ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1190373
Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices
53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ
SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
CONTENTS
| Page 3 | Legal & Administrative Information |
|---|---|
| Page 4 to 5 | Trustees' Report |
| Page 6 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| Page 7 | Balance Sheet |
| Pages 8 to 14 | Notes to the Financial Statements |
| Page 15 | Independent Examiner's Report |
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
CHARITY NUMBER
CHARITY NUMBER 1190373 DATE OF REGISTRATION 13th July 2020 START OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1st April 2024 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 31st March 2025 TRUSTEES AT 31ST MARCH 2025 Peter Le Beau MBE Peter Judd Gary Hearn Jill Petts Ian Hudson Catherine Haynes Philip Norris LEGAL STATUS Charitable Incorporated Organisation GOVERNING INSTRUMENT CIO - Foundation Registered 13th July 2020
OBJECTS
The prevention or relief of poverty in Swale and North Kent by providing, grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or Charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS Unit 7 Stadium Business Park Castle Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 3BG PRIMARY BANKERS NatWest Bank Plc 250 Bishopgate London EC2M 4AA INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices 53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
A glimpse through the activity in the period under consideration reveals the work that we undertook to support families in our area, the expansion of our trustee board and the work to publicise the work of the Food Bank and the liaisons that we set up with local welfare agencies and political groups.
In April 2024 we increased the size of our trustee board with the addition of Phil Norris to trustee board. Phil had a successful career in Information Technology and his experience augments the other work- based experience of our trustee board . The expanded board of six trustees enabled us to support the organisation more actively and effectively.
Our Project Manager , Esther Hurwood was asked to join the Trussell Trust Strategy Group to work on the vision for the next 5 years for Trussell. Her experience and familiarity in working with disadvantaged families ensures she is ideally equipped for that role.
In June 2024 in the run up to election our team worked with a number of clients , helping too get them registered to vote, we also invited all of the main Parliamentary Candidates into the Warehouse to explain to them about the work of the Food Bank and get an idea of their views on how they would support our work.
We also recruited Phoebe as our Porchlight worker to provide benefit expertise . She started work in September 2024.
We were also delighted to learn that we were granted a total of £130,000 National Lottery funding for the next 5 years. This will be a major help in supporting our work.
In August 2024 we recruited Zara as our administrator and saw Eleanor Ford undergo training as a mental health worker. In the following month , we produced a video for harvest entitled Joey The Jam, which followed the journey of a jar of jam that was donated to the food bank and followed its progress though our system until it was put into a food parcel. This proved a very effective way of educating the children in a friendly and accessible way about the work we do.
In the autumn we were very grateful to receive a Sustainability Grant from Trussell to stabilise our finances. The major impact was in enabling staff to go from part-time to full time working.
In November 2024 we held our first Foodbank Forum, bringing together local emergency food providers to discuss shared problems and best practice and we also invited every local councillor into our foodbank warehouse to discuss issues affecting our clients.
In December , The Gift Of Christmas partnership with Sheerness Salvation Army was set up, giving brand new toys and hampers to hundreds of families across Sittingbourne and Sheppey.
In January 2025 our new MP visited our foodbank centre to discuss the reasons why people need our support and what he can do to support us.
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SWALE FOODBANK (Charitable Incorwrated Organisats"on) TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Tru5tges' Responslbllltl•s Th¢ truste. arc rc¥)onwibl¢ for preperirKJ the Report of lh¢ TwJtee¥ and the financial statetnents in accordanc8 ¥Yith applKable law and the United Kinadorn Accounljng Standards (United KiThJdom Generally AceApted Ap£ctrunlino Pracb'ce GAAPI. The Law ¥pplicablo to CharitioE in En9land and Wakn. the Ctrhirities Act 2011. Charity IA¢¢ounl¥ and Reportsl Régulation and thè provisions of th8 Governing DocJJment requires Ihe twstees to preparè finanual ststements for each financial year which give a true and fair view ol Iha 8tate of affairs of the carity and ol the incoming fe$our¢es and application of rèsoureès, inclu¢ing the income and expendrture ol the chanty ky thal t)d. In rKepariTh3 Ihose financral ststements. the trustees are requirod to.. Selrft suitable accoUnng pohues an(J then aptyy Ihem constenty.' Obs•rvo thè mèthods and principles in the Charity SORP.. Make lu(Jgemen15 and esiimaies thai arè rgasonable anLI pruden¢ Prepare tho financial slalemanls on the gofjng eonc•rn b8 unl988 rt l• In¥pwaI8 to protsume that tha 10 will Gontinue lo opera. Tli¥ tiu>l¥¥s r¥¥yJT1LV for kggplng proper accounlng recoras )ICh dL8dose Wih reaSOnae accuracy ai 8ny time the flnArne.IAI nosrtinn nf thp r.harity And lo ¢n#bl• thern to •isur• that Ilw fin¥n¢i¥l statom•nt$ comply with tho Ch4riti•É A¢t 2011, Ilye Cliarily IALLuuiiI¥ lir Reponsl Reguiatlons and Th pfowsk)ns Of the Gorn1r0 Oocurneni. They are also responsi ltsr saléeuèrding th8 assets of thè tharily and hen for t?n0 reasonabl• si•ps r(x Ih? prevantion and d•toction of fraud and olher irregularllies. Approv8dbyth8Trusl•èson..................................... $19ned on thelr beh&Mby Trust .. Print•d N4mo.' e Wonris
SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming Resources from Generated Funds Donations, Grants & Legacies 3a Activities for Generating Funds 3b Other Incoming Resources 3c TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of Generating Funds Cost of Charitable Activities 4a Governance Costs 4b TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING (OUTGOING) RESOURCES Funds Brought Forward Transfer Between Funds 5 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds 2024/25 2023/24 £ £ £ £ 62,562 185,192 247,754 207,626 5,339 - 5,339 1,001 3,155 - 3,155 58 71,055 185,192 256,248 208,685 52,209 137,082 189,291 165,196 1,055 - 1,055 3,135 53,264 137,082 190,346 168,331 17,791 48,110 65,902 40,354 6,899 126,337 133,236 92,882 (1,069) 1,069 - - 23,621 175,516 199,138 133,236 |
|---|---|
Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing.
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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SWALE FOODBANK ICharrtatrAe Iryed Organisation) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 TOTAL 31-M•r-25 TOTAL 31-Mar.24 Funds Funds FIA¥EI A¥v•i TanCble knts Invesirnents T•t•l Flx•d A•••ts 2,228 2,970 2.228 222Q 2.970 Current Aswts Oebtor$ & Pr8paym•nt# Cash at 8an% and In Nand Tot41 Curr•nt Au•ts 22.413 22,413 175.S16 175.518 197.930 197,930 131.226 131,226 Cr•dltor8: Amtyjfvts lolling duo wtthln • year 1,020 1.020 NET CURRENT ASSErs 21.393 175.516 196.910 130.266 TOTAL ASSETSle88 CurrtIl811lIl 23.621 173,516 199.lJ8 133.236 Cr•dttors.. ArTh)unts fallirvJ rhm thgn 10 ona ya•r NÉT A68ET8 2J.OZf f•g.136 133.zje Fund• oflh• Charlty G8noral Funds Re•tri¢tod fund8 23.621 23,821 ITS,Jie 6,899 120,337 I75,JI0 Tot•1 Fund• 23,e21 173,?10 199.130 133,236 P KJor¢i s
SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation & Assessment of Going Concern
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015) (Second Edition, effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Assessment of Going Concern
Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Incoming Resources
Recognition of Incoming Resources
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:
▪ the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
▪ the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
▪ the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability
Incoming Resources with Related Expenditure
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resource and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.
Grants and Donations
Grants and Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
Contractual Income and Performance Related Grants
This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.
Gifts in Kind
Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when receivable.
Donated Services and Facilities
These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.
Volunteer Help
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts.
Investment Income
This is included in the accounts when receivable.
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Expenditure and Liabilities
Liability Recognition
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
Governance Costs
Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the trustees meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
Grants with Performance Conditions
Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output.
Grants Payable without Performance Conditions
These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to a grant which remain in control of the charity.
Investments
Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at trustees' best estimate of market value.
Unrestricted Funds
These funds can be used for the general objectives of the charity as set out in the trustees report. The movements of the unrestricted funds are given in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Restricted Funds
These funds are where the donor has specified a purpose for the donation made. These restrictions often arise as a result of appeals for special offerings for specific purposes.
Designated Funds
These funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for particular purposes or projects.
Fixed Assets
Fixed Assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,500. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt.
Depreciation Expense
Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives. The rates applied are as follows:
Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment
Motor Vehicles
25% - Reducing Balance Basis
25% - Reducing Balance Basis
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Cost 01-Apr-24 Additions Net Book Value at 31-Mar-25 Depreciation 01-Apr-24 Charge Depreciation at 31-Mar-25 Net Book Value 31-Mar-25 Net Book Value 31-Mar-24 |
Fixtures & Peugeot Renault Total Fittings Van Van 2024/25 £ £ £ £ - 1,000 7,864 8,864 - - - - - 1,000 7,864 8,864 - 684 5,210 5,894 - 79 663 742 - 763 5,873 6,636 - 237 1,991 2,228 - 317 2,654 2,970 |
|---|---|
The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases and capital commitments are as follows: 31st March 2025: None
31st March 2024: None
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
3. INCOMING RESOURCES
| a) Donations, Grants & Legacies Gifts & Donations Grants Received b) Activities for Generating Funds Sales c) Other Incoming Resources Sundry Income |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds 2024/25 2023/24 £ £ £ £ 20,502 - 20,502 48,128 42,060 185,192 227,252 159,498 62,562 185,192 247,754 207,626 5,339 - 5,339 1,001 5,339 - 5,339 1,001 3,155 - 3,155 58 3,155 - 3,155 58 |
|---|---|
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
4. RESOURCES EXPENDED
| a) Cost of Charitable Activities Advertising & Publicity Bank Charges Catering Costs Depreciation Expense Equipment Costs Food Costs Gifts & Grants Insurance Costs Motor Vehicle Expenses Office Costs Recycling Costs Rent & Rates Repairs & Maintenance Staff Costs Sundry Expenses Telephone Costs Travel & Subsistence Utility Costs ` b) Governance Costs Independent Examiners Fees 9 Legal & Professional Fees |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds 2024/25 2023/24 £ £ £ £ 55 112 167 500 158 - 158 - 500 - 500 1,250 742 - 742 769 803 - 803 9,703 11,402 34,534 45,936 34,364 1,205 24,070 25,275 - 646 - 646 1,600 3,782 - 3,782 4,303 2,537 - 2,537 1,585 974 - 974 604 1,999 - 1,999 33,452 - - - 4,017 26,013 78,124 104,137 70,037 100 - 100 887 884 120 1,004 1,012 409 122 531 1,113 - - - - 52,209 137,082 189,291 165,196 1,020 - 1,020 960 35 - 35 2,175 1,055 - 1,055 3,135 |
|---|---|
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
5. RESTRICTED FUNDS
CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR
| Emergency Grant from Trussell Trust Financial Inclusion Grant from Trussell Trust Holiday Club Fund Housing Support Fund Local Members Fund OLM Grant Strategic Resources Fund Sustainability Grant |
Balance Balance 01-Apr-24 Income Expenditure Transfers 31-Mar-25 £ £ £ £ £ 1,528 - 1,528 - - 51,750 - 24,070 - 27,680 3,312 - - - 3,312 50,341 27,000 22,799 - 54,542 - - - - - 15,306 32,836 32,490 1,069 16,721 4,100 - 4,100 - - - 125,356 52,095 - 73,261 126,337 185,192 137,082 1,069 175,516 |
|---|---|
PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR
| Emergency Grant from Trussell Trust Financial Inclusion Grant from Trussell Trust Holiday Club Fund Housing Support Fund Local Members Fund OLM Grant Strategic Resources Fund |
Balance Balance 01-Apr-23 Income Expenditure Transfers 31-Mar-24 £ £ £ £ £ - 15,116 13,588 - 1,528 - 51,750 - - 51,750 9,238 - 5,926 - 3,312 28,880 56,000 34,539 - 50,341 - - - - - 16,375 30,225 31,294 - 15,306 3,082 19,639 18,621 - 4,100 57,575 172,730 103,968 - 126,337 |
|---|---|
The restricted funds held are wholly represented by the CIO's cash reserves and are to be expended as specified above.
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
6. INVESTMENTS
The CIO held no fixed assets investments during this or the previous financial year.
7. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
| Cash at Bank & in Hand 8. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS Sundry Debtors |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Fund Fund 31-Mar-25 31-Mar-24 £ £ £ £ 22,413 175,516 197,930 131,226 22,413 175,516 197,930 131,226 Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Fund Fund 31-Mar-25 31-Mar-24 £ £ £ £ - - - - - - - - |
|---|---|
9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Independent Examiners Fees | Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Fund Fund 31-Mar-25 31-Mar-24 £ £ £ £ 1,020 - 1,020 960 1,020 - 1,020 960 |
|---|---|
10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR
The CIO held no long term liabilities during this or the previous financial year.
11. NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Fixed Asset Investments Net Current Assets Long Term Liabilities |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds 31-Mar-25 31-Mar-24 £ £ £ £ 2,228 - 2,228 2,970 21,393 175,516 196,910 130,266 - - - - 23,621 175,516 199,138 133,236 |
|---|---|
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
12. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS
| Gross Wages and Salaries Employer's National Insurance Costs Pension Contributions Employees who were engaged in each of the following activities: Activities in furtherance of organisation's objects |
TOTAL 2024/25 £ 84,913 7,635 11,589 104,137 TOTAL 2024/25 6 |
TOTAL 2023/24 £ 60,636 4,156 5,245 70,037 TOTAL 2023/24 5 |
|---|---|---|
The Charity operates a PAYE scheme to pay all members of employed staff and no employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2023/24:None).
13. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES
No payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them.
14. RISK ASSESSMENT
The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated, combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
15. RESERVES POLICY
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the CIO's needs. This is based on the CIO's size and the level of financial commitments held. The Trustees aim to ensure the CIO will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The Trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
16. PUBLIC BENEFIT
The CIO acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the CIO has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the CIO should undertake.
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SWALE FOODBANK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
Report to the trustees/ members of Swale Foodbank on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 set out on pages 6 to 14.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
K. Collaku MAAT Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices 53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ
Date: 30th January 2026
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