## **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|



2 



## **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 

3 



## **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. 

4 



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 c*arity and ol the incoming fe$our¢es and application of
rèsoureès, inclu¢ing the income and expendrture ol the chanty ky thal t￿￿)d. In rKepariTh3 Ihose financral ststements. the
trustees are requirod to..
Selrft suitable accoUn￿ng pohues an(J then aptyy Ihem con*stenty.'
Obs•rvo thè mèthods and principles in the Charity SORP..
Make lu(Jgemen15 and esiimaies thai arè rgasonable anLI pruden¢
Prepare tho financial slalemanls on the gofjng eonc•rn b8￿ unl988 rt l• In¥pw￿aI8 to protsume that tha
10 will Gontinue lo opera*.
Tli¥ tiu>l¥¥s r¥¥yJT1￿L￿V for kggplng proper accounlng recoras ￿)ICh dL8dose Wih reaSOna￿e accuracy ai 8ny time the
flnArne.IAI nosrtinn nf thp r.harity And lo ¢n#bl• thern to •isur• that Ilw fin¥n¢i¥l statom•nt$ comply with tho Ch4riti•É A¢t
2011, Ilye Cliarily IALLuuiiI¥ lir￿ Reponsl Reguiatlons and Th pfowsk)ns Of the Go￿rn1r0 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**<br>**INCOMING RESOURCES**<br>**Incoming Resources from Generated Funds**<br>Donations, Grants & Legacies<br>**3a**<br>Activities for Generating Funds<br>**3b**<br>Other Incoming Resources<br>**3c**<br>**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**<br>**RESOURCES EXPENDED**<br>**Costs of Generating Funds**<br>Cost of Charitable Activities<br>**4a**<br>Governance Costs<br>**4b**<br>**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**<br>**NET INCOMING (OUTGOING) RESOURCES**<br>Funds Brought Forward<br>Transfer Between Funds<br>**5**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>**TOTAL**<br>**TOTAL**<br>Funds<br>Funds<br>**2024/25**<br>**2023/24**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>62,562<br>185,192<br>247,754<br>207,626<br>5,339<br>-<br>5,339<br>1,001<br>3,155<br>-<br>3,155<br>58<br>**71,055**<br>**185,192**<br>**256,248**<br>**208,685**<br>52,209<br>137,082<br>189,291<br>165,196<br>1,055<br>-<br>1,055<br>3,135<br>**53,264**<br>**137,082**<br>**190,346**<br>**168,331**<br>**17,791**<br>**48,110**<br>**65,902**<br>**40,354**<br>6,899<br>126,337<br>133,236<br>92,882<br>(1,069)<br>1,069<br>-<br>-<br>**23,621**<br>**175,516**<br>**199,138**<br>**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. 

6 



SWALE FOODBANK
ICharrtatrAe I￿ry￿ed Organisation)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025
TOTAL
31-M•r-25
TOTAL
31-Mar.24
Funds
Funds
FIA¥EI A¥v•i
TanC￿ble 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 Curr￿tIl81￿1lIl
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. 

8 



## **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 

9 



## **SWALE FOODBANK** 

(Charitable Incorporated Organisation) 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025** 

## **2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

|Cost<br>01-Apr-24<br>Additions<br>Net Book Value at<br>31-Mar-25<br>Depreciation<br>01-Apr-24<br>Charge<br>Depreciation at<br>31-Mar-25<br>Net Book Value<br>31-Mar-25<br>Net Book Value<br>31-Mar-24|Fixtures &<br>Peugeot<br>Renault<br>**Total**<br>Fittings<br>Van<br>Van<br>**2024/25**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>1,000<br>7,864<br>8,864<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,000<br>7,864<br>8,864<br>-<br>684<br>5,210<br>5,894<br>-<br>79<br>663<br>742<br>-<br>763<br>5,873<br>6,636<br>**-**<br>**237**<br>**1,991**<br>**2,228**<br>**-**<br>**317**<br>**2,654**<br>**2,970**|
|---|---|



The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases and capital commitments are as follows: 31st March 2025: None 

31st March 2024: None 

10 



## **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**<br>Gifts & Donations<br>Grants Received<br>**b)  Activities for Generating Funds**<br>Sales<br>**c)  Other Incoming Resources**<br>Sundry Income|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>**TOTAL**<br>**TOTAL**<br>Funds<br>Funds<br>**2024/25**<br>**2023/24**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>20,502<br>-<br>20,502<br>48,128<br>42,060<br>185,192<br>227,252<br>159,498<br>**62,562**<br>**185,192**<br>**247,754**<br>**207,626**<br>5,339<br>-<br>5,339<br>1,001<br>**5,339**<br>**-**<br>**5,339**<br>**1,001**<br>3,155<br>-<br>3,155<br>58<br>**3,155**<br>**-**<br>**3,155**<br>**58**|
|---|---|



11 



## **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**<br>Advertising & Publicity<br>Bank Charges<br>Catering Costs<br>Depreciation Expense<br>Equipment Costs<br>Food Costs<br>Gifts & Grants<br>Insurance Costs<br>Motor Vehicle Expenses<br>Office Costs<br>Recycling Costs<br>Rent & Rates<br>Repairs & Maintenance<br>Staff Costs<br>Sundry Expenses<br>Telephone Costs<br>Travel & Subsistence<br>Utility Costs<br>`<br>**b) Governance Costs**<br>Independent Examiners Fees<br>**9**<br>Legal & Professional Fees|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>**TOTAL**<br>**TOTAL**<br>Funds<br>Funds<br>**2024/25**<br>**2023/24**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>55<br>112<br>167<br>500<br>158<br>-<br>158<br>-<br>500<br>-<br>500<br>1,250<br>742<br>-<br>742<br>769<br>803<br>-<br>803<br>9,703<br>11,402<br>34,534<br>45,936<br>34,364<br>1,205<br>24,070<br>25,275<br>-<br>646<br>-<br>646<br>1,600<br>3,782<br>-<br>3,782<br>4,303<br>2,537<br>-<br>2,537<br>1,585<br>974<br>-<br>974<br>604<br>1,999<br>-<br>1,999<br>33,452<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>4,017<br>26,013<br>78,124<br>104,137<br>70,037<br>100<br>-<br>100<br>887<br>884<br>120<br>1,004<br>1,012<br>409<br>122<br>531<br>1,113<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**52,209**<br>**137,082**<br>**189,291**<br>**165,196**<br>1,020<br>-<br>1,020<br>960<br>35<br>-<br>35<br>2,175<br>**1,055**<br>**-**<br>**1,055**<br>**3,135**|
|---|---|



12 



## **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<br>Financial Inclusion Grant from Trussell Trust<br>Holiday Club Fund<br>Housing Support Fund<br>Local Members Fund<br>OLM Grant<br>Strategic Resources Fund<br>Sustainability Grant|**Balance**<br>**Balance**<br>**01-Apr-24**<br>Income<br>Expenditure<br>Transfers<br>**31-Mar-25**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>1,528<br>-<br>1,528<br>-<br>-<br>51,750<br>-<br>24,070<br>-<br>27,680<br>3,312<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>3,312<br>50,341<br>27,000<br>22,799<br>-<br>54,542<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>15,306<br>32,836<br>32,490<br>1,069<br>16,721<br>4,100<br>-<br>4,100<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>125,356<br>52,095<br>-<br>73,261<br>**126,337**<br>**185,192**<br>**137,082**<br>**1,069**<br>**175,516**|
|---|---|



## **PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR** 

|Emergency Grant from Trussell Trust<br>Financial Inclusion Grant from Trussell Trust<br>Holiday Club Fund<br>Housing Support Fund<br>Local Members Fund<br>OLM Grant<br>Strategic Resources Fund|**Balance**<br>**Balance**<br>**01-Apr-23**<br>Income<br>Expenditure<br>Transfers<br>**31-Mar-24**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>15,116<br>13,588<br>-<br>1,528<br>-<br>51,750<br>-<br>-<br>51,750<br>9,238<br>-<br>5,926<br>-<br>3,312<br>28,880<br>56,000<br>34,539<br>-<br>50,341<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>16,375<br>30,225<br>31,294<br>-<br>15,306<br>3,082<br>19,639<br>18,621<br>-<br>4,100<br>**57,575**<br>**172,730**<br>**103,968**<br>**-**<br>**126,337**|
|---|---|



The restricted funds held are wholly represented by the CIO's cash reserves and are to be expended as specified above. 

13 



## **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<br>**8. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS**<br>Sundry Debtors|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>**TOTAL**<br>**TOTAL**<br>Fund<br>Fund<br>**31-Mar-25**<br>**31-Mar-24**<br>£<br>£<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>22,413<br>175,516<br>197,930<br>131,226<br>**22,413**<br>**175,516**<br>**197,930**<br>**131,226**<br>Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>**TOTAL**<br>**TOTAL**<br>Fund<br>Fund<br>**31-Mar-25**<br>**31-Mar-24**<br>£<br>£<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|
|---|---|



## **9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

|Independent Examiners Fees|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>**TOTAL**<br>**TOTAL**<br>Fund<br>Fund<br>**31-Mar-25**<br>**31-Mar-24**<br>£<br>£<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,020<br>-<br>1,020<br>960<br>**1,020**<br>**-**<br>**1,020**<br>**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<br>Net Current Assets<br>Long Term Liabilities|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>**TOTAL**<br>**TOTAL**<br>Funds<br>Funds<br>**31-Mar-25**<br>**31-Mar-24**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>2,228<br>-<br>2,228<br>2,970<br>21,393<br>175,516<br>196,910<br>130,266<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**23,621**<br>**175,516**<br>**199,138**<br>**133,236**|
|---|---|



14 



## **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<br>Employer's National Insurance Costs<br>Pension Contributions<br>Employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:<br>Activities in furtherance of organisation's objects|**TOTAL**<br>**2024/25**<br>**£**<br>84,913<br>7,635<br>11,589<br>**104,137**<br>**TOTAL**<br>**2024/25**<br>6|**TOTAL**<br>**2023/24**<br>**£**<br>60,636<br>4,156<br>5,245<br>**70,037**<br>**TOTAL**<br>**2023/24**<br>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. 

15 



## **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: 

1.    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 

2.   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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