THE FOREST FOODBANK FJThALICIAL STATEI¥IENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2024 l Knights AccouiilatFts arid Tax Advisors
THE FOREST FOODBANK REPORT ACCOIThTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Administrntive tufornli0ll 3to5 Report of the Con]mittee Independent Examiner's Report Balance Sheet Income and Expenditure Account Notes to the Accounts
THE FOREST FOOD BANK ADMIISISTRATIVE tYFORMATtON Mrs D Beard- Acting Chair Mrs J Anderson - TaSUrer Mr Williams Mr D Wise PNcIPAL ADDRESS: E&qtern United Site Ruspidge Road Cinderford Glouccstershire GL14 3AW IF4DEPEI>ENT EXthILNER: l(nigbts Accountants and Tax Ad0 21 Highnam Business Centre Highnam Gloucester GL2 8DN
THE FOREST FOODBANK CO_MMITTEE REPORT PRIYCIPAL OBJECT AND STATUS OF CHAIUTY Tbe organisation is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Comrnission, reference nurnber 1183196, is governed by a constitution dated 14 August 2020 alld operates from Eastern United Site, Ruspidge Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire. GL14 3AW. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) are: To relieve persons throughout The Forest of Dean and outlying areas, and in such ways as th¢ t¢¢S from tim¢ to time think fit, in particular, but not exclusively by: tn furtherance of the first objecE to supply goo(L8 to beneficiaries, either directly or through agency partners approved by Ihe TDJstees. Goods to include (but not limited to) food, including tinned and dried foods, to ensure a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet sufficient for am minimum of three days at a titne" essential toiletries, household items,.clothing as available, fuel povety support where provision of such services does not compromise the primary purpose of the (CJO). To do any other thing consistent with the primary Purpose of the CIO. including (but noi limited to) the provision of support or signposiing to relevant inforn]ation and other advisor? setvices. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFOILMANCE The Forest Foodbank is a charity tbat enables the community in and around the Forest of Dean to meet the emergency food needs of thos¢ within th¢ iamc commiinity who are at crisis poillt in their lives. t)uring the period to 31 December ?024. The Forest FoodbRnk has proNided emergency food for approximately 3,400 (including approximately 1,300 children), distributing 34,OOOkg of food and essential household supplies. This repTesented a IOO/ts y&2r-0n-Y& increase in the quantity of food supplied versus the year to 31, December ?024. The 'Foodbank' has returned to the distribution rnodel used prior to COVID-19 restrictions and operated half-day opening distribution centres in 3 locations where demand is greatest, providing coverage for Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney. Clients either travel to the nearest location or delivery is provided for those unable to attelld in person.
REPORT OF THE COMMrtTEE FINANCIAL REVIEW General donations continued &8 a si]nilar monthly Ta* to the previous year, providing sufficicnt fLuLditig to support the activities of the charity without having to utilise cash reserves Premises costs were impacted by a one-ff refit of the warehouse which was required to increase 8tordg¢ capacity and improve safety by providing suitsbly rated equipment for the weight of goods being handled which will provide a fit-for-pryse facility for the for¢s¢eabl¢ futhre. The organisation h&8 cash reserves of £243,037 as at 31° December 2024 (2023 - £247,482), which is held in Lloyds Bank current and deposit accounts. The Trustees are satisfied that.they hai'e sufficient reserves at th¢ Balance Sheet date, together with the ongoillg illcoe anticipat¢d, to enable the organisation to function effectively and d¢liv¢r strategic plans for the cojning year.
REPORT OF THE COMTrIITTEE STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPOISIBiLrrIES The Twstees are responsible for preparing the Trnstees, Report and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (Uiiited Kingdom G¢nerally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to chariti¢s in England and Wales requires the trustees to Prepare fllwi¢ial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charity and of th¢ in¢om¢ resourc¢s and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the tNsfres are required to: Select suitable accounting policies aod then apply rhe consistently. ObseTre the n]ethods and principles in the Charities SORP; Make judgement and estimates that are reasonable and pnulent" State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have beell follow&1 subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. Pr¢pare the financial statements on the going concern b&8is unless it is appropriate to presurne that the charktable company will coniinue in business. The Trnstees are responsible for keeping proper accounting rordS that disclose with r¢asonabl¢ accuracy at any tim¢ the fuwicial position of the CIO and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with tbe Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Financial Statements and Reports) Regulations and the provision of the trust deed. They are also r¢sponsibl¢ for safeguarding th¢ assets of the charity and hence for tsking re&8onable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by tbe Trnstee5 alld signed on their behalf by: D Beard Trnstee Date". 21" October 2025
INDEPEDENT ExAThuER's REPORT TO THE FOREST FOODBANK We report on thc accouot8 of The Forest Foodbank for the period ended 31° December 2024. BASIS OF INDEPKNDELYT EXAMLYER'S REPORT OUT examination was carried out in accordance with the General directions given by the Charity Commissioners, sectiorj 145 of the 2011 Act and ID carrying out our exarninalion we haTre followed all th¢ applicable directions given by the Charity Conynission under section 145 (5)(b) of the Act. An independent examination includes a Teview of the accounting records kept by the association and a comparison of the accounts presented w'ith those records. It also Includes consid¢ration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the Seeki[ of explanations" from s'ou the committee concerning any such matters. The procedures uridertaktn do not pmvide all the evidence that would b¢ required in an audit and, consequently, w¢ do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. INDEPKNDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT tn comieclion with my examination, no matter has come to our attention: (l) Ivhicb gives us reasonable cause to b¢li¢v¢ thaL in any material aspect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance witb section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the a0llnting requirement of the Charities Act 2011. have not been m¢t' or (2) to which, in our Opinio attention sbouEd be drawn ID Order to enable proper undeTStanth'ng of tbe accounts to be reache(L Knights Accountants and Tax Advisors 21 Higlmam Business Centre Highnarn GLOUCESTER. GL2 8DN' Date: 2T October 2025
THE FOREST FooDB( BAL&YCE SHEET AS AT 31sf DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 FIXLD ASSETS Plant and machinery Fixtures and fittings Computer Equipment 485 7.974 419 571 9,38 I 8,878 10,963 CURRENT ASSETS Prepayments 284 Bank Accounts - Lloyds Bank Cuellt Account 15.941 Lloyds Bank Deposit Account 227 096 243,321 336 37,952 209 530 247,818 ctFiiREWT LIABILITIES Creditors- amoullts falling due within l year (Note 2) 402 384 NET CURRENT ASSETS 247 434 NET ASSETS REPRESENTED B Y.. GENERAL FUND Balance Brought Forward 258.397 244,825 IDeficit)/Surplus of income over expenditure Balance Carried Forward 251797 258 Approved by the Committees on 21. October 2025 and sigued on its behalf by.. MRS D BEARD- AcfiNG CHAIR
THE FOREST FOODBA]J'K INCOME AND EXPENDITLTRE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR E.NDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 INCOME Donations Grant Income Sundry Receipts Deposit Account Int¢rest 51,347 83.739 58,456 73,659 137,652 134,052 EXPENI)ITURE Purchases and consumables Wages Pensions Rent In8uranc¢ Light and heat Telephone Post and stationery Advertising Travel exp¢nses Repairs and Tenewals Computer & I.T. costs Misccllaneous expenses Volunteers entertaining ACCount¥¢y Professi0Th21 fees Bank charges Other penalties and interest Depreciation- Plant & Machinery Depreciation- Fixture & Fittings Depreciation- Cornp Equipment 51.244 25,629 2,169 5,753 718 1,200 2,339 219 46,921 28,051 2,043 5,940 643 202 1,612 91 939 3,476 190 254 1,221 503 468 25,489 4.403 2238 1.619 1.436 420 42,780 loo 90 1,655 592 86 1,407 592 120 480 (DEFICIT)ISURPI,US OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE FOR T YEikR
THE FOREST FOODBLNK NOTES TO THE AccOTs FOR THE YEAR EI¥DED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 I. ACCOUNTINC POLICIES Accountin ConTr'ention The accounis ar¢ prepared undet the historical cost convention on an accnjals basis. Accountin b Charities The recommendations of SORP2 {Accounting by Charities) have been followed in th¢ preparation of these accounts. Fund Aecountin Tbe Charity's general Fund coL8ists of funds whioh the Association aY use for its pun)ose at its discretion. 2. CREDITORS Accrued ¢xp¢nses 402