2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/04/2023 Period start date To 31/03/2024 Period end date

Charity name: Gosforth and Jesmond Community Minibus

Charity registration number: 1188198

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objects of the CIO are the relief of the inhabitants of Gosforth, Jesmond and other identified Wards of Newcastle upon Tyne (the area of benefit) who are in need because of age, sickness or disability (mental or physical) or poverty or because of the lack of availability of adequate safe public passenger services, by the provision of a community transport service to community groups at an affordable cost.
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	Gosforth and Jesmond Community Minibus (G&JCM) is managed and operated entirely by volunteers. The charity owns one nine-year-old minibus equipped with a tail lift, which is maintained and deployed for the sole purpose of providing services to local groups and organisations that might otherwise be unable to access suitable transport. Drivers are assessed before being authorised to drive the minibus and regular licence checks are undertaken. Where necessary volunteer passenger escorts are provided to assist users. Records are kept of all journeys. With the support of Local Ward Councillors and other charities, regular shopping trips have been arranged for isolated elderly residents, several with accessibility requirements. We transport community groups including special needs children, refugees, mental health groups, young cancer sufferers and elderly residents. We also transport isolated elderly individuals to and from Jesmond Community Library for monthly Wellbeing sessions and provide transport support to local associations and clubs. We continue to seek users who can benefit from our facilities. Cost maintaining the minibus and offsettingthe cost of replacement

		is covered through rental charges paid by minibus users.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	Trustees are aware of Charity Commission best practice guidelines in regard to ‘Public Benefit’. All G&JCM activities are tailored to achieve the objects as set out in the constitution within public benefit guidelines

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

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	G&JCM does not make grants
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	G&JCM does not make social investments
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	All G&JCM activities are carried out through volunteers. Volunteer Trustees manage operations and finance as well as devising strategy, ensuring risks are identified evaluated and mitigated where necessary and adopting policies appropriate to G&JCM activities. There are no paid staff members It remains a priority to grow our volunteer numbers at all levels.
Other		Arrangements for replacement of the minibus have been brought forward in light of implementation of Newcastle City Council’s emissions control zone, for which G&JCM has received a 12 month extended exemption. For this project G&JCM continues to seek grant support.

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	G&JCM has provided transport support to twelve generic groups of users during the year. These were composed of 22 regular users which include Community Library, special needs children, elderly residents in care and sheltered accommodation, worship groups, Teenage Cancer Trust, mental health support groups, local interest associations, refugees and community cohesion groups. We have transported some 800 passengers on a total of 117 trips. Feedback from our users indicates that we are making a valued difference in the lives of individual who we transport as well as successfully assisting several community groups in delivering their services. Our volunteers are making a difference to all of those we have assisted with our community service. Our volunteers have contributed well over 1000 hours of their personal time and expertise to deliver our services during the year.

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

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	Re-established volumes of activity with new users as we recovered from the pandemic. Appointed a new Trustee to take on management of the minibus and authorised five new volunteer drivers during the year. Established a MIDAS training programme for development of driving and passenger management skills for volunteer drivers. Revised our fee structure which combined with increased activity is making progress towards redressing the £10,000 cost of maintaining our facility for 18 months during the pandemic when we had no income. Maintained and reviewed our risk register Revised strategy and devised several core areas to concentrate on. These include developing continuity, streamlining administration, engaging with social media, implementing booking terms and conditions and building the number of volunteers, users and members. Core to these will be generating sufficient grant funding to replace our minibus
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	Successful grant funding to support shopping initiatives. Restoration of library trips for isolated Gosforth residents is in process. Early days in building a grant application programme to replace the minibus.

Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	Not applicable
Other		The minibus has been maintained through out the period to standards required by law and/or recommended by the Community Transport Association

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	A surplus of £1,504 was made during the period, reflecting ongoing demand for the charity’s services.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Reserves are held to fund any major items of expenditure, including the replacement of the minibus.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£13,298
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	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	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	Hire charges for use of the minibus.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	To obtain the best available rate of interest on deposits.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Fall off in user numbers and failure to secure grant funding for aa new minibus.
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	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 more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees are identified through personal contacts and networking. Trustees are elected at AGM Board of Trustees have power to co-opt Trustees pending AGM approval for confirmation of appointment

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	Trustees receive a welcome communication from the Secretary confirming appointment and are referred to Charity Commission guidance and Community Transport Association resources
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	G&JCM has a Board of Trustees which are responsible to Members for strategic and day to day governance.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	None relevant
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Gosforth and Jesmond Community Minibus
Other name the charity uses	Previously Gosforth Community Minibus
Registered charity number	1188198
Charity’s principal address	1 Otterburn Terrace Jesmond Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AP

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole **year **	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Mark Beverley	Chair		Board of Trustees/Members
	Peter Hall	Treasurer		Board of Trustees/Members
	Francis Mogg	Secretary		Board of Trustees/Members
	David Melton	Trustee		Board of Trustees/Members
	FelicityMendelson	Trustee		Board of Trustees/Members
	GaryGraham	Trustee	31/05/2023	Board of Trustees/Members

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
N/A
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

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cb CHARITYCOMMTSSION FOR ENGLANDANDWALES	cb CHARITYCOMMTSSION FOR ENGLANDANDWALES	Gosforth and Jesmond Community Minibus	Gosforth and Jesmond Community Minibus	Gosforth and Jesmond Community Minibus
		Recei	and		accounts		GCI6a
		Forthe period from	lstApril2023	To	31st March 2024
Section A Receipts	and payments
		UnrestrictedRestrictedEndowment funds funds funds				Totalfunds	Last year
		to thenearestf,	to the nearestf	to the nearest€		to the nearest€	tothenearest €
A1Recei
Hire of minibus		4,8s4				4,854
Grants		835				83s
Refunds and cashback		24				24
Donations		15				15
Bank interest		90				90
tncome
	AR)	5,818				5,818
AZAsset andinvestmentsales,
(seetable).
Totalreceipts		5,8'IE			I	s,srsI
A3
Fuel		1,098				'r,098
Repairs and maintenance		1,302				1,302
Vehicle tax and insurance		1,061				't,061
General insurance		109				109
Administration		639				639
Bank charges and interest		105				10s
Subtotal		4,314			I	q,tta
A4Assetand investment
ourchases.(seetablel
Subtotal
Total payments		4,314				14
Netofreceipts/(payments)		1,50{				1,504
A5Transfersbetweenfunds
A6Cashfunds lastyear end		11,957				11,957
Cashfundsthisyear	end	13,461				13,461