Annual Return and Statement of Financial Activity for financial year ending 30[th] April 2021 Blackburn Foodbank Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England 1190517
Annual Return
Blackburn Foodbank did not carry out any charitable activity in year ending 30[th] April 2021.
All charitable activities continued to be carried out by the Charitable Association (CA) Blackburn Foodbank registered in England – 1151310.
The annual return for the Charitable Association is available on the Charity Commission web site.
Statement Of Financial Activity
Blackburn Foodbank did not trade in year ending 30[th] April 2021, there was no financial activity.
All financial activity continued to be carried out by the Charitable Association Blackburn Foodbank registered in England – 1151310.
The Statement of Financial Activity and Independent Examiner’s report for the CA is available on the Charity Commission web site.
Background Information on the Null return
Blackburn Foodbank operated as a Charitable Association (CA) since its formation in September 2012. It was recommended that the Trustees change the charitable structure to that of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. This meant registering a new charity, which was achieved 22[nd] July 2020.
The Trustees understood Blackburn Foodbank would need to operate 2-charities for a short period of time. This was to prepare to transfer: staff; assets; contracts; and ultimately close and deregister the CA. During these preparations an issue relating to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was discovered.
Blackburn Foodbank operates the Oaks Money Advice Service (MAS). This service is FCA registered and this registration is associated with the CA. Closing and deregistering the CA would also result in the MAS losing its FCA registration, and having to cease operation. Resulting in significant impact to people in Blackburn with Darwen and MAS staff.
After discussions with, and following guidance from, FCA. An application was made to transfer ownership of the MAS registration. After submission, the FCA decided the process did not apply and advised a full reapplication. A non-trivial task in cost and timescale.
Negotiations are ongoing with FCA. To allow more time to resolve this issue, the Trustees decided to postpone operating as a CIO until the end of financial year 30[th] April 2021.
As stated above, all charitable and financial activity has continued under the CA (1151310). As of 1[st] May 2021, all charitable and financial activity has been performed by the CIO (1190517). The CA will remain as a registered entity until the issue with the FCA is resolved.
Neville Wilkinson
Treasurer Blackburn Foodbank
24[th] February 2022