**Charity registration number 1194245** 

## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

**ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023** 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

|**Trustees**|P Trotter|
|---|---|
||J Clunie|
||J Hancock|
||M MacEacharn|
||K Cobbold|
||P Corbett|
||J Taylor|
|**Charity number**|1194245|
|**Principal address**|The Surgery|
||Layne Fields|
||Christow|
||Devon|
||EX6 7NY|
|**Independent examiner**|Mr J L Coombs MA (Cantab) FCA|
||Simpkins Edwards LLP|
||The Summit|
||Woodwater Park|
||Exeter|
||Devon|
||EX2 5WS|





## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **CONTENTS** 

||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 2|
|Independent examiner's report|3|
|Statement of financial activities|4|
|Balance sheet|5|
|Notes to the financial statements|6 - 11|





## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “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 (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019) 

## **Objectives and activities** 

To relieve sickness and preserve health and compliment the medical services provided amongst persons permanently or temporarily resident in the parishes of Ashton, Bridford, Cheriton Bishop, Christow, Doddiscombleigh, Dunsford and Tedburn St Mary all in the county of Devon. 

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. 

## **Achievements and performance** 

Acorn Community Support would like to thank all our volunteers, staff, and trustees for their continued commitment to the charity and to our community members who have continued to benefit and enjoy all the support Acorn can provide. 

The kind and generous nature of all our volunteers, to willingly give up their time to lend a helping hand to others, is inspiring and the Trustees would like to extend their heartfelt thanks. 

Through the financial year Acorn provided private volunteer transport to 327 clients, through 303 journeys, registering 5,408 miles.  The minibuses supported 962 clients, through 160 trips, registering a total of 5,554 miles. 

## **Financial review** 

The charity received income of £32,282 (2022: £30,635), whilst incurring expenditure of £38,887 (2022: £43,747). The charity's reserves at 31 March 2023 stood at £110,942, a decrease of £6,605 from the opening position of £117,547. 

## **Risk** 

In order to maintain liquidity, the charity uses a mixture of long-term and short term deposit accounts in order to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing developments and future developments. 

- 1 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT  (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

Acorn Community Support is governed by a constitution adopted 27th April 2021.  The charity is managed by a group of trustees who, formerly, were elected annually at the AGM.  The new constitution allows for trustees to be appointed at any time throughout the year, with due process. 

As at 31 March 2023, the charity consisted of a board of eight trustees, an office manager, and a community care manager. The charity is supported by approximately 40 volunteers. 

## **Governance** 

The trustees meet four times a year and are in regular communication in between formal board meetings. 

All potential new trustees and staff members are interviewed by at least three trustees and recommendations for appointment made to the full board for approval. 

Trustees and staff are inducted as appropriate for the role. 

## **Management** 

The trustees operate an open-door policy to ensure availability to staff at all times. Communication with volunteers is largely through telephone and email and the charity utilises Facebook and parish magazines to communicate with the wider community. 

Senior staff include: 

Office Manager Mandy Vellacott (Appointed 10 August 2020) 

Community Care Manager Frances Peake (Appointed 01 July 2019) 

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: P Trotter 

J Clunie J Hancock V Logan (Resigned 11 July 2023) M MacEacharn K Cobbold P Corbett J Taylor 

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees. 

**J Clunie** Trustee Dated: 16 January 2024 

**M MacEacharn** 

Trustee Dated:16 January 2024 

- 2 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** 

## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Acorn Community Support (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). 

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. 

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. 

I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015. 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 

- 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or 

- 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. 

## **Mr J L Coombs MA (Cantab) FCA** 

for and on behalf of Simpkins Edwards LLP 

The Summit Woodwater Park Pynes Hill Exeter Devon EX2 5WS 

Dated: 23 January 2024 

- 3 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|||**Unrestricted Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**funds**|**funds**|
|||**2023**|**2022**|
||**Notes**|**£**|**£**|
|**Income from:**||||
|Donations and legacies|**3**|23,197|26,114|
|Charitable activities|**4**|8,396|4,426|
|Investments|**5**|689|95|
|**Total income**||32,282|30,635|
|**Expenditure on:**||||
|Charitable activities|**6**|38,887|36,591|
|Other|**10**|-|7,156|
|**Total expenditure**||38,887|43,747|
|**Net expenditure for the year/**||||
|**Net movement in funds**||(6,605)|(13,112)|
|Fund balances at 1 April 2022||117,547|130,659|
|**Fund balances at 31 March 2023**||110,942|117,547|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. 

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

- 4 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **BALANCE SHEET** 

## _**AS AT 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**Notes**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>**12**<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>**13**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within**<br>**one year**<br>**14**<br>Net current assets<br>**Total assets less current liabilities**<br>**Income funds**<br>Unrestricted funds|**2023**<br>**£**<br>401<br>73,864<br>74,265<br>(1,942)|**£**<br>38,619<br>72,323<br>110,942<br>110,942<br>110,942|**2022**<br>**£**<br>-<br>77,425<br>77,425<br>(2,789)|**£**<br>42,911<br>74,636|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||117,547|
|||||117,547|
|||||117,547|



The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 16 January 2024 

J Clunie **Trustee** 

M MacEacharn **Trustee** 

- 5 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **Charity information** 

Acorn Community Support is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is a charitable incorporated organisation. The address of the principal office is The Surgery, Layne Fields, Christow, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7NY. 

## **1.1 Accounting convention** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document,  the Charities Act 2011 and “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 (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. 

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 

## **1.3 Charitable funds** 

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. 

## **1.4 Incoming resources** 

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

## _**Donations and legacies**_ 

Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured. 

## _**Grants receivable**_ 

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released. 

- 6 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

**(Continued)** 

## **1.5 Resources expended** 

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs. 

## _**Raising funds**_ 

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds. 

## _**Charitable activities**_ 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. 

## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. 

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: 

Motor vehicles 

10% reducing balance basis 

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities. 

## **1.7 Financial instruments** 

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

## _**Basic financial assets**_ 

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. 

- 7 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

**(Continued)** 

## _**Basic financial liabilities**_ 

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. 

## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_ 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. 

## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** 

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. 

## **3 Donations and legacies** 

||**Unrestricted **|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Donations and gifts|4,291|6,488|
|Legacies receivable|-|1,527|
|Government grants|18,906|18,099|
||23,197|26,114|



- 8 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

## **4 Charitable activities** 

||**Charitable**|**Charitable**|
|---|---|---|
||**Income**|**Income**|
||**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Hire charges and minibus|7,916|3,898|
|Memory Cafe|-|55|
|Group activities|480|473|
||8,396|4,426|



## **5 Investments** 

|||**Unrestricted **|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**funds**|**funds**|
|||**2023**|**2022**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Interest receivable|689|95|
|**6**|**Charitable activities**|||
|||**Charitable**|<br>**Charitable**|
|||**Expenditure**|**Expenditure**|
|||**2023**|**2022**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Depreciation and impairment|4,292|4,769|
||Cost of private transport|537|1,052|
||Memory cafe|-|355|
||Group activities|1,928|497|
||Minibus costs|4,547|4,920|
||Accountancy|1,190|1,400|
||Wages and salaries|21,233|18,555|
|||33,727|31,548|
||Support costs|5,160|5,043|
|||38,887|36,591|



- 9 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

## **7 Independent examiner's remuneration** 

|The analysis of independent examiner's remuneration is as follows:<br>Independent examination of the annual accounts<br>Other services<br>**Total independent examination fees**|**2023**<br>**£**<br>1,190<br>-<br>1,190|**2022**<br>**£**<br>1,148<br>252|
|---|---|---|
|||1,400|



## **8 Trustees** 

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. 

## **9 Employees** 

## **Number of employees** 

The average monthly number of employees during the year was: 

|**Number of employees**<br>The average monthly number of employees during the year was:|||
|---|---|---|
||**2023**|**2022**|
||**Number**|**Number**|
|Employees|2|2|
|There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.|||



## **10 Other** 

|Net loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets|**Total Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>-<br>7,156<br>-<br>7,156|**Total Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>-<br>7,156<br>-<br>7,156|
|---|---|---|
|||7,156|



## **11 Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. 

- 10 - 



## **ACORN COMMUNITY SUPPORT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**12**<br>**Tangible fixed assets**<br>**Cost**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**Depreciation and impairment**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Depreciation charged in the year<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 31 March 2023<br>At 31 March 2022<br>**13**<br>**Debtors**<br>**Amounts falling due within one year:**<br>Other debtors<br>**14**<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**<br>Accruals and deferred income<br>**15**<br>**Related party transactions**|**Motor vehicles**<br>**£**<br>59,545<br>59,545<br>16,634<br>4,292<br>20,926<br>38,619<br>42,911<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>401<br>-<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,942<br>2,789|**Motor vehicles**<br>**£**<br>59,545<br>59,545<br>16,634<br>4,292<br>20,926<br>38,619<br>42,911<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>401<br>-<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,942<br>2,789|
|---|---|---|
|||59,545|
|||16,634<br>4,292|
|||20,926|
|||38,619|
|||42,911|
|||**2022**<br>**£**<br>-|
|||**2022**<br>**£**<br>2,789|
||||



There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none). 

- 11 - 

