Total
Cost	£	£	£
At 1 April 2023	150,354	12,883	163,237
Additions at cost			0
Disposals in year			0
At 31 March 2024	150,354	12,883	163,237
Depreciation:
At 31 March 2023	40,096	10,308	50,404
Charge for the period ending 31 March 2024	10,024	2,574	12,598
At 31 March 2024	50,120	12,882	63,002

Net book value 31 March 2024	100,234	1	100,235

7 RESTRICTED FUNDING DONOR Capital fund Tesco for food Saffron Walden Round table for craft activities Gt Dunmow Mayor's fund for area stops 8 GRANTS FOR FUTURE PERIODS 9 CREDITORS Trade creditors Staff Expenses Taxation and social security		b/f received in period to 31st March 2024 spent c/f £ £ £ £ 113,224 12,598 100,626 350 200 150 500 150 350 1,020 1,020
		113,574 1,520 13,968 101,126
		b/f spent
		- -
		2023-2024 2022-2023 663 1598 63 517 1940 2682 2666 4797 Due within 1 yr
		2666

10 RESERVES POLICY

Our policy is to hold £25,000 in reserve to cover any unforseen problems with Buffy PlayBus or closing down costs

page 4 of 4

Independenl examlneffs report to the trustees of UttIeSf Bufy Bus Assoclatlon which is a Charitable Incorporaled Organisation (CIO) I rep to trustees my exalinalw of ts nts d the U1tb8s Bufy Bus AssocIats CIO> year efthd 31 Mwch 2024. Rasponsibilities and basis of rewt As charrty trustees of the CIO yw are reS[r18 ts Ihe (rf the Cnts accordance with the rIrents of th8 Charthes Act 2011 (Ihe ACYI. I reF(rt in re$t of my examinakn crf CIO'S CntS c1j ojt under SeCn 145 of the 2011 Act and in clThj Irt my exarThli)n I he fc4kw&J all ts aWi¢at4e Di1)nS gFven by the Charity c¢JTrThSs urthr sIK)n 145(SMb) Act. Independent examlnerfs statement I have C(vneted my eXinat. l ¢cth ttst rn) nwlwia CO lo my attention in ccmrrttth Yrilh tre exIn8 gNirwJ to belivrfe that in any material rest. 1. accounting Tts were ket in respect th8 CIO as rlIr1 by section 130 2. the accounts acCc with th(e T¢d5. 3. the accounts rN)t with the appkat4e requrenwts CCemj the fomi and content of &ccJnis set (Art the CharitS (Acccuts aTrJ Re[s) RuL911)nS XQ8 ots than any requirerTWrt lh ts c(Al[ grve a arxl fa VPIV which is a examinatijn to whh atterikn shcxld tE dralvn n this rwt in to enatle a FffOFer understandirvJ of th8 xccubts to te reached. Sijned: Joanna Wardle (CIPFA Qualrfwj) Date: 30th Septemkr 2024

Indepondonl oxamlnorfs report to the trustoes of utll0sfo Buffy Bus Assoclallon which is a Charlith Incorporated Organisation (CIO) I rewl to the tnBtees my eXnal of ts (Xts crf the Ulllesford Bufy 8u8 Assctiation lthe CIO) year etThJed 31 Mh 3J24. Rosponsibilities basis of report As the cw trustees crf the CIO you e res[1te for th8 twaraIM d I accounts in accord with the UIren)ts of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Act,). I reFJt in re$t of my examina1M of the CIO'S cnts crnl (xrt under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in caryirwJ crt my eXaThna1K I have folk)w&l all ts appliCate D1cnS given by the Charity crSS uIKJer 145(SXbl of the Act. Independent examinerfs statem I have c•ted my examinat. I confirn that Tr) materia matters have to my attentKY) in conneLlion with t exaffinal gvirYJ cause to beli8v6 that in any material resFXt: 1. acCountW w8 keF in resFeCt of the CIO as r1r&I by section 130 of Act. iy 2. the accounts (kn nrrt accord with those recc5. or 3. the Xcounts Th)t with Ihe awS¢able rwirenmts ¢(Cern1r0 the fom and content of accounts set wt in ts Charities (ACcnts aTrJ ReFrfs) Reguktions 2CQ8 other than any require[nt that the accounts grie a In arKI fair vw whiGh is not a I have rn corteTrts and have CC &ross r*) crther ryotter5 in c(rtr"On with the SwJned'. Joanna Wardle (CIPFA ali) Date.. 30th September 2024