EMBSAY AND EASTBY GOOD NEIGHBOURS Chairman’s/Trustees Report – AGM 3RD APRIL 2024 Thank you so much everyone involved with Good Neighbours, whether as volunteers, trustees, customers, phone holders, “rotamakers”, minute takers, donators or in any other capacity. Special thanks to Sue Davies for keeping us organised with her excellent admin/secretarial skills, to Hilary for her efforts in recruiting and training Befrienders, such crucial work in tackling loneliness and isolation. A huge thank you to all Befrienders for all they are doing. Most volunteers are on “what’s app” and it continues to make it easier to match up “customers” with volunteers. However we do try as far as possible to include other volunteers who prefer not to use the “app”. We are very grateful for any donations both from any individuals and other organisations who have recognised the aims and efforts of the Charity. Robin Culver has yet again taken diligent care of our finances, and this has helped to enable several outings which have mostly been subsidised by the Charity. This is in addition to the various services which we can offer. Special thanks also to Rick Watson for examining the annual accounts and giving his “seal of approval”. Sue has really excelled organising events and outings during the past 12 months. The most recent outing to the Trawlerman fish and chip restaurant was enjoyed by 22 of us, and Sue has become an expert at negotiating discount for group bookings! The good news is that although she has decided to retire from her position as Secretary, she will still be sounding out other venues and continuing to arrange events/outings on our behalf. The aim is still to organise an outing or event each month. We are very grateful for all she has done as Secretary keeping us in order and “ship shape”. Thanks also to Peter Hargreaves who has offered to take over the role. The lunch at Chapel just before Christmas was much appreciated, followed by Carol singing accompanied by a fabulous group of live musicians. It was still possible to deliver a few meals to people at home if they were unable to join us (something which was started during the “lockdown”). The “Making Waves” Community café (Mondays 10-till 12 noon) continues to be a regular meeting place for a cuppa and a chat. Several café volunteers were “certified” after attended a Food Hygiene level 2 course in April 2023. All surplus takings from the café are donated to either local good causes, and further afield. Donations during the past 12 months have totalled £1415. Money has been sent to Skipton Food Bank, Embsay Eco Group, Unicef Gaza Appeal, Malawi Appeal (via John Midgley). We donate £10/week towards building running costs. £650 has also been donated towards the purchase of the Chapel School Room, subject to this initiative proceeding. (see below). We still pride ourselves in not having any reserves, other than enough to buy the following week’s milk, coffee and teacakes (the most recent working balance after making donations was £15.09). Regarding the future of the Methodist Church Buildings I will explain the latest position at the meeting, as we have recently had some encouraging news, as a result of the Surveyor submitting his report. Hopefully the whole issue will come to a successful conclusion during the next few months. The Steering Group chaired by Mark Wilson, together with the Fundraising Group, will no doubt be looking forward to doing whatever is necessary. We are grateful to Shelagh Marshall who has continued to support Good Neighbours and was the original inspiration for its inception, particularly as a result of her concern about the extent of loneliness and isolation in North Yorkshire. Shelagh is now a resident at Ghyll Top, Grassington, but still takes a keen interest in what is happening, and has offered her help in an advisory capacity. She is particularly good at keeping a lookout for possible grant funding to assist with the purchase of the School Room. Last but not least if anyone has any ideas/suggestions as to how EEGN can carry on making a difference in our community please have a word with any of the Trustees. I am sure we will be happy to consider anything within reason and within the scope of our fairly wide ranging constitution. In the meantime thank you again to all those involved with EEGN, let’s hope we can go from strength to strength in our community efforts. David Allison, 25[th] March 2024. Registered Charity Number 1189466 Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023 for Embsay and Eastby Good Neighbours CIO Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023 Report of the Trustees pages 2 to 4 Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet page 5 Notes to the Financial Statements pages 6 to 8 Detailed Statements of Financial Activities page 9 Page 1 The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st of December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 (FRS102) effective 1st January 2019. ## OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES ## Objectves and aims To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people, from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society for those in particular, but not exclusively, resident in the Parish of Embsay with Eastby and the surrounding areas. For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society or parts of society, as a result of one or more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender reassignment, poor educational or skills attainment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards) and crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating into society). ## Public beneft The charity has referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning the charity’s future activities. In particular the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set. ## ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE During the year we have continued to operate our befriending service and support the community by providing other services such as transport and other household tasks to the residents of the villages where we can. In addition to these core services our monthly events activity continues to be a great success and much appreciated by those who attend. This could not happen without the support of our volunteers and fellow trustees so my thanks to them for their work. Looking ahead, and in particular with regards to the acquisition of the Hall in the village, it had been hoped that during the latter part of 2023 the Surveyor/Valuer would have submitted the required report in respect of the sale of the Methodist Church Buildings and hence kick start the disposal process. However, this has not occurred, and so little progress has been made in this respect. The Good Neighbours Project are still prepared to take on ownership and responsibility of the Hall, subject to it being affordable, both in terms of costs of acquisition and necessary alteration and improvement costs. Several local people have pledged financial support towards these costs, and in addition a fundraising sub group has met. Once the results of the surveyors report and the Trustees have hopefully agreed the sale of the Hall at an affordable price, wider fundraising in the community can take place in addition to making appropriate grant applications. In the meantime efforts are being made to increase the use of the Hall. Although the building is quite well used there are still several slots available, particularly during the daytime. Every week day evening is taken up with young peoples’ activities, which is very encouraging. ## FINANCIAL REVIEW ## Financial positon Total income for the year was £5,983 (2022 £3,067) of which £2,550 (2022 £1,139) were grants received Embsay with Eastby Parish £250 (2022 £475); Skipton Rotary Club £300 and The Skipton Temperance Society £2,000. Donations totalled £3,424 (2022 £1,928) and within this years income £1,214 ( 2022 £841) are amounts contributed by residents for the charity’s monthly events. A further £537 was received towards the possible purchase of the Methodist Hall. The Skipton Temperance Society receipt is also for the Hall acquisition and is repayable if this does not occur. The Skipton Rotary club receipt was a contribution towards the cost of a first aid course and both these are therefore shown separately as restricted funds. Page 2 Total expenditure for the year amounted to £3,229 (2022 £3,356). This included £490 (2022 £474 ) of expenditure for restricted funds leaving £2,739 (2022 £2,882) on charity activities. Expenditure on charity activities was therefore held very much in line with that incurred in 2022. The cost of the monthly event for residents was slightly lower this year at £1,707 (net £493), (2022 £1,812 (net £971) and when this is taken into account the general running costs for the charity were £1,032 (2022 £1,070). Due to the fundraising efforts in preparation for the acquisition of the Methodist Hall there is a surplus for the year of £2,754 (2022 deficit £289) and at the year end, our total reserves are £8,663 (2022 £5,909) of which £4,787 has been provided towards the Methodist Hall purchase. Within this £2,653 is restrictive funding. A total of £3,876 (2022 £5,552) is available for future running expenses. ## Reserves policy The charity’s reserves policy is to maintain a general reserve sufficient to cover normal operating expenses for two years, and within this guideline any excess of funds can be used to finance events for residents. However, the Trustees agreed in the year that £2,000 of our general reserves could be allocated towards the purchase of the Methodist Hall in the village and this is reflected in our movement on reserves. The Trustees continue to receive quarterly accounts so our funds position are monitored on a regular basis.. ## Going concern The trustees are of the opinion that the charity is a going concern and there is adequate reserves to maintain current activities for a number of years. The charity has sufficient liquid funds to meet its liabilities as they become due. Any expenditure will not be authorised unless sufficient funds are in place. For these reasons the trustees continue to adopt a going concern basis for preparing these financial statements. ## Future plans At our last AGM it was assumed that the position regarding the potential acquisition of the Methodist Hall in the village would be clearer. Unfortunately, we are still awaiting a decision by the owners of the building, However in addition to raising some funds for the acquisition we have also received further assurances from a number of residents in the village for additional funds. Currently this totals an additional £7,200 and whilst this funding is not definite it would enable us to purchase the building if it is offered to us at the price indicated. ## STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT ## Governing document The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is controlled by its governing document. The charity was registered on the 13th of May 2020. ## Recruitment and appointment of new trustees There must be a minimum of three and a maximum of 12 trustees and one third of appointed trustees should retire each year (apart from the first year of operation when all Trustees retired but were re-elected) on a rotation basis with the longest serving trustees retiring each year. New trustees can be appointed at any time by existing trustees of the charity. In selecting individuals as new trustees of the charity existing trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. At the last AGM Mrs S Marshall and Mrs Stewart-Jones retired and Mr P Hargreaves and Mr P Rodgers were appointed. A further trustee, Mrs B Haspell was appointed on 30[th] August. ## Organisatonal structure The day-to-day management of the charity is undertaken by an operations group of four trustees and meets every fortnight. In addition all trustees meet on a quarterly basis to discuss more pressing issues and review activities in the previous quarter and discuss future plans. ## Inducton and training of new trustees A policy for inducting and training new trustees has been agreed and training sessions will be given to trustees to familiarise themselves with the charity and their obligations This includes providing them with copies of the Constitution, financial statements and documentation for new trustees provided by the Charity Commissioner. Page 3 Key management remuneraton There is no management or staff remuneration. ## Related partes The only related parties are the trustees none of whom are remunerated or receive any benefit in kind. ## Risk management The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to establish systems to mitigate those risks. Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for the authorisation of all transactions and projects, and to ensure compliance with legislation. External risks relate largely to funding as a result of the economic climate resulting in difficulties in the charity supporting its projects. These risks are minimised as the charity will not commit to funding projects unless sufficient resources are in place and will look to diversify funding as required. The procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure they still meet the needs of the charity. ## REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS ## Registered charity number 1189466 ## Registered Ofce 19 Low bank Embsay Skipton North Yorkshire BD23 6SQ ## Trustees Mr D. Allison Mr R. Culver Mrs S. Davies Mrs H. Griffiths Mr P Rodgers Mr P Hargreaves Mrs B Haspell The Reverend M. Russell ## Bankers Virgin money 1 Westgate Shipley BD18 3SD The co-operative Bank PO Box 250 Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT Page 4 ## Statement of trustees responsibilites The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees 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 and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, included the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to -Select suitable accounting policies, and then apply them consistently -Observe the message and principles of the Charity SORP -Make judgements and estimates that a reasonable and prudent -Prepare the financial statement on the going concern basis, unless it is an inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to 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 constitution. 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 board of trustees on 5th April 2023, and signed on behalf by: ## David Allison Chairman ## Statement of Financial Actvites for the Year Ended 31st December 2023 Page 5 ## Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2023 The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on the 5th of April 2023. It was signed on its behalf by: David, Allison, chairman. Page 6 Notes to the fnancial statements for the year ended 31st of December 2023 ## 1. Accountng Policies ## Basis of preparing the fnancial statements The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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 ( FRS102 ) (effective 1st January 2019), Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. ## Income All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial of Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. ## Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost relating to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of resources. ## Taxaton The charities is exempt from tax on its charitable activities ## Fund accountng Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. ## 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 settlement value. ## Going concern The charity has sufficient liquid funds to meet its liabilities as they become due and expenditure will not be authorised, unless sufficient funds are in place. For these reasons, the trustees continue to adopt a going concern basis for preparing this financial statement ## Grants Government grants and third-party contributions and donations are recognised as due to the charity when there is reasonable assurance that the charity will comply with any conditions attached to the payments and that the grants or contributions will be received. Grants recognised as income are presented separately in the notes to the accounts. Page 7 ## 2. Income from Donatons and Legacies A total of £1,214 (2022 £841) was received from residents attending organised events during the year as a contribution towards the total cost. ## 3.Income from Charitable Actvites A Council grant was received of £250 (2022 £475) from Embsay with Eastby Parish Council and £2,000 was received from The Skipton Temperance Society both dependent on our successful purchase of the Hall. A further £300 was received from Skipton Rotary Club as a contribution towards a first aid course held during the year. ## 4. Reserves The remaining balance of an NYCC Locality Grant received was transferred to unrestricted funds following a reassessment of expenditure incurred in 2022. ## 5.Trustee Remuneraton and benefts There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the years ended the 31st December 2023 or 2022. ## 6.Current Assets These consist of prepayment of expenses within one year together with bank interest receivable on cash held on an instant access account with the Co-operative Bank. ## 7.Current Liabilites This consists of future DBS liability. The charity renews DBS checks every five years for volunteers and trustees. The provision accounting for this future liability is all shown as a creditor falling due with one year. ## 8. Related Party Disclosures The Chairman, D Allison is the property steward of the Methodist Church. On occasions the charity uses the property to hold activities for residents. During the year £275 (2022 £220) was paid to the Skipton and Grassington Methodist Circuit for this facility. Mr Allison has confirmed that he does not receive any financial benefit as property steward. The position is entirely voluntary. ## 9.Non Independent Examiners Services The books and records supporting the Financial statements within this report have been independently scrutinised and confirmation received that they are in accordance therein. Page 8 ## Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31st December 2023 Page 9