2023-12-31-accounts

SEVENOAKS LARDER

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED 31.12.23

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Annual Report and Accounts for the 12 months ended 31.12.23

Contents

1. Title page

2. Contents

3. Statutory details

4. Objective & Activities.

   • Client demographics.

5. Main achievements during the period.

6. Donations & grant/fund income.

Public benefit.

1. Financial accounts

2. Notes to accounts.

3. Independent examiner’s Report

Statutory details

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Registered Charity name: Sevenoaks Larder

Registered Charity number: 1192371

Registered address: 89 Weald Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1QJ

Operating Premises address: Hope Church, Mill Lane Centre, Mill Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 5BX

Principal Office: England

Trustees: Claire Ritchie BEM, ACA (Chair) Nicci Chandler BA (Hons) Goretti Efthimiou RGN Shelly Goldring Jenn Lancaster (resigned 1.7.23) Gordon Lee Trudie McGowan LLB (Hons) Phil Smith Fay Warne BA (Hons) Andrea Watson PhD

Trustees are appointed by a resolution at a properly convened meeting of charity trustees.

Governing document: Constitution as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

A code of conduct has been agreed between the trustees. Sevenoaks Larder has also adopted policies to aid the running of the charity. These include: Complaints, Safeguarding, Equality, Handling of DBS Information, Reserves Policy, Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement. All trustees are DBS checked and have been trained in safeguarding and GDPR.

Bank account: Metro Bank

Calverley Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2TB

Objectives & Activities of the charity:

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The objects of the charity are the relief and assistance of those persons in Sevenoaks District that are in need by reason of financial hardship by providing emergency food supply, essential toiletries and other household items. Also the provision of support or signposting to relevant advisory services or information as the trustees think fit.

The main activities of Sevenoaks Larder include purchasing food and collecting donated items (food and hygiene products) and distributing them to those who are struggling to afford to buy their own food in our community.

Sevenoaks Larder also collects supermarket excess food from Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Lidl and Tesco which is also distributed to our clients. Sevenoaks Larder works closely with other local food banks. We also work with some local schools to help stock their emergency food cupboards for students and their families (those in receipt of Pupil Premium), as well as for their breakfast and after school clubs.

Client demographics & details:

Our client base is comprised as follows:

Our client base is comprised as follows:
		31.12.23		31.12.22
Numberof householdsregistered		97		103
Total number of clients registered Comprising : Adults Children		249 132 117		272 146 126
Numberof householdswithchildren		57		65
Adultonlyhouseholds		40		38
Single adult households		34		27

At 31.12.23, our client base was made up as follows, from within our coverage area of Sevenoaks & surrounding villages:

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Each household is entitled to claim one food order per week. The size of the food parcel depends on the size of the family. The sliding scale is as follows:

follows:
	**Allowance given **
	Fresh protein (number of portions of eg 600g chicken)	Fresh fruit & vegetables (number of packs)	Store cupboard ‘dry’ foods’ (number of items)
Households of 1- 2	1	4	8
Households of 3- 4	2	6	12
Households of 5+	3	8	16

In addition to the above the clients will receive a share of the excess food collected from the supermarkets that day.

Approximately 55% of our clients visit the Larder on their allocated day each week to collect their food and to choose bonus items from the shelves.

The remaining 45% are unable to get to the Larder due to transport, mobility, or other issues and have their food delivered by a volunteer.

Main achievements of the charity during the period:

• a) During the accounting period approximately £51,000 has been spent on purchasing food for our clients. 27520 kg of food has been donated to us during the year. At the current Trussell Trust fair value of food, this equates to approximately £48,160 worth of food donated. Approximately 3760 weekly distributions to clients have been made, ie an average of 74 clients are given food every week.

• b) In the week up to Christmas, in addition to their normal allowances, we were able to give the clients Aldi Orange shopping vouchers, allowing them to buy food at Aldi (but no alcohol or lottery tickets).

• c) During the period, £45,791 was raised from private donations and from funds and grants.

• d) Sevenoaks Larder relies heavily on the support of its volunteers. More than 450 volunteers have registered to help at Sevenoaks Larder. Approximately 100 of these volunteers help on a weekly basis with many others supporting at other times. We have also benefitted from the support of students who wish to complete their volunteering hours for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

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Donations & grant/fund income received:

Monies were received during the year from:

Monies were received during the year from:
	£
Private individuals	22,882
Charity funds: Tesco Groundwork MillerCharitableTrust	1,125 500
National/local authorities:Sevenoaks District Council Household Support Fund DuntonGreen ParishCouncil	5,333 3,250 250
Local churches: St Johns Hill United Reformed Church Bessels Green Baptist Church Seal St Lawrence Church Weald StGeorges	100 1,009 480 222
Local businesses: Flower & Grace forists Bucks Head, Godden Green Gray Endeavours Sevenoaks Bookshop Life on High Durtnell Limited Postscript EditionsLimited	2,400 1,120 1,800 100 500 663 200
Other local groups: Sevenoaks Panto Society Sevenoaks District Chamber of Commerce Weald 10K Run Sevenoaks Bowls’ Club KemsingPlayers	1,852 340 1,000 512 153
	45, 791

The Trustees are incredibly grateful to all of those listed above, and to the whole Sevenoaks Community for their generosity & support.

Public beneft :

The trustees declare that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

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Receipts & Payments Accounts for the 12 months ended 31.12.23

Receipts Income received from grants & funds Income received from donations Total receipts Payments Purchases of food Admin costs Purchase of fxed assets Purchase of Christmas food vouchers Total Payments Net receipts/(payments) Cash funds last period end Cash funds this year end		12 months to 31.12.23 Unrestrict ed funds £ Restricte d funds £ Total £ 10,208 - 10,208 35,583 - 35,583	12 months to 31.12.23 Unrestrict ed funds £ Restricte d funds £ Total £ 10,208 - 10,208 35,583 - 35,583	12 months to 31.12.23 Unrestrict ed funds £ Restricte d funds £ Total £ 10,208 - 10,208 35,583 - 35,583		12 months to 31.12.22 Unrestrict ed funds £ Restricte d funds £ Total £ 90,913 - 90,913 35,697 5,000 40,697	12 months to 31.12.22	12 months to 31.12.22	12 months to 31.12.22
								Restricte d funds £ Total £ - 90,913 5,000 40,697
		45,791		- 45,791		126,610			5,000 131,61 0
		(51168) (3,122) - (3,660)		- (51,168) - (3,122) - - - (3,660)		(67,742) (2,651) - -		- (67,742 ) - (2,651) - - (5,104) (5,104)
		(57,950)		- (57,950 )		(70,393)		(5,104) (75,49 7)
		(12,159)		(12,159 )		56,217		(104) 56,113
		90368		- 90368		34,151		104 34,255
		78209		- 78209		90,368		- 90,368

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements with respect to accounting records and the preparation of the accounts and these accounts have been prepared accordingly.

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Signed: Claire Ritchie - Trustee (Chair) Shelly Goldring - Trustee

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounts: The accounts have been prepared as receipt and payment accounts, in line with Charity Commission regulations for a CIO, having income between £25,000 and £250,000. This level of income requires the accounts to have an independent examination.

2. Receipts: All income is recognised by Sevenoaks Larder when received into the bank account.

3. Payments: payments are accounted for when they have left the bank account.

4. Funds: two different types of funding are received by the charity, and are accounted for separately:

5. 1) Restricted funds – funds which have been designated for a specific purpose and must be used as such.

6. 2) Unrestricted Funds – funds which are available for general use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for any specific purpose.

7. Stock: Donated and distributed stocks are detailed in the written report and are not included in the financial reports.

6. Assets retained for the charity’s own use:

Item Storage racking Commercial fridge Commercial freezer	Fund to which asset belongs Bought from restricted funds Bought from restricted funds Bought from restricted funds	Cost in 2021
		£ 1,458 911 1,026

7. Reserves policy

At any one time, and in line with the Charity Commission’s guidance, the trustees aim to hold between 3 and 9 months’ unrestricted

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funding in order to protect the activities of the charity, and to ensure that our work can continue into the foreseeable future. At our current operating levels, this would represent reserves of between about £14,400 and £43,400. At present, our reserves exceed this level (representing about 16 months’ funding) due to two very large donations in 2022 from a London investment bank’s charity fund, but we do not expect these donations to be repeated. The trustees are committed to using these excess reserves to fund the ongoing operations of the charity, whilst temporarily pausing any active fundraising efforts which would increase these reserves further. Our reserves policy will be under constant review, in response to the fluctuating needs of the charity.

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts SeG¢ion A Indepèndènt Examlnèrfs Rèport R0PWt to the tm¥tcc¥ Sevwoaks Larder On •ceount¥ lor the yer 31" D￿rnber 2023 Charfty Tro Ilf any) 11¥2371 Sel othon page5 ,' 1-8 I rèpon ts) tho trvstuis on my cxamination of the accounts of th¢ above charrty T￿￿rI for trbe year ended 31111f2U23. Resprmslblllt￿s and b•$l$ of roport As tho Itsws trustts. you we respon¥ible for the preparati￿ ol the accounts with Ihe Wubrements of the Charities Ac12011 (Tr ACY'I. I report in respect ol my exam5r￿￿1 of the Trusys wunts c1rri￿ out urnler section 145 of th9 2011 A¢t #nd in caTh￿n￿ my cxatnination. I h8¥e fOu(￿&d all the 8pplic¥bto Dirgctions qivcn by tho Charity Commission under seC￿oN 14515)Ib) (Jf th> Act Independent examlnerfs statement I hava (x)mplotad my oxamination. I confirrn that rnalerial rnattefS have omg to my att8ntiOD ill Lyjnnection %wth the examination (other than thal diw)%&d ￿>1￿￿-) which givsX£ mc cause to believe thal in. any material the accojnbng records were nr)I kept ill 8LWT￿dnTx willi serA1(￿ 130 of the Charitie5 Act.. rjr Ihe a¢wunts did not acrA)rd ￿th tho at0￿n11n9 rocords.. or accounts did not compty with Ihe applicat4e ￿Qui￿￿ents eoncoming tl forrn and content of accounts sel out Trn the ChaTitSes IAccounis and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requiremenl Ihal tho accounts givc a ttrue and fair. view whith is not a matter considered as part ol an independenl exuTriinatiots. I have no c￿ce￿5 have ctxne a￿{)5$ Olher matters in 1x)nr*￿1 with Ihe examin8lK)n to whith Httentiun should b& diawri iii this rewjrl In order to enable a proper understsndSNJ ol tha acLountA to be rftached. ' Please delete fhe wonls in TI￿ br(Kk$f8 if Ihey do not appy.. Signed.. 24- Rolmht prtsf•¥slonal quallficationls> or bo(fy lif any): IER 2018 io

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] January 2023 Period start date To 31[st] December 2023 Period end date

Charity name: Sevenoaks Larder

Charity registration number: 1192371

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The purpose of the charity is the relief and assistance of those persons in Sevenoaks District that are in need by reason of financial hardship by providing emergency food supplies, essential toiletries and other household items and also to work with other charities to prevent poverty. In addition to provide support or signposting to relevant advisory services.
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	Sevenoaks Larder’s main activities include the purchasing as well as collecting donated food and household products, then distributing to those who are struggling to afford to buy their own food within Sevenoaks District.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees declare that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

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

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Sevenoaks Larder does not award grants.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	Sevenoaks Larder receives its funding from local individuals, churches, businesses, and groups as well as National/local authorities.
		Sevenoaks Larder relies heavily upon the

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Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	contribution of our registered volunteers. Volunteers help with buying stock and managing the food donations, including collecting and delivering the donations to Sevenoaks Larder, sorting, packing and delivery of food and donations. They also help with taking some of the food orders, growing fruit & vegetables and collecting supermarket excess. Volunteers are DBS checked if they have contact directly with a client.
Other

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	During the period a total of £45,791 was raised from donations, funds and grants. £51,168 has been spent on purchasing food and 27,520kg of food has been donated. Approximately 3,760 weekly distributions to clients have been made (representing an average of 74 clients being given food each week). Sevenoaks Larder distributes food 50 weeks per year, being closed for one week in August and one week in December. In the week up to Christmas, in addition to their normal allowance, the clients are given Aldi Orange shopping vouchers, allowing them to shop at Aldi (but no alcohol or lottery tickets). These vouchers cost a total of £3,660 and admin costs totalling £3,122 were also spent.

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

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising

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activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

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Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity raised £45,791 in the period, with a closing bank balance of £78,209. Total payments were £57,950.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	At any one time the trustees aim to hold between 3 and 9 months funding in order to protect the activities of the charity and to ensure that our work can continue into the foreseeable future. At current operating levels this would amount to £14,400 - £43,400. Sevenoaks Larder therefore currently holds funds in excess of this reserves policy and is therefore not undertaking any fundraising activities whilst there are excess reserves. The reserves policy will be under constant review.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£78,209
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

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

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other

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Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Sevenoaks Larder is governed by a Constitution, dated 17th November 2020.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Sevenoaks Larder is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
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	No new trustees have been appointed in 2023. One trustee resigned as she was relocating to USA.

Additional information (optional)

Additional information (optional)	Additional information (optional)	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	Sevenoaks Larder has policies covering Reserves, Complaints Handling, DBS, GDPR, Safeguarding and Equality. All policies are under constant review. The trustees are all DBS checked and have undertaken training in respect of the policies listed.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	Sevenoaks Larder liaises with other charities in order to support those in need within the Sevenoaks District. This includes other food banks and local schools.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Sevenoaks Larder
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1192371
Charity’s principal address	Hope Church, Mill Lane Centre, Mill Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN14 5BX

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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	Nam e of pers on (or body ) entitl ed to appo int trust ee (if any)
	Claire Ritchie	Chair
	Nicci Chandler
	Goretti Efthimiou
	ShellyGoldring	Secretary
	Jenn Lancaster		1/1/23 – 1/7/23
	Gordon Lee
	Trudie McGowan
	Phil Smith
	FayWarne
	Andrea Watson

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

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

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Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature(s)
Shelly Goldring
Full name(s) Claire Ritchie
Position (eg Chair Secretary
Secretary, Chair,
etc)
Date
----- End of picture text -----

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