The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust
Charity number 1188155
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 October 2024
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 October 2024
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 2 to 4 |
| Receipts and payments account | 5 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 6 |
| Notes to the accounts | 7 to 8 |
Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO
1
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 October 2024
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors
The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates
Michelle Welch Chair Justin Buckle Sara Dearnley Treasurer Paige Phillip Orvill Smith Carlyn Ferreira Caroline Devonport Shelley Jordan Lillalee Wright Natasha Dennis Tia Pinnock Marcus Paul Chantell Grant
Resigned 7 August 2024 Resigned 7 August 2024 Resigned 7 August 2024
Resigned 7 August 2024
Appointed 7 August 2024 Appointed 7 August 2024 Appointed 7 August 2024 Appointed 7 August 2024
Charity number 1188155
Registered in England and Wales
Registered and principal address
Bankers
Unit 28 Gatehouse Enterprise Centre The Royal Bank of Scotland Albert Street 27 Market Place Lockwood Huddersfield Huddersfield HD1 2AD HD1 3QD
Accountants
West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) association formed on 20 February 2020 and is governed by a constitution.
Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees
The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM.
2
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 October 2024
Objectives and activities
The charity's objects
1) To advance, promote, encourage and develop appreciation of and participation in African-Caribbean culture including Carnival and street arts, their traditions, music and crafts in particular but not exclusively through the provision of arts workshops, activities and events throughout the year and by the promotion and organisation of an annual carnival in Huddersfield.
2) To further or benefit the residents of Huddersfield and the neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race, disability, age or of political, religious, or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.
In furtherance of this object but not otherwise, the trustees shall have power: to establish or secure the establishment of a community centre and to maintain or manage or co-operate with any statutory authority in the maintenance and management of such a centre for the activities promoted by the charity in furtherance of the above objects.
3) To advance any purpose which is exclusively charitable according to the laws of England and Wales for the benefit of the public in Huddersfield and surrounding area by the provision of grants and funding to local charities as the trustees shall determine.
The charity's main activities
Our activities are based around the promotion, advancement and the development of appreciation of AfricanCaribbean culture and the promotion and organisation of the annual Caribbean Carnival.
Public benefit statement
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of African Caribbean arts and culture and the advancement of social welfare with the object of improving the condition of life of the local inhabitants.
Achievements and performance
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust (HACCT) has experienced a transformative year, underlined by strategic changes and significant community contributions. The Annual General Meeting in August 2024 marked an important milestone with the election of 4 new trustees. This bolstered the organisation’s capacity to pursue its mission of preserving and celebrating African Caribbean culture. The re-election of key trustees ensured continuity, while new appointments brought fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to HACCT's initiatives. Trustees undertook a renewed focus on governance, sustainability, and engaging the wider community, with plans to strengthen collaborations with other local organizations.
Despite the cancellation of Carnival 2024 due to funding constraints, HACCT has remained resilient, continuing its essential work of promoting cultural identity and unity. Significant strides were made in securing organisational sustainability, notably through a consultation funded by Kirklees Council. This consultation highlighted the importance of recruiting more trustees and volunteers to share the workload and enhance HACCT’s operational capacity. The Connected Voices programme further supported these efforts by equipping trustees with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve long-term resilience.
Among HACCT’s most notable successes this year has been the Legacy Steel Band. From November 2023 onwards, the band expanded from five to thirteen members, supported by a subscription-based model. This innovative approach ensured financial sustainability for the band’s teaching and operational costs. The band also secured a grant from the Thornton Community Fund, enabling the purchase of new instruments and the enhancement of its musical repertoire.
3
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 October 2024
Achievements and performance continued
Throughout the year, the Legacy Steel Band played a prominent role in community events, performing at milestones such as Grenada’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, the 50th Anniversary of St. Thomas Church Bradley, and Kirklees College Diversity Day. These performances enriched the cultural fabric of the community, promoting the steel pan’s legacy and bringing joy to audiences. Their participation in the "Beyond the Bassline" project with Kirklees Library and the British Museum underscored their cultural significance and broadened their reach.
As HACCT looks forward, plans are in place to foster further growth and sustainability, including applying for grants, engaging in partnerships, and building on the strengths of its subgroups. The resilience and dedication demonstrated by HACCT and its subgroups during the year reflect their unwavering commitment to celebrating and preserving African Caribbean culture in Huddersfield and beyond.
Financial review
The net receipts for the year were £1,689, including net payment of £1,166 on unrestricted funds and net receipts of £2,855 on restricted funds.
Reserves policy
The charity's free reserves, at the year end were £14,757.
The Trustees have agreed to maintain a minimum reserve equivalent to one year’s core expenditure, currently set at £4,000. This level allows the organisation to:
Cover essential costs in the event of a funding delay or shortfall.
Ensure continuity of operations between funded projects.
Wind down activities in an orderly manner if needed.
Reserves may be used with the approval of the Board of Trustees in the following situations:
Short-term cash flow issues.
Unexpected operational costs.
To meet essential costs between project funding cycles.
If reserves fall below the agreed minimum level, Trustees will prioritise rebuilding them through unrestricted income, cost savings, or reallocation of funds.
The Trustees acknowledge that the free reserves exceed the level specified in the policy. The excess funds will be allocated toward the next carnival in 2025.
Approved by the board of trustees on …7.8.25………..……...…….
Signed: ………………..…………. (Trustee)
Name: S DEARNLEY..………….
4
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust
Receipts and payments account for the year ended 31 October 2024
| Notes 2024 Unrestricted funds £ Receipts Grants and donations (2) 535 Carnival income - Sponsorship - Fundraising - Other income 195 Steelpan income 2,155 Total receipts 2,885 Payments Rent, rates, insurance and licences 1,685 Telephone, internet, postage and stationery 562 Accounts and independent examination 726 Room hire - Carnival event costs - Publicity and advertising 170 Utilities 131 Costumes, artistes and comperes -carnival 151 Freelance workers and tutors - Committee expenses - Equipment - Grant repayment - Fundraising - Sundry expenses 626 Volunteer expenses - Total payments 4,051 Net receipts / (payments) (1,166) Fund balances brought forward 15,923 Fund balances carried forward (3) 14,757 |
2024 Restricted funds £ 6,700 - - - - - 6,700 - - - - 1,886 - - 999 - - 960 - - - - 3,845 2,855 15,489 18,344 |
2024 Total funds £ 7,235 - - - 195 2,155 9,585 1,685 562 726 - 1,886 170 131 1,150 - - 960 - - 626 - 7,896 1,689 31,412 33,101 |
2023 Total funds £ 94,378 8,441 2,500 6,949 - - 112,268 2,057 382 600 550 82,901 1,242 268 4,816 5,357 60 494 3,827 4,266 1,012 186 108,018 4,250 27,162 31,412 |
|---|---|---|---|
5
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust Statement of assets and liabilities
| as at 31 October 2024 2024 2024 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ Cash funds Cash at bank 14,735 18,344 33,079 Cash in hand 22 - 22 Total cash funds 14,757 18,344 33,101 Debtors and prepayments 2024 £ Prepayments 199 199 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fixtures and fittings Equipment Laptop Liabilities 2024 £ Accruals 864 864 The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on ……7.8.25……..……...……. Signed: ……………...………….…. (Trustee) |
2023 Total £ 31,380 32 31,412 |
|---|---|
Name: …S DEARNLEY………….
6
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 October 2024
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.
No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
Taxation
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
7
The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 31 October 2024
| 2 Grants and donations 2024 2024 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds £ £ £ Kirklees Council - 5,000 5,000 One Community Foundation (OCF) - 1,700 1,700 Arts Council England - - - The National Lottery Community Fund - - - Other donations 535 - 535 535 6,700 7,235 3 Restricted funds Balance b/f Incoming Outgoing Transfers £ £ £ £ Kirklees Council - HHAZ 4,082 - - - Kirklees Council - KYOM 4,578 - - - Arts Council England 2 6,018 5,000 2,885 - National Lottery Community Fund 811 - - - OCF for Thornton Family Fund - 1,700 960 - 15,489 6,700 3,845 - Fund name Purpose of restriction Kirklees Council - HHAZ Kirklees Council - KYOM Arts Council England 2 National Lottery Community Fund OCF for Thornton Family Fund Towards the Legacy Steelpan Project. Towards the Huddersfield High Street Heritage Action Zone. Towards the Kirklees Year of Music. Towards regeneration of the Huddersfield carnival. Towards the tradition of sound systems at the Carnival. |
2023 Total funds £ 34,000 - 49,500 9,720 1,158 94,378 Balance c/f £ 4,082 4,578 8,133 811 740 18,344 |
|---|---|
4 Related party transactions
Trustee expenses
During the year 2 trustees were paid a total of £311 in respect of travel and training (previous year: 5 trustees and £191).
Trustee remuneration and benefits
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
Other related party transactions
| Other transactions with trustees or related parties Robert Pusey Name of trustee or related party Relationship to charity Description of transaction Partner of Sara Dearnley Payment for use of sound system |
2024 £ - - |
2023 £ 350 350 |
|---|---|---|
8